The Right Wife

by Beverly Barton

Genres: Small Town & Rural; Victorian Romance

Synopsis

In a sweeping and vibrant novel set in the post-war South, New York Times bestselling author Beverly Barton follows one young woman's journey to love and independence. . .

1885. All of Margaret Campbell's hopes for the future lie in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Since the death of her sharecropper father, eighteen-year-old Maggie has no resources and few allies, aside from the relatives who've agreed to take her in. With luck, she might yet make an upright gentleman of her brother, and a real lady of her rebellious little sister. And perhaps, once her siblings are settled, she'll find a decent, hardworking man to marry. But those plans are jeopardized the moment she meets Aaron Stone.

Effortlessly charming, Aaron is building an empire in the South. Maggie knows he wants the right kind of wife to overcome the shadows surrounding his birth--someone like the well-connected widow he's been courting. Someone a million miles from a penniless, outspoken sharecropper's daughter. But neither jealousy, family secrets, nor long-held prejudices will keep Maggie from following her heart. . .

Release date: June 1, 2014

Publisher: eKensington

Print pages: 264

Sample

“Get your filthy hand off her,” Maggie Campbell said. “How dare you accuse Daisy of stealing your watch?”

“Look girlie, you stay out of this. Your nigger stole my watch, and I intend to search her,” the red-faced, little pig-of-a-man shouted.

“I’m not going to tell you again, you stinking idiot, get your hands off of Daisy!”

“Please, Miss Maggie,” the pale-eyed young Negress said, her womanly body trembling with fear. Clean but terribly worn clothes covered her alluring body, and slender, bare feet revealed her poverty. Her fair maize skin, ebony hair, and huge, almost iridescent blue eyes bespoke of a beauty that once would have sold at a high price.

“Shut up, gal.” As he spoke, her accuser pulled the black woman closer to his rotund body. He turned to the redheaded girl who was pointing her finger in his heavily bearded face. “Just what you going to do about it, huh? I say this gal stole my watch, and I got a right to search her for it. You take those two brats and get on the train. I’ll send this ’un on after I get my watch back.”

Maggie moved closer, pulling on her servant, trying to free her from the tight embrace of her captor. The man’s grasp loosened when Maggie’s tug caught him off guard. Daisy staggered, barely catching herself before falling.

The disturbance on the loading platform attracted Aaron Stone’s attention. He noticed that a small group had gathered around the heavyset, bearded man, the slender Negress, and the auburn-haired girl. Two youngsters, by looks obviously the screaming redhead’s brother and sister, stood by her. Their tense, young faces seemed to be warning one and all not to interfere. The tall, lanky boy, who appeared to be about sixteen, moved in closer as if ready to pounce.

Aaron took a deep draw on his cigar as he stepped down onto the platform, walked a few yards, and stopped at the edge of the small assembly.

Aaron’s green eyes moved over the angry redhead whose full breasts were heaving in tantalizing movements as her anger steadily increased. The small rose attached to the bodice of her dress attracted his attention, the crimson petals brilliant against the pale blue background.

“Damn you!” the fat, little man hissed, grabbing Maggie by the wrists. “Maybe you stole my watch. Maybe I need to search you.”

“Stop it!” Maggie’s boyishly brave brother yelled. “Let her go.”

“You’re an awful man,” the small girl said. “You better let my sister go or I’ll bite you.”

“Let me loose, you fat, old goat,” Maggie said, just as her foot rammed into his shin.

Momentarily stunned, he released Maggie, but, before she could move, he grabbed her around the waist. Just as Maggie aimed her knee, the boy jumped on the man’s back, the girl bit into his fat hand, and the daring Negress whacked him in the head with a tiny case. Within seconds, their attacker lay on the platform cursing loudly while Maggie Campbell and her troops gathered their belongings.

Aaron could not contain the chuckle rumbling from his chest. He had seen many a sight in his thirty years, but nothing to match the spectacle of this feisty redhead and her unlikely entourage. She looked far too young to be on her own. She looked far too poor to have a servant. He found the incident amusing and the girl intriguing. She certainly was not a well-behaved young lady. Her actions had been those of a wildcat, not a tame, little tabby. Aaron knew his beloved Eunice would have been shocked senseless. Never would she have degraded herself by becoming embroiled in a struggle to protect a darky servant girl.

The scarlet-faced man got to his feet and stormed toward his assailants. “You better stop, you little slut, you and that nigger of yours. I got police friends. I’ll have you in jail. Huber Smith ain’t nobody to rile.”

Maggie didn’t slow down. She kept walking, but the black girl stopped.

“Miss Maggie, go ’head and let him search me. Then he’ll know I ain’t got no watch.”

Maggie stopped. “I will not allow that . . . that . . . animal to touch you. He knows you didn’t steal his watch.”

“Please, Miss Maggie, I don’t want to cause you no trouble.” Tears filled Daisy’s huge, blue eyes.

“Flibberation!” On Maggie’s lips the word became a curse.

What prompted him to interfere Aaron would never know, but the impulse to be Miss Maggie’s champion overcame his better judgment.

“Mr. Smith.” Aaron’s deep voice froze the other man to the spot and equally immobilized the small crowd of onlookers.

Smith’s keen, black eyes darted up at the big man who had called his name. “Sir?”

“I think perhaps you have delayed this young . . . er . . . lady long enough. I, too, have friends in Chattanooga. The mayor and I have shared a brandy at the Stanton House on more than one occasion.”

“Look here, sir, this colored gal stole my watch, and I intend to search her.”

“Mr. Smith, being a man of the world myself, I can understand how the dark charms of this quadroon might tempt you, but this is 1885. Since her mistress is unwilling to allow you the privileges you desired, I suggest that you quietly drop the matter.” When Aaron smiled, his handsome face hardened. His stance tensed and he turned to Maggie.

“May I have the honor of escorting you aboard your train, miss?”

“Miss Campbell, Miss Margaret Campbell. And thank you, but we can board the train without any more help.”

Maggie looked up at Aaron and the whole world seemed to fade away. He was far from the first handsome man she had ever seen. In Grovesdale, there had been men of all shapes, sizes, and ages. She had even had a steady beau before Pa died. Benny had been handsome, in a youthful sort of way, and every bit the gentleman this big, blond man was, probably more so. She attributed the giddy, sinking feeling in her stomach to her unwilling attraction to the handsome stranger.

“It would be my pleasure to help you, Miss Campbell.”

Maggie trembled. She wasn’t sure whether she was trembling outside or just inside. Lordy, he was big. Bigger than Pa and Pa had been a tad over six feet.

Aaron held her eyes with his. She didn’t look a day over eighteen with that smooth, flawless complexion and innocent gold eyes. Just looking at her made him restless with a need he hadn’t felt in years. Not since he had been a randy boy. She might not be a well-bred lady, but she certainly was a rare beauty. He knew he should say good-bye and good luck, and get the hell away from her before he made a fool of himself.

“Where are you headed, Miss Campbell?” he heard himself asking against his better judgment.

“We’re going to Tuscumbia, Alabama,” Maggie said as she began walking. She motioned for the other three to follow.

“I happen to be a new resident of that area.” Aaron smiled when he saw the momentary pause in her step. He decided it was fate. Somehow this redheaded witch was going to cause him trouble.

“Then perhaps we will see you there, Mr. . . . ah . . . Mr. . . .” Maggie flushed. She did not want this aggressively arrogant rogue to think she was trying to become familiar.

“Stone. Aaron Stone,” he introduced himself, knowing that, although Maggie feigned indifference, she was as interested in him as he was in her.

Remaining a few discreet steps behind, Daisy and the children kept pace with the fast-moving Maggie. All three were avidly listening to the ongoing conversation between the titian-haired tigress and their golden rescuer.

“Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Stone.” Maggie tried to sound genuinely appreciative without being coy. If there was one thing that she hated, it was sugary-sweet women who batted their eyelashes and spouted asinine nonsense like “Oh, dear me.”

“Perhaps I should accompany you and your party on the remainder of the trip,” Aaron said, dumbfounded by his inability to leave this girl. “It’s unfortunate that some older male member of your family couldn’t see you safely to your destination.”

Aaron Stone knew he was unwanted and probably not needed, but, for some perplexing reason, he could not bring himself to walk away from Miss Maggie Campbell. At thirty, he was too old to be infatuated with some winsome girl, even if she were the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. She was definitely the wrong woman for him. Woman? She wasn’t much more than a girl, a hot-tempered, unladylike, poorly dressed girl.

“Look, Mr. Stone,” Maggie said, “although I appreciated your help, I do not appreciate your persistence. All appearances to the contrary, I, sir, am a lady. And ladies do not encourage acquaintances with strange men.”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Aaron laughed. “Pardon me, miss.” His jade eyes scanned her shabbily attired body. “I simply thought that your party might be interested in traveling to Tuscumbia in a private car. I happen to have one at my disposal.”

He had never known a woman who could resist the lure of wealth. Why should this beautiful ragamuffin be different? Even his own mother had sold herself to the highest bidder.

“We have our tickets, sir. Paid for with good, honest money.” Maggie’s quick steps increased in speed.

“What makes you think my money is bad, Miss Maggie?”

“Intuition, sir. Intuition.”

Aaron slowed his stride to a standstill, watching as the Campbell clan headed toward the passenger car. Determined not to follow the sassy miss, he counted the reasons he should not pursue his baser instincts. She was too young, too poor, too ill bred, and too independent. That type made a good mistress, but a bad wife for a man seeking to overcome his own unsavory past.

He probably would have been able to turn around and go in the opposite direction if Maggie hadn’t stopped just as her siblings boarded the train ahead of her. She stood there with those big gold eyes staring at him as if she’d never seen a man before. Damn, if she didn’t stop looking at him, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.

He walked the few feet separating them while she watched his approach, not moving when he reached out and took her small hand into his giant clasp.

“Miss Maggie.” He wanted this woman. He wanted her badly.

“Mr. Stone, I . . . I . . .”

“I don’t want you to leave with a bad impression of me.” Her hand felt warm and soft, yet strong, as if she were capable of hard work. He wanted to pull her hand to his lips to open her palm and stroke it with his tongue.

“Please, let me go.” She jerked her hand away, tingling from his touch.

He stood motionless, watching while she practically ran up the steps to board the passenger car.

“Good-bye, Mr. Stone,” the wide-eyed child, who was a pale, petite version of her older sister, called from the open window of the Memphis and Charleston railroad coach. “We’ll see you in Tuscumbia.”

He looked up in time to see Maggie jerk back the waving hand of her young sister and hastily close the window. Amused green eyes met molten gold ones, as unconscious invitation and acceptance passed between them.

Maggie tried to settle into her seat, but fidgeted nervously as she stole quick glances at the scattering of other passengers seated around her. She knew that soon the mighty steam engine would move the train forward, propelling her into an adventure of the new and unknown. She did not want her sixteen-year-old brother, Micah, or her ten-year-old sister, Judith, to be aware of her uneasiness. They were depending on her to be strong. Since Pa had passed on this last winter, the young ones looked to her for guidance, even though Micah tried hard to be the man of the family.

“Why can’t Daisy sit with us?” Judith turned backward, her knees resting on the cushioned bottom of the seat. Her large hazel eyes boldly inspected the passenger car’s interior and the interesting human specimens settling in for the long ride.

On the walls, small gaslights were attached every few feet apart. At one end of the wood-paneled coach stood a cold, potbellied stove, an empty brass cuspidor overturned beside it.

“Daisy has to ride in the colored car, Judith,” Maggie said, personally wishing that Daisy were by her side. “Things aren’t that different back home. It’s just that out in big cities, things are done more proper.”

“Is it proper that Daisy has to ride in a different car from us?”

“Yes, Judith, it’s the proper thing.” Maggie didn’t approve of the way things were, but she had learned to accept them. Poor little Jude was only a child, with a child’s rosy outlook on life. Maggie knew it was hard for her to understand why things were the way they were.

“Would it not have been proper for us to ride in that private car with Mr. Stone?”

“Judith Campbell, will you please sit down,” Maggie laughed, barely stopping herself from swatting her young sister’s backside. “The proper thing is for a lady to sit on her bottom, facing forward, and not sit on her knees gaping at strangers.”

“I’m not gaping. I’m showing an interest in what’s going on around me.”

“Sit down, Jude, and quit acting like some ignorant farm girl,” Micah said. Having settled in the seat facing his sisters, he crossed his legs and relaxed.

Judith spun around and practically fell into the seat, a self-satisfied smile curling her pink lips. “There, is that better?”

“Let’s all try to behave as if we’ve had some raisin’. Aunt Tilly and Uncle Chester will expect good manners from us.” Maggie knew that her siblings dreaded the thought of living with their mother’s brother and his puritanical wife. She had grave misgivings herself.

“Does Daisy like being colored?” Judith seemed intent on straining her sister’s nerves to the breaking point.

Sympathetically eyeing the inquisitive girl beside her, Maggie said, “Daisy accepts her lot in life. She knows that the good Lord put us all here for a purpose, whatever our color.”

“I wonder what that handsome Mr. Stone’s purpose is?” Judith sighed, a dreamy expression on her pretty little face.

“I’d bet his purpose is to drink hard liquor, make easy money, and bed as many willing females as possible.” Micah’s face brightened with laughter, his raw-boned features almost gaunt.

“Micah James Campbell!” Maggie pretended shock, praying silently that no one had overheard her brother’s tasteless comments. Aunt Tilly would have an attack of the vapors if she heard such language.

“Anybody could tell he’s a man of the world, a man used to getting his own way,” the boy said.

“Lord only knows what a man like that did to make the money to afford the kind of life you’re talking about.” Maggie refused to believe that Aaron Stone would play a part in her life or the lives of her siblings. Surely Aunt Tilly would shun a man of his type. Maggie was powerfully certain that he hadn’t been born a gentleman.

“I don’t see that it makes much difference how a man gets rich as long as he does.” Micah’s words reflected his own unhappiness with his poverty-stricken life.

“Don’t talk such nonsense,” his older sister said. “You know that Cousin Wesley has great hopes that you will follow in his footsteps by joining the ministry. A true man of God has little chance of becoming rich.”

“I don’t want to be no preacher.” The rangy, auburn-haired youth twisted in his seat, positioning himself to face the window. The morning breeze cooled his heated face, which had flushed scarlet beneath his healthy Tennessee tan.

“Is being a preacher a proper thing to do?” Judith asked.

Maggie’s head began to throb. Was her dream of a better life for Judith and Micah just that, a dream? Would she be able to curb the adventurous streak that ran so deep within her brother? Would she ever be able to make a real lady of the bubbly, constantly curious Judith?

Micah refused to acknowledge either Judith’s question or the existence of his two sisters. Maggie knew he would sulk for a while, perhaps even think about being in cahoots with the likes of Aaron Stone. No doubt, that rogue could teach her little brother all sorts of improper things.

“I don’t think I’d like being married to a preacher,” the younger girl said thoughtfully. “You could never do anything fun. It’d all be a sin.”

“Please don’t talk like that in front of Aunt Tilly,” Maggie told her talkative sister. “She sets great store by sin and salvation.”

“I wish we didn’t have to live with Aunt Tilly. She sounds like such a sour old—”

“Oh Jude, honey. We should be grateful that Uncle Chester and Aunt Tilly are offering us a home. We’ll just have to mind our P’s and Q’s, that’s all.”

Maggie was willing to do almost anything to give her family a chance for a better life than a future struggling on a sharecropper farm in Tennessee. Pa’s death had left them with little money and no hope of improving their lot.

“I promise I’ll try to be good, Maggie.”

“I know you will, honey. And remember that I’ll always be there for you and Micah.”

“And we’ll always be there for you.”

“First thing I plan to do is talk to Aunt Tilly about your schooling. You can’t be a proper lady without book learning.”

“But you can read and write. Why, you’re one of the smartest people I know.”

“I’ve got common sense,” Maggie corrected. “I’m a good, honest, hardworking girl, but I’ll never be a real lady. It’s not in me, but it is in you, and I intend to see you get your chance.”

“Oh, Maggie.”

“My God, Aaron, what a little hellcat this Maggie of yours must be.” Thayer Coleman’s loud laughter filled his private railroad car. “I regret that you were unable to persuade her to join us.”

“I don’t think she’s really a hellcat. She was just trying to protect her servant girl. I’d do the same thing for Phineas. And Maggie’s not your type, old friend,” Aaron told the other man as he glanced meaningfully at the voluptuous brunette lounging across the car.

Thayer smiled as his dark eyes caressed the scantily clad woman. “Verda can be amusing, but no different from other creatures of her type. I think your little Maggie Campbell would prove to be quite a challenge for a man.”

“I’m not interested in challenges anymore,” Aaron said. “I’m ready to settle down.”

“How boring. Lord, the very thought of settling down with a woman scares the hell out of me.”

“I’m six years older than you. I’ve also met a very suitable woman.”

“Eunice Arnold will bore you to tears. I’ll wager that within six months of taking vows with that suitable lady, you’ll be looking for one of Loretta’s hot-blooded whores to warm your bed.” Thayer ran a hand over the coarse, black stubble covering his jaw. “I need a shave and another drink.”

“Dammit, Thayer, you don’t need a wife like Eunice. I do. If I’m ever to gain a respectable place in society, I’ve got to make a good marriage. With the right wife, people won’t ask as many questions about my past.”

Thayer poured himself another shot of whiskey from the imported crystal decanter. “Shall we drink to respectability?”

“It’s a little early in the day for me,” Aaron said.

“Is it really morning?” Thayer gulped down the burning liquid and laughed again. “Maybe I should get some sleep. When I wake up, it should feel like morning.”

“Good idea. I’ll wake you when we stop in Huntsville. It should be lunchtime by then.” Aaron could almost taste the scrumptious fried chicken and mouthwatering peach pie in the box lunches that were sold at the depot there.

“Make sure Verda is dressed by then,” Thayer said. “She’s disembarking in Huntsville. You want to visit your sister for a while, don’t you, sweet thing?”

Verda shrugged, her huge breasts shaking from the slight movement. “Don’t make me no never mind. If I ain’t welcome at my sister’s, I got other friends there. Men friends who’d be more than glad to see Verda again.”

“Good. Good. Then that’s settled.” Thayer rested his shot glass on the small oak bar. “You probably wouldn’t enjoy Tuscumbia anyway.”

Aaron felt the sudden movement of the train and knew they were under way. He wondered what Miss Maggie Campbell thought of the passenger car. This was probably her first train ride. Was she excited? Afraid? Why the hell should he care? He had to put that beautiful little witch out of his mind. Proposing marriage to Eunice should be uppermost in his thoughts.

“You going on to Tuscumbia with Thayer?” the luscious Verda asked as she placed her half-nude body beside a partially aroused Aaron.

“I’ve got business to attend to.” He wanted Verda to leave him alone. Even though he and Thayer had shared a woman on more than one occasion, he had no intention of slaking his desire for a virginal redhead with this overripe whore. Last night he had enjoyed their flirtation, but he had momentarily lost his taste for soiled goods.

“Why don’t you put off that business? I got friends in Huntsville. We sure could have us a good time.” Verda’s bare foot stroked Aaron’s ankle and gradually moved up the calf of his leg.

He wondered if Maggie’s feet were pale and soft. How would it feel to have her toes tickling his skin?

When the seductive hussy reached out to touch his chest, Aaron caught her slender wrist, stopping her abruptly. “I’m not interested.”

Verda smiled, shrugged, and slowly removed her womanly body. Aaron looked out the window, completely ignoring her departure, wishing he were in the passenger coach with the Campbell clan.

Why are the Campbells going to Tuscumbia? he wondered. Did they have relatives there? What if Maggie were going to meet a future husband? Aaron knew it shouldn’t matter to him. If he had suddenly become so enamored of the idea of bedding a virgin, there were more likely candidates available. He was so certain that Maggie was a virgin, he’d bet his last dollar on the fact. Virginity was something that even the prestigious Eunice Arnold couldn’t lay claim to. Of course, her lack of innocence was quite proper since she was a widow.

Marrying Eunice would be a step in the right direction, just as buying the old White Orchard plantation had been. He pictured himself as a country gentleman with a genteel mate and several well-bred offspring. He hadn’t told Eunice anything about White Orchard. When he proposed, he wanted it to be an extra surprise. By the time they were lawfully wed, restoration of the manor house should be complete.

Intrusive thoughts of shimmering gold eyes and glorious red hair filled Aaron’s mind. Mile after mile passed as he sat gazing out the window of Thayer Coleman’s private railroad car. All the while he fantasized about making love to an ill-bred, outspoken girl who could mean nothing to him but trouble.

Having made this same trip on many previous occasions, he recognized the outskirts of Huntsville. He had been so engrossed in his own thoughts he had forgotten to make certain that his friend’s current mistress was dressed and ready to disembark.

After standing slowly and taking a long, much-needed stretch, Aaron looked across the car and saw a fully clad Verda watching his movements.

“Just looking, honey. Just looking.” Her voice had a soft, almost childlike quality to it. “It’s a pity we ain’t going to get to know each other better.”

Aaron reached over and gently nudged Thayer. His friend grunted and turned over. Aaron tried again, more forcefully the second time.

“What the—” Thayer grumbled sleepily.

“We’ll be in Huntsville in about fifteen minutes.” Aaron grinned. At this precise moment, his young friend looked like a grouchy child needlessly awakened from a sound sleep.

“Make sure Verda gets off,” Thayer mumbled.

“He’s so charmin’ when he’s drunk,” Verda said. “Don’t worry none about me, honey. I’ll get myself off and get a boy to take care of my bags.”

“Good,” both men said simultaneously.

“I’m getting off for a walk,” Aaron said. “Think I’ll get a box lunch. Do you want me to get one for you, too?”

“Hell if I know.” Thayer sat up and ran his fingers though his thick black hair. “My head is pounding and my stomach is churning.”

“I’ll get two. You’ll be starving before we reach Tuscumbia.”

Maggie was thankful that Judith had finally worn herself out and fallen asleep. Micah, still sulking, seemed to be absorbed in watching the quickly passing scenery outside the window.

She wondered how long the train would be stopped in Huntsville. She had heard some of the other passengers talking about getting off for lunch. She supposed they’d just have to eat the cold biscuits she had wrapped and placed in her bag before leaving Grovesdale last night.

She’d bet that Mr. Aaron Stone wouldn’t be eating any cold biscuits for his noonday meal. She wished that she could stop thinking about that damnable handsome rogue. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see his face, hard and strong, like something chiseled out of granite. Every time she gazed out the window, almond-shaped green eyes stared back at her. She could not let this unwanted attraction change any of her plans.. . .