Southern Discomfort Read online

  Southern Discomfort

  By: Rachel Burns

  Text Copyright © 2013 by Rachel Burns

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Other Books By Rachel Burns

  A Man To Guide Her

  Daddy's Sweetheart Part I

  Have A Heart Part I

  Have A Heart Part II

  Hot Cooking Spanker Wanted

  Island Men

  Man of the House

  Sugar Daddy

  Two Worlds Collide

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 The Advertisement

  Chapter 2 Time To Be Brave

  Chapter 3 Everyday Life

  Chapter 4 Sunday

  Chapter 5 Maintaining the Peace

  Chapter 6 Picking Up Snakes

  Chapter 7 Dowry

  Chapter 8 Emily Turns Eighteen

  Chapter 9 Quality Time

  Chapter 10 Bribery

  Chapter 11 Obey Me

  Chapter 12 Never Forget That You Are Mine

  Chapter 13 Something Is Wrong

  Chapter 14 Uncertainties

  Chapter 15 Thanking The Lord

  Epilogue

  Check Out Rachel Burns' Other Books

  Chapter 1 The Advertisement

  Nathaniel stood by the side of the livery, waiting for the stagecoach to come in. It was running behind schedule. He was already very nervous. His hand slowly reached into the collar of his shirt. He loosened his tie a little. He was worried about the impression that he might make on her. What if she looked at him and decided that he wasn't the one for her?

  He kept looking to see if the coach was coming. Which was ridiculous, because he knew he would hear it first, before he saw it coming.

  He seemed to be the only one waiting this week. It was a hot Friday afternoon and if everything went right he would be married today. He was a little worried that she wouldn't be on the stagecoach.

  Nathaniel was worried that he would receive a letter saying, that she had changed her mind, and that she wasn't coming. He took a deep breath, glad that he hadn't told anyone that he had advertised for a wife.

  Texas man, looking for a christian wife. No dowry required.

  That had been his announcement.

  Six had responded to his advertisement. Five had written asking for a picture. Just the one coming hadn't.

  Nathaniel had wanted a wife as quickly as possible. Writing back and forth had already taken a couple of months. He didn't have the time to leave the ranch just to go get his picture taken. He couldn't be spared that long and he didn't want to deal with a vain wife.

  Nathaniel wanted a good christian wife who would take her wedding vows very seriously. He had written that to Emily after she had responded to his advertisement.

  She had written back quoting a bible passage that said the same thing but that continued on to say that she didn't have to obey if it was something against God's word.

  Nathaniel wrote back that that was exactly his way of thinking, too. In her next letter she agreed to marry him. He replied that he would like that and that he would marry her upon arrival.

  Her last response had been a telegram saying that she would be on the stagecoach today.

  He had been nervous all week. His two older brothers had been picking on him. They teased him that she would be ugly or fat or missing teeth or all of those unattractive things together.

  No matter what stepped off the coach he was prepared to marry it. There just weren't that many women out here. He didn't want to be alone anymore and he believed that every woman had her beautiful side.

  Emily kept looking at her watch. The stage was running late. Would he give up and leave without her? Men didn't like to wait.

  She was worried that he had a bad temper. Her being late would flare it if he did. What should she do then? She had more than enough money with her to just turn around and go home but she didn't want to do that.

  If he was a good and kind man, like she guessed that he was from his letters, then she would marry him no matter what he looked like.

  Emily was prepared to be a good wife. She had seen the alternative. She knew what she didn't want. It was just a question of what she wanted. She hoped he would be good, kind and patient with her.

  Emily was worried that he would be mad at her. She had kind of misled him. He had written no dowry required.

  She had one. She was traveling without it at the moment. Her aunt and uncle were waiting in Austin in a hotel. They had it. If she didn't show up within a week they would come looking for her.

  They were opposed to this idea. They hated it even, but she had been dead set on it. She couldn't marry anyone back home even if she did turn a lot of heads. Well, she turned one head too many.

  Her father had made the mistake of promising her to the richest and most influential man in town. He died thinking that his only child would be well taken care of. But the truth was her betrothed was a cold-hearted man. Emily was afraid of him. She had tried to get out of marrying him, but he had said, no.

  It wasn't because he loved her. No, he just wanted her because she was pretty. He liked to hurt women, they said. He had burned a woman, even scarring her for life, because she refused to preform certain services. Emily tried not to think about that. She couldn't guess at what it meant but her aunt had been horrified. That wasn't the life she wanted. No, she would be better off with a God fearing man like Nathaniel.

  Emily hoped that he wouldn't be too upset, that she didn't have any farming experience. Maybe he wouldn't mind. Perhaps he even assumed that she didn't, because she came from Boston. She was really very nervous. She felt like crying, but it seemed the coach was slowing down.

  It was time. Either he would be there or not. She resisted looking out of the window. She didn't want to look too eager.

  The coach was approaching. It slowed to a stop. The driver was unstrapping her trunk. Nathaniel looked up at the driver and gave him a nod. Then he looked back at the door. He stepped forward and opened it, holding it open wide as he stepped aside. He wasn't brave enough to look inside just yet.

  Emily had put a lemon candy in her mouth as the coach began to slow. She started biting to get rid of it before he saw that she was worried about her breath.

  The door opened and she swallowed the sharp pieces. She gathered her things together and slowly stood up. The stage ride had made her feel very dizzy.

  She looked out and saw dry land with few trees. None of which were what she considered green.

  She didn't see anyone, but someone had opened the door. Emily stepped out and looked around. A man was offering her his hand to take, to help her down.

  She took it and stepped down slowly. She was shaking. He noticed that and smiled. He was in a very good mood actually. If this woman was his Emily than he had really lucked out.

  Emily was relieved when she had her feet on the ground. She looked around and saw there was no one waiting here, but the stage coach driver and the man who had helped her. She turned and watched the stage coach driver and the man removing her trunk, and laying it on the ground.

  Either this man was her future husband, or he had left, or he hadn't shown at all. Maybe he was hidden somewhere and he would jump out laughing saying, 'Look she actually came. How desperate must she be?' Again she felt like crying. The man, who had helped her out, was staring at her now.

  “My name is Emily Stuart, I'm waiting for Nathaniel Tate. Did he leave already?” she asked uncertain.

&n
bsp; “No ma'am. I'm right here.” He removed his hat and looked at her. She had long dark hair that curled at the ends. She had dark blue eyes and the palest skin. This little lady was something to look at. Every head would turn when he marched her to the preacher's.

  She stared at him. He was trim and young looking, not an old man as she had feared. He had soft brown eyes and blond red hair that was almost shoulder length, and it had waves in it. If he hadn't been so tan, she would have thought, that he was a Boston gentleman. She reached her hand out to him. “How do you do.” She smiled a little, but she was still very nervous.

  Nathaniel took her hand, bowed over it and pretended to kiss it. He felt that she was still scared. He looked back at her. Why would someone like her answer his advertisement? She was a beauty. “I'll just get your trunk in my carriage and then we can go to the preacher's.”

  She nodded very nervously.

  He was thrilled that she was so beautiful, but it made him all the more curious about her. Now he was worried about a personality flaw. She just seemed too good to be true. Someone with her looks and pose just didn't marry a stranger.

  He eyed the white dress she was wearing. It would be her wedding dress but it was an everyday dress for a fine lady. He wanted to peek at her hands, but they were covered with soft white gloves.

  Nathaniel wondered if she had ever worked a day in her life. He doubted it but he wasn't worried. His sister-in-laws had everything under control at home. Emily wasn't a necessity as far as work went. She would just have to take care of his laundry and mending. The rest the others would show her. She had time to learn. She looked like she would need it.

  Her trunk was lighter than he thought it would be. Did she run away from home, he wondered? Did it matter?

  He put her trunk on back of the carriage. He finished and turned to look at her. She was looking around. She was already starting to draw a crowd. He had to get her married quick before it caused problems. He took her hand and led her to the church. She was still shaking. He smiled over at her again and again.

  He opened the door for her and she nodded her thanks and stepped in. The preacher was the only one who had been informed that she was coming today.

  He smiled at the two of them. They would make a nice couple. She would bring more class into the town. He could already see her sitting here on Sunday for services. Good christian families, that is what this town needed.

  Emily stepped up to the preacher and shook his hand and thanked him for taking the time to marry them today. The preacher nodded, and reassured her, saying that a wedding was always a joyous occasion. He gladly took time for them. That said he wasted no time marrying the two of them.

  It was over before they knew it. Nathaniel leaned in and kissed her quickly.

  Emily blushed.

  He smiled at her and brought her back to the wagon.

  She was shocked at how quickly that had gone. Within minutes she had promised to love, honor and obey a complete stranger, but he had promised to cherish and protect her. Would that make everything alright?

  She sat next to him in his carriage as he drove her to his home. She knew he lived with his two older brothers and their wives.

  Her aunt had warned her that women had a way about them, that could easily change to cruelness. They would have been doing things their way for some time now, and that she shouldn't try to force her opinions on anyone. It wouldn't be well received.

  Emily was very worried about that. She knew that his family stayed on their ranch except to go to church on Sundays.

  Nathaniel sat proud next to his wife. She was so beautiful and she had been so nice to the preacher. He had approved, too. She sat straight next to him. She didn't say much but neither did he. Emily had mentioned in a letter that she was shy. That was fine with him. She would warm up to the family quick enough. The last thing he wanted was a loud mouthed woman telling him what to do. Something like that he would have quickly nipped in the bud.

  He watched her looking around. This was all new to her. This was nothing like Boston. Should he say that aloud and try to talk to her, he wondered? She sure was pretty. She turned to look at something and her long hair brushed against his arm. His mind started to drift off to this evening. He moved a little uncomfortably in his seat. Would she really be a virgin? His mind wondered again. If she wasn't it would explain why she was here.

  They were almost home. He wondered what was going on there. What would they think of his Emily? She sure was a beauty. He could hardly wait for church on Sunday. By then word would have gotten around that he had a pretty young wife. He would get to sit next to her in church every week. Maybe he should take a weapon with him. There were just so many single men out here and she sure was a pretty thing.

  He may have to defend her.

  Nathaniel pulled up right in front of the house. He jumped down and turned to help her down. She was still shaking. He took her by her hand and led her up the porch steps. He opened the door for her. His family was gathered together to meet her. They were all smiles as they looked at them.

  “Emily, this is my oldest brother Edward and his wife Katherine.” Nathaniel introduced them.

  Emily shook their hands and gave them a polite smile.

  “You can call me Katie,” Katherine told her.

  Emily nodded and smiled at her again.

  “This is my brother Charles and his wife Elizabeth.”

  Again Emily shook both of their hands. Elizabeth told her that she liked to be called Bessie. The family was a little unsure, because Emily hadn't spoken yet.

  Nathaniel noticed this and took her hand again. She was just plain shy.

  Bessie and Katie weren't at all shy. “We made a big meal in celebration of your wedding.” Bessie looked at Nate as she spoke.

  “Yes, and to welcome Emily into our family,” Katie added.

  Emily blushed and looked down. Nathaniel took hold of her arm again. He led her towards the table. He pulled out a chair for her and she thanked him. The others were relieved that she could speak.

  “Charles, help me outside with the horses,” Edward said. They both left.

  Nathaniel sat down next to his wife. She hadn't been fooling when she said she was shy. Once again he had to wonder about why she married him. She was so beautiful. He almost wished he sat across from her so he could stare at her. Even if she didn't say much for his ears she sure was something for his eyes.

  He reached for her hand again. They sat, both very quiet, and held each others hand without speaking, while Bessie and Katie got the food on the table.

  Edward and Charles came in carrying Emily's trunk. She rose and went to it. They put it down in front of her confused. “We can bring it up to your room.”

  “I brought gifts for everyone,” she explained in a soft voice. She kneeled down in front of her truck and opened it. She got out a few presents and offered them silently to their new owners.

  The last present was for her new husband. She blushed as she gave it to him then she sat down next to him again. They all sat down and opened their presents.

  “Thank you, Emily, that was very considerate of you.” Edward laid his saddle cream to the side of his plate.

  Charles, who had received the same present, also thanked her. Bessie and Katie loved their gifts. They received store bought soap and hand cream. The things smelt so fine.

  Nathaniel opened his gift. He had gotten a pocket watch from his new wife. He wasn't sure what to say. The gift was just too expensive to accept. He looked up at her, she was waiting for his approval, or his disapproval.

  “It was my father's,” she explained.

  “Doesn't he need it?” Nathaniel asked.

  “He passed on a couple of years ago. I have been saving it for – you.” She blushed again at the end.

  Was this the reason why she had married him, he wondered? She was more than just shy. He worried about bedding her later. Would she be too shy for that?

  “Thank you very much, Emily.�
�� He smiled at her, and she smiled back as she blushed red.

  His breath caught in his throat. Her smile was just breath-taking.

  Emily worried that she was making a bad impression. She wished she could say more, but she had always had a problem with strangers. She was probably coming across as being childish, or even worse, as cold.

  Emily had to fight off the tears that were building. “I'm sorry. I'm just a little shy. In a few days it will be better,” she reassured them.

  Nathaniel's hand took hers again. He felt a need to protect her.

  “Of course, we understand completely. This is a lot for you. Meeting so many people, on one day, can be very overwhelming.” Katie spoke for the whole table as she patted Emily's free hand, trying to reassure her new sister.

  Emily smiled at her. She formed a silent thank you with her lips.

  The others started in talking as if she wasn't there. Emily was able to just listen to them talk. It helped her to relax. Nathaniel's hand often sought out hers. He was overjoyed to have such a pretty and sweet wife.

  Emily was pleased that her husband wasn't pushing her to talk. He was being very sensitive.

  She hoped he would be sensitive later on tonight too. She didn't really know what to expect. The only thing she knew was, that it would hurt her the first time, and that she had to be naked for it.

  Emily couldn't imagine being naked with him. What if he thought she was ugly? She knew that she would first be truly married after he was inside of her. She wasn't sure how he would do that. Her nerves were going haywire and it was getting dark out. She started shaking again.

  Nathaniel was holding her hand and he felt her shaking. He patted her hand again.

  When the meal was over she got up with the other women and helped clear away the dishes. Bessie explained the way they wanted things done. Emily nodded and did exactly as she was told. The other two were pleased with her.