Free An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken

throwing
herself at him like those other cheap women did?
    It infuriated her all the more because they
made her want to check her own morals and ethics. He brought out
such feelings of desire she would willingly throw caution to the
wind and give herself to him. Thank God she hadn't.
    Her legs were trembling still when the
carriage pulled up the drive to her home. A grief-stricken haze
seemed to choke the breath out of her until she was certain she
would pass out. The driver had to physically lift her out of the
carriage and walk her up the stairs. When Evelyn reached the door
to her house, she desperately tried to wipe away any evidence of
the tears, lest her daddy be home and wonder what had upset his
little girl.
    Evelyn straightened her shoulders, and she
went inside. She was immediately relieved to find nobody was around
to question her emotional instability. Legs like lead, she climbed
each individual stair until the door to her bedroom faced her.
Still shaking, she turned the knob, walked in, slammed the door and
slumped against it, allowing herself to slip to the floor,
considering ways to mend her broken heart.
     
    ****
     
    Royce hadn't realized how much his life had
taken a downward spiral until he approached his past. He had always
visited such establishments in the dark and slightly foxed. In the
daytime, totally sober, the houses where his mistresses lived
seemed like the pits of Hell itself. Had he momentarily lost his
sanity to have come to a place like this seeking pleasure?
    Why hadn't his mother knocked some sense
into him? Pulled his own pistol on him? Refused to let him run the
family businesses? He hadn't deserved her love, nor did he deserve
anyone's love or forgiveness now. But Evelyn gave him strength and
the desire to want more for himself. To actually want a future
without the sins of the past making black marks on his and Evelyn's
life together.
    It was the best decision he had ever made in
his life, to face the demons of his past, even if it meant facing
his many sins. Which is exactly what it was. Upon entering the
house, he immediately noticed the smell. Must and sin seemed to
literally drip from the walls, repelling him instantly. As he
continued his journey down the hall to the rooms he used to
frequent most, he couldn't help but notice the women, lounging
around, looking as if they had been beaten all night.
    During the usual hours, the women were
drinking and dressed to entice. Now looking at them, they seemed
old and worn. Like they wanted to run but had nowhere to run to.
Keeping his eyes downcast, he walked into the last room on the left
and cleared his throat.
    He repeated the same speech twice. To two
different women. He apologized for his behavior. And even offered
them jobs at reputable hotels where they could become maids if they
so desired. Neither women said much, but Sheila in a fit of sadness
ran after him and grabbed him from behind when he was just outside
the establishment. He turned to face her and gave her a small
embrace before leaving his past behind him.
    The air suddenly smelled fresh, clean,
new—he walked down the stairs with a purpose. He was going to
propose to Evelyn tonight. If she would have him. And he hoped to
God she would. For now, she held every piece of his mangled heart
and had the capability to destroy it with her refusal.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    When Royce reached the steps to Evelyn's
home, he was as nervous as a little boy on his first day of school.
By the time the irritated butler opened the door, he was certain he
would throw up all the contents of his stomach. And by the time he
was escorted into the sitting room, he was ready to down every last
bottle of homemade moonshine in the house.
    It was calling out to him. Whispering sweet
promises of calming his nerves, just as he heard a feminine voice
call out his name. "Royce."
    He closed his eyes and savored the honeyed
sound of her Southern accent. Would it be terribly rude to get
married on the