Free Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series) by Anna J. McIntyre Page B

husband has already
instructed me not to cut my hair. I suppose that is a husband’s prerogative.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t
want to encourage you to do anything Mr. Coulson would disapprove of.”
    • • • •
    When William arrived an
hour later to pick up Mary Ellen, he was surprised to find her long hair swept
atop her head in a sophisticated hairstyle. No longer did she remind him of a
naïve schoolgirl. The feminine chignon accentuated her blue eyes, making them
seem somehow larger, and more compelling. For a brief moment, he imagined
himself plucking the pins from her hair, one by one, as each freed curl fell
gracefully to her shoulders — her
bare shoulders.
    “Are you all right, William?”
Mary Ellen asked, as he stood speechless, staring blankly in her direction.
Blinking his eyes, he shook his head briefly and smiled sheepishly.
    “I apologize, I… I was
just surprised to see your hair like that.”
    Suddenly embarrassed,
Mary Ellen quickly touched the side of her head. “Oh, it looks awful?”
    “No! Oh no,” William replied.
“I’m sorry. No, it looks quite lovely in fact. It suits you.” William began to
laugh when he noted her look of confusion. Taking her elbow in his hand, he guided
her toward the front door so they could be on their way.
    “Let me explain,” he
began, as he opened the front door. “When I picked you up at the train station,
I noticed your lovely hair. I thought it a shame so many women hide theirs once
they wed, and since you were getting married, I assumed you would too.” He shut
the front door behind them and they walked toward his motorcar.
    “But that style does
suit you. Brings out your eyes. Your husband will love it.”
    “Will he?” she asked
softly, while getting into the passenger side of the car. She held her handbag
and hat atop her lap, and waited for William to get into his side of the car.
When he started down the drive, she continued the discussion.
    “It is much cooler this
way. But perhaps I should cut it short. Seems to be quite the rage these days.”
She watched for his reaction, wondering if he felt the same way as her
husband.  He smiled and glanced over to her, then wrinkled his nose for a
moment before turning his attention back to the road.
    “Personally, after
seeing you with your hair up, I imagine you would look quite adorable in a
Castle bob. But I’m afraid your husband would have a different idea.”
    “Oh yes, he’s already
made it very clear I’m not to cut my hair.”
    “Ahh, so you were just
baiting me. Shame on you.” He chuckled.
    “Baiting you?”
    “I can’t imagine you’re
really considering cutting your hair as you just mentioned, since your husband
has already forbade it.”
    “Tell me William, do
you believe it’s the husband’s right to have a final say in all that his wife
does? Are women nothing but children?”
     “I will say, Mary
Ellen, I certainly didn’t expect that question from you.”
    “Why? Is that the
perception you have of me? A timid and obedient creature?” Mary Ellen glanced
out the side window and watched the scenery roll by.
    Before he could respond
she added, “Of course, that would be a reasonable assumption, considering I
obeyed my father and married a man I barely knew.”
    “What’s wrong, Mary
Ellen?” he asked softly.
    “Oh, I’m sorry William.”
Mary Ellen blushed. “I’m really looking forward to the movie and dinner out. I
don’t mean to put a cloud on the day. I guess the reminder that I need husband
approval to do something as inane as change my hairstyle put me into a
quarrelsome mood. I apologize.”
    “Times are changing
Mary Ellen. I keep reminding Randall of that.”
    “When you marry
someday, will you tell your wife how she must wear her hair?”
    “Well,” he replied, considering
the question for a moment while steering his car down the road. “I would hope
that if I really hated a hairstyle, she would not insist on wearing it that way — but