Free Deborah Camp by My Wild Rose Page A

but that wasn’t what made her blood run hot. It was the boldness of him and the intrepid press of his mouth on hers. There wasn’t an ounce of uncertainty in the man.He knew his limits and those of others, and he knew when boundaries could be breached. He’d known, for instance, that his kisses would shock her, surprise her, and infuriate her. He’d also known they wouldn’t frighten or repulse her.
    He’s quite a student of human nature, she surmised. Maybe that’s why he’s such a successful lawyer and formidable opponent. She’d need to keep her wits about her and her defenses up around him because it would be easy—oh, so easy—to fall victim to his velvet-lined traps. After all, he’d already trapped her in a white lie. White lie? she scoffed. A lie was a lie. One was no better than the next. She should know, having lived one ever since she left Kansas.

Chapter 5
     
    E merald O’Brady threw the celery-green dress on top of the others. “I don’t know why I’m doin’ this.”
    Theo chucked her under the chin. “Because you remember a time when Emma Katherine O’Brady would have given her eyeteeth for one of these dresses.”
    “I shoulda never told you my real name.”
    “Emerald, you’re a jewel.”
    Emerald groaned. “And you’re a pain in the backside sometimes. Just why are you doin’ this for them gals at Mrs. Nation’s? They think you’re dirt under their clean, lily-white feet.”
    “They’re not that uncharitable in their opinion of me. Besides, if Mrs. Frederick and Mrs. Beck and—who’s the other?”
    “I heard her name is Edwards. She’s got two children.”
    “Well, if those women are going to serve refreshments at the cotillion, they should get something in return. Like a pretty party dress.”
    “They’re getting paid for serving, ya know.”
    “Yes, but they should still have something nice to wear just in case gentlemen ask them to dance.” He withdrew a cigar from his inside coat pocket, bit off the end, and lit it.
    “You don’t fool me none, Theo Dane. Them other women ain’t your concern. You’re wantin’ to see that Regina Rose in one of them fancy dresses. The part of this that’s got me puzzled is why you’re goin’ to such lengths to get her attention. Ain’t any other gal in town worth your time?”
    “Mistress Rosy is going to the cotillion with the sheriff,” he said, puffing furiously on the cigar until the end glowed red.
    “So what?” Emerald sorted through the dresses. “Which one do you think she’ll wear?”
    “None. Not as is, anyway. I imagine those dresses will be too … fancy … for the ladies at Mrs. Nation’s. They’ll rework them. I hear Miss Rose is clever with a needle and thread. You probably won’t recognize those frocks once she’s finished with them.”
    “I won’t be seein’ them. None of us saloon gals will. We’ll be open for business that night, same as always. You’d be surprised how many
gentlemen
will come here after that party, seeking the sweet nothings their
ladies
wouldn’t give them.” She draped herself in the chintz-covered lounging chair.
    Theo relaxed in an upholstered chair to enjoy his cigar. “Em, you’re not as tough as you’d like me to think.”
    “Oh, I don’t begrudge givin’ them dresses over to the drunkards’ wives. Those gowns have all seen better days. It’s time they was retired. And I feel for them women; I really do. I’ve been around enough drunks to know I sure would hate to be married to one. Takes a pound of courage to pack up yourself and your children and head for parts unknown. I just don’t like the way them women look down their noses at us working women.”
    “To them, you’re part of the evil that turned their angel husbands into demons.” Theo blew athin strand of blue smoke into the air. “I don’t approve of Mrs. Nation’s theatrics, but I do believe her heart is in the right place.”
    “How come Miss Regina threw herself into the fray? She