Page 7 of Papa's Little Bride
Once I’m satisfied she won’t attempt to go anywhere, I retrieve a large bowl from the cabinets and fill it with a generous serving of Mrs. Summer’s stew. I place it in front of Faith and hand her a spoon.
“Your stomachhas been growling this whole time. Please eat, and take your time.”
“But the snow…”
“Yes, it might snow today. But I promise you won’t be walking back across town in the bad weather. Eat your fill, Faith, and then we will discuss your future.”
“But—”
“No arguments.”
Faith
I’m notsure what’s happening, but I’d be a fool to turn down a hot meal. I grasp the spoon and take a bite. The savory flavor explodes on my tongue, and I quickly take another bite, and then another. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so delicious in my life. I devour the entire bowl in minutes, almost forgetting Mr. Freemont’s presence.But when I finish, I look up to find him staring at me. Fast as I ate, there’s probably soup all over my face. Shame courses through me, hot and pulsing.
“I’m so sorry, sir, that was terribly rude of me. You must think my table manners are atrocious.”
I’m surprised when he smiles and approaches me with a clean white cloth napkin. I reach for it, but he brushes my hand away and touchesthe napkin to my face. A gentle dab to each corner of my mouth, and then he steps back.
Strange, warring emotions roll through me.
I’m not sure whether to be touched by his gesture, or completely mortified. I’m a grown woman, and I ought to be able to control myself better, even it’s been a while since I had a proper meal.
“There’s no need to apologize, Faith. Would you likemore?”
I shake my head. “No, thank you. I’m quite full now. It was absolutely delicious. I hope you’ll tell Mrs. Summers I said so.” I try to ignore the sadness that’s slowly creeping around the corners of my heart.
For a short time today, I stepped into another world. But now that Mr. Freemont has finished helping me, surely he will send me on my way soon. Except…he had mentioneddiscussing my future once I finished eating. He also insisted I wouldn’t be walking across town in the bad weather. I hold my breath as I peer into his handsome gaze, wondering if he knows of an available job. My heart thuds at the possibility that he might even ask me to work for him.
The prospect of being around him, day after day, renders me giddy and breathless. It’s all I can do tosit quietly and await his response.
“I’m glad you enjoyed the meal, little girl.” His warm smile melts my heart. “Now, it’s time we discuss your future. I cannot in good conscience send you away when it seems you will be homeless in a week. I know what happens to most girls who leave the orphanage, and the thought of you working in Madame Angelic’s bawdy house…” His words trail off andhis fists clench. He exhales slowly and then reaches for me, tipping my chin up. “The idea of men using you and taking their pleasure of your body without care makes me murderous.”
“I appreciate your concern for me, Mr. Freemont, truly I am touched, but we just met. Um, officially, I mean. How is it possible for you to feel that way for a virtual stranger?”
“I don’t know.” He releasesmy chin and studies me with an intensity that once again has me squirming in my seat. “All I know is that if you walk out that door, I will miss you, and I will worry for you.”
His words make my eyes burn, and I’m also confused by the increasing heat that’s pulsing between my thighs. If I were alone right now, I would lift up my skirts and touch my pussy to see what’s wrong. But I don’tdare touch myself in front of Mr. Freemont. The very thought is shameful, and my face flames hotter and hotter.
He runs a hand through his hair. “I want you to live here, Faith. With me. I will give you a room of your very own. I will take care of you, and you will want for nothing.”
“You want me as your mistress?” I ask hesitantly. As I await his response, I decide being Mr. Freemont’smistress would not be so bad. Belonging to one man would surely be better than spreading my legs for multiple men a day at Madam Angelic’s establishment. In the back of my mind, I’ve always known it would be a possibility that I’d end up working as a prostitute in order to survive. Of course, I had intended to exhaust all other avenues of work first.
“No, not as my mistress.” He graspsmy hand. “As my wife, by trial.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“We would be married for a trial period of thirty days. At the end of those thirty days, we can decide whether to remain married or to separate. If we decided to separate for some reason, I would see that you remain taken care of for the rest of your life.”
“I see. So at the end of the thirty days, we both decide?You would not force me to stay with you if I did not wish it?”
“Precisely. I’m not in the habit of keeping wives against their will,” he says with a wry smile that serves to ease the tension. “However, I will be upfront with you about my expectations. I am not looking for an ordinary wife or an ordinary marriage.” He pauses for a moment. “You would live as my little girl, and you wouldcall mePapa. I would care for you, and guide you, even discipline you when necessary. I would be a strict but loving father figure to you, Faith, and in time, when and if I think you are ready, I would take you as my wife-in-truth. I couldn’t help but notice how you blushed when I called youlittle girlandyoung lady, and I see that you keep squirming. The very idea of being my sweet littlegirl, and my wife, has no doubt shocked you, but it has also made you feel achy between your thighs, hasn’t it?”
I’m stunned speechless.
A marriage by trial.
But no ordinary marriage—a scandalous one. One that sounds very wrong to me, but, strangely, also very right. I stare down at his large hand, still clasping mine, and ponder the discipline part of his proposal.
