I do, I do, I do

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23

"Ready?" Mr. Dare inquired.

"Actually, no," Clara said, releasing Bear's hand and leaning back in her chair. "It's very warm in here, and this cape feels restrictive." Pulling open the ribbons that tied the cape in front, she smiled up at Ben Dare. "Would you?"

"It would be my pleasure." Stepping behind her, Ben lifted the cape from her shoulders.

The audience released a hissing noise like the sound of escaping steam, followed by a stunned silence. Bear's eyes widened and his jaw dropped and he didn't even try to disguise the direction of his gaze.

"Oh—my—God," he whispered hoarsely, staring down into her cleavage. It was impressive cleavage indeed. The good Lord hadn't given her big hips without balancing her out with glorious breasts.

Clara gripped his hand hard, putting her strength behind the clasp. They leaned into each other over the corner of the table, gazing deeply into each other's eyes. Then Clara slowly and deliberately licked the tip of her tongue around the edges of her parted lips.

And bang, she had him…

Also by Maggie Osborne

Published by Ivy Books:

SILVER LINING

I DO, I DO,
I DO

Maggie Osborne

IVY BOOKS • NEW YORK

Prologue

September 10, 1896

Linda Vista, California

"Do you, Jean Jacques Villette, take Juliette March for your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

January 2, 1897

Sandy Hollow, Oregon

"Do you, Jean Jacques Villette, take Clara Klaus for your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

April 30, 1897

Seattle, Washington

"Do you, Jean Jacques Villette, take Zoe Wilder for your lawfully wedded wife!"

"I do."

Chapter 1

"I know Jean Jacques would send word if he could. Something must be terribly wrong."

"What's wrong is Mr. Villette seduced you, stole your money, and then he abandoned you." Aunt Kibble lowered her embroidery hoop to her lap and reached for the palmetto fan to swat at a cloud of gnats. "Everyone in the county knows this except you. You refuse to admit the truth."

Juliette folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the porch post, fixing her gaze on the dirt road that curved past Aunt Kibble's house. Nine long months ago, Jean Jacques had ridden away at one o'clock. Therefore, he would return at one o'clock, but only if she was waiting for him on the porch.

And he would return only if she set a place for him at every meal.

Only if she brushed her hair one hundred strokes.