Carolyn Davidson - The Bachelor Tax

She spun to face him. “I’m your cook, Tanner. We decided I’d make a better employee than a wife, remember?”

He shook his head. “No, I still haven’t figured out the whys and wherefores.”

“Changed your mind?” she asked breathlessly.

He was too close, his eyes were too knowing as they scanned her. Her heart missed a beat and fluttered. Pressing her lips together, she dared a glance at his face.

His jaw was taut, his nostrils flaring just a bit. And his eyes, those dark orbs that seemed to seek out her thoughts, were fastened on her face.

“No, I haven’t changed my mind, honey,” he whispered. “I want you to know what you’re gettin’ before I marry you.”

“That’s not part of our bargain,” she countered.

“I’m not sure what kind of a bargain we struck,” Tanner said softly….

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Harlequin Historicals, Harlequin/Silhouette’s only historical romance line! We offer four unforgettable love stories each month, in a range of time periods, settings and sensuality. And they’re written by some of the best writers in the field!

Carolyn Davidson is one of those writers. Her Americana stories are meaningful, morally rich and surprisingly sensuous—and they almost always feature tall, dark and handsome heroes. Continuing in that vein is The Bachelor Tax, an endearing marriage-of-convenience story about a least-likely-to-marry “bad boy” rancher who tries to avoid a local bachelor tax by proposing to the one woman he’s sure will say no—the prim preacher’s daughter….

My Lady Reluctant is a thrilling new medieval novel by Laurie Grant about a Norman lady who must travel to court to find a husband. En route, she is attacked by outlaws but rescued by a mysterious and handsome knight…. Rising talent Liz Ireland returns with a darling Western, The Outlaw’s Bride, in which a reputed Texas outlaw and headstrong “nurse” fall in love—despite the odds against them!

And the ever-popular Deborah Simmons returns this month with The Gentleman Thief, a Regency tale about a beautiful bluestocking who stirs up trouble during a season at Bath when she investigates a jewel caper and finds herself scrutinizing—and falling for—an irresistible marquis.

Enjoy! And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Gerrity’s Bride #298

Loving Katherine #325

The Forever Man #385

Runaway #416

The Wedding Promise #431

The Tender Stranger #456

The Midwife #475

The Bachelor Tax #496

To the women who share with me one Saturday

afternoon a month, who attend my book signings, buy

my books and then tell me how wonderful I am, this

book is gratefully dedicated…. Without their support and

affection, I would be lost! Thanks to all of you, members

of the Lowcountry Romance Writers of America.

And as always, and especially for the trials and

tribulations I put him through during the writing of this

story, I dedicate this work to Mr. Ed, who loves me.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

From the pages of the Edgewood Gazette…

July 6, 1882

Local legislature approved the use of the new Bachelor Tax for our town. Unless our male citizens who claim the status of bachelorhood can prove they have proposed to at least one eligible woman during the past year, they will be assessed a tax. This is for the purpose of promoting marriage among our citizens. All men of legal age are liable for taxation…

Edgewood, Texas, July 25, 1882

This could very likely be the most important day in her life. Rosemary Gibson appraised herself in the mirror hanging over her dresser, reaching to tug at a curl that hung in front of her left ear.

It was the only sign of feminine frippery she allowed herself, that and the matching ringlet on the other side of her face. Aside from those two small indulgences, she felt she was the perfect picture of a churchgoing, teetotalling, virtuous woman.

Hopefully, the image she presented would be enough to entice the man who was due to arrive on the morning train, just ten minutes from now. She lifted the gold watch from her bosom to check the time once more, and nodded decisively. A brisk walk would bring her to the train station just as the locomotive puffed its way into town.

She left the house by the front door, paced quickly down the path to the street, then made her way through the center of town. Her skirts swung just an inch from the instep of her shoes, and she frowned as she caught sight of the coating of dust covering them. And just when she needed so desperately to present a suitable image. Well, it couldn’t be helped.

Her likeness was reflected from the window of the mercantile, and Rosemary tilted her head, admiring the subdued look of her black hat, then straightened her shoulders just a bit more firmly.

She passed the bank, nodding at Pace Frombert as he opened the double doors to the public, then stepped to the street. Crossing the alleyway that led to the row of houses comprising the poorer side of town, she glanced down its length.

Children played in the dusty road, their voices audible in the clear, summer air, and Rosemary smiled at their antics. She lifted her skirt, stepping up to the sidewalk once more. Then looked aside as she approached the bane of her existence, the Golden Slipper Saloon, only too aware of the tall figure positioned by its front door.

Gabe Tanner, he of the scornful glance and dark, piercing gaze. Only on occasion did she cross his path, and those times she was careful to remain aloof.

She dropped her eyes, observing only the scuffed toes of his boots as she passed, then stiffened as a low chuckle followed in her wake. She halted and turned back, unwilling to allow such an insult to go unnoticed.

His lips still curving in a sardonic grin, Tanner leaned back against the wall, hat tilted over his forehead. Dark eyes scanned her from stem to stern, and Rosemary felt a flush creep up her cheeks as she glared at him, then turned away, resuming her progress.

Men like Gabe Tanner should be outlawed from the human race, as far as she was concerned! Whether or not any of their sort appreciated her qualities was not a major issue this morning.

And yet, those same qualities were about to be judged, and very soon. For if the man who was scheduled to depart the train this morning did not deem her fit to be his wife, she might find herself in search of a roof over her head before nightfall. That thought was appalling, and Rosemary shuddered as it raced through her head. Finding a place to store her worldly possessions would be a distinct problem, one she refused to consider right now. Even though their letters had promised much, should Rosemary Gibson not fit the image of a parson’s wife, Reverend Jorgenson had every right to deny her the title.

On the other hand, if he approved of what she had to offer, she might very well be a married woman this very day. Her steps quickened as that thought brought hope to her spinster’s heart.