Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Rogue: Rescued Western Historical Mail Order Brides, #1

By Kenneth Markson

Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Rogue: A Historical Mail Order Bride Western Victorian Romance (Rescued Western Historical Mail Order Brides Book 1) is an action packed clean inspirational western romance.  A desperate orphan becomes a mail order bride to escape the lecherous grasp of a flesh peddler from the mean streets of New Orleans. She heads west to a small Texas town, hoping for a better life with a young rancher. Trouble finds her along the way. Will a handsome rogue save her from the clutches of murderous robbers, and will she finally experience the love that she longs for? 

If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy Kenneth's Redeemed series or the other books in the Rescued series; "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Rake," "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Rascal," "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Rover," "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By A Romantic," "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By Resolve," and "Mail Order Bride: Rescued By Hope."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Markson
• Release date: Feb 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9780985914288

Kenneth Markson

While an English major at college, I wrote a column which was published weekly. I have been writing ever since. The old West and Los Angeles in the forties are eras which lend themselves to tales of romance, courage, and fast paced adventure. I particularly enjoy writing stories about the mail order brides who fearlessly took a chance and traveled West, hoping to find love and a better future. Many of the locales that I write about are places that I have either traveled through or actually lived in. I try to make my works richly accurate. My desire is to provide you with an entertaining and fun read. When I'm not writing, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children.

Book preview

To my wife and children, always.

Chapter 1

Katherine Glynn was staring out of a window at the Winters Orphan Asylum of New Orleans.  Hope and fear mingled in her thoughts.  In just three months, she would be turning eighteen, and would be leaving this horrid place.

Just then, Katherine turned at the sound of two young girls crying.  There was a look of terror on their faces, as they were being held firmly in the grasp of Miss Carrion.  One of the girls tried to flee, and was slammed deliberately into the wall.

Leave them alone, you bully! Katherine shouted.

Miss Helen Carrion ran the orphanage.  The headmistress was a squat, stocky woman with cruel brown eyes and close cropped black hair.  There was nothing redeeming in her features.

Her wooden rod, which she enjoyed using frequently, was already out. 

They know the rules about playing in the hallways, she grunted.

Miss Carrion's cold eyes glared malevolently at Katherine.

Still sassy, Glynn, I see, she said.  Haven't tamed you yet.  But, there's still a bit of time.

Helen Carrion was a strong woman.  Her face flushed red with anger, as she stared at Katherine.  The two young girls huddled, terrified, in the corner. 

A bully am I, huh?

She gave Katherine an evil smile.

Perhaps Glynn, since you're so benevolent, you'd like to take the punishment for these two?

Katherine brushed aside her long auburn hair, and reflected on the offer.  Her pretty hazel eyes glanced at the girls.  Their faces had a pleading look.  They couldn't have been more than nine or ten.  It was obvious they couldn't handle the beating.

Katherine, on the other hand, was a child of the orphanage.  She was five when her mother, a prostitute from Gallatin Street, abandoned her here.  Her mother would die, shortly thereafter, in the grips of fever. 

For Katherine, there was no father.  She learned at an early age to scramble and fight for whatever she could get.  She endured many a blow, and learned to dish it out, as well as take it.  After a while, the toughest ones left her alone.  She had earned their grudging respect.

The younger girls looked up to Katherine as a leader.  She stood up for them, and kept the nastiest of the group off their back.  They in turn, called her Katie with affection.

Alright, Katherine muttered quietly.  Give it to me, and let them be.

The older woman's eyes blazed with ferocity. 

Still playing the savior?  You'll have to take a double share.

Miss Carrion's allotment was six blows per child.  That meant an even dozen.  Katherine shuddered at the thought.  Then, she nodded her head.

Do it, and go to the blazes, she muttered quietly under her breath.

The headmistress turned momentarily towards the younger children. 

Be off to your rooms, now! she bellowed.  And don't ever let me catch you playing in the hallway again!

She let out a savage kick, barely missing the rear of one of the fleeing girls. 

Thwack!  Katherine grimaced from the force of the rod as it smacked against her back.  Miss Carrion had considerable strength, and she used every ounce of it when delivering her blows. 

Now lean over, you daughter of a whore, she snarled, and take your punishment!

At least I'm not a pig! Katherine snapped back.

That comment enraged the headmistress.

You'll pay for your sauciness, Glynn! she shouted in her ear.  You'll get the full amount and a few extra for your mouth!

Katherine bent over and clenched her teeth.  The force of the blows on her back nearly made her cry out.  But she did not.  She'd be damned if she'd give the witch the satisfaction.

That evening, Katherine laid on her bed, her face buried in her pillow.  It was too painful to lie on her bruised backside.  Just then, she heard a familiar voice call out softly to her.

Katherine, are you awake?

She turned to look into the kindly eyes of Laura Dupree, an assistant at the orphanage.  Laura Dupree was an attractive woman in her early twenties.  She stood by Katherine's bed with a basin full of hot water and a towel in her hand.

Yes, Katherine replied.  I'm awake.

Good, Miss Dupree said softly.  Let me tend to your wounds.

Laura Dupree sat by the side of the bed, and gently soaked the welts on Katherine's back with hot water.  Katherine winced at the touch of the dry cloth. 

That's it, Miss Dupree said gently.  "Now, let me put something on those bruises.  Miss Dupree's slender fingers rubbed some ointment over the nasty welts. 

This may hurt at first, she continued, but trust me, it will make things better.

Katherine smiled back in gratitude.  The ointment soothed the painful sores. 

Why do you stay here in this place, Miss Laura? she asked quietly.

To help girls like you, Laura Dupree answered.  Without me, things would be much worse.

Laura Dupree got up from the bed, and smiled kindly at Katherine.

That was a wonderful thing you did today, Katherine, she said.  All the girls were talking about it.  They think of you as some sort of a hero.

I don't feel like much of a hero, Katherine stated glumly.  I can barely move my back.

You've done enough for one day, dear.  Try to get some sleep.

Laura Dupree picked up the basin, and started to leave the room. 

Thanks, Miss Laura, Katherine smiled.

She closed her eyes, but it would be hours before she finally fell asleep.

Chapter 2

Katherine was occupied sewing garments a few days later, when one of the younger girls came up to her.

What is it, Mary? Katherine questioned.

The girl said to her quietly, Miss Carrion asked me to tell you to please come to her office, right away.

Did she tell you what for?

The girl shook her head.

No, she mumbled.

Katherine put down the garment she was working on.  She knew better than to ignore a summons from Miss Carrion.  She proceeded towards the headmistress's office with a feeling of trepidation.

Since when did Miss Carrion ever use the word please with respect to anything involving her?  That was way too nice.  She must be planning something, Katherine figured.

The door to Miss Carrion's office was closed.  There were shouts and loud voices emanating from the room.  Katherine quietly leaned up against the door by the wall, and listened.

I want my regular cut! a woman's voice yelled angrily,