The Disgraced Mail Order Bride: Love-Inspired Sweet Historical Western Mail Order Bride Romance: Brides for the Chauncey Brothers, #2

By Amanda Davis

Oliver Chauncey is crestfallen when the woman with whom he's been exchanging letters fails to reply to his long-distance marriage proposal.

 

A man of action, he travels to Boston to confront her and, in the process, discovers her mired in shame and disgrace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Pines Sweet Romance
• Release date: Sep 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215664308

Book preview

PROLOGUE

San Bernardino, California 1872

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A strange calm had fallen over the Chauncey farm, a rare, fleeting time when all seemed hushed, the members of the household consumed with quiet tasks or resting. It was unusual in a household of four men and a woman but Oliver Chauncey did not look a gift horse in its mouth and he chose to embrace the peace while it stood. After all, how long would it be before Jasper began blathering through the halls or Evan began with his caustic comments?

No, Oliver thought, silence is wonderful.

The dinner hour had long passed and Victoria had washed and put away the dishes. The kitchen was dark and silent when Oliver entered, his soul restless that night despite the calm. A mouse scattered, scared at his arrival, its feast of crumbs apparently interrupted.

He knew that he was troubled by several factors, not simply the obvious—the arrival of his long-lost and unknown brother, Evan. Oliver was still bothered that his oldest brother, Richard, had welcomed Evan not only into the family with seemingly open arms but also onto the farm with just as much vigor. It did not much matter to Oliver that Evan was hard-working and had adjusted well to the chores. There was simply something about the man which Oliver did not trust.

We do not know the least about this man claiming to be our kin. He could be a charlatan, a flimflam artist. How could we have lived so long without knowing we had a brother?

Yet Richard remained convinced. He recalled a boy when they were quite young, the family devastatingly poor and still living across the Atlantic in England by the North Sea. Oliver, younger than Richard by two years at nine and twenty, had no such recollection but the older man was steadfast in his memory.

Is it so hard to fathom that Mother and Father parted with their eldest child to ensure their two youngest had food to eat? Richard had insisted. Look at him, Oliver! The resemblance is uncanny!

I find it difficult to reconcile that he had been in absentia this long and suddenly resurfaced when we are showing a profit on the farm, Oliver had retorted. You must admit that is quite suspect.

I admit nothing but that your cynicism grows tiresome at times, Richard grumbled in his usual miserable way. Evan will remain and I will not hear another word on the subject.

Oliver knew his brother thought the matter closed but that did not stop the younger sibling from wondering about the mysterious, cocksure stranger who had appeared only weeks earlier.

He does not make matters easier with his standoffishness, Oliver thought, filling a pot with water. I daresay he wishes to be regarded as uncouth with his demeanor.

Oliver was certain that tea would steady his uneasy mind that evening. His mind preoccupied, Oliver turned to collect a cup but instead sent it crashing to the floor in a splintering of pieces.

Ballocks! he cursed, dropping to his knees. Instantly, the peace which had enshrouded the Chauncey household was shattered, not unlike the cup on the floor.

What in all that’s holy…? Jasper demanded, entering the kitchen with wide eyes. Are you injured?

No, Oliver sighed as his younger sibling drew closer. Merely clumsy. Watch yourself—there are shards about.

Jasper sidestepped the mess and crouched to help Oliver gather the remnants of the cup, shaking his dark head of hair wryly.

It is a small wonder you are fumbling about foolishly—it is darker than a moonless night in here. Why have you not lit a candle at the very least?

I did not wish to stir the peace, Oliver replied, sighing. I fear that hope is gone.

As though on cue, Victoria rushed into the kitchen, her lovely face shadowed by the dimness. She wore nothing but her nightclothes and both men looked away with respect, despite the vision of beauty she presented.

My word! she gasped when she saw the men on the floor. What has happened?

Nothing, they quipped in unison.

It is merely a broken cup. Forgive me for disturbing you, Oliver added. His voice had taken on a slightly harder edge since Victoria’s arrival. He was not certain that she had forgiven him for his past transgressions, let alone a new one. She had come to San Bernardino under false pretenses and, although things turned out for the best, Oliver still maintained a smidgen of guilt.

You are being foolish. It all worked out as it should. Victoria does not fault you any longer.

Or so he hoped. It was difficult to read his sister-in-law at times. It was as though she had absorbed Richard’s stoicism through marriage.

Or perhaps it is merely my shame-filled mind which makes me think so.

No harm done, Victoria chirped in her pleasant manner. I will tend to this. Someone should see to the water—it is bubbling over.

Jasper moved the boiling pot from the stove as Victoria and Oliver finished the task on the floor.

Would you care for a cup of tea? Victoria asked the men when they had finished. Jasper moved to illuminate the room with a lantern but suddenly Oliver was embarrassed. Victoria was clearly not dressed to tend to domestic chores in her nightdress.

No, Oliver muttered. I will retire for the night.

Do not be foolish, Jasper laughed. You did not endure all this trouble simply to leave empty-handed. Come, I will join you and you can regale me with whatever has been weighing heavily on your mind.

Oliver cast his brother a warning look. He did not wish for Victoria to be privy to his secret suspicions about Evan…or any of the other matters which had been troubling him. He was certain that Victoria sided with her husband on such matters and Oliver did not wish her reiterating their discussions to Richard.

Do sit, Victoria insisted. I would prefer if you call upon me in the future. It is never a sound idea to have a man do women’s work.

And there is the secondary concern, Oliver thought with mild bitterness. He did not wish his brother’s wife to accommodate him. He wished for a wife of his own on whom he could call. Victoria was handling the tasks of an entire household herself and it filled Oliver with more shame.

Or perhaps that is merely an excuse and I simply long for a companion who understands me as well as Victoria does Richard.

The men were silent as Victoria fixed the tea but Oliver could feel Jasper’s eyes upon him. He did wish Jasper would stop studying him with such scrutiny. There was little place to look with Victoria dressed as she was and Oliver did not wish to meet Jasper’s stare.

Now, if there is nothing else, Victoria announced, producing the steaming cups for the men. I will retire for the evening.

There is nothing else, the brothers chimed in unison.

Thank you, Victoria, Jasper offered, smiling his boyish grin at her. The two had become fast friends almost from the moment she had arrived on the farm and Oliver idly wondered if he was not envious of their easy relationship.

Good night.

The Chaunceys watched their sister-in-law disappear back through the house before turning their attention on one another.

If I did not know any better, I would say that you have adopted Richie’s propensity for fatalism since Victoria arrived, Jasper said, leaning forward to stir his beverage. What gloom follows you everywhere, Ollie!

I am not gloomy, Oliver protested. I have been plagued with thoughts. There is a grand difference.

Thoughts that darken the house, Jasper quipped. What is it that has been on your mind?

Oliver returned his brother’s curious look with a frown. He lowered his voice substantially and moved his head closer to Jasper as though he worried they might be overheard.

You cannot say that Evan’s arrival has not troubled you also.

Jasper’s lighthearted expression faltered only for a moment before he regained his smile.

I say it is a blessing he has been reunited with us after all this time, Jasper replied, taking a sip of his tea. He winced at the heat which had undoubtedly burned his lips.

He may say what he will but it bothers him too. How could it not? Oliver thought firmly. Jasper may act boyish but he is no fool.

I am not as certain as you, Oliver insisted, willing his younger sibling to see matters as he did. Richard has been far too accommodating.

"Evan pulls his equal