Patrick's Charm (The Bride Train, #2) by E.E. Burke Page A

hand slid up the side of her ribcage and he shaped the underside of her breast, held up by the corset. Her nipples stiffened, her skin grew warm, her chest compressed. The tightness could be on account of the special corset, which she wore to give the illusion of fuller breasts. She half expected him to point out the deception. Again, he surprised her, touching her like she’d offered him something rare and precious.
    She trembled with apprehension, excitement, and, astonishingly, eagerness.
    His questing fingers drew the scooping neckline lower.
    Surprise jolted through her. Strong enough to startle her out of the seductive stupor. With a gasp, she jerked away. Her hand flew to her lips, still damp and swollen from his kisses.
    How had this happened? She hardly knew the man, yet she’d been eager to give herself to him, had behaved like a harlot. That must be what he assumed when he encountered no resistance. Even knowing better, she still longed for his touch.
    Shame flooded her face. She caught a sharp breath on a sob.
    He shook his head like he was trying to clear it. When he reached for her, she backed away, another whimper escaping. His expression changed from dazed to remorse. He dropped his hand. “ Stóirín , don’t be fearing me. I’d ne’r harm a hair on yer head. I only want to take care of you, protect you...if you’ll let me.”
    His brogue thickened and he called her by a name she didn’t understand. Who was this man she’d let kiss and fondle her? Her father had scorned the Irish for their uneven temperament. Her mother had dubbed them slothful. Patrick didn’t fit the image of the drunken, lazy Finn depicted by apish caricatures in the newspapers. But what did she know about him, really? She knew nothing, other than the fact that she’d fallen victim to his seduction.
    Simon had ruined her. This Irish charmer had the power to turn her into a whore.
    Confusion rattled her wits.
    “Please...please leave....” Her plea came out in a high, wavering voice she didn’t recognize. She dredged up courage and managed to address him in a calm, remote tone. “I need to get ready for the show tonight. If you’d be so kind as to leave so I can have some privacy.”
    He hesitated, and then heaved a sigh. “All right, I’ll go. We haven’t got time for a long discussion now anyway. But later, we’ll be having a talk.”
    Her fear spiked. The very idea! Having a conversation about her inexcusable lapse of judgment. He had to be mad.
    She moved another step away. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
    His features hardened in a look of pure determination. “Yes, there is. I mean to marry you, Charm.”

Chapter 6
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    L aughter echoed off the walls of the saloon as Charm strutted across the stage in an oversized frock coat. “Come now, gentlemen. Take a good look at these fine ladies....” She whipped off a silk top hat with a sign tucked into the band that read Official Matchmaker , and motioned to twelve male volunteers who’d joined her on the stage, dressed in wigs and lacy shawls. Tablecloths had become skirts.
    One of the “brides” pointed the toe of his boot and twisted his hips while fluttering his eyelashes. The audience responded with hoots and catcalls. Charm smacked his arm and waved her finger in his face, scolding him for flirting.
    Patrick remained on guard from his position at the edge of the stage, keeping an eye on the rowdy crowd, at the same time trying to watch the hilarious performance. He’d hired a bartender and two working girls to take care of serving customers so he could focus on protecting Charm, not trusting anyone else with her safety.
    Her antics had the crowd mesmerized. No one would guess she’d been so upset earlier she had stayed locked in her dressing room until time for her debut. He had managed to get her to take a bowl of stew, but she wouldn’t let him in. Fine. He would wait until after the show to secure her agreement to marry