The Bachelor Tax. Carolyn Davidson

      “You’re pretty sassy,” he said in her ear.

      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

      The Bachelor Tax

      Carolyn Davidson

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Available from Harlequin Historicals and CAROLYN DAVIDSON

      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.

      Contents

       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

      Chapter One

      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