A Texan's Honor Read Online Free

a place like Boston be anything but soft? Still, she hoped he wasn’t as bad as she feared. She didn’t want to be attracted to a weakling.
    â€œDo we have far to walk?” Mr. Nolan asked.
    â€œAre your shoes pinching already?” It was worse than she thought.
    â€œMy shoes are fine, but the boys are going to need help with the trunk if it’s much farther.”
    She turned to see the boys making a great show of struggling with the trunk. All three had assumed the heavy duty, while Bret had taken the suitcase. The boys’ expressions of agony made Emily smile. “I believe their groans are intended to arouse your sympathy and cause you to reward them with a larger payment.”
    â€œLady, that’s not fair,” one urchin exclaimed.
    â€œI already guessed that,” Bret said, favoring the boys and Emily with a frown. “I probably know more tricks than they do.”
    â€œYou ain’t planning on cheating us, are you?” the urchin asked.
    â€œI asked how far it was so I’d know if I had enough money to give you a bigger tip.”
    The change in the boys’ demeanor was almost comical. They hoisted the trunk as if it weighed only ounces, their faces transformed by smiles.
    â€œI never thought you’d stiff us, mister,” the urchin said. “I can tell a man of character when I see one.”
    â€œStow it,” Bret barked. “I know all the lines to use on dudes, tenderfoots, or any other name orphans use to refer to people like me, because I used them myself.”
    â€œWe ain’t orphans,” one of the other boys protested. “We got parents,” he stated proudly.
    â€œThen don’t embarrass them by behaving like street rats.”
    â€œJust because I ain’t got no parents don’t mean I’m a street rat,” the first urchin exclaimed.
    â€œI didn’t think you were, but a gentleman watches his behavior around a lady. Most importantly, he doesn’t tell lies, not even little ones. And that playacting about the heavy trunk was a lie.”
    â€œBut I wasn’t lying to
her
.”
    â€œYou lied in her presence. That’s what counts.”
    Emily knew she was staring, but she didn’t know what to make of this man. He appeared to be scolding the boys, but she was certain there was a glint of humor in his eyes, even slight admiration for their gumption.
    The urchin turned to Emily, raised his head, his face grimy as he looked at her with big brown eyes. “Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to tell no fibs. I just thought he was a soft touch. I couldn’t help myself.”
    It was all Emily could do to keep from laughing. His shamefaced expression was masterful.
    â€œI accept your apology,” she said with as much gravity as she could muster. “I’m sure you’re a very nice young man.”
    â€œMy pa says he’s a young hellion who’ll be lucky if someone don’t shoot him dead before he’s twenty,” one of his friends said.
    â€œShut your trap, you whey-faced brat,” the urchinsaid. “You’ve no call to find fault with my character in front of a lady.”
    â€œWell, it’s what Pa said.”
    â€œA fella can change, can’t he? I’m going to be a gentleman like this tender—um, I mean fancy dude.”
    â€œWe’re going to the Grand Union Hotel,” Emily said. “Why don’t you boys go on ahead?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” the urchin said. “We’ll wait outside. They won’t let the likes of them two”—he pointed at his two companions—“inside.”
    â€œThey won’t let you in, neither,” his friend said.
    â€œThey would if I wanted in, but I don’t.”
    And with that he marched off, proud as a peacock, ignoring the slanderous remarks of his friends.
    Emily turned to Bret. “Do you always set the cat amongst the pigeons wherever you