Silver Creek Not a woman's job

She could not have agreed more with that sentiment. Knowing Grayson well meant he was more likely to pick a suitable husband for her. And hopefully, it meant that she would be more likely to be chosen for a man with power. A strong man needed an equally strong woman, although she was meant to be strong in other ways. If Cyclone had learned anything from her mother, it was that rearing children required strong women. Not that the men ever had to see that side of their wife. Nay, they would only see the sweet, mothering, doting wife.

It is not so different from the ranch, Cyclone replied, then the corners of her mouth turned slightly downward, Although I had hoped that my grief would have stayed behind. Ever since the loss of dear, sweet, boring Jethro, her former mate, she had played the part quite well. His disappearance, and whatever had caused it, was not an uncommon topic of conversation for her. After all, she had to continue to make the others believe that she missed him, despite him being a terrible match for her. I still dream of finding him and— she cut off, blinking away the guttural cry of a widow. He never would have left willingly, she said quietly, eyes downcast and ears flattened to her skull. Nobody had ever said it aloud, but she knew everybody assumed he was dead.

Addison had no right to argue that things were any different. She was young yet, and although Cyclone had not necessarily enjoyed Jethro’s company, she had known her duty to him and had never disrespected him. To be fair, neither had he. In fact, he had barely seemed to know what to do with her aside from bring her food and tell her how pretty she was. She had a feeling not all of the men of Rosings had the same problem.