B00BWX9H30 EBOK (2 page)

Ella prepared to journey into the cold and visit Mrs. Selby. She put on her long, black wool coat, pulled her black wool scarf over her head and around the lower half of her face. Traveling in the cold was easier for her than in warm weather because she could cover the lower half of her face with her scarf and no one thought anything about it. She’d pulled on her winter boots. Lined in soft fur, they kept her feet warm even in the snowy streets.

The walk to Matchmaker and Co. was about a mile, but Ella refused to be in a carriage unless absolutely necessary. The accident had given her a fear of enclosed spaces and carriages in general, that she hadn’t had before. She wasn’t sure how the train ride would be. Yet another reason for the Pullman. She had to get to the station and reserve at the very least a sleeper cabin with some privacy. There was no way she could travel in the main cabin with everyone else, sitting up the whole way for seven days. She had to be able to remove the veil for as long as possible, for simple comfort. It was heavy and the air circulation was not the best.

After about twenty minutes of walking, she reached Mrs. Selby’s office and went in. The warmth welcomed her. A coal stove in one corner flooded the room with heat.

Mrs. Selby sat at her desk in the middle of the room. Behind her were tables stacked neatly with hundreds of files.

She looked up. “Come in. Come in, Ella. So glad you could make it. Sorry to get you out on such a terrible day, but I have your tickets and you leave day after tomorrow. I hope you’re packed.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Selby. I am. I started packing as soon as I knew you’d accepted my application. I have to ask again, are you sure Mr. Ravenclaw is aware of the extent of my scars? I don’t want him surprised when he sees me.”

“Rest assured, my dear, he has full knowledge and has no qualms about a woman with scars of any kind. In his mother’s culture they are a ‘mark of bravery’ I believe he said.”

Ella neared the stove, the cold suddenly seeming greater. “Bravery, no. Survival, yes.”

“You are too harsh with yourself, Ella,” scoffed Mrs. Selby.

“I don’t think so. I survived. My father did not.”

Mrs. Selby nodded. “I understand. I also know that it’s been difficult for you. But that’s all in the past. There’s a new life waiting for you, Ella. Take advantage of the opportunity being offered.”

“Oh, I intend to. I still have some arrangements to make, so I will leave now.” She walked to the older woman and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

Mrs. Selby hugged her back. “I wish you the very best, Ella. You and Nathan will make a great marriage. Just remember that it takes work. Don’t expect everything to be perfect, at least in the beginning.”

“I’ll remember.”

Ella left and found a carriage. “To the train depot please.”

It was too far to walk in this bone chilling cold, or she wouldn’t have taken it. As soon as she got inside, the clawing fear started. She opened the curtains and the window, letting in the chilly but fresh air. Better to deal with the weather than the dark fear causing sweat to trickle down her back and her stomach to curdle.

Once at the train depot she asked the driver to wait. Inside she went to the ticket window.

“I’d like to exchange these tickets, please.”

“We don’t normally do that, Miss. They are not refundable.”

“I don’t want them refunded. I want to upgrade them to a private car, or at least a Pullman sleeper car, for the entire trip.”

“Oh, in that case, I’m sure I can help you. Let me see your tickets, please.”

Ella handed him the tickets and he made the changes necessary. She paid the difference and he handed new tickets back to her.

“I hope you have a very good trip, Miss.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I will.”

* * *

Ella stayed mostly in her compartment where she could rest without the veil. It was a double edged sword. She was confined to the sleeper compartment or to the veil. Both were stifling, but at least there was a modicum of freedom without the heavy lace restricting her.

She did have to go out to use the bathroom in the main passenger car and to the dining car to eat. She got off the train at every stop she could and got fresh air. At night she would go to the platform between the cars to feel the air rush at her and though her hair without fear of being seen. In the dark, she didn’t worry that her scars would bother anyone.

She arrived in Denver on April 6, 1871. A date she would forever remember as the start of her life. It was almost like another birthday.

The weather was cold. The wind rushed off the plains and collided with the mountains to the west, keeping the chill in the air. The buildings weren’t as tall as in New York, but the wind still whistled between them and over the platform where she stood. She was glad of her good wool coat and lined boots. They kept her warm while she waited for Mr. Ravenclaw to find her. There wasn’t anyone else wearing a veil so she didn’t think he’d have much problem identifying her.

She wasn’t really sure what she expected, but it wasn’t the tall, devastatingly handsome man that approached her. He had a square jaw shaved clean and a tiny dimple in his chin. Black eyebrows slashed over his eyes, the color of which was hidden by the shadow from his hat, pulled low on his head. For once she was glad of her veil. He wouldn’t be able to see her mouth hanging open, gawking at him.

“Miss Davenport?”

“Yes. Are you Mr. Ravenclaw?”

“I am.”

Ella was surprised to find her hand trembled as she held it out to him. “Ella Davenport.”

He removed his glove and enveloped her hand in his big one. His fingers brushed the skin of her wrist just above her glove. The tingle that traveled clear to her toes was unexpected and her gaze snapped up to his. She looked up into the most beautiful blue eyes. They seemed to question the chemistry between them as much as she did.

He held her hand for what seemed like a lifetime and they simply starred at each other.

“Miss Davenport….”

“Ella. Please.”

“Ella. I would like for you to lift your veil.”

“Are you sure you wish to do this in public. It can be…shocking.”

“I’m sure.” He squeezed her hand and then let go.

“Very well.” She lifted the heavy lace, prepared for him to be taken aback by the ugliness of it. She wasn’t prepared for him to lift his hand and gently trace the thin, putrid purple scar all the way from her left eye over her cheek and down her neck to the top of her collar.

There was no disdain on his face. His blue eyes took in everything and accepted it, but even so he said the last thing she expected.

“You are a very beautiful woman.”

She stood there with her mouth open until he raised her chin with his knuckle.

“Why are you surprised? Surely you have heard the compliment before.”

She shook her head to clear it and find her tongue. “Not since the accident, except from my brother. But he’s biased. He loves me.”

“He but states the obvious. Your scars do not detract from your beauty.”

“I must thank you because good manners dictate it. However, I believe we should see about getting you some glasses.”

He laughed. A rich, deep baritone. “I’m glad you have a sense of humor.”

“Who was joking?”

He laughed again. “Where are your trunks?”

“They’re being shipped. Joshua, my brother, didn’t want me to have to deal with them while changing trains.”

“Very smart. They will be delivered to Golden. Freight comes all the way there.”

“But not people? How odd.”

“Yes, you’d think they could add a passenger car. I’m sure they will soon.”

“What are the plans now? Are we to marry here or in Golden City?”

“I thought we could visit the Justice of the Peace while we’re here and then get to know each other a bit on the way to the ranch.”

He picked up her valise and headed to a wagon parked at one end of the platform. “I brought the buckboard anticipating you having trunks. I would have brought the carriage otherwise. It’s more comfortable.”

“Please don’t apologize. I prefer the open wagon.”

He cocked his head to one side in question.

She explained. “My accident was in a carriage. I was trapped inside for quite a while before they could get me out.”

“No wonder you don’t like riding in a carriage.”

They were at the buckboard. A simple wagon with a bench seat in front of a large flat bed with raised sides. The rear panel opened to allow for easier loading of freight or supplies.

“It’s not just carriages, but enclosed spaces of any kind. I much prefer the open air around.”

“As do I. The first fifteen years of my life were spent with my mother’s people. I slept outdoors whenever the weather permitted and sometimes when it didn’t.” He smiled and her stomach did a little flip.

He helped her up to the bench, lifting her as if she weighed no more than a sack of potatoes. She enjoyed the feel of his big hands on her waist. He made her feel feminine for the first time in a long time.

He went around the back of the wagon and climbed up to the bench.

“Giddyup.” He slapped the reins on the hindquarters of two matched blacks. Some of the finest looking horses she’d ever seen.

“Your horses are beautiful.”

“Thank you. Caught them myself.”

“Caught them?”

“There are wild mustangs that roam the mountains north of here. I went up with some of my ranch hands and we caught about ten of the animals and brought them back. Some were easier to break than others. These two took to the bit right away and then to the harness as well.”

“I guess I never really thought about how horses are trained.”

“Now you know.” He pulled the wagon to a stop.

She couldn’t think of anything to say, so stayed quiet, both of them reflecting on what was about to happen.

About a quarter of an hour later he pulled up in front of a large three story stone building. “Here’s the Justice’s office.”

He came around and helped her down. That tingle was back and it was darn disconcerting. She lowered her veil.

“You can leave it off.”

“No.” She shook her head and let the heavy veil fall into place. “You don’t know how people react. It is not something pleasant to see.”

He took her hand. “Very well, but after we are married, you will wear the veil no more. You will be my wife and I take pride in that.”

“You’re crazy. People back up when they see me. I don’t like that. I won’t wear it at home or with people who know us. Perhaps, eventually I won’t wear it at all, but I need time to adjust.”

Nathan nodded. “I understand. Some people back up when they see me, too.”

“Why? You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

She watched him redden at her praise, obviously not used to it. “Thank you for the compliment. But that’s not what whites see. They see an Indian. A breed. That’s what those who don’t know me call me. A breed. You may get called names, too. Are you prepared for that?”

She thought about it for a moment before answering. “If you’re willing to put up with the comments you’ll hear about me, then I’ll try to put up with the name calling. But I won’t have you disparaging yourself in front of me. You have no need to apologize to anyone.”

“Nor do you.”

She blushed. It was so much easier to fiercely protect him from perceived injustices than see the ones against herself.

“I suppose I don’t. The accident wasn’t my fault. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe it was an accident.”

“You believe someone was trying to kill you?”

“Yes. Both my father and me. Now I worry for my brother’s safety. But he is forewarned and has loyal staff and friends, plus two bodyguards.” She paused to catch her breath. Looking at her soon to be husband, she added, “And I think I know who arranged it, but I can’t prove it. Yet.”

“Why would this person want you dead?”

“He was my father’s former business partner. He’s been trying to buy back his portion of the business since it became successful. When he sold it, the company, a ship building company, was not profitable. Since the war, it’s become very profitable and he wants back in. He even tried courting me to get it. “

“But how will eliminating you and your father change things for him?”

“If he gets rid of all of us, he can buy the ship yard from the probate court at ten cents on the dollar. I’d say that’s a motive for murder. My brother has two bodyguards who are with him twenty-four hours a day. I simply left the state. Hopefully, that will keep Angus MacGregor from finding me.”

They stopped at the double doors that led into the courthouse and to the Justice of the Peace’s office.

Nathan looked at her. “Are you ready?”

Her hands shook so she closed them into fists. “I am. Are you sure this is what you want? I’d understand if you want to change your mind.”

He shook his head and smiled. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“Neither am I. Let’s get this done.”