Last Promise (26 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Luke had never traveled by stagecoach and he found the whole experience nerve-racking. He knew he could make better time on horseback. He was thankful that George was an excellent traveling companion, possessing the wisdom to know when to converse and when there was a need for silence. As impatient as Luke was to get to his destination, he did enjoy listening to George's stories about Mary Ann's life in England. Considering her sheltered past, he was even more amazed at her courage to travel to Wyoming by herself. It took a special kind of woman to embark on such an adventure.

After spending time with Luke for weeks, George had developed a deeper respect for the man. He was very much like his brother Colt, a man of integrity, hardworking, and a generous heart. The only difference George saw between the two men was Luke's appeal to the ladies. Colt was intimidating, where Luke was naturally charismatic and attracted women without effort. During one part of their journey a couple was traveling with them, and the woman couldn't keep her eyes off Luke. Luke didn't encourage her attention, he was simply being polite, but the woman flirted shamelessly. George found the woman's actions entertaining, but her husband was not amused. Luke had confided that from the first moment he saw Mary Ann no other woman interested him. George was certain his niece felt the same about Luke, and he prayed her marriage to Stafford hadn't taken place.

The stagecoach pulled into another way station where they would be spending the night and leave at first light. George carried the luggage into the house while Luke assisted the stagecoach driver with the horses. An older man walked from the stables to help them get the horses in a corral. “Thanks, young man. You seem to know your way around horses.”

“Yessir, I've spent a lot of time with them.”

“Where you coming from?”

“Wyoming,” Luke replied.

“Where you headed?”

Luke wasn't offended at the questions. He figured the man enjoyed talking to the travelers when they arrived. The people who ran these stations lived an isolated life, and while most of them had been friendly, some were not as sociable. “Well, I'm headed to England.”

“Is that a fact?”

“Yessir.”

* * *

Luke walked into the house and joined George at the table where a woman was pouring coffee. “That coffee sure smells good.”

The woman eyed Luke, noting what a handsome man he was as her eyes moved over his large frame to the six-gun on his hip. When she walked over to pour his coffee she saw his beautiful blue eyes and thought something about him looked familiar. “Have you been through here before?”

“No ma'am.”

“I just thought you looked familiar.”

“I've never been here.”

The older man came through the door and sat opposite Luke at the table. His wife gave him a cup of coffee. “Honey, I want you to meet someone.” He pointed to Luke. “This is the man that you wanted to write. The one with his head up his tail.”

Luke and George exchanged a look silently telegraphing that these two people had been isolated way too long.

“It isn't possible!” The woman looked at Luke. “I think I knew the moment he walked in! I thought he looked familiar. It must be those eyes!”

“Why would you want to write to me?” Luke found himself asking and not at all impressed that she thought he had his head up his keister.

“You're Luke McBride.” It wasn't said as a question, but as a fact.

Luke hadn't mentioned his name to the old man, so he didn't know how she knew unless George told her. “Yes, ma'am, I am.”

Lillian sat the coffeepot down and she swiped at her watery eyes. “Oh Henry, is it possible?”

“I think someone needs to explain what is going on here,” George said.

“I'm Henry and this is my wife, Lillian. My wife and I have heard all about this young man.”

“How so?” Luke asked, truly confused by this woman's emotional outburst.

Lillian sat beside Luke. “We know Mary Ann.”

George was the first to speak. “You know my niece?”

“If your brother is that old coot from England, then yes, we know his daughter,” Henry answered.

By that description, George correctly figured out they had met Hardwicke. “He's not my brother, but my sister is married to that old coot.”

Henry grinned. He liked this Englishman immediately. “The only thing in his favor is he helped to create that beautiful young woman.”

“When was she here?” Luke asked impatiently.

“It's been almost two months. You're late to the party, young man,” Henry said.

“I'm afraid I have bad news for you,” Lillian said.

“Don't tell me she's already married,” George said.

“Oh, no. She was shot.”

“Shot!” Luke never dreamed he would hear those words. He'd worried about all of the dangers that could befall Mary Ann during the journey on the stagecoach, but he told himself that her father and Stafford would protect her. He should have known better. “Is she okay?”

“Yes, she's fine.” Lillian patted Luke's hand. “She was protecting me from robbers. She took the bullet that was meant for me.”

“Had she mended by the time they left?” George asked.

“Her wound looked good, but Clive didn't want her jostling around.” Lillian told them of their neighbor who had tended Mary Ann.

“I'm sure Hardwicke insisted they leave quickly. He's not a patient man,” George said.

“That he did. He was anxious to get home to have a wedding.”

“What happened to the man that shot her?” Luke asked, not wanting to think of a wedding that may have already taken place.

“He got away, but I winged him. There were three of them, two rode off. The other one is buried out in the field.”

“Who were they?” Luke asked.

“We never saw them before.”

* * *

Lillian left the table to start dinner and Luke joined her at the stove. She had already prepared the chicken for frying, so she started making dough for biscuits.

Luke picked up the coffeepot and poured himself another cup. “So tell me why you thought I had my head up my rear.”

“Mary Ann told me you wouldn't forgive her about Stafford, and that she didn't get to apologize to you, or say good-bye. I told her you didn't deserve her if you didn't accept her apology. You broke that dear gal's heart.”

Luke thought about what she said. “I didn't know what I felt at the time.”

Lillian thought he must have worked out his feelings since he was going after her. “Well, that girl is crazy about you. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so much in love except for me and Henry.”

That made Luke smile. “You been married a long time?”

“Forty years.” She gave him a motherly smile. “You can have that too if you get to her in time.”

“You said her wound was healed, but you didn't think she should have left. Why is that?” Luke had a feeling Lillian had left some things unspoken.

Lillian started rolling out the dough as she talked. “If I know anything, I know that gal had a broken heart and it was eating her alive. She was skin and bones when she left here. And that father of hers, well, I wouldn't want to walk from here to the stable with him, much less be forced to travel with him across an ocean.”

“What about Stafford? Do you think he cares for Mary Ann?” Luke wanted to strangle him for not protecting Mary Ann. He didn't know why he should be surprised, he hadn't even put up a fight when he punched him.

Lillian picked up the tin biscuit cutter and pushed it through the dough. “I think he wants to marry her for her beauty like most men would. I'm not sure what's in his heart. But he's pretty much useless in this country. They weren't armed and they ran for cover when the shooting started with those three men. Of course, none of us expected what happened. Those men ate our food then tried to rob us. But if Mary Ann is going to be stuck with Stafford, it's probably a good thing she will be in England. I reckon men don't carry guns there like they do here.”

“She won't be stuck with him if I get to England in time.”

“You must love her a great deal.” Lillian was thrilled he was going after Mary Ann. Maybe Henry had been right when he predicted they would see Mary Ann again.

“It took me long enough to figure it out.” Luke glanced down at the biscuits she was placing in the pan. “You're the one that taught her how to make biscuits.”

“Yes, I did. She told me how much you liked them.”

“I thought I was going to explode I ate so many. My sisters-in-law are good cooks, but Mary Ann's biscuits are better.”

“I promised to write her in England and give her more recipes. Of course, I could just as easily send those letters to Wyoming.”

Luke winked at her. “I reckon you could.”

* * *

After dinner, George retired for the night, but Luke wanted to hear more about Mary Ann. He spoke with Lillian and Henry for several hours. After they answered all of his questions, Lillian asked about his family. “Mary Ann was very taken with your family. She made life on the McBride ranch sound wonderful.”

Luke told them about the ranch and his brothers. “We are not without our own hardships, but we are content. My brothers have married beautiful women and I have three nephews that are real characters.”

“Yes, she told us all about them. It sounds as though Mary Ann would be happy there.”

Luke prayed she was right. He knew he'd never find another woman like her. He thought of the many times Colt told him he needed to believe that his prayers would be answered. Have faith, Colt had told him. Even his larger-than-life brother said there were times when men couldn't handle difficult situations on their own. He'd never really understood what his brother meant until now. He'd been a stubborn fool to let Mary Ann leave Wyoming, and now he wasn't in a position where he could protect her. Her safety was in God's hands.

* * *

Luke was the first one up the next morning and he was outside hitching the team before dawn. He couldn't wait to leave knowing that he was closing in on his destination. He needed to see Mary Ann with his own eyes to make sure she was okay.

“We will see you on your way back,” Henry told him.

“You better bring her back with you,” Lillian said sternly.

“Unless she doesn't want to come with me, I will bring her back.”

“And tell her I was wearing a dress I made with the material she gave me.”

“And that's a very pretty dress. Henry best watch his p's and q's before he finds himself with some competition.”

Lillian blushed at the compliment. “Go on with yourself now.”

After Luke threw the luggage to the top of the stagecoach, he walked to Lillian and put his arm around her shoulders. “I'll be expecting some biscuits on our way back to Wyoming.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Mary Ann's mother made sure her daughter would make a grand entrance when she arrived at Stafford's ball. She was wearing an ice blue dress designed with a skirt so voluminous that Mary Ann could hardly move. But just as Coreen planned, all eyes were on her and her daughter when they made their appearance in the great ballroom.

Always the perfect gentleman in public, Edmund appeared by Mary Ann's side as soon as she entered. Masquerading as the perfect couple, they roamed the vast room casually speaking with the guests. Mary Ann figured there had to be at least three hundred people in attendance and it seemed Edmund knew them all. Most of the women were openly affectionate with Edmund and barely acknowledged her. But Mary Ann didn't take offense, she actually hoped Edmund would find a woman more to his liking. She hadn't felt that way with Luke. Thinking about the morning when she thought Luke was the man sneaking out of Arina's room, she remembered she had wanted to throw something at him.
Oh Luke! Why are you forever invading my thoughts?
She wished she could stop thinking about him for one night.

Edmund escorted her to the dance floor. “Darling, it's good to see you are not so glum this evening.” Edmund reveled in showing off his fiancée to all of the men.

“It is a lovely ball, Edmund, and so many lovely ladies are here who would love to marry you.”

“But you are not one of them?” Edmund was tiring of her attitude. He thought she would come to appreciate all of the things he could give her. He didn't dare think she could be in love with that hooligan in Wyoming.

“No, I'm not one of them.”

“Tell me, Mary Ann, were you intimate with that cowboy in Wyoming?”

“Of course not! Why would you ask such a thing?”

“I can't imagine a real lady allowing such a man to kiss her in front of everyone. It stood to reason there was much more going on between you.”

He had a point. She had allowed Luke to kiss her in the middle of the hotel without a care. And her behavior behind the church the night of the social was purely scandalous.

“Perhaps I'm not a real lady.”

“Perhaps not. But I will know soon enough. Why don't we go upstairs now and you can give me what you seemed so eager to give that cowboy. We can put the matter to rest tonight.”

Mary Ann was shocked by his statement and tried to pull away from him. “If you remember correctly, I left England after you thought it was your right to take what was not offered.”

“Obviously not something you found objectionable with that man.”

“Quite objectionable with you!”

Edmund yanked her close to his body. “It won't be long until you have no choice in the matter. And you won't be running away. I will not be as careless as your father. I shall have someone watch over you day and night.”

“So I'm to be a prisoner once we are wed?”

“Indeed. I will not be made a fool.”

She tried in vain to push him away, but he wouldn't release her. “Edmund, if you think I will ever love you then you are a fool.”

Edmund smirked at her. “My pet, I told you before love is not something I believe in. It makes no difference to me what you feel, love or indifference. Marriage is a convenience, nothing more.”

* * *

That was the only dance she had with Edmund. All of her other dances were with different partners and no one cut in like they did in Wyoming. She'd noticed Edmund had no difficulty finding partners either, and judging by the way they flirted, they found him most charming. She remembered that when Luke had another woman in his arms, she thought her heart would break. When she watched Edmund with another partner, she simply hoped he found her irresistible.

Mary Ann danced so many dances that she was exhausted, and her shoulders ached from the weight of her blasted dress. She went in search of a place where she could sit for a while undisturbed. Working her way around the ballroom she found the hallway that led to the study, and fortunately she was unobserved as she scurried down the corridor. When she opened the door to the study she noticed there was a dimly lit lamp atop a table in the corner. She grabbed her skirt and shoved it inside the doorway, but she came to an abrupt halt when she saw a man with his back to her leaning over the desk. Once her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw the man was leaning over a woman. They were obviously engaged in an amorous assignation. “Oh, excuse me.”

Edmund snapped his head around to see his fiancée staring at him. “Mary Ann, what are you doing here?”

The woman jumped up from the desk and hastily straightened her bodice.

Mary Ann could hardly fathom that it was Edmund with the woman, but she quickly composed herself. “I might ask you the same thing, sir.” It was rather obvious what he was doing.

“Please say hello to Millicent,” Edmund said coolly.

Once Millicent was on her feet, Mary Ann recognized her as one of the women Edmund had been dancing with. “Millie, you might want to pull your skirt down and repair your hair.”

Millicent kept a close eye on Mary Ann as she passed her before fleeing from the room.

Edmund pushed his hair from his forehead and picked his jacket up from the desk. “Were you looking for me?”

“No, I thought I would come in here to sit quietly for a minute.”

“I see.” Edmund walked toward her.

“Why don't you marry Millicent? She must have something you enjoy to risk being seen in your state of dishabille.” Mary Ann's future flashed before her eyes. If she had any thought that she would find some measure of happiness in this farce of a marriage with Edmund, it quickly dissipated. And she'd thought Luke was the scoundrel. This man, if she could even call him that, failed miserably compared to Luke.

“Obviously I didn't expect anyone to walk in. And nearly every man in that room has been with Millie so they would think nothing of it.” He roughly pulled Mary Ann into his arms. “I want to know how many men you have been with.”

“I've answered that question before.” Mary Ann averted her head to prevent him from kissing her. “Leave me alone!”

He didn't listen, he forced her against the wall and pinned her arms with one hand and held her by the chin with the other, preventing her from moving.

“Edmund! Stop!” She smelled the alcohol on him. It reminded her of the last time he tried to take advantage of her.

He covered her mouth with his own. He was like a man possessed and she feared he would rip her dress again as she fought him, just like the last time. His lips moved to her neck. “Edmund, do you want your family and your guests to see me disheveled?”

“Stop fighting me!”

Thankfully, one of the servants tapped on the open door and entered.

Edmund released Mary Ann to face him. “Yes?” he snapped.

“Sorry, sir, I saw the light. Is there something I can get you?” The man glanced at Mary Ann.

“No, my fiancée and I were just taking a break from the dancing.” He took Mary Ann by the arm and led her from the room.

Once in the hallway, Edmund put on his jacket. “I do apologize, my dear. I'm afraid your charms got the best of me.”

“Did Millie's charms get the best of you too?” Mary Ann was furious that he'd manhandled her.

“Are you jealous?”

“Not in the least, but I don't know why you want me when you can have her at your disposal.”

“She will always be at my disposal. Our marriage will not change that fact.”

They entered the ballroom and Edmund acted as though nothing was amiss as he escorted her around the room.

Mary Ann wanted to scream. She felt like a trapped bird with no place to go. Edmund had made it perfectly clear what she could expect once she was his wife. If she was going to do something to prevent this marriage, she only had a short window of time. If she could escape, where would she go? The first place her father would look for her would be in America. And he would be right. That is the first place she would want to go.

* * *

“My, what an absolutely lovely evening. I must say, my dear, you are most fortunate to be marrying Edmund.” Coreen began her nonstop soliloquy. If she wasn't expounding on the virtues of being wed to Edmund, she was discussing the silver, the crystal, or the jewels Edmund's mother was wearing. The vacuous comments were endless.

Mary Ann was just thankful the evening had come to an end, and the last thing she wanted was to hear her mother tell her how fortunate she was to have Edmund. “Yes, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed finding my fiancé in the study with some woman in a very compromising position.”

“My dear, I am sure you are exaggerating,” Coreen replied. “You must not take premarital indiscretions to heart. Edmund probably has a case of the jitters.”

“It amazes me, Mother, that you always make allowances where none are due. If only you showed the same generosity of spirit to your own daughter.”

* * *

The following weeks seemed to fly by, getting closer and closer to the day she would be lawfully tied to a man she didn't love. The only positive thing about her wedding day would be the end to the mind-numbing socials. She was forced to answer the same inane questions over and over. It was torturous playing the role of the perfect couple with an indiscreet bridegroom. Since the night she'd found Edmund in the study with that woman, she'd considered leaving, but she was never left alone. She had the feeling that Edmund and her father had conspired to make sure she wouldn't have the opportunity to make an escape. She longed to be at the hotel in Wyoming again, and the only man she wanted to be with hadn't even said good-bye.

* * *

The ball before the ostentatious wedding was just days away, and she had an appointment for the final fitting of her gown today. She walked downstairs and searched for her mother who was to accompany her. She found her in the dining room amid a flurry of activity. They would be having a dinner before the ball and the servants were scurrying around arranging the lengthy dining table decor under the direction of her conductor mother. The table looked exquisitely elegant, certainly befitting royalty. An enormous sterling silver centerpiece was overflowing with flowers trailing the length of the table in both directions. Countless pieces of twenty-four-carat-gold-encrusted goblets and finger bowls were placed precisely the proper distance from the fine china. Ornate compotiers and candelabras complemented the overall design. Green vines with delicate white flowers were woven through the overhead chandelier. Mary Ann knew under the candlelight the table would be glittering like the huge diamonds in the ring Edmund had given her.

“Mother, I'm ready to leave for the fitting.”

“Come here, dear, I want you to see the flowers we have chosen for the ballroom,” Coreen said.

“It truly doesn't matter to me.” She knew her mother didn't care about her opinion, she just wanted her to say she loved everything she had chosen. Coreen was in her glory overseeing the event and she would never understand her daughter's indifference.

“I'm afraid I can't go with you, I've too many things to attend to.”

Mary Ann was delighted. Now would be the time to make her escape. She'd already packed two valises but she needed to figure out a way to get them to the carriage without being seen. She walked outside to see if the carriage was ready to depart and as soon as the butler opened the door one of her father's detectives appeared. “I'll escort you to the shop.” There would be no escape.

* * *

The ladies at the shop helped Mary Ann into a magnificent silk and satin pale yellow creation. She had to admit that it was the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen. The designer was an unrivaled master. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Just as it had been sketched, her shoulders were bare and the bodice fit to perfection, with the full skirt accentuating her small waist.

“This color is lovely on you, perfect with the red in your hair,” the shop owner said.

“It is a beautiful design.” Mary Ann thought of Luke. She wondered if he would like the gown or if he would think it was too revealing. She had to stop thinking about him. Most brides would be worrying if their future husband would like her dress. But it was Luke who'd never failed to tell her she looked beautiful. He always commented on her dresses, her hair, and her scent. Not once in all the years she'd known Edmund had he ever told her she looked beautiful, or commented on her wardrobe. She hadn't realized that before this very moment.