Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (59 page)

“How dare you make a fool of me?” he roared. His hand raised in front of her. She stood her ground unflinching, and braced herself for his strike. He hesitated, his arm stopping in midair. He’d never struck her face before. It would leave visible marks.

“I’m done being afraid of you, Hiram,” she said boldly when the expected blow didn’t come. “You can strike me all you want. Kill me if you so desire.” Hiram’s face contorted in an ugly sneer, and the back of his hand connected forcefully with her cheek. Kate gasped as the power of his strike sent her stumbling backwards. She fell against the wall. Holding her burning cheek in her hand, she scrambled to stand up. Tears filled her eyes. She sucked in a deep breath, and raised herself up to face her husband once again.

She smiled at him, ignoring the stinging pain in her cheek. “I’ve been more alive in the last two months than I have ever been,” she continued to taunt him. She knew her words would infuriate him to no end. They were the only weapons she had. Hiram Devereaux did not take kindly to insinuations of inferiority. “No one can take the last two months of freedom away from me, like you and my mother took away my life.”

Hiram’s hand shot out, grabbing her chin just above her neck, his fingers squeezing and clamping into the skin along her jaw like pincers. Kate raised up on her toes to minimize the pain.

 ”Did you enjoy playing the whore to that filthy backwoodsman?” Hiram spat. Spittle dripped from his mouth, and sprayed Kate’s lips. He released her chin, and shoved her head back against the wall. In the next instance, he grabbed her arm, his fingers cutting painfully into her soft flesh. Kate bit her lower lip. He would not have the satisfaction of hearing her cry out in pain, or beg for mercy.

“I enjoyed feeling like a person who matters. I was treated with nothing but respect,” Kate hissed. “Kyle Russell is a better man than you will ever hope to be.”

Hiram’s hand tightened on her arm. A tingling sensation coursed downward into her wrist and fingers as the circulation of blood to her extremities was cut off. Hiram laughed, a cold and evil laugh. Kate could smell the tobacco on his clothes and breath. She swallowed the bile that rose to her throat.

“Your mother always warned me you were headstrong, and needed a firm hand to keep you in line. Apparently I’ve been too soft on you, Kate Ellen.” He shoved her toward a set of double doors leading to an adjoining room. He turned the knob and pulled open the door. Kate eyed the large four-poster bed that took up most of the room. Would she be able to endure her husband’s advances now, after she’d experienced Kyle’s tender touches?  All this time, she hadn’t given in to her desires for the man she loved with all her heart, unwilling to go against her marriage vows. Standing here, next to Hiram, knowing he would demand his husbandly rights, brought on a wave of regret. She hadn’t been unfaithful to her marriage. Now she was forced to be unfaithful to her heart.

“I’m having a bath sent up for you.” Hiram’s gruff voice jolted her out of her thoughts, and he pushed her further into the bedroom. “Time to wash that filth off you, and make yourself respectable again. At this late hour, I hope I can get a dressmaker to come and alter some gowns for you. I will not tolerate you wearing these dirty rags.” He abruptly released her arm, as if suddenly realizing he’d touched something that wasn’t clean.  Blood rushed down the arteries in Kate’s arm. She clenched and unclenched her hand to ward off the prickly stings the sudden onslaught of oxygen brought to her starved fingers.

“I’ll expect you to be presentable when I return later.” He turned to leave, stopped, and glared at her again. “Get all notions of another escape out of your mind, Kate Ellen. I have guards posted in front of the door to this suite, and around the perimeter of the hotel. If that woodsman comes within a hundred yard of this place, he will be shot.” He left the room, closing the doors behind him. Kate heard a key turn in the lock.

She sucked in a deep breath at his ominous threat. Would Kyle try and come for her? She hoped not. Her shoulders sagged, and she ambled to the bed and sat down on the edge. With Hiram gone, she indulged in the luxury of a good cry. She would not let him see her weakness.

She flinched when the key turned in the door. A quiet knock sounded. Kate stood and opened the door. A hotel maid stood before her, and two men behind her carried a large brass tub.

“Where would you like us to set up your bath, Mrs. Devereaux?” the maid curtsied. Her eyes widened briefly, lingering on Kate’s cheek. The evidence of Hiram’s cruelty must be visible already.

“In here will be fine,” Kate said, pointing to a corner of the bedroom. Eyeing the tub as the men carried it through the door, she suddenly wished for the frigid waters of the Madison River. She smiled wistfully. Hiram Devereaux might own her body, but her heart would forever remain here in the wilds of Montana.

Chapter 27

“Are you really this dumb, or does your boss pay you to act stupid?”

Kate’s head shot up when she heard the heated female voice coming from the hallway of the hotel. It sounded like she was right outside the door to the suite. Curious, Kate moved away from the window. She’d stared down into the street for hours already, it seemed, watching people go on about their daily business.  Several of Hiram’s men mulled about along the boardwalks, looking like any other citizens. Kate knew better. They were on the alert for Kyle, or any member of his family.

Hiram planned to keep her locked away in the hotel suite for the duration of their stay in Virginia City. He’d mentioned last night that he had some business to attend to, and tomorrow they would leave for Helena, and then immediately head back to Boston. Whatever his business dealings had been here in Montana Territory, it was obviously concluded.

The key turned in the lock, and Kate stiffened. The movement brought a dull ache to her abdomen, and she placed a protective hand over the area. Hiram hadn’t been gentle with her the night before. But then, he never had been in the past. Kate wished he’d have been drunk. She’d prefer a beating to having to submit her body to him.

I’m sorry, Kyle.
She squeezed her eyes shut momentarily to ward off the tears that threatened. If Hiram had returned, she didn’t want him to see her weak. She hastily readjusted the satin sash on her morning gown. Although it was nearly noon, she hadn’t bothered to get dressed. The closet in the bedroom contained several new gowns, none of which Kate had any desire to wear. They were of expensive silks and satins, all of the latest fashions.

Kate recalled passing the dressmaker’s shop with Kyle yesterday. Hiram must have paid the seamstress well. The woman had spent several hours with her last evening, taking measurements, and making adjustments on several articles of clothes she’d brought with her. This morning, the fruits of the woman’s labors – no doubt she’d worked all night on alterations – were delivered. Kate hadn’t looked at a single dress, and only instructed the hotel maid to hang them in the closet.  She’d been tempted to throw the corsets that lay splayed out at the dressing table into the fireplace.

“Go on in, then,” a gruff voice said. “You sure as hell don’t act like no lady, though.”

The door swung open, and Hiram’s guard stepped aside to allow a woman to enter the room. She strode in quickly, her taffeta dress swishing softly as she walked.

Kate’s eyes widened in surprise. “Danica?”

The last time she’d seen the girl had been in the mercantile almost a week ago. The difference in her appearance was astounding. She’d been drowning in boys’ clothes then. Right now, in front of Kate, stood a stunning young lady in a rose-colored off-the-shoulder dress, the material shimmering in the sunlight that streamed in through the window. 

Danica’s youthful bosom didn’t quite do justice to the dress she wore, but in a few years, Kate had no doubt she would turn every man’s head in such an outfit. Yards of material gathered at her slim waistline, and ruffled at the full skirt. Her hair was swept out of her face and came together in curls at the back of her head. Several loose ringlets framed her pretty face.

Danica rushed over to Kate, and embraced her in a fierce hug. “I’m so sorry, Kate,” she blurted out. “I should have never come into the mercantile that morning. I feel responsible for Trent seeing you there.”

“Danica? What are you doing here?” Kate was too stunned to see the girl here, she didn’t know what else to say.

“I should have let Kyle knock the stuffing out of Trent right then and there. But he sure got his come-uppance yesterday.” Danica stepped back and smiled at Kate with a gleam in her emerald eyes, the triumphant smirk on her face highly unbecoming of a lady. She apparently would ignore Kate’s question.

“How did you know I was here?” Kate shook her head, and took a step back.

Danica laughed coyly. “Well, it’s kind of funny, actually,” she said rather evasively, and studied her fingernails.  She walked to the window and peered out. “Seems like your . . . husband,” she turned to face Kate again, her nose wrinkled with disdain, “and my dear papa have forged quite a friendship since yesterday.” She paused for dramatic effect. Her eyes narrowed, and she scoffed. “The smell of money attracts men to each other like vultures to carrion.”

Kate shook her head, her eyes drawn together. She eyed Danica’s expensive outfit. A week ago, the girl had looked like a street waif.

“My papa owns the bank here in town,” Danica explained, waving her hand dismissively. “He probably saw your old man’s rig coming from miles away. Since more and more people are leaving Virginia City, it’s not the social hub it used to be. My papa is happy to see other men who he considers to be in the same social class as him. He looks down on all the common folk and gold prospectors here.”

Kate doubted Hiram would consider a banker from this territory to rank among his peers, but for now, it was the closest he had. So she could well see the two men drawn to each other.

“That still doesn’t tell me what you’re doing here,” Kate prodded.

“Oh, I was getting to that.” Danica moved around the room, fingering the ornate lamp at the end table by the settee, giving the crystal a flick with her finger. She looked up at Kate. “Your dearest husband seemed concerned for you, that you didn’t have a lady’s maid or female company to attend to you. It was quite touching to hear him say it, actually. I volunteered my services.”

Kate scoffed. Hiram would not concern himself with whether she had female company. No doubt he wanted to make sure she didn’t try another escape, and be properly dressed for his liking.

Danica’s face lit up in a bright smile. “I think my papa wanted to hug me when I offered.” Her forehead wrinkled, and she tried to look stern, although Kate could see the amusement in the girl’s eyes. “Mind you, he never looks favorably on anything I do. But my offer surely pleased him this time.  Anything to gain favor with a member of the wealthy class.” She laughed, and rolled her eyes.

“You’re here as my lady’s maid?” Kate asked, stunned. “You’re not a maid.” Far from it.

“Well it’s the perfect excuse, isn’t it?” Danica rushed to stand in front of her. Her eyes met Kate’s unwavering.  “I’m here because Kyle asked me to check on you.” Her smile vanished. “He can’t get near the hotel. Ole Hiram’s henchmen are crawling all over the place. It’s like they’re guarding Fort Knox, or something.”

Kate’s heart sped up. Kyle. What must be going through his mind? She was glad to hear that he wasn’t trying to get past the guards.

Danica grabbed for Kate’s hand, and squeezed. “That man is so worried about you, Kate. He’s wanted to come. He’s not concerned about his ability to sneak past Hiram’s gargoyles. None of them have much more than beans between their ears. All they know to do is follow orders. But Mr. Russell and Mr. Osborne won’t let him come. They threatened to tie him up if he tried to leave the house.”

 ”Kyle sought you out?” Kate couldn’t believe he would even remember Danica, or think to send her here.

The girl’s eyes lowered to the ground, and she actually looked demure for once.

“No. Actually, I . . . was at the mercantile. I was . . . looking for—”

“Josh?” Kate surmised. She smiled, the gesture reminding her of the bruise on her cheek.

Danica’s head popped up, and she returned Kate’s smile, her green eyes sparkling. “How did you guess?”

“I saw the way you looked at him that day you bumped into him.”

Danica’s face sobered. “He wasn’t there. Mrs. Russell said he’d left town.”

“Danica.” Kate wasn’t sure what to tell the girl, but she didn’t want her to get her hopes up. “About Josh. He’s used to living by himself, in the wilderness. He’s not the settling kind of man, and . . . well, I don’t think—”

“I know, I know,” she interrupted, waving her hand in front of her face. “A man like that couldn’t possibly be interested in a girl like me.” She turned away, and hugged her waist.

“I’m sorry,” Kate didn’t know what else to say. “You’re so beautiful, I’m sure you have lots of beaus.”

Danica sniffed and cleared her throat. She turned to face Kate again. “I didn’t come here to talk about me. That man of yours sure cares for you a lot. He’s nearly beside himself with worry.” Her hand reached up to touch the purple spots on Kate’s chin and cheek.

“Don’t say a word to him, do you understand?” Kate said heatedly, grabbing Danica’s wrist.

“Why?” She frowned.  “He needs to know that low-down son of a bi—”

“Danica!”

“What? It’s what he is,” she said indignantly. “I swear, if any man lays a hand on me, and tries to hurt me, I’ll kill him. And your man wants to do the same to this bigwig eastern pansy.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. That’s why you can’t say a word to Kyle about this. Promise.”

Danica sucked in a deep breath, and expelled it loudly. “All right, fine.” She put her hands on her hips, and leaned forward, glaring at Kate. “But it’s not right.”

“I don’t want to see Kyle go to jail or . . . hanged because he did something stupid. The fact is, I am married to Hiram, and there’s nothing Kyle, I, or anyone else can do about that.” Kate put her hand on Danica’s shoulder, willing the girl to understand. Kyle could not find out that Hiram had struck her, or….done other things to her.

“Is there something you want me to tell Kyle?” Danica’s shoulders slumped, apparently seeing Kate’s reason.

Kate blinked back tears. “Tell him I love him, and tell him to continue his work for the making of the great geyser basin park. It’s where his focus should be. Not on me. We’re leaving for Helena tomorrow. I think from there we’re going back east.”

“I’d sure like to see that area someday,” Danica said, a faraway look on her face.

“You’ve never been in the Yellowstone River region?”

“No, but I hear it’s something to see.”  She took another deep breath, then rubbed her hands together. “Okay, Kate. Before I go and tell Kyle you are a happily married woman, how would you like me to style your hair?” The mischief in Danica’s eyes gave Kate cause for concern. She stared at her friend, hoping to mimic the dark looks she’d seen in Josh’s serious eyes.

Danica threw her hands in the air.  Kate’s glare was obviously ineffective. “Okay, fine. Answer me this - how does your husband like your hair?” the girl asked.

“Put up neatly,” Kate said.

“Well, then it’s settled. We’ll just have to leave it down.” They looked at each other, and then burst out laughing. Danica’s rebellious nature was refreshing and infectious, despite Kate’s dire predicament. She wished some of it would rub off on her.

*****

Someone knocked softly on the door. Kyle jumped from his seat at the kitchen table, and ripped the door open. At first glance, the small person standing in front of him looked like a boy wearing britches and a shirt that was several sizes too large. A wide-brimmed Stetson covered the youth’s head. 

The firm set to Kyle’s jaw softened, and he stepped aside. “Come in, Danica.”

“Call me Dani,” she said. She bent to pick up several parcels she had sitting on the ground next to her, and stepped over the threshold into the kitchen. She dropped them on the table with a loud thud, then removed her hat, and shook her head. Her long blonde waves spilled down her back like a cascading waterfall. Kyle’s chest tightened for a split second. It reminded him of Kate.

“Well?” Kyle asked impatiently. Danica turned to face him.

The girl set her mouth in a firm line, then looked him straight in the eyes. She inhaled deeply, and said, “She says she’s fine, and Hiram’s seen the error in his ways. He’s been nothing but a doting husband.”