Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (64 page)

Chapter 32

Kate sat at the edge of her chair, the muscles in her back stiff and tight from sitting ramrod straight for the last half hour. She longed for a deep breath of fresh air. The parlor was sweltering and stuffy, just like the company she found herself in at the moment. She balanced a saucer on her lap, and with a trembling hand, held the china tea cup to her lips.  As hard as she tried, she could not focus on the person sitting across from her. Dread filled her every nerve. Her mind wandered to the previous day, when the constable had come calling.

“You’ve been summoned to Judge William Bennett’s chambers tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock, Mrs. Devereaux. Don’t be late. The judge does not like to be kept waiting. Good day.” He had tipped his hat, handed her a sealed envelope addressed to her, and curtly left, leaving Kate to stand in the hall, speechless. She’d stared at the paper in her hand, unwilling to open it. What reason would a judge have to summon her? She had done nothing illegal.  She wondered if it had anything to do with the documents she had taken from Hiram’s desk. Did the information she sent Chase get to the right people? Was she in trouble because of it? Kate slowly broke the seal on the envelope, and unfolded the parchment she pulled from it. The information it provided gave her no clue as to the meaning of the summon. It simply confirmed what the constable had told her.

“I thought you’d be in the family way by now, Kate Ellen. I so want a grandchild to dote over.” 

These firm, cold words that held no emotion tore Kate from her thoughts. She looked up, and choked back a cough. Tea spilled down the front of her satin gown. She hastily leaned forward and set her cup on the coffee table, dabbing quickly at her mouth and dress with her lace napkin.

“Are you all right, my dear? My goodness, clumsiness is a sign of being in the family way.”

Kate glared at the woman sitting across from her. Victoria Chandler. Her mother. The woman’s hand clutched at her bosom, her eyes wide with expectation. With her other hand, she fanned herself with her own napkin. “Kate Ellen? Is there something you wish to tell your mother?”

Yes. There was a lot Kate wanted to say to her mother, but she bit her tongue. For now. She stood, and headed for the large window looking out into the gardens of Hiram’s estate. Gazing up at the gray November skies, she watched several birds circle in the air before they settled in some bare branches of the many maple trees that lined the yard. It was well past noon. She wished her mother would leave, so she could get ready to go to Boston. She couldn’t be late for her appointment with the judge.

She turned and stared at her mother, who still sat stiffly, a look of anticipation on her face. Kate hadn’t seen her mother in more than six months. Today marked the woman’s first visit since Kate’s return from Montana, although her mother’s own house in Boston proper was less than an hour’s coach ride away. The unexpected visit today had come as a complete surprise, and at the most inopportune time. She had no desire to socialize with her mother.

 For the first half hour, after polite and formal introductions, they had taken tea in the parlor. She had declined Kate’s invitation to an afternoon meal. Silently, Kate was glad, and hoped it meant her mother planned to keep her visit short.  Victoria then proceeded to bore Kate with gossip from the Boston social circle. Obviously, she’d been living quite comfortably off of Hiram’s money, judging by the company she’d been keeping. Not once had she inquired about Kate’s well-being.

“Since when have you ever doted on children, mother?” Kate asked, not trying to disguise the iciness in her voice. “The way I remember my childhood, you don’t even like children.”

Her mother appeared to have lost her ability to speak momentarily. She stared open-mouthed at her daughter. Kate smiled sweetly.  All her life, she’d cowered in front of this woman. Standing up to her was even easier than standing up to Hiram.

“I gave you the best of everything, Kate Ellen,” her mother said, her tone laced with accusations. “I made sure you wanted for nothing.” With a loud clank, she set her tea cup on the table, and stood. Her face reddened, and she strode up to Kate, her burgundy taffeta dress rustling loudly as it swirled around her legs.

“It never mattered to you what I wanted, mother,” Kate countered, standing her ground. “Did you ever ask me if I wanted to be married to Hiram? It’s always been about you and what you wanted.”

She stared at her mother, meeting the woman’s eyes unflinching. Victoria Chandler stood still, disbelief written all over her face. Kate gloated silently. She couldn’t recall her mother ever not having the upper hand.

“Well, well, Kate Ellen,” she said slowly, her eyes traveling up and down Kate’s body in silent appraisal. “I sure hope Hiram knows how to keep you in line. It seems you’ve developed quite an independent streak.”

“That’s the one good thing that came out of this marriage, mother,” Kate said, turning back to the window. “I had the opportunity to experience a different side of life while in Montana.” Despite her efforts, her eyes filled with tears. She stared out the window, blinking rapidly. She would not allow her mother to seize on her momentary weakness.

“You never answered my question. Are you with child?” It was a demand, not a mother’s gentle inquiry.

Kate spun around. “No, mother. I’m not,” she said heatedly.

“Hiram would grant you your every wish if you produced a son for him.” Her mother smiled conspiratorially at Kate.

Kate scoffed, then laughed. “The one and only thing I want from him, he’ll never give me.” She paused before adding, “My freedom.”

Her mother’s eyes narrowed, and her hands rested at her waist. “Are you denying your husband his rights, Kate Ellen?”

“He’s not really my husband, is he?” Kate dared to ask. She studied her mother’s face closely for a reaction. Sure enough, the woman’s skin paled visibly.

“Why would you say such a thing?” she stammered.

Kate stepped closer to her mother. “You and Hiram drugged me before my wedding. So much so, I can barely remember the day. Why?” Her face was inches from the woman’s, and Victoria quickly turned her back.

“You were ill. We gave you what the doctor said was best for you.” Her lips curved up in a nervous smile. Her eyes remained cold.

“You’re lying, mother,” Kate countered, stepping around her to look her in the eyes. “Why did you—” A loud noise, like the front door slamming shut, reverberated through the room. Kate turned toward the double-wide entry of the parlor.

“You can’t simply barge in here, sir,” a terrified-sounding maid’s voice screeched from the hall. A man’s deep voice muttered incoherently, mixed with the maid’s shrill insistence that he leave.

“What on earth?” Kate’s mother questioned, and headed for the entry. More doors banged open and shut outside the parlor, and Victoria moved ahead of Kate, with the obvious intent to investigate the commotion. Quickly, she stammered back into the room, a loud gasp escaping from her throat.

A tall, dark-haired, bronze-skinned figure dressed in fringed buckskins strode into the room. Quickly, he scanned the area, his eyes resting on Kate. His lips curved in a half smile. 

“Finally,” he grumbled. “I found you.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Kate’s mother demanded firmly, her face red with shock and outrage. Her hand shot to her neck as her eyes widened in fear. “An Indian,” she stammered. A frazzled maid entered the room behind the man, her hand on her forehead. She looked winded, as if she’d been running.

“Josh?” Kate’s eyes widened in disbelief. For a mere second, she stood rooted to the spot. She blinked, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her. Then she rushed up to Kyle’s cousin, and threw her arms around his neck. He was the most welcome sight she had seen in a long time. Her mind raced with a million questions. What was he doing here? How did he know where to find her? Immediately, she thought about the package she had sent. Hiram was in Washington. The congressional hearings regarding the geyser basin park had begun. If Josh was here, what about Chase and Sarah? Had they come as well? What a wonderful surprise it would be to see them.

Josh stood stiffly while Kate hugged him. He patted her awkwardly on the back, but did not return her embrace. Kate smiled, tears of joy running down her face. She released her hold around his neck, and took a step back.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless. She looked him up and down, couldn’t get enough of seeing one of the people she’d grown so fond of in Montana. Seeing him was like a bridge to seeing Kyle.

“What is the meaning of this, Kate Ellen? Who is this . . . this savage?” Kate’s mother demanded loudly. She spat out the word
savage
as if just saying it made her unclean. Josh glared at the woman, his lips curved in a wolfish grin. His attention came back to Kate.

“Had a hell of a time finding you,” he said.

“I demand you tell me at once what is going on here,” Kate’s mother interjected. “Who is his vile man?” She rushed to Kate’s side, grabbing for her arm to pull her away.

Kate turned fully to face her mother, stepping out of her reach. “May I introduce Mr. Running Wolf, mother,” she said with exaggerated formality, deliberately using Josh’s Indian name. “I would appreciate it if you would stop insulting my friends.”

“Friend? Does your husband know about this?”

Josh pulled Kate aside, positioning himself between her and Kate’s mother, his back turned to the woman.  He ignored the older woman’s tirade completely. “We got your correspondence, Kate,” he said, keeping his voice low.

“And? Did it get to the right people?” she asked eagerly. Was Josh here to expose Hiram?

“Yeah, it sure did.” He grinned.  “Thanks to you, we have the evidence to present to the members of Congress. If those bastards that took bribes from Hiram know what’s good for them, they’ll back out of their deal mighty quick, or their days in office are numbered.”

“That’s wonderful news, Josh,” Kate said, and squeezed his hand. Her eyes darted to her mother, who was talking agitatedly to the maid. Neither of the two dared step any closer to Josh. Kate smiled inwardly. They were probably both worried this
savage
would scalp them. Isn’t that what she had thought, that day he surprised her by the river?

“You need to come with me, Kate.” Any hint of amusement left his face.

Kate released his hand. “Come with you where?” She shook her head. “I have an appointment I need to keep in a short while.”

“That’s why I’m here,” Josh said. “I’m supposed to take you to Boston for your meeting.”

Kate’s eyebrows furrowed, confused. She didn’t understand any of this. “How do you know about that?”

“Kate Ellen,” her mother boomed behind her. “I will send for the constable.”

Josh turned to face the woman. “You do that, ma’am,” he drawled calmly.  “In the meantime, Kate and I are leaving.” He held Kate’s arm, and pushed her toward the door.

“Wait, Josh, I can’t. I’m not ready. I . . . I need to get dressed.”

Josh looked confused now, his eyes assessing her clothing. “You look dressed to me. Let’s go.” His grip on her arm tightened, and he ushered her out the parlor and across the hall to the entrance.

“This is an outrage,” her mother screeched behind her. “Someone stop this man. He is kidnapping my daughter.”

“Let’s get out of here, before the old bat decides to throw something at us, and I’ll be forced to defend myself.” Josh picked up the pace, and Kate had to run to keep up with him. She giggled as her pulse increased. She would be in a heap of trouble for this later after her mother made sure Hiram knew every little detail of this encounter, but at the moment, she didn’t care. She nodded politely at one of the open-mouthed maids who stood near the front door. The flustered girl actually opened the door for them.

“Thank you, Agatha,” Kate called over her shoulder, a wide smile on her face. Freedom. It felt so good. Even if it was temporary. For the first time in months, happiness prevailed over her sorrow. What would it take to convince Josh to take her away from Boston, back to Montana? It was an absurd idea.