B00BWX9H30 EBOK Read online

  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.”

  He held the door for her and she walked through to a new life on the other side.

  The ceremony was short and sweet. Nathan lifted her veil and gave her the most amazing, gentlest kiss she’d ever had. Before her accident she’d had her share of beaux
s. Young men who would sneak a kiss in the shadows of the garden. None of whom continued to come around after the accident. After they’d seen the damage done.

  Nathan was different. He didn’t cringe. His eyes actually seemed to be filled with passion when he looked at her. Like he was staking a claim. And she guessed he did have a claim to her now. He was her husband. Husband. She’d thought she’d never have one. Now this beautiful man was hers and his kiss held the promise of good things to come.

  CHAPTER 2

  Ella wore her veil until they were out of Denver, then put it back on when they went through Golden City. Several men hollered at Nathan as they passed.

  “Hey there, Nathan. Who’s that beside you? That the new missus?” asked a red haired young man, who ran up beside the wagon as it slowly passed.

  “Yes, Jamie. This is Ella. My wife.”

  Ella waved at the man as he trotted to keep up with the wagon. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  Jamie laughed loudly. “I ain’t no sir, ma’am. I’m just Jamie.”

  Nathan held the reins of the walking horses in one hand and put his other arm around Ella, resting it on her shoulders. The move was purely proprietary. Showing his claim on her and she didn’t mind at all. As a matter of fact, it felt nice to be wanted. “Tell your boss we’ll be seeing him on Saturday, as usual.”

  “Will do,” Jamie replied as he stopped and turned toward the feed store. He tipped his hat to Ella. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ravenclaw.”

  She waved at him. They were far enough away that she’d have had to yell for him to hear her and she didn’t want to draw any additional attention to herself.

  “I bet you’re blushing under that veil,” said Nathan.

  “Why would I be blushing?” she asked, all too aware of his arm still around her waist.

  “Jamie and his, shall we say exuberance at meeting you. Everyone knew I was meeting my bride today. He just wanted to be the first to meet you.”

  She laughed. “Yes, well, he was awfully excited, wasn’t he?”

  Nathan moved his arm and took the reins in both hands again as they left the city behind. She felt a little bereft. She liked his arm around her. Liked that he wanted everyone to know she was his.

  As soon as they’d left Golden City behind, Ella took off her hat and veil once again. She shoved the offending apparel under the seat and turned her face to the sun. Its warmth something she’d not felt for a long time.

  “Ahh,” she said. “That feels so wonderful.”

  Nathan looked at her and smiled.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You seem so happy with just a little sunshine on your face. At this rate I’m going to have no trouble pleasing you.”

  She laughed. “I am easily amused. After nearly a year without feeling the sunshine on my face for more than a moment, this is amazing.”

  He pulled onto a driveway off the main road. Far up the road, in a little gully up against the foothills sat the ranch buildings. She could make out the two large buildings, one of which she assumed was the house and several smaller buildings.

  As they got close, she saw that the ranch house was one story and sprawling. Shaped like a “U” with a courtyard in the center. Nathan pulled up in front of the open center courtyard. They walked through the courtyard straight to the door in the center of the middle side and entered into a foyer there.

  “To the right are the parlor, dining room, kitchen and Martha’s bedroom,” said Nathan. “And to the left are the family bedrooms.”

  “Let me introduce you to Martha. She’s the one who keeps the place running smoothly. I’m sure you’ll want to take over some of her duties, but I leave that up to the two of you.”

  They headed to the kitchen where Ella saw a short, middle-aged woman with beautiful black hair and sparkling brown eyes.

  “Ah, you are the missus for my Nathan.”

  “Your Nathan?” Ella looked back and forth between Nathan and Martha. “Are you his mother?”

  Nathan chuckled. “She might as well be. She’d been with me since my father took me from my mother, Singing Bird. You might say Martha is my white mother.”

  “Now you’ve got me thoroughly confused. Maybe later you can explain it all to me.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time for that.”

  Ella turned to Martha. “Please don’t let me interrupt your routine. I want to learn all I can. We had a cook, housekeeper and maids in New York, so I’m woefully ignorant, but I want to learn to do things myself. I know I’ll need your help so don’t worry about me taking over all your duties. That won’t ever happen, but I want to learn. Will you teach me?”

  “Sure. I’ll teach ya. Looks like ya got a keeper, Nathan.”

  “Thank you, Martha. I think so, too.” He placed his hand on Ella’s waist. “Let’s go drop off your valise and then I’ll show you the rest of the property.”

  They went to the last of the four bedrooms in the other wing of the house. The master bedroom was the largest by far. Next to it was the room Ella would use as a nursery. It was the smallest of the bedrooms. There were two other bedrooms in addition to these two. Plenty of room for children. Babies. The thought make her smile.

  Nathan carried her belongings into the room and set them down by the double bed. It was covered with a beautiful patchwork quilt.

  “This is gorgeous. Who made it for you?” asked Ella, as she ran her fingers over the quilt and admired the fine detail of the stitches.

  “My aunt Sara made it. She’s actually my great aunt on my father’s side, of course.”

  “It’s lovely and I can tell it took a lot of work to make.”

  “Yes. I can see bits of shirts that I wore in several different years, so I know she worked on it a long time.”

  “And the fur rug in front of the fireplace? Did you shoot the animal?”

  “It’s a buffalo and yes, I killed it, with bow, arrow and spear. It was the first buffalo I got as a man. My mother prepared it for me.”

  “What do you mean as a man? You were only fifteen when you left your mother’s people. That is hardly a man.”

  “Not in white culture, but as an Arapaho, I’d been a man for a couple of years.”

  “I see.” She didn’t, but that would be something for later as well. There were a lot of things for later. Her gaze came back to the bed. “Um, Nathan. We need to discuss something.”

  He followed her eyes to the bed. “What would that be?”

  “I, uh, I think we should get to know each other before we, us, you know.”

  Nathan knew exactly what she was talking about. It had been on his mind since he’d kissed her that morning. That kiss had been the sweetest in recent memory. His new wife was many things, including, if he wasn’t mistaken, a virgin. He hadn’t expected that. He didn’t know why, but he’d thought that anyone who’d sign up to be a mail order bride would be experienced. But there was no hiding the blush that rose from her neck clear to the top of her head.

  “What would that be?”

  “You know. I don’t think we should be,” she stopped and whispered, “intimate yet. Not until we get to know each other better.”

  Grasping his chin by the thumb and forefinger as though he was contemplating it, he said, “No. I don’t think we should put it off.”

  “But if we decide that we don’t suit, we can get an annulment much easier than a divorce.”

  He dropped his hand and closed the distance between them. “Get one thing straight.” He took her by the shoulders. “There will be no annulment and no divorce.” Then he brought his mouth down on hers the way he’d wanted to all day. He was gratified when her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back. His tongue pressed against the seam of her lips as he begged for entry.

  She eased her lips apart and he entered, slowly, gentling the kiss. Tentatively, she touched her tongue to his and he thought he’d die if he didn’t get more. He dueled with her, feasted on her, forgetting she was untried until she pu
lled back.

  “Nathan?” she asked, her breathing hard.

  “Ella. I want you, but I’ll compromise with you. We sleep together, learn each other’s body. I won’t take you until you ask me, but I will touch you. Everywhere.”

  With those words he left her.

  * * *

  Ella sat down on the side of the bed and touched her fingers to her swollen lips. He was going to touch her, had touched her, kissed her and wasn’t the least repulsed. But what would he think when he saw the rest of her scars on her neck and shoulder? She had the feeling he wouldn’t care. There was no pity in his kiss or in the fire that had been in his eyes.

  “Oh, my.”

  He made her want more out of this marriage than just being comfortable. She wanted it all. She wanted love. But even he, kind as he was, couldn’t love her. Could he?

  Closing her eyes, she wished it could be. She was very afraid it would be all too easy to fall in love with her husband. He was kind, gentle, fierce and entirely too handsome for her own good.

  She took a deep breath and got up, grabbed one of her bags and opened it. There was a door at one end of the room she hoped was a closet. She shook out the skirts and blouses in the bag. Taking a skirt in hand she opened the door. It was a closet and there was even room for her clothes. Well, these clothes. They’d have to figure out something else when her trunks arrived.

  She hung her clothes up and looked in the bureau for an empty drawer. Nathan had anticipated it and the top two were empty for her. She put her chemises and bloomers in one drawer, her stockings and second corset in the other. She would be so very happy to get out of her corset. She hadn’t been able to do it by herself. Nathan would have to help her, but the way he looked at her she didn’t think he would mind. It didn’t take as long to unpack as she thought it would. Her clothes needed ironing after more than a week in the bag. She went down to see Martha.

  Wonderful smells wafted out of the kitchen. She followed her nose to the stove. There on top was a pot full of beans and another one full of stew. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled. She’d forgotten until that moment that she’d had nothing to eat today.