Caught Between Love And Duty

by Clarice Mayfield

  “Oh? What are they?”

  “Money or love. It’s as simple as that.”

  * * *

  The next day Georgia was feeling much better. The grogginess from the Comanche sedative had worn off. When James went to see her in the morning she seemed like her old self. He told her about Aunt Martha’s strong recovery from the tea room attack and Georgia was overjoyed at the news.

  She had grown as fond of the old lady as Martha was of her. Her own mother – although a kind, loving woman – was a very timid individual who rarely voiced her own opinion. Emilia always seemed to defer to Charles in everything. Martha’s example of a strong, capable, family matriarch who did not shy away from sharing her view of things – as well as caring for the needs of all who came within her circle – was a source of great encouragement to Georgia.

  She asked James if any of the kidnappers had been caught.

  “We killed two of ‘em at the hideout. The rest are still at large.”

  The news did not bring her any joy. She felt empathy for these men – however destructive their chosen path in life had been.

  “What about Blue Shadow?” she asked.

  James shook his head. “We haven’t found him yet.”

  Although he knew the moment had come, James was hesitant to reveal that Georgia’s father had arrived in Sonora.

  She will be full of questions...and it won’t take her long to discover that me and Charles told each other everything.

  James realized that once Georgia discovered he had had a long conversation with her father she would know her secret was out: she was not a seamstress. She had lied to him. It would be a challenging moment for both of them and a true test of their relationship.

  He took her hand and kissed it. Georgia smiled affectionately. “Feeling romantic, my love?”

  “Always when you’re around, darlin’,” he said, “but we need to talk about something.”

  “What is it?” she asked, her curiosity aroused.

  “Your daddy got into town a couple days ago.”

  “That’s impossible,” she said flatly.

  “He came to my office right off the stagecoach. Said he was looking for a Boston debutante who also happens to be his daughter. I said he must have the wrong woman. We know a Georgia Warton here but she’s a seamstress.”

  Georgia’s face flushed in embarrassment. “Listen James, I can explain...”

  James interrupted her and continued: “He’s a right stubborn gent though, Mr. Warton. He just went on and described you down to a T: green eyes, auburn hair, very pretty...”

  “Stop it, please!” she begged. “I couldn’t tell you the truth right away. You’d never have invited me here if you knew I was a rich deb. You know that’s the truth, James.”

  “Shucks, I ain’t got nothin’ against rich women,” he teased.

  “Oh, please! You wouldn’t have even finished reading the letter if you thought it was from a sniffy society girl. You would have thrown it into the fire, right?”

  “Sure I would’ve read it. All you had to do was say you played chess in the first sentence. Because you had me at ‘chess’, darlin’,” he said mischievously.

  Georgia realized that James wasn’t angry at her but was just teasing. Relief flooded her heart. “So you’re not angry at me because I lied to you?”

  “Oh, I admit it hit me kinda hard at first. Sure. But when I realized why you done it, I understood. I wouldn’t have given that letter a second thought if you said you was a society girl – never did go for the highfalutin type. Sure glad you got the opportunity to prove me wrong about that though.” He leaned over, took her hand again and kissed it. Georgia was speechless with gratitude at his graceful response toward what she had done.

  “I love you, James McCloud.”

  “I love you too, darlin’.” They embraced for a long moment, each feeling grateful that their relationship had survived the test, that somehow against all odds they had connected with one another across the miles and their different places in society.

  When the embrace ended James asked, “What are we gonna do with that stubborn daddy of yours? He’s ready to load you back onto a stagecoach for Boston.”

  “Never, James McCloud! A team of wild horses couldn’t drag me away from you now. I’m sorry. It’s a done deal.”

  “You need to explain that to him, Georgia. I told him about our engagement but it didn’t cut no ice. He wouldn’t accept it. Says you got a prior commitment with a gent back in Beantown.”

  She sighed deeply. “You two did have a very thorough conversation. Yes, it seemed at the time like a necessary arrangement to save the family fortune, James. That’s the only reason I agreed. But it was a mistake. I couldn’t go through with it and I’m so glad I didn’t.” She took his hands in hers. “Then my little brother, William, gave me a copy of the Matrimonial News. I sat in my bedroom, prayed, opened the paper and there was your little ad.”

  “And here we are,” he smiled at her.

  “William said I always wanted to marry a cowboy.”

  “Did you?”

  “Not yet, but I’m going to!” she laughed. “We haven’t set a wedding date, you know?”

  “Well now, you’re right, Ms. Warton. We need to settle things with your daddy first though. He’s mighty determined that you’re still gonna save his fortune.”

  “Money, money, money! Why are people so obsessed with it?” she exclaimed in frustration.

  “I don’t rightly know,” he replied. James could see that she was angry. He decided not to say anything more for now.

  She and her daddy will be having it out soon enough.

  He wanted Georgia and her father to have the opportunity to meet privately at first, without the pressure of other people being around.

  Maybe the conversation will go better that way.

  * * *

  James asked David to be his emissary to arrange the meeting. His brother agreed and approached Charles after breakfast, explaining that his daughter was feeling much better and was ready to see him. “James and Georgia thought it would be good if you met with her in private at first,” David said. “Would you mind waiting in the den to see her, sir?”

  Charles was delighted. “No, of course not. Tell them I’ll be there right away.”

  11

  That morning after her talk with James, Georgia had a bath, something to eat, and changed into fresh clothes. She was nervous but felt ready to meet her father for the first time after the escape from Boston.

  There was a knock on the bedroom door and James poked his head in. “Are you ready for this, darlin’?” he asked with concern. “Sure you’re feelin’ strong enough to meet your daddy today?”

  “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go see him together. Will you come with me?”

  “Of course I will, if you want me to.” James stepped into the room and offered her his arm. She took it gratefully and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Okay,” said Georgia, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go see him.”

  As they walked into the den Charles rose excitedly from his chair. “Pumpkin!” he cried, rushing over to Georgia and hugging her.

  She did not return the embrace.

  “Pumpkin, what’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I’m okay now. Why are you here?”

  Her cool response shocked Charles. He was speechless.

  “I’m not going back to Boston,” she declared. “If that’s why you came here, you might as well turn around and go back. James and I love each other and we’re going to be married soon. That’s why people should get married don’t you think, Daddy? For love instead of money.”

  Charles was caught off guard. She had never spoken to him this way before. There seemed to be a new strength in her. “Yes, of course, Pumpkin, but we have an arrangement with Mr. Bishop.”

  “Forget the arrangement with Mr. Bishop,” Georgia pleaded. “Hasn’t William told you that the man was defrauding
you over the cost of the shipwreck? He blew up the numbers to make it look like we would lose the business. He cheated you, Papa, just to try and get me to marry him.”

  “No, my dear,” Charles said sadly. “I could wish that were true. But I’m afraid that you were the one who was fooled, Georgia.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your brother had no knowledge whatsoever of Abraham’s business affairs. He made it all up – a cleverly concocted story, I must admit. But he came up with the idea just to get you out of Boston as soon as possible. That boy can no more stand the thought of you marrying Bishop than you yourself can. He loves you dearly, as you know, and wanted to protect you, Georgia.”

  James stood to the side watching the conversation unfold. After a couple of minutes he took a seat in one of the large cowhide-leather chairs. They’re just goin’ at each other anyways. Might as well rest my bones a bit ‘cause it looks like this here could go on for awhile.

  “How...did you find out?” Georgia asked, shaken by the news of her brother’s deception.

  “Your mother and I both thought William might know something, seeing you two have always been close. He denied knowing where you were, of course. Still protecting you to the last – bless his heart. But we were getting desperate with worry. We intercepted his mail and found out you had gone to Texas. William was very clever about it: he had your letters delivered to another address in town. We were able to convince the post office to intercept his outgoing mail and get the address.”

  “And you read them, of course,” she said, annoyed.

  “Someday when you have kids of your own you’ll understand, Georgia,” Charles said, and was immediately sorry for bringing up the subject of child bearing. It might give her a mental image of having Bishop’s child. And he knew that would disgust her even more. So he quickly changed the subject. “We were worried sick about you, Pumpkin!”

  “And worried sick about your fortune, no doubt. What means more to you and Mama: me or the money?”

  “That’s not fair, Georgia,” Charles protested. “You know your mother was born into a wealthy family. It would have a dreadful effect on her if she became a poor woman in her old age.”

  “I know that’s been your fear from the start, Daddy. Yes it would be difficult for her, there’s no doubt about that. But would it kill Mama not to have such a big house? Would she simply die without the servants?”

  “Well... I’m not saying that. Not necessarily,” Charles stammered.

  “And what about my life? Doesn’t my happiness deserve some consideration too?”

  “Yes. Of course it does,” he said firmly.

  They both fell silent. It seemed like there was nothing more to say. James sensed a stalemate in the discussion and stood up from his chair. “Georgia, would you mind giving your pa and me a few minutes to talk somethin’ over?”

  She looked exasperated and glad to have a chance to cool off. “Okay, no problem,” she said, turning and quickly leaving the room.

  James beckoned toward a second cowhide chair and invited Warton to have a seat. He accepted gratefully, looking tired from the argument.

  “Seems like you two have hit a stalemate here, Charles,” said James, dropping into the other chair.

  “Yes,” the old man said, rubbing the bridge of his nose in fatigue. “It appears we’re both out of moves now, James. I wish we could just call it a draw and go have supper. But it has to be settled one way or another, I’m afraid.”

  James smiled at Warton’s picking up on his reference to the moves in a chess game. He remembered that Georgia called her father a great player. “Sir, I reckon there’s another move available here that could give everybody the win. Well, except for that bit about your daughter marrying off somebody else in Boston.”

  “Really?!” Warton asked, looking unconvinced that any such option could exist. “What is it?”

  “I own half this ranch with my brother, David. It’s a big spread, lots of cattle and good land. It would fetch a mighty fine price on the market with all the work we done on it over the years. I bet it would even cover the value of your shipwreck. How much are you in the hole for it?”

  Warton thought about what James had proposed. James could almost see the mental wheels turning. “Well,” the old man said, “Abraham did cover half the debt up front as per our agreement. That plus the remaining money leaves a total of...” In a low, confidential voice Charles divulged the full cost of the debt.

  It was more than James had estimated. A very substantial sum. But he realized with relief that it was still less than the equity he owned in the ranch.

  “Charles, if I sold my interest in the Golden Lane then I could cover the cost of your shipwreck. The family business would continue, your debts would be paid, and Bishop would get his money – but not the girl. She’s set on marryin’ me, as you just heard. And, frankly, I’m just as set on her. What do you think?”

  Inexplicably, Warton hesitated. James could see the resistance in his eyes. It made no sense to him how anybody could turn down such a good offer.

  What in blazes is the trouble now? Doesn’t he believe me about the value of the ranch?

  “James, I really appreciate the offer. I truly do. It’s amazing that you are willing to give up all you’ve worked for here in exchange for Georgia’s hand. It shows me that you really do love her. Most men, I think, wouldn’t go half as far in expressing their love for a woman.”

  “But?” James asked.

  “But I am a man of principle too and I have an understanding with Abraham Bishop. He’s an old family friend who stepped forward to help in our hour of greatest need. I accepted his offer and we shook hands on it. As a gentleman, I cannot turn my back on him now – no matter how much of a cad he is.”

  And no matter if it costs you the relationship with your daughter?

  James sat back in his chair again. He had made his move and realized things wouldn’t go any further at the moment. It truly was a stalemate; at least a temporary one. “We’ve all said our piece here today, I reckon, Charles. Why don’t we take a few days to think on it?”

  “Fair enough, young man,” he replied. “Thank you again for bringing my girl back safe and sound, and all that you and the deputies did to make that happen, risking life and limb. I am forever in your debt.”

  James smiled at the irony of Warton’s words. “Let’s go get some lunch,” he said, getting up from the chair and leading the way toward the kitchen.

  “Great idea. Bibby Logan is almost as good a cook as Georgia.”

  “Don’t let Auntie hear you say that, sir. Her scattergun is still leaning against the wall in the kitchen.”

  They both laughed and went into the dining room where there was a table full of food waiting.

  * * *

  When Georgia rushed out of the den she saw Aunt Martha for the first time since the kidnapping. Martha smiled and gave her a hug.

  “I’m so glad you’re back, girl!” the old woman said. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m well, Martha. How are you? James said you made an excellent recovery.”

  “Feelin’ fit as a fiddle! How did the meeting with your daddy go?”

  Georgia sighed. “Not well, I’m afraid. He wants me to go back to Boston.”

  “Yes, I heard, my dear. Had a talk with your pa yesterday. He told me everything. I’m mighty sorry about the pickle he’s gotten you into.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Martha,” Georgia said.

  “I hope you don’t mind, gal, but I was pretty bold with him. Told the man how I feel about the situation, straight up. I reckon he’s got to choose between two things: love or money. Sure hope he chooses love,” she smiled.

  “Me too,” Georgia said. “But either way I’m staying with James. I’m choosing love.”

  “That a girl! You stick to your guns – as we say out west – and everything’s gonna work out just fine. You’ll see.”

  * * *

  “You’re absolute
ly sure that it was Arthur and Blue Shadow?”

  “Yeah, Sheriff, it was them all right. I’ve known Arthur for years. And I recognized that same Comanche with the gang when they hit town and took your fiancée. Same clothes, dart pipe slung across his back. It was him.”

  Sheriff McCloud was interviewing Bill Callahan, a man who had witnessed an incident some months earlier that involved both Arthur and the renegade.