The Reluctant Bride (The Ladies Club of Laramie Book 4)

by Everly West

  "You aren’t in love with me, Eva. So how is it different? Me instead of August Moonlite?"

  "That's a fair question, I suppose." How could she explain how she felt about Levi? He was kind. And so handsome. Just to look at him made her weak in the knees.

  And, he was solid. Not his physical nature, although he was quite fit for a man who made his living indoors. He was solid as in she never had to wonder what was behind his words.

  His friendship was steady. Just like now. She hadn't seen him in weeks and still he answered her call for help without question. He was dependable. And he was honorable. He valued his word like no other man she had ever known. He would never lie to her. And the real part of her plan was that she didn't want a real marriage. She only wanted to pretend to be married so she could escape her father's tyranny and start making decisions for herself.

  "Well, there are lots of differences. First, you are my friend, Levi. And I know what kind of man you are. Secondly, I know I can trust you without question to keep your word. And lastly, this would not be a real marriage. I only want to pretend to marry so when enough time has passed, I can admit our union was a mistake and leave Laramie to go somewhere of my choosing.”

  Understanding darkened his soulful eyes. "I see."

  "I know there will be retribution from my father for a time, but we can weather that together and then I can be free to live my life as I choose. Just say you will do this for me." Eva pleaded, hoping he couldn't say no to her emotional, heartfelt request.

  She watched his face, hoping to gain some insight as to what his answer might be, but he was an experienced poker player she knew, and he wasn't giving anything away.

  "If we do this Eva, if we go through with your plan, you will be considered a divorced woman in Wyoming Territory. Hell, you’ll be a divorced woman anywhere you go. Are you sure you can live with that name? It would also make you unappealing to most men who would wish to marry you for reasons other than the betterment of their situation. And what about money to live on when you leave Laramie? Will your father give you an allowance to care for yourself? Not if he’s still the same bastard I know—no offense to you, Eva.”

  Eva bit back her momentary anxiety at the thought of living penniless. Her father had already threatened to disown her many times when she balked at succumbing to his wishes, but she would never ask Levi to give her money. She would figure it out. Somehow. Maybe she could find a job of some kind, even though she had never worked a day in her entire life.

  "Don't worry about my financial situation, Levi. I can take care of myself. Besides, I have put back some money over the years and it will be sufficient," she lied. "Just say you will think about it. I know this is all so shocking and it will take some time for you to process all I have said. Promise me you won't say no tonight and you will take some time to really think about my request," she pleaded once more, hoping his friendship was as strong as she believed it to be.

  He pulled her into his arms and for a moment she stood motionless at the thought he might kiss her. She realized she wouldn't mind it at all if he did.

  He stood so close, his breath caressed her face, the subtle hints of cigar and whiskey—scents she usually found distasteful on other men—made her want to lean against him and taste those forbidden vices on his lips. What had gotten in to her? Levi was her friend. Of course he wasn’t thinking about kissing her.

  Finally, he spoke to her in the darkness. "I'm a cautious man, Eva, and I would like the chance to weigh the consequences of this plan against the benefits you anticipate to gain—"

  Relief rushed through Eva's body. "Thank you so much, Levi. I don't know how I can possibly repay—"

  His strong fingers wrapped around her upper arms and pushed her gently away from him. He looked down at her and she could see the glint of his dark eyes by the fading moonlight as the clouds of a winter storm closed in.

  "Eva, I haven't said yes just yet. I have only agreed to think about your proposal. Please know that I will always have your best interests at heart, and if I don't believe this plan of yours will benefit you, then my answer must be no."

  Eva nodded her understanding. "I know once you have a chance to think about this plan, you will have no choice but to say yes." She only hoped she was right.

  The sharp bite of the cold northern wind blew through the dilapidated servant's quarters making Eva shudder.

  "You need to get back inside before you catch your death." Levi pulled his coat jacket closer around her neck and put his arm around her shoulders to guide her back to the main house.

  Eva moved alongside Levi, matching his stride, step for step. They reached the back door and she waited while Levi stuck his head inside. "The hall is empty. Hurry. I'll wait outside until you are out of sight."

  She shucked his coat off her shoulders and stepped inside the dark hallway. He was about to shut the door behind her when she stopped him. "Thank you, Levi. You are a true friend to me." She tiptoed and impulsively kissed him on the cheek. His beard was surprisingly soft against her lips and for a moment she lingered. Then, she stepped back unsure what to do next.

  She watched his eyes drop to her lips and for the second time that night, she thought her friend might kiss her. Her breath hung in anticipation, but a laugh from somewhere down the dark hall broke the spell. He spun her around and pushed her inside the house and closed the door behind her.

  Her surprise quickly dispersed as the thought of being caught by someone took hold of her senses. Besides, it had all been her own imagination at work. She reminded herself that Levi was her friend and nothing more because this wasn’t the first time in their lengthy friendship she had to remind herself Levi was not interested in her as anything other than a friend. He had made that clear the night of her sixteenth birthday party when she first became aware of her handsome friend’s sexual appeal.

  He had been twenty-two at the time and every bit the handsome devil her friends tittered over around the punch bowl. That was the night she made the awful mistake of trying to turn their friendship into something more by kissing him. She would not make that mistake again.

  Levi had never mentioned that night. Or that kiss. Not in all the years since. She knew she had shocked him with her bold behavior because he had failed to show up at their weekly secret meeting for several weeks after that fateful night.

  She had waited for him every Thursday afternoon for a month before he finally showed up again. She had planned to apologize to him for ruining their friendship, but he wouldn’t let her. He said they would always be friends and there was nothing to apologize for and no need to speak of it again.

  Then, he presented her with a new book and together they sat together underneath the trees in the meadow down by the lake just outside of town and read while her parents thought she was at Sarah’s house learning to play the piano. She knew a romance with Levi would be impossible, but if she could remain friends with him, she could remain close to him and that’s where she wanted to be.

  * * *

  Levi stood in the dark frigid air amid the flurry of snowflakes growing larger by the second. And yet, he didn't feel a thing. Well, that wasn't exactly true. He could admit to himself that there were a lot of things he felt when Eva was near.

  He heard a clock somewhere in the house strike eight o'clock. He had an appointment with the governor, and it wouldn't help his cause to be late.

  He shoved his arms into his suit coat and tugged at his bolo tie. Everything in place, he quietly stepped inside the dark hallway. Sounds from the front of the house echoed down the hall.

  He wasn’t surprised Eva's father was pressuring her to marry August Moonlite. What little he knew of August, Levi knew him to be a decent man, but the last time he and August had talked some months ago, the man hadn’t been interested in marriage in the least.

  He supposed the whole situation would be different if Eva cared for the man. A stab of jealousy pricked his façade of calm.

  Levi shook off though
ts of Eva. He would give her proposition thought, but right now, it was a distraction and he needed his wits about him when he met with Governor Moonlite. His future depended upon a clear head.

  He walked down the shadowy back hall until he came to the kitchen. From there he slipped into the front hall and into the great hall where music, spinning ladies, and laughter filled the air. He spotted Governor Moonlite standing next to some of Laramie’s business owners. Eva’s father was nowhere to be seen. Thank goodness for small favors.

  He nodded to the governor who nodded back and then excused himself from the crowd.

  "There you are, Copper. I have asked Mr. Quincy to arrange for us to have a quiet meeting." Governor Moonlite handed him one of the cut crystal glasses in his hand. Levi sniffed. The good stuff.

  "Follow me." The man turned and led the way down another hall at the opposite end of the grand room.

  Levi followed the man into a small sitting room and closed the door behind him. The governor pointed toward a set of winged-back chairs by the window, a small table sitting in between. "Sit, Levi. I'm sure you are wondering why I wanted to meet with you tonight."

  Levi took one of the chairs offered and waited for the other man to be seated before he responded to his question.

  "I can guess, but I'd rather you state your purpose plainly if you don't mind. No room for misunderstandings that way." Levi took a sip of the fine whiskey and savored the burn down the back of his throat.

  "That's another thing I like about you, Copper. You keep your cards close to your vest. The mark of a practical man and a good politician. Unlike some of the popinjay idiots with political aspirations around here I could name."

  Levi knew the governor was speaking about Eva's father, Henri Delacroix. The man was a buffoon who huffed around telling everyone how important he was because he was part of the French aristocracy or some such nonsense. This was America. No one gave a crap about where you came from. The only thing that mattered was where you were going.

  "I think we both know the buffoon you speak of." Levi saluted the man with his glass and took another sip of whiskey.

  Governor Moonlite chuckled. "And yet, anyone who cared to find out the truth about his preposterous boasts wouldn’t have to look too far to learn the truth. He is third in line for some remote French province's baron title that he will likely never inherit. Instead, he receives an annual allowance that makes it possible for him to look down his noise at everyone. Including me."

  "I hardly think he would dare to insult you, sir. After all, he wants something from you." Levi knew Eva's father had no such affinity toward him. The arse had always made it clear Levi's friendship with his daughter had never be welcomed. Or tolerated.

  "Yes, he and every other father within the territory. And every matrimonial minded mother who has a marriageable daughter. I've encouraged August to take a wife, but he doesn't seem interested at present."

  Levi's stomach plummeted as he thought about what Eva had told him earlier in the evening. He tested the waters.

  "Why not just marry your son to Henri's daughter, what was her name?" Levi pretended not to know.

  "I don't recall her name. She is a lovely young thing. I met her earlier this evening, but there are dozens of lovely women and they don't come with a pretentious father who's only goal is to further his own political agenda. And trust me, the man is not political material."

  Levi breathed a sigh of relief. "I can see where he would set voters back on their heels. His arrogance is off putting to say the least." He took another sip of whiskey and then got to the point.

  "Tell me what it is I can do for you, Governor." Levi set his glass down on the table between them and looked directly into the man's eyes. It was a trick he learned long ago from his con artist father. He’d told Levi "A man can hide his lies behind his words, but he can't hide them in his eyes. That's the key to a good con, son. Learn to hide the truth in your eyes and the world will fall at your feet."

  Levi had used his father's advice at the poker tables to his advantage, but he prided himself on being an honest gambler and businessman.

  "I think the time is right for a man such as yourself to show interest in the vacant delegate seat for Wyoming Territorial Congress."

  There. Levi breathed a sigh of relief. He had wanted this, but he had convinced himself this was one prize out of his reach.

  "I'm honored you have such faith in me, but I doubt my father's legacy will allow me to skate clear of the political lynching that would soon follow any announcements. I would better serve you and our territory if I stayed in the background and pulled the political strings."

  "Nonsense, my boy,” Moonlite balked. “You are your own man and have made quite the name for yourself, not to mention a sizable fortune. No one in their right mind would publicly hold you responsible for your father's sins, and if they do, we'll simply point out the errors of their ways."

  "What about Henri Delacroix? Won't he be angry with you when he finds you backed the likes of me?" Levi grinned at the thought.

  "I don't give two hoots in a well what that pompous ass thinks. I've made my decision. I want to back you for the position. There's only one thing I might suggest you do before you accept my offer."

  Levi frowned. "And what would that be?" Levi braced for the possibility he couldn't go along with the governor's plan, no matter how much he wanted to announce his candidacy.

  "I think it would behoove you if you were to consider getting married before you announced your bid for the position. You are a handsome devil, I'll give you that, Copper. And that fact will hurt you as a single man, but if you had a pretty young wife on your arm, folks would throw their votes your way. Is that something you might consider? I'd like your answer before I commit to backing you. You can understand my position, can't you?"

  Levi pushed his shock behind his poker face and gave himself a moment or two to think before he spoke. "I would consider getting married—if the right woman came along."

  "And do you have someone in mind?"

  "I believe I do, sir. Someone I've been acquainted with for quite some time."

  "Good. Get it done and I'll make the announcement as soon as I see that marriage certificate signed, sealed and delivered. The deadline to file is this Monday."

  Levi's nerves scraped against his conscience. He wanted this position more than anything he had ever wanted in his life. No, that wasn't true. He wanted Eva more. And now, he could have them both, but there was a catch.

  "That doesn't leave me much time, sir."

  "That's all the time you have, Copper. Marry or lose my support."

  Levi's gut twisted with regret. Eva wanted a temporary marriage to escape her father's control. And the governor’s support hinged on a real one.

  Could he convince Eva that a real marriage to him had many more benefits than a fake one? After all, he was capable of bestowing upon her a healthy allowance to do with what she wished. She said she had money saved back, but his instincts told him that wasn’t true.

  And what would she do when she found out he had betrayed her trust and tricked her into a real marriage? She could despise him and then where would he be without his beautiful Eva's friendship?

  Levi knew the only way he could win at this game was to charm her, court her, and make her fall hopelessly in love with him before she found out the marriage was real, then he might have a chance at that happy ever after with the woman of his dreams.

  "What's your answer, Copper? Do we have a deal, or do I need to find someone else?" The man was a shrewd politician. He knew when to push his opponent to get what he wanted.

  Levi took a deep breath. This was the biggest gamble of his life. Could he pull it off? He damned well better or his life would be in shambles.

  "Yes, sir. We have a deal."

  Chapter 4

  Eva wore a path across the carpeted floor of her bedroom. Another glance at the clock on her vanity table pushed her pulse higher. To more hours before she could
leave the house without drawing suspicion from her father.

  Last night's party at the Quincy home had been full of blessings. And strange goings on.

  Her friend Kelly had simply disappeared. Eva was worried about her, but she suspected that her friend had left of her own accord. At least, she certainly hoped so. Then _Samantha_Wortham_had fallen down the winding staircase exposing her britches to the entire ballroom. That girl was something else.

  Her friend, Cora O’Brian had somehow stumbled upon August Moonlite. Cora and August had somehow gotten themselves into quite the compromising situation during the party and they were now betrothed. Or married. Eva wasn't certain at this point. All Eva knew was that the governor's son was off the marriage market and she couldn’t be happier about the news although her father would be livid and place the blame all on her for letting him get away. But then, what else was new? He always found a way to hold her responsible for anything that didn’t go his way.

  Her biggest blessing came when Levi found her just after she had finished breakfast. She was preparing to leave her guest room and meet her parents downstairs when a note appeared under her door. It was from Levi. He was going to go along with her plan and he wanted to do it today.

  Her heart hiccupped in her chest. She couldn’t believe he was going to help her. Why wouldn’t he? He had always been there when she needed him. It was the reason she had asked him for such an absurd favor. He never made her feel as if she didn’t matter.

  It had taken most of Sunday morning for all the party guests to hitch up their carriages and horses and make their way back to their respective homes and ranches. Now, it was late afternoon and her mother had retired for her daily nap behind the safe sanctuary of her bedroom door while her father hid away in his library.

  Eva had passed by his door earlier and heard the sounds of muted voices behind it. If she could just count on him to stay there, she could dare to leave the house and meet Levi for their fake marriage ceremony.