by Everly West
"Levi, you truly don't understand the way my father's mind works. He has been bested by someone he considers beneath him. Someone inferior to his bloodlines and therefore, his worth. He is not a man to be trifled with for he can be very cruel and cold. I’ve seen him destroy men for far less insults than supposedly stealing his daughter right out from under his nose. Oh, Levi, I fear you have made a fatal mistake and it is all my fault."
He watched his beautiful wife's bare feet pace back and forth across the carpeted floor in agitation. "Eva, my dear. Please don't trouble yourself. Not about this. I can handle your father. Don't you trust me?"
Levi had to admit Eva's doubt stung his ego a bit. After all, he was much stronger and more street wise than Henri Delacroix. When it came to a fist fight, he would win hands down.
"Levi, you don't understand. My father plays by his own set of rules. Rules that favor him and only him to win his heart's desire. I'm not worried about what you see, Levi. I have no doubt you can take care of yourself. What I am afraid of is what you won't see."
Levi's pride pricked. "So, you think me incapable of recognizing your father’s underhandedness? I can assure you I did not get to where I am today by being a naive innocent in business—"
"Levi. You misunderstand what I am saying." He watched her float toward him in her gauzy nightgown, her face etched with worry. She placed her hand on his forearm and looked up at him with those dark eyes of hers. The ones that never failed to mesmerize him, pulling his soul into hers.
"My father will not play fair, Levi. He will undermine you with your business associates behind your back. He will whisper words of doubt about your integrity to them, and he will not rest until he has ruined you, both financially and personally. You shouldn't have agreed to this horrible idea and now you will pay the price for helping me."
Levi wanted to reassure Eva he wasn't afraid of her father or anything he might do. He had solid backing from many of the town's most elite businessmen because of his own honest dealings with them, but also because they hated Henri Delacroix's condescending attitude toward most of Laramie’s establishments. That man caused trouble wherever he went.
No, Levi wasn't afraid of her father. He knew he could hold his own with Henri Delacroix. What he was afraid of was his beautiful wife and how she could react when she learned she was legally married to him? The man who betrayed her trust. Would she still worry about her father's treachery against him or would she agree with her father that Levi had it coming?
The thought made his stomach roil. Perhaps if he told her now... Was it too soon? He needed time to make her fall in love with him. Time to convince Eva she was exactly where she should be. Time to build upon their tried and true friendship until his beautiful wife came to him wanting more than just friendship. He needed more time.
“Levi? Are you listening to me? I’m afraid of my father’s retribution for you, and—”
Levi placed a finger over Eva's lips to stop her words. His eyes followed his fingers to her mouth and the impulse to lean in and kiss them was almost too strong to resist. He took a deep breath and raised his gaze to meet her troubled one.
"Eva, I’m not afraid of your father.”
He watched Eva stand and pace across the carpeted floor, her slender bare feet peeking out from underneath her gauzy nightgown with each step forward. Levi remained silent and waited for what came next.
Eva stopped and turned to face him. "I had no idea you had a public service career in mind, Levi. I suppose if that's the sort of thing that will make you happy, then by all means do it. I'm just a bit concerned that our ruse will be outed. After all, doesn't a man's wife usually accompany him on his campaign stops?"
Levi nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Yes, that is customary. A candidate's wife does usually accompany her husband. People like to see a man running for an office happily married. They believe him to be more grounded and understanding to their own needs and problems."
"I see." Eva continued pacing back and forth across the carpeted floor, her worry plain across her beautiful face.
Levi couldn't stand to see Eva troubled so he made a half-hearted offer. "If this is something that troubles you, Eva,
if this is something you just cannot see yourself doing, then I will make an excuse as to why you are not standing beside me."
"What is this political office you are running for?" Eva stopped short and turned to face him.
He hesitated for a moment. She had to know sooner rather than later. "The Territorial Congressional seat."
Levi watched her eyes round in shock. "You mean the seat my father has his eye on? The same position he was willing to barter off his only child to the governor's son in order to get?"
"Yes, I believe that is the same position."
"And does he know that this is your intention?"
"Yes, right after he learned his daughter is now married to the son of a con artist, he discovered that his bid for the seat will not go unchallenged."
"And how did he take it?" Eva's brown eyes closed in anticipation of his answer.
Levi thought about sugar coating his answer, but he knew Eva wouldn't want that. He loved this woman with his whole heart. He had loved her since that day he volunteered to serve as her champion. Her protector. Her friend.
That twinge of guilt pinched again as he struggled with his deception. He reminded himself that he married her because he loved her. The fact he wanted that political seat and marriage was the way to get it was secondary.
He tried for humor. "He did not take it well, I'm happy to report."
He watched her open her eyes and study him. He grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows in jest.
She continued studying him and then she grinned back. "I trust his face turned an alarming shade of red at the news."
Encouraged by her response, he agreed. "Yes, it did. Quite alarming, actually."
"Good." Eva walked toward him and took his hands in hers. "Levi, you are a very dear and loyal friend. You have come to my aid when I asked you to put yourself in harm's way to help me. What kind of friend would I be if I did not come to help you in your time of need?"
Guilt threatened his resolve. He thought the greater good would outweigh his temporary deceit, but now, looking into the trusting eyes of the woman he loved, he was not so certain this plan of his would have a happy ending. He needed to explain his reasons now before she learned the truth. She was such a kind and gentle person. She would understand. She had to.
"Eva—" fear at her reaction to the truth punched him in his gut. "There's something I should tell you—"
She placed her fingers against his lips and looked up at him. "Say no more. I will be happy to stand by your side during your campaign for the Territorial Congress seat. Besides, I do not want it to be said I was not a good pretend wife."
Levi took her hand and kissed the fingertips that lay against his mouth. He turned her hand up and kissed the palm of her hand. He wanted to continue up her slender arm to her shoulder. Her neck. Her mouth. Instead, he stepped back and looked her in the eyes.
"I would never accuse you of not being a good wife, Eva." Guilt poked him again. Would Eva say the same about him when she learned the truth about her marriage?
"Good. Now, I am exhausted by the day's events and I would like to go to bed."
Surprised at her abrupt change of topic, he gave her a quick bow. "Very well, I will leave you to—"
"Leave? What? Where are you going?" Eva's surprise surprised him.
"I—I assumed I would sleep in one of my guest rooms."
"You can't do that. How will that look to your staff in the morning? Tonight is our wedding night, Levi. Have you forgotten?"
No, he definitely had not, but he had not even dreamed this night was even possible. Until now.
Chapter 8
Eva heard the faint rattle of dishes somewhere close by. The cobwebs of sleep slowly faded away and she opened her eyes to her strange surroundings. For a mo
ment, she was confused about where she was, and then memories of the day before came flooding back.
She sat up in the large bed and took stock of her surroundings. The pillow next to hers held the indention of Levi's head, but where was he?
The sunlight filtered through the lace curtains leaving a lacy pattern across the carpeted floor and brocade bed covers. She could see speckles of dust floating in the air, swirling and circling before falling to the floor.
"Good morning, Mrs. Copper. I trust you slept well."
Eva whirled to see Mary across the room setting up a breakfast tray next to the two chairs bookending the table with the beautiful colored glass lamp.
She pulled at the covers and discretely searched for signs of Levi, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Mr. Copper just left to go downstairs to talk with his accountant, Mr. Farnsworth,” Mary explained, as though she’d ready Eva’s thoughts. “He ordered breakfast and said he would be back in twenty minutes.”
"Thank you, Mary." Eva blushed. She knew what the woman was thinking, but wasn't that the whole point of her and Levi sharing the bed last night?
"Here's some hot coffee if you would like a cup before Mr. Copper returns."
"Again, thank you, Mary. I would love some hot coffee this morning after last night's—" Eva stopped short, realizing how her words sounded. She had been referring to Levi's stand-off with her father.
"I understand, ma'am. Mr. Copper is a very fine-looking man. A very fine-looking man, indeed. There will be many ladies around Laramie who will be crushed to learn he is no longer a bachelor."
Eva studied the young woman a little closer. Was Mary talking about herself, or just voicing an observation?
"Do you have a husband or special someone, Mary?" Eva probed out of curiosity.
Eva felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought, but why should she? Levi didn't belong to her. At least, not in that way.
"I do, ma'am. We have been together for a while now. I keep expecting him to propose any day now." Mary blushed and curtsied to Eva. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Here I am rattling on about my personal life and you’re wanting some hot coffee. I'll pour you a cup. Would you like it in bed?"
"I'll take it in bed if you don't mind. And please, do not apologize to me, Mary. I want to know all I can about Levi's staff. He seems to care about you all very much."
"Yes, Mrs. Copper. Mr. Copper is a very good and generous man. He always pays us a fair wage and even when Herbert, the main cook, can't make it in to work because of his gout pain, Mr. Copper won't fire him. He hires the widow Watson to come in for a day or two until Herbie recovers. Ain't nothing like I ever seen, ma'am. Like I said, he's a good man. And fair. He’s a right fair man. You are a very lucky woman, Mrs. Copper."
"Yes, I suppose I am," Eva admitted. Even though she and Levi weren't really married, she considered herself very lucky to be able to count on him. And he was a handsome man. Very handsome indeed. That was a fact she could not deny.
"Please, you are to call me Eva, remember? And please, let the other staff members know they are to call me Eva too." She didn't want them to think she thought herself above them just because she was married to their boss.
"Yes, ma'am. Eva. I will pass the word. Now, if you will excuse me, I am needed downstairs and Mr. Copper will be returning soon."
Mary curtsied again and left the bedroom, closing the double doors behind her.
Eva sighed and leaned back against her soft pillows, plumped against the massive upholstered headboard. She settled the down bed covers around her with her free hand and balanced the cup of coffee in the other.
Another contented sigh escaped her lips. She had to admit, she could get used to this life.
Levi had been every inch the gentleman last night. He allowed her some privacy before he joined her in bed. When he did come to bed, he discretely doused the lamps and undressed in the dark.
She would never admit this to him, but she’d feigned sleep while she quietly watched him undress. She didn't know what made her do it. Eva had never behaved so boldly before. Maybe it was the novelty of her situation. Or, maybe it was her connection with Levi. Whatever it was, she did not regret she had done it.
Memories of last night made her breath catch. Levi's body had pressed the mattress down beside her. She could feel his warmth through the bed covers. He discreetly wore his long underwear to bed, but he slept bare chested. He teased her that he didn't usually share his bed fully clothed, but for her he would make an exception.
His words made her wonder whom he was referring to. Was there a woman waiting for Levi in the shadows? The thought made her jealous and she allowed herself to imagine Levi was truly her husband. In every sense of the word.
It wasn't a huge leap to think her friendship could grow to something more. After all, she trusted Levi. He would never use her to get something he wanted. He was nothing like her father. And, it didn't hurt one bit that he was a very good looking man with his dark looks and his rakish appearance. Why, she wouldn't mind one bit if he—
"What are you thinking about, Eva? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary."
She jumped at the unexpected sound of Levi's voice at the doorway, spilling hot coffee down her chest.
"Oh!" She yelled out as the hot liquid singed her skin. She tossed the coffee cup away from her and jumped out of bed, brushing the hot liquid off her.
"Eva! Are you alright? Let me help you."
Levi rushed to her side, pulling the stained gown away from her body.
"Take your damn filthy hands off my daughter, you degenerate piece of filth!"
Eva turned to see her enraged father standing in the doorway of Levi's bedroom, followed by her shocked mother and a very embarrassed lawman.
* * *
Levi pushed Eva behind him to hide her accidental nakedness.
"How dare you enter my home uninvited. Sheriff, do you have a warrant to enter my home?" Levi demanded.
"Ummmm, well, no, I don’t. But Mr. Delacroix here has pestered me to death, and he seems convinced that his daughter is here against her will. As a lawman, it is my duty to—"
"I thought I made myself clear last night, Henri. Eva and I are married. A legal and binding marriage. And you sir, are embarrassing yourself and my wife.
"Sheriff, if you will escort my wife's parents to the door, perhaps we can make other arrangements for a familial visit—
like at a more decent hour." Levi's voice carried authority. He knew his rights and he could have the town council remove Sheriff Wiley from his post if he chose to. He would rather not resort to that, but he would if the man continued to jump every time Eva's father cried boo.
"Yes, Mr. Copper. I'm sorry to have intruded on your private moment with your new bride, but the man is rather convincing and with Mrs. Delacroix in tow, they convinced me their daughter needed my help."
Levi still stood between Eva and her parents. "I understand Sheriff, but as you can see, we are in no need of a third party. Now, if you will be so kind—"
He let his words dangle since the implication was clear that he and his bride were having a private moment that did not require an audience, especially her parents.
Levi saw the sheriff hesitate. “I would be remiss in my duties if I took your word for it, Mr. Copper. If you don’t mind, I’d like the lady to answer.” The sheriff then directed his question to Eva. “Are you in distress, ma’am?”
Still hiding her nakedness behind Levi, he felt her shake her head and answer. “No, sheriff. I’m fine. My husband and I are having a private moment between a husband and wife. I would appreciate it if you would allow us our privacy.”
Levi raised one eyebrow in question to the sheriff. He nodded and turned to Eva’s parents. "Let's go, Delacroix. It's obvious that your daughter is not in distress and this was all a big mistake." The sheriff tried to escort them out, but Henri refused to go.
"I will not! He's holding her against her will. Can't you see it, you imbecil
e." Eva's father's face was mottled in anger. Which was nothing unusual for the man, but he could see Eva's mother was genuinely distressed and he felt he needed to put her worries to rest.
"Mrs. Delacroix, I apologize to you for cheating you out of seeing your daughter's wedding. My deepest apologies. The truth of the matter is that Eva and I have been in love for a long time and she feared she was being used as a pawn for your husband's political aspirations."
Neither of Eva's parents denied his words. He shrugged and continued. "I assured her that, as her loving parents, neither of you would want her to be married to a man she didn't love. She wasn't convinced, so I asked her to marry me and she said yes."
"Eva? Is this true? You love this man?" her mother asked.
"What difference does that make, Lila? The child is obviously delusional and incapable of making her own decisions. I told you to stop coddling her long ago, but you insisted as her mother you knew what you were doing. Obviously, you did not."
Eva spoke from behind his back again. “I would really love to grab a robe to cover my nakedness. After all, I’m covered in coffee and I’m beginning to catch a chill.” She pulled the silk duvet off the bed and wrapped it around her shivering body before she stepped from behind Levi’s protection and faced her parents and a very embarrassed lawman.
“To answer your question, Mother, yes, I do love Levi. Why else would I agree to marry him?" Eva turned to her father, but she did not leave Levi's side. "And my dear father," Levi could not miss the sarcasm in Eva's words, "I am certain this show of affection is most sincere, but I am a grown woman capable of making my own decisions. And choosing a mate is my decision, not yours. We live in America, not old France. You can't pawn me off to whomever you please. Now, to be clear so there are no more misunderstandings, I am married to Levi Copper and we have a marriage certificate and witnesses to prove it. I am here because I choose to be. Now, if you will excuse me, I'd like to get dressed."
