No One's Bride (Escape to the West Book 1)

by Nerys Leigh

  Courtney’s mouth flapped up and down like a fish trying to breathe on dry land. He looked from the judge to Amy and back again.

  Amy stared at the man who had made her afraid for so many years, teeth clamped together so tight her jaw began to ache. She wanted to do it, to have him arrested and tried and thrown into prison. She wanted to make him suffer for what he’d done to her.

  Forgive others as I have forgiven you.

  The words were there, in the back of her mind, behind the anger and need for revenge. And quiet as they were, she knew she had to obey.

  “No, Your Honour,” she said. “I think I would just like to move on and forget I ever knew him.”

  “As you wish. I have to say, you’re more forgiving than I would be.” He looked at Courtney. “Well, Mr Courtney, it looks like you’ve got lucky. I suggest you go home and...”

  “Just a moment.” Mrs Courtney rose from her seat and walked forward. “Miss Watts may be willing to let this go, and I don’t blame her one bit for simply wanting a quiet life from now on, but I’m not. I’m sure there are other girls who would like a crack at my husband and after too many years of neglecting my household I intend to help every single one of them.”

  The corners of the judge’s moustache reached for his eyebrows. “In that case, Marshal Cade, would you take Mr Courtney into custody and keep him until he can be escorted back to New York?”

  The marshal advanced on Courtney, Deputy Filbert at his side. “With pleasure, Your Honour.”

  Panic twisted Courtney’s face. “But Millicent, darling,” he pleaded, smiling at his wife while struggling against the Deputy’s steely grip. “I love you. You can’t just throw away our marriage like this. Think of all the good times we’ve had.”

  She tapped one finger on her lips, staring at the ceiling. “I’m trying, but do you know I can’t remember a single one.”

  George snorted a laugh. Mrs Courtney glanced at him and smiled, her cheeks taking on a slight pink tinge.

  Marshal Cade jerked Courtney’s hands behind him and pushed his wrists into handcuffs.

  Courtney moved his attention to his lawyer who was packing papers into his satchel. “Arthur, do something!”

  “Franklin, my advice to you is to close your mouth and don’t say anything more. And when you get back to New York, find yourself another lawyer.”

  Courtney glared at him. “You can’t do this to me! I’ll get you expelled from the club. I’ll... I’ll have you blackballed in every society establishment. I’ll...”

  He continued to shout threats as Marshal Cade and Deputy Filbert dragged him, struggling, from the room.

  Amy was still standing at the table, overwhelmed and slightly stunned. She couldn’t quite believe it was all over and that she was free, not just of her incarceration, but of Courtney.

  She was finally, truly free.

  A hand wrapped gently around her arm and even without turning she knew who it was. Looking up into Adam’s face, she desperately wanted to sink into his arms, her place of comfort and safety. But there were so many people in the room and she didn’t want to besmirch her reputation now it was just beginning to improve. All around them the trial’s audience were rising from their seats, the hubbub rising with them as they discussed the events of the morning.

  “Miss Watts?” Judge Hamilton emerged from behind his table and walked towards her.

  Amy wanted to hug him too, although for entirely different reasons. “Thank you, Your Honour. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am.”

  The moustache waggled. “I became a judge for days like these, Miss Watts. I should probably be thanking you. I hope you can build a good life for yourself here.”

  She resisted the urge to look at Adam. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “I thought you might like to know that I will be presiding over a trial next week for a Mr Ely whose alleged crimes, among many other things, include attacking a young woman in the livery here in Green Hill Creek a few days ago. I thought you might like to know that, although I will obviously hear all the evidence with impartiality, considering what I’ve read so far it’s likely he will be gracing the state prison with his presence for a very long time.” The moustache quivered and creases appeared around his eyes. “I also thought you’d like to know that, according to reports, he still can’t walk straight.”

  Amy clamped her teeth together to stop herself from laughing. Next to her, Adam chuckled and George barked a loud “Ha!” that startled everyone in the vicinity.

  “If you’ll excuse me, Miss Watts.” Judge Hamilton gave her a small bow, waved at his clerk to follow, and disappeared into the crowd.

  “Well, praise the Lord,” George said. “I don’t think...”

  He stopped abruptly, his eyes focused beyond Amy. She looked round to see Mrs Courtney walking towards them. George cleared his throat, his hands twisting his hat in front of him.

  “Miss Watts,” Mrs Courtney said, “I just wanted to say again how sorry I am. And I would very much like to speak with you in private later, if that’s all right? Whenever you’re free.”

  “Of course,” Amy said. “After this we’ll be going straight home so any time will be fine. It’s the post office down the road.” She indicated Adam and George. “May I present Mr Adam Emerson and Mr George Parsons.”

  George gave her a nervous smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am.”

  “We’re very grateful for what you did here today,” Adam said.

  Mrs Courtney sighed. “It was something I should have done a long time ago.”

  George cleared his throat for a second time. “May I escort you to wherever you’re headed for now, Mrs Courtney, Ma’am?”

  She smiled and lowered her gaze demurely. “Well, I was only planning to return to my room, but perhaps you could show me around your lovely town, Mr Parsons? This is my first trip out west and I’m eager to see everything. If you have the time, of course.”

  George’s face lit up. “I would be honoured, ma’am. Do you like horses? We could start at my livery.”

  Amy couldn’t remember George ever looking so buoyant. He offered Mrs Courtney his arm and walked her through the thinning crowd with his head held high. With George’s usual plaid flannel shirt and battered denim trousers and Mrs Courtney’s blue bustled travel dress and fashionable tiny hat, they made a strange looking pair.

  It was some time before Amy and Adam left the hotel. A steady stream of people came to offer their congratulations/commiserations. Amy even experienced her first five woman group hug surrounded by Sara, Lizzy, Louisa and Jo. When they let go she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

  She was free, she had friends, people who cared for her, a job she loved.

  And then there was Adam.

  As the final few stragglers left the room she went to where he was waiting for her on a chair against the wall and sat next to him.

  “That was quite a morning,” he said.

  She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder and yawning. “Yes.”

  He took her hand, entwining their fingers. “Let’s go home and you can get some rest.”

  “I’m fine. It’s just the strain catching up with me.” The last few words were garbled in another yawn. She suddenly felt very tired.

  Adam gave a soft chuckle and squeezed her hand. “Come on, before I have to carry you home.”

  She ducked her head to hide her blush and smile. Being carried in Adam’s strong arms didn’t sound so bad. His nearness and the feel of his fingers wrapped around hers was making her blood rush.

  He stood, pulling her up with him, and offered her his arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and they headed for the door.

  Chapter 30

  Amy started awake and grimaced, placing a hand to her aching head. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep.

  She was lying on the settee in the parlour, beneath a blanket she didn’t remember fetching. Across from her, Adam was rising from the armchair.
r />   “How long was I asleep?”

  “A couple of hours, more or less. The knock must have woken you.” He walked towards the door leading to the post office.

  “Knock?” Her groggy brain finally roused itself. “Mrs Courtney! I must look a mess.” She scrambled to untangle herself from the blanket, sit up, and smooth her hair and clothing all at the same time.

  “You look perfectly fine,” he said, glancing back. “I’ll go let her in. Just relax, she’s not your employer any more, remember?”

  She folded the blanket quickly, listening to Adam answer the door. Mrs Courtney may not have been her employer, but she still made Amy nervous. Other than when Amy had first arrived from the orphanage she’d never interacted much with Mrs Courtney, with her being away so often. Amy wasn’t sure what to expect. The fact that she’d come all this way to help her indicated she was a good woman, but being married to Mr Courtney said otherwise. How anyone could want to marry such a scoundrel, Amy couldn’t imagine. Mrs Courtney’s actions confused her no end, but it was very likely she had been part of the reason Amy had her freedom now, so she couldn’t be all bad.

  “Thank you so much for the wonderful afternoon, Mr Parsons,” Mrs Courtney said as she walked into the room, George following. “I had so much fun. Perhaps we could do it again?”

  His hat clutched in his hands, George was smiling in a very un-George like fashion. “I’d be right pleased if we did, Ma’am.”

  Mrs Courtney beamed at him and Amy watched, fascinated, as his ears turned a vibrant pink.

  He swallowed and moved his attention to Amy. “How you feeling, girl?”

  “Much better. I’ll be back to work tomorrow.”

  “There’s no rush, whenever you’re ready.” He nodded to Mrs Courtney, said, “Ma’am,” and turned to leave, almost bumping into Adam behind him.

  Amy couldn’t help smiling at his flustered behaviour. It was so thoroughly out of character.

  “Would you like something to drink?” she said to Mrs Courtney as Adam walked George out.

  “A glass of water would be wonderful,” she said as she removed her hat and fanned herself with it. “It’s certainly warm here. But so beautiful. Mr Parsons took me on a buggy ride into the country and the mountains took my breath away.”

  “I thought the same thing when I arrived,” Amy said, gesturing for her to sit.

  She went to fetch the water as Adam walked back in.

  “I’ll give the two of you some privacy,” he said, heading for the stairs. “If there’s anything you need, Mrs Courtney, just ask.”

  “Thank you, Mr Emerson.”

  He smiled at Amy and left the room, closing the door behind him. Amy brought two glasses of water to the settee, handing one to Mrs Courtney.

  “What a lovely young man,” she said after taking a drink. A sparkle lit her eyes. “And so handsome.”

  Amy lowered her gaze, fighting a blush. “Yes.”

  Mrs Courtney placed her glass onto the small table next to her and folded her hands in her lap. “I want to thank you for agreeing to see me. I wouldn’t have blamed you at all if you hadn’t wanted to come anywhere near me ever again.”

  Amy wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she kept silent.

  “I know that I was lax in my duties to look after you and the other girls who worked in my house and you will never know how sorry I am for that. I should have known what was going on. I should have taken responsibility.” She breathed a deep sigh, shaking her head. “I had so many dreams. At the beginning I just wanted to help, to give girls like you an opportunity to work and learn and have a better start in life.”

  She seemed genuinely distressed. Amy felt a twinge of sympathy.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?”

  “My marriage happened,” she answered, her voice tinged with bitterness. “I married Franklin rather late in life. I was engaged once before, when I was young and very much in love, but he was killed in a carriage accident and I thought I would never love again. Then when I was thirty-eight and had long since resigned myself to a life of spinsterhood, Franklin Courtney came along and swept me off my feet. I had thought I’d grown beyond such things, but it turns out infatuation is no respecter of age. He was charming and exciting and I thought I was in love. But starting a few months after we were married he began to show his true colours. As it turned out, he was more in love with my money than he was with me, if he ever loved me at all. Over the years he indulged in wine and gambling and women and I spent as little time as possible around him, staying with friends or family to avoid the man I’d married in too much haste and was too much of a coward to leave for fear of the scandal and shame.” A tear slid down her face. She wiped at it and moved her gaze to Amy. “I wouldn’t have even known you were out here and Franklin was coming after you if I hadn’t returned when I did. I hadn’t planned to go home, but I woke up with an irresistible urge to do so, thank the Lord, and when I found out what had happened I got on the first train I could. I neglected my duty of care to you and for that I am truly sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me, even though I don’t deserve it for leaving you with that despicable man.”

  Amy knew what it was to be blamed for something that wasn’t her fault. There was no way she would do it to another. “Of course I forgive you. It seems to me we were both his victims. But what will you do now?”

  Mrs Courtney sighed and sat back, wiping at her eyes. “The first thing I’ll do is something I should have done a long time ago; get a divorce.”

  “What about the other girls in the house? Won’t he just go back there?”

  A smile stole across Mrs Courtney’s face. “Oh, Staveley House doesn’t belong to him. My father, bless him, never liked him. When he gave us the house when we married he made sure the deeds were put into my name and could never be altered, as well as assuring it would return to him should I pass on. Franklin doesn’t have a penny of his own to his name.” Her smile grew. “Even if he gets out of jail, he will be utterly destitute when I throw him out. Perhaps one of his friends at his precious gentleman’s club will take him in. Of course, he’ll have to drop his membership since he won’t be able to afford the fees.”

  She clapped a hand over her mouth, her shoulders quivering, then collapsed back against the settee and burst into laughter. Amy stared at her in surprise, feeling a giggle welling up inside her. It was only a few moments before she was laughing along with Mrs Courtney.

  “Oh my,” Mrs Courtney gasped, wiping at her eyes, “I haven’t laughed like that in so long. I feel so much lighter. Thank you, Amy. This is the best thing that could have happened to me. I think you have truly set me free.”

  “The praise goes to God, Mrs Courtney,” Amy said. “He brought me here. Looks like He was helping you too.”

  “I believe you are right. And please, call me Millicent.”

  Amy smiled. “Millicent.”

  “Oh, goodness, I mustn’t forget the reason I came.” She dug inside her reticule, pulled out a bulging envelope and handed it to Amy. “It’s everything you are owed for all those years of service and I also added a bit more. I know it can’t make up for everything you went through, but hopefully it will help you make a new start here, whatever you choose to do.”

  Amy gaped at the thick mound of banknotes inside the envelope. She’d never seen so much money in her life. “I... I don’t know what to say. This is so much.”

  “Not a penny more than you deserve,” Millicent said. “Now, I won’t take up any more of your time. I’m going back to the hotel to rest a little, then I hope you and Mr Emerson will join me for dinner in their wonderful restaurant? My treat, of course.”

  Amy looked up at her from the envelope, her head still spinning. “I... yes, of course. Can I walk you back?”

  “Oh no, it’s not far, I can make my own way. Um... I was wondering if you’d like to invite Mr Parsons, if you wouldn’t mind and if you think he’d like to, do you think that he would possibly care
to join us for dinner?”

  Amy felt like laughing all over again. “I think there is a very good possibility he would.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Adam sat in the chair by the window in Amy’s bedroom, staring through the glass at the distant mountains. A book lay unopened on his lap.

  He wasn’t certain why, but Mrs Courtney’s visit was making him nervous. He was grateful for what she’d done for Amy, but he wasn’t certain of her motivations. What if she wanted Amy to go back to New York with her? With Mr Courtney no longer an issue, what if that was what Amy wanted?

  He glanced at the door behind him. Staying down there with them would have been intrusive, but he couldn’t help wishing he had. He badly wanted to know what was going on.

  Turning back to the window, he gazed out at the mountains again. “Father,” he whispered, “please work this all out. You know my heart, how much I love Amy and how much I want her to stay. I know You brought her to me and thank You for giving me the opportunity to help her and, once again, thank You for what You did at the trial. If it’s Your will that she should be somewhere else, then I guess I need to accept it, but Lord, I don’t want to lose her. So while I’m saying Your will be done, I’m also asking You to please make her stay.”

  “Adam?”

  Hearing footsteps and the creak of the stairs, he drew in a slow, deep breath and rose from the chair, pasting on a smile when Amy appeared at the doorway.

  “I hope you don’t mind.” He indicated the window. “I was just enjoying the view.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. This was your room.”

  Before she arrived. Before colour and joy and light entered his life. “Has Mrs Courtney left?”

  Amy nodded. “So you can come out of hiding now.”

  He followed her back down the stairs to the parlour and immediately noticed the envelope lying on the table. It made his gut twist.

  “It turns out she was as trapped by her husband as I was, in a way,” Amy said as she cleaned a glass at the sink. “She seems much happier than I’ve ever seen her. I think she might be developing a bit of an attraction for George too. I know they’ve only just met, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they ended up together? After what she’s been through with that unfaithful cad of a husband, Millicent needs a good man. And George needs someone too.”