"You're lying! I don't know when or how, but something happened between the time I left you at your door and when I met you at breakfast the next morning."
"Don't be ridiculous."
He ran his hand through his hair. "I remember thinking there was something different about you that morning. There was a radiance that I hadn't seen the night before." He laughed suddenly. "Of course! What a fool I've been not to have realized— Lord knows, I've seen the look often enough. I should have recognized it immediately!"
Mary Louise stared at him. "What are you talking about?"
"You! You had the satisfied look of a woman who's been well and thoroughly loved."
She stood up and walked away from him, but he followed her. "Tell me, Weezie, did you leave the hotel that night and go to him the moment I left you at your door?"
She shook her head. "No, I didn't leave."
"Ah. So he was waiting for you, was he?" When she didn't deny it, he chuckled softly. "No wonder you seemed so disconcerted when I arrived. My untimely appearance interfered with your plans for the evening."
"It wasn't like that at all. If I appeared disconcerted, it wasn't because Cooper was waiting for me, it was because he was dining with another woman."
"What? You mean he was there when I arrived."
"Yes, he was having supper with a woman he's been seeing for several months now."
"He was keeping company with someone else, yet he— why, the blackguard! I should call him out for that."
In spite of her misery, Mary Louise laughed. "Oh, Erik, this isn't the eighteenth century. Men don't duel over a lady's honor any more. Besides, Cooper wasn't at fault, I was."
"You? He was waiting in your room when you got back from our walk and, from what I've gathered, he seduced you— and you say it's your fault? I hardly think so."
"Cooper didn't seduce me; it was I who seduced him."
Erik's smile was patronizing. "Oh, come now, Weezie. Why was he in your room at that time of night? He certainly didn't drop by for tea. For that matter, how did he get in your room in the first place? Did you invite him there? Did you give him a key?"
"No."
"There! I rest my case."
She sat down on the ground and motioned for him to do the same. "All right, I'll tell you everything, but only if you swear it will not go any further than this— and, that you'll never bring up the subject again." He hesitated and Mary Louise frowned. "I won't say another word until you swear."
"All right, I swear," he grumbled.
Mary Louise picked up a twig and stared at it as she spoke. "Cooper came to my room to ask me about you. He'd seen me leave with you and he wanted to know who you were."
"And he couldn't wait until morning? Why?"
"I don't know why. He is sheriff of Hollisburg. Perhaps he likes to keep tabs on any strangers in town."
"That's a little hard to swallow, Weezie."
She shrugged and remembering the way he'd kissed her, she flushed. "All right, perhaps he was a trifle jealous."
"And how did he get inside your room without a key?"
"He picked the lock." She glanced at Erik and held up her hand. "I know what you're going to say, but he didn't come to assault or seduce me, I swear it."
"Go on."
"Anyway, we argued, we were all but shouting at each other. And then...in the heat of the argument he suddenly..."
"What? He suddenly what?" Eric urged, his face reflecting both worry and curiosity.
She smiled slightly. "He suddenly pulled me into his arms and kissed me."
Eric stared at her. "You mean to say that one moment he was yelling at you and in the next began kissing you?"
Mary Louise nodded. "Yes. He apologized immediately, of course— both for the kiss and for breaking into my room. He was about to take his leave when I stopped him and...that's when I seduced him."
Erik lifted a brow. "And how, pray tell, did you do that?"
She covered her face with her hands. "This is terribly humiliating, Erik. Please don't make me tell you all of it."
"Weezie, it's only me, your uncle Erik. You know you can tell me anything."
She sighed and looked again at the twig in her hand. "I— I asked him to make love to me and when he refused, I...I pleaded with him." She snapped the twig in half. "I know it must be hard for you to imagine my begging anyone for anything— "
Erik snorted. "It's practically impossible to imagine."
Mary Louise looked at her uncle squarely. "Well, it's the truth. Everything that happened that night was my own doing. I've never felt that way about anyone. I think I would have done anything, promised anything just to have one night with Cooper. I swore to him that if he would make love to me I make no demands of him and there would never be a hint of recrimination. He hesitated, but finally, when he saw that I was serious, he...he honored my request."
"I'm not so sure that honor is precisely the word I'd use in this case, Weezie," Erik murmured drily.
The tears she'd been holding back slid down her cheeks. "Oh, Erik, don't tease me. I'm trying to explain why I can't contact him. I won't go back on my word. Cooper Matthews is a good man, no matter what you may think. And I know one word from me is all it would take to get him to offer marriage. I can't do that to him, Erik. It wouldn't be fair. Not when I brought all of this on myself."
She was sobbing in earnest now, and Erik pulled her into his arms. "Go ahead and cry; get it all out. I promise, I won't bring up the subject again."
"You must think a I'm dreadful hussy." she said softly when she'd finally spent her tears.
"No, I don't think anything of the kind. A little reckless, perhaps, but not dreadful and certainly not a hussy."
"Not even if I tell you that I'm not the least bit sorry for what I did? And I'm not, you know. If I had it to do over, I'd do it all again. It was wonderful— every single moment."
"I understand, Weezie."
"Do you? I wonder."
Erik chuckled softly. "Weezie, believe it or not, there have been ladies for whom I would have sold my soul for one memorable night in their arms. Of course, it's a little different for a man."
"Yes, I suppose it is...Men are forgiven when they give in to their baser needs. In fact, its even expected of men. Women, on the other hand— "
"...aren't supposed to have baser needs," he finished for her.
"Exactly."
Erik smiled. "Well, you and I know better, don't we?"
Mary Louise took his hands. "You are such a dear, Erik, for understanding. I do feel better now that I've had a chance to talk with someone about it."
"I'm here for you any time you need me, Weezie." He helped her to her feet. "Come now, let's get back before your father wakes from his nap and sends out a search party."
REACHING the house, Mary Louise, her cheeks flushed pink from the brisk air, was laughing at one of Erik's droll asides when Amos opened the door. As she entered, Amos took her riding crop and gloves. "It's really cold outside, Amos. I believe a cup of hot chocolate would be lovely."
"I'll tell Cora. You have a nice ride, Miss Weezie?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you, Amos, I had a wonderful ride. Erik, as usual, kept me thoroughly entertained. Where's Papa, still napping?"
"No ma'am. He in the second parlor with— "
"Hello, Mary Louise."
Color fled Mary Louise's face as Cooper Matthews stepped from the drawing room and walked slowly toward her. "C— Cooper?"
He smiled bitterly. "I suppose I should have wired you that I was coming, but I decided on the spur of the moment to come and there wasn't time. If I'd known you were otherwise occupied, I wouldn't have dreamed of intruding."
"O— Otherwise occupied? I don't know what you— "
"I think he's referring to me." Erik walked up behind her and drew her to his side. "I can only assume you're Cooper Matthews, the blackguard I've heard so much about."
"Erik!"
Unrepentant, Erik ignored Mar
y Louise's horrified gasp. "I'm Erik Knudson— Mary Louise's uncle."
Cooper, who'd been scowling at both Erik and Mary Louise, blinked in confusion and then stared at Erik in astonishment. "Did you say you're her uncle?"
"Ah, I see that your hearing, at least, is in good working order," Erik said dryly. "Weezie's mother was my older sister— I believe, in this and in most parts of the world, that would make me her uncle."
Seeming to overlook Erik's sarcasm, Cooper smiled broadly and extended his hand. "Well, in that case, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
"I wish I could return the favor," Erik replied coldly, ignoring Cooper's friendly gesture.
"Erik," Mary Louise admonished under her breath. "Mind your manners." She smiled nervously at Cooper. "Have you met my father?"
"Of course. At this moment he's in the parlor playing with his grand— daughter." Cooper grinned.
"Annie's here too? Oh, Cooper, I'm so glad. What a wonderful surprise for Papa!"
"That's why we've come," Cooper continued. "After all, I did promise I would bring Annie to meet her grandpa. And like you, Mary Louise, I try to keep my promises." Though Cooper was speaking to Mary Louise, it was on Erik that his gaze was fixed.
Mary Louise felt her excitement at seeing Cooper plummet. He hadn't come to see her, he'd come to fulfill a promise. She forced a smile. "How thoughtful of you." Mary Louise glanced at Erik, and noticed that he was glaring at Cooper like a dog guarding a bone. She plucked at his sleeve. "Wasn't that nice of Sheriff Matthews, Erik?"
"Just dandy," Erik replied without taking his gaze of Cooper.
Seeing that neither man was paying any notice to her, Mary Louise saw her opportunity to get away. She murmured something about needing to speak with her father and then hurried down the hall. She was thankful that both men's attentions were so taken that neither noticed when she glided past the room where her father and Annie waited and slipped instead, into the study next door.
Mary Louise leaned against the smooth mahogany panels of the door, closed her eyes, and struggled to stop the tears of disappointment that slid down her cheeks. When she'd seen Cooper sauntering down the hall toward her, she'd thought for one heart— stopping moment that he'd come because he'd missed her as much as she'd missed him. But he'd quickly disabused her of that foolish notion. Thank God, she'd been able to escape before she made a fool of herself by bursting into tears!
Mary Louise wiped the tears with the backs of her hands and squared her shoulders in an attempt to regain control of her emotions. Annie might not notice anything amiss, but her father would certainly know something was wrong if he saw her like this. She breathed deeply several times, willing herself not to cry. Then, lifting her chin and pasting on a bright smile, Mary Louise entered the parlor through a connecting door.
SUDDENLY noticing at Mary Louise was gone, Cooper shrugged. "Looks like Weezie couldn't wait to see Annie."
"So it seems," Erik replied. Then he raised a brow. "Been picking any locks, lately, Sheriff?"
Cooper narrowed his eyes. "What kind of question is that?"
Erik leaned a shoulder against the wall and looked at Cooper contemptuously. "I thought it a fairly simple one. I understand you're fairly adept at breaking into people's rooms— especially young ladies' hotel rooms."
Coop felt his ears burn with both anger and embarrassment. "Now just a moment— "
"Let me say one more thing, Sheriff Matthews, and then I'll let you speak. I don't like you very much, as I'm sure you've surmised. I am, however, very fond of my niece and I don't like seeing her hurt."
"Neither do I."
"Oh? I must say I find that a bit odd, since you have hurt her quite grievously."
"I never intended to hurt her, Knudson. I, too, am fond of Mary Louise. As a matter of fact, I've come to care a great deal for her."
"Have you? You just told my niece that your only reason for coming here was to bring Annie to visit her grandfather. Don't you realize that saying that was like pouring salt on an open wound? Or does that give you some sort of perverse pleasure?"
Cooper narrowed his eyes. He wasn't used to receiving a dressing down from any man— not even when he deserved it. "Now you listen to me, Knudson, I don't know how much Mary Louise told you— "
"She told me everything."
That bit of information gave him pause. "Everything?"
"Weezie and I are quite close— we practically grew up together. I know that she seduced you— "
"What?"
"Did you think she'd place the blame on you? If you did, then you don't know her very well. Mary Louise is honorable to a fault, unfortunately, and— "
"If you know everything, then you'll be happy to know that I've come here to ask for her hand."
Erik arched a brow. "Will I?"
Nonplussed, Cooper stared at him. "You're not glad that I want to marry her?"
"I don't know. Do you love her, Sheriff?"
Cooper shuffled his feet. "I— I care for her— a great deal."
"Yes, so you said. But that, sir, isn't love and I'm not sure it's enough to suit me."
Cooper's anger, which he'd been holding on to by a thread, suddenly erupted. "I'd don't give a damn what suits you, Knudson. The only person who can decide if it's enough is Mary Louise." He stuck his face close to Erik's. "And since we're being so frank, may I remind you, sir, that there are several things to consider in the matter— not the least being that Mary Louise could at this moment be carrying my child."
Erik's face froze upon hearing Cooper's pronouncement. He bowed stiffly. "Touché, Sheriff Matthews. As you so aptly put it, any decision regarding Mary Louise's future with or without you, should be hers to make."
Cooper smiled bitterly. "I knew if we tried hard enough we'd eventually find a subject we could agree upon."
Chapter 16
"AH, SHERIFF Matthews," Angus said when Cooper entered the cozy, second parlor where the family gathered in the evenings. "I've thoroughly enjoyed this time with my grand— daughter. Thank you for bringing her to visit. She's an absolute angel. You've done a wonderful job raising her."
"Thank you, sir."
Annie slid down from Angus' knee and flung herself at Cooper. As he scooped her into his arms she giggled. "Wook, Papa," she said, holding up a china doll dressed in silk. "Gampapa give Ah— nee baby doll."
Cooper admired the doll. "She's beautiful," he said. "Did you tell your grandpapa thank you?"
Annie looked back at Angus. "Tanks, Gampapa."
"You're quite welcome, Annie," he replied. "But you should really thank Weezie. The doll was her's first."
Cooper turned to look where Angus indicated and smiled. "I wondered where you'd gotten off to," he said.
"I was anxious to see Annie."
He nodded. "I understand." He stepped closer to her. "How have you been?"
She smiled brightly— a little too brightly? "I've been well, and you?"
Cooper nodded. "Me, too."
"I'm surprised you were able to get away. Who's keeping the peace in Hollisburg while you're here?"
"Joe Bob, Charlie, and Bubba, of course. They're quite competent, you know. Remember how well they managed things while I was laid up?"
Mary Louise looked at her hands. "Yes, I remember."
Angus cleared his throat. "I'm sure you two would like some time to visit. Would it be all right if I took my grand— daughter for a walk about the grounds?"
Cooper didn't take his gaze from Mary Louise. "That's a good idea, Mr. Markham. I'm sure Annie would like that."
Angus held out his arms. "Come Annie, darling, and let's go for a walk."
Smiling, Annie went from Cooper's arms to her grandfather's and the two headed for the door. Cooper was only vaguely aware of when Angus and Annie left the room.
"MARY LOUISE."
"Cooper."
They spoke simultaneously. Then she smiled. "I'm sorry, you go first."
"You have a habit of leaving without
saying good— bye. Why on earth did you leave town without at least giving me the chance to say good bye?"
She looked away from his penetrating gaze. "I— I thought I explained that in my letter."
"You said you were afraid of me."
She shook her head. "That wasn't what I mean. You know I'm not afraid of you, Cooper."
"That's what you said in your letter. I should know, I memorized the damn thing."
"You memorized my letter?"
"Dear Cooper, I usually pride myself on having a great deal of courage, and I know I should say all this to you in person, but I find that I am a coward where you are concerned," he recited. "Does that sound familiar? You said you were a coward where I am concerned— in essence, you were afraid."
She shook her head. "Not of you, Cooper, I could never be afraid of you. I was afraid of what you might feel you must do or say after...after..." She shrugged and let the sentence die.
"What in God's name did you think I would do or say?"
She chewed her lip but didn't reply.
"Damn it, Weezie, answer me!"
"I was...I was afraid you'd ask me to marry you." She avoided his gaze and looked instead at the fire burning in the grate.
"And if I had asked you...would that have been so terrible?"
She nodded and then in a voice hardly above a whisper, she said, "If you asked me out of guilt, yes, it would have been terrible."
He moved across the room and knelt at her feet. "Listen to me, Mary Louise. What if that night had never happened?"
She lifted her gaze to his. "I don't understand what you mean."
He took her hands. "I want to know what you would have answered if I had asked you to marry me before we made love?"
She pulled her hands from his grasp and turned away. "This is ridiculous, Cooper."
He cupped her chin and turned her face back to him. "Let's pretend— just for the sake of argument— that we've never made love. And let's pretend that I've come here because I missed you so much I thought I'd go crazy. And let's pretend that I'm here on my knees to ask you to marry me. What would your answer be?"
Her eyes filled with tears. "Cooper, I..."
"Weezie, what would your answer be?"
For the Love of Annie Page 21
