“Stop. You’ll make a scene!” Wilhelmina attempted to yank her arm free, but he did not let go.
“Apologize to me,” he gritted out, “or I will announce to everyone you and I had a very private moment at your request.” He leaned close and kissed her cheek. Several people turned and watched.
A woman elbowed another nearby and, before long, face after face turned to the patio.
Wilhelmina threw her head back and laughed as if he said something funny. “Oh Mr. Jameson, but no one would believe you. You are so witty.” She ensured to keep her voice loud.
His smile made the blood in her veins turn to ice. “I do believe you are wrong.” He turned and motioned men over. Several circled her.
Wilhelmina swallowed and looked to each one. “What are you doing?”
“Gentlemen,” Ernest said to them. “I present Miss Wilhelmina Wilkins. A very friendly lady who just joined with me in the garden for a…rather enjoyable…turn. I am sure she would gladly accept a…walk about the garden with any of you, if you are so inclined.”
There were loud gasps from those just inside the room as Ernest brushed past her and entered. Wilhelmina glared at the four men who’d encircled her until they moved away, but not before one of them gave a suggestive lift of his brow, his gaze moving over her.
Once again, the sounds of women gasping made her hesitate before turning to face them. Head held high, she ascended the steps and walked past the group of gossips without acknowledging them.
“Wilhelmina!” Her stepmother rushed to her, her crossed hands flat against her chest. “What is the meaning of this? Why are you outside in the gentlemen’s area?”
She turned around and it was then she noticed several groups of men smoking cigars, although most ignored the goings on, a few watched with interest.
That damned Ernest had guided her to the men’s balcony. She let out a breath. “I wasn’t aware…”
Her stepmother dragged her further inside by the arm, along the side of the room to where Gilda still remained. Her open-mouthed stepsister looked around the room as if hoping no one noticed the drama unfolding. Her actions only made more people look over with interest.
Wilhelmina caught sight of Aurora. Her wide eyes met Wilhelmina’s before Milford leaned into her ear and whispered something that made Aurora’s mouth formed an “O”.
Wilhelmina pulled along by her stepmother rushed past Gilda to the front of the ballroom. When they reached the entranceway, her Lavern pointed to the doorway. “Find our coachman and go home immediately. Your reputation will be in shreds by morning. You’ve all but ruined Gilda’s special day. I won’t have you causing more damage.”
“I didn’t do anything…Ernest Jameson…” She stopped speaking when the hostess walked up.
“Whatever is happening?” Pearl Jameson’s disapproving gaze went from Wilhelmina to her stepmother.
Instantly, her stepmother rushed to the woman. “I am not sure to be honest. My stepdaughter mistakenly walked out to the men’s balcony and I believe your son was unhappy about it.”
“Very much so. He told me she touched him inappropriately.”
Wilhelmina couldn’t believe the gall of the man. “I did no such thing. He made advances and I defended myself.”
The woman gave her a disbelieving look. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that? I must ask you to leave.” Her voice was raised and shrill.
The woman looked to her stepmother. “Please go, all of you.”
Her stepmother gasped, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Oh graciousness. I am so very sorry. Please…”
Pearl Jameson whirled and left.
Moments later, they rode home. The trip was very different than just minutes earlier. Instead of glares towards her, her stepmother and stepsister yelled and berated Wilhelmina nonstop. Her father was not in attendance as he’d probably been in the library and was nowhere to be found when they were escorted out. He’d missed the entire debacle.
A sobbing Gilda sputtered accusations at Wilhelmina while her stepmother went from consoling Gilda to belittling Wilhelmina then on to join Gilda in tears.
“This is your fault,” Wilhelmina told Gilda who inhaled sharply and gawked at her. “Ernest told me it was you who spread the rumor I welcomed advances from men.”
“I did no such thing!” Gilda shrieked and covered her face with both hands.
“Say nothing more, Wilhelmina,” her stepmother snapped. “We will deal with all of this once we get home. Your father will be most disappointed in this turn of events. Not only have you ruined your stepsister’s first season, but you are also soiled. No respectable man will ever marry you now.”
Once home, she was dispatched to her bedroom to remain until her father returned.
Her father’s study always reminded Wilhelmina of childhood and bad news. It was there she’d been given the news of her mother’s death by an ashen-faced aunt while her father grieved in another room, locked away from everyone, including her.
It was there she’d learned of the upcoming nuptials between her father and Laverne, then Tomlinson, a woman she’d never cared for.
Even now, the beautiful mahogany desk her grandfather had once owned filled her with as much sadness as the accusatory look on her father’s face.
Vincent Wilkinson, was not a tall man. He was slender and handsome with silver sideburns and a thin mustache. The man was usually a quiet, but friendly sort. Today, however, his brow was lowered as he waited for her to explain.
“Wilhelmina, what your stepmother informed me of regarding your behavior at the Jamesons’ is hard for me to believe. I refused to think you could be so brazen as to be out in the gentlemen’s area. And then to have touched a man inappropriately…” He stopped talking and lifted his hands as if unsure what else to say.
With her hands folded on her lap, Wilhelmina tried her best to keep from losing her composure. She’d already cried all night after returning from the party. What made her so despondent was the idea that her own father would turn against her. The last person she ever expected to believe the ridiculous accusations looked at her with disapproval and disappointment.
“I walked out to the garden in search of Michael, Aurora’s cousin. Ernest Jameson came up to me and accosted me, stating he’d heard from Gilda that I welcomed advances. When he tried to pull me further into the garden, I kneed him in the groin. Then as I headed back to the stairs, I mistakenly went toward the wrong balcony. You can understand…I was distraught.”
“Indeed.” Her father did not sound convinced.
“Father, you must believe me. Obviously, Ernest was angry, so when he directed me up to the gentlemen’s balcony…”
“Enough, Wilhelmina. It sounds like too many inconvenient happenings. Whether it is true or not, the fact Lady Jameson asked our family to leave is an embarrassment that may have caused your stepmother and stepsister to lose any invitations for the rest of Gilda’s first season.”
Wilhelmina tried not to roll her eyes. It always came back to the perfect, golden daughter, Gilda.
Her father leaned forward. “I’m afraid the best thing to do is to send you away until the rumors die down. Hopefully, at least half of Gilda’s season can be salvaged. I am not going to live with two hysterical women because of you acting so selfishly and reckless.”
Her heart thudded against her breast. “Where will I go?”
“To Virginia, to spend the next six months with your aunt, Maureen. I believe she has need for another set of hands at her farm. You can learn to nurse while you’re there.”
“No!” Wilhelmina stood up. “I will not go there. Aunt Maureen detests me.”
Her father continued speaking. “Once I get a response from her, you will go. I have offered to pay for your room and board, adding that you wish to learn nursing from her.”
“Father…”
“Say no more. Go to your room. You will take your dinner meals there for the next few days until your ste
psister and stepmother calm some.”
The room swayed, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. Somehow, she’d find a way to keep from living with her dreadful aunt. The woman had never been kind, rather the opposite. As a little girl, she’d hated visiting with her mother, who’d seemed to view the visits as some sort of mission to help the woman out.
Her Aunt Maureen took glee in calling her “little pig nose”. When no one looked, she pinched Wilhelmina, her nails biting deep and leaving red marks.
Wilhelmina held back the tears until inside her bedroom. The only sanctuary she’d ever known now seemed girlish and too perfect. She went to her dresser and pushed a collection of figurines aside.
Once the top of the dresser was cleared, she removed a vase of flowers from her beside table and placed its on the vanity and stacked books beside it.
She moved back and studied the dresser. It looked much better. Next, she turned to her bed. Wilhelmina removed three overstuff pillows and shoved them into her wardrobe. Once that was done, she placed an open book on the bed. Wilhelmina turned in a circle. Her eyes narrowed as she studied what else could be changed.
“No, it still looks too young. I am not a child to have all this light yellow. I don’t even like yellow.” She snatched a coverlet off the bed and froze. Her world was crumbling. There was nothing she could do to stop the new horrible direction of events. Surely, there was something she could do. Defeat weighed heavy, so much so that Wilhelmina crumpled to the floor with the coverlet clutched to her chest.
Lying on the floor, she cried until her entire body shook and she could barely catch her breath.
A long time later, Wilhelmina remained on the floor where she’d settled on her back to look at the ceiling. She had to do something. It was not in her nature to sit around meekly and wait for someone else to decide her future.
The next day, she’d visit Aurora. Hopefully, her friend would help her find a way to get out of the current predicament.
There was always running away, however distasteful it was. Surely, there was somewhere she could run to.
Chapter Two
Laurel, Montana, near Billings
Marcus Hamilton spurred his horse forward to rush after his brother’s. They raced toward the stables and, as always, it became part of the competition between them. The rascal had a good lead on him, but Marcus’ horse was faster. He reached the barn just as Tobias dismounted.
When Marcus tackled Tobias from behind, both fell to the ground rolling over each other, throwing punches. The horses, smarter than their owners, moved away from the ruckus and voluntarily entered the corral area.
Tobias landed a hard punch to Marcus’ jaw and he fell back, blinking away the stars that appeared. Seeing the advantage, Tobias scrambled over and sunk a fist into his brother’s gut.
“Boys! Cut it out right now!” Their father’s deep voice was followed by two swift kicks, one for each of them.
Tobias tumbled off of Marcus and landed on the ground next to him. Both looked up at a furious Jacob Hamilton. “Enough of this nonsense. Marcus, you have no right to be angry with your brother. It was clearly an accident that he hit you with the rope.”
Marcus sat up and glared at his brother. “Twice?” When Tobias grinned, Marcus almost punched him again. But his father’s presence stopped him. He rubbed at the side of his face. “I’ve got scratches all over the side of my face from the rope. He didn’t have to be so close. Both of us know he’s too good of a roper for it to be an accident.”
They’d been fighting ever since Tobias found out Marcus kissed a young woman his brother had been keen on for a long time.
Ladies were scarce in the west and men often fought over the attention of what few women there were. Marcus was aware of his brother’s feelings, yet had purposely set off to get Emmaline’s attention. Not because he was particularly interested in her. It was more for sport as the brothers constantly competed over everything.
Tobias got up and went after the horses, not looking back at him. His brother’s rounded shoulders made Marcus frown at the thought he’d hurt his brother more than intended. “Dang, Pa, you know he meant to hit me.”
“And if he did? Your hot temper is going to get the best of you one of these days. Instead of being satisfied with one hit, you followed him back to brawl. I’ve about had enough of this rivalry between you two. If anything, you should be each other’s ally.”
Jacob looked his son over. “Don’t go into your mother’s room, either. I don’t want her fretting over what happened to your face.”
His father stormed away and Marcus went after his horse. Damned if his pa didn’t have a way of making a man feel small using only words. He’d never understand how that was possible. Fists were what he knew. Sure, it wasn’t the best way to settle a dispute, but he felt better afterwards.
Not this day, however. He should have handled today better. Deep inside, he understood why Tobias was mad. If things were switched, he’d be pretty angry, too.
Yet, when his temper flared, he couldn’t stop himself. It was as if it took over until it was out of Marcus’ control.
Although the temperatures fell, instead of staying indoors after supper, Marcus sat on the front porch of the family’s large cabin home and whittled a small piece of wood. Neither his brother nor father spoke to him all throughout the meal.
While his sister, Eleanor, was busy serving supper, her husband, James, kept sending him questioning looks. Marcus had just replied with a shrug.
It was best he give everyone space. Marcus was sure that while he sat outside, his father filled Eleanor and James in on what had transpired earlier.
The sun’s rays cast long shadows across the fields as the wheat crops swayed with the wind. He watched as a flock of birds flew into the trees to settle for the night and let out a breath. In a few days, he’d turn thirty. He was too young to think about the rest of his years. Yet, at the same time, he was too old to not be settled with a family and children.
Billings was only a day’s ride away. He considered that, perhaps, it was time he go there regularly and see about finding a wife. There were more women there, not as plentiful as back east, but surely there was someone.
The closest town, Laurel, was settled by mostly men or married couples who’d traveled west together.
He shook his head and frowned. The age milestone was affecting him in a bad way. He’d never thought about marriage and a family before. However, perhaps getting married would be a good way to stop the fighting with Tobias. Or it could be that Tobias needed to be the one to marry. Scratching his head, Marcus turned when the front door opened and his sister walked out.
Eleanor was a beauty. The eldest of the three siblings, she looked more like her mother than he or Tobias. Ever since their mother had taken to bed over an illness, Eleanor and her husband, James Ridley, had moved in to help with the household chores. Marcus admired her greatly for it.
His sister took over the housework and caring for their mother while the men worked. Her husband, a banker by trade, had given it up and worked alongside them now. James had brought their small herd of cattle and horses from their property. A sacrifice Marcus and his family appreciated.
“What are you and Tobias fighting about this time?” Eleanor gave him a disapproving look. “Please don’t tell me it’s about that skinny girl, Emmaline. If she has anything to do with both of you, then it’s sure she’s also friendly with other men from the surrounding ranches.”
After a moment of silence, Marcus nodded. “I know. It’s stupid. I think we’re just letting off some steam. Nothin’ serious.” He looked to the doorway. “Mama doesn’t know about the fight does she?”
“Mama asked Tobias about the split lip. He told her the rope slipped and hit him. She didn’t believe it.”
In spite of himself, Marcus chuckled. “Ma knows us. She can tell a mile away if we lie.”
Eleanor laughed. “That’s the truth. So, it’s perfect timing, actually, for thi
s news. I think we’ve taken care of the problem. Ma and I have done you and Tobias a huge favor.”
“What did you do?” Apprehension tightened in his chest. If his sister had invited Emmaline for supper to confront them, it would not be pleasant as he was sure the woman would deny anything ever happened between them and make a big scene. How Tobias had found out was puzzling.
Chuckles sounded from indoors at whatever Tobias and his father discussed. Marcus looked over his shoulder and his brother’s face transformed from smiling to a scowl.
The man could hold a grudge for days.
“Come inside, Marcus, so we can tell both of you what Ma and I did.” Eleanor went back inside. He waited for a few seconds, positive that whatever they plotted couldn’t be good. Otherwise, why had Eleanor not said anything during supper? Not that he knew much about women, but when they put their heads together, especially two as wily as his sister and mother, there was no telling what they’d come up with.
Although reluctant to go inside, he was no coward. Marcus stood and stretched, taking his time before following his sister into the house.
He was surprised to see his mother sitting in a chair next to his father. The sight was a welcome one. Although she remained pale, her eyes were bright and she smiled up at him. “Looks like you took the worst of it this time.”
“I’m sorry, Ma.” Marcus went closer and placed a kiss on her cool cheek. “It’s nice to see you out of bed.”
“I’m having a good day. Hopefully, next week I’ll be dancing,” his mother said with a soft smile. She looked to Eleanor who was grinning like a loon. “Go ahead, tell the boys.”
Tobias leaned forward, his gaze flitting between Eleanor and his mother. “Is something wrong?”
“Of course something is wrong,” their mother admonished. “You and your brother constantly fighting. We can’t have two bulls in the same pen anymore.”
Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 1) Page 2
