Watching as Jacques first spoke with the bullwhacker Cormac about his stores, Declan saw Jacques push his way to the stagecoach as though determined to obtain the best seat. Declan frowned as Jacques did not look nearly inebriated enough for their con to work. Declan shared a concerned glance with Dunmore before focusing again on Jacques.
“Where’s my woman?” Jacques yelled out. “Maggie!” He bellowed.
Dunmore whistled, his sign that all who wanted to hitch a ride to Virginia City had better board now as there would be no second chance.
Jacques spun in a circle, falling on his backside at the quick motion. “Maggie!” he bellowed again. A cloaked woman with Maggie’s coloring and height approached him. She stroked a hand over his chest and murmured something to him as she crawled into the stagecoach. Jacques heaved himself up, following her inside.
Declan let out a relieved breath, unthinkingly taking a large swallow of coffee. He choked on the grounds, spitting most of it out in the dirt. He stood tall, gasping for breath as he saw Dunmore sit atop the stage with a rifle on either side of him. The men who rode on top of the stage also brandished weapons as though relishing the thought of fighting off anyone stupid enough to attack them. With a final nod in his direction, Dunmore released the brake, clicked to his horses, and eased the stage into motion.
When the only visible sign of the stage was its dust, Declan turned to the bullwhacker sitting patiently atop the wagon. “You know what to do,” Declan murmured.
Cormac nodded and soon he had his oxen moving to slowly follow the stage.
“How interesting to find you out at this hour,” Mrs. Davies murmured as she stood beside him near the café. She wore a perfectly pressed and starched cranberry colored dress that appeared new. Her hair was tied back in a tidy bun, and her sharp gaze took in the scene as though she understood all that had just transpired.
Declan spun to meet her inquisitive stare. “I could say the same of you, ma’am.” He smiled at the woman who would soon be family. “It’s not unusual for one of us to ensure our merchandise leaves town safely.”
Mrs. Davies studied him with frank curiosity. “I had thought you’d care about your younger sister more than you do to send her away with such a wild man.” She looked him up and down, taking in his backwoodsman appearance. “Although you are barely more tamed than he, hmm?” She smiled in a condescending manner.
“Appearances can be deceiving,” he snapped before he forced a smile.
“I never thought you’d consider her merchandise.” She paused as she smiled at the flush of indignation in his cheeks. “But then it appears the men of your family don’t value their women. Sending away for a bride. Losing their wives.” She shrugged.
“You speak nonsense,” he rasped. After taking a deep breath, he said, “I shouldn’t take up any more of your time.”
She placed a hand on his arm, stilling his movement away from her. “Oh, I have plenty of time before my darling niece deigns to join me. She is sulking this morning as she remains angry with me for dragging her to this godless town. I fear she is not as eager to wed you as you are.”
Declan’s jaw twitched, but he gave no other outward sign that he was affected by her prattling. “I can assure you, she is eager to wed.”
“That isn’t what I said,” she murmured with a satisfied gleam in her eye. “Now, how do you plan to recover your sister? And what man will want her now after she’s spent any appreciable time with such a heathen? You know she’ll have even less honor now than she already does.”
Declan flushed red at her words. “My sister is honorable. And anyone who speaks against her speaks against the entire O’Rourke family.” He glared at Mrs. Davies, nodding with grim satisfaction as she paled at his words. “My sister’s welfare is none of your concern, ma’am.”
“That is where you are wrong,” she said as she placed a hand on his strong chest. “She is very much my concern if my beloved niece is to marry you. Such an outcome is now doubtful as I wouldn’t want Miss O’Keefe’s reputation soiled by such an association. I should have some say as to who your sister associates with. For your sister has no right to mingle with those who have not fallen so low.”
Declan quivered with rage. “Cease your nonsense,” he hissed. “If you have any sense, you will know it is to your benefit if you desist speaking about Maggie in such a manner. For my father will not like it.” He glared at her one more time before spinning away from Aileen’s aunt. He ignored her gloating chuckle as he turned the corner to return home to breakfast with the family.
He attempted to ignore all she had said and implied. However, he was unable to tune out Mrs. Davies’s comment about Aileen not being eager to wed him. If not him, who?
Mary entered the kitchen to find Maggie washing dishes. Although they had yet to settle into a routine, Mary knew she wanted to start acting like a member of the family. She wanted to cook and wash and care for her family as she always had. Hiding in her bedroom aided no one, and she had enjoyed the previous evening’s dinner with her family.
At a rattle at the back door, she saw Maggie flinch and grab a knife as though awaiting the arrival of an interloper. When a cluck sounded, and she realized the chickens must have escaped their coop, Maggie dropped the knife and let out a shaky breath.
“You’re safe here, Margaret,” Mary murmured. “Maggie.”
Maggie spun to face her mother, blushing beet red at having been caught afraid of a chicken. “Mother,” she said in a quavering voice. “I didn’t know you were there.”
Mary walked toward her with slow, measured steps. “I know, my darling daughter.” When she stood only a foot away from Maggie, she reached a hand out to run her fingers over her daughter’s clenched fist. “You are safe here, Maggie. Your father won’t let anyone harm you.”
“That’s what he says.” Maggie closed her eyes. “And I want to believe him. But he doesn’t understand men like Jacques. Not like you and I do.” When she met her mother’s gaze again, hers was filled with fear.
“What did he do to you?” Mary whispered. When Maggie took a step back, ramming her hips into the counter, Mary shook her head. “You are to feel no shame in anything Jacques did. In anything Francois did. Their actions do not reflect on you. They reflect on them.” She paused. “Seamus helped me understand that.”
A lone tear coursed down Maggie’s cheek. “I left you alone to suffer their punishments. I ran away, rather than defended you.”
Mary ran a hand down her daughter’s arm, clutching Maggie’s other hand so that she clasped them both. “No, Maggie. You were never meant to protect me. Forgive me for my involvement with a man like Francois.”
Maggie shrugged. “You had an impossible decision.” She sniffled. “And I’ve always been thankful you never gave me up. That you never sent me to the orphanage, as Francois wanted.”
Mary paled. “What?” she breathed, her hand rising to grip Maggie’s shoulder. “’Twas never an option. I was never to lose you. You were my last tie to Seamus, and I couldn’t have borne losing you.”
Looking away from her mother, Maggie’s shoulders rounded and she curled into herself. “Francois warned me, threatened me that if I acted out, if I didn’t follow his orders, he’d get rid of me.” She sniffled. “He never liked me.”
“No,” her mother agreed.
“I rejoiced when he died,” Maggie whispered. “I know that’s wicked.”
Mary’s laughter was filled with self-recrimination and no joy. “You failed to understand my tears were one of thanksgiving. My prayers had been answered. Finally we were free of such a man.”
“But we weren’t free of Jacques.” Maggie firmed her shoulders and met her mother’s tormented gaze. “He never forced me into his bed. I’ll still go to my wedding an innocent.”
Mary remained quiet until Maggie raised her gaze to hers. “You’ve already seen too much and heard too much to be a true innocent. If you were as you claim, you’d trust as Niamh did.”
&
nbsp; Maggie shook her head. “Her husband’s a scoundrel. Anyone could see that at first glance.”
Pulling her daughter close, Mary said, “Anyone who’d suffered as we had, yes. But Niamh only knew the protection and love of her father and brothers. Her life was very different from yours. And for that, I am so sorry.” After a long moment where she stroked her hands over her daughter’s back, she whispered, “What did he do to you, my darling daughter?”
Maggie clung to her mother, her voice emerging in fits and starts. “Kissed me. Touched me. Spoke vile words to me.” She shuddered. “If Father hadn’t arrived when he did with my brothers, I would have been no better than those women in the bordello.” She let out a sob. “And you would never have wanted to speak with me again.”
“That’s not true,” Mary protested. “I love you, and I hate all you’ve endured, my darlin’ girl. An’ I know the suffering you’ve been put through is a torment to your father as well.” She paused and eased Maggie out of her arms so she could look into her eyes. “Nothing that could have happened or that could ever happen will ever diminish my love for you.”
“Oh, Mother,” Maggie breathed as tears poured down her cheeks.
“And I’d hope you’d show charity to those women who have had to find a way to survive as they do at brothels. Few have a family like you do to protect them.” She pulled her daughter close, cursing Jacques and praying he never returned to Fort Benton.
Kevin stood beside the bank of the Missouri, deep in thought. He knew he should be at the warehouse, but Ardan had pushed him out the door, urging him to get some fresh air for a few minutes. He feared Ardan would tire of his pensive ways. Kevin heard footsteps behind him and resented whoever would intrude on the few moments he would have alone today.
“Do you mind my presence?” Aileen asked in a low voice.
He spun to face her, his hazel eyes flashing with delight. “No! I feared it was a brother or a random man. Someone I didn’t wish to speak with.” He flushed at his blurted words.
“So, I’m someone you would wish to converse with,” she teased, a light blush on her cheeks highlighting her rosy complexion.
“Always,” he vowed. After clearing his throat, he took a step closer to her so they were nearly touching. “How are you, Aileen?”
“Well enough.” At the worry in his gaze, she shook her head and raised her hand to smooth a frown line on his brow. “None of that,” she whispered. “I am not to be your concern.”
“You’ll always be my concern, whether you’re my wife or not,” he rasped. He tugged her into his arms as she fought tears. “I’m sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“No, that’s not it,” she protested as she rested her head against his shoulder. “I’ve tried. I promise I have. To feel something other than mild interest in your brother.” She sighed as he released her at the mention of his brother. “But I can’t. I just can’t,” she said as her voice broke.
“I’d be devastated if you could,” Kevin said in a low voice, cupping her cheek. At her inquisitive gaze, he said, “’Twould mean what I feel for you is not the rare thing of beauty I believe it to be. And that would kill a small part of me.”
“Oh, Kevin,” she said as she pushed herself back into his arms, sighing with relief as his arms banded around her. “You know this is special. That this doesn’t happen often in life.” He murmured his agreement and she held him tight for a few moments. “My resentment of my aunt is growing. She won’t see sense. She insists I marry Declan.” She leaned back so she could look him in the eyes, ignoring the tracks of tears down her face. “Why does it matter which O’Rourke brother I marry?”
He stared at her a long moment and then shook his head. “I have a feeling, with your aunt, ’tis all about control. This way, she continues to dominate you. Only when you decide you won’t allow her to control you any more will you be free to do what you want. But I fear you will have no further contact with her.”
“She is my only family,” she whispered.
He smiled tenderly at her. “When you become an O’Rourke, you will have all of us. You will always have family.” He kissed her cheek and took a step back. “The decision is yours, Aileen. You know I want you. I’d marry you tomorrow if I could.”
“Truly?”
He growled in frustration and stepped so close their chests touched. “How can you doubt, lass?”
“It’s easier to doubt,” she whispered.
His gaze shone with sincerity. “Don’t doubt the truth.”
She bit her lip and then blurted out, “Did you really send your sister to Virginia City with that horrible man?” When Kevin stood frozen in front of her, she shrugged. “My aunt informed me she was seen riding away with him in the stagecoach.”
“What else did your aunt say?”
“That we shouldn’t have to suffer a liaison with a family like yours if that’s how you treat your family members.” She studied him and shook her head. “I can’t imagine you doing what my aunt says.”
“There, Aileen. That’s trust. And that’s faith,” he whispered. “Of course we didn’t send Maggie away with Jacques. For that would be cruel and unloving. We cherish Maggie and love her. She’s at home with Mum.”
Aileen gripped his hand as she watched the breeze bend the tall burnished gold grass around them. “You tricked him?”
He smiled with pride at their success. “Got him to swallow enough firewater an’ sent a woman from the Bordello with him. He won’t figure it out until he’s halfway there. An’ he won’t want to come back.”
Aileen squeezed his hand. “I hope you’re right, Kevin.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I must return before my aunt searches for me. Thank you for this …” Her voice broke off as though unable to describe their discussion by the river.
“This quiet interlude,” he murmured. “Any moment with you is precious, Aileen. Thank you.” He smiled as she flushed and then scurried away. He let out a deep, stuttering breath, praying for the day she ran to him, rather than away from him.
Chapter 10
Kevin watched as Declan worked in the warehouse. Da had traveled to the head of the Marias River to meet a recently arrived steamboat, while Ardan had returned home to spend time with their mother and to ensure their brothers were well. Although Declan had seen Jacques leave a few days ago, their father wanted to remain vigilant for a little while longer as Seamus had admitted he feared Jacques might return to seek revenge for their trickery. Kevin knew their father would not rest easily until Dunmore had returned with reports of delivering Jacques to Virginia City. Or of shooting him. Kevin fought against his wicked hope that it was the latter.
Forcing himself to think of something else, he frowned as he looked at Declan who had been deep in thought all day. “How are your plans with Miss O’Keefe?” he asked. He swore under his breath as he wished he had been subtler with his curiosity.
Declan beamed at him. “She’s a pretty lass, isn’t she?”
Kevin shrugged, although his hands gripped the rope in his hand so tightly he feared he would give himself burns. “Aye,” he murmured for he could not lie and he would not, even to conceal the depth of his attraction to his brother. “Although the clothes she wears are ugly. Niamh should sew her something more attractive.”
Declan approached him and leaned against the wall. “I think they are poor. That they can’t afford more than what they have.” He frowned. “Although it makes no sense why the aunt seems to have new clothes while Miss O’Keefe wears virtual rags.”
“Little about the aunt makes sense,” Kevin muttered. He flushed as Declan watched him with avid curiosity. “I spoke with her on the steamboat and found her disagreeable.” He shrugged. “With their poverty, it makes sense why the aunt is desperate for her to marry. What I don’t understand is why you are.” Kevin stared at his brother in confusion.
Declan crossed his arms across his strong chest and stared out at the warehouse. Although it had been fu
ll a few weeks ago, it was being slowly depleted by the miners and others purchasing goods before heading to the mining camps. “Do you not understand what it was like for me?”
Kevin shook his head in bewilderment.
“Finn and Eamon are so alike, they are thought to be twins. They act like they are, and are inseparable,” Declan murmured. “You and Ardan are the same in how you think and act, but you look differently enough you’ll never be accused of being twins.” He paused and then shrugged. “Who’s my twin? Who’s the one I have adventures with?”
“Oh, Declan,” Kevin whispered. “Marrying a complete stranger won’t make you feel less alone.” He bit his lip at his blunt words as Declan stood tall, his expression tight and eyes flashing with warning.
“Don’t make me wish I never confided in you, Kev.”
Kevin held up his hands as though to say he had no interest in a quarrel. “Are you certain she wants to marry you?” he asked in a low voice.
“Aye, she said she wants to marry,” Declan said with a triumphant smile. “Right after we kissed. A woman wouldn’t lie after a moment of passion, now would she?” He winked at his brother and strolled away to continue unpacking another crate.
Kevin stared blindly into space at the news his brother had kissed Aileen. His Aileen. Dear God, what was he to do?
Seamus entered the small bedroom he shared with Mary and froze to see her erratic movements as she hastily stuffed clothes into a bag. “Where are you goin’?” He stilled from touching her as he heard her sniffle. “What’s the matter, love?”
“Don’t call me that, not now that I know the truth,” Mary said as she collapsed onto the edge of the bed, her head in her hand as her shoulders shook with her sobs. “I trusted you, Seamus. I can’t believe I trusted you again.”
Pioneer Dream: The O’Rourke Family Montana Saga Page 14
