The Debutante's Escape

by Peggy McKenzie

  “Married? Oh, that is exciting. I'm so happy for you, Mary. Now you and your baby will be cared for.” Regina couldn't be happier for the sweet young woman. If not for the circumstances of their birth, Regina could be in this woman's shoes, especially after knowing how it felt to want someone you loved so much. Loved?

  Stunned, Regina sat stock still wondering when her feelings for John had changed so drastically. She knew they were feeling more than friendship for each other, but she hadn’t considered love.

  “You can't tell anyone. Not just yet.” Regina heard Mary say.

  Regina sipped the hot coffee to give herself time to refocus her thoughts before she spoke. “Can't tell who about what?”

  Mary grinned from ear to ear. “Mr. Kingston has arranged for me and Charley to get married tonight after the town meeting. Mr. Kingston thought if no one knew when the wedding was, then I wouldn't have to worry about people counting back the months to when my baby is born.”

  Regina was not surprised at John's gesture of kindness. Not at all. She knew him to be a caring and generous man. She was surprised he hadn't mentioned any of this to her, but then again, he had been called away unexpectedly last night when the fire broke out in the kitchen.

  “Well, I hope I am invited to the wedding,” she teased Mary.

  “Of course, you are invited. I'm certain Mr. Kingston was going to tell you, but I think the fire in the kitchen worried everyone.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Mary,” Regina said. “See, I told you Mr. Kingston would be your champion, now didn’t I?”

  “And there’s more. He said he has a new idea and he wants to hire me and Charley as a married couple to work in this new business called a care house for young children or some such. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Charley and I can work together and live together and raise our baby together. I just can’t believe my good fortune.”

  Regina was pleased to see Mary so happy, and to know that John was responsible for all of it made her even happier.

  “Please say you'll join us. It wouldn't be the same without you there, Regina.” Mary begged.

  “Of course, I'll come. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Now, you have a lot to do before the big event. I can take care of my own dishes.” Regina stood and ushered Mary to the door. “You go on. I'll see you at your wedding this evening.”

  Mary curtsied and then hugged Regina. “I'm sorry to be so forward, ma'am. I don't know what came over me.”

  Regina hugged the excited young woman back. “Don't you dare apologize for being happy, Mary.”

  “Thank you,” Mary gushed before leaving Regina alone to think. She was so grateful to John for helping Mary and Charley give their child a secure life, filled with happiness. And knowing they will be helping to bring John’s plans for his care house for working people to fruition did her heart good.

  She smiled to herself as she cleared away the dishes. She was a bit surprised John hadn’t told her about Mary and Charley’s wedding. He was a busy man and he had a lot going on. She was certain it was an oversight on his part because he had to know how happy Regina would be how everything was turning out and the part he played in making the couple’s dreams come true.

  And after the wedding, she and John could get back to where they had left off last night before the untimely interruption. And if his kisses were any indication, she definitely hoped they could pick up exactly where they left off.

  Regina hurried to her dressing room to prepare for the big event. She had to get her hair done and she needed to go by her parent’s house to get some of the things she had left behind. She hoped there wouldn't be a confrontation when she got there.

  She didn't know when John would return so she penned a note and left it standing against his pillow on the bed.

  “John, I'm looking forward to playing my part as your wife this evening at the town meeting when your new position is announced. I have a great many things to do today, so I will see you tonight. Your wife, Regina.

  John had hoped to return to Regina as soon as he was satisfied the fire was out, but he ended up working through most the night helping to clean up. Then, he helped set the kitchen to rights so his hotel guests would have a suitable breakfast.

  When he finally returned to his suite mid-morning, Regina was gone and in her place was a note with a curious message. He knew what she meant when she said she would play the part of his wife at tonight's town meeting, but she signed it, your wife, Regina. Not just plain Regina. Was she trying to tell him something? Was she telling him of her true feelings? He couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened between them last night if he hadn't been called away. He’d been thinking about it all night and half the morning.

  He needed a bath. He smelled of burnt grease and charred wood. The fire wasn't as bad as he first thought when he walked into chaos last night. He was glad someone on staff had the foresight to call for the fire wagon when they did. Otherwise, it could have been a lot worse.

  John shucked his dirty white shirt and rang the bell for Harvey. A few minutes later, Harvey appeared in the doorway.

  “Yes, Mr. Kingston?” his manservant asked from the doorway.

  “I could use a hot bath, Harvey. As soon as it can be prepared.” John raked his dirty hands through his dirty hair.

  “I'll have the staff draw your bath immediately.” The stoic man turned to go, but John stopped him.

  “Harvey, will you see to it my new suit arrives from the tailor before my meeting tonight? I want to look my best.”

  “The suit arrived thirty minutes ago, sir. It is hanging in your armoire.”

  “Thanks, Harvey. I don't know how I would manage without you.”

  Harvey almost smiled and bowed. “Thank you, sir. As always, it is my pleasure.” The man turned on his heels and started to leave when he stopped and turned back to John. “Mr. Kingston, you are a true gentleman, sir. I’ve worked for several titled households back in England, and then some of the richest families in America back East. No one, not one of them, can hold a candle to you, sir. Not one.”

  Before John could respond to the unexpected praise from his usually stoic butler, Harvey turned and left, leaving John to consider the man’s words. It was the nicest compliment he had ever been given. He appreciated Harvey’s sentiments, but the word gentleman stuck in his gut.

  He prided himself on the pristine condition of his integrity. When he gave his word, he kept it. But this lie between him and Regina could destroy everything he had ever wanted. And everything he had ever wanted was there at his fingertips waiting for him to grab it.

  He needed to fix this. And he needed to fix it today.

  He was both anxious and excited about the meeting. He wasn't looking forward to another public altercation with Regina's father, but he could handle it. It wasn't his fault the pompous ass was a sore loser. He just hoped the man didn't make a scene and embarrass Regina any further. But knowing her father, it was almost certain he would.

  Soon, John’s bath water was ready, and he wasted no time jumping in. He soaked chin deep in the luxurious suds and tried to relax. He had his speech ready. He had Ben’s approval and support. This appointment could be the beginning of things he had never even dreamed he could achieve, and he had dreamt a lot. And best of all, Regina would be standing by his side...as his wife. Everything was falling into place just as he had hoped. He just wished he’d had the chance to put things right with Regina.

  A half hour later, the previously hot water was now tepid, so John decided it was time to get moving. It was nearly one o'clock and he had much to do before he left for the town meeting.

  He sent a note to Will, asking him to meet him at his office this afternoon. He wanted to have the marriage certificate for Charley and Mary prepared ahead of time because after the town meeting, he wanted them married. The sooner the better for their baby’s sake. No need to give the town gossip surrounding the timing of the birth. He also needed to tell Regina the whole truth befor
e she showed up at the wedding and learned that Will was a federal judge with all the powers to wed someone—legally. That was the part he dreaded most.

  He spent the next three hours in his office going over his accounts for the week. Business was good. He hoped it continued so he could get the first care house up and running as soon as possible. He wanted to use it as an example of how progressive Colorado could be for working families with small children, and he could kill two birds with Charley and Mary working at the home.

  It was the perfect solution. Mary could cook and wash, Charley could manage the repairs and supervision of the general household. A much better solution than turning them all out on the street to figure it out on their own.

  A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Will stuck his head inside the office door. “Hey, John. You wanted to see me?”

  “Yes, Will. Please come in. I wanted to speak with you about marrying two of my employees. It seems they are ready to start a family and are in need of a marriage certificate.”

  Will stepped in his office and left the door open to the deserted hallway. He took his usual seat in front of John’s desk.

  “I’d be happy to perform their marriage.” His friend crossed his ankle over his knee at got comfortable.

  John offered him a drink. “No, I think I’ll wait and celebrate after the meeting tonight.”

  John took his seat behind his desk and studied his friend. “How did your murder trial go today?”

  “As well as can be expected. We should reconvene tomorrow and have a verdict.”

  “Dang, isn’t that kinda quick?”

  “Not if the accused was caught sitting on his victim, pulling his knife out of the man’s chest.” Will grinned.

  John couldn’t imagine what all his friend had witnessed or the hard decisions he made over the last few years. “I’m glad to see you taking it all in stride.”

  “And I’m glad to see your marriage to Regina is going well, that is if the kiss I witnessed is any indication.”

  “Yes, it’s going quite well,” John said, thinking of all they had shared the night before.

  “But you haven’t yet told her truth, have you?” Will’s knowing look said he already knew the answer to the question before he spoke.

  “No, I was planning on telling her last night, but—”

  “You are pressing your luck, my friend.” Will interrupted. “The longer you wait to tell Regina your marriage is real and not a fake as she believes, the greater the likelihood she won’t forgive your deception. Look at the deceit she has had to endure at the hands of her father. You must tell her the truth if you ever want her to trust you again.”

  “I know, Will. If you had let me finish…I was saying, I was planning on telling her last night, but the kitchen caught fire and I spent the entire night dealing with that disaster. I intend on telling her after the town meeting tonight.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. As a judge, I should know better than that.” Will grinned. “So, tell me how you—“

  A creak of a floorboard outside in the hallway pulled Will up short. He gave John a worried look.

  John rose from his chair. “Who’s there?” he called out. When no one answered, Will got up from his seat and rushed to the door. He jerked it open and scanned the hallway.

  “Empty. Just an old building groaning I suppose,” but a prickly feeling crawled up the back of his neck warning him something was amiss.

  Will nodded in agreement. “Well, I need to get going and get that marriage certificate prepared. “I’ll see you at the meeting and I’ll meet you back here afterwards,” he said and disappeared down the hall.

  “Yep, see you at the meeting,” John answered absentmindedly. Why was he so skittish? Because he knew the consequences if Regina learned the truth before he had a chance to come clean.

  The clock chimed the time. It was time to leave for the meeting. Regina was to meet him there, and he prayed Regina's father wasn't planning to ambush her at the meeting tonight, but he doubted the man would miss an opportunity to be seen or heard.

  John left thirty minutes before the meeting was to start and walked the three blocks to the town hall. There was already quite the crowd milling around outside.

  A man who looked familiar, but John couldn’t place him at the moment called out to him. “Good evening, Mr. Kingston. Folks are talking around town about Mr. Scott picking you for his overseer. Hope that’s true. Folks know you’re an honest man.” John smiled and nodded his thanks.

  He made his way through the crowded hallway and into the auditorium. Seats were filling up quickly. He scanned the room for Regina. He didn't see her, but he did see her parents. Thank goodness they hadn't seen him yet. He turned in the other direction and made his way down the outside aisle, stopping to shake hands with the people along the way.

  He caught the eye of Ben who was standing on the raised stage by the podium. He motioned for John to join him. The second John stepped up the side steps and rose above the crowd, Regina's father spotted him and made a beeline in his direction.

  “Hello, John. I hope you are prepared for this evening’s announcement. Everything we discussed taken care of?”

  The shrewd businessman studied John and was about to say something when Regina's father pushed his way into the conversation.

  “Well, look what have we here. A sow's ear trying to pretend he's a silk purse.” Henry Beckett's voice sounded whiney and nasally. John's irritation rose a notch, but he ignored the man's comment. Instead, he greeted him the one way he knew would irritate the man the most, “Hello, Henry.”

  Mr. Scott nodded to Regina's father. “Hello, Mr. Beckett. Are you here for my announcement as to my choice of overseer?”

  Henry turned toward the man and smirked. “I am. I wanted to make certain you had other viable choices to keep this con artist from pulling the wool over your eyes, Mr. Scott.”

  “Are you saying Mr. Kingston here cannot be trusted? Why I hear he is very well-liked in this community. And, I've heard tell he's quite the shrewd businessman.”

  Henry's upper lip curled up in contempt. “As I said, he's a con artist. A trait he learned from that degenerate father of his.”

  John knew what Ben was doing, and he wished he would stop. The man was deliberately baiting Henry into an angry outburst, and he was using John as bait.

  John also noticed a small number of people openly listening to the exchange, and as much as he disliked Regina's father, he would prefer not to be the other half of a public spectacle.

  But Benjamin Scott was the kind of man who saw a weakness and went for it. Add in his intense dislike of Henry Beckett and there would be no stopping him.

  “I'm curious, Beckett. Why do you keep saying John here is a con artist? We all know his father was, but John has proven himself to be an upstanding businessman in these parts. Has he done something to you? Is that why you are so bitter towards him?”

  John leaned in. “Ben, people are starting to take notice.”

  “I understand, John, but I would like Henry here to state his reasons openly for casting aspersions on your character. After all, we don't want the citizens of Durango, or my investors here this evening, to think that you are not the best candidate for the position.”

  John didn't like where this was going. Not that he wasn't confident that he was the best candidate, but Regina's father had a way of twisting the truth to suit his own purpose.

  Ben Scott turned back to Regina’s father and pushed. “Henry, if there's something you would like to say, I suggest you say it. Otherwise, sit down.”

  “Yes, I have something to say. I call this degenerate a con artist because he conned my daughter. He lied to her and tricked her into marrying him.”

  John looked around and saw every eye on their little trio. His stomach lurched.

  Ben’s lip parted in a smile of sorts, but John could see there was no humor it.

  “I hear your daughter is lov
ely, Henry, but to call John here a con artist because your daughter married him might be construed as slander. I'd watch myself if I were you, Beckett. Do you have any proof he conned your daughter? Without hard evidence all you have are unfounded accusations.” The savvy businessman pushed sensing Henry’s weakness.

  Henry's rage was apparent and several people standing close by took a step back. “I can say with certainty that John Kingston is the son of a con artist who died in a drunken stupor. And I can also say with equal certainty that the fruit never falls far from the tree. Read into it what you will. I also heard with my own ears, just this afternoon, this reprobate and his friend, Judge William Baker talking about how they tricked my daughter into a real marriage!” Henry declared.

  John’s heart pounded beneath his ribs. So that was who was outside his door when he and Will were talking. Damn it!

  Ben laughed at the man’s pompous declaration. “So, are you trying to convince this gathering, that John Kingston tricked your daughter into a legally binding marriage?” Ben turned to the crowd. “Wouldn’t it be more believable that he tricked her into a fake marriage? I mean, really Henry, John Kingston is quite a wealthy man. If he were a scoundrel, wouldn’t he take your daughter’s innocence and then cast her aside under a pretend marriage.

  “If what you are saying is true, he is stuck with her as his legally wedded wife. What would be his motive, Henry? Tell us your theories.”

  The room was so quiet, you could hear the collective breath waiting for Henry’s answer. When the man was obviously stumped for an answer, another voice spoke.

  “Father, I think you have said enough. As always, your misjudgment of people does you a disservice.”

  John turned to see his wife climbing the stairs to the stage. She crossed it and came to stand beside him. She slipped her hand into his and stood close as a sign of solidarity. She turned toward the crowd, every eye on the scene unfolding in front of them.

  “I want everyone here to know that John Kingston is a good and honorable man. He did not con me into marrying him. I asked him to marry me and he was gentleman enough to agree.”