The Debutante's Escape

by Peggy McKenzie

  “There’s a letter here for you, Regina. It arrived by special post. Someone must have something really important to say to you if they were willing to spend that kind of money to have it delivered.”

  Her aunt handed her the packet. Her cousins crowded around while she tore it open. Keys fell out and onto the floor followed by a deed of some sort. And a letter.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. She recognized the handwriting. It was John’s. He had found her. She was both relieved and scared to death.

  Mari picked up the keys off the floor. “I wonder what these go to?”

  “Read the letter, Regina,” her aunt urged.

  Regina unfolded the parchment paper and began to read.

  “My Dearest Regina,

  I’m deeply sorry you had to learn about my deception in front of the whole town. Durango, and you, deserve better from me. I’m not going to bother making my actions appear honorable. Instead, I admit what I did was selfish. And self-serving. But I want you to also know, I didn’t do it for the reasons you may think.

  You wanted a marriage of convenience on a temporary basis. I wanted a marriage of love and friendship on a very permanent basis. I thought if I could convince you to love me before you found out what I had done, the end would justify the means. I know now that any relationship based upon a lie is doomed to fail. Love is based on truth and trust and I have broken both with you, though I swear to you, my heart was always in the right place.

  You told me once you always wanted a place of your own to call home. A place where you could decide what color the walls are and when dinner is served. A place where your children could grow up happy. I had hoped to share such a place with you, but since that no longer seems possible, I purchased a house I thought you might like. It’s the house on 5th and Elm Street. You know, the big two-story gray one with the giant cottonwood trees out back. I bought it the day of the town hall meeting and I had hoped to surprise you with it after I told you the truth about our marriage, but I let my opportunity slip away.

  I know I let you down, Regina. For that, I’m truly sorry. If we could go back to the night of the debutante’s ball when you first asked me to marry you, I’d say yes the minute you asked. But only if you would agree that our marriage be every bit as real as my love for you.

  I hope you will come home soon. I will wait for you as long as it takes for you to forgive me.

  All my love,

  Your loving husband, John.

  Regina had no idea she was crying until a tear dropped onto the letter, smearing the ink. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes trying to absorb everything she had read.

  Her aunt and cousins remained quiet for about half a second before Roxi spoke up. “Well, I think that about sums it up. If that doesn’t prove the man loves you, then I don’t know what will. He bought you a house, Regina. A house. And, he gave you the deed. It doesn’t look to me like he’s using you for his own gain. What do you think, Mari? After all, you are the practical one in the family.”

  Mari handed her the keys to the house she’d picked up off the floor. “I think the man is crazy in love with you, Regina. What else matters? He. Loves. You. How often does a love like that come along in a woman’s life?”

  Regina knew what her cousins were doing, but could she ever trust him again?

  Mired in confusion and doubt, she sat staring at the letter. Roxi picked up the deed and unfolded it. Another piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor.

  “What’s this?” Mari said and sidled up to her sister to read over her shoulder. Regina was re-reading John’s letter when both cousins turned to face her, the piece of paper in their hand. The look on their faces pulled Regina up short.

  “What is that? Why are you looking like that?” she asked. When they hesitated to answer, she reached for the paper. The bold type across the top of the document felt as though she had been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. She scanned the contents of the document and saw John’s bold signature at the bottom.

  “It’s a divorce decree. And it says that John has given me a monthly allowance of whatever I decide is fair. And he signed it.”

  Regina was glad she was still sitting as she stared at the piece of paper in her hand. John was setting her free. He bought her a house and was willing to give her whatever monthly allowance she saw fit without limits or argument.

  “Well? Are you going to let him get away? We know you have feelings for him. Is there anything he can do to right his wrong?” Aunt Latisha asked.

  Regina sat still for a long minute. She thought about everything John meant to her over the years. Friend. Confident. Trusted advisor. Husband. The least she could do was to return to Durango and deliver this divorce decree to him in person. Whether she decided to sign it or not was still up in the air. She had some things to say to Mr. John Kingston, and she needed to say them in person.

  It had been two weeks since he had sent his letter to the address Mrs. Beckett had given him. He had heard nothing back. He sat in his office and stared at the ledger in front of him, but once again he couldn’t seem to focus on the numbers. If only he knew where she was and what she was thinking. Would she forgive him or return the signed divorce decree Will had provided instead?

  He stood and paced his office for the hundredth time today. Why couldn’t she see he had loved her long before Ben Scott made his ill-advised proposition? Why the hell couldn’t she see how—

  “Can I come in?”

  John whirled at the familiar voice.

  “Regina!” He rushed toward her, then stopped, unsure what he should do or why she was here. It was then he saw the divorce decree in her hand. He pushed his fear and regret down deep and waited for this beautiful woman to deliver the bad news he hoped would never come.

  He watched her walk into his office, just as graceful as he remembered. She stood next to one of the chairs in front of his desk and waited.

  John rushed to her side and pulled the chair back away from his desk so she could sit. He was painfully aware when she placed the divorce decree on his desk where he could see it. She hadn’t yet signed it. Was that a promising sign? He sure hoped so because that was all the hope he had right now.

  He waited for her to settle in her chair and then he returned to his side of the desk.

  “It’s really good to see you, Regina. It seems like years instead of just a couple of months,” he offered, not sure what he should say or do.

  “Thank you, John.” She offered a smile of sorts. It seemed sad and resigned. Was he reading too much into it?

  The awkward silence between them grew until he couldn’t contain himself any longer. “Regina, will you give me a chance to explain? I was going to tell you the night of the fire. And when that didn’t happen, I planned to tell you after the town meeting, but you’d already—”

  “Left?” Regina interjected.

  “Yes. I’m not blaming you. Please don’t think I am. Not at all, but I wanted a chance to explain to you why—”

  “The trouble with such an explanation, John, is that it would have been after the fact. I was already legally married to you, so any explanation you could have shared then would have been too little and too late. Don’t you see that? You took my choice away from me and you made the decision yourself. Just as my father has always done.”

  John’s stomach sank. She was saying goodbye. What could he say? That she was wrong? Yes. And no. He loved her, but he had also betrayed her by marrying her without her permission. He deserved whatever he got at this point.

  “I suppose I can’t disagree with that, as much as I would like to. I know I should have told you the truth and I wanted to, but I made an impulsive decision, probably the first one in a long time, and it cost me more than I ever dreamed.”

  When she didn’t say anything in return, he resigned himself to the reality of his situation. He nodded his understanding of what was happening and turned the divorce papers around so she could have full access to the place where she
would sign her name and end their marriage.

  “I hope the terms of our divorce are agreeable with you. If you need more money, later on, you need only to ask. I would never deny you anything.”

  He watched Regina pick up the documents and study them. “Here’s a pen.” He might as well give her the weapon to finish him off. When she took the pen from him, their fingers brushed, and their eyes met.

  “Regina, I know I should have given you the chance to make your own decisions. I should have been honest with you from the very beginning. And, I should have taken you in my arms that night and told you how much I loved you. But I didn’t and I have no one to blame but myself.”

  Regina nodded. “That’s true. I’m certain this situation has taught you never to do something like this again.”

  “Yes. I’ve learned a very valuable and very painful lesson,” John admitted.

  “Good. Then I hope you understand why I have to do this.”

  John’s heart stuttered as the finality of his situation pressed in. “I wish I didn’t, but I do.”

  Regina poised the pen over the place she would sign and end their marriage. He held his breath, knowing that, with the simple stroke of a stupid pen, his life would never be the same.

  And then, in an instant, everything changed.

  Epilogue

  It was summer and Regina laughed at the children chasing each other around the giant cottonwood tree in the backyard of the house John had bought for the care house school. It was only a few blocks away from the two-story gray house John had bought for her on Fifth and Elm Street.

  She watched as the dozen or so children, ranging in age from three to five years old, played on the rope swings attached to the big sturdy tree. The younger children and babies were inside the house. They all had the privilege of attending the very first care house for young children in Durango, Colorado.

  Regina watched Charley repair a window someone had broken trying to hit a rock with a sawmill slat. She could see her friend, Mary, through the kitchen window where she and another woman named Charlotte cooked the children’s noonday meal. Regina smiled at the sight. It was a dream come true for her and John.

  “What has you so amused, my beautiful wife?” Shivers of delight fluttered over Regina’s skin when she realized her husband was near. It was as if her thoughts pulled him to her side.

  His strong arms reached around her waist and caressed her rounded belly. She leaned into him relishing the feel of his body against hers.

  “I’m being thankful and selfishly admiring all that we have accomplished. Together.” Her contentment evident in her sigh.

  John’s voice rumbled in his chest when he spoke. “I can imagine our own child playing here someday.”

  “Yes, I want our child to spend time here. I want all of our children to grow up in this neighborhood and in this town making friendships that will last a lifetime. And to always have a connection with family.”

  “Speaking of family,” John gave her waist a gentle squeeze, “I hate to bring this up and spoil your morning, but I heard your father is leaving Durango at the end of the week. Has something happened?”

  Regina nodded her head. “Yes. Father has decided his business acumen is better suited in a larger community. He told Mother he’s wasting his talents in this backwoods community. He’s headed to New York City where he says he has business acquaintances.” Regina doubted anyone who actually knew her father would do business with him, but if he wanted to leave Durango, she certainly wasn’t going to try and stop him.

  “Ah, and your mother? Is she going too?”

  “No, she isn’t.” She spun around and faced her husband. “And before you ask how it’s possible my father would be so generous to my mother, it seems all those years of keeping silent has allowed my mother to overhear the sordid details of Father’s business dealings. And it seems some of them were not exactly legal.”

  “So, your mother is resorting to a bit of blackmail, is she? I must admit I didn’t know Lila Beckett had it in her, but I’m glad to hear she does.”

  “Speaking of Mother, she came by the house yesterday. It seems she and the members of The Ladies Club of Durango have taken on a new project now that the care house is up and running.”

  John turned her around to face the playground and pulled her back into his arms and lay his chin on the top of her head. She loved how his gentle touch made her feel. “And what is that?”

  “They are spending their meetings making hand-stitched quilts, knitted blankets, and crocheted booties for our child. I swear, our daughter, or son, will never get to wear half the things they’ve made.” Regina marveled at her mother’s willing participation to be the best grandmother she can be.

  “Perhaps you can donate some of them to the care house. I know there are families who could use the extra clothing.”

  She turned to face her husband again. “That’s a wonderful idea. I should have thought of that myself.” She looked up into her husband’s kind eyes. The pull of their attraction for one another never failed to excite her. She saw the change of his gaze when he looked at her and knew he was feeling it too.

  Her husband’s face stretched into a wide grin. Her eyes dropped to focus on his full lips that begged for her attention.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to have to take you home.”

  His deep voice pulled her gaze back to his and she never grew tired of seeing his love for her shining in those dark depths. She knew what lay in store for her inside her devoted husband’s arms. She couldn’t stop the shivers of expectation now racing across her body. Truth be told, she didn’t want to stop them.

  “I’m not opposed to that idea, Mr. Kingston.” She teased him with a knowing smile. “And since we have the house to ourselves, I think that is a perfect

  “Then let’s go home, Mrs. Kingston, and I will do my best, once again, to make you glad you tore up that divorce degree.”

  More books in this series…

  Look for more books in

  The Debutantes of Durango

  Their parents want them to find good husbands…

  They have other ideas.

  The Debutante’s Escape - Book 1

  The Debutante’s Secret - Book 2

  The Debutante’s Holiday - Book 3

  The Debutante’s Scandal - Book 4

  The Debutante’s Gamble - Book 5

  The Debutante’s Revenge - Book 6

  And look for

  The Debutante’s Christmas

  Available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited

  December 1, 2020

  The Debutantes of Durango

  Peggy McKenzie & Friends

  BRIDES OF THE RIO GRANDE

  Grace – Book One

  Faith – Book Two

  Hope – Book Three

  Charity – Book Four

  Mary - Book Five

  Aggie – Book Six

  The ALPHABET MAIL-ORDER BRIDES

  Olivia’s Obligation-Peggy McKenzie-Book 15

  And Twenty-Four other authors

  Available at Amazon.com

  LANGLEY’S LEGACY SERIES

  Finn’s Fortune – Book One – Kathleen Ball

  Patrick’s Proposal – Book Two – Hildie McQueen

  Donovan’s Deceit – Book Three – Kathy Shaw

  Aidan’s Arrangement – Book Four – Peggy McKenzie

  Heath’s Homecoming – Book Five – Merry Farmer

  Colin’s Challenge – Book Six – Sylvia McDaniel

  ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES SERIES

  2018

  Charity – Book One – Sylvia McDaniel

  Julia – Book Two - Lily Graison

  Ruby – Book Three – Hildie McQueen

  Sarah- Book Four – Peggy McKenzie

  Anna – Book Five – Everly West

  2019

  Caroline - Book Six - Lily Graison

  Melody - Book Seven - Caroline Clemmons

  Elizabeth - Book
Eight - Jo Grafford

  Emma - Book Nine - Peggy McKenzie

  Viola - Book Ten - Cyndi Raye

  Ginger - Book Eleven - Sylvia McDaniel

  2020

  Abigail - Book Twelve - Peggy McKenzie

  Grace - Book Thirteen - Jo Grafford

  Pearl - Book Fourteen - Hildie McQueen

  Rebecca - Book Fifteen - Lily Graison

  Charlotte - Book Sixteen - Kari Trumbo

  Minnie - Book Seventeen - Sylvia McDaniel

  Adele - Book Eighteen - Cynthia Woolf

  Victoria - Book Nineteen - Maxine Douglas

  Meg - Book Twenty - Caroline Clemmons

  Brides of the Rio Grande

  To read more about the residents of Creede, Colorado, look for these other books in

  The Brides of the Rio Grande Series

  Grace-Book One – Available now on Amazon

  Faith-Book Two – Available now on Amazon

  Hope-Book Three – Available now on Amazon

  Charity-Book Four – Available now on Amazon

  Mary-Book Five - Available now on Amazon

  Aggie-Book Six - Available now on Amazon

  Olivia’s Obligation - Available now on Amazon

  About the Author

  ABOUT THIS AUTHOR

  Peggy McKenzie was born and raised in Oklahoma. She has been in love with books since as far back as she can remember when her earliest memories are of her summers spent roaming the Ada Public Library. Cool marble floors and polished oak tables transformed the quiet halls into the perfect place to fuel a young girl's imagination.