The Lady's Hand

by Bobbi Smith

  "I care about what happens to you, Brandy," Ben told her in earnest. "If this is what you want, then I support your decision. But I have to tell you, I still have my doubts. And I'm telling you right now, that if Marchand doesn't treat you right, all you have to do is send word."

  "Thank you. You'll never know how much your friendship means to me."

  "You're sure about this?"

  She was quiet for a long minute before looking up at him. When she did, she managed a smile. "Yes."

  Ben touched her cheek gently, then turned to go. She might think that he was satisfied with her situation and wasn't giving it another thought, but that wasn't the case. He intended to pay a visit to Mr. Rafe Marchand. Passenger or not, the man was going to hear from Captain Rodgers.

  Rafe had just left Marc after finishing up their drinking in the saloon and was heading back to his cabin when he came face to face with the captain.

  "Mr. Marchand, I'd like to have a word with you," Ben said, his expression revealing nothing of what he was feeling. Though Brandy seemed satisfied enough with the arrangement, he just wanted to make sure that Marchand knew he'd have him to deal with if he didn't treat her right.

  "Captain." Rafe was not surprised by his interest. "Would you like to go to my cabin or would what you have to say be better aired on deck?"

  "Your cabin would be best. This is a private matter between you and me."

  Rafe led the way. They did not speak again until they were inside Rafe's room, facing each other in the male animal's age-old way of confrontation.

  "Brandy has told me that she's agreed to become your wife." Ben made the statement, then waited, wanting to judge Marchand's reactions.

  Rafe was a master at revealing nothing of his emotions. He had been wondering how much Brandy had told the captain, and he was glad that she had merely informed him of their coming marriage. He met the other man's gaze squarely. "She did accept my proposal. We'll be married while we're in St. Louis."

  "I can't say I'm happy about this.. .your rushing her this way." There was a subtle but unmistakable threat in his tone.

  "It was her decision."

  "So she says, and if it's what she wants, then I'm all for it. But I can't help wondering, why did you ask her to marry you?" He knew Rafe was a man of means, and Brandy was a lady gambler. For all that they had worked so hard to keep her reputation spotless, he still didn't trust this man's motives.

  "Have you looked at her?" Rafe asked him with a slight smile. "She's a very beautiful woman. Not to mention that she's smart and one helluva poker player."

  "Except for last night," Ben said bitterly.

  "Yes... except for last night."

  "Listen to me, Marchand. Brandy is a wonderful woman who deserves far better than life has dealt her in the past. I care about her and am concerned about her welfare. It would not sit well with me to see her abused in any way."

  Rafe tensed at the challenge in the captain's words. "You need have no fear on that account. As my wife, she will be held in the highest esteem."

  Ben regarded him silently for a moment, then nodded. "I do not know how the two of you came to this agreement, and it is truly none of my business. I will, however, make it my business if I feel something is amiss in all this."

  "Brandy will suffer no harm while she is under my protection," Rafe replied, wanting to assure the captain that all was well so he'd go on his way. It seemed his beloved fiancee encouraged more protectors than she knew. First, Marc had lectured him, and now Captain Rodgers. He almost resented the fact that the two men cared so much for her that they thought he needed to be warned about the proper way to treat her. "Once we are married, you need not fear for her circumstances. I own Bellerive plantation and have invested in numerous other industries. Her financial status will be secure. Until the wedding, I have plans to provide her with a companion, so as not to compromise her reputation in any way."

  "I appreciate your diligence in these matters. She's worked hard to maintain her dignity on this steamer and I'd hate to have any untoward rumors start now."

  "There is one thing we need to discuss. I'm sure she's already told you that she won't be gambling any more."

  "I'll have the barkeep make her excuses. It's only two more nights to St. Louis, so I think everyone will be able to deal with it."

  "Good. Then we understand each other."

  "Yes, and I wish you every happiness. Brandy is a wonderful woman, and she deserves a bright future. I hope everything works out well for the two of you."

  Ben left Rafe, not quite sure what to think of all that was going on, but as long as Brandy had no complaint, he would be happy for her and hope for the best. Marchand seemed a straight enough fellow. He prayed that he did right by her.

  Brandy took great pains dressing for dinner with Rafe that evening. She was determined to show him that she was a lady, and her selection of gown and hairstyle were made with that in mind. As she sat before her mirror at the small dressing table in her cabin, she found her thoughts drifting to the future and to what her life was going to be like.

  There was no denying that she was attracted to Rafe Marchand. She had been from the moment she'd first seen him, and it was difficult to imagine the quirk of fate that had brought them together this way. Yet, here she was, promised to him in marriage.

  Brandy tried to be logical for a moment and analyze what she really knew about the man, but it wasn't much-he was kind to children, could play a mean hand of poker and could back men down when necessary. As far as personal things went, though, she knew practically nothing about his life or his home. She wondered dazedly what she'd gotten herself into. He dressed well and expected her to be a lady. Obviously he was not a poor man, but she had no idea what the future held, and it was frightening.

  Brandy gazed at her own reflection in the small mirror and set her expression in a composed look that revealed none of her inner torment. She clung to the anger that came with the memory of his demand that she bear a child and leave, for in that anger was her strength.

  The knock at her door jarred Brandy from her thoughts. She knew it was Rafe. Rising, she smoothed her skirts in a nervous gesture and then went to open the door. She paused one moment to gird herself for the evening to come, then swung the portal wide and faced the man who'd claimed her for his own.

  "Evening, Rafe," she greeted him. He looked devastatingly handsome tonight in the dark suit that he wore.

  "Good evening, Brandy. Are you ready to go to dinner?" His gaze was admiring upon her. She looked ravishing.

  "Yes," she said a bit more breathlessly than she'd intended.

  She took his arm and closed the door behind her as they started from the room. His body at her side was a heated branding iron.

  Rafe was completely aware of Brandy's touch on his arm. She wore a heady fragrance that spoke of sensuality and seduction, and he found himself long ing to taste of her again. Even as he had the thought, though, he knew he must deny himself. As she had so clearly reminded him earlier that day if he wanted her to be a lady, he was going to have to treat her like one. He could well imagine how she would react to any advance he might make right now.

  "I spoke with Ben this afternoon," he began. "He seemed concerned for you, but I put his misgivings at ease."

  She was surprised, but not overly so, knowing Ben. "I didn't know that he was actually going to seek you out. I tried to assure him that this was something I wanted."

  11'This'?"

  "Our betrothal," she said aloud and blushed a little at the intimacy of it. "Obviously, I wasn't convincing enough if he thought he had to speak to you personally about it."

  "He just wanted me to know that he wanted what was best for you, and I think I managed to convince him that you would be safe with me."

  "Good." She didn't want Ben to harbor any doubts. She had enough of her own to go around.

  They reached the entrance to the dining room and asked for a quiet table so they could talk. They were shown to a se
cluded one at the back of the room. Once they were seated and their order taken, she turned to him.

  "Rafe...?"

  He glanced at her, waiting for her to go on.

  "Tell me about yourself. I barely know you, and yet in a few days we'll be married. Do you have any family?"

  "My parents are dead, and I had no brothers or sisters. Marc is the closest to family I have."

  "You must have been lonely growing up," she remarked, trying to understand this man who would soon be her husband.

  He shrugged his indifference. "I didn't notice. I was too busy when I was away at school, and now I'm too busy running Bellerive."

  "Bellerive?" she repeated slowly, her heart skipping a beat at the mention of the well-known plantation.

  "I own Bellerive plantation. It's outside of Natchez. You might have heard of it."

  "I have." Brandy couldn't believe what he was saying. If it hadn't been so sad, it would have been laughable. Her childhood fantasy was coming true, yet it was proving to be more of a nightmare than a dream.

  "My father built it, and since his death, I've been working at improving it."

  "Tell me about it."

  "The house is large, over twenty rooms. My father built it to last for generations." He paused as memories of a happier time came to him, but he quickly pushed them away. "My means are substantial, so you will want for nothing as my wife."

  Brandy hadn't been thinking about money. She'd been dreaming about the fact that she was actually going to be living her childhood she was going to be one of the ladies at the ball, at least for a little while. But reality intruded with the realization that this was no love match between them. Rafe wanted her only as a brood mare. She would want for nothing only for as long as she fulfilled the terms of their agreement.

  Her heart ached as the truth forced its way into her thoughts. There was no hiding from it. As much as she would have liked to pretend that her future was going to be happy, she knew better.

  "I'm eager to see your home."

  "Our home," he corrected with emphasis as their food was served to them.

  "Yes ...our home." She didn't truly believe what she was saying. She would be a mere passer-through at Bellerive, staying only until he'd gotten what he wanted from her.

  "I've also taken on outside business interests. That's one of my reasons for this trip; I have a meeting scheduled with one of the owners of a shipping firm I've invested in. I decided long ago not to trust my fate to the whims of nature and planting. Too many fortunes are lost that way. I've diversified my investments, and shipping is just one of them."

  She heard the toughness in his tone and knew he was a force to be reckoned with.

  "So, tell me about yourself, Brandy," he said, studying her across the table as they began to eat. "Tell me about your family."

  "There isn't much to tell. My father died when I was young, and my mother supported me up until a year, ago with her sewing. When her health began to fail, it was up to me to find a way to earn a living for us."

  "That's when you turned to Ben?"

  "Not at first. Oh, I knew how to gamble and all, but I also knew what everyone would think of me if I did that. I tried to sew like my mother did, but I just wasn't any good at it. Then I thought about working as a maid or something, but there wasn't enough money that way to feed us, let alone rent a room. Things were getting desperate, and that was when I remembered everything Silas had taught me about playing cards and I decided to sharpen my skills. I knew from him how much there was to be made playing, and once I felt I was good enough, I approached Ben. Luckily, he allowed me on board the Pride. If he hadn't, there's no telling where my mother and I would be right now."

  Rafe had been watching her closely as she talked, and he realized everything she'd told him before had been the truth. "Why didn't you marry?"

  "I hadn't even thought of it. I'd been too busy taking care of my mother, and then once I started sailing with Ben, we both decided the best way for me to handle men was not to handle them. It was better for my reputation and for the boat's that way."

  Rafe was staring at her intently. The kiss she'd given him in his cabin the other night in front of James Demers and his daughter had been wildly passionate, and from the way she flirted in the saloon, he'd thought that she knew her way around men.

  "Is something wrong?" she asked.

  "No.. .nothing's wrong. How do you think your mother will react to the news of our marriage?"

  "She's going to be surprised, but as long as she believes I'm happy, she'll be happy for me."

  "Are you going to be able to convince her that we're madly in love?" His gaze pinned her as he awaited her answer.

  "Don't worry," she said flatly. "You've already made it quite plain that the world has to believe ours is a love match."

  "Then smile, my dear. If you're in love, you must act like it."

  He reached across the table and took her hand in his. She resisted his touch at first, then forced herself to relax.

  "It may take me a while to get used to this."

  "I trust you won't find it too taxing for you." He smiled at her as he spoke.

  "I'll manage." Brandy found herself staring at him, mesmerized by the change in him when he smiled. Had she not known the truth behind their charade, she might have thought herself in heaven to have a fiance like Rafe Marchand dancing attendance on her. Instead, she focused on the ugliness behind their union, needing to keep everything in perspective, needing to remember that this was all fleeting, a mere financial arrangement that had nothing to do with love and honor and commitment.

  "Ben and Marc were both concerned about your reputation, so..."

  "You told Marc about us?" She looked horrified, humiliated that the gentleman who'd been so kind to her would know her ultimate shame.

  "I told Marc that you'd agreed to marry me. That's all I told him," Rafe replied, irritated that she would think him enough of a cad to tell Marc the whole truth.

  Brandy lifted her troubled gaze to Rafe. "Thank you.

  "As I was saying, both men were concerned about your reputation, so once we reach St. Louis, I'll be looking for a suitable companion for you. With any luck, maybe we'll be able to find someone who is well versed in the social graces, too."

  "Ah, yes, I certainly wouldn't want to embarrass you with anything less than sterling behavior."

  "It's a precaution that I'm taking for your own well-being."

  "You're doing this for yourself and you know it," she challenged. "Heaven forbid that I might use the wrong fork and bring humiliation upon your family name."

  "This is hardly about using the wrong fork at dinner, and my family name has nothing to do with it." Rafe's expression hardened at her scathing words. "I've found in business and in life, Brandy, that it is always better to anticipate the worst and prepare for it, than to be caught unawares."

  "Well, since in my experience I've always had to deal with the worst, we shouldn't have any problems, should we?" she shot back at him. She hated to think that he regarded her as so unpolished and uncouth that she needed instructions in how to comport herself in public.

  "The people you will be associating with when we return to Natchez are not your usual gaming-room material. It's important that you're aware of all the proper ways to do things, so you won't find yourself in a situation where you'll be feeling out of place. You will be a lady. No one will be able to find fault with you."

  She gave a short, harsh laugh. "They always do, you know. I've always been aware of what the fine ladies of quality were saying about me behind their fans when I entered a room. But you needn't worry. I'll prove an apt pupil. I'll be so polished by the time we return to your home that you won't have any reason to be ashamed of me."

  "It had never occurred to me that I would be ashamed of you. I merely want to make your transition as easy as possible. After all, I'm sure associating with the men in the bar for all these months is a far cry from making small talk with the ladies over t
ea."

  "What about the men in the bar? They're expecting me to gamble tonight. What am I supposed to tell them?"

  "Ben is handling it."

  "Who told him to do that?"

  "When we talked, we agreed that was the best way to do it."

  "That's nice of you two to take care of my business for me without asking."

  "I thought it would save you from being embarrassed."

  "You're saving me from embarrassment all over the place, aren't you? First, you tell me that you're hiring a companion for me to save me from being embarrassed in society," she said sarcastically, "and now you've taken it upon yourself to save me from being embarrassed in my own gaming room. I don't need you to save me. If you really were interested in helping me, you would save me the embarrassment of becoming your wife just to settle a debt that could and would have been repaid over time." She kept her voice low so only he could hear her.

  Rafe tensed. "You're not backing out, are you?"

  Anger flared in her eyes at his words. "I'm not backing out of anything. I just don't appreciate your making decisions for me that affect my life."

  "Once you're my wife, I'll be making all the decisions that concern us."

  "I hate to point out the obvious, Rafe, but we are not husband and wife yet," she said as she laid her napkin upon the table. Without another word, she rose and swept from the room, leaving Rafe staring after her in disbelief.

  Brandy's anger did not fade as she left the dining room and emerged on deck. It was all she could do not to storm off in a rage. How dare he think he could take such complete control of her life?

  It was bad enough that she was going to have to suffer through his wonderful etiquette lessons, but to think that she would never have the chance to gamble again upset her. She was being forced to abandon every vestige of the life she'd built for herself Nothing would be left of the woman she was nothing. Once she became Mrs. Rafe Marchand, her own identity would disappear, covered by a layer of etiquette, good manners and social polish.

  Brandy paused at the rail and drew a shuddering breath. She'd had no idea how frightened she was by the prospect until now. She'd thought she could handle the situation, but giving up everything she'd known and loved to start a whole new life was scary. It was all because she'd been foolish enough to let her emotions rule her gambling sense. She'd learned her lesson now, but it was too late. She was going to marry Rafe Marchand and there was nothing she could do to stop it.