Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  Suzette was still looking over her shoulder when Austin propelled her to one of the green-felt-covered tables and bought her a tall stack of chips. She happily took a seat in front of the oblong table, carefully arranging her long blue taffeta gown about her. Austin, a well-shod foot on the lower rung of her stool, stood behind her, waving away her suggestions that he play. “I’d rather watch you.” He smiled and meant it.

  Above them, on the second-story landing, someone else was watching. A tall, dark young man stood, a booted foot on the lower rung of the ornately carved banister, quietly studying the beautiful golden-haired girl at the roulette table beneath him. Suzette laughed and tossed her head about, delighted with the game and with her luck, which was good.

  From his vantage point above her, the cold, handsome man was offered a tempting view of the young woman. She was all soft and feminine and curvaceous, her golden hair shining under the gaslights, the milky skin of her throat, shoulders, and bosom gleaming above the low-cut dress.

  The dark man’s gaze never left the unsuspecting Suzette. She continued to gamble and win. Her laughter floated above the shouts of the gamblers and the sound of the player piano. At odd moments he could hear her sweet girlish voice speaking excitedly to her husband. Though he was devoid of expression and appeared indifferent, his dark eyes didn’t miss a single move she made. Occasionally the muscles in his lean, dark jaw jumped involuntarily; nothing else about him moved.

  19

  While Suzette was happy to be going home, it seemed her husband had been homesick for weeks, so excited was he when the stage pulled up to the sidewalk on the Jacksboro square. The long bone-jarring trip had left Suzette and the other two passengers weary and irritable, but Austin was in high spirits when he swung down from the coach and reached for Suzette.

  “I swear, Austin”—Suzette stared at him—“you’re behaving like a child who’s been away from his mama. You must have been longing to get home and didn’t tell me.”

  “No, darlin’, that’s not it.” He cupped her elbow and led her across the street to the Wichita Hotel.

  “Then why are you grinning so foolishly?”

  “I’ve a surprise for you, my dear.”

  “I’m not sure I’m up to one of your surprises, Austin. All I want is a hot bath and a soft bed.”

  “Why, love, it’s a long time till sundown, and it’s a perfect fall day.”

  “I don’t care what time it is. I’m tired and I want—”

  “Suzette, please. Soak awhile and then let me show you my surprise.” His full mouth was lifted at the corners and his gray eyes were gleaming with excitement.

  At the hotel, Suzette lifted her skirts and walked up the steps. “I can’t promise. I’ll have a bath, and then if I’m feeling better, I’ll—”

  “Yes, sweetheart. You’re sure to feel better after your bath. While you relax, I’ll go over to the stable and get a couple of horses.”

  “Oh, Lord, Austin! Don’t tell me we are going for a ride. No! Absolutely not, my…”—she leaned close to his ear—“…my bottom has been punished enough in that uncomfortable coach. I can’t ride today.”

  “Very well. You’re too tired.” The smile left his handsome face and Suzette was immediately sorry she’d ruined his fun.

  Austin stepped in front of her and opened the door to their hotel suite. Extending his hand, he motioned her inside. The plain hotel room where they’d stayed on that first chaste night of their marriage brought back sweet, tender memories to Suzette. She’d been so frightened of Austin and he’d proved to be the most understanding man on earth, never once making a move that might upset her. She smiled as she remembered and turned to her disappointed husband.

  Slipping her arms around his middle, she looked up at him and said, “Austin, darling, I’ll bet a bath is all I need to revive me. See about the horses. Give me half an hour and I’ll go for that ride with you.”

  Austin’s eyes lit up. “That’s my girl! You won’t regret it. I’ll arrange for your bath right now.” His head dipped to hers and his lips brushed her mouth. Then he turned and hurried from the room.

  After his departure, Suzette groaned with exhaustion. She felt as though she couldn’t possibly ride a horse in her condition, but she was going to try. Apparently Austin had something to show her that meant a great deal to him and she would feign interest and enthusiasm no matter what.

  The hot tub did wonders for her. By the time she mounted a big bay gelding, she was feeling much better. Austin, riding knee to knee beside her, still wore a foolish grin, and Suzette was glad she’d agree to come along.

  “Will you tell me where we’re going, Austin?” Suzette squinted in the bright October sun.

  “Home,” was his one-word response.

  “Home?” Suzette laughed nervously. “Darling, are you forgetting? We have no home, unless you mean my home. Are we going there? Do you want to live there, Austin?”

  “No, darlin’. I mean our home. Yours and mine. A home that never belonged to anyone else. Ours, no one else’s.”

  “You’re being mysterious, Austin. Please explain yourself. How can we have—”

  “No more questions.” He cut her off. “How are you feeling?”

  She shrugged. “I’m no longer tired. You’ve successfully aroused my curiosity.”

  “Good. Then let’s ride.” He laughed and dug his heels into his mount’s belly, looking back over his shoulder at Suzette.

  She shouted and raced to catch up. They galloped across the open prairie and Suzette soon realized Austin was heading toward his ranch headquarters. She figured he intended to show her the big bunkhouse he’d built for all his hands. He’d never shown it to her, though it had been there three or four years. Perhaps he meant for them to live there. She shuddered at the thought, but caught herself. If he wanted to live in the bunkhouse, he’d get no arguments from her, and it might not be so bad. In time he’d build them a home; she was certain of that.

  Suzette shook her head, tossing her hair back over her shoulders. She was enjoying the ride. There was a hint of briskness in the air, enough to put color in her cheeks and renew her energy. The trees were dressed in their blazing autumn colors and the sky overhead was an indelible blue. The quiet, lonely beauty of the land was a welcome sight, and Suzette realized that she too was very happy to be home.

  Austin glanced at her occasionally, and in his expressive eyes was unspoken pleasure. Wordlessly they communicated, telling each other they were glad to be riding together, happy it was such a beautiful fall day, delighted to be back in Jack County, and overjoyed that they were man and wife. Austin’s heart raced at the sight of the pretty young woman riding next to him, her glorious hair flaming in the sun, her slender, perfect body sitting her mount with ease and grace.

  They were on the Brand property now, but Suzette was puzzled. They were not near the burned-out ruins of Austin’s home; in fact, they were miles from that site. She was about to comment when they rode over a small rise and she saw it.

  Austin pulled up on his reins and his big steed stopped immediately, nervously tossing his head about. Suzette jerked her gelding’s head up so quickly that the horse reared his front feet into the air. But Suzette didn’t have time for the confused bay; her eyes were on the distant horizon, as were Austin’s. She stared at the huge building on the crest of the rolling hill, its beautiful lines clear in the bright sun. Tearing her eyes away, Suzette looked at her husband.

  Austin was grinning. He loved the look of shock on her beautiful face and sat calmly waiting for her to question him. She looked from him back to the big house. She closed her eyes and opened them; the house was still there. Again she looked at her beaming husband. “Austin…”

  “Yes, my love. Our home. I built it just for you.”

  “But…how…I don’t…Austin…when…I…”

  “Come, sweet one, let’s go home.”

  They cantered up the rise to the magnificent house. Suzette’s eyes never left the shi
ning white mansion. As Austin lifted her from her horse, she kept repeating, “It’s beautiful…it’s so beautiful.”

  Austin, chest swelling with pride, stood with his arm around his wife as they viewed their new home. It was a large, eye-pleasing, two-story dwelling with a wide gallery across the front. Small balconies graced the second-floor windows. There was a strong, solid, elegant look about the mansion—just like the man who had it built.

  Austin swept his bride into his arms and started across what in time would be a lovely landscaped yard. Suzette giggled and looped her arms around his neck as he said, “I’ll carry you over the threshold, my wife.” He hurried up the steps onto the broad porch and with a booted foot eased the heavy double doors open. She stared in awe at the high-ceilinged, pine-paneled entry hall with its wine velvet causeuse sitting alone beneath an absolutely magnificent chandelier. A huge Palladian-style window flooded the upper hall with bright fall sunlight.

  Suzette was looking at the grandeur of the chandelier when Austin whisked her into the large drawing room. A luxurious Aubusson rug in muted tones of gray and dark blue accentuated a gray marble fireplace and the gray velvet upholstered furniture.

  Before she could catch her breath, Austin carried her into the spacious dining room. A polished cherrywood table was long enough to seat thirty people easily. The high-backed chairs were upholstered in blue velvet, and a Hepplewhite butler’s sideboard sat under a framed mirror that stretched the length of the room and was six feet high, now reflecting the happy faces of its owners.

  Austin dashed back into the foyer and up the carpeted stairs. He strode down the wide hall and into what looked like the master bedroom as Suzette planted kisses all over his smiling face, saying over and over, “Austin, I love it! I love it!” Huge and airy, the room was filled with heavy furniture and its colors were dark and rich. The walls were elaborately paneled in Circassian walnut, the fireplace was of black marble, the furniture was all mahogany, and the upholstery was a deep brown leather. An entire wall had been given over to tall bookcases of brass and leather. It was a masculine room, strictly a man’s domain, and Suzette felt just a twinge of disappointment.

  It soon disappeared. Austin crossed the room and opened a huge mahogany door. Beyond it was the most beautiful, feminine room Suzette had ever seen. It was clearly meant for an adored lady. As large as the other room, its walls were of sky-blue watered silk. A four-poster bed was canopied in the same lovely fabric, and on the big soft bed, a luxurious spread of blue silk had been quilted in a delicate pattern with gold thread. A blue velvet sofa faced the white marble fireplace. Two blue brocade boudoir chairs flanked the sofa. On one side of the fireplace, tall white doors gave onto a private balcony; on the other side, a Jacobean oak desk, inlaid with ivory and mother-of-pearl, invited Suzette to sit down and write notes on the blue parchment paper nested in a gold-and-pearl box.

  In one corner of the room, a full-length cheval glass in a gilt frame reflected a man and woman laughing in front of the big bed. The reflection changed as the girl pulled the man’s face to hers and kissed him happily and affectionately.

  When Suzette lifted her head, she said breathlessly, “Austin, I cannot believe all of this! How, darling? When? It’s out of this world! Is it really ours?”

  Pleased with her reaction, he nodded. “All ours, love. As to how, I told you once that when you’ve enough money, anything is possible. I had the plans drawn up long before we got married. When you agreed to be my wife, I put all my plans in motion. You really like it?”

  “Like it? I’ve never seen anything to compare! It’s a palace, a place fit for royalty, it’s—”

  “To me, my sweet Suzette, you are a queen. Come, I’ve lots more to show you.” Austin started toward the door.

  “Wait, Austin,” she said.

  “What is it?”

  “Dear”—she lowered her voice and cast a glance at the canopied bed—“is there…do the beds have linens on them yet?”

  Austin swung around. “Nice new blue silk sheets, honey.”

  Smiling, she put her lips to his ear and whispered. Austin’s gray eyes widened, then closed as he kissed her. “By all means,” he assured her as he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

  He swept back the covers while she undressed. They got into the big bed just as the dazzling fall sun was setting. The room and its occupants were bathed in a honeyed orange light as the perfect autumn day drew to a close. Austin leaned over his beautiful wife and put a big hand into the golden hair that fanned out on the blue silk pillow.

  “Darlin’, do you like your new home?” he asked huskily.

  Suzette raised a slender hand and caressed the thick curly hair at the nape of Austin’s neck. “No. I love my new home, Austin! It’s the most magnificent mansion I have ever seen, and I can hardly wait to throw a big party so we can show it to everyone. Can we do that soon? Oh, they’ll all be envious, I know. Do you think I’m terrible? It’s just that I never dreamed I’d ever live in such a grand place and I want everyone to—”

  “Sweetheart,” he interrupted.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you forgotten what you whispered to me a few minutes ago?”

  Suzette smiled and sighed. “Come here,” she whispered as she pulled his mouth down to hers. She wrapped her arms around her husband’s back and kissed him with abandon.

  The sun had long since disappeared when the couple finally roused themselves from the bed, hunger prompting their return to Jacksboro and the dining room of the Wichita Hotel.

  Jacksboro had changed in the nine months the Brands had been away. Fort Richardson was at last abandoned since the Indians no longer posed any threat. All the tribes were now living on the reservation, starved off the plains they loved, as the buffalo, their livelihood, quickly became extinct.

  For settlers everywhere this came as good news; they no longer feared being scalped by the bloodthirsty red men. In Jack County, the citizens were almost as glad to see the blue-coated soldiers depart as they were to be free of the Indians. But the merchants felt differently. Never again would the little town prosper as it had when the post was occupied. The generous flow of money abruptly dried up and saloon after saloon closed its doors.

  The once bustling fort saw the flag hauled down, the last load of supplies roll out, moving to a fort farther west, and the last uniformed soldier disappear over the horizon. The buildings reverted back to the original owner. Never again would a rousing reveille spur young men into action. The post cemetery held the only soldiers that remained where once men marched each day on parade. All was now quiet.

  The soldiers were not the only ones leaving Jacksboro. Fewer and fewer cowboys rode the range, as more cattle were shipped to the markets in the east; the railroad that had finally reached Fort Worth provided a faster, cheaper way of transporting cattle than the long, hard trail drive.

  With the disappearance of the soldiers and the thinning out of the cowpokes, Jacksboro attracted fewer drifters and gamblers. The men who lived by a turn of the card and their wits moved on to greener pastures and towns more suited to their profession.

  Austin Brand was delighted with the changes. Jacksboro would now be a safer place for his wife. Still, he took all precautions, refusing to let her be alone, either in their huge mansion or on the streets of Jacksboro.

  “Suzette, my dear,” he cautioned her shortly after they moved into the new house, “although I will no longer be away on trail drives and cow hunts, there will be times I can’t be with you. I’ve put together an excellent staff to live at the mansion with us. You will never be alone again. When you want to go out, you will always have an escort.”

  “Austin, don’t you think you’re overdoing it just a bit?” Suzette frowned. “I know you want what’s best for me, but there are times when I need privacy.”

  Austin smiled. “Yes, darlin’, and you shall have all the privacy you desire upstairs in our suite. No one will enter without your invitation.”

 
; “That’s not exactly what I mean, Austin.”

  “Then what?”

  “If I feel like riding over to see Anna and the children, I certainly do not intend to alert half the ranch!”

  They were standing in front of the gray marble fireplace in the large drawing room. Austin took a step closer and grabbed Suzette’s shoulders with his big hands. A muscle was working in his strong jaw and his gray eyes were steely. “Listen to me, Suzette Brand. I’m telling you that you are not to leave this house alone. Is that clear?”

  “Austin, you’re hurting my shoulders,” Suzette protested.

  Austin tightened his grip and lifted her to her toes. “I said, do you understand that you’re never to leave this house alone? Answer me!”

  “Yes! Let me go!” Her eyes flashed with anger.

  “That’s better.” Austin released her and smiled. “Darlin’, it’s for your own good. Don’t be cross with me. Grab a wrap and come with me. I’ll introduce you to some of my men.”

  Suzette glared at him, then mumbled, “I’m going upstairs to my room. Please excuse me.” She flounced past him and out of the room. Austin made no move to stop her, but stormed from the house. Suzette jumped when he banged the heavy front door shut behind him.

  In her beautiful blue bedroom, Suzette pouted and paced the floor. It was the first misunderstanding she and Austin had had and she felt miserable. She blamed him for the disagreement; after all, she was no child he could order around. He was selfish and unfair if he thought he could dictate to her. She would come and go as she pleased—and without some watchdog trailing at her heels. Austin Brand had a lot to learn!

  An hour had passed since her argument with Austin and Suzette was growing bored. She wondered if he was downstairs and what he was doing. She took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door. In the hall she paused and listened, but she heard nothing. Lifting her skirts, she descended the stairs. In the paneled foyer, the housekeeper, a sweet-faced middle-aged woman whom Austin had brought from Fort Worth, was polishing the fine wood, humming tunelessly. She looked up when she saw Suzette and smiled warmly.