by Natalie Dean
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter One
Cecilia Aikens opened her eyes. Her head hurt but why was the place so dark? Was there something wrong with her eyes? She felt disorientated, and when she tried to move her hands, they wouldn’t budge. Her legs wouldn't move either. She began to cough. Smoke was filling the confined space. Not one who usually panicked, Cecilia panicked now. She tried to scream out, but her throat closed in with the smoke. She must be in someone's cabin, she told herself. It would explain the darkness. So many of the cabins had underground hideaways in case of attack by the gangs or Indians.
There was no point in fighting it. Cecilia was alone, and she had no one to blame but herself. Why hadn't she listened to the sheriff? It had been such a long time since any man had told Cecilia what to do. Her father was right all along. Her stubbornness was her downfall. She closed her eyes and waited for death. Cecilia knew she had lived more of a life in Bannack than she ever had in New York. She was grateful for that much, at least. New York. It seemed like another lifetime.
***
"Well, Alice, what did you find out? Did David ask for my hand," Cecilia asked impatiently.
"I'm sorry, M'lady, but I couldn't hear. Jenkins came along and sent me on my way," Alice was nervous as she had failed her mistress.
"Were any of the other servants around? Were you able to find anything out? I hope he didn't bungle it," Cecilia was so annoyed. She had no real interest in David Spencer but marrying him would stop her father from trying to control her. She had no interest in being a pawn in one of her father's business adventures.
For the last month, Cecilia had been escorted to parties by David. He was pleasant enough company and came from a wealthy family. She was sure that her father could have no objections to her marrying him. Alice had overheard Cecilia's father talking with an older gentleman six weeks earlier. They were trying to come to some agreement over a land deal. The man had seen Cecilia as she walked in the garden and made his intentions clear. He would sign the agreement if Cecilia married him. That prompted Cecilia into action and her sudden courtship with David.
While her father had mentioned nothing to her, Cecilia had made it her business to marry a man of her own choosing. Cecilia's issue was that David was weak and she had to coerce him into proposing. He wasn't sure. His mama hadn't given her permission. But after four weeks of promises, David had arrived at her home this morning to meet Cecilia's father. "Please, Dear Lord, help this plan to work out," she prayed.
Mary, Cecilia's older sister, burst into the room. "What have you heard?" Cecilia asked.
"It seems, dear sister, that you have been unwise in your choice of suitors. David Spencer has fled the house. Father is laughing at his audacity in seeking your hand in marriage."
Cecilia fumed. What was wrong with the young men in today's world? If only she had been born a man, then she wouldn't be dismissed as some feeble female.
"Moll, what am I to do?"
"We both need to leave this place, but we need money. I’ll tell father that I will marry a man of his choosing. It will give you time to find another way to get out of here." Mary and Cecilia had inherited their father's guile and cunning. Their mother played a very little role in their lives. She was needy and subservient to her husband.
"But Moll, you can't sacrifice yourself for me! It isn't right."
"For now, you behave. Father will beat you if you try to defy him. My plan is best. We know we must marry otherwise father can still control us. I know you understand this already, but few men can stand up to father."
It was true. None of the sisters' friends ever called upon the house. Their father was known to be a cruel man. There were rumors he had driven his first wife, Mary's mother, to her death. And Cecilia's mother fared no better. Yet, from these unions had come two strong-spirited women. William Sanders wished they had been sons instead of daughters. That would have made them a formidable family. However, his two daughters were attractive which would now pay dividends. They were both used as business enticements. His main concern was in keeping their spirits in check.
William Sanders had found Moll a husband. He was eighty years of age and now Moll, aged twenty was going to agree. She was practical. How long would he live? It couldn't be long, Moll has said. His chest was wheezy, his heart was weak. Moll would be a very wealthy widow and finally be out of the control of her father to do as she pleased.
It surprised Cecilia at how cold and calculating Moll could be. She was more like their father in that regard. Cecilia couldn't bear the idea of any old man coming near her. She wanted freedom. Freedom to make her own choices. Another plan was needed.
She knelt by her bed and began to pray. Cecilia had never prayed with real intention. Mostly her prayers were said off by heart. Today seemed to be a good day to talk to the Lord about what she wanted, rather than what she didn't want.
"Dear Lord, please help me. You have given me a wonderful mind, but I'm afraid it's lost in this body. In this world, there is no value placed upon my mind, only on the physical package you have given me. I want to be able to make my own choices and not have to depend on a man for my livelihood. I wonder if such a world exists. I don't expect you to hear me. Who am I? Other people in this world are worse off than me, but it doesn't mean my pain is any less important. I know I should be grateful. I want for nothing materially. I know if I accept this marriage, my lifestyle would not change, but I have this yearning to be free. I want to be able to feel the wind on my face," Cecilia paused as she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in," she said as the door opened. It was Alice, who seemed a little shocked to see her mistress praying.
"M'lady, your presence is requested in the drawing room."
"Do you know why? Did anyone hear anything?" Cecilia asked, but Alice shook her head no. The household was very loyal to her father.
"They said not to delay," Alice looked worried as she watched Cecilia sit to do her make up.
"But Alice, I cannot present myself…" she stopped as Alice burst into tears.
"Whatever is the matter, Alice?"
"It's nothing, m'lady. It was my own fault for getting caught."
Cecilia took Alice's hands and saw the raw marks. Jenkins, no doubt with her father's permission, had punished Alice. Cecilia was angry. Jenkins and her father knew that Cecilia was behind Alice's eavesdropping. She wanted to run out of this house and never come back again, but instead, she took a deep breath and went downstairs.
Jenkins stood by the drawing room door. Cecilia disliked him intensely. Another strong-willed man, who ruled his domain with terror.
It surprised her to see her mother sitting by the fire. Moll was by the window, staring and didn't turn to look at Cecilia. Their father stood at the mantel.
"Good, you're here. I will not pass comment on that debacle this morning. Cecilia, I know what you are up to. But I will say who you will marry."
Cecilia nodded and went to sit down.
"I didn't tell you to sit down," he roared at her. Unfortunately, she was so used to his roars that they didn't register the same fear as when she was a child. She looked at Moll, but her sister kept her focus on looking out the window. Something was off. It wasn't like Moll not to rush to her defense.
"Your sister Mary is to be married in a month's time," he announced. This was not met with any excitement. Cecilia was sure she saw a flicker of something on her mother's face, but the woman said nothing. Moll didn't react. Cecilia said nothing.
"You, Cecilia, will marry in two months' time," he said gleefully.
Cecilia gasped.
"But father you said this morning was a debacle. Am I to marry David?" Cecilia's heart raced as she spoke.
"No, you ignorant woman! You will marry Tobias Lansing. He will be here for dinner tonight and you must look your best. Mary, your intended will dine with us in a week's t
ime. Make sure you look presentable by then."
Cecilia looked in horror as Moll turned towards her. Her face was red and raw from where she had been slapped. As her sister walked by her, Cecilia could see the finger marks on Moll's face. Cecilia's heart stopped for a moment. Had Moll taken a beating for her?
She needed to get out of this house and breath. Her father was a tyrant, and Cecilia prayed to be able to forgive him, but forgiveness was hard to find.
"Thank you, Father," was all she could say as she turned to leave the room, but her father hadn't finished with her yet.
"Cecilia, you are to be pleasant company tonight, or there'll be hell to pay," he said. Cecilia must have given him a look because he turned up his volume again.
"If you don't act charming and be everything that Tobias Lansing wants, I will punish your maid and Mary."
Cecilia looked at him. She could take any punishment for herself, but she couldn't bear to be the cause of pain to anyone else. Alice and Moll had taken enough for her today.
"May I go for a walk, father? I feel I need some air to make my cheeks rosy." It was with great effort that Cecilia kept her voice calm as deep down she wanted to scream. He waved his hand to dismiss her and now turned his acerbic tongue on his wife.
Cecilia left the house. In her heart, she wanted to go to Moll, but Moll was proud and didn't want pity. It was best to leave her for a while, to let the redness simmer. Cecilia needed to find out more about Tobias Lansing. Her father was offering her on a plate. Was this the old man Alice had told her about?
"M'lady, you forgot your purse. Where are we going?" Alice asked having followed her mistress.
"I'm not sure, Alice. All I know is that I cannot stay in the house much longer. Let's go to the park. I need to feel the sun on my face and think about my next step."
They walked to the park in silence. Alice walked a few steps behind Cecilia. As soon as Cecilia stepped off the pavement, she felt immediately better and sat down.
"M'lady, I have something to tell you," Alice was more fidgety than usual. Cecilia patted the seat for Alice to join her.
"What is it, Alice?"
"I'm leaving to get married. My proposal came this morning. I'm going to Wyoming." Alice's eyes brightened up as she spoke.
"Why Wyoming? Isn't that place wild? How will you live?" Cecilia felt a pang of pain. Alice was a few years older than her and had been at her side for the last six years. Other than Moll, Cecilia had considered Alice a confidante, almost as close as her own sister.
"My fiancé has a ranch. He will wire me money to get there, and we'll marry when I arrive. I will be leaving in a few days. I'm sorry to leave you in the lurch, but I have to make my own way."
Cecilia smiled. Even timid Alice had a yearning to be free.
"I am happy for you but how did you find your husband? Did you know him from another house?"
Alice told Cecilia about the Matrimonial Times. It had advertisements of men looking for God-fearing wives to help them in this new world. Times were changing. The possibility of land ownership was the dream of many. They would otherwise work in service and labor. The new world made everyone equal, Alice told her. Women were the equal of men too.
Was this the freedom Cecilia craved? Was the good Lord answering her prayer?
"Alice get me one of those newspapers. You have given me an escape plan."
Alice did as she was bid, and Cecilia smiled to herself. She could disappear and be her own woman. They couldn't risk reading the paper at home. The two women went through the advertisements in the Matrimonial Times as they sat in the park.
Cecilia's main issue was that she wasn't equipped for a life without servants. She'd have to fudge the truth somewhat. But she would bring money. No doubt that would soften any disappointment in her kitchen skills. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. But there was a dark cloud looming. Could she get a man to propose within two months? Plus, Jenkins watched everything. How could she disguise any telegrams that would come in her name? Fortunately, Alice was more resourceful than Cecilia had expected.
"My friend, Elsie, in the house next door will receive the letters in her name. I wanted to tell you, M'lady. But I so want to walk out of the house without any notice, especially as I'll never need a reference. I want to annoy Jenkins."
Cecilia couldn't help but chuckle at Alice's bravery.
"So, Alice, where shall I go? Look, a man in Bannack, Montana sounds promising. There's a gold rush there. I read that in the newspaper." They read the advertisement together.
Wife needed as soon as possible. Prospector has struck it rich and is in need of a God-fearing wife to help him with his new ranch. No children and must never have been married. Must be practical and attractive. Send replies to John Aikens, Western Union Office, Bannack, Montana.
"Well, what do you think, Alice? I'm practical and attractive. What should we write in response?"
Alice crafted a reply for her and went to the Western Union office to send it right away.
"Dear Mr. Aikens,
I am a very practical woman and am told that I am attractive. I am eighteen years old and have been in service for ten years. I am looking for a chance to leave this city.
My master is a cruel man so please send replies to Elsie…
Alice finished it off with Elsie's contact details.
Cecilia had returned home and bumped into her father on the stairway.
"The walk did you a power of good. Your cheeks are glowing. I do believe Tobias Lansing will be very pleased."
"Yes, father," she said as she ran up the stairs to Moll's room, only to find it empty.
She turned on her heel to find her father and Jenkins behind her.
"That's right, you missed the news. Mary has left the household to be with her intended. They will marry in a few days under a special license. You will not see her again. I'm afraid her influence has been unsettling for you."
The two men left Cecilia standing there. She then ran into her sister's room. If Cecilia had looked at them, she'd have seen Jenkins pass a note to her father. It was addressed to Cecilia.
"Moll, how could you leave me?" Cecilia cried. Her sister was gone. Cecilia searched the room, but there was no note. It seemed improbable that Moll would leave her without writing something to her.
Dinner was horrendous. Tobias Lansing was old and lecherous. Her father encouraged them to go for a walk in the moonlight. The old man tried to take advantage as he grabbed Cecilia and tried to kiss her. She pushed him away, saying he would have to wait until they were married.
"But we are as good as married," he said as produced a ring and shoved it on her finger.
"I disagree. In God's eyes, we are not married."
The trouble was that her coyness was driving the old man wild with desire. But Cecilia managed to get them back inside the house, where he finally stopped pestering her. She prayed the Lord would send her a response from this John Aikens. She had a fear that her intended had no intention of waiting two months for his prize.
Cecilia had never feigned more headaches than she did over the next few days. She couldn't be alone with Tobias Lansing. Was any letter ever going to arrive from Bannack?
"M'lady, I have your breakfast," Alice entered the room and set the tray to one side. She reached into her pocket and gave Cecilia a telegram. They had to be quiet as Alice was sure Jenkins had followed her and was no doubt listening.
"Look, Alice. He wants to know what skills I bring and if I am of independent means. Reply and say I received a small inheritance from my mistress, but my master is very difficult. Alice, tell him what you do. I do hate to lie, but it seems I have no other option. I'm not sure if Father is going to bring this sham of a marriage forward to a sooner date. I need to be gone as soon as possible."
Alice left as her mistress contemplated the new world that awaited her. Cecilia looked in her jewelry box. She would need to sell some pieces, and she wanted to give Alice a token of her affections. These
pieces should fetch a good amount of money but how would she get them to the pawn shop. If Alice took them, she'd either be accused of theft or not get the value of the items. A solution would present itself, Cecilia was sure.
Cecilia heard a voice behind her. She was startled by the sound. Her mother stood before her.
"Cecilia, you must leave this house. Don't let your father destroy you as he has done with me and Mary and her mother. Here is enough money to give a new life. I should have done more, been more for you and Mary but …" her mother began to cry.
"Mother, I know Father is cruel. I understand more than you know. Much of it learned in the last few days. You must keep your money and find a new life for yourself." But she knew that wasn't possible for her mother who put the box into Cecilia's hands.
"It's too late for me. You go, and it's best if I know nothing about your plans. That way he cannot get it out of me. I have prayed for the Lord to spare you. I am glad you have been strong. That was Mary's doing, not mine. Leave in the night if you must but go soon."
Cecilia turned to put the box on her dressing table but when she turned around her mother was gone. It had been the most communication they’d had in all her life. She opened the box to find thousands of dollars in it. Her mother must have been hoarding money for years. She had the means to fund her new life and for Alice to have a healthy dowry too.
Chapter Two
John Aikens was very pleased with himself. This woman sounded promising. She had money. While he had made some money in the gold rush, it wasn't as much as he implied. But it had been enough to buy some land and cattle.
"John, are you ready?" John's friend, Hamish McLennon called out. John shoved the telegrams under his bed.
"Okay, Doc, I'm coming. I wonder if you'll have any patients today."
John and the Doc had come to Bannack together. While John had found gold, the Doc had sold gold digging equipment to the prospectors. John was helping him build a house which would serve as a surgery. Every day, more and more people were coming into Bannack. It was booming.
