The spacious, L-shaped house made of tasteful brick had a patio to match, and gleaming windows. Other buildings dotted the area, nicely painted, with ample space and pitched roofs.
A large barn stood off to one side with corrals, and the neigh of horses echoed in the fresh air. A buzz surrounded the structures, and Isabella wondered who the owner could be.
“Welcome to the Silver S.”
Isabella started and turned to Daniel with an air of wonder. “Thank you for bringing me to this beautiful place. Are you sure Mr. Cranston works here?”
He inclined his head and issued a command to the driver: “Find Augustus and bring him to the house. But first, tell Mrs. Hadley we have two guests for dinner.”
****
Isabella and Lilly wandered along the foyer, which opened to the main hall. An elegant chandelier dangled from the ceiling and radiated a pleasant glow.
The neat rows of the hardwood floor complemented the clean atmosphere with a polished shine. Elegant furnishings adorned the interior, and fresh flowers added a delightful aroma.
Isabella loved every inch of it. Then she felt guilty at her lack of humility; she knew her future husband owned a mine, but even he could not afford such tasteful opulence.
A large, buxom lady with a bright smile and a shock of silver hair rushed over to greet them. Isabella thought of Mrs. Chambers and wondered if she was just as friendly.
She introduced herself as Mrs. Hadley and embraced Isabella, then Lilly. “It’s nice to meet you both. Mr. Cranston knows of your arrival, and will come to the house.”
Mrs. Hadley led them to the living room with a cheerful smile and told them to rest for a moment.
Isabella glanced at the rose-paneled walls, a center table with upholstered chairs, and bright lights. Potted plants adorned the corners and large paintings of the ocean spread along the walls. She ambled over to examine one of them as Lilly gazed out the window.
“When Mr. Wright told me who you were, you could have knocked me down with a tail feather. Cranston, at your service.”
Isabella whirled in surprise at the guttural tone. A tall, slender cowhand sauntered in with a grim face under shaggy locks. His gaze raked her from head to toe, and his lips twisted. The disgruntled face, shadowed by a dark bristle and dominated by steel-gray eyes, didn’t appear pleased.
Lilly came forward and stood at Isabella’s side with a worried frown. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Cranston.”
Her words did not penetrate the scowl, which deepened the grooves on his face. Before she bolted out the door and ran for the hills, Isabella stepped forward with a tremulous smile. “Hello. I’m Isabella Villeda de Cortes and this is my friend, Lilly. I read your advertisement in the Boston newspaper, and sent you a letter about a month ago.”
“Yeah, I know.” He snorted, the admission like a snarl. “I just got it.”
Unsure of how to proceed, Isabella turned to Lilly. She had clearly made a horrendous mistake. Grasping at straws, she decided to apologize in an attempt to lessen his harsh demeanor. “I’m sorry to inconvenience you.”
His reply caught her off guard.
“Miss, you have done nothing of the kind. I am glad to see you here. I need someone to work like a mule, and help me get my own homestead off the ground. The Wrights of this world are not the only ones that can make it.”
Isabella didn’t understand what he meant, but Lilly apparently did. She stiffened and stepped forward, shielding Isabella. “Isabella is not here to be your slave, Mr. Cranston. She’s here to marry you.”
He did not acknowledge Lilly’s words, but focused on the object of his distaste. “How did you meet the man of the house himself?”
Isabella blinked. Man of the house? Daniel owned the ranch? Didn’t he say he worked there? Before she could respond, her stomach gurgled, reminding her of her last meal. She felt lightheaded and wondered if Mrs. Hadley could give them a bite to eat. “Daniel—Mr. Wright brought us from the station.”
Cranston’s lips curled and his eyes narrowed at Isabella’s slip of the tongue. He flexed his shoulders and curled his fists. “Trying to get my filly out to pasture, before me, eh? The gall of the man.”
Isabella didn’t understand the undercurrents in his voice or the meaning behind his words, but she didn’t like the tone. Lilly glared at Cranston, and for one moment, Isabella feared her friend would take a poker to his head.
Before things got out of control, she tried to broker peace. “Please, let’s not get upset. Do you still want to get married, Mr. Cranston?”
His lips twitched in a feral grin, but Isabella missed it when a shadow appeared in the background. “Well, Cranston, it seems you have outdone yourself this time. Did you invite the young ladies to eat with us?”
An ominous air pervaded the atmosphere at Daniel’s request, and Isabella caught her breath. She had a distinct feeling there was more to the situation, but she had had enough for one day. “Excuse me, may we please use the ladies’ room to freshen up?”
“Of course you may.” The host ignored Cranston’s dark glare and smiled. “The guest rooms are near the kitchen. Follow me and I will make sure you get what you need.”
Isabella felt humbled by his offer and moved away from the foreman. She tugged Lilly behind her and stepped toward the door. When a heavyset hand shot out and clamped her upper arm, Isabella yelped in surprise.
“Where do you think you’re going, little missy?”
Isabella registered Lilly’s fury, but her feet stuck to the hardwood floor, like a wagon’s wheels in a bogged pit. The image of Armand seared her subconscious, and she saw Cranston bore a similar look.
Her former husband might be more refined, but both men were similar in temperament.
“Let her go and get out.”
The request, laced with steel, interrupted the tense moment, and Cranston released her with a grunt. “Fine, boss. I’ll get back to work. Nothing to do here anyway.”
When he left with a confident swagger, Isabella released a deep breath and steadied herself. She could never start a new life with someone like Augustus Cranston, but she didn’t know how to break the engagement. Lilly apparently had no such qualms.
“There is no way you going to marry that brute. You will meet with him and formally break whatever arrangement you have. I will work hard for our tickets back to Boston, and we will forget this whole unfortunate journey.”
Isabella’s heart flipped and her eyes moistened. “Lilly, have you forgotten my condition? I cannot go back. I will not raise my child on the run. What if Ar—”
“What child?”
Isabella jumped and flushed. She had forgotten Daniel’s presence. “I am pregnant.”
He did not seem put off by her confession; if anything, he seemed relieved. “We will discuss this some other time. Mrs. Hadley will serve you, and you can give Cranston the news tomorrow.”
Isabella nodded and bit the edge of her lip. She wondered how the foreman would react to the news. Dear God, please guide my steps.
****
The next morning, Isabella opened her eyes to the sound of birds chirping in the distance. The wind howled beyond the glass pane, but it was warm and cozy inside. She stretched lazily against the soft pillows and indulged in the fresh-scented linen. Mrs. Hadley had told her to stay in bed as long as she wanted to, and Isabella intended to obey.
The room basked in warm tones of creams and yellows, with cheerful curtains and an elegant nightstand. Beautiful blooms reclined in a crystal vase and filtered a perfumed aroma. The soft bed dominated the interior, and a charming bureau held decorative accents with brass handles.
The room inspired cheerful thoughts, but Isabella couldn’t hold the feeling for long. She had to tell Cranston that their deal was off—and she dreaded his reaction—but she knew that Daniel and Lilly would be there to protect her. At the thought of her host, Isabella suddenly caught her breath. Where did that come from?
Ashamed to presume on Daniel�
��s kindness, she rolled out of bed and unpacked her traveling bag. The yellow summer dress with bright blue ribbons had more wrinkles than she cared to count, but it would have to do.
When Mrs. Handley bustled inside carrying a stack of pristine linen, Isabella called out, “Good morning.”
Mrs. Hadley jumped ten feet but quickly recovered. “Oh, my stars. I didn’t see you there, and you’re up already. Perish the thought. You must not exert yourself, my dear—Mr. Wright told me you are having a baby. I shall be glad to meet your little one, but I must say you don’t seem pregnant.”
Isabella digested Daniel’s actions, wondering why he had told Mrs. Hadley. She concluded it must be his way to share intimate details. “Lilly helped me to hide my pregnancy for so long, I forgot that I no longer need the bands here.”
Mrs. Hadley peered at the thin sleeping dress, noting the strips of cloth covering Isabella’s stomach. Then she twisted her lips with a worried frown. “Oh, dear. We are not that forward here. I am afraid you will need to find a husband for that wee baby.”
Isabella took a deep breath and sank down onto the bed. She held one of the bedposts with white knuckles, and her gaze clung to the older woman. “Can’t I have the baby and just work to maintain us? Lilly will help me.”
Mrs. Hadley came forward and placed a tender hand on the top of Isabella’s silken waves. “No, dearie, I am afraid it cannot be done. There are still standards to be kept here. If you do what you plan, you will be an outcast and treated unkindly. You must find someone, and if Cranston is not the one, there are others who would do the honors. You just have to find the right one.”
Isabella groaned and fell back on the bed. She fixed her gaze on the high ceiling and wondered how her life had gotten so complicated in such a short time. “Can you give me any suggestions? Is there someone you know? A good man who can help me?”
Mrs. Hadley’s eyes twinkled, and she fingered the edge of her apron with a considering look. “Well, I know where you can start.”
At Isabella’s eager expression, Mrs. Hadley pointed to the floor. “Mr. Wright is downstairs in the library. He’s got a thing for books, which is quite disconcerting for a gentleman with his responsibilities. Why don’t you ask for his recommendation? He is a great man about these parts, and well respected. If he tells you of someone, you can trust his judgment.”
Isabella admired Mrs. Hadley’s fervent belief in Daniel’s goodness. She guessed if the older woman recommended him, he must be a man of honor, but she had her doubts.
Eager to get her future in some sort of order, Isabella jumped out of bed and hurried to get dressed. “I will ask him right away. Is there anything you can do with this dress?”
Mrs. Hadley surveyed the rumpled gown with an expert eye. “Leave it to me. I will have you looking like a queen in the flick of a whip. Now, don’t spend all your time talking to the master. Remember, breakfast is very important for a woman in your condition.”
Isabella clapped her hands, touched by Mrs. Hadley’s desire to care for her. For an instant, she wished she could stay at the Silver S ranch forever, but then she caught herself with a stern reprimand. Daniel had been nothing but kind; she would not impose on him for one moment longer than necessary.
With that thought in mind, she hurried from the room to find Lilly and share the latest news.
****
Before breakfast was served, Isabella cornered Daniel in his library. He appeared dissatisfied with the sheets of paper strewn across his desk. When he sensed her presence, he looked up with a quick smile and waved her over to the chintz-covered chair.
“You are looking remarkably well today. How are you feeling?”
Isabella couldn’t explain how safe and protected she felt, so she chose to answer, “I am doing well, thank you.”
His piercing look focused on her well-arranged hair and wrinkle-free dress. “I can see Mrs. Hadley has been busy.”
Isabella shivered with delight, wondering where the feeling came from. “Yes, she told me she would get me ready in the flick of a whip, or something like that.”
He agreed, “It’s her Irish roots coming out. We must get you some more clothing, and Warren’s Emporium has everything a lady might need. I think we should go shopping this weekend, and I will help you pick out some items. Will that please you?”
Isabella jumped to her feet with a gasp. She did not understand his offer, but she would accept lavish treatment. But who knew what he might want in return? “No, Mr. Wright. Thank you, but that is not necessary. I just wanted to ask you for your help.”
He rose to his feet to match her, with stiff shoulders and cool eyes. “Isabella, I am not going to hurt you or ask you to repay me. This is simple kindness from one human being to another. Perhaps you are not used to people treating you in this way, but please don’t put me on the same level as them.”
Floored by his genuine offer, Isabella wallowed in shame. Didn’t the Bible warn about judging others? And here she was busy painting him with the same strokes as Armand, Mr. Crawford, and Cranston.
“Forgive me. I meant you no disrespect.”
When she noted a rush of warmth in his gaze, she promised herself never to offend him in such a way again.
“Much better. Now, what do you need from me, if it’s not to buy clothing?”
Refusing to tackle that subject again, Isabella said, “Mrs. Hadley told me you could recommend a good suitor for my baby. I cannot marry Mr. Cranston and I will tell him so, but I do need to find someone. Can you think of a good man who would treat me right and help me raise my child?”
He considered her question and turned back to the sheets on his desk. “Yes, I have someone in mind. But I beg you to give me until this Sunday to share his name with you. Can you wait the six days until then?”
Isabella held her breath. She felt a degree of admiration at the assurance he conveyed, but she had to ask one final question. “Yes, of course, I can wait. But—and please do not be offended by this—do you think he is honorable?”
A quick smile flashed, and Daniel stepped from behind the desk and adjusted his jacket. “I am sure he is. You will never need fear him, Isabella, and he will never hurt you or your baby. You have my solemn vow. Let’s shake on it.”
Stunned at the outcome of the meeting and clinging to his words with hope, Isabella placed her hand in his. Her body stilled and she caught her breath at the warmth radiating from his touch. Silence pounded in her ears and her heart whipped up a thunderous beat.
She swallowed and tried to remember why she needed his help in the first place, but she couldn’t focus. His hand seared her own, and the scorch blazed a trail all the way to her heart. When her legs threatened to dissolve into a puddle at his feet, he released her and waved toward the door.
“How about some breakfast to keep your baby healthy and strong?”
Isabella jolted, her thoughts thrown into confusion. How could she forget herself in such a short time? “That would be wonderful; thank you.”
When he offered her the crook of his arm, she took it with a sense of wonder. What is wrong with you, Isabella? This man is not yours.
****
Daniel told Isabella where to find Cranston: “He’s probably at the barn or the corral. Just ask the boys to direct you.”
Isabella hurried off in search of the foreman, conscious of her decision to end the arrangement. She didn’t want to upset him but she had to think of her life, and the life of her unborn child.
Her stroll took her across the rugged paths to a large barn, which housed multiple fine-looking horses. She spied Cranston berating a cowhand as the group looked on.
“You better get yourself in shape, boy, or I will toss you out on your ear, do you hear me?”
The gangly youth hung his head and said nothing. Cranston ran him off with a sardonic grin and turned to the group. When he noted their distraction, he followed their gaze and spied Isabella. His scowl morphed into a bitter smile and he bowed in derision.
“Well now, it’s my lovely bride-to-be from down by the big house. Excuse me, fellas. I’ve got better things to do than spend time with you boys. Go on, now.”
When the group filed out with degrees of curiosity, Isabella turned to Cranston with a frown. “They don’t look too happy.”
He chuckled and slapped his thigh. “They don’t need to look happy. This is work, not a Sunday picnic. Speaking of picnic, I fixed a real nice lunch for us today. Care to join me down by the stream? There are some pretty fish swimming around, and a nice view of the mountains on the other side of the valley.”
Isabella decided it was a good plan. She didn’t want to shame him in front of his men, and perhaps the setting might be conducive to the letdown she intended to give.
“I will fetch a shawl and be with you shortly.”
Cranston slapped his thigh again. “I’ll get the buggy ready. I know Mr. High and Mighty doesn’t need it right now.”
Concerned at his constant derision of Daniel, Isabella decided to ask him about it. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
****
The drive to the stream meandered along a cheerful path with rows of wildflowers, majestic trees, and verdant shrubs. A gentle breeze ruffled Isabella’s hair and she inhaled. The sense of freedom enthralled her, and for the first time it seemed her future held more than she had planned.
“Thinking of Mr. High and Mighty?”
The jarring note filled Isabella with indignation, much to her surprise. She had suffered abuse and had groveled like a slave for so long, she had forgotten what anger felt like.
“Why do you speak of Mr. Wright with such disrespect?”
Cranston grunted, “He should be working for me. Father left the ranch to us both, and I am the eldest.”
Annie: A Bride For The Farmhand - A Clean Historical Western Romance (Stewart House Brides Book 3) Page 47
