“Because what?” The deep voice made us both turn as Logan James, himself, entered the room, carrying the dress.
My mouth dropped open and I felt naked and exposed standing there in my night clothes, especially the way he was studying me.
Theora thought quickly and jumped forward to shield me.
“You’re not supposed to be here, Logan, my pet. ‘Tis bad luck to see the bride on the special day.” Her tongues clucked like a hen about to lay an egg. “Go off with ye now and get yourself ready. We’ll be downstairs on time. Don’t you worry none.”
He glanced at me and then threw the object of our former discussion back on the bed. “Wear it. I want to see you in it.
“And you always get what you want. Isn’t that right, Mr. James?” I couldn’t help the taunt that came from my lips.
He studied me with the heavy-lidded gaze of his. He smiled slightly. “Yes, Elisa, I do.”
He walked out of the room, leaving me shivering as I stared at the empty space in the door.
I turned my attention back to Theora. “I thought you were my friend. I thought you were going to help me.”
“I am.”
“Then tell me. What did my brother find?”
She shook her head and I knew from the look in her eyes that even if she had known she would not tell me. Certainly not here where Logan James and his spies seemed to be everywhere.
~
Despite what had happened several hours before, the dress remained on my bed in the hotel as I dressed in my blue taffeta. He was not going to get the best of me, I vowed. Just because I was marrying him did not mean I was totally his servant.
I knew that I had to be careful not to antagonize him too much; yet I could not let him have the run of the forest, could I?
I stared at my figure in the cracked mirror and hoped the circles under my eyes would be hidden by the white face powder I had. Then I touched the material. The fabric had actually been part of my mother’s ball gown, from the early days of her marriage and when she and Papa had had money and when they’d been happy. She had told me once it had been at a political ball and she’d been introduced to the great James Garfield. They had also been present in Washington the night he’d been shot.
I touched the gown again and wondered if I had done right in making it over into something more fashionable for me. As I felt the crispness still in the fabric, I could not help thinking of my mother and hoping that my life would somehow turn out better than hers, though as I looked down the street to those gathering for my wedding, I wondered if this was my funeral as well.
Theora found some white flowers and with her help I fashioned them into a loose chain and strung them through my hair in a fetching fashion.
My heart pounded as the music from below echoed into the hallways and rooms above. I did not like the idea of marrying in the salon, but Theora pointed out that this was the only place, besides the ranch itself, which would be large enough to hold all the people who wanted to come to Logan’s wedding. And certainly, I did not want to go out there without being his bride, did I?
Just the way she had asked made me know what my answer had to be. Yet the fact was I would have been very happy to go there even without benefit of clergy. For then I would have had the freedom to return, the freedom to report whatever I might find.
I decided to try with Theora once more. “You told me that first night that my brother didn’t have a lot of friends.”
“Didn’t say that, Missy.”
I blanched. “Then what did you say?”
She paused in the fixing of my hair as her hands rested near my neck. I met her gaze knowing that she was in Logan’s employ. “Said he weren’t none too popular.”
“Well, isn’t that the same thing?”
She shook her head.
I tried to ignore the voices coming from below.
“Please. Tell me what you meant. Who wasn’t he liked by?”
She frowned. “People who said he lied about his claim and others.”
“What!” I stood up, nearly yanking my hair from her hands. “You can’t mean that, Theora. What people? Who? What claims? I can find nothing about the claim.”
“Just tellin’ you what I heard. And then he was awful thick with that Government guy, Reynolds. ‘Til the man died, of course. Then that was shortly afore we knew’d that Elliot upped and left his job.”
“He wasn’t working for Logan James at that time?” I held my breath wondering if I was looking for evidence in the wrong place.
“Logan and his brother, Morgan. Don’t know which ranch he was on at the last, but it was between both that he did the ridin’ and cattle work.”
Amazed, I sat down and allowed her to finish my hair. I was learning more about my brother than I had thought I would. Elliot had never been much good with animals before. At least not the Eliot I had known. I wondered what was going on here.
The knock on the door startled me and I feared it was one of Logan’s men summoning me. But as the door opened, I saw it was Sheriff Washburne.
“Mighty pretty.” He whistled. “But I thought Logan wanted you to wear Ginny’s gown.” He glanced at the heap of material still on the bed. “Mighty brave of you to be defying his orders so early.”
I looked down at my fingernails which were already bitten down to the quick. “Is there something you wanted, Sheriff?”
He grinned at me. “Sure there is.” With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Theora.
I wished she hadn’t gone, but there was no help for me now. I was alone in the room with Logan’s friend.
“Just wanted to make sure you were full aware of what you’re doin’, Miss Elisa. Wouldn’t want you to end up like Ginny.”
“I don’t intend to be anything like Mr. James’ first wife.”
Sheriff Washburne smiled. “No. I can see.” He began to pace the floor and then, going to the window, looked out. “Mighty lot of people comin’ to this shindig. Looks like Logan’s real popular.”
I shrugged, but I don’t think Clay Washburne even noticed for he kept on talking.
“Want you to do me a favor, Miss Elisa.”
“What’s that?”
“Want you to tell me if you notice anything suspicious going on at that house.”
I could feel the sweat on my palms. “What do you mean?” My voice sounded as tense as I felt.
“Just what I said. Been some suspicion that Logan’s doin’ illegal minin’ and some other things.”
My back stiffened in righteous indignation. Even though I myself was planning to spy on Logan James, I found to my amazement that I was defending him.
“Sheriff, do you realize what you’re asking me to do? I would be spying on my husband. Besides, even if I found something, it would not be evidence because I am,” I paused, “or rather I will be, married to him.”
He smiled at me and his eyes twinkled. “Don’t you worry none about that. If you find something you think I should know, you make some excuse to come into town and tell me. We also suspect he knows more than he’s sayin’ ‘bout that Elliot fellow. Maybe even was in cahoots with him.”
“Logan and... that criminal?” My breath seemed to leave me. I had never thought about something like that. Then I shook my head denying it.
I sucked in my breath not wanting to betray my feelings. It was too good to believe. The sheriff was actually on my side and would help me. “And what if I cannot get into town. What if — ”
He patted my shoulder. “I’ll be comin’ round to visit the brothers every so often. Just want you to let me know if all’s on the up and up. You know, if they’re payin’ who they should be payin’ and if they’re going where they should be going. Keep your eyes and ears open.”
“Sheriff, if you suspected him — ”
Washburne cut me off. “Didn’t have no evidence afore. Now that you’re gonna go in...” He grinned and shrugged. Understanding what he meant, I nodded just as the knock on the door and the voice of M
organ James summoned me.
Morgan stared at me a moment... surprised. Then slowly a grin spread over his face. “So, you defied him. Good for you. I only hope you can continue to defy him. You’ll stay alive that way.”
I thought of Drucilla and my kitten. “I fully intend to.”
Chapter 14
The music swelled to a loud crescendo and I knew that my moment had come. I could delay the inevitable no longer. My heart pounding to the beat of the music, I took Morgan’s proffered arm.
Trembling as I was, it surprised me that I was able to negotiate the stairs as I did. My trembling only increased when I saw Logan scowling at me from where he stood near the stage.
He stared at me and at the dress I wore as if he wanted to strangle me. But he wouldn’t dare in front of all these people, would he?
I hesitated where I stood for just a moment and felt the pressure on my arm as Morgan urged me to continue.
Logan continued to scowl as I walked forward.
Avoiding his gaze, I looked up at the preacher. I thought it ironic that he was the same man who not three days ago had officiated at Drucilla’s funeral. In his new frock coat, he looked wider and rounder. That white collar made him look like a satisfied penguin. I wanted to laugh, but the moment was too serious.
Shivering, I felt Logan’s eyes watching me as I finally came to stand beside him. How odd it seemed. But then I did not consider this a marriage, for no matter what happened, he would not be my lawful husband. I vowed that somehow I would save myself for a man I might truly love. It was true that I could not in probability avoid the necessary evil, but I could avoid my own participation. Let him take my body. Devil that he was, he’d not have my soul.
Lost in my thoughts, I scarcely hear the minister speak to me. Not until Logan’s arm touched mine did I realize that I had to say my few words. It really didn’t matter. I did not wish to become this man’s wife. Yet to achieve my goal here in Ruby City, it seemed I had no other choice.
“I do.” My words were barely audible. But apparently the preacher heard them for he nodded and as Logan James took my hand to slip on the simple gold ring, I knew by the look in his eyes that he would expect me to be well and truly wed to him.
I wondered now if it would have been different had I used a false name. But as I glanced quickly at my new husband and shuddered at the thought, I realized he would have me at any cost. It was then I renewed my vow to see him hung.
~
I was relieved to learn that Logan had decided, without consulting me, of course, that we were to travel immediately to the ranch for he was concerned about leaving his young daughter there all this time – and from all I’d heard about the men he had working for him, it seemed well that he should worry.
At his command, I packed up my trunk and, alone in my hotel room for the last time, I picked up Elliot’s picture and hugged it to my chest. Tears came to my eyes as I realized that by marrying Logan I had come to terms with the fact that my brother was dead, killed by this man. But I had also come to terms with the fact that by whatever means possible, I would bring him to justice, even if it meant killing him myself.
The knock on the door startled me. I expected it would be Logan and having decided that I’d best not antagonize him until I had proper reason, I hurried to answer it.
“Well, do I get to kiss my new sister?” Morgan stood there grinning at me. Even if I had not been able to smell the alcohol, I could see from the enlarged pupils and the deliberateness of his speech, he had had more than one drink at the celebration still going on down in the saloon.
Without answering him, I turned away.
“I asked you a question, sister of mine.” Morgan’s hand clamped on my forearm as he drew me roughly back to him.
Uneasy, I tried to reason with him. “Morgan, you’re drunk. Why don’t you rest a while?”
A leer spread over his face. “Rest on the bed? Good idea.” He began to pull me with him towards the feather bed, which had not yet been made from this morning. Seeing the unmade linens nauseated me for they reminded me of my later duty. Somehow, I had to get out of it.
“Morgan!” I managed to pull myself free from his grasp. “I am your brother’s wife.”
“So?” His grin seemed plastered on as he tried once more to grab me. “My brother and me, we share everything.”
“Well, you’re not sharing me.” I evaded his groping hand and hurried toward my portmanteau. Without hesitation, I removed the pearl-handled Liege from the pocket of my case. It was small, but it could be just as deadly as a Colt Peace Maker. “I know how to shoot this, Morgan.”
Surprised, he looked from me to the pistol and back to me again. “That what you’re gonna say t’your new groom?” The grin returned, and he took a step forward.
Scarcely knowing what I did, I clicked back the hammer.
He paused, but only for a moment.
The firing caught me as off guard as it did him.
Sobriety came instantly as he saw the bullet pass through the bedpost and into the dresser, missing him by barely an inch.
Trembling, I stared at my handiwork. Indeed, I was surprised that I had come so close to him; surprised that I had even shot the thing at all. But my intention to scare him was successful for he seemed to study me with new eyes.
“Guess I’ll go on down to the reception a bit longer.”
“Guess you will.” I still held the smoking pistol in my shaking hand.
He glanced at the gun and then at me before he made for the door. “Just remember, sis, if my brother can’t satisfy you, I will.”
With those parting words, he left the room.
I hurried to the door and locked it, though I scarcely knew what good it would do. I had expected people to come running up here with the sound of the gunfire, but I assumed that gunshots were so common here that no one even bothered to investigate.
Leaning against the door, I allowed my trembling to subside and the pocketed the weapon in my reticule. I doubted if I would really have been able to shoot Morgan. I knew it was mere jealousy and sibling rivalry between the brothers which was making him act this way. For indeed, since my coming to Ruby City Morgan had been kind to me. Still, I would be prepared for any future attempts by him or his brother.
It was only then that the truth dawned on me. Married to Logan as I now was, I could not deny the man his conjugal rights. But since he had to know I did not love him, surely, he would not insist.
I sat down on the bed and holding Elliot’s picture again, rocked back and forth like a child wanting to be comforted – only there was no one to comfort me. I had gotten myself into this mess by coming out here in the first place and now I had only myself to blame.
~
Somehow, I had expected my journey to my new, if temporary, home to be more glamorous than just a simple wagon ride. In a way, the plain wagon humbled Logan and made him seem more human. No, I hastily corrected myself, that he could ever be anything more than a monster to me. What I meant, I told myself, was that he seemed more capable of being defeated. Just like an ordinary man. Just like my brother. I was not a snob, but after all, everyone in town had made it clear to me just how much money the James brothers had. Yet there seemed to be nothing more elegant to carry me and my few possessions down the mountainside, into and across the valley where the ranch lay nestled in the shelter of the snow-capped Rockies. We paused near a cool stream where I studied my surroundings. The land spread out for miles and miles. You could probably walk for days and never meet another human being. And it all belonged to Logan James.
The entourage which had followed us from the town was nothing less than that which followed royalty. If these were only half of the James men, I was glad I was not the one to do the payroll accounts.
It occurred to me then as the wagon continued to sway on the rutted road that by the payroll records, I would be able to more accurately determine when my brother had worked for Logan James and shed some light on the evidence
I hoped to gather. Yes, I decided then. I would offer to assist my new husband with his payroll.
~
We arrived at the ranch just as the purple streaks were being painted across a deepening sky and the first starts of the night were twinkling overhead. I breathed in deeply of the rapidly chilling night air and saw the moon halved by scudding clouds. I took that as a good sign and turned my attention to my new home.
Built of logs, it was two and, in some places, three stories high. The windows were long and narrow with cozy white curtians waving in the evening breeze. A shaded veranda complete with a rocking chair and bench stood to one side and a painted stonework fence surrounded a small garden that even in the dim light I could see needed work. A tall pine stood in the center of the yard. It would be wonderful come Christmas, but then I told myself I did not plan to be here for Christmas.
The mountains made a backdrop for the house like a painting in the theater. It would have been picture perfect and I would have expected it to be lifted for the curtain. But for myself there would be no curtain lifting to safety, no end of this play where I’d be back in Chicago with my darling Elliot at my side. I wanted to wake up from this bad dream, but I knew I couldn’t. I would have to grit my teeth and endure what I could right now.
A long oblong structure at the back of the house was, I learned from one of the men, the bunkhouse. Behind that where I could not see were the stables and corral.
I turned in every direction and knew that I’d have to run a long way to get off James’ land.
“You travel mighty well, my dear.” Logan startled me back to reality as his huge hands went around my waist and he reached up to assist me down from the wagon.
I merely shrugged and avoiding his grasp, I slid down to the ground myself, wincing with the heaviness of my fall but determined not to let him see the brief moment of pain. I should have realized that after sitting for so long my legs would be unstable, yet I did not realize just how unstable until I started to walk and stumbled forward into my new husband’s arms.
Logan's Land Page 11
