Ruth gazed at Elise with kindly eyes and a smile that was both reassuring and unsettling at the same time.
"Now, Elise. Don't be silly. Your father has very good reasons for what he's arranged."
"That's the thing mama. It's not his business to arrange such a thing."
"He only has your best interests at heart, Elise."
"How can marrying a horrible man like Caulfield be in my best interests?"
Ruth put down her knitting and peered at Elise over her small, round glasses.
"Your father has always looked after us well, has he not."
"Well, I guess so. But..."
"He brought us all out here and made himself indispensable to this community. You can't get any more necessary to a town than being the man who manages land grants. He gave you and your sister a good education. I think he knows what's best for all of us," Ruth concluded and went back to her knitting.
Elise paced up and down in front of her mother.
"I'll run away rather than marry Caulfield," she said bluntly.
Ruth smiled knowingly. "No you won't," she said with quiet certainty.
She knows me too well, thought Elise. She knows I wouldn't last five minutes away from civilized living. What was the alternative? Living of another kind. On a choice of ranches.
Elise started to feel a rising panic. There was nowhere for her to go apart from to one of those two ranches.
It was either a marriage in name only with Devlin, or a marriage to Caulfield to suit everyone else except herself.
She sighed and felt the rage bubble up inside.
"Now my dear. Why don't you calm down and we'll have some tea. It's mighty hot today."
"I don't want to sit down. Can't you see what this is doing to me?"
Ruth smiled. "It's just nerves dear. I was the same before I married your father."
Elise crashed impatiently down in the sofa. She'd tried to reason with her mother and father. Neither of them was willing to see sense and cancel the wedding to Caulfield.
Elise thought about Devlin Cooper. Life might not be too bad with him after all. He certainly was handsome and he had the means to provide for her. Elise knew herself. She knew she wasn't up for hardship of any kind. Her parents had made sure of that by supplying her and her sister, Annabelle with all the home comforts.
Devlin Cooper would be able to provide those comforts, she thought. But at a price.
It wasn't only about physical necessities. A young woman had other needs too. Emotional ones. Even physical ones, but she blushed as she thought of those.
Devlin seemed only interested in a marriage based on mutual gain. He'd called her beautiful. Elise knew she was pretty. She'd been told it a million times by her parents.
But beautiful?
She wasn't sure about that.
Elise's wonderings were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Ruth looked up from her knitting. "I wonder who that might be?" she said with a knowing smile.
Elise saw the expression and knew a surprise had been prepared.
"Mama. Who have you invited?"
"No-one Elise. I give you my word."
"I'll go see," Elise said heading toward the door.
The door rapped loudly again. "Whoever it is has no patience," Elise said, loud enough so her mother could hear.
Elise pulled the door open. Standing there, looking tall and menacing and with a withering expression in his face, was Bart Caulfield. The man was bulky round the middle and his face had a permanent, florid complexion. Elise guessed he drank.
"No patience, Elise. Is that what you think of your husband to be?" Caulfield said, trying to smile, revealing the off white teeth that Elise found so unsettling to look at.
Elise covered her mouth with a hand. Removing it after a pause she tried to sound genuinely contrite but she just couldn't quite make it sound convincing.
"I'm real sorry Bart. I'd no idea it was you. If I'd known it was you I'd have used an entirely different kind of language. But then again I'm a lady and there are some things a young lady just can't say out loud. I hope you agree."
Bart took a deep breath puffing up his chest. His lips went tight and his eyes narrowed.
Elise had never noticed just how bushy Bart's brows were. They looked like two large caterpillars stuck on his face, she thought, trying to suppress a smile.
"Aren't you gonna invite me in?"
Elise held the door handle firmly. "I don't rightly know." She leaned back and called into the parlor. "Mama. It's Mr. Caulfield. Can I invite him in?"
Ruth came running out of the parlor. "Of course you can."
Ruth waved at Bart. "Come in, Mr. Caulfield. Pardon my daughters wilful behavior. I don't know what's gotten into her today."
Bart stepped into the hallway and moved in close to Elise. He was much taller than she'd thought. The bulk of his body was also larger and she felt his presence intensely, but not in a way that made her feel comfortable.
"Nice to see you Elise," he said removing his hat revealing his thinning hair. Elise nodded politely not wishing to encourage him. Ruth led them all to the parlor and they took their seats. Elise sat on a separate chair from Bart.
There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Then Ruth spoke up. "How nice of you to call on us, Mr. Caulfield," she said. Elise thought her mother was trying rather too hard to sound enthusiastic and not quite succeeding. "Isn't that so Elise," her mother said looking questioningly at her daughter.
"It appears so," answered Elise in a neutral tone.
Bart smiled appearing unaware of the discomfort of the two women. "I was passing and I thought now was the best time for me to come and discuss a very pressing issue that has been on my mind since I woke up this morning," he said.
Elise felt a lump rise to her throat. What on earth could he mean? The thought of Bart Caulfield thinking of her upon waking in his bed made her shiver.
"And what would that be Mr. Caulfield," said Ruth.
Bart cleared his throat. "It's about our wedding," he said looking toward Elise. But she averted her eyes. Bart noticed her doing so and coughed nervously. For such a big man it didn't take much to make him feel discomfort, thought Elise.
"I was just talking about the wedding to Elise before you arrived. She's so excited. Aren't you dear?"
Elise frowned at Ruth. "You know what I feel mother. Don't go telling all my private thoughts to Mr. Caulfield here. You'll embarrass me."
Ruth pursed her lips disapprovingly. "She's just so excited she can't talk sense about anything. As you can see," she said.
Bart smiled but his eyes betrayed a lack of understanding. Maybe understanding women was more difficult for him than understanding the business of cattle, thought Elise.
Bart pulled on his collar and then spoke. "Anyway. As I was saying. About the wedding which we have come to an agreement about in such an amicable fashion."
"Hrrmph," blurted Elise.
Bart and Ruth both flashed a look at her and Elise dropped her gaze onto her lap.
"I was considering just when would be the best time for the wedding," he continued.
Elise's head shot up.
"Next week sounds fine, Mr. Caulfield. I'm sure you can understand we have a great deal to do in order to prepare," Ruth said.
Bart nodded. "And I do appreciate that Mrs.Macleod. But the truth is, I can't wait."
Elise felt the panic rise again. What was he saying?
Ruth frowned. "Are you suggesting a change of some kind Mr.Caulfield?"
"Indeed I am."
No! The voice yelled inside Elise's mind. He wasn't seriously going to say what had just flashed into her mind.
Bart looked at Elise as he spoke his fatal words. "I would like to bring the wedding forward. Instead of next week, I'd like the wedding to take place tomorrow. If that would be agreeable to you Ms. Macleod."
Elise felt the blood drain from her face, her body swayed slightly as she sat on the chair, and it fel
t for a moment as if the ground was going to open up beneath her, and take her down into a deep, dark pit.
CHAPTER FOUR
Devlin sat atop his horse, hands gripping the pommel, and tried to concentrate on herding the cattle in front of him, but the truth was he couldn't stop thinking about Elise.
He was working with his men in a wide valley on the southern edge of his ranch. The herd was proving particularly ornery today. His men were whooping and hollering, controlling the movement of the herd. Devlin maintained a position that would allow him to supervise the movement of the pack.
But he could hardly keep his mind on the job today.
He wondered what her answer would be. There was only one answer which was any good to him, and that was for her to agree to their marriage of convenience. Without it he didn't know what the future would hold for him, or for the men who worked so hard for him and depended upon him.
Devlin hoped he'd done enough to convince her. The truth was she was in a real predicament. Her family had obviously decided that the only way out of some problem they had was for Elise to marry Caulfield. But why? What did Caulfield have over her family that he could force them to sacrifice one of their daughters in such a fashion.
Caulfield had a reputation as a sharp business man. He always got his way. Devlin and Caulfield had been rivals for as long as they both had been neighbours. That tract of land that Macleod had control over adjoined both their spreads. It had a main water course that ran through a forest and across both their ranches. If either Devlin or Caulfield got their hands on that tract it could spell doom for the other. That was how things were in the ranching business. Cutthroat.
Devlin knew he'd not cause problems for Caulfield if he got control of it. There was no reason to do that, figured Devlin. There was more than enough land, cattle and business for everyone around these parts. But he couldn't say the same for Caulfield. If Caulfield got a hold of the tract and the water course, Devlin was sure Caulfield would drive him out and show no remorse in doing so.
Then there was the question of whether Devlin really wanted to be married at all. He was only just getting over being jilted by a woman whose name he'd expunged from his memory. It had only been a few months since he'd arrived at the church in town to discover that his bride-to-be had decided that there were other things in life more important than marrying Devlin Cooper.
He still couldn't figure it out. But she had walked out on him. The shame and hurt had lingered longer than he could have predicted.
After that he could care less about women. He'd devoted himself to work. Hard, long hours on the ranch. And the memory of that dark day had faded. But now he was faced with the need to marry. He wasn't sure he could go through with it. But, he had been pushed into a corner and it seemed that a marriage in name only was his only option. Maybe a marriage that was merely an arrangement would suit him more than one for love.
There was a shout and one of his men, Evan, came riding up fast to him. Devlin pulled his horse around to speak to him.
Evan drew his mount to a halt. "What's up Evan?" Devlin asked.
Evan pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Devlin. "This came for you. It was delivered by a lady on a buckboard," he said.
Elise?
"Did she give her name?"
"No. Just said it was a message from her sister," Evan said. "She says she's waiting to take the reply before she heads back to town."
"Thanks, Evan," Devlin said. Evan rode off and Devlin steered his horse away from the herd. Once he'd gained some distance from them, he opened the envelope.
He drew out the small piece of fine paper. The handwriting on it looked like it had been written in a hurry. He looked at the name at the signature.
It was from Elise! He lifted the paper to his nose and inhaled the scent that lingered on the paper. That must be the perfume she'd worn when she'd written the letter. It was a sweet smell and it felt momentarily strange to inhale something like that out here in the middle of a Montana wilderness.
He drew his attention back and quickly scanned the message.
Dear Mr. Cooper,
I have carefully considered your offer of a marriage of convenience between us both.
I agree to such a marriage.
The conditions of such a union have already been discussed between us, but can be clarified immediately after our wedding.
Devlin sat up bolt upright in his saddle as if someone had prodded him in the back. He glanced quickly over at his men. No-one had seen his reaction.
She agreed to become his wife!
He threw his head back and stared at the blue Montana sky. The color of it suddenly seemed more pure and deep than it had earlier.
He took in a deep breath.
She agreed to become his wife. It would suit them both. He'd get everything he wanted and she would be saved. It was the right thing to do for both of them.
But he'd be married. After the way that woman had abandoned him just prior to their wedding he had mixed feelings about the prospect of being married.
He read the final paragraph of the hastily written note.
I have to inform you of a development which means that your original plans may need to be changed somewhat.
Bart Caulfield intends to marry me tomorrow at midday instead of next week. We, therefore, have less than twenty four hours to become man and wife. I'm sure you can imagine the terrible distress this has caused me. I hope you prove to be a man of your word.
My sister will bring your reply to me by return. You need not worry about her. She is sworn to secrecy.
I await your reply and in the meantime remain hopeful of your honorable intentions.
Sincerely
Elise Macleod
Devlin folded the letter and put it into the pocket of his shirt, next to his heart.
With a shout to his foreman he goaded his horse to move and started to race back toward his ranch house.
CHAPTER FIVE
Why was he taking so long, Elise thought. How difficult was it to persuade a minister to carry out a quick wedding ceremony? After all, there were so many mail order brides these days. They just arrived in town and were married within hours of getting off the stagecoach or the train.
So how come Devlin was taking so long?
Elise stood outside the church. She wasn't dressed in a wedding outfit. Instead she was wearing a plain outfit that would have been more suited to a social or an evening in the parlor at home.
She didn't feel any disappointment that she wasn't dressed in white. After all, this wasn't an everyday wedding.
She'd arranged to meet Devlin at six o'clock. Her sister had returned with the message from Devlin that he would meet Elise at the church. In no time at all Elise had prepared herself, with some help from Annabelle. It had all seemed very unreal. Downstairs her mother had been preparing dinner. Her father hadn't arrived home from the land office.
It hadn't been difficult at all for Elise to sneak out of the house. She need no belongings for the moment. Once the deed was done and she was Devlin Cooper's wife, she'd send for her things. And there would be nothing her parents could do about it.
The day was getting cooler and the streets of Billings were less busy. Still, there were a few people who sauntered past the church and gave Elise an enquiring look. She tried to maintain an appearance of calm and dignity. But it wasn't easy.
Devlin had gone inside the church a half hour before, but it felt like an eternity to Elise.
Surely the minister wasn't refusing to carry out the wedding. Elise couldn't figure out what the delay could be.
Her biggest worry was that someone would recognize her and alert Bart Caulfield to what was going on. Elise couldn't imagine the scenes that would take place if Caulfield found out.
She'd made her mind up, though, and nothing was going to change it.
Elise paced up and down.
Finally the door to the church opened with a creak and Devlin emerged.<
br />
He had a confident smile on his face and Elise immediately felt a rush of relief course through her.
"He'll do it," Devlin said firmly.
Elise smiled. "Good. Can he do it right away?"
"I can indeed," said the minister emerging from behind Devlin.
The minister, Reverend Elgin, was tall and thin. He had the serious demeanour one would expect from a religious man, but there was also a deep patience in his eyes as he looked at Elise.
"I just had a long talk with your husband-to-be," the Reverend said slowly. He held a bible in his hand and clutched it close to his chest.
Elise felt a surge of emotion at the description of Devlin as her impending husband.
Reverend Elgin peered at them as if judging whether they looked right as a couple. Apparently satisfied with what he saw he continued.
"I have stressed to him the importance of the bonds of marriage. That this institution has been designed by the Lord as a serious commitment not to be entered into lightly."
Elise's face flushed. Did the minister know that this was a marriage of convenience? Had Devlin told him?
"I have been given assurances by Mr.Cooper that you both understand the seriousness of marriage and are entering into it with the correct intentions," Reverend Elgin said. "Am I right in saying so Ms. Macleod?"
Elise looked at the Reverend. "We understand the seriousness of what we are doing, Reverend," she reassured him.
Reverend Elgin nodded. "Very well then. Let us enter the church and I will carry out the ceremony."
Devlin looked at Elise. His eyes had brightened and there was a questioning look in them. Was he asking her at the last moment of she really wanted to go ahead with this? Did she really want to get married now? She had no choice. Her parents had put her in this awful situation and there was no other way out.
Devlin's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers Brides series) Page 2
