Trent and Nathan both bowed and took off their hats.
"It's an honor and a pleasure Mrs. Cooper," Trent said taking Elise's hand and kissing the back of it.
Elise was slightly taken aback by the forwardness of the gesture. "Never mind him," Devlin said with a forced smile. "He thinks he's a ladies man," he explained.
Trent turned and frowned with smiling eyes. "Really? That's what you think of me?"
Nathan stepped forward. "Pleasure to meet you. Devlin's a very lucky man," he said, his voice warm and sincere.
"Nathan here just got married himself," Devlin stated. "Had to go all the way to Boston to find himself a bride."
"Yes. But it was worth it. My wife is a treasure and she just loves life out here in Montana," Nathan stated.
"I'm glad," Elise said politely. She looked at Devlin. "Your conversation seemed to be about something of substance," she said to her husband.
Devlin averted his eyes.
"Looked like you all were talking about something real serious," Elise said, her gaze shifting questioningly to each of the three men.
"We're just real proud of Devlin here, getting married and all," Trent tried to explain. It didn't sound convincing to Devlin's ears.
Elise frowned. "You sure about that?"
Devlin went to Elise and took her by the arm. Time to do some serious reassuring. "You know what guys can be like."
Elise fixed him with a look. "Actually Devlin. I don't know what men are like. In case you hadn't noticed I'm a woman. And I only just got married."
Trent and Nathan both turned their heads away and tried to suppress a laugh. Devlin heard them both clear their throats.
Devlin looked toward his friends and seeing there was no support forthcoming stammered out a reply. "I...uh...well, of course," He sighed. "That was a stupid thing for me to say."
Elise peered into Devlin's eyes. "Is there anything I should be concerned about?"
Devlin's mouth opened as if to speak, but then he was cut short by the welcome appearance of Mrs. Mildmay at the ranch house door. "Are you all going to stand there all day or are you coming in here. There's some fine grub here that Mrs. Cooper spent a whole load of time cooking."
Devlin felt a rush of relief surge through him. Trust Mrs. Mildmay to come to the rescue.
"Sure Mrs. Mildmay. I'm sure that Trent and Nathan would just love to sample my wife's fine cooking."
Elise shot Devlin a harsh glance but he ignored it and started to lead her back to the house. Trent and Nathan followed.
Devlin looked at Elise as they stepped up onto the porch. She was staring defiantly ahead, studiously avoiding his gaze.
What a woman! He'd seen more spirit from her today than he'd seen in all the women he'd known before combined. She wasn't someone to cross swords with. In a way though he'd liked what he'd seen. She was obviously someone who didn't take no for an answer. In this wild country that was only going to be a useful attribute in a wife. But it would certainly make for an interesting life.
How was he going to tell her what Trent had revealed? He didn't know that he could. How would she react? Would she storm out and abandon their marriage before it had even started? Or would she do something even worse
One thing was for sure. He was being drawn closer and closer to his new wife. It didn't seem to matter how hard he worked to keep a distance from her. Trying to keep her at arms length was proving impossible. This whole marriage of convenience thing was turning out to be a whole lot more complicated than he'd first imagined.
After she'd stormed out of the bunkhouse he'd thought to himself that maybe this woman was going to prove too much of a handful for him after all. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to deal with her.
But they both had to make a go at the marriage, whether they liked it or not. And now, Trent had let him in on something that made it even more urgent that their marriage be seen to be a real one, and not just a fake.
The nerves tumbled inside him as he thought about just what that meant.
He was going to have to get a whole lot closer to Elise than he'd originally bargained for. The thought of that created a whirl of emotions and thoughts inside him.
The only decision he had to make right now was how close to her was he willing, or able, to get.
He gestured for his friends to enter the house ahead of him and closed the door behind him.
He was suddenly certain that getting as close as he could to Elise in every possible way would be the only chance either of them would have for a future.
CHAPTER TWELVE
How come Devlin is being so nice to me all of a sudden, Elise thought as she helped Mrs. Mildmay clean up the dishes.
The men had retired to the parlor and she could hear their laughter. They sounded like they were having a fine old time.
Mrs. Mildmay's kindly eyes seemed to scrutinize Elise's every movement.
"Are you okay dear?" Mrs. Mildmay asked in a gentle voice.
Elise sighed. "I guess so. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that you seem preoccupied dear."
There was another burst of male laughter from the parlor. Elise rolled her eyes.
"The men certainly seem to have enjoyed the meal," Mrs Mildmay said with a satisfied grin.
Indeed the meal had been lovely, Elise reflected. Mrs. Mildmay had gone to great lengths to put everyone at ease. The incident with the pie was making Elise feel very uneasy, the more she thought about it.
Trent and Nathan were obviously good men. Elise could tell that the three ranchers were real close. She supposed that the trials of ranch life had brought them all closer together.
At the kitchen table, tucking into the meal, Trent and Nathan had described the difficulties of ranch life in such a way that Elise began to wonder just what she'd gotten herself into. It was clear that life on a Montana ranch was nothing like life in a Montana town with all it's pleasures and conveniences. It wasn't the harshness of life on the ranch which worried her so much as the difference between it and her former life.
Was she a spoiled brat? Had Mrs. Mildmay's initial opinion of her been accurate? She certainly had behaved like one, she thought to herself. Her parents had done their best to bring Elise up to be a young lady with decent standards. But what good were those standards here on a ranch? She'd allowed herself to slip when she'd behaved so petulantly and she was amazed that Devlin seemed to have shrugged it off so quickly.
The looks that he had given her across the table had made something shift deep inside Elise in spite of her best efforts at ignoring the sensations roiling inside her. There had been such a mixture of emotions inside her that she'd struggled to maintain her composure at the table. But she had succeeded. There had been a visible pride on Devlin's face as she had chatted personably with his two friends. Elise was surprised at how pleased she felt when Devlin looked at her with such obvious approval. There was a glint in his eyes that she hadn't seen earlier. It caused a flutter of nerves in her stomach that had nothing to do with the food she had prepared for everyone.
There had been no mention of whatever had been the subject of the conversation between the men in the yard earlier. Elise hadn't wanted to spoil the pleasant atmosphere of the meal by bringing it up, but it had weighed on her mind the whole time.
Every time she'd looked at Devlin he'd caught her glance and given her a warm smile she guessed was intended to reassure her. Truth was, the nicer he was to her, the more worried she felt.
"Why don't you go join the men dear," Mrs. Mildmay suggested, interrupting Elise's reflections. "I can finish up here myself."
"Oh, I don't want to disturb them," Elise answered.
"I think your husband might appreciate your presence. He seems mighty proud of you, even after what you did with that pie."
Elise frowned at Mrs.Mildmay. "What was I thinking of? I don't know what came over me."
"What came over you was perfectly natural," the housekeeper said with a knowing nod of the head. "
You just wanted Devlin to know how you feel."
"Feel? What do you mean?" Elise asked.
Mrs.Mildmay put down a dish and leaned back against the table. "Look Elise. I was married once. My husband passed on a few years back."
"Oh I'm sorry Mrs. Mildmay I had no idea."
"I've gotten over it. Kind of. But those years with Jake were good ones. He was a fine man, but boy could he drive me crazy."
Mrs. Mildmay's eyes glazed over as she gazed into the past, the memories obviously coming to mind.
Elise suddenly felt that her own concerns about Devlin seemed selfish, even immature.
Mrs. Mildmay smiled at Elise. "You'll never truly understand your husband. Men have their own way about them. I guess they're just like us women in that way. We're different from them. And they know it. But I learned over the years with Jake that the best course was to just accept him for what he was and get on with building the best life we could together."
Elise was momentarily surprised at the way the housekeeper had opened up to her in such a personal way. She'd barely gotten to know the woman and here she was sharing the wisdom of her years with Elise who was almost a complete stranger. Was that what ranch living did to people? Did it make make all the pretence of town living just drop away. Devlin's friend Nathan had said as much when he had been talking about his new wife recently arrived from Boston. It seemed she'd also found the contrast between the sophistication of her upbringing and the entirely different life on the ranch hard to adjust to. But Nathan had just smiled as he stated that his wife was fitting in just fine.
Another roar of laughter brought Elise back to the moment.
Mrs. Mildmay smiled and nodded toward the parlor. "You go in there. Your husband will want to show you off to his friends."
Elise shifted a stray hair back behind her ear.
The housekeeper laid a hand on Elise's elbow. "Enjoy what you have now Elise. Devlin thinks the world of you."
Elise's eyes widened "Really? How do you know?"
"He told me."
Elise felt her heart beat faster. "He said that?"
Mrs. Mildmay nodded.
"But why? He hardly knows me."
"Men can fall for women fast and hard. It's the way they are. But don't forget what happened with Devlin. He felt cheated when that woman walked out on him."
Elise frowned. "I can see he's still hurting."
Mrs. Mildmay nodded slowly. "Real bad. There have been times in recent weeks when I didn't think he'd pull through."
"But he's tough," Elise said.
Mrs.Mildmay shook her head. "Not as tough as you'd think Elise. He needs a strong minded woman." The housekeeper's eyes brightened. "And judging by your skill with pies you might just be what he needs."
Elise paused and then put down her dish towel. The laughter seemed to grow louder as she turned and made her way toward the parlor. Elise walked tall and straight. She had some serious socializing to do. If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was how to make a good impression. And that was exactly what she intended to do.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Devil stood with his arm around Elise and waved goodbye to Trent and Nathan as they rode away from the yard in front of the house. He pulled Elise close to him and enjoyed the warmth of her body against him. She didn't seem to resist and that made Devlin take a deep satisfied breath.
They'd passed a fine time in the parlor. Elise had seemed to have calmed down after her escapade with the pie. In fact she'd seemed a totally different person. Devlin had seen just how fine a hostess she could be. Her conversation was delightful and she just plain charmed Trent and Nathan. Both of his friends had warmed to Elise and the time had flown by. It was such a transformation that Devlin had trouble understanding where it had come from.
Throughout the pleasant time in the parlor with his new wife and friends Devlin caught himself, on more than one occasion, marvelling at how different life could be with a wife. He knew deep down that their marriage was an arrangement for each of their mutual benefit. But the feelings that were stirring in him contradicted that. It seemed to him that all too quickly this woman had caused something to shift inside him. And he was surprised at that.
As he had led his rancher friend Trent out of the house, with Nathan and Elise following close behind, Trent had leaned in close to Devlin and whispered. "That's one amazing woman you've got there. Are you sure this is an arranged marriage?"
Devlin had been shocked at his friend's statement. "What do you mean?"
Trent stuck an elbow into Devlin's side. "The way you've been looking at her all this time, it seems to me this is more than a marriage of convenience," he said with a warm smile.
Devlin shook his head. "Right now I don't know what to think," he said, glancing behind him to make sure that Elise couldn't hear what he had to say. "She's affecting me," he admitted.
Trent chuckled. "See. I told you. She's one beautiful woman. You just got plain lucky there Devlin. That's what I think."
"Well you're one to talk. With all the women you've charmed," he said.
Trent placed his hat on his head with a cocky gesture. "I can't help it if women find me irresistible, can I?"
Devlin shook his head. "You never were one to be modest about that, were you?"
"Nothing's going to change me, buddy. Marriage isn't for me. Not under any circumstances," he concluded.
"Life has a way of forcing men and women together. Haven't you noticed?"
Trent turned and looked at Elise. He sighed. "You are still one lucky dog. Just remember what I told you. If I was you I wouldn't give Caulfield the slightest chance to undo what you've both made here."
Elise came up behind them. "What're you two talking about. Looks like more men secrets," she said jokingly.
Trent shook his head and laughed. "I was just telling your husband here what a lucky man he is, having such an absolutely beautiful lady for a wife," he said with a wry grin.
Elise's cheeks colored. "Get away you and stop trying to embarrass me."
Nathan came up and took Trent by the arm "I think you've had too much wine Trent."
Trent shook his head. "Wine's not my usual drink of choice. I'll admit that. Maybe Devlin's tastes are too refined for me."
Devlin pushed his friend. "Just you get on your horse. It's getting dark. Don't want you losing your way home."
Trent shook his head. "No chance of that."
Nathan bowed in front of Elise. "I'd love it if you two could come over to our place. My wife is planning to cook something special. Maybe tomorrow?"
Devlin nodded. "That sounds mighty fine, Nathan. Doesn't it Elise?"
Elise smiled. "We'd be delighted to come over."
Nathan smiled in satisfaction. "Look forward to it. Thank you for the lovely meal and the even more delightful company," he said.
"You old charmer. You get going too," Devlin had said, pushing his friend toward the horse.
Now that both friends were heading off into the dusk Devlin twisted and gazed down at Elise. She had seemed so much more comfortable in the parlor, playing the role of the rancher's wife. She looked up at him and there was a satisfied look in her eyes.
"That went well," she said.
"It sure did. You were wonderful," he stated bluntly.
Elise seemed surprised at the directness of his compliment. "I just did what I was taught to by my mother. If you're a host you do your best to make people feel at home."
Devlin leaned closer and drew her tight against him. "I just think you're amazing," he whispered.
He saw her lower lip drop and realized he'd taken her by surprise. "You do?" she murmured.
Devlin sighed and leaned closer. He inhaled the scent of her and felt his heart beat faster. He wanted so badly to be close to her but he saw hesitation in her eyes. The need to kiss her rose up in him and his head dipped forward, but she turned her head slightly.
Devlin froze for a moment but he didn't act on the impulse to say anythi
ng. It was a delicate moment and he didn't want to spoil it by saying anything out of turn. He knew she must have her reasons for refusing his kiss. It hurt him. He had to admit that. He wanted so badly to taste her lips, to make her understand the strength of his feeling.
Elise dipped her head close to his chest and he felt that she was allowing him to stay close in spite of her denial. Devlin kissed her forehead and he was sure that he felt her soften in his arms as he did that.
She looked up at the darkening sky. "The stars are coming out," she said softly.
He looked up and saw the deep, dark blue above and the bright sparkling stars. "You want to sit on the porch for a while?" he asked.
She nodded. He led her over to the porch and in the most polite and gentlemanly fashion ushered her to the seat and let her take her place. She looked up at him as he stood above her. He wondered if she'd noticed the change she'd wrought in him in such a short time. He was becoming more of a rancher gentleman than he could ever have imagine possible. Was it possible that a woman could come into a man's life and change him so suddenly? He'd known what it was like to love someone and have that love cruelly taken away. And yet, here he was with a woman he barely knew, for whom he wasn't supposed to feel the intense sensations he was feeling. And yet he was being taken over by feelings he'd never thought possible.
It seemed inexplicable to him that he could have been affected by Elise so quickly. But he had to admit that it had happened.
Elise patted the seat next to her. "Sit down," she said quietly. "You're blocking the view."
Devlin sat down next to her and slid an arm around her shoulders. He felt her settle into him and he leaned his head down against her own. The sound of her breathing was soft and curiously calming. He felt the warmth of her body against him. He shifted his thighs so that he could feel her legs through the heavy fabric of her dress. Devlin felt her press closer against him. He caught himself smiling almost involuntarily. It felt so good to be so close to Elise. It was as if the events of the day had just faded away and all that was left was the closeness and the reassuring sense of being together, alone.
Devlin's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers Brides series) Page 6
