Elise voice was soft when she spoke. "Maybe we should be acting a bit more like Nathan and Abby."
"What do you mean, Elise?"
"They look so...together. Don't you think?"
"I guess so," he said fixing his gaze on the track ahead.
"It didn't take them a whole lot of time. Did it? They seem so close. And in such a short space of time," she said.
Devlin looked at Elise. "That was different. They kinda knew each other by mail. They wrote letters to each other for months."
"I know. But you get my meaning. Now that they live here, in Montana, they seem to have settled with each other real quick."
Devlin pulled on the reins and drew the horses to a halt. "What are you saying Elise?"
Elise clasped her hands in her lap and stared out ahead. She took a deep breath and then spoke: "I guess I'm saying that you and I should be a real couple. In every sense," she said softly and with a calm finality.
Elise could hardly believe what she had just said to her husband. Had he understood what she'd meant? In fact did she even mean that? Was she asking for intimacy, the closeness that would allow them to be like Abby and Nathan?
Devlin's brows lifted and his mouth opened. The breeze blew gently and shifted loose hair across Elise's face. Devlin reached over and moved the hair aside, his intent gaze settling on her features. There was a long pause and his eyes softened. Elise felt something shift inside her and her throat tightened imperceptibly.
The crease of a smile turned the corners of Devlin's mouth. "Elise. You know what I feel about you. I told you on the way here."
"I know that Devlin."
Devlin's eyes narrowed suddenly and he leaned in, his warm lips claiming her own. The caress of his mouth was delicate and gentle. Elise felt herself go heavy as she submitted to his tender attentions. His kiss was tender at first, but then his lips were suddenly persuasive and commanding in a way that took Elise by surprise. There was a passion in the kiss that hadn't been there before. Elise reached up and ran her fingers through his dark hair. The scent of Devlin overwhelmed her and the warmth of his body, so close and so firm, threatened to make her lose herself.
He'd believed her, she thought. He'd truly understood what she was telling him. She felt a surge of relief that he had grasped what she was requesting of him, even if the words had been unspoken. He knew now that she wanted their relationship to change, even though they'd only known each other a very short time.
Their lips parted and Devlin was gazing deep into her eyes. "Elise. You are incredible."
Elise couldn't resist the urge to smile. She didn't say anything. She was merely content to gaze deep into her husband's eyes, celebrating the look that she saw there, wondering to herself where the passion she saw there had been hiding all this time.
The fierceness of his gaze suddenly made her feel a stab of anxiety. She hadn't seen that look before and she felt the color in her cheeks change.
With a sudden force she didn't know she possessed she wrenched her gaze away from him. Devlin took her chin gently in his cupped hand and turned her face back to him. He ran a thumb gently and slowly along her lower lip. "Don't you go looking away now," he growled.
Elise felt her eyes widen. Devlin kissed her once more, and yet again Elise felt the world shift beneath her. She leaned in close to him, wanting him to hold her, keep her safe. His teeth nipped at her lower lip and she felt his tongue probe gently.
Devlin drew his head away. His eyes were wide and his nostrils flared.
"What are we going to do about all this?" Elise asked desperately.
When Devlin spoke his voice was firm and slow, the words measured and emphatic. "You're my wife. That's all that matters. I don't care what others think. They'll do what they have to do. But I will not let you go."
He cupped her head in his hand and drew her gaze to his burning look once again. "You are mine, forever."
Elie felt a bolt of energy course through her when she heard those words. She leaned her head back and peered up at the deep, blue sky. It was as if the land had shifted around her. She suddenly felt dizzy. Devlin reached in and pulled her close to him. "There now Elise. It's okay. You're with me."
Elise sank into his embrace, feeling the welcome strength and warmth of his body. She gazed around at the glorious landscape. This was Montana and this was...what?
Love?
That word hadn't been uttered yet, and she was acutely aware of that fact. But didn't love take a long time. How could love appear so suddenly, so unexpectedly?
Devlin hadn't said that word and neither had Elise. The thought of it dominated her mind and she couldn't push it away.
Devlin held her tight and she felt that he would never let her go. Was this what it meant to be possessed, taken as a wife, held close, never to be let go?
It seemed that they sat still on the buckboard for a very long time. Eventually the horses started becoming restless. Devlin took up the reins and held them tight for a moment.
He looked at Elise. "You ready to go home?"
Elise nodded wordlessly.
Devlin leaned over and kissed her again. It felt so good to be the center of this man's attentions; to be the only thing in the world that mattered to him. His kiss made her feel that the whole world could do what it liked, but that nothing would stop them being together; nothing would stop her submitting to him.
Devlin smiled at Elise, reassuring himself that she was ready to go home. Then he moved the horses on, the buckboard rolling along the rutted track.
It seemed that everything had changed. It had only taken one moment and one declaration from the husband who she now thought was truly gentle and kind and wonderful. She knew he had meant what he said and all she had to do was trust him and commit herself to him completely. Only days before, that would have seemed impossible. But now it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
The hour long trip back to their ranch passed quickly.
Devlin looked across at Elise as they approached the hanging sign above the entrance to the ranch.
"You happy?" he asked.
"I am, Devlin. Never been happier," she answered.
Devlin smiled and steered the horses into the yard.
"Who have we got here?" Elise heard him say softly.
She looked toward the house and saw two men standing in front of the porch. Their horses were tied to the hitching rail. The men were pacing back and forth. They were both dressed formally in dark suits and had on wide brimmed dark hats. One of the men was scowling and smoking a thick cigar. Elise felt a knot of anxiety curl inside.
Then she recognized one of the men.
"What the hell..." she heard Devlin say.
Elise let out a polite expletive of her own.
What was Bart Caulfield doing here!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
This looked bad, Devlin thought urgently. What was Bart Caulfield doing here at this time? He glanced over at Elise and felt a rush of anger. All the happiness and contentment he'd seen on her face in the last hour had been wiped of her face in an instant. Her eyes were wide with fear as she stared at the two men pacing menacingly in front of the house.
Devlin drew the buckboard up and leapt down off the seat. He gestured to Elise. "Stay there, Elise. I'm gonna deal with this," he stated firmly.
She merely nodded. He saw her clutch her hands tight together in her lap.
Devlin whirled around as Bart Caulfield and the other short, middle aged man strode up to him. Caulfield threw his cigar down into the dirt of the yard and stamped on it.
Devlin took up a stance in front of Caulfield. "Get off my land, Caulfield," he demanded.
Caulfield smiled easily, unaffected by the harshness of Devlin's tone. "I will in a moment. But I thought I'd come out and give you the news, Cooper. And give you a chance to do the right thing," he said with a sneer.
Devlin frowned. What could Caulfield possible have to tell him that would constitute news?
&nb
sp; "News about what?" Devlin asked.
Caulfield gestured toward the short man with the piggy eyes and ill fitting dark suit. "Don't suppose you know Cyrus Fitzhugh here, do you," he enquired.
Devlin looked at the little man. He felt he did know that look, those deep set dark eyes, that rotund figure. The man played nervously with the watch hanging from his waistcoat. Devlin didn't like the look of him. Trouble had a look and he was seeing it right in front of him.
"Mr. Cooper. Pleased to meet you," the man said, lifting his hat. Everything about the little man said sleazy, thought Devlin.
"Mr.Fitzhugh is a lawyer. New to town. But he's a man with extensive experience of all things...how shall I say...matrimonial," Caulfield said slowly. He turned to Fitzhugh. "Isn't that right Mr.Fitzhugh?"
"Indeed it is. I have substantial expertise in the affairs of the heart. In an official capacity, of course," he said. The lawyer's voice was dry and wheezy like he'd smoked too many cigars. Devlin saw the man wore no wedding band. He couldn't imagine any woman getting close to such a tiny, little creep.
Devlin glanced back to the buckboard, making sure that Elise was keeping well back. He didn't want her near these two men. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to contain the urge to do something brutal to get them off his land sooner rather than later.
"Get to the point and get off my land. I'll give you two minutes and then I'm gonna haul the two of you out through that gate myself."
Caulfield held up his hands. "No need to get personal Cooper," he said contemptuously.
Devlin stepped forward and felt the urge to grab Caulfield by the lapels of his expensive jacket. But he kept his tight fists by his side. "This is personal Caulfield. You got no right to come out here, bothering me and my wife," he stated.
Caulfield looked over Devlin's shoulder. "Ah yes. Your wife. How are you this fine evening, Elise," Caulfield said lifting his hat.
Devlin turned and saw that Elise was fixing Caulfield with a ferocious stare that Devlin hoped he'd never be on the receiving end of himself.
"I'm fine Mr. Caulfield. Never been better, in fact," she answered.
Devlin saw her draw herself up, her back becoming ramrod straight,, her shoulders pulled back. Her expression was stern and determined. "And, for your information, my name is Mrs. Elise Cooper, if you don't mind," she stated with a clear, firm voice.
Devlin had to grit his teeth hard to stop himself from smiling.
Mrs. Elise Cooper!
Those words filled him with a feeling that he could hardly believe was real. It felt even finer than the sensations that had filled him when he'd kissed Elise and held her tight and safe in his arms only a short time ago.
Caulfield eyes widened and a low growl came out of him. She'd riled him, Devlin thought. Good for her!
Caulfield tried to take a step forward but Devlin placed himself in the way. There was no way that Caulfield was going to get any closer to Elise.
Caulfield paused and peered into Devlin's eyes. The two men faced off for a moment. Devlin didn't shift his gaze. Caulfield wasn't going to get the best of him.
The lawyer stepped forward, obviously sensing trouble. "Mr. Caulfield. We don't have much time. If we may proceed to the business we came out here to deal with?"
Caulfield shook his head and nodded. "Of course. Get on with it," he blurted out to Fitzhugh.
The lawyer cleared his throat. "In my capacity as legal counsel to Mr.Caulfield I have been asked to provide an opinion on the...legality of your marriage to your wife, Mr. Cooper," he said.
Devlin frowned. What was the man talking about? Legality. They'd been married in the church, hadn't they? The minister had confirmed that everything was above board. So what was this man talking about?
"I have been provided with proof that your marriage to Ms. Macleod is not strictly legal," the lawyer announced with a lowering of his head and a narrowing of his eyes.
Devlin laughed. "What on earth are you talking about? The marriage ceremony was conducted legally by the minister."
"That may be the case. But there are serious questions about whether Ms. Macleod was a willing participant in the process," Fitzhugh asserted.
Devlin looked back at Elise who was rooted to the spot on the buckboard seat. He wanted her to stay right there. Devlin frowned and let out an exasperated grunt. "Are you seriously saying that I forced Elise to marry me?"
"There are witnesses who will testify to that fact," Fitzhugh said slowly.
Caulfield smiled. "Her father says he heard you dragging her out of the house on the day of the wedding. That Elise was screaming that she wanted to marry me, because she loved me," Caulfield stated with a nod.
Devlin heard Elise let out a guttural groan from behind him.
"If it is the case that Elise married you willingly then I have a very delicate question to ask, which I'm not sure how I can ask, without seeming to tread on delicate, marital matters. If I can put it like that," Fitzhugh said his head cocking to one one side.
"What are you referring to?" Devlin demanded.
"If, as you claim, Ms. Macleod entered into the marriage freely and of her own will, then I take it that the marriage has been, how shall I say this, consummated?"
Devlin nearly exploded. How dare the little man ask such a question! Devlin leaned forward and Fitzhugh took a step back, his eyes widening in fear at the look on Devlin's face.
Caulfield reached out a hand. "Now then Cooper. It's a perfectly reasonable and legal question."
"Reasonable! You filthy minded dog. Get off my land. Or I swear I'll shoot you here on the spot."
"Now there's no sense in doing that,"Caulfield. "Especially over a woman," he concluded.
"What! Over a woman? Is that what you said?" Devlin roared.
Caulfield looked over at Elise. Devlin turned. He didn't want her to hear any of this. He wanted to send her inside the house, take charge of this situation, stop these men from sullying her reputation like this. But the damage had been done. It was too late. Devlin saw the expression on her face and knew that the words she'd heard had cut into her deep. There was a mixture of disbelief, outrage and sadness on her face right now and it made him want to tear Caulfield's head clean off his shoulders.
"My wife is not just any woman, Caulfield. She is the finest woman in Montana and you just tried to question her honor. You think I'm gonna stand here and let you do that?" Devlin shrieked.
He reached out and took Caulfield by the lapels and started to shake the man. A fire had exploded inside Devlin's mind. He had to protect Elise's honor. He wouldn't let this dog speak about her like that.
Devlin pushed his face into Caulfield's. He could smell the stench of tobacco from the man's mouth. They were going to face off and there was nothing that was going to stop it happening. Devlin pushed Caulfield back. The big man's mouth opened in surprise and spittle frothed at the corner of his lips. Caulfield stood firm and took hold of Devlin's shoulders, but Devlin didn't care. There was only one thing to do and no-one was going to stop him.
Suddenly Devlin heard Elise scream out Caulfield's name. It was shrill and cut through the red fog in his mind.
He whirled his head around and saw Elise leap off the buckboard and run toward him. Still grasping Caulfield, Devlin watched as Elise came to him, a pleading and desperate look on her face.
"No Devlin. Don't do that. You mustn't," she shouted.
Devlin's breathing was fast and his grip on Caulfield was still tight. Elise took his hands and loosened his fingers. Caulfield tried to lean in close toward Elise, but Devlin fixed him with a warning look. The bigger man leaned back.
Elise prised Devlin's hand off Caulfield and held his arm tight. "No Devlin. That's not the way."
"But Elise. Didn't you hear what he said?"
"I heard alright. And they can say what they want. Nothing's gonna change what I said to you before," Elise said, her voice shaking.
Caulfield's face set into an expression of mild disgust. "Wha
t an act! I don't believe one bit of this," he said.
Elise let Devlin's hand go and thrust her face into Caulfield's. "You better believe it. Because the truth is the only thing that matters here. You're a liar, Bart Caulfield. I'd rather have died than marry you. Luckily, in avoiding marriage to you, I found something real and true. Someone I can believe in," she said and turned to Devlin.
What was she saying? It sounded like a declaration. But of what? If he didn't know better it sounded like a declaration of...love. How could that be?
The look in her eyes answered his question. Her gaze was intent and penetrating, burning deep into him. It almost knocked him off his feet. Her face was filled with a sincerity that took him by complete surprise. He smiled at her and her eyes crinkled at him. There was that connection again; the one he'd felt before; the one he'd tried to keep his distance from before. But there was no more time for that anymore. The time for keeping away from Elise was gone now. It was time to accept his true feelings for her.
The time for running was over.
Caulfield's harsh voice cut into Devlin. "Never mind that. Mr.Fitzhugh here has advised me that this marriage is fraudulent and will be annulled once the proper procedures are gone through. With the help of your dear father's evidence, of course."
Elise whirled around and what she did next made Devlin just stand and watch in amazement. Elise swept her arm wide and fast and slapped Bart Caulfield hard across his left cheek. The sharp sound of it echoed in the yard. There was a brief moment of deathly silence. The man staggered back with the force of the blow and raised a hand to nurse his reddening skin.
"What'd you go and do that for Elise," Caulfield roared.
"I told you. My name is Mrs. Elise Cooper and I will see you in hell Bart Caulfield before I let you come between me and my husband," she yelled.
Devlin was stunned and proud at the same time. He reached out and pulled Elise away from Caulfield. "Elise come here. That's enough. You've made your point," he said softly.
Caulfield turned to his lawyer. "We best be going Fitzhugh. I thought I could talk Cooper into some sense. Maybe even agree that this marriage is a sham. But it seems that I'm on a fruitless errand here."
Devlin's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers Brides series) Page 9
