With a laugh, she kissed his lips, loving the way her husband fit against her. "At least there wasn't a trellis. So I went down the tree."
"And I wasn't there to catch you," he said, nuzzling his mouth along her neck. "No matter what happens, I will always be here to catch you."
With a sigh, she pressed her body against his. “Martin Scott, I love you more than I ever thought possible."
"What if we spent the night together in the cabin" he asked. “We can go by and tell grandmother everything is okay and then go to the place I love to begin our life together. I promise to keep you warm and love every inch of you."
A giggle escaped her and she sighed. "I would like that very much. Promise me our life will be filled with love and family."
"With every beat of my heart, I promise," he said, reaching for her hand as they walked toward their future.
Chapter 36
It was Meg’s wedding day. Her until death did they part day and she felt the need to make peace with her family. Dressed in her wedding gown, waiting at the church, she penned a letter to her mother and father.
Dear Momma and Papa,
I hope this letter finds you doing well. Today, I am remarrying Martin in a church with friends and family. After such a tumultuous start to our life together, we decided we wanted to redo our vows in a real ceremony. One where we pledge our love to one another.
Truly, I believe, Mother, you thought you were doing what was right for me, even though it was not what I wanted at the time. Over the weeks, I did fall in love with Martin, but he was not who you thought he was, he was so much better. He was not rich, nor was he the womanizer everyone believed.
Now we will have a normal life together.
And Papa, maybe you didn’t want me to leave the state, but you should have been honest. Never lie to me again or I will never speak to you again.
Both of you want the best for your girls, but promise me you will never treat Fannie and Daisy this way. It worked out for me, but only because Martin is a wonderful man. Let them find their husbands their way.
One other bit of news. I'm opening up my very own dress shop this spring in Pagosa Springs, where dresses I design will be available for sale.
Your loving daughter,
Meg Scott
Grandmother came to the door just as Meg folded the letter and put it in an envelope. She'd taken the first step toward reconciliation. Now it was up to her parents.
“Cora, it's time,” Alice said.
Meg took her arm. "Thank you for walking me down the aisle."
"I'm honored dear. Let's go have a wedding,” she said smiling.
Chapter 37
Martin Scott stood in the front of the church and waited for his bride. One of the men from the congregation stood beside him as his best man. Meg elected to have his grandmother as her maid of honor. The three of them lived together in harmony and the wedding was a mere formality and yet it wasn't.
When they said their vows at the Valentine's ball, they had been angry and hurting. This time, the words would hold special meaning, and this time, they were in God's house of worship, pledging their love to one another.
This time they were happy to make this their official day of joining and Martin knew his wife longed for a wedding filled with love. Meg and his grandmother quickly designed a gown and worked on the dress every day while he labored in the field, keeping the design a secret until today.
Though only a few people gathered for the ceremony, mainly his grandparents’ friends, he didn't care. Although he wished his grandfather would’ve been here to celebrate with them, he felt incredibly blessed. In the last month, he found his way in life and also a woman he loved more than his next breath.
The Valentine's ball had a happy ending.
The organ began to play and the people in the church stood as his wife appeared at the door, his grandmother escorting her down the aisle.
The gorgeous white dress Meg wore was stylish, but the main thing he noticed was the smile on her face and the love reflecting from her gaze.
With a grin, he realized these two spunky women would keep his life interesting. His grandmother guiding him in the ways of the ranch and his wife, guiding his heart to make the right decisions. With a sigh, he stepped down and took his bride’s hand in his.
The moment for them to join as man and wife again had arrived. This go-around, God was upon them.
"This time, it's for keeps," he said softly.
"This time, it's forever," she responded.
Martin Scott led his bride to the altar. He couldn't wait to experience life with his scandalous debutante.
Thank you for reading the debutantes of Durango. I hope you enjoy them. Next up is Fannie’s story and she’s a red-haired spitfire who likes to push the limits for proper young women. Here is an excerpt:
The Debutante’s Gamble
February 1888 Durango, Colorado
Fannie Trippe watched the dancers go by and wished she could escape the Debutante Ball. Outside, a snowstorm had locked them in the hotel, keeping everyone from escaping, except her sister Meg.
The girl had gotten into trouble when she tried to leave the ball via a second-floor window and falling into the arms of the man her mother had been pushing her toward.
The chandeliers glowed and she watched the beautiful gowns swirl by and wished she was playing poker.
Now the ball seemed to have a mellow spirit after the screaming match in the library between her sister and parents. One thing her family never seemed to lack…
Drama.
Since her family was the center of curious attention, she doubted anyone would dance with her. All dressed up in a beautiful purple silk gown with an empty dance card. Bored, she stood with the other women waiting to dance, wanting to leave and go to the gambling hall. At least there, her chances of winning were high.
Here, she stood, tainted by scandal.
A tall dark-haired man walked up to her, his emerald eyes twinkled in the candlelight. Dark bushy eyebrows and a neatly trimmed mustache sat above his full lips. A mysterious air clung to him and immediately she was drawn to the smile on his face.
“Would you care to dance?”
“Yes,” she said, thinking it was better than standing against the wall while the rest of the room whispered about her sister and the tycoon’s son being caught in a scandalous situation.
“Are you enjoying the ball?” he asked.
What could she say? Oh yes, especially when my family got into a screaming match in the library. But a polite woman did not express her opinions. Or so she’d been told. But then she was known for her outspokenness. But for once, maybe it was better she kept quiet.
“It’s lovely,” she said.
“You are very beautiful,” he said, leaning close to her ear. His breath tickled and she liked the smell of him. The way his arms felt holding her.
“Thank you, I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Walter Hersey,” he said.
The name escaped her and she waltzed about the floor in his embrace wondering if she could illude him and avoid telling him her real name. Because once he learned it was her family who caused the stir and the gossip, he would never speak to her again.
“And you are?”
Could she make up a name?
“My friends call me Red.”
He laughed. “I understand why.”
It was a nickname those closest to her knew, but for this man, she would not tell him her real name unless he insisted. And then he would walk away from her.
“What do you do, Walter Hersey?”
“I own a mining company,” he said.
“Gold or silver,” she asked.
“Silver and coal,” he replied. “It keeps me busy.”
“What do you do?” he asked, brow raised.
She couldn’t tell him she loved to gamble, instead she shrugged her shoulders. “Right now, I’m helping my father with his ranch.”
It wasn�
��t a lie, but it wasn’t the complete truth, either. About the only thing her father allowed his girls to do on the ranch was ride the horses.
The song ended and she expected him to escort her off the floor, but instead, he continued to dance to the next song, another waltz.
A smile crossed her face. “You’re an excellent dancer.”
“Thank you,” he said.
As they waltzed across the floor, she realized he was moving her toward the outside door. She glanced around and realized her mother had yet to return. Probably still convincing her sister that marriage was in her immediate future.
Did she want to go outside with this man? Would he think of her as being forward or did he know who her sister was and thought he could take advantage of the situation.
The man was attractive and she liked him, but not enough to ruin her reputation. Especially after what Meg had done tonight.
Suddenly she stopped. “I’m not going outside with you.”
He smiled, his eyes dancing with laughter. “Oh, I thought maybe we could sit outside and talk. Have a sip of punch.”
“In a snowstorm?”
“You’re the first woman I’ve danced with in six years. I thought it would be nice to talk without the crowd.”
The punch bowl was not outside, but rather across the other side of the room.
“Walter, I’ve enjoyed dancing with you. Good night,” she said and stepped out of his arms and walked across the floor to where all the young women waited for someone to ask them to dance.
Maybe it was innocent or maybe it was planned, but whatever, she would not be the second Trippe sister to create a scandal tonight. The risks she took were much more calculated without a crowd of gossiping women.
Fannie took one last glance at the handsome man. Though the thought of kissing his full lips was tempting.
To Continue Reading The Debutante’s Gamble Click Here!
Dear Reader,
Hard to believe this is book seventy. What a journey and I’m so glad that you enjoy my books. Next up is the Debutante Gambler and I loved the idea of a lady gambler and a hero with twins. And last, but not least is Daisy’s story in The Debutante’s Revenge. I live close to Durango, Colorado and love the rich history in this area. All three books are set around southwestern Colorado.
If you’re inclined, I would appreciate it if you left a few words about the book on your favorite retailer including Bookbub.
Want to learn about my new releases before anyone else? Sign up for my new book alert and receive a free book.
Yours in Drama, Divas, Bad Boys and Romance!
Sincerely,
Sylvia McDaniel
www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
[email protected]
More books in the series…
To read more about the residents of Durango, Colorado, look for these other books in
The Debutantes of Durango
Their parents want them to find good husbands…
They have other ideas.
The Debutante’s Scandal-Book 4
The Debutante’s Gamble-Book 5
The Debutante’s Revenge-Book 6
The Debutante’s Escape-Book 1
The Debutante’s Secret-Book 2
The Debutante’s Holiday-Book 3
And look for
The Debutante’s Christmas
Available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited
This Christmas!
USA Today Best-selling author, Sylvia McDaniel is an award-winning author of seventy western historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, look for her books on Amazon.
Married for over twenty-five years to her best friend, they recently moved to western Colorado and are enjoying the mountains. Sylvia loves hiking, camping, knitting and football (Cowboys and Bronco’s fan).
www.SylviaMcDaniel.com
The End!
The Debutante's Scandal: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 4) Page 12
