The Debutantes of Durango Box Set Books 1-3

by Peggy McKenzie

  John took a deep breath. This was the biggest gamble of his life. Could he pull it off? He damned well better or his life would be in shambles.

  John stuck his hand out to his new employer. "Yes, sir. We have a deal."

  Chapter Four

  Regina wore a path across the carpeted floor of her bedroom as she paced. Another glance at the clock on her vanity table pushed her impatience higher. Two more hours before she could leave the house without drawing suspicion from her father.

  Last night's party at John’s hotel had been full of blessings, as well as some strange goings-on.

  Her friend, Kelly, had simply disappeared. Regina was worried about her, but she suspected that her friend had left of her own accord. At least, she certainly hoped so.

  Then, Samantha Wortham had fallen down the winding staircase exposing her drawers to the entire ballroom. That girl was something else.

  And finally, her friend, Meg Trippe, had somehow stumbled upon Martin Scott’s hiding place. A few hours later, it seems Meg and Martin were found in quite the compromising position and are now betrothed. So, the governor's son was now officially off the marriage market. And although she couldn’t be happier for the couple, she knew her father was livid and placed the blame squarely on her shoulders for letting him get away. But then, what else was new? He always found a way to hold her, or her mother, responsible for anything that didn’t go his way.

  As for her blessings, there were many. It was as if fate decided she needed an extra hand last night to carry out her mission. But by far, her biggest blessing came this morning when a note from John, hidden in a new book that was supposedly a gift from one of her friends, made it past her parents. He was going to do it. He was going to go along with her plan, and he wanted to do it today.

  Her heart stumbled at the thought. She couldn’t believe he was going to help her. Though she shouldn’t really be shocked, John had always been there when she needed him. It was the reason she had gone to him in the first place. He never made her feel as if she didn’t matter.

  Her parents had slept in after last night’s party. Brunch had come and gone in a haze of what-ifs and waves of anxiety. Regina did her best to sit quietly in the library and reread her note between the pages of her new book, but her nervous energy had her pacing in front of the window more than she pretended to turn unread pages.

  Regina had no idea what it would take to pull off this charade, but she knew if anyone could do it, it would be John. She knew she could place her trust in him. Though he would need to produce some rather convincing documents to fool her father. Once he learned of their marriage, he would immediately demand to see the proof and if he detected the slightest flaw with the papers, her father wouldn’t hesitate to get the authorities involved.

  She stopped those thoughts in their tracks. She wouldn’t allow herself to doubt that John could provide convincing documentation. This plan of hers had to work and she knew John was savvy enough to know exactly what needed to be done. She was certain of it.

  She had no doubt all hell would break loose once news of her marriage to John got out, but if she didn’t go through with it, it was only a matter of time before her father found her another husband so he might advance himself in society.

  She would rather take matters into her own hands instead of waiting to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. At least with John, she knew she could trust him. Besides, wasn’t it her own mother who had given her the idea? She had told Regina she had a choice: make the best of the situation or become its victim. Regina had made the best of it.

  Three chimes on the clock in the hall told her it was time to go. She glanced out the window and just knew her luck was holding. The waning sunlight of the overcast afternoon was all the better to aid in her subterfuge. Her heart beat against her ribs and she inhaled a slow deep breath for courage. This was her chance.

  She gathered her velvet cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. She stuffed her kidskin gloves into her reticule and pulled the drawstrings closed. It was time.

  Regina held her head high and cautiously opened the door to her bedroom. Stepping out into the hallway, she stopped and listened. All was quiet except for an occasional clanking that could be heard coming from the kitchen as Cook was preparing the evening meal.

  Her trunks were packed and waiting in her bedroom under a quilt. She just hoped her father would allow her to take her personal belongings once he heard the news.

  She smiled to herself at the thought of boldly declaring her marriage to her father. Regina had to admit the prospect was both frightening and exhilarating, as there was certainly no love lost between her father and her pretend husband-to-be. But John would protect her. Of that, she had no doubt.

  Tiptoeing down the carpeted stairs, she cautiously entered the grand foyer. Again, silence. She had a story prepared in case her departure was intercepted, but so far so good.

  Standing at the front door, her heart in her throat, she pulled her cloak's hood up over her hair and stepped outside into the crisp cold air of late fall, careful to close the door quietly behind her.

  The click of the latch sounded like an explosion in her ears. She chastised herself for being afraid. And yet, she was very afraid. Afraid of being trapped in a marriage to a stranger. Afraid of being discovered before she could reach John and finish what she started. Afraid she might miss her one and only chance to escape this suffocating life.

  She quickened her steps to make her escape. Regina knew when John was a young man of sixteen or so, he’d endured her father's threats and insults. Now that he was a man, Regina knew he would stand up to her father, but she also knew he wouldn’t go to extreme measures to defend himself. She worried that if push came to shove her heartless father would take advantage of John’s decency and use it against him. Because her father had no problem using unscrupulous tactics against anyone he wanted to best.

  A twinge of guilt pricked her resolve, and her steps faltered on the snowy sidewalk. John deserved better than to be placed in the middle of a battle between her and her father. He had worked long and hard to build his life. Who was she to tear it down?

  She was just around the corner from the hotel when her resolve faltered completely. Was she being selfish in her bid for freedom? Too selfish? Were the consequences for John too great? Perhaps this idea of hers required more thought. Perhaps she should—

  "Excuse me. Aren’t you Miss Beckett?" Regina turned to see a young woman entering the side door of the hotel.

  "Umm, yes, I am. Do I know you?" Regina pushed her hood back and studied the woman. Her dress was plain gray wool and her cloak had seen better days. No. She didn't think their paths had crossed.

  "No. At least, we've never met officially, but I know who you are. I’ve seen you a few times during The Ladies Club of Durango meetings. I brought drinks and refreshments once or twice to the club members.”

  The young woman motioned to the door in front of her, her hand on the knob. “Would you like to come this way instead of going through the grand lobby? That way everyone won’t notice your arrival.”

  Regina studied the woman again. It was obvious she knew something, but what precisely was unclear. Though perhaps she did have a point, it was safer to enter through the side door. Less chance she would run into anyone who knew her father. The last thing she needed was her father showing up with dueling pistols.

  She followed the young woman down several long hallways until she realized where she was—just outside John’s office.

  "Mr. Kingston will be along shortly. You can wait for him in here.” She motioned toward John’s closed office door. “If there’s anything you need, Miss Beckett, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. My name is Mary." The woman curtsied and turned to leave. Regina reached out and touched her arm to stop her.

  "Please, call me Regina. All my friends do," she offered.

  The tall willowy woman blushed. "Thank you, ma'am. I'd be honored." She curtsied again and went o
n her way.

  Regina smiled and stepped inside. She gasped at the unexpected sight. The room was beautiful. Absolutely. Incredibly. Beautiful.

  "Oh my." They were the only words she was able to speak.

  She pushed her cloak off her shoulders and lay it across the back of a chair. Her reticule followed.

  Regina stood motionless and took in every detail. Where on Earth had John gotten so many candles? They were everywhere, casting the darkened room with a romantic glow only candles could bring. How had he done all of this in such a short time?

  She sat down and sank into the chair’s cushion, her guilt pushing tears into her eyes. John was such a dear friend. Could she really put his future at risk just so she could escape her father? What would happen to him once she left Durango?

  She must think through these ramifications. Before it was too late.

  John took another lap around the main room of his third-floor suite. He knew Will was watching his every move, but he needed time to think before answering his friend’s questions.

  "John, are you sure about this? I don’t know Regina Beckett, but I would think she might be more than a little upset when she learns she's in a legally binding marriage, rather than the temporary arrangement she proposed. Do you know the reason behind her wish to not be legally wed?”

  “Yes. She said she’s tired of not having a say over her life. To live every day in the precarious position of another person’s whims. To always be at their mercy.”

  “Then give her a say. Tell her she can be an equal partner in your marriage.”

  “She won’t believe me even though she says she trusts me. Her father has done one hell of a job on her faith in others. She won’t be happy with anything less than her freedom and the ability to govern her own actions. Alone. With no interference from anyone. Especially a husband. Besides, Will, I can’t guarantee I’d be able to let her go when she’s ready to leave. I …I care for her.”

  Will gave him that look that said he knew what John was trying so hard not to say, but his friend let the obvious response alone. Instead, he offered John the only advice he had.

  “If you can’t be honest with her about your true feelings and are determined to marry her, then you need to persuade her to change her mind about only pretending to be married. You need to make her want to stay married to you—permanently. And you need to do it before she finds out the truth. If she finds out that you betrayed her trust before she decides to stay, then you my friend are going to find yourself in a very bad place.”

  “Don't you think I know that? I plan to tell her the truth as soon as the right moment presents itself."

  “Don’t you think any information after the fact is gonna be too late?” Unfortunately, Will’s observation hit a little too close to home.

  John didn't want to do things this way, but he could see no other solution. It was the only way he could help Regina and follow through with his promise to Ben. He refused to analyze his own feelings in the matter.

  "Are you sure about this, John? When Regina finds out that you tricked her—"

  "Damn it, Will. I’m asking you as a friend to do this for me." He took another lap around the room, this time ending directly in front of his friend. "I will even offer you an incentive. Being such an appalling poker player you owe me quite a lot of money, I will wipe your slate clean if you will agree to do this."

  "I'm not saying I won't do it, John. I'm just appealing to your sense of honor before I agree. Are you certain you can live with yourself once it’s done? Can you live with the consequences if Regina is not as understanding as you hope?"

  He wasn't certain of anything at the moment, but he had made promises and he had to keep them.

  "I don't have to tell you how I feel about Regina. She is…very special to me, and I would never intentionally hurt her. I will admit, it is my greatest hope that I can convince her that our marriage can be a blessing to her. I am also hoping that I can make her…” He stopped talking, unsure how to articulate his feelings to his friend.

  "Look, John. I’m no fool. You’ve danced all around the word you are trying so hard not to say, but it’s obvious you’re hoping to make her fall in love with you. I can see it plainly on your face. It is the first time since I’ve known you that I have witnessed your emotions so openly on display. I hope it is for my eyes only. To show her how deeply you feel for her this early in the relationship could be detrimental to the outcome you are hoping for. You may scare her off before you have time to convince her to stay." Will stood and clamped his hand on John's shoulder. "I fear for you, my friend. This is a gamble you can't afford to lose. But, if you are determined to move forward with this plan of yours, I will do my part and wed the two of you. And I hope you get all your heart desires.”

  John's relief was palpable. "Thank you, Will. Consider your debt to me paid in full."

  "We shall see whether you feel you have made a good wager when this is all said and done. Now, my friend, let's get you married, shall we?"

  Relief flooded John's chest. "Yes, let's get me married. To Regina." He spoke the words to hear how they sounded. They sounded wonderful to his ears.

  “Are you ready?” Will stood and walked across the room to his liquor cabinet.

  "I'm ready. The room has been prepared. And Mary said Regina is downstairs waiting in my office.”

  "How do I look?" Will asked.

  John turned to see his friend splashing good bourbon down the front of his shirt. His vest was buttoned crooked and he gave the overall appearance of a drunken fool.

  "What on earth are you doing?” John asked as he pushed his arms through his new black suit coat he had bought just for the occasion. He grinned at his friend and shook his head in amusement.

  "I want to make certain if this plan of yours goes south, I have an excuse ready to deny my culpability and feign innocence," Will said. "I'm a federal judge, John. My career might be more able to overcome a weak moment in judgment than a deliberate act of misusing my judicial powers. I too have a reputation to protect, friendship and gambling debt aside."

  "I understand, Will, and I promise if something untoward happens, I will not hold you responsible in any way," John assured his friend.

  Will threw his head back and laughed. "John. You have so much to learn about women. I'm not fearful of you. Or the law. It is the woman you are about to marry that puts fear into my heart."

  "Regina is such a sweet timid thing. She isn't capable of wishing harm on another person."

  His friend laughed again. "You have had no experience with a vengeful woman, I see. Let us pray that remains so as the months unfold. Now, let us proceed with this plan before we both come to our senses."

  John dismissed his friend's dire warnings. He knew Regina. Will did not. She would thank him for his tricking her when she grew to love him. He was certain of it.

  He led Will down the carpeted hallway to the grand staircase where they made their way down to the first floor. They then headed down a back hall to his office.

  John nodded to a couple of gentlemen in the hallway. They were headed to the gambling room, so they didn't stop to chat. For that, he was grateful. His mind was too distracted for idle chatter.

  "Here we are," he informed Will as he reached for the doorknob. John hesitated a moment and took a deep breath.

  "Having a change of heart, my friend?" Will spoke from behind him.

  "No. Not a change of heart. It's just that…when I walk through this door, my life, and Regina's, will change forever." Refusing to allow his doubts to make this decision for him, he twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door.

  There stood Regina, her coat draped over her arm, her hand on the doorknob as if she were preparing to leave. Had she changed her mind? John's heart slammed into his ribs.

  "Regina. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. Are you going somewhere?"

  Chapter Five

  Regina was still standing at the door, her hand on the knob trying to
decide whether she should stay or go when John opened the door.

  There he stood, in his black suit, looking amazing. As handsome as any man she had ever laid eyes on.

  His dark beard and mustache were neatly trimmed and his black hair, curling just at his collar, gave him a rakish appearance that made Regina's toes curl inside her shoes.

  And, he was not alone. She stepped back to allow the men to enter. The man with John closed the door behind them and locked it.

  "Regina, I’m so glad you made it safely out of your house. I take it your parents are not yet aware of your absence.”

  “No, they are none the wiser for the moment, but that won’t hold true for long, I fear.” She felt like a coward for keeping quiet when she should be setting her friend free from this disastrous plan.

  He smiled at her and took her coat, laying it across the same chair she had only moments ago. Then, he pulled her hands into his. The concern on his face made guilt tighten her chest. She should really say something about her change of heart, but John spoke first.

  “Regina, I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Will and he has agreed to perform the ceremony for us."

  The man offered her a nod in greeting and a stiff bow. What must he think of her, asking John to pretend to marry her?

  "Hello, Will." It was all she could muster for fear her emotions would give her doubts away. Did John think this person would fool an observant eye as someone who could officiate a wedding ceremony? His appearance was disheveled, and he reeked of alcohol.

  John took her hand in his. She liked the way his skin felt against hers.

  "Shall we begin? I'm certain you want the marriage certificate signed before there is any chance your father can stop us," John suggested.

  The image of her father storming into the room and harming John in some way pushed her doubts away. For now. There would be time to reproach herself later. Now, she must pretend to wed her friend and yet—