“Oh.” Will looks abashed at his outburst. “Well, that’s good.”
A creak of a floorboard outside in the hallway pulled him up short. “Who’s there?” he called out. When no one answered, Will got up from his seat and searched the hallway.
“Empty. Just an old building groaning I suppose.”
John nodded in agreement, but a prickly feeling crawled up the back of his neck warning him something was amiss.
Will waved from the doorway. “I’ll see you at the meeting, John” he said and disappeared down the hall.
“Yep, see you at the meeting,” John answered absentmindedly. Why was he so skittish? Because he knew the consequences if Regina learned the truth before he had a chance to come clean.
Soon, it was time to leave for the meeting. Regina was to meet him there, and he prayed Regina's father wasn't planning to ambush her at the meeting tonight, but he doubted the man would miss an opportunity to be seen or heard.
John left thirty minutes before the meeting was to start and walked the three blocks to the town hall. There was already quite the crowd milling around outside.
"Good evening, Mr. Kingston. Folks are talking around town about Mr. Scott picking you for his overseer. Hope that’s true. Folks know you’re an honest man," a man called out from somewhere in the crowd. John smiled in that direction and nodded his thanks.
He made his way through the crowded hallway and into the auditorium. Seats were filling up quickly. He scanned the room for Regina. He didn't see her, but he did see her parents. Thank goodness they hadn't seen him yet. He turned in the other direction and made his way down the outside aisle, stopping to shake hands with the people along the way.
He caught the eye of Ben who was standing on the raised stage by the podium. He motioned for John to join him. The second John stepped up the side steps and rose above the crowd, Regina's father spotted him and made a beeline in his direction.
"Hello, John. I hope you are prepared for this evening’s announcement. Everything we discussed taken care of?"
The shrewd businessman studied John and was about to say something when Regina's father pushed his way into the conversation.
"Well, what have we here? A sow's ear trying to pretend he's a silk purse?" Henry Beckett's voice sounded whiney and nasally. John's irritation rose a notch, but he ignored the man's comment. Instead, he greeted him, "Mr. Beckett."
Mr. Scott nodded to Regina's father. "Hello, Henry. Are you here for my announcement as to my choice of overseer?"
Henry turned toward the man and smirked. "I am. I wanted to make certain you had other viable choices to keep this con artist from pulling the wool over your eyes, Mr. Scott."
"Are you saying Mr. Kingston here cannot be trusted? Why I hear he is very well-liked in this community. And, I've heard tell he's quite the shrewd businessman."
Henry's upper lip curled up in contempt. "As I said, he's a con artist. A trait he learned from that degenerate father of his.”
John knew what Ben was doing, and he wished he would stop. The man was deliberately baiting Henry into an angry outburst, and he was using John as bait.
John also noticed a small number of people openly listening to the exchange, and as much as he disliked Regina's father, he would prefer not to be the other half of a public spectacle.
But Benjamin Scott was the kind of man who saw a weakness and went for it. Add in his intense dislike of Henry Beckett and there would be no stopping him.
"I'm curious, Beckett. Why do you keep saying John here is a con artist? We all know his father was, but John has proven himself to be an upstanding businessman in these parts. Has he done something to you? Is that why you are so bitter towards him?"
John leaned in. "Ben, people are starting to take notice . . ."
"I understand, John, but I would like Henry here to state his reasons openly for casting aspersions on your character. After all, we don't want the citizens of Durango, or my investors here this evening, to think that you are not the best candidate for the position."
John didn't like where this was going. Not that he wasn't confident that he was the best candidate, but Regina's father had a way of twisting the truth to suit his own purpose.
Ben Scott turned back to Regina’s father and pushed. "Henry, if there's something you would like to say, I suggest you say it. Otherwise, sit down."
"Yes, I have something to say. I call this degenerate a con artist because he conned my daughter. He lied to her and tricked her into marrying him."
John looked around and saw every eye on their little trio. His stomach lurched.
Ben’s lip parted in a smile of sorts, but John could see there was no humor it.
“I hear your daughter is lovely, Henry, but to call John here a con artist because your daughter married him might be construed as slander. I'd watch myself if I were you, Beckett. Do you have any proof he conned your daughter? Without hard evidence all you have are unfounded accusations.” The savvy businessman pushed sensing Henry’s weakness.
Henry's rage was apparent and several people standing close by took a step back. "I can say with certainty that John Kingston is the son of a con artist who died in a drunken stupor. And I can also say with equal certainty that the fruit never falls far from the tree. Read into it what you will. I also heard with my own ears, just this afternoon, this reprobate and his friend, Judge William Baker talking about how they tricked my daughter into a real marriage!" Henry declared.
John’s heart pounded beneath his ribs. So that was who was outside his door when he and Will were talking. Damn it!
Ben laughed at the man’s pompous declaration. “So, are you trying to convince this gathering, that John Kingston tricked your daughter into a legally binding marriage?” Ben turned to the crowd. “Wouldn’t it be more believable that he tricked her into a fake marriage? I mean, really Henry, John Kingston is quite a wealthy man. If he were a scoundrel, wouldn’t he take your daughter’s innocence and then cast her aside under a pretend marriage.
“If what you are saying is true, he is stuck with her as his legally wedded wife. What would be his motive, Henry? Tell us your theories.”
The room was so quiet, you could hear the collective breath waiting for Henry’s answer. When the man was obviously stumped for an answer, another voice spoke.
"Father, I think you have said enough. As always, your misjudgment of people does you a disservice.”
John turned to see his wife standing beside him. She slipped her hand into his and stood close as a sign of solidarity. She turned toward the crowd, every eye on the scene unfolding in front of them.
"I want everyone here to know that John Kingston is a good and honorable man. He did not con me into marrying him. I asked him to marry me."
A collective gasp sucked the air out of the room leaving John's stunned breath hanging in mid-air.
Chapter Thirteen
Regina had arrived at the meeting knowing there might be a confrontation with her parents, most likely her father. She had no idea it would be in front of the entire town.
When she stepped inside the room, it was painfully obvious her father was berating John in front of the town and she was not going to let that happen, especially since it was obvious her husband was taking the high road and not defending himself. Besides, he had nothing to apologize for.
She began pushing her way through the crowd, but as soon as people recognized her, they moved to either side. She felt much like Moses must have when he parted the waters of the Red Sea. Regina wasn't comfortable with all the attention, but she couldn't allow John to weather this storm alone. After all, he was being persecuted by her father because of his friendship with her.
She nodded to first one person and then another until she reached the steps of the stage. A gentleman standing close took her hand and helped her up the steep stairs. Her nervousness made her stomach churn, but she swallowed a couple of times to keep the contents of her stomach from rising.
Quick step
s brought her to John's side and without thinking she pulled his hand into hers. Then, she turned to face her father's anger. Her words were out before she knew it and by the collective gasp of the crowd, she knew her life would never be the same after tonight.
Her father's hands were clenched at his side. Regina recognized the rage that mottled his face and braced for his toxic words, which were sure to follow.
"Regina. You don’t know what you are talking about because you don’t know the whole story. You are too naïve to know he's playing you. You may think this was your idea, but I can spot a rotten apple when I see—"
"Stop it, Father. You are embarrassing us all in front of our friends and neighbors." Regina turned toward the crowd to speak so everyone could hear what she had to say. She didn't need to ask for quiet. You could hear a pin drop in the quietness of the room.
"I'm not the naïve brainless fool my father makes me out to be. I know John Kingston. He and I have been best of friends since we were children and he came to my rescue one day after school. Two bullies pushed me down in the dirt leaving me with a bruised ego and a scraped knee. John ran them off, helped me up, then walked me home. When we arrived, he was berated and called horrible names by my father, and even then, John offered me his friendship.”
She turned and shot a look of accusation and disdain in her father's direction. Then, she turned back to the audience who hung on her every word. "Ever since that day, I knew I could trust John Kingston. He is a man of honor, despite his father’s imperfections. I don't think a child should be held accountable for the sins of their parents. Do you?"
A soft murmur rolled through the crowd. She could see heads nodding in agreement. “I certainly hope I’m not held accountable for my father’s—indiscretions.” She cut a sharp look towards her father.
"I knew of my father's plans to pawn me off on Mr. Scott’s son, Martin. It was to be a business arrangement my father initiated to gain Mr. Scott's support to hire him for the overseer’s position. He made me painfully aware of his plans the evening of the debutante’s ball, so I took matters into my own hands and circumvented those plans by asking my best friend to marry me.
“John graciously agreed to my rather unconventional plan and we were married this past Sunday. It was a beautiful ceremony with just us two, one witness, and the man who married us." She kept her comments vague.
"As John's wife, I'm here to attest to his honesty. His integrity. And to the wonderful ideas he has that he hopes will bring about change for the working people of this town and the entire state. If you have any doubts about John's worth, then doubt no further. You will not find a better man for this job.”
Regina heard the emotion in her voice and realized she meant every word she said. She would defend John with every fiber of her body. Against her father. Against the whole world if necessary.
John crushed her into a hug and held her for several seconds while the thunderous applause filled the room. Then he turned her to face the crowd and another rumbling applause overwhelmed Regina.
Her father wasn’t ready to concede. “And would you still attest to his honesty and integrity if you knew that he lied to you about your wedding? That you proposed a temporary marriage of convenience, but he and his friend there, the Honorable William E. Baker, a federal judge, who is fully capable of legally marrying you to this scheming bastard, had other ideas?”
Regina heard her father’s words, but it took a moment or two for their meaning to sink deep enough for understanding.
Mr. Scott’s booming voice interrupted the crowd's appreciation. "Well, there is some truth to Beckett’s accusations, but I think John Kingston should be commended for setting his sights on the prize and doing whatever it took to grasp it. When I first spoke to John about giving him my support for the position, I told him the people of Durango, and my investors, would identify with him more if he were a married man. I offered him the job if he would agree to this marriage. I’m certainly glad to see he took my advice. Don’t these two make a lovely couple?”
The man's words punched at Regina's stomach. Confusion made her movements sluggish.
"Regina?” John whispered against her ear and took her by the hand and pulled her to the side in order for Ben to take center stage. Regina felt weak in her knees.
“Will everyone please be seated?" The man's booming voice could be heard over the occupants in the room, pulling their attention to his words.
"I want to thank everyone for coming out to this very important town hall meeting. This will be a critical position for the citizens of Durango and all points surrounding this new hub of commerce.” The man chuckled and turned to point at her and John where they stood. "You've heard from John’s wife, and her glowing adoration for the man is hard to miss, but I would like you to listen a moment to someone else who is also in support of John Kingston as my overseer for this region, and perhaps he's a little less biased than Mr. Kingston's new bride, although these two men have been friends for many years.
"This man is very well respected and he has dedicated his entire career to making impartial decisions based strictly on facts. So, without further delay, please allow me to introduce the Honorable William E. Baker, the territorial judge of Colorado."
Regina watched in disbelief as John's friend stepped from somewhere behind her and walked up to the podium to speak. Will was a judge? The same man who performed her make-believe wedding ceremony in a drunken stupor was the same man who provided her with a marriage certificate. He was a federal judge. A man legally capable of marrying her and John. And that is exactly what he’d done. Her father was right. John had…lied. How could he do something like this? He was her friend. The one person she trusted the most. And he had conned her.
She tried to listen as Will’s words vouched for his friend's integrity. And honesty. And character.
As Regina listened, the truth of her situation became increasingly clear to her. She realized John was still holding her hand. She needed to put some distance between them. She tried to discreetly pull her hand out of his, but he wouldn't let her go.
Instead, he leaned in and whispered, "Regina, please let me explain."
Regina looked up into those beautiful eyes she had always trusted. “There’s only one question I need you to answer. Is our marriage legal?” she whispered back to him behind her gloved hand in order to hide her words from the audience.
“It’s not that simple,” John whispered back.
“Yes, it is that simple. You knew I wanted a chance at independence. I was very clear about that when I came to you with my proposition. So, please answer my question. Did you arrange for our marriage to be legally binding or not?”
Regina shivered as emotions flooded her body. She had thought how wonderful it would be to be married to John, but that was before the possibility he had manipulated her just as her father had tried to do. Only this was worse.
Her father was at least honest about his intentions to use her as his pawn. Oh yes, this was much, much worse. Her world, the world she thought she was finally safe in, had just been shattered into a million painful shards of betrayal.
“Regina, I—”
She heard the regret in his voice. Her heart broke. So, it was true. For once, her father was right. John had used her to best her father in getting the position they both wanted. John. Had. Used. Her.
She refused to look at him, knowing she wouldn't be able to hide her devastation or her tears from the crowd in front of them.
He squeezed her hand and held on tight. People were watching, so she pasted on a bright smile even though there was no joy or happiness behind it. Standing on this stage in front of the whole town wasn't the place to have the conversation she and John needed to have.
She pasted a smile on her face and kept her eyes on the crowd in front of her listening to the man speaking. The man who had apparently legally married her to the man she had always thought was her most trusted ally and friend.
"And now, I'd like to
introduce the man who is going to put Durango, Colorado on the map as a huge tourist mecca and a prosperous town for us all. I welcome again the well-known and well-respected railroad and shipping tycoon who has graciously picked our town to invest in his next financial venture—Mr. Benjamin Scott.”
Regina not only heard the thunderous applause that signaled the end of Will’s speech, but she felt it through the stage's wooden floorboards. Will turned from the podium and sent her an apologetic look. Then his gaze shifted to John as he too began clapping for John
Her mind and body were numb, barely understanding everything that was going on around her. She saw Will come toward them from the podium and Mr. Scott take his place.
“And now, for the announcement you’ve all been waiting for, let me introduce Durango’s own son, local businessman, well-respected entrepreneur, and my next financial overseer, Mr. John Kingston. I suspect there will be great things to come with this young man in charge"
“John’s grasp on her hand was firm. He tried to pull her along with him to the podium to deliver his acceptance speech, but she refused.
"No, you need to go alone," she whispered through clenched teeth. Her fake smile still pasted on her face; she forcefully pulled her hand out of his. There was nothing he could do to make her go without causing a scene. She watched his eyes send her a silent message, but she didn't want to hear it, so she shifted her gaze to the man at the podium and then back to him. “Your public awaits, Mr. Kingston.”
She saw the resignation in his eyes as he offered her a slight nod before making his way across the stage to join Mr. Scott.
His new boss clapped John on the back and pushed him forward to the podium. “John, the citizens of Durango are waiting to hear what you have to say.”
The crowd cheered and John turned to acknowledge the crowd's acceptance of him. She cut an angry look to Will. He shrugged and mouthed sorry as if that were explanation enough. It wasn't.
It was time for her to go. Her face felt as if it had turned to stone holding her smile in place as she nodded to everyone she passed on her way to the stage stairs. A man reached out to help her down and she thanked him with her overexaggerated brightest smile. She was pretty sure it made her look a bit unstable. Did it matter? Her world was unstable.
The Debutantes of Durango Box Set Books 1-3 Page 13
