The Debutantes of Durango Box Set Books 1-3

by Peggy McKenzie

  “If you will allow me to speak, I will tell you.” Abbie laid her hand on her aunt's arm to soften her words that came out more harshly than she intended. “And I am sorry for having worried you both.”

  Aunt Lila had the good graces to look contrite, but she laid her hand across Abbie's to say all was forgiven.

  “Well, as you know, Mr. Bell and I have been quite enamored with one another. He really is a dear man. And quite handsome.” Abbie tempered her real issue with a little bit of subterfuge.

  “Yes, he is a handsome man, of that we can agree.” Aunt Jeannie said.

  “You and Aunt Lila had suggested that I slow down a bit because you said we really didn’t know that much about Matthew.”

  “He’s married. I knew it. A man that handsome and polite has to have a wife hidden away somewhere. I’ll bet he has kids too. A dozen...or more.” Aunt Lila’s outburst surprised both her and Aunt Jeannie.

  “Lila, really. You are getting way ahead of yourself.” Her Aunt Jeannie said and turned to Abbie. “She is getting way ahead of herself...isn’t she? He isn’t a married man, is he?” The look on Aunt Jeannie’s face made Abbie laugh.

  And the laugh relieved some of the stress that had been building all week. She started to giggle and then her emotions bubbled over and she couldn’t seem to stop. She laughed until her sides ached. All the while, both of her aunts exchanged looks that Abbie could read quite well. They thought she was coming unhinged. In a way, she supposed she was.

  Finally, she was exhausted and out of breath. “He’s not married. He has no children. And I’m not losing my sanity. But what I am losing is my perspective. You see, I kept my identity from Matthew because I thought he would want me because my father was rich.”

  Aunt Lila looked completely confused. “Isn’t that what you wanted? A man to fall in love with you and not your father’s money?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted, but—”

  “But what?” her aunts looked thoroughly confused.

  “He also doesn’t want me if I’m rich.” she stated the problem plainly, but she could see they still didn’t understand.

  “He thinks that rich folks are just taking up space on the Earth and giving nothing back. He thinks we don’t do anything with our lives but eat and drink and...and...and be merry,” she finished.

  Abbie could see Aunt Jeannie’s indignation. “How dare he make assumptions about our way of life. Obviously, Mr. Bell has not been around the right sort of ‘rich’ people. Just because your father doesn’t work with his hands, doesn’t mean he’s not a productive member of society and a compassionate human being. Why just think of all the money he gives to charity.”

  “I know, Aunt Jeannie. I was just so taken back by his comments, I didn’t know what to say to him. Or think. I’ve never known anyone in this world who wouldn’t want to marry an heiress.”

  “He said that? That he didn’t want to marry you?” Aunt Lila exclaimed. “You must have misunderstood him, dear.”

  “No, he didn’t say he didn’t want to marry me. In fact, just the opposite. He told me to wear the prettiest dress I could find to the Harvest Ball and that he would take care of the rest.”

  Her aunts exchanged confused glances and Aunt Lila turned to her. “So he is going to ask you to marry him at the Harvest Ball? That’s wonderful news. We must go shopping immediately for the perfect dress. You should wear something in gold—or green. Either of those colors will go perfect with your eyes. They are one of your best features, you know.”

  “Lila, I insist that you please stop talking long enough to let the girl finish telling us her problem, for I fear she hasn’t gotten to the point yet. So if you don’t mind.” Aunt Jeannie’s exasperation was evident.

  Aunt Lila huffed and closed her mouth again. She sent a pointed look to Aunt Jeannie and sat blinking at the both of them. Apparently, if she couldn’t move her mouth, then her eyelids would have to do.

  Aunt Jeannie turned back to Abbie. “Now, tell us the rest. If Matthew isn’t after your money, and he’s planning to ask you to marry him, which is exactly what you wanted from this holiday, what is troubling you?”

  “I fear he has a skewed view of rich people and I’m afraid once he finds out that I’m richer than most…”

  “You think he’s going to head for the hills.” Aunt Lila couldn’t help herself.

  Aunt Jeannie sucked in a deep breath sending Lila an exasperated look. Aunt Lila shrugged. Then they both turned their attention back to Abbie.

  “My dear sweet niece. This is all a new experience for you. You are used to being in charge. By that, I mean you are the one who usually decides who stays and who goes in your life. This time, it seems you’ve fallen for a gentleman who may have reservations about you because of his own pre-conceived notions. That’s a new situation for you.

  “But, if that is the case and Mr. Bell thinks less of you because of your family’s social standing, then the loss is all his.”

  Abbie knew Aunt Jeannie was giving her good advice, but her aunt didn’t know the whole story. How in the world was she going to tell her aunts that she had shared the most intimate of moments with Mr. Bell before she learned the truth about his beliefs?

  “Yes, that’s true, she admitted, but…we are a lot closer than we should be now, considering Matthew’s opinion of my family.”

  Aunt Lila stood up and came to stand in front of her. Her aunt studied her face for a moment or two and then exclaimed, “You slept with the man, didn’t you?”

  When she didn’t answer, her Aunt Jeannie came to stand beside Lila. “Abigail Livingston, what have you done?”

  Matthew was worried. It had been a week since he’d sent his telegram to Mr. Livingston. A whole week and no answer. Nothing. He’d questioned the telegraph clerk repeatedly to the point the man had practically banned him from the office. “If we get an answer, Mr. Bellamy, we will let you know. Until then, just assume we have not had an answer and you should stay away. Are we clear? You should not come around this office again.”

  The man had even made a veiled threat of calling the sheriff if he did. He’d also sent a telegram to Gus to see if he had had any inquiries from Mr. Livingston. No response there either. It was as if he had fallen into a deep well and there was no rope to help him climb out.

  And, it had been a whole week since he and Rose had gone to Roxi and Alex’s ranch. And during that week, he had yet to lay his eyes on his beautiful Rose.

  He had gone the next day to ask if she wanted to go on a picnic, but her Aunt Jeannie told him she wasn’t feeling well. “Perhaps tomorrow.” her aunt had suggested.

  So, he had gone back the next day. And the next. And the next. Something was wrong and he was going to find out what it was. If she had changed her mind about him because of...the time they spent under the willow trees, he would just have to convince her otherwise, because nothing and no one was going to keep him from Rose. Not even Rose herself—at least not without an explanation.

  The more he thought about it, the more his frustration bubbled. He had made his mind up, he was going to pay Rose a visit this afternoon and if she didn’t see him, he was going to demand answers from her aunts. And he was good at getting answers. He wouldn’t be a very good private investigator if he wasn’t. His current situation with the missing heiress notwithstanding he reminded himself.

  Matthew left the hotel and walked toward the bank. He’d meant to cash a bank note the day after he and Rose returned from the carriage ride. He hadn't brought a lot of cash with him on this trip, and hadn't planned on using so much of what he had brought to send all those telegrams.

  Twenty minutes later, Matthew had cashed his banknote to include enough money to buy Rose a nice engagement ring. He didn’t want to propose to her in front of the whole town without something nice to slip on her finger.

  His business at the bank concluded, he headed toward the jewelry store, but his steps slowed as his thoughts conjured up Rose’s absence in
his life this past week. He decided that he and Rose needed to talk out whatever was bothering her and get it settled before the ball. No point spending money on a ring Rose no longer wanted. The thought punched him in the gut as he walked the few blocks to Rose’s.

  It was a short walk to the big house on the corner and Matthew had to admit he was nervous. If Rose had changed her mind about—everything, he would be devastated, but he supposed he would get over it eventually. But what if...what if Rose was already with child? His child. There was no way in hell he would walk away from that kind of responsibility. No way. No how.

  His suspicions forced him to walk up those steps and knock on that front door. He had to admit he was a little bit terrified of Rose’s aunts, but he had to know where Rose stood when it came to him and their future.

  The door swung open and there stood both of her aunts. Without a word, Aunt Lila grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him inside. He was completely caught off guard and rather surprised by the woman’s strength.

  “Get in here, young man. You have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” It was all he could get out of his mouth before Rose’s other aunt pushed him from behind and the two women manhandled him into the parlor and closed the door behind them.

  Aunt Jeannie spoke first. “Sit down, Mr. Bell. We want answers. And you're not leaving this room until Lila and I are satisfied with them. Do we make ourselves clear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” he said for a second time.

  Rose’s Aunt Lila circled around behind him with a silver teapot in her hand. He turned to watch her movements. She made him very nervous. That teapot could crack a man’s skull if the woman had a mind to use it on him. He knew for certain she had the strength to make it happen too. Wasn’t this the aunt with the missing husband? The thought sent caution coursing through Matthew’s body. He needed to be on high alert with this one.

  “Lila, please sit down. You’re making the man nervous. And I have to admit, you hovering with that empty teapot is making me a bit nervous as well. I don’t want to have to tell our niece you’ve killed the man she loves.”

  He watched as Rose’s Aunt Lila sent him a pointed look then took a chair next to the table, cradling the teapot in her lap. It was clear he probably shouldn’t turn his back on that one.

  “Ladies, I’m at a loss as to what’s happening here. Would you be so kind as to tell me what is going on? Where’s Rose? I’m been trying to see her since our trip out to the ranch and she has been as elusive as a leprechaun.”

  “All we want to know is this, Mr. Bell. Do you love our niece, and do you plan to propose to her at the Harvest Ball?” Aunt Jeannie demanded to know.

  “We’ve talked about it.”

  “But are you going to propose to our niece? It’s a yes or no question, Mr. Bell.” Rose’s aunt was determined to get an answer.

  “Of course, I want to marry Rose. The problem is I don’t know if she still wants to marry me. I can’t get her to talk to me. That’s not the normal behavior of a young woman who wishes to marry, Mrs. Randall.”

  “Who is Mrs. Randall?” the aunt with the teapot asked.

  “It’s me, Lila. I’m Mrs. Randall, remember?” Aunt Jeannie gave the woman a look that set Matthew’s instincts on high alert. What was going on here?

  “Oh, that’s right, Randall. I remember now.”

  He turned to look at the aunt with the presumably faulty memory and pinned her with his best investigator stare. “Why would you question her last name, Mrs. Beckett? That seems like a strange thing to do when you two are supposed to know each other so well.”

  “It’s nothing. She does this all the time. She’s losing her marbles, I’m afraid.” Aunt Jeannie assured him.

  He watched as Rose’s Aunt Lila puffed up in indignation. “Now, Jeannie. I take offense to that. My mind is as sharp now as it ever was. That’s a very unkind thing to say.”

  “Lila, will you please stop talk— ”

  Matthew stood and used his height to tower over the two women. “Alright ladies, I want to know exactly what is going on here.”

  “That’s exactly what I want to know. What precisely is going on in here?” All three occupants of the room turned to see Rose standing at the doorway. Shock stole the color from her features. When no one answered, she turned to him.

  “Matthew? What are you doing in here?”

  “Well, I came to talk to you and your aunts shoved me in here, and— ”

  "Aunt Jeannie? Aunt Lila? You better not be doing what it is I think you’re doing.” Rose shot a terrified look in their direction. “Please tell me you’re not.” When they didn’t answer, she turned her attention back to him.

  He could tell she was very upset. “Would you ladies mind if Rose and I had a little privacy? There are some things we need to get straightened out.”

  Her aunts looked to Rose and she nodded. “It’s fine. Matthew and I do need to talk.”

  “Very well, but we’ll be right outside, Mr. Bell.” Aunt Lila declared. Then, she picked up her teapot and followed Mrs. Randall out the door closing it behind them.

  “No eavesdropping, ladies.” Matthew shouted out. He heard the teapot hit the floor and the shuffle of feet fading down the hall.

  Matthew turned to Rose. “What’s wrong, Rose? Why don’t you want to see me? Do you have regrets about—what we did? If you do, I can understand, but talk to me. Tell me what has changed. Is it your feelings for me? Have they changed?"

  He watched Rose. She was shaking her head. “No, Matthew. My feelings for you haven’t changed. Not in the least.”

  “Then what has happened? Something has or you wouldn’t be avoiding me the past week.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Sweetheart, you can tell me anything.” Matthew assured his beautiful Rose.

  “I’m not exactly who you think I am, Matthew. I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t expect to— ”

  “Fall in love?” Matthew could see Rose’s love for him shining in her eyes, but something was troubling her deeply, and he wasn’t leaving until he knew exactly what that was.

  “Yes, I—had planned to come to Durango for a holiday, away from my parents and experience a little freedom.”

  “I’d say we accomplished that mission, wouldn’t you?” He smiled and reached out to touch her cheek. He could tell by the blush on her cheek she was thinking about their afternoon by the river as well.

  “Yes, we certainly did.”

  “And is that what’s bothering you? You wished we...hadn’t.”

  “No, not exactly. You see, I didn’t realize that you held...a prejudice against...certain people.” she stammered.

  “Prejudice? Me? Why on earth would you say that? I’ve told you of my humble beginnings. No one knows more than me about hardworking people and their struggles. What would give you that idea?” He was truly dumbfounded at her comment.

  “You did.”

  “I did?"

  “Yes, when we were returning from Roxi and Alex’s ranch, you said that a certain kind of person was useless and didn’t deserve the space they took up on the Earth.”

  Understanding punched through Matthew’s confusion. “You mean when I was talking about rich people? I was only trying to make you feel better. You seemed so distressed when you were trying to tell me about your family. I just wanted you to know that not having a lot of money was nothing to be ashamed of. That’s all.”

  “But you said people with money didn’t understand what it was like to have to work for every dollar they earned, and they didn’t know what it meant to make ends meet.”

  “Rose, what’s this all about? Why do you care so much about these people?” Matthew was back to confused again.

  “Because my father has—money. Now. He didn’t always have money. At one time, he was a young boy living on the streets picking through other people’s garbage. When you said they don’t understand what it takes to make a living,
that doesn’t apply to my father.”

  “Rose, I was talking about those families who are born into money. From the day they are born, everything is handed to them. It doesn’t sound like your father is one of them. It sounds like he knows what it takes to sacrifice and to get ahead. That makes him a part of the working class because he knows what an honest day’s work feels like.”

  “But I thought you meant that if he had money, then— ”

  “No, Rose. That’s not what I meant at all. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear. Good for your father. He found a way to be successful. To be able to earn enough money in order to live comfortably and have the means to spoil his daughter. He’s faced overwhelming odds and he has succeeded. He earned his place in this world. He’s not just taking up space. He sounds like a resourceful man who was dealt a bad hand, he worked hard, and he won in the end. You should be proud that he’s your father.”

  “I am proud of him.” He could tell Rose meant it.

  “And I know he’s very proud that you are his daughter. How could he not be?”

  Matthew realized he was going on and on, but he wanted to hear that Rose understood what he was trying to say. “Rose, I would never judge another person or hold a grudge against them because they had worked hard and managed to achieve success for themselves and their family.

  “That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m working hard to build my business so I can make a decent living—for my family.”

  “For your family?”

  “Yes. Hopefully, after the Harvest Ball, when we return home to Philadelphia, you and I can start that family.” Matthew couldn’t keep the hope out of his voice. “Do you think that’s a possibility, Rose?”

  He could see tears shining in her beautiful eyes. “I think that’s a very good possibility, Mr. Bell. A very good possibility, indeed.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Abigail was deliriously happy. She now understood Matthew’s meaning and she had gotten it all wrong. He wasn’t against people with money because they had money. On the contrary, he was against people who didn’t know how to work and people who took their money and their lifestyle for granted. And even though she still had yet to tell Matthew exactly how well her father had succeeded from his days living on the streets, she was now convinced that he would be completely understanding of the matter and why she hadn’t been forthcoming from the beginning. And that was a huge relief.