by West, Everly
The Deceptive Bride
The Ladies Club of Laramie. Book 10
Everly West
Copyright 2019 by Everly West
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means , including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Design-Dar Dixon @ Wicked Smart Designs
Editor-Trayce Layne @ 3C Edit & Developmental Services
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Thank You
Also By Everly West
The End
Welcome to Laramie
Arielle Dufosse’ is no damsel in distress that needs saving unlike the heroines in her romance novels, but when a summer visit to her cousin’s home in Laramie, Wyoming has her literally falling head over heels for a handsome cowboy and his young daughter, she realizes she might need saving after all.
Caleb Montgomery thought he had everything he could ever want until the train bringing his family arrived in Laramie. His daughter was handed to him by a stranger along with a note from his wife that said she was leaving him and wished him luck. But he didn’t need luck. He needed someone he could count on.
Arielle wants a fairy tale romance--the kind romantic novels are written about. But now that she's found the man of her dreams, will his lies destroy her happy ever after?
1
Boston, Massachusetts
Spring 1888
Arielle Dufossé sat on her favorite bench in the middle of her family's flower garden. It was the only place she felt at peace and now even that tiny bit of heaven was being threatened.
"Arielle? Mother wishes to speak with you." Her twin sister, Arianne, called out to her.
"I know.”
Her sister approached, her shoes clicking on the stones along the garden path. She sat next to Arielle and peeked at the open book on her lap. "Reading fanciful stories again I see. When will you come down from the clouds and be practical, dear sister? The real world is right in front of you and yet you live in your dreams, walking around with your head in the clouds.”
Arielle closed her book and turned to her sister. “And what of it? I would rather be fanciful than practical all the time. You have no imagination at all, dear sister.”
“I would whole-heartedly disagree. It was only because of my quick wit and fabrications of the truth that have kept you out of hot water with Mama and Papa many times,” Arianne teased.
“I hardly count telling our parents a little white lie about my whereabouts is tantamount to having an imagination.”
“Call it what you will. And speaking of little white lies, what am I to tell Mother, now that I have found you?”
Arielle shrugged. “I don’t know. Tell her you couldn’t find me. Or maybe you can convince her that a mysterious gypsy placed a magic spell upon me and I disappeared into thin air.”
Arianne laughed. “That would be more believable coming from you than me, I dare say.”
She studied her sister. “And what is wrong with believing in magic? Must you always be so practical?”
"And when will you let go of your fairy tales and pay attention to the real world? I only believe in what I can see.”
“But isn’t it possible there are things in this world that you cannot see with your eyes but still exists?”
“If you are talking about your fairy tales and magic again, then my answer is no.”
“Not even love?” Arielle put her arm around her sisters shoulders and pulled her close.
“Love is not a mystical thing, Arielle. It doesn’t just appear. There is a process to falling in love and whether it be good, bad or indifferent, love doesn’t just happen.”
“But it could. Perhaps if you allowed yourself to let your control slip, just a bit, then you would see that there is a certain magic to falling in love. Don’t you think it possible?”
"No, I do not. I like order, and the only way I can achieve order is through control. Chaos and I do not get along, and I am simply not willing to go wherever the wind blows me, Arielle. I want to decide where I go and if I do decide to fall in love, I will plan accordingly."
"You can’t plan love, Arianne.”
“I dare say I can,” her sister assured her.
She shook her head and agreed to disagree with her stubborn sister as she always did. “I can agree with your sentiments," Arielle assured her sister, "to a point. But sometimes letting the wind take control can lead to a wonderful surprise, don't you think?"
"You know I don’t care for surprises.” Her sister gave her a firm look and crossed her arms over her chest. It was a familiar jester she did when she was done with the conversation.
Of course, Arielle knew of her sister’s aversion to surprises, having experienced the outcome firsthand on more than one occasion growing up. But that wasn’t going to stop her from trying to win Arianne over. Or stop Arianne from trying to bring Arielle around to her way of thinking either. had seen her twin sister's aversion to the unexpected firsthand. She remembered one time when—
"Arielle? Arianne? Are you coming? Your father is waiting." Latisha Dufossé walked down the garden path toward them, her rose-colored lips stretched in an amused smile. "Arianne, I sent you to collect your sister, not join her in this attempt at rebellion. Come now, Arielle, your father simply wishes to speak with you about Maximillian’s proposal. Nothing is set in stone."
Resigned she could put this off no longer, she stood and greeted her mother. "I will speak to father, but he isn't going to like what I have to say."
"My dear, I think you will be surprised by your father's willingness to listen. Now, shall we go? I think it prudent not to keep him waiting too long, although with three women in the household, I dare say he's used to it."
Arielle and her sister locked arms with their mother and followed the moss-covered path back to the great house. They neared the rear entrance and Arielle could not help but admire the great house covered in ivy and shaded by ancient white oak trees. She loved her home and the sense of belonging she felt here. She never wanted to leave it. Not even for Mr. Maximillian Dubois.
The three of them entered the cool interior of the large and airy home and followed the wide hall to her father's study. Even during the heat of a Boston summer, the house remained comfortable and homey.
"Pierre, Arielle is here." Her mother announced. She kissed Arielle on the cheek and said. "Please keep an open mind. One never knows what opportunity lies on the other side of a closed door." Then she and Arianne headed to the glass solarium for afternoon tea.
"Ah, there you are, ma chérie. I've been waiting for you."
She took a deep breath and offered her father a smile. "I'm sorry I'm late, Father. I was—"
"You were daydreaming as usual. I've come to expect that, but the time has come for you to think about your future. Don’t you agree? Please, let’s sit, little dove, and speak of this as adults."
Her father stood and offered her his hand. She smiled at the childhood endearment and took his offered hand, kissing him on both cheeks. He guided her to the chair next to him. She adjusted her dress and crossed
her ankles. She inhaled a deep breath and folded her hands in her lap. She was ready.
"Now, then, shall we talk about the offer of marriage you have received from Maximillian Dubois?"
"You mean the marriage proposal you received from the man”
Her father chuckled. “Yes, I suppose I do. But it is the way of things, little dove.”
“Father, I do not wish to marry the man."
"I understand you have reservations, but perhaps if you met him, you might reconsider—"
"Father, I'm simply not ready to give up my life and turn it over to a complete stranger. I want to travel. I want to see more of the world. I want to see the unexpected. The unexplained. I want to see things that will steal my breath away."
"My darling daughter, do you not think Maximillian can give you all of that? After all, he owns an entire fleet of ships. You could travel anywhere he has a mind to go—"
"That's just it, Father. Where he has a mind to go. What about where I want to go? I want to see where life takes me. I want to see where my journey may lead. Is that too much to ask?” Arielle's voice quivered with emotion.
Her father stood and paced in front of her. Had she gone too far? Would he insist on this marriage?
"I know you think I don’t understand, Arielle, but I do. I was once a carefree lad, ebbing to and fro like flotsam on the sea, going wherever the currents took me. That is until a very beautiful and practical young woman saved me from myself."
"Mother?" Arielle knew some of her parents’ history, but only a little. She knew her father had been an irresponsible rake until his father had forced him to marry her mother. And then, they fell in love. Was that what her father expected to happen if she married Max Dubois?
"Yes, it was your mother. She made me realize that being married wasn't the same as being imprisoned—if you are with the right person."
"That's the problem, Father. You were able to experience the freedom of your youth before you were forced to marry. You know the excitement of traveling on a whim. I have yet to experience my own life outside the confines of Beacon Hill's social demands. I have yet to find what it is that makes me happy and without that knowledge, how will I know Mr. Dubois is the right person for me?"
Her father stopped his pacing and looked at her. It was as if he was studying her for some unknown answer. She remained quiet and waited for his verdict.
"Very well, Arielle. You have presented your case as well as any barrister. Although I believe you will find that love is not magical nor mysterious like those you read about in your books. Those are fairy tales, my dear. True love, as well as real life, is a practical state of mind you only find through hard work and compromise."
"I'm not naive, Father. I know a marriage takes work. I also know it is the wife who does most of it. As you have said before, if it wasn't for Mother, you would not be—"
"I think we've covered the errors of my youthful ways." Her father turned away and sat down behind his massive desk. She watched him remove the familiar leather journal, with its delicate gold-leaf pages. It held detailed accounts of not only all of his own financial dealings, but those of his daughter’s trust funds as well.
"Arielle, you have done well with your inheritance from your Grand-Père and Grand-Mère.
“You and your sister have nearly doubled your initial investment. I know most of that was due to your sister’s analytical approach to investing.” He chuckled again. “I really should think about turning my own fortune over to your sister. She has quite the head for such things.” He grew serious again. “I know this is a lot of money and I understand why you are reluctant to turn your fortune over to a husband, especially someone you’ve never met.
“Perhaps if we insist Max agrees to hold your money separate and continue to allow you to control it—"
"See, Father. That's the crux of the matter. Right there. Why should Max allow me to control my own money? It's my money, is it not? What if he is a spendthrift? What if he squanders my money and we are left destitute.”
“Arielle, now you are reaching. Max Dubois is a very wealthy man because of his own hard work and aptitude with money. He and your sister would be a better match. They have so much more in common.”
“Then let him marry Arianne.” She felt a pinch of guilt for offering her sister up as the sacrificial lamb, but her father was right. Arianne was so much more practical than she. It was the perfect match as far as she was concerned.”
"He did not offer for Arianne. He offered for you.”
She remained silent praying for words that would persuade her father to refuse Max’s offer of marriage and allow her to live her life as she chose.
“Arielle, your mother and I have taught you and your sister to be independent women, and although we may have gone too far with our lessons, I do believe you are sensible enough to know when the time is right to marry."
Arielle's pulse raced. Was her father saying what she thought?
"I'm going to speak with your mother, and if she is agreeable, we will explain to Maximillian that while we appreciate his offer, we must respectfully decline, at least for the present."
Arielle couldn't believe her ears. "Are you saying that I don't have to marry—"
"I'm saying you shall have your time to explore and find what it is that makes you truly happy."
"Oh Father, thank you for trusting in me to do what’s best for me." Arielle rushed to her father's side and flung her arms around his neck.
"There is one condition to my offer, Arielle. You must promise me that after a respectable period of time has passed, you will make peace with your place in this world and you will choose a suitable husband and settle down."
"I will Father," Arielle promised.
Her father smiled and kissed her on her cheek. "Then I suggest you pack your trunks and make your travel plans. You have six months. After that, you will marry. Agreed?"
"I think that is more than fair, Father. After my time is up, I promise to choose a suitable husband."
* * *
Caleb Montgomery stood on the train platform and tried not to pace. It had been three months since he had left his life in St. Louis to lay claim to his late uncle's horse ranch. His wife, Victoria and four-year-old daughter, Melody, were on the train due to arrive any moment.
He was more than a little excited. It had taken all his persuasive abilities to talk his wife into moving to Laramie. Being from a wealthy family and used to the finer things in life, she wasn't thrilled when he told her he wanted to quit his job at his father's bank and move west.
His father, Jarvis Montgomery, had insisted Caleb take up the family business. Being a dutiful son, he went to the college his father chose for him. Then he came to work at the bank right after graduation. He knew from the first day behind the teller’s cage, this wasn’t a job that suited his passion. In fact, he hated everything about the day-to-day monotony of it all. But he stayed because his father expected him to.
His father’s expectations didn’t stop there. It wasn’t long after he returned from college and started work that his father was pushing him to wed a wealthy customer’s daughter. He resisted at first. He didn’t care much for Victoria Bishop, but everyone told him they were perfect for each other. Again the dutiful son, he married hoping to make his father happy.
He tried to give his new bride the life she desired. He worked relentlessly to provide enough money to keep her happy. But her appetite for the finer things in life was insatiable. No matter what he gave her, it was never enough.
And then one day, everything changed. He received news that his Uncle Zachariah had died making him the sole heir of his ranch in Wyoming Territory. This was the same ranch Caleb had loved to visit as a boy. Now he had the opportunity to change the course of his life to his liking. But would he disappoint his father’s expectations? And more importantly, could he persuade Victoria to leave St. Louis and move out west? It hadn’t been easy, but he was finally here.
A train whi
stle in the distance pulled him from his thoughts. His heart raced and he checked his clothes once more. Victoria hated a mussed appearance, and he needed to make a good first impression for this new life he had chosen for his family.
Caleb saw his friend, Levi Copper, across the train platform and waved. He was someone Caleb had gotten to know over the many summers he spent with his uncle Zack on the Bar M Ranch. Although Levi had a rough upbringing, and his con-artist father was not well liked around town, Levi had made his own way. Now, he was a very well respected businessman who owned the Grand Union Hotel and several other businesses in Laramie.
Levi had also helped Caleb secure a loan to buy new mares and the best stud horse around. They were a huge part of his breeding program and without them, he wouldn't have been able to produce the best line of cattle horses in Wyoming Territory.
The locomotive chugged into the station, steam belched in every direction. Caleb stood in anticipation of Victoria and Melody's appearance at the train's doors. He was surprised at how nervous he was.
The train conductor stepped out first and placed the wooden steps against the train leading to the wooden platform. Then, one by one, the man helped passengers down the steps and on to the platform. Caleb waited and watched as man, woman, and child stepped off the train and were greeted by family and friends.
Soon, the platform cleared and only a few people remained. Caleb wondered if perhaps Victoria needed his help with Melody after such a long trip, especially if his daughter had fallen asleep.
"Excuse me,” Caleb directed his inquiry to the conductor who was beginning his preparations for the departing train’s passengers. “Would it be possible for me to board the train? My wife may need my held with our daughter."
