by West, Everly
The Obstinate Bride
The Ladies Club of Laramie Book 2
Everly West
Contents
Blurb
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
The Reluctant Bride
The Rebellious Bride
Also By
About the Author
Scandal at the Valentine Ball…
Much to her mother’s dismay, Cora O’Brian isn’t interested in rushing to the altar. At twenty she has dreams that don’t include a husband. Even a rich man with prestige. But her mother has other plans and unfortunately, she falls right into her mothers scheme when she tries to flee the Valentine ball.
August Moonlit’s father, the governor of Wyoming wants him to stop sowing his wild oats and settle down. With mothers shoving their eligible daughters at him, marriage is the least of his desires. Until a young woman falls into his arms with her skirt above her head and her distraught mother insists he marry the girl.
With his feisty bride at his side, he’s determined to become his own man and not the rich aristocrat his father desires. Can two strangers overcome their anger and build a life together? Could the debutante and the spoiled rich boy be meant for one another?
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 Everly West
All Rights Reserved
Cover Design: Dar Albert
Edited by Tina Winograd
Release date: February 15, 2019
This book and parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the author and publisher, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.
Chapter 1
Minnie O'Brian would sell her soul to make certain her girls advanced in society by marrying the most eligible young men. And fate had just delivered her a golden prince.
Minnie and the other women in the Laramie's Ladies’ Club sat around drinking tea in the Grand Union Hotel, the nicest building in Laramie, Wyoming. The older women preferred to meet at least once a week, weather permitting, and discuss their current charity project, plus catch up on the news in town. Especially the juicy gossip.
As she stared out the window at the snow-covered streets, Minnie was only half paying attention to Fiona's newest ramblings until the words reached her ears. With a jerk, she gazed at the uppity woman.
"So, when Mr. Quincy told me Governor Moonlite and his handsome son, August, would be in town, I insisted that we hold a Valentine's Day ball," Fiona said in a haughty way that always made Minnie want to grind her teeth.
Fiona's pompous air, her perfect children, and the way her husband's ranch was the largest in the Wyoming territory tended to be off putting. Well, fiddle de dee. Minnie's own husband owned the second biggest spread, and this year, they would make more money than Minnie had ever dreamed possible.
Not bad for a poor Irish girl from New York. Though she expected her daughters would do better. They would be the social queen she'd always envisioned becoming and never had the opportunity. Now her girls would live in the mansions her mother once worked in as a maid and cook.
August Moonlite had a reputation for the ladies, but once he saw her beautiful daughter Cora, he would be instantly smitten and put his wandering days behind him. Cora would be the first O'Brian to be in the upper crust of society. She would be the one hiring maids to run her household.
"His son is a bachelor who would make a fine husband for my Kelly," Fiona said.
"Why is your daughter any better than the rest of our daughters?" Minnie asked. Why was her own daughter not being considered for the wealthy governor's boy?
"All of our daughters will be there, and I think it will be Mr. Moonlite's decision which one he thinks best suits his needs." Earlene Farnsworth lifted her cup to her mouth, then paused. “Or none at all."
"Well, of course," Fiona said smiling. "Like any mother, I think my daughter would be better suited for the man. She's a beautiful, accomplished young woman."
"Wait a minute,” Lila Delacroix said, leaning back in her chair. "Our daughters are all beautiful, accomplished young women and other worthy men will be there. I think you should invite the most suitable bachelors from the Wyoming territory. We all want our girls to marry the best and there are plenty of men looking for wives."
Leave it to Lila to be the more reasonable voice in the group. Of all the women, she was the peacemaker. But Cora's future was at stake and Minnie would accept nothing but the best for her daughter.
This morning, only eight ladies attended the Laramie's Ladies’ Club. Only the top tier of the social group was in attendance. Still, Minnie liked a good challenge, and now more than ever, she wanted Cora to capture the heart of the governor's son just to rile Fiona. That would certainly be a thorn in the woman's social crown.
Holding her tea cup, she smiled at the ladies and made a toast, "May the most beautiful girl in Laramie land August Moonlite's heart."
"No doubt, my Kelly will win his hand. I'll be sure to send you an invitation to the wedding," Fiona said with an evil laugh.
With a little more ump, Minnie's cup crashed against Fiona's, breaking and spilling tea on the woman. "Oh my," she said, feigning surprise. "Let's hope that's not a portent of things to come. Who knows, it could be me inviting you to my daughter’s ceremony."
Gasping with outrage, Fiona dabbed at the tea splattered on her dress. "Minnie O'Brian, how careless."
No matter how much Minnie tried, her Irish temper always seemed to bubble up and spew from her lips. Sometimes her ire spilled out, not showing her best personality trait.
"Oh, dear, Fiona, I'm so, so sorry. Your beautiful white blouse."
The woman fumed. "If our daughters were not best friends, your invitation would be pulled."
"They are best friends, not caring that their mothers compete against one another," Minnie said with a smile that she knew didn't reach her eyes or her heart.
"Ladies, on that note, I think it's time to adjourn today's meeting," Earlene said, trying to suppress a giggle.
Earlene was right, but Minnie did enjoy sparring with Fiona, and tomorrow would be another day. With a quick glance out the window at the melting snow, she said, "Maybe the February storms will hold off long enough for us to attend your party, Fiona."
* * *
Cora O'Brian sat at the dinner table with her family, trying not to appear eager, wanting to rush back to her room and devour the new catalog Madame Danielle had loaned her. The woman shared her love for fashion and any time either of them received a magazine or catalog, they shared with the other.
In only three more months, she planned on setting off for New York to attend a fashion school she read about. Her father promised her he would help her fulfill her dream if she promised to return to Wyoming if she became unhappy. Why in the world would she be disappointed in New York?
Of course, at the moment, they were keeping this a secret from her mother until he had a chance to talk to her about Cora's plans. Plans her mother had not been interested in hearing about every time she tried to speak to her about her desires. Mother only had one thing in mind for Cora: A husband. A wealthy well-to-do man.
Which convinced Cora even more she needed to escape to New York City before the woman found someone for her to say I do to.
"The Quincy’s are having a Valentine's ball," her mother announced, her eyes dancing with merriment.
Shocked, Cora glanced up. "Kelly hasn't mentioned it to me."
Why did she have a bad feeling about this since her mother was so gleeful.
"Well, Fiona told all of us about the dance today at the social club. Seems the governor is coming to town and he's bringing his son."
At first, no one looked up from their food, but continued eating. With a frown, her father asked, "Why is the governor coming to town? What's going on?"
Narrowing her eyes, Cora stared at her two younger sisters, giving them a warning look. Jennie rolled her large brown eyes and Hattie tossed her long red hair and grinned like she could hardly wait. Unfortunately, her youngest sister was her mother's daughter. Always hungry for a party. Often getting into trouble.
"Oh, John, how am I supposed to know. All I heard from Fiona is that one of the most eligible bachelors in the state is coming to Laramie."
A groan escaped Cora's lips and she wanted to be excused but feared that would not be allowed. Gazing around the table, her mother all but jumped up and down in her chair, brimming with excitement.
Still no one appeared enthused, except Hattie, whose emerald eyes grew wide. "Oh, is he the man who the gossip columnists have with a different woman every week? The one who dated a dancer in a saloon? Oh Cora, that could be your man."
How did this child ever learn this stuff? Cora narrowed her eyes at her youngest, irritating sibling.
"Where did you hear that information?" her mother asked, staring at Hattie.
Her sister knew how to get away with murder as long as she did what their mother wanted. She was beautiful, a book lover, and very smart, though a tad bit on the mischievous side.
A giggle came from Hattie. "Oh, Momma, the newspapers, of course."
A snort came from her father. "Minnie, your youngest daughter always reads the latest news."
"Well, maybe she shouldn't," Minnie said, looking at their father. "Besides, I don't believe the columnists. They're just trying to sell papers. I'm sure he's a fine, outstanding young man."
Almost choking on her food, Cora couldn't fathom her mother's determination. If a man came from high society, their mother didn't care what he did.
"And you would sell our daughters off to him," her father said.
"Not sell. But he would make Cora a wonderful husband."
Fear clutched her chest and lungs. Why did her mother act like she was not sitting at the table?
"Cora is not searching for a husband," she said, shooting an irritating look at her mother. "She has other plans."
Shaking her head, her mother barely acknowledged her words. "You are the most obstinate child. As your mother, I know what's best for you and a rich man will give you everything you need."
Why did her mother only want to focus on one thing, finding her a rich man to marry when Cora wanted a career as a dress designer, to see the world. Visit new places away from the mountains and plains of the territory. How exciting to experience life in the United States.
Wisely, she realized now was not the time to mention her decision to her mother. Glancing at her father, he gave a quick shake of his head, confirming her intuition. Papa would help her mother see that Cora's dreams did not include a man.
"When is the ball?" she asked, knowing how much she would enjoy making a new dress. "I have that beautiful red material I've not done anything with."
With Cora's interest, she watched as her mother's face brightened and realized her mother assumed she was designing the gown to impress the governor’s son. In reality, it was because she enjoyed creating new designs. What the governor's son thought of her new ball gown, she didn't really care.
Jennie smiled at her in that secretive sisterly way that let Cora know her sister understood she was only placating their mother. The dress would satisfy her until her father could talk to her mother about the school in New York.
At least her papa accepted her passion, her desire to make it in the fashion world, even if he didn't like the idea of her going so far away.
"Are we going to the party?" Hattie asked.
"Of course," her mother replied. "This could be your opportunity to meet a fine young man. Just think, we could have a triple wedding."
There would be no marriage ceremony. After all, Hattie was only seventeen. Why did their mother want them to be married so quickly? What would keep her occupied once they were gone?
"Over my dead body," their father John said. "None of my girls will wed before they are eighteen and Hattie is too young. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, my daughters are not old enough to wed. You're the one pushing them out of the house."
Their father was right. Why did it seem like her mother was intent on locating them husbands and rushing them down the aisle? What was in it for her?
"Not pushing. Just trying to make certain they have a good foundation for a great life."
Her father grunted, which always irritated her mother. "When the right man comes along, they will find out about marriage. For my girls, I would rather they find someone who makes them happy instead of a man who's got money. Let them marry for love."
This emotion called love. While she knew poets and novelists had written much about the feeling, she'd never experienced it and frankly was in no hurry. After all, from what she witnessed from happily wedded couples, the woman was tied to the man and his wishes. All Cora wanted was to design beautiful dresses.
"Did you love me when you married me?" her mother asked.
All three girls looked between their parents. Sometimes Cora thought they were madly in love and other times she didn't think they even liked each other.
Papa reached out and took her mother's hand. "More than you would ever know. Don't you remember how you drove me crazy and I couldn't wait to say I do and take you home to Wyoming."
A blush spread across her mother's face as she smiled tentatively. "John, not in front of the girls."
"Why? Soon they're going to understand the nature of men the way you're hunting for husbands."
It was true, if Cora wasn't careful, her mother would find some way to get her married off, not caring about her own dreams. When she had a moment, she needed to talk to her father and confirm he would still help her reach New York. Because there was no husband in her future.
* * *
Valentine's Day. Another ball in another city with countless mothers throwing their daughters at him like he was a prize. Little did they know his father controlled the wealth and he was about as poor as a pauper because he refused to do his father's bidding.
No, he didn't want to go into politics. No, he didn't want to be a lawyer. No, he didn't want to be his righthand man.
At this point in his life, he wasn't certain of his destiny, only that he wanted nothing to do with the governor's business. Or someone like his stepmother.
For his father, Della was the perfect hostess and partner, but August didn't want a cold woman who wanted only to outdo the next fancy party. Who lived and breathed the upper echelon of society. Who was as fake on the inside as she was on the outside.
Sorry, but in the Wyoming territory, it felt like they were all actors playing at being rich.
Glancing around the ballroom, he stood looking at the eligible young women across the room. Before the party started, some young woman named Samantha fell down the stairs and when her skirt went above her head, it revealed pants, not bloomers. Later, after the dancing had begun, he’d met at least ten beautiful, well-adorned girls who giggled and flirted with him.
If only they knew he preferred well-experienced ladies who understood what they were getting into when they went to dinner with him. Elegant women who were looking for the same experience as him. A nice meal, a fun night, and if possible, some time in bed together sharing
the pleasures of the flesh.
Nothing permanent. Nothing serious. No wedding bells or happily ever after.
Another mother walked toward him, bringing her daughter, and he turned to look for an escape. In a hallway, he opened a door and entered a library. With a sigh, he helped himself to a glass of whiskey and stood in front of the windows gazing at the rolling pastures.
Darkness slunk in from the east as clouds gathered, obliterating the sun. With a sense of foreboding, he stared, worried those ominous clouds warned of a storm coming. The thought of being stuck on this ranch with a group of young virgin queens, where a mother waited for him to accidentally touch an innocent that would end his bachelor days forever, scared the hell out of him.
The door opened and he stepped behind the curtains hoping they wouldn't see him.
"Cora, you are the most obstinate child ever."
"Yes, you've told me that before," a beautiful woman with dark hair accented with tints of auburn replied. From his vantage point, the young lady was stunning. Creamy soft skin with full ripe lips for kissing and a red dress that clung to her slim breasts with a tiny waist. Now that was a woman he wouldn't mind toying with.
"Not once have you gone over to the governor's son and introduced yourself. This is your chance of meeting and marrying a man who has money and power and everything a woman could want."
Boy, did this momma have it wrong. August was about as powerless as they came because his father supervised everything, with the promise it would continue as long as he didn't do what his father bid. August could be just stubborn enough not to mind the man.
