The Most Unsuitable Wife

by Caroline Clemmons

  When the Tremonts left and the other men excused themselves to discuss business, the women made their way upstairs. Pearl's heart beat faster with each step. When would Drake join her? They had not made love since their wedding night. Since that time they had not even been alone in a place that permitted intimacy.

  The sisters bid Belle goodnight at her door. Sarah gave Pearl a tour of the "princess" room before they, too, said goodnight. The few steps to her own quarters seemed very lonely.

  In a dressing area the size of her cabin bedroom, she hurried through her evening toilette and donned her nightdress. She didn't have a proper wrapper to cover her nightie, so she crossed her arms as she paced into the sitting room. She sat first in a dark blue velvet lady's chair then tried the matching larger chair near the fireplace. She attempted to read, but the words made no sense to her agitated mind. After several minutes, she closed the book and resumed pacing.

  When ten minutes passed, she lowered the wick of the sitting room lamp and moved into the bedroom. With care, she turned back the heavy blue coverlet and smoothed the bed covers. The bedside lamp shed the only light in the suite. It lent a soft glow to the bed. Pearl stood lost in thought.

  Lily's slights of the evening still stung. Her questions about Pearl's education left little doubt she found her new relative inferior. When Drake explained about Pearl's baking, Lily's nose wrinkled in disapproval. When Lex commented on Pearl's healing abilities, Lily commented about backwoods primitive methods being outdated.

  The woman acted as if Pearl and her family were intruders, inferiors. Pearl was not surprised to be treated as an outsider. In fact, she was used to it. The surprise came that Drake's own aunt treated her so and that he seemed not to notice. Not wanting to embarrass her husband on her first night here, she tolerated the snubs and digs tonight.

  No matter. When they were safely on the ranch, they probably would only see Aunt Lily occasionally at family get togethers. She supposed she could tolerate the waspy woman in small doses.

  Pearl fluffed bed pillows then tried the mattress. Over twice the thickness of her own feather bed, this one felt like a cloud. That realization upset her further. The years it took to save feathers and down for her own mattress seemed pointless now. Pride she had felt in providing what she thought of as her own fine dowry bedding seemed foolish in this luxurious room. Perhaps the ranch was not so lavishly furnished. Her bedding might be needed there. Hope seeped through to soothe her wounded dignity.

  The lamp burned low. She climbed into bed. So far, marriage was nothing like she expected.

  * * *

  Drake paced in front of the window. Lex and Uncle Samuel had gathered Aunt Rosilee and left for their homes and Storm climbed the stairs to his bed. Aunt Lily pled her usual headache coming on and retired. By now Lex would be tucked into his rooms over the law office. Unless Aunt Rosilee and Uncle Samuel chose to stay in town with their son tonight, they would be well on the way to their ranch. From his wing chair near the fireplace Grandpa's concern showed on his face.

  Drake faced his grandfather. "You see why I'm worried not just about Pearl, but also her family. Storm and I stopped by to see Sheriff Liles, but he can't be everywhere. I figure they're safer here in town where there'll always be people around. The Sheriff will keep an eye on things, too."

  "You're making a mistake, son. Your bride won't take kindly to being dumped here while you go off to the ranch."

  "She won't mind. I can't leave her and her kin alone at the ranch with only Maria and Miguel to watch after them. I need all the hands rounding up the herd."

  "That's where you're making the mistake. Hire more hands. Or let Vicente handle things a while longer. He's done fine rounding up cattle while you were gone."

  "Now, we've gone over this, Grandpa. With all the changes in the wind, I figure this will be the last big drive from this area. There's too much riding on it. Bingham and Holsapple are counting on me to get their cattle to Kansas with mine."

  "It's a hard place you've made for yourself. I think that girl up there deserves your first loyalty."

  "You don't want her and her family here, do you?"

  "I'm not anxious to have a bunch of people running in and out, making noise and disturbing my peace. No, you've got that part right, but one has nothing to do with the other. That girl seems right enough, and so do her kin. Appears to me you're letting her down right off."

  "You're the one who insisted I marry. Besides, women prefer living in town."

  "Your parents' will insisted you marry, not me. And don't judge all women by your mother. My Kate liked living at the ranch. It was me wanted her in town. I was mistaken."

  The admission jolted Drake. "Mistaken? How?"

  "She loved that old place. It was me wanted the finer things for her.” He waved at hand at their surroundings. "I'm the one who mail-ordered this house brought in from Chicago."

  Though the event took place before he could remember, Drake had heard that story more times than he could count. Brought in before the railway reached the area, material for it had come to the coast by ship. He could recite by heart how many days and how many wagonloads it took to get the lumber here from Galveston. He knew exactly how long and how many men were required to put the house together from the store-bought plans that accompanied the building supplies.

  Drake surveyed the tastefully decorated room. He remembered that Grandpa hired a firm to decorate the place. "Grandma liked being wherever you were, but I know she took pleasure in this house and the gardens. She liked the teas and the parties and visiting with folks."

  The older man leaned his head back and his mouth softened into a smile. "She did love being with folks, didn't she? And they all loved her.” He straightened and his tone accused, "But, she loved the ranch. She'd hate knowing her garden there went to seed like it has."

  "That was because Mama hated the ranch and everything about it and Papa went along with whatever she said. Until I was old enough, no one but you really cared about the place.” He gave a disgusted snort. "You and the tax men. Now I never seem to have time for the flower garden or fancying up the house."

  "So, let Pearl perk up the house and oversee repairing the garden.” He gave an impatient wave at his grandson. "This is all beside the point, son. The point here is, you're doing this girl wrong by leaving her so soon after bringing her here. She won't stand for it."

  "Now that's where you're wrong. Bossy as she is, Pearl never complains. She makes the best of any situation and goes on. I hope the women in town don't teach her differently."

  "You'll live to regret this, believe me."

  "Maybe so, but that's what I have to do. With you, Lex, the sheriff, and several others about town keeping an eye on her, Pearl will fare as well as if I were here."

  "Looks to me like, if you're set on doing this, you could wait a bit. Lily will be wanting to give you a birthday party—some sort of big to do introducing everyone to your new family.”

  Drake waved a hand in impatience. "Please, spare me that. She can have some sort of party after I'm gone to introduce Pearl, Belle, and Sarah to the ladies. You know I hate those things Lily gives. I'll take a Mexican fandango to one of her stiff-necked formal affairs anytime."

  "So, you're set on doing this? When do you plan to leave?"

  "I'll be leaving on the drive in another week, ten days at the most. With so little rain this spring, if I wait another month there won't be enough grass for the last part of the trip."

  Grandpa cocked an eyebrow in question. "You staying here 'til then?"

  "Yeah. Reckon I am. Leastwise tonight and on the weekend."

  Later, as he climbed the stairs, Drake caught himself grinning like a possum in a persimmon tree. Damned if this marriage business wasn't working out after all. No wasting his time going to the saloon. He had his own private stock, so to speak, right here at Grandpa's. And he hoped nothing dimmed the fire burning in her.

  He had a momentary twinge of guilt for using his wife l
ike a saloon girl before he went off to the ranch and his cattle drive. Was he being as unfair to Pearl as Grandpa had accused? He stopped mid step then shrugged his shoulders and continued up the stairs.

  Naw. She had everything she wanted out of this marriage. A safe place to live, family with her, pretty clothes, places to shop, people to visit. Half the people in town were looking after her safety. She had everything she asked for and more.

  He had his ranch and the privileges that being married carried as well as responsibility for the safety of Pearl and her kin. And with her passionate nature, she'd soon have his baby growing in her. What more could any woman want?

  His blood heated with the memories of the ardor they'd shared. Since their wedding night he had tried to deny the desire she aroused in him. But memories of the passion they'd experienced never failed to set his blood boiling. Would she welcome his touch? Would he ignite her desire again tonight? His manhood surged to life at the thought.

  * * *

  Pearl wakened suddenly, her heart pounding. A noise. She heard a noise, someone breaking into her house.

  The lone lamp offered a faint glow to the room. With a sigh of relief she remembered she was safe in her room at Grandpa's house. Thank goodness. She sat up and caught her breath.

  Her husband stood beside the bed, one hand on the covers as if ready to crawl in. Soft light folded his body in planes of shadow and pale gold. All he wore was an apologetic smile.

  "Didn't mean to startle you. Feet this large just naturally make a lot of noise. Specially when they trip."

  "I tried to wait up for you.” She covered a yawn with her hand.

  "You're awake now. Can't say I'm sorry either.” He stepped back and turned up the lamp's wick. "Come here where I can see you.”

  She scooted across on her knees. He motioned her forward, so she stepped to the floor and across the room to face him, wondering what to do with her hands and arms. She folded her arms across herself and felt a flush on her cheeks.

  His strong hands slid up her arms to the ties of her gown. "I mean really see you, honey. There wasn't enough light in that hotel room.” His fingers worked at the ties and her gown slid to the floor.

  She felt awkward, not really sure it was proper for a man to see all of a woman, even his wife. Probably it was no worse than touching all of her. He'd certainly done that. She had done her fair share of touching, too.

  But she didn't know what to do now, felt clumsy and ungainly. He solved her dilemma when he pulled her arms out from her body.

  "You're a beautiful woman. Please let me see all of you.”

  He dropped her hands and made a twirling motion with his right forefinger. Slowly she pivoted for him, worried at what he'd see, what he'd think. When he touched the scar on her right buttock, she dreaded his next move, feared his questions.

  "What's this? It must have hurt."

  "It's ugly, I know. Just a childhood injury," she lied. The shame almost staggered her. He must never know her sordid secret.

  "Not ugly, Pearl. Never ugly.” He pulled her to him and softly kissed her brow. "You're a beautiful woman.” His hands caressed her shoulders.

  She buried her face in the soft hair of his massive chest. Relief flooded through her. Without thought she clung to his solid strength. Flesh against flesh sent heat racing through her body. The warmth pooled near the juncture of her thighs and desire flamed inside her. She craved his touch, wanted him moving inside her again.

  His mouth sought hers, drinking her in as if from a long thirst. She leaned into him, felt his rigid need as he cradled her body to his. He broke the kiss, lifted her and strode to the bed.

  After lowering her gently to the sheets, he lay beside her. His hands roamed her body as his warm breath fanned her ear. "I've wanted you so much. Needed you like this.” He trailed kisses down her throat. "Say you want me too. Say it.”

  Pearl wanted to tell him how much she had needed him with her earlier that day to lessen her fright at this new place. But she didn't know how to say it.

  She needed to tell him how she fumbled and groped to say and do the right thing so as not to shame him before his family. Words would not come.

  Longed to tell him she craved his love and respect as well as his touch, but she could not frame the sentence.

  Instead, she said only, "Yes, I want you. I need you here beside me."

  Pearl heard his low growl of approval. When he suckled her nipple, pleasure ricocheted through her. Her fingers sought his hair, pressing him to her breast. When his finger found her nub of desire, her hands grasped at his back, fingers raking a trail across his shoulders.

  "Yes, this is what I needed. This and more. So much more.” Tears stung her eyelids with the realization that she needed him in many more ways than he needed her. Only her pride prevented her telling him how much.

  He reclaimed her mouth and his tongue merged with hers in a frenetic dance. He broke the kiss to confide, "I thought of you all through dinner. I wanted to be with you here, like this."

  She felt the rush of happiness at his admission. Her hands grew bolder, taking pleasure in the feel of his skin beneath her touch. The taste of his lips, his tongue on hers sent shudders of desire rushing through her in ever increasing waves.

  Her hands slid to his rigid phallus and she heard his quick intake of breath.

  "Easy, honey, if you want this to last.” His kisses trailed her neck and shoulders before he wedged his body over hers.

  "I've already waited a lifetime.” She pulled him to her.

  She felt his shaft enter her and matched her tempo to his. Passion raged through them, driving them further and further in powerful harmony. She left earth, soaring through the night in a shower of exploding stars. In a haze of ecstasy, she heard herself call his name as he cried out to her. Together they descended, wrapped in each other and the haze of liberated desire.

  He collapsed beside her, their bodies still entwined. His hands tucked her into him as he curled about her. Her head lay on his shoulder and his leg across her thighs. His lips brushed her hair and she heard his sigh of satisfaction.

  Contentment filled her. Her husband. Soon they would be in their own home. Would he learn to love her? Maybe in their own home. She snuggled into him and drifted to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  "What do you mean, stay here?”

  Pearl had wakened cocooned in the hazy glow following a night of intermittent lovemaking with her husband to find him dressing for the ranch. Then he dropped a bombshell on her.

  "You know it's not safe for you to be on your own. Ranch is too isolated. You'll be safer here in town.” Drake stomped his feet to settle each in the boots he wore. He retrieved a blue chambray shirt from his bag and donned it.

  "For how long?” Pearl slid from bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor.

  "Well...."

  She whirled on her husband, confronting him, "You never intended for me to move to the ranch, did you?” She yanked her nightie on. No one could argue buck-naked.

  "Don't get riled. Women hate the seclusion. You'll be happier in town. Things to do here and people about you.” Drake shoved his shirt into his twill pants without looking at his wife.

  She stepped toward him and pointed at her chest. "What do you know about what makes this woman happy?"

  A crooked smile broke his face. "Aw, I know what makes you happy, all right. Didn't I keep you happy all night?"

  She shrugged away the comment aimed to distract her. "Did you ask me which I prefer? No.” She hoped her glare chilled his randy hide.

  His voice softened, placating. "Pearl, be reasonable. We don't know who's tried to kill you and your family. Someone might be trailing you right now, waiting somewhere and watching the house.”

  He met her gaze. That muscle twitched in his cheek, letting her know he was less than happy with this conversation. Well, that didn't bother Pearl in the least. Some things needed talked about.

  He walked over and put his hands
on her shoulders, then took a deep breath and continued, "Look, the sheriff and his deputy as well as several of the town's leading citizens will be looking out for any newcomer. I talked to the owners of the livery stable, the hotel, the mercantile, all the places I could think of that a newcomer would stand out. If any strangers come around asking questions, the sheriff will find out immediately. You and Sarah will be safer here."

  "You're taking Storm with you?” She hugged her arms, sensing a lost battle.

  "Yes, um, with your permission. I can't see him attending teas or shopping here in town. Besides, he's a big help to me."

  Her head came up and her hands fisted at her hips. "And I suppose Sarah and I are just so much baggage?"

  "Now, I didn't say that and you know it.” He held up a hand, palm out, as if to stay her fury. "But you have no place rounding up cattle and getting ready for a drive."

  "It's true we don't ride, but we could learn.” She could learn anything, given a chance. She suspected no chance would come.

  "There's no time to teach you. 'Sides, it makes the cowboys and vaqueros nervous to have women around the cattle. They think it's bad luck. And I can't leave the two of you at the house with only the housekeeper to help you."

  She sagged in defeat. "Okay, Drake. I'll stay here for now, and I'll try not to shame you. But this is only until we know there'll be no more meanness against my family. Don't think you can keep me waiting too long," she warned.

  His face broke into a smile of relief. "You'll see. By the time this is over and things calm down, you'll like this sweet life so much you won't be able to tear yourself away from Grandpa's house."

  "Too much sweet gives a body a belly ache."

  Ignoring that and stepping close, he kissed her on the cheek then nuzzled her neck. "I'll be sleeping tonight in a bedroll on hard ground. Give me a kiss to remember."