Aurora, A Romantic Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 2) Read online

  The picture of when he’d finally lifted his face from between her breasts with mouth agape and nostrils flaring made her shudder each time she thought of it.

  Whatever he’d done had settled him. He’d then kissed her and whispered breathlessly in her ear how much better it would be once they could fully consummate their union.

  The thought sent a shiver down her back. Never will it happen, Milford Jameson. You won’t have me, nor will you have my father’s title.

  Her father had been perplexed when she’d entered his study early that morning to inform him she was leaving. “I wasn’t aware you planned a trip to Montana to visit Wilhelmina,” he’d said to her, looking over his spectacles. “Will you return in time for the wedding?”

  His gaze moved over from her to whatever he had been in the middle of writing. “Well, be careful then. Send a telegram to let us know you arrived safely.”

  “Father.” She waited for him to meet her gaze. “I’ve decided not to get married. Will you please not tell mother?”

  His brow crinkled and he lifted an ink-smudged hand to his chin. “She’ll, no doubt, notice your absence and become distressed.”

  “I mean the part about me not marrying.”

  “Oh, all right. I’ll see about putting that off for the time being.” He accepted her hug and kiss, then he smiled warmly at her. “You’ve always been an adventurous child, Aurora. Perhaps, after you get settled, I will travel there myself. I’ve always wanted to travel out west. And now I can travel in my investment.” He’d gotten up and opened the safe. After depositing a sack of money into her hand he’d hugged her. The awkward demonstration had melted Aurora’s heart.

  “Be happy dear daughter.”

  “It would make me very happy for you to visit. I will miss you so.” Before she could start blubbering and wake up the household, Aurora left swiftly.

  Montana beckoned. A place Wilhelmina swore was beautiful beyond imagination.

  The destination Aurora never imagined awaited.

  Chapter Two

  Evan Jones was not aware there had been a gunfight, yet the two bleeding men who’d arrived at his clinic seemed to have been caught in some sort of crossfire. Neither admitted to shooting at the other. Therefore, what had actually happened would remain a mystery unless they said more.

  Sheriff Blake looked blandly from one to the other and then let out a breath. “Someone had a gun out. Otherwise neither of you would be bleeding like stuck pigs.”

  “Ahhh!” The man on the bed screamed when Evan dug around for the bullet. He’d not administered any type of anesthetic since the sheriff insisted on interrogating them while he worked.

  “Hand me the tray,” Evan instructed the lawman. Sheriff Blake reached for a small metal plate and placed it on the bed next to where he worked. “Bite down on this.” Evan shoved a worn leather piece between the man’s teeth. The bullet was quite deep and he was about to dig around nerves and such.

  The unlucky patient squeezed his eyes shut and began shaking as sweat broke out on his brow. Finally, Evan’s long instrument hit metal and he pulled the bullet out slowly in order not to cause more damage.

  The sheriff had moved on to the other man who was not as traumatically injured. The man’s gaze followed the approaching lawman and his eyes grew round. Evan cringed as the wounded man held a dirty hand over the wound on his shoulder. “Where is the cloth I gave you?” He called out. “Keep pressure on the wound with the cloth, not your nasty hand.”

  The injured man ignored him and glowered at the sheriff. “Instead of wasting time in here, you need to be out there finding out who shot us.”

  The sheriff shoved a clean cloth at the man. “Don’t go anywhere until I say so.” Blake gave Evan an annoyed look and stalked out.

  If the men had shot at each other neither would admit it. They certainly didn’t want to spend time in jail with injuries. Besides, both had stern wives who’d not stand for such behavior. One of the men had been very public about how much his wife pestered him daily and deterred his ability to visit the saloon as much as he’d liked.

  It had earned him a huge knot on the side of his head that he’d come to see Evan about.

  Commotion broke out in the front room and his nurse’s shrill voice commanded whoever walked in where to carry their burden. Gladys had returned from errands just in time, it seemed.

  The sheriff walked back into the room. “Another one shot. This one is unconscious. Looks bad.”

  “Gladys, stitch this one up.” Evan motioned to the man he’d just pulled a bullet from. “I’ll go see about the new arrival.”

  A bloody trail led from the door to a puddle on the floor under where the unconscious man now lay. Despite the large amount of blood loss, Evan hesitated for a moment and ascertained where to start his examination. It didn’t look good, there were several gunshot wounds. If the hapless man didn’t die from the injuries, he would soon from loss of blood.

  The injured man’s head lulled to the side, showing a gaping wound on the side of his neck.

  “What the hell is going on out there?” Evan asked Gerald Ritchey, the town barber, who stood by watching. Obviously he’d helped carry the man in. “Was there some sort of gunfight?”

  “This man came into town chased by another two. When they got past the saloon, they had a shoot out on the other side of town,” the town barber explained.

  “They’re in the other room.” Evan cut away the man’s shirt and found two more wounds. “I’ve got them in the back room. Both are in better shape than this man.”

  “Came to visit to relax and I find this.” His older brother, Emmett, sauntered in and peered down at the unconscious man. “Turning gray. Not a good sign.”

  “Not sure what I would do without your expert opinion,” Evan replied blandly, resisting an urge to hug his brother for arriving at such an opportune time.

  Emmett, a surgeon, lived in Billings. He visited regularly to check on Evan and their younger brother, Elias.

  Once his brother rolled up his sleeves and went to see the other two, Evan concentrated on the patient, who miraculously clung to life.

  An hour later, the two gunshot victims headed home with assistance. Evan sat back to drink coffee while keeping an eye on his critical patient.

  Emmett, who’d gone out, returned with a leather bag and dropped it just inside the door. He eyed the cup in Evan’s hand. “Got more coffee? I’m hungry, too.”

  It was interesting how, whenever his brother visited, the man expected to be waited on hand and foot.

  “This isn’t a hotel. If you want something, you fix it or get it yourself.” He returned Emmett’s bland look with a smirk.

  “You won’t win points for hospitality, that’s for sure.” Grumbling, his brother went to fetch a cup of coffee.

  “What brings you back so soon?” Evan asked. His brother had just visited a week earlier claiming he needed time to get away from a woman who pestered him regularly, demanding marriage. Evan wondered what the whole story was, but was not willing to ask too many questions since Emmett was grumpy and annoyed enough.

  “Supposed to meet Elias here this week. Didn’t he tell you?” He referred to their younger brother, a rancher who owned land between Billings and Laurel.

  The last thing Evan needed at the moment was the three of them in the same house. They never got along well for more than a day. Emmett would begin bossing them around, Elias’ hot temper would surface which meant Evan would be forced to play mediator.

  “Why are we getting together? Is there a death in the family? Did Elias discover gold on his land?”

  “He’s insisting we go in together on some land deal. Claims it will make us rich.” Emmett’s tone remained flat. “I say we give him money and call it a day.”

  Evan chuckled. “Is that how we deal with the youngest, just throw money at him? He’s got money. I know he’s financially stable. Maybe it’s his way of bringing us together. You know, closer as a family.”
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br />   A huff was followed by grunt. “Maybe. Food?”

  “I can’t leave my patient.”

  Emmett looked past him to where Gladys sat knitting. “Does she cook?”

  “No she does not,” Gladys retorted with a snarl. “I only help out here to get away from my own pile of housework.” She returned to knitting.

  “So what do you do for meals?” Emmett was incessant when it came to eating.

  “My housekeeper usually leaves a meal. Go check the house.” Already, he was growing weary. Once Elias appeared, the day would only get more tiring.

  He exchanged smiles with Gladys when Emmett walked out. She was his housekeeper.

  Chapter Three

  “For goodness’ sake, Lucille, why are you crying?” Aurora leaned forward and patted her friend’s hand. “I told you it was up to you to come or remain.”

  The young girl sniffed into her handkerchief. “You are my only family. I would never let you come alone. I am nervous. What if Indians kidnap us? Or we are killed by outlaws?”

  “Neither thing will happen. If anything, this long train ride will be followed by long days indoors until spring.” Aurora understood how Lucille felt. She, having read about the wildness of the west, hoped not to find herself in either situation Lucille described.

  “Henry told me he heard the natives collect scalps. Can you imagine, Mistress?”

  Although the goriness of the thought made her pause, Aurora succeeded in giving her maid an annoyed look. “Let’s not speak of such horrible things. Instead, let’s practice you not calling me mistress. Lucille, I invited you to come along as my companion and friend, not as a maid.”

  To her credit, Lucille hid the incredulous look quickly, but not so fast that Aurora missed it.

  A voice bellowed for tickets and both of them dug into their bags to prepare. The side-to-side shaking of the train and constant clip-clopping of the rails made for a perfect lullaby. Aurora yawned and stretched her arms upwards. “I am afraid this is going to be a difficult journey. Day after day stuck in this box can drive one crazy.”

  “I keep falling asleep. It cannot be helped,” Lucille admitted. “Not sure how the conductor or engineer remains awake.”

  A man wearing a hat that identified him as the conductor appeared at the doorway and both lifted their tickets. “Sir, what do you do to remain awake for the long hours?” Aurora asked.

  His lips curved and disappeared under his long mustache. “I walk about, Miss. I whistle and keep moving.”

  “Good idea,” Lucille said, returning the smile. “I will do the same then.”

  “Don’t wander too far. Every car looks the same and it can be quite confusing,” the man told her and walked away.

  Aurora sat back and let out a breath. The weather was expected to be quite frigid in Montana. Hopefully, she’d packed warm enough coats for herself and Lucille. Her mind wandered constantly to the state of affairs back in Pennsylvania. No doubt, her mother would send someone after her and make up some family illness or such to keep Aurora’s true reason for departing a secret from the Jamesons.

  Something had to be done. Marriage to Milford would have been horrifying. The closest thing Aurora could fathom was being in hell itself.

  Once arriving in Montana, she had no choice but to find someone to marry as soon as possible. From what Wilhelmina had explained, not only was her husband’s brother single and attractive, but also there were many eligible men in Laurel who were in need of a wife.

  The idea of a family life was one that warmed her spirit. She’d always wanted a good husband and children. Never imagined her family would be forced into a situation where she’d marry a man based solely on his financial standing.

  Regardless of how swiftly her marriage plans were to be made, she’d ensure that the man she married was honorable, honest and, more than anything, kind.

  Two days passed and the landscape outside became quite different. The greenery changed to various shades of browns. It was clear she’d gone too far to go back now. No matter what her mother tried, her efforts to repair what havoc Aurora’s departure would cause would be in vain. In the end, it meant social ruin for both her mother and younger sister. For that she was sorry.

  Hopefully, by the time Sybil was old enough to attend soirees, all of this would be forgotten. The girl was only ten now. She would not be out in society for at least six years.

  Snow-capped mountains caught her attention just as fat flakes began to fall. It wouldn’t be much longer and they’d reach their destination. Laurel would be a new home for her and Lucille.

  The train jarred to a stop which, in turn, shook both Aurora and Lucille awake. “What happened?” Lucille wiped at her eyes and then lifted the window curtain to peer out. “It’s dark still. No light on the horizon that I can see.”

  “We’ll know soon enough.” Aurora tried to ignore the trickle of apprehension. What if train robbers had accosted the engineer? Or maybe Indians did something to bring the train to a stop.

  She shivered under her blanket. “I hope someone comes by to inform us.”

  Time passed by, perhaps not long, but the wait seemed to linger and the more time passed, the more apprehensive the passengers became. Murmurs rose to a steady hum and, finally, a man walked past them toward the front of the train and returned just moments later.

  “Sir, what is happening?” Lucille asked.

  The man touched his head. Then realizing his hat was gone, he cleared his throat. “Seems a herd of buffalo are blocking the tracks. Nothing to be too concerned about ladies. I hear it happens quite regularly.”

  When the man continued on his way, both Aurora and Lucille let out a collective sigh of relief.

  Lucille pulled her blanket up to her chin. “I’m so glad everything’s fine. I hope no animals were injured, although I imagine it’s their fault for standing on the tracks.” The young woman peered out into the darkness. “How long do you think it takes to move a buffalo?”

  It was hard not to giggle at her friend. Aurora was constantly astounded at how quickly Lucille went from one mood to another. With lightning speed, the young woman could go from crying to making entertaining remarks.

  Fair-skinned with bright red hair and vivid green eyes, Lucille was quite pretty. Lucille’s coloring was quite a contrast to Aurora’s olive skin and dark hair. She and Lucille could never claim to be sisters. However, having been together since the age of ten, they’d grown to be more than mistress and maid. They could finish each other’s sentences and often talked late into the night after Aurora asked Lucille to climb in bed and spend the night in her bedroom.

  Although her mother was quite stern about the household staff’s roles, she had a soft spot when it came to Lucille and had never tried to dissuade their friendship.

  The train’s whistle sounded and the wheels turned slowly at first until, once again, it picked up speed. The familiar sway began once more.

  Hours later, morning dawned with barely any light. Aurora stretched before going to relieve herself. When she returned, Lucille was just waking.

  They sat in silence for a few moments, each with their own thoughts.

  Aurora met her friend’s gaze. “Lucille, do you think you’ll marry in Montana?”

  It was evident Lucille had not considered it by the widening of her eyes. She’d probably planned to continue to live with Aurora as her companion forever. “I hadn’t thought about it. To be honest, I do wish to marry one day.”

  “From what Wilhelmina writes, there are many men out here looking to marry and form families. I truly believe you will be courted and fall in love with a wonderful man in record time.”

  “I will think about marrying once you are properly settled first. I have to become accustomed to the idea first.” Lucille’s face became wistful, a soft smile curving her lips. “I always thought to move with you once you married. Although I was not too excited with the notion of moving to the Jameson estate, it was my lot in life and I accepted it.” />
  “If you’d wished to remain with my family, I would have understood,” Aurora replied, unsure what to think. “I wasn’t aware you disliked the Jamesons as much as I did.”

  Lucille made a face. “Even their servants hold themselves above all others. I was never allowed to do much more than sit in the kitchen when you visited. When I offered to help serve once, the housekeeper told me I wouldn’t know the first thing about proper decorum.”

  “I am not surprised.” Aurora glanced out into the darkness. “The snow keeps falling. I hope it doesn’t impede the train from reaching our final destination. It looks to be quite a storm.”

  The wind had picked up and the heavy snowfall blew sideways down to the ground. It was impossible to make out more than a few inches past the window. As it was, the gloomy, gray skies made it even harder to decipher.

  “It is early yet. Hopefully, it will let up. We don’t arrive until tomorrow morning.” Lucille stood up. “I will go find out from a family who told me yesterday their home is in Montana what they think.”

  Aurora smiled. Already, the industrious young woman had made friends and could be counted on to help whenever needed. How lucky she was to come with a companion.

  She couldn’t imagine how different the trip had been for Wilhelmina. Traveling alone such a long distance to an uncertain future must have been a nerve-racking ordeal. As it was, she was a bundle of nerves, constantly wondering what would happen next. There was no doubt, even upon arriving in Laurel, events could be affected by many factors. Hopefully, it would go smoothly and she’d be greeted by Wilhelmina’s new family. Otherwise, Aurora would have to find somewhere to rest until they did.

  According to Wilhelmina, she had the option of a small town hotel. However, when the trains arrived, they usually had no rooms since people traveled from afar to greet the train.

  There was no need to fret and, normally, it wasn’t in her nature to do so. However, something about Milford gave her pause. He didn’t seem the type one should cross. In his eyes, Aurora had sensed cruelty and a lack of caring for anyone other than himself.