Mail-Order Grooms: The Complete Boxed Set Page 16

  “Yeah. I don’t know that I would have normally. But I was kinda mad at you.”

  That news took him aback. “What? Why?”

  She shrugged. “I guess I felt like you probably like Florence Clark more than me. She’s so sophisticated, you know?”

  “No, I don’t know,” he said gruffly.

  “She has her eye on you. She was staring at you the whole night, trying to get your attention, and then she got her wish when you danced with her.”

  “Well, if that’s true, I didn’t notice. I only have eyes for you, Betsy Blake, and that’s a fact.”

  She smiled at him. “You’re so kind to me.”

  “Yeah?” he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “We’ll see how kind you think I am when I tan your hide for putting yourself in danger, especially for such a silly reason.”

  It was Betsy’s turn to look surprised. “You’re not really going to spank me for that, are you?”

  He considered it a moment. “I should, but I suppose I’ll let it slide this time. Mark my words, though. You will tell me next time you have a problem, with me or anyone else. No running away from it. And you’ll tell me if this Johnny fellow contacts you again.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I will. I promise.”

  “Good. And tomorrow we’ll report this incident to the marshal and show him the harassing letters. You still have them, right?”

  “Yes, I saved them. I don’t know why. I hate knowing I have them.”

  “Well it’s a good thing you did save them. It’s proof of his harassment. You also need to tell the Harringtons and of course your parents too when they return from out of town.”

  She sighed. “I suppose. You know if I do that, they won’t let me out of their sight.”

  He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips for a quick kiss. “Darling, I’d rather you suffer that annoyance than get hurt.”

  She looked at him with warmth. “I’m glad you care about me, Roderick.” Slowly, her lips curled up in a grin. “It’s funny, you know, now that I think about what just happened. I can’t believe you walloped him.”

  He snorted. “I can’t believe it either. It’s not something I’ve done before. I was worried after I hit him that I might have offended you, since I know you want to court a gentleman.”

  “I want someone opposite of Johnny, but I kind of like that you defended me,” she said with a shy smile. “It makes me feel, I don’t know...” Her voice trailed off.

  “Aroused?” he supplied, cocking an eyebrow comically.

  She gasped and then laughed. “You’re not very gentlemanly today, Roderick Mason, in more than one way!”

  He joined her in laughing, pleased that he had amused her. His comment would have earned him a slap across the face had he been courting someone else. How he adored Betsy. “No, I suppose I’m not. Come along now,” he said. “Mr. Harrington will have my hide if he knows we’ve spent this much time away from the event. You’ll stay the night at the Harringtons’ cabin, right? I don’t like the thought of you sleeping alone at yours.”

  She assured him she would. After safely handing her off to her friends and promising to call on her the next day, Roderick returned to his room at the hotel and wrote out a report to hand to the marshal about Johnny’s harassment of Betsy. After that, he wrote about the confrontation that had occurred that evening between himself and the jilted ranch hand.

  The next day Betsy and Roderick delivered the reports to the marshal in the hopes that something could be done. Much to their consternation, the marshal wouldn’t help. He told them he couldn’t arrest Johnny for his harassment of Betsy. It wasn’t against the law to write letters to someone and, furthermore, Johnny hadn’t signed them. Without sounding very concerned, he bade them goodbye. “Lock your doors,” he called out flippantly as they left the jailhouse.

  Chapter Six

  Betsy felt giddy and nervous as she sat next to Roderick at the Harringtons’ supper table. They were squeezed in tightly, since both Susannah and Adam, plus their two children, were also seated around the table that normally only sat four.

  “I received a telegram from your pa, Betsy,” Adam said, after swallowing his bite of roast beef. “There was a mix-up over the price of grain, so they’ll be staying in Caston a few more days to negotiate.”

  Betsy was disappointed to hear that news, since she looked forward to introducing her parents to Roderick. She also looked forward to not being subject to Adam’s restrictions. She reckoned her pa would be much more permissive when it came to her and Roderick being together.

  “Sit up straight, Mini, and eat with your fork,” Susannah admonished. The child, who was slouching in her chair next to Adam, had just grabbed a piece of potato and stuffed it into her mouth. “Another roll, Mr. Mason?” Susannah asked, handing him the basket.

  “I’d love one. I must say, this is the best supper I’ve had in a long while. I appreciate you inviting me today, Mrs. Harrington.”

  Susannah’s face lit up over the compliment. She smiled at Betsy. “You’ve got yourself a charmer, Betsy. Don’t let this one get away.”

  Betsy giggled and blushed when Roderick looked over and winked at her.

  “I don’t wanna eat the beans,” Mini whined.

  Everyone ignored her, and Adam spoke to Roderick. “Do you intend to stay here in Nevada, Mr. Mason, or will you be returning to New York at a later date?”

  Roderick sawed into his beef. “I’m not sure, to be honest. I enjoy this town and the nice folks in it, like you all, but I have a house in New York City and make a good living as an architect. What was missing in my life there was a family to share it with.”

  Betsy felt surprised. She had assumed Roderick would stay in Virginia City and that if all worked out between them, they would be married and find somewhere nearby to live. “You might go back to New York?” she asked, her pitch higher than usual.

  He looked over at her. “Not without you, darling.”

  “I… I never thought I’d live anywhere else,” Betsy said.

  Adam frowned at them from across the table. “You two haven’t discussed where you might live if you get hitched? That seems like an important conversation to have before you take things further.”

  “Pa, I don’t want my beans,” Mini said again, tugging on the arm of his shirt.

  Adam continued to ignore her and focused on Betsy and Roderick.

  Roderick wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin and addressed Betsy. “Mr. Harrington is right. We should discuss this, and will.”

  Betsy suddenly had an image of herself strolling down a street in New York City, looking through the shop windows at the various goods on display. She’d always imagined wearing fine clothes and having a life much more glamorous than the one she lived, but before that moment she’d never once considered that she might actually reside anywhere else.

  “How is your hotel room, Mr. Mason?” Susannah asked, changing the subject. “I hear it’s a nice place to stay and convenient to the various venues around town.”

  “It’s comfortable. I have no complaints, except for perhaps the curtains,” he said jokingly. “They are a ghastly color best reserved for sand and straw, wouldn’t you agree, Betsy?”

  She hadn’t noticed the curtains while she was in Roderick’s room, being much more focused on him, but she grinned and agreed. “Yes, terrible.”

  “Wait a minute,” Adam said. “How in the tarnation do you know what his curtains look like, Betsy?”

  She froze with her fork suspended in the air on the way to her mouth. At the same time, Roderick realized he’d inadvertently said something that would get her in trouble. He groaned. “I’m afraid I spoke too freely. It didn’t need mentioning, but Betsy stopped by my room the other day to have a word with me.”

  Adam set down his knife and fork, and his expression became stern. “I believe I made it clear to you that your courtship is to take place in public.”

  Betsy stared down at her plate,
no longer hungry.

  “I’m sure it was just a quick word, Adam,” Susannah said, coming to their defense.

  Betsy hazarded a glance at him. “Yes, it was a very quick word, Mr. Harrington,” she said meekly.

  “I don’t care if it was a quick word, young lady. You deliberately disobeyed me. You won’t be leaving the ranch, nor will you be seeing Mr. Mason again after tonight until your parents come home. Is that clear?”

  The news hit her hard. She blinked. “But… that’s not fair!” she exclaimed. “Mr. Harrington, please—“

  He held up his hand. “It’s more than fair. Believe me when I say if you were mine, your punishment would be much worse.”

  Betsy felt a lump rising in her throat, and her eyes stung with tears. She wished more than ever that her parents were home, but it would still be a few days yet. That seemed like an eternity to be kept sequestered at the ranch, when her first romance was beginning to bloom into love.

  “These beans are so yucky!” Mini exclaimed, once again determined to make her feelings about the dish quite clear.

  Adam sighed with exasperation and pulled out her chair. He lifted her and set her on the ground. “Go to your room, Mini. We don’t say rude things at the table.”

  “But Pa…”

  “Git!” he said sharply, snapping his fingers and pointing at her bedroom. He was obviously in no mood to argue with his child.

  Mini’s lower lip quivered before she scurried away, just as Betsy’s tears were starting to fall.

  Susannah scowled at Adam. “You’re being unreasonable. These two are just getting to know each other, and their romance isn’t conventional. You, of all people, should support and appreciate that.”

  “What I appreciate is obedience,” Adam said firmly. “And I’m not going to sit idly by and allow these two engage in an unsupervised relationship.” Looking at Roderick, he said, “You seem like a good man, but we don’t know you like we know the men in town, and Betsy knows better than to disobey me.”

  “I understand your position,” Roderick said. “And if I were in your shoes, I’d be inclined to watch over Betsy as well.”

  “You already do feel inclined to watch over me!” she exclaimed, anguished over the situation. “You scared Johnny away when he threatened me. And when I went to your room, you… you punished me for lying about my age in my advertisement. I don’t need two men watching over me.”

  The whole room fell into silence then, until Susannah cleared her throat. “Caleb, sweetheart, go comfort your sister, would you? Your pa hurt her feelings.”

  “Sure,” he said, standing from his seat. He left the table.

  Betsy sniffled and wiped her eyes. Roderick reached over and rubbed her back. “Calm down, darling. This isn’t the end of the world, having to wait a few days. I’ll still be here.”

  “Let me get this straight, Betsy,” Adam said. “When you were alone together at the hotel, Roderick punished you for being dishonest in your advertisement?”

  She nodded, now feeling embarrassed in addition to wronged. Susannah and Adam exchanged glances. Was it her imagination, or were they actually smiling at each other?

  Anger coursed through her. How dare they find it amusing? Adam was ruining her life, and he had the audacity to smile about it? “I’m glad you find it funny,” she said angrily, and swiped at the tears on her cheek.

  “We’re not laughing at you, honey,” Susannah said quickly, her expression changing from amused to earnest. “It’s only that… well, that’s a familiar story to us.”

  Her words meant nothing, and Betsy sat there feeling miserable and very angry at the Harringtons. She was angry at Adam for obvious reasons, and she wished Susannah had never invited Roderick to supper. What a disaster.

  Adam combed his fingers through his hair and leaned back. Susannah shifted in her seat and gave him a pointed look. For reasons Betsy couldn’t understand, the whole tone of the room had changed. Adam didn’t seem angry in the least anymore, and he finally sighed and relented. “I may have been too hasty to restrict you, Betsy,” he said.

  She stared at him, confused about why he’d suddenly changed his mind, but hopeful that perhaps he would lift the restriction completely.

  Adam turned his attention to Roderick. “I can trust you to protect Betsy’s feelings and reputation?”

  “Yes, absolutely,” Roderick said.

  “All right, then,” Adam said. “You two may continue with the courtship.”

  “Oh, thank you, Mr. Harrington!” Betsy exclaimed, overjoyed and relieved at the pronouncement. She didn’t understand what had changed his mind, but she didn’t need to. She was just happy he had.

  Roderick reached over and squeezed her hand. “My impatient little lamb,” he said fondly.

  Her heart fluttered at his pet name for her, which had only been uttered before during discipline.

  Adam shook his head. “Sakes alive, if this is what it’s like having a grown-up daughter, I won’t survive Mini,” he grumbled.

  “She’ll be worse,” Susannah warned. “Betsy has always been a good girl. Mini, well—”

  “Hush,” Adam said, holding up his hand. “I’m already worried. No need to kill me now. I reckon I still have a few years left to enjoy.”

  The four of them laughed, and the children emerged from the bedroom, Mini looking quite morose with a pout on her face.

  “Poor Mini,” Susannah said. “Look at her, Adam. She’s not used to you being so sharp with her.”

  He groaned. “I’m not very popular with the ladies today, am I? Get over here, Mini.” When she reached him, he pulled her onto his lap.

  “I will eat the yucky beans if you want me to, Pa,” she said solemnly.

  He chuckled. “Well, that’s good of you, sweetheart. No need to eat them today. Are you still hungry?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Not even for pie?”

  She blinked at him with wide eyes before she said, “Maybe a little hungry.”

  Adam grinned and gave her a hug, which caused her pout to disappear entirely.

  Chapter Seven

  Roderick stopped by the telegraph office and sent a telegram to his butler in New York, explaining that he would be staying in Virginia City indefinitely due to meeting a lady he was smitten with. He asked how all was going at the house. A favorable response came a few days later, stating that all was well and normal. The butler also expressed how happy he was that Roderick had found a woman that piqued his interest. Roderick smiled to himself. His butler had given him a hard time on more than one occasion about his failure to be impressed by perfectly suitable young ladies.

  Receiving the telegram from his butler caused a longing for home to enter his heart for the first time since arriving in Virginia City. Though he enjoyed the adventure of the west, he realized he hadn’t appreciated his life in New York as much as he should have. It was a life of intellectual pursuit and activities he enjoyed and was familiar with.

  Since arriving in Nevada, he’d had to learn tasks which before he’d never had any use for, such as saddling a horse. Though an expert rider, preparing a horse for transport had never been in his purview. It had been up to his groom. Betsy helped him become accustomed to his new life in several ways, including showing him how to groom and saddle the horse he borrowed from Mr. Harrington. Of course, Roderick could afford to pay someone to do these kinds of tasks for him, but he wanted to learn himself. He already stood out in the town, and expecting a groom to prepare his horse for him in exchange for pay wouldn’t be regarded favorably.

  Roderick still managed to open his wallet frequently. He paid for supper every evening at Mary’s Restaurant, usually with Betsy in attendance. To eat at the restaurant every day was customary for a resident of the hotel, but Roderick also ate breakfast and lunch there, unless he was invited to the ranch. Since he didn’t know how to make even a simple cup of broth or porridge, he remained reliant on cooks and spent a great deal of money on food alon
e.

  He also insisted on buying Betsy presents. He delighted in the way her eyes lit up upon unwrapping each one. There was something so pure about her excitement, and it never failed to give him pleasure when she would exclaim that she couldn’t accept the gifts while simultaneously donning the jewelry or clothing on her person.

  Ever since the evening at the Harringtons’ when Adam had relaxed his restriction on their courting activities, Roderick and Betsy had spent a great deal of time alone together. He fell in love with her more every day. Though he’d never experienced true romantic love before, upon it entering his heart, he knew what it was. It couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. It was a feeling more intense than anger, yet simultaneously calming. It made him feel like the most powerful man in the world and also the most vulnerable. Every day he would discover something new about Betsy that would make him respect and love her more.

  He visited her at the Harringtons’ cabin one afternoon while Adam and Susannah were away and she was watching the children. He liked seeing her play hide-and-go-seek with Mini and helping Caleb with his homework. She was naturally nurturing, and it warmed his heart observing what a fine mother she would be someday.

  “Miss Betsy, can I go play at the hut?” Mini asked, tugging on her skirts.

  The hut, a small playhouse that Adam had built for the children, was just within sight of the cabin. “Sure, Mini, just for a little while. It’s sunny, so you should wear your bonnet.”

  After Betsy tied the bonnet’s ribbon into a bow under her chin, Mini bolted for the hut.

  Betsy called after her. “We’re going to see Mrs. Pierce later, Mini!” She got no response, as the child was already halfway to her playhouse.

  “So full of energy, that one,” Roderick commented.

  “Yes, that’s for sure,” Betsy agreed. “I can hardly keep up with her. She’s stubborn too. I’ll bet you a nickel she gives me trouble when I say it’s time visit Mrs. Pierce.”

  “Oh? Mini doesn’t like her?”