Mail-Order Grooms: The Complete Boxed Set Read online

  He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead and damp cheeks. “Shh. I know I was hard on you, little lamb, but it’s because I can’t bear the thought of you being in danger. We will work out this matter of location. I love you and only want you happy.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “I ruined everything!”

  “No, darling. You didn’t. You got scared and reacted badly, that’s all. And I should have insisted we have some resolution about where we will live before asking for your hand. That was my mistake.”

  “I still want to marry you, Roderick,” she said, gazing dolefully into his eyes. “I’ll move to New York City if I have to.”

  He sighed. “Thank you, darling.” He was glad to hear that, but now that he knew how much she objected to it, he couldn’t see himself ever moving back to New York with her. He’d have to find another solution, though at the moment he couldn’t see what it might be.

  There were more immediate matters to deal with, so he pushed it out of his mind for the time being. “I want you to calm down now, honey, so I can get you home. We’ll work this out later.”

  She obeyed eventually, her sobs morphing into hiccups and then disappearing completely as he rubbed her back.

  The walk to her cabin was spent mostly in quiet contemplation. At one point, Betsy reached over and placed her hand inside his. “I have to tell you something. I was planning on telling you earlier today, but then you proposed and everything else happened.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze. “What is it?”

  “It’s Johnny. He came to the house last night.”

  Roderick stopped dead in his tracks. “What?” His entire body tensed up. He released Betsy’s hand and faced her. “Tell me what happened.”

  She fell into a moment of silence that caused Roderick to nearly bark at her with impatience. When she spoke, it was with fear in her voice. “I heard a rapping on my window in the middle of the night. When I looked outside, I could see the outline of his body, standing there staring in. I got so scared I screamed and fetched my pa, but when he went outside to look for him, he was gone.”

  Roderick felt overcome with anger. “Goddamn it, Betsy!”

  Betsy started.

  He immediately felt regretful over his knee-jerk reaction. “I’m sorry, darling. You know I’m not angry at you for this, of course.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I know. It’s nice to know you care about me so much.”

  “Of course I care about you. I think the proposal was evidence enough of that. And the spanking, for that matter.” He grabbed her hand in his and continued to walk toward the cabin. He was quiet for the rest of the way, but his thoughts were anything but. His mind raced, trying to figure out a solution to the various problems that faced them.

  Now his primary concern was what to do about Johnny. Even with the latest event, since neither Timothy nor Betsy had seen the face of the man outside, Roderick reckoned Johnny couldn’t be charged with something even as minor as trespassing. Realizing the helplessness of the situation angered him. Without some kind of intervention, Roderick didn’t imagine that Betsy would ever be free from Johnny’s torment or safe from potential violence.

  When they reached Betsy’s cabin, her parents invited him inside and offered him a glass of whiskey, which he gratefully accepted. Betsy sat next to him, and he wrapped an arm around her, feeling like he never wanted to let her out of his sight after the latest news about Johnny.

  “I see you accepted the proposal,” Timothy said to his daughter, nodding at her ring.

  “Yes,” she responded, her face brightening. She looked at Roderick. “You told my pa you were going to propose before you asked me?”

  “Of course,” he said, relaxing enough to smile back at her.

  Lou and Timothy expressed congratulations for their engagement, which brought a happy, carefree tone to the room that Roderick hated to interrupt. But after some time of celebrating had passed, he sobered and addressed Betsy’s parents. “I’ve just learned about Johnny’s latest harassment. What should we do about this? Seems the marshal is just shy of useless. I feel we must do something to stop Johnny, with or without the law’s help.”

  Roderick felt Betsy shiver against him. He squeezed her hand and looked over at her. “I won’t let anything to happen to you.”

  Timothy leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been thinking about this too. I reckon you, me, and Harrington could pay Johnny a visit. Give him a taste of the damage we we’ll do if he bothers Betsy again.”

  “Suits me,” Roderick said. By this point, he didn’t have any reservations about what would surely be a violent encounter. Before Betsy and before his time in the wild west, he wouldn’t have considered dealing with a problem in that manner. But everything had changed, and he felt more compelled to enact justice harshly with someone like Johnny than to try to reason with him.

  Lou poured more whiskey into Roderick’s glass. It was getting late and there was no moon to guide him to his hotel, but the walk wouldn’t be too difficult because of the wide path. There was still another important matter to discuss. He cleared his throat. “Betsy has expressed concerns about moving with me to New York City, so that’s another problem I must find a solution to.”

  A pained look came into Lou’s eyes. “We’d sure miss Betsy if you moved away, but we’ll support whatever you decide.”

  Sighing, he said, “Thank you, but I don’t like the idea of causing you all pain, least of all Betsy. I wish I knew an easy solution.”

  Betsy shook her head. “Don’t worry, Roderick. It’s not your burden to carry alone. I will adjust, and so will my parents, if we move to New York.”

  Timothy agreed with Betsy. “I’ve never seen my daughter so happy. She’s found a good man, and that’s what’s important to us.”

  Despite those reassurances, Roderick did not feel at ease. For days, he tried to think of a solution, but nothing seemed fitting. He considered that he might take a low-paying job in Virginia City, if one became available, but he didn’t like the thought of putting all of his skills and education to waste, especially if there ever came a point in time where he’d need to provide for children. Equally distasteful, however, was dragging Betsy to a totally foreign place she did not wish to be.

  His musings about the predicament recurred frequently, and there wasn’t anyone around in a similar situation who could give him advice. Even though Adam had come from a different state and successfully settled in Virginia City, he’d left nothing behind and had been ready to start fresh, plus he was a rancher, an occupation that existed in his new town. Contrarily, Roderick had left a great deal behind, and there was no work for him in Virginia City. He couldn’t pretend that the first thirty years of his life hadn’t existed. He also couldn’t see how it was possible to successfully meld his past together with his future with Betsy.

  Chapter Ten

  Betsy walked with a light step to the seamstress shop. She and Roderick had arranged to meet there to buy her a new pair of boots. She was feeling good about her future with Roderick and about how things were going in general. The three men in her life—Roderick, Adam, and her pa—had paid Johnny a visit, and there hadn’t been any more harassing letters or sign of him anywhere since then. She didn’t ask what happened in that visit, but she did notice that Roderick’s hand was bruised immediately following it.

  His fierce protectiveness of her combined with his gentlemanly behavior gave her a sense of calm and general well-being. He was everything she’d ever wanted and more. When he spoke to her in his low, courtly tones, it was all she could do not to melt. Even the punishments, as painful as they had been, were further proof to her that he would always see her to safety.

  Her insecurity about not being sophisticated enough for Roderick remained, though that fear gradually subsided. He looked at her like she was the prettiest lady in the world, and that made her feel like perhaps she was exactly what he wanted, just like he was exactly what she wanted.

  That was w
hy, when she spotted him conversing with Florence Clark outside the shop, the sudden jealousy that filled her heart hit her unexpectedly. Her mouth became dry and blood rushed to her face. She felt anger and an animal-like instinct to fight for what was hers. She walked in their direction but stayed out of sight. Even when she was within earshot, she stayed behind the shadow of the shop so as not to be seen. She wanted to know what they were talking about before making an appearance.

  Florence’s plumby voice rang out clearly and felt like nails against a chalkboard to Betsy. “I’m sure my uncle would love to hire a man like you,” she cooed. “He’s always looking for bright employees, and his business is quite a success. You wouldn’t earn as much as if you returned to New York, of course, but it would be a decent wage. I can put in a good word.”

  “I’d really appreciate that, Miss Clark. Thank you kindly.”

  “I’d want something in return, of course,” she said, her voice sweet and flirtatious.

  “Oh? And what might that be?” Roderick asked, sounding equally jovial.

  Betsy felt her jaw clench and her hands close into fists. She hated how he sounded like he was enjoying speaking to her.

  “You’ll have to let me stay in your grand New York house next time I go there for a visit.” She reached out and laid a hand on his arm, which he did not try to stop.

  Betsy nearly growled. The audacity of the woman, requesting to stay in his house? She was fairly convinced that Roderick would deny that request. Surely it wouldn’t be proper to house an unmarried woman.

  “I think I can accommodate that,” Roderick said, his voice lighthearted. “I sure do appreciate you telling me about your uncle’s business. This could be the answer I’m looking for.”

  Betsy couldn’t stand to hear another word. She stormed into sight and walked directly to them, her blood boiling. When Roderick saw her, his face broke into a smile. “Darling!”

  She plastered a smile on her face, matching Florence’s expression.

  “Hello, Miss Blake,” Florence said politely.

  “Howdy,” she drawled, walking to Roderick’s side. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “Not at all,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “How are you doing today? You’re looking lovely.”

  She was wearing a checkered brown gingham dress with old dusty shoes and a plain black hat. She knew she looked remarkably plain next to Florence, who wore a red satin frock with lace around the sleeves and collar.

  “I don’t look lovely at all,” she retorted hotly, and cast a derisive look at Florence. “Some of us actually have important chores to do during the day. We can’t all go around looking like an oversized china doll.”

  Florence’s eyes widened and her cheeks turned slightly pink, much to Betsy’s satisfaction.

  “Of course,” Betsy continued, “there are plenty of benefits to wearing a blinding red dress and bathing in perfume. Good for frightening dogs and small children away, I’m sure.”

  “My word, Betsy!” Roderick exclaimed.

  “I, I will be going then,” Florence stammered. “Please excuse me.” She blinked rapidly, appearing like she was holding back tears, and then rushed off.

  Betsy instantly felt remorse. She hadn’t dreamed that she could actually hurt her feelings. It was obvious how much more beautiful Florence was, and Betsy had expected her to fling an insult back, not retreat in sad dignity.

  “What in the blazes has gotten into you?” Roderick asked, staring at her with amazement. “I think you offended Miss Clark terribly.”

  “I don’t care!” Betsy exclaimed, though that was a lie. She did care and felt horrible, but she wasn’t willing to lose the last shred of her self-respect by admitting that. “She was flirting with you, and you were flirting back.” She glared at him and took a step away.

  “That’s not true,” he said, shaking his head. “She was telling me about an employment opportunity that would help both of us. My, but you are a jealous little filly, aren’t you?”

  Betsy’s nose burned and her eyes stung. The thought of Roderick falling for the sophisticated lady from his side of the country caused her unimaginable heartache. The image of him laughing with Florence and her touching his arm flashed through her mind. She thought about her rude words to the woman and how foolish she must have looked, while Florence left looking even more dignified than before by not stooping to her level, instead floating away in her pretty dress.

  Betsy then did the only thing she wanted to do in that moment. She needed to get away, to lick her wounds and deal with her shame alone, so she turned and bolted toward home.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake!” she heard Roderick exclaim in a fading voice.

  She ran, hoping and half-expecting to hear Roderick’s footsteps behind her, but when she looked back, she saw him still standing in the same place, watching her retreat with his hands on his hips. Devastated, she ran all the way home and straight into the barn, where she collapsed into a corner and sobbed into her hands. Now she’d really ruined everything. He hadn’t even bothered to catch her this time. She cried until she was exhausted and her nose was running. Not caring how unladylike she appeared to the horses, she wiped it on her sleeve.

  Time passed, and she made no effort to leave her sad little corner in the barn or even shift positions until she heard a noise. She looked up to find Roderick standing in front of her with crossed arms, staring down at her. He didn’t look pleased, but Betsy’s heart gave a small leap of joy. He had followed her. He did want to catch her.

  “Young lady, I can’t believe you went and ran again. Didn’t we already discuss you weren’t to do that?”

  “I needed some time alone to think,” she said lamely.

  He snorted. “Think? In your state? That’s a frightening prospect. What have you been thinking about in that silly head of yours?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “That Florence is prettier than me and you like her more. You think she’s a sophisticated lady and I’m a naughty little girl.”

  He groaned. “You’re right about one thing. I do think you’re naughty. Naughty and silly and everything I want.”

  She peered up at him and studied his handsome features. He didn’t appear angry, only exasperated.

  “Mind if I have a seat?” he asked.

  When she made no protest, he sat down next to her in the hay. “This is rather comfortable,” he commented.

  “It’s dirty,” she said sullenly. “You’re going to get your nice trousers all dusty.”

  “A little dust never hurt anyone.” He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, “Now, young lady, what am I going to do with you?”

  She breathed in the scent of his pine soap, causing a rush of memories from various times they’d spent together over the last month. In that moment, she knew Roderick loved her more than anything in the world. The scene she’d come upon with him and Florence now seemed perfectly normal and harmless, a neighborly conversation about his occupation. She still believed Florence wouldn’t mind if Roderick fancied her, but he didn’t. He loved Betsy.

  She gazed into his eyes. “Forget this ever happened? Take me to lunch?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “I could take you to lunch. But if we go back to town, you’re apologizing to Miss Clark for being so rude.” His lips twitched. “Oversized china doll?”

  Betsy cringed and looked down. “I don’t know where that came from.”

  “I don’t either. That was really something.” He removed his arm from around her shoulders and shaded his eyes. When his shoulders started shaking, Betsy realized he was laughing silently. That gave her hope.

  “Does this mean you’re not angry with me, Roderick?”

  When he stopped laughing, he shook his head. “I’m not angry. But I want to resolve this jealousy of yours and prove you’re the only girl for me.”

  She sighed. “I know I am. I just forget sometimes, that’s all.”

  “Then I need to figure out a way
to help you remember,” he said, a gleam in his eye.

  “Like how?”

  “I can think of a few ways. How about if we go inside and I show you?”

  When she nodded her agreement, Roderick jumped to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. He then bent down and scooped her up over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes.

  She let out a squeal of surprise but did not protest as he walked her to the cabin. Luckily there was no one around to see her in such an undignified position, since her parents were in town on business. She felt especially grateful for the lack of an audience when he landed a few gratuitous swats on her conveniently upturned bottom.

  He crossed the threshold with her still over his shoulder and locked the door. From there he walked to Betsy’s room and slid her down onto her back on the bed. “Now, darling, the things I want us to do, they’re things done between a man and his wife. We may not be married according to the law, but if we continue, we’ll be good as married, far as I’m concerned.”

  She stared into his eyes and swallowed. “I understand, Roderick,” she whispered.

  He leaned down and kissed her, then traveled with light pecks across her cheek to her ear, where he said softly, “Tell me now if you want me to stop. If you don’t, I’m going to prove that every bit of you is mine, and always will be.”

  His possessive words and the tickle of his mouth on her ear caused her pulse to skitter. She felt shivers cascading all the way down to her toes.

  “Don’t stop,” she breathed.

  His hand slid up her leg under her skirt. “Every inch of you will feel my touch.” He loosened the ribbon of her drawers then ran his hand back down to remove her shoes and stockings. He removed her petticoat and shoved up her dress and shift to her waist. The drawers slid down her legs until they reached her feet and were removed completely. “Spread those beautiful legs for me, darling,” he said, his voice husky and low.

  She parted her knees with a little whimper of embarrassment at having her most intimate body parts exposed. Cool air fanned her nether lips, and the hungry look in Roderick’s eye caused warmth to creep up her neck and into her cheeks.