The Debutante's Gamble: Western Historical Romance (Debutante's of Durango Book 5)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  The other men nodded.

  "She's a saucy one. I pity the man she marries. His hands will be full trying to keep her out of trouble."

  Walter didn't want to marry the girl. Would someone accused of being a troublemaker be an outstanding nanny? Right now, he was on nanny number five, and he just hoped and prayed she stayed.

  In town, there weren't many women who would take on his little terrors.

  "So how many have lost to her?"

  All the men, but one made a disgruntled noise. Of the four players, three of them had lost money and now that included Walter.

  "Why not tell her mother, so you could keep her away from the tables?"

  The men busted out laughing. "Have you ever met her mother? That woman is a ball breaker. I don't blame the girl one bit for trying to sneak away from her. If she learns you're not married—watch out. Nellie Trippe has not one, but two, eligible young women she's trying to marry off."

  A frown drew his brows together at the thought of his twin boys at home. As much as he loved his children, he wished to goodness his wife had never gotten pregnant. The memory of the painful birthing sent a shudder rippling through him. The doctor's voice telling him that Natalie didn't make it, but the babies lived, still haunted him.

  In what was supposed to be a moment of joy, he'd lost the woman he loved. And since that day, he swore never to marry again.

  "Not me," he said. "Been married once and that was enough."

  Silence filled the table as they continued to gamble. When Walter lost the next hand, he threw down his cards. "I'm out. It's past midnight and time for this man to find his way home, so I can go to work tomorrow."

  "Goodnight," the players called as the dealer dealt the next hand.

  As he walked out of the gambling hall, he remembered the way Fannie Trippe all but ran out the door, her skirts lifted to expose her trim ankle.

  A wild child. A beautiful young woman filled with so much vibrancy, he almost wanted to reach out and touch her to make certain she was real.

  His boys were in many ways like her. Full of life and mischief, loving to create trouble, they were also wild children. A shudder went through him. They needed a woman's touch.

  Stepping out onto the wooden sidewalk, he located his horse and climbed on the mare for the short journey home. Where he hoped peacefulness reigned.

  Chapter Four

  When Fannie rode her horse into the barn, she noticed all the lights were out in the house. Could she be lucky once again tonight and sneak in without getting caught? All the way home, she prepared her excuse, just in case. Now if only her mother would accept her explanation, if she was still awake.

  Hurriedly, she undid the saddle and threw it up on the wall and gave the horse some oats and then ran across the yard to the house. If her mother ever learned of her love of gambling, her life would be as good as over.

  Quietly she removed her shoes before she gently turned the knob of the front door and entered the house. As she closed the door, an eerie feeling sizzled up her spine, and she knew her mother and father were both sitting in the living room in the dark waiting for her.

  "Do I need to get my shotgun and force this boy to marry you?" her father asked.

  Whirling around, she gasped. "Papa, what are you doing still up?"

  "Wondering what my daughter is doing out so late," he said, lighting the lantern. "Where have you been and who were you with?"

  Aargh, she hoped to avoid this confrontation, but now her tardiness was unavoidable, and she would be forced to lie or face Sister Beatrice at the nunnery.

  The glare her mother gave her let her know the trouble she was in. "Mother knew I went to Sally's house for the evening. We started playing cribbage and suddenly I realized it was almost midnight. I thought about spending the night, but that would only worry you, when I wasn't home in the morning. Look, I'm sorry, I know I should have come home sooner."

  Rising from her rocker, her mother approached her. Nellie Trippe’s green eyes narrowed on her daughter. She sniffed her clothing. "You smell like smoke."

  "Yes, you know Sally's father likes his pipes. Honestly, Mother, you can ask Sally, and she'll tell you how long we played."

  "No men were there?"

  Not flinching, she met her gaze, because she understood a slight stutter would send her mother into full investigation mode.

  "Only her father. I'm still as virginal today as I was yesterday," she said and regretted the words the moment she said them.

  Why was everyone so worried about her blasted virginity. Fannie had yet to meet a man she would consider giving her body to. Sure, she dreamed of when her husband showed her the secrets of life, but there was plenty of time for that after her list of experiences was completed.

  "Don't get smart with me, young lady. I'm searching for you a husband. A fine, young man with wealth and connections, just like I did for your sister. A young woman should not be out roaming after dark."

  "What if I don't want to marry a wealthy man?" she said. "What if I wanted to marry a man I fall in love with."

  It was the wrong thing to say as her mother's body tensed, and she pulled her shoulders back, her eyes widening. “Sidney, did you hear our daughter wants to marry for love."

  They both started laughing.

  Frustration filled Fannie as she gazed at her parents. Why was it inconceivable to want to spend the rest of your life with a man you loved?

  "Love is an emotion that comes after you're married. Not before. And don't you forget it. You'll be married like my family did me. Your father and I will find a suitable, wealthy man and then after he courts you for a bit, an arrangement will be made. Plan on being wed before the summer is over."

  A groan escaped Fannie. So little time left to experience life before her mother pawned her off to a man. So little time to do all the things she wanted that society frowned upon for women. All the things her mother would never approve of. Like gamble, drink, smoke, dance, flirt, and maybe even skinny dip.

  Was it wrong to want to experience some fun before being forced into being a wife and mother and following the rules of society?

  "Summer. My last bit of freedom," she said with a sigh.

  A frown crossed her mother's face. "Why aren't you excited about marriage. It's the next step."

  "Because I'm not ready. Because I would like to enjoy life a little before you tied me to a man. Maybe, just maybe, I would like to have fun before I'm forced to become a stick in the mud like you," she said.

  Oops, she should never have said that.

  "Fannie Trippe, you will not disrespect your mother," her father said.

  She was pushing her limits, but why did her mother believe at eighteen the time had come for her to marry?

  "Fun? You have been too sheltered and never experienced the hardships of life. You should be grateful I'm searching for a wealthy man and not a poor boy where you would need to work," her mother said.

  Oh, she had heard this same remark so many times, and it would be best if she kept her mouth shut and went to bed.

  "In the morning, I will check with Sally to make certain you were playing cribbage," she said, her eyes narrowing. "If you've lied to me, you will find yourself in a convent, taking the vows. Do you understand me?"

  Oh, how she wanted to smart off and say, I'll make a perfect nun, but that comment would only bring more trouble.

  "Yes, ma'am," she said. "Now may I be excused so I can go to bed?"

  "Don't forget we are to prepare baskets to take to the poor in town tomorrow at nine a.m.," her mother said.

  A groan gurgled up in her throat, but she quickly swallowed the sound, knowing any comment would be considered impertinence. Somehow she needed to retreat upstairs.

  "Yes, ma'am," she said. "Goodnight."

  As she went up the stairs, her parents’ voices raised in concern followed her up. Her father was probably defending her from her mother. Tonight she almost got caught. Even though marriage to a stranger would n
ot be fun, living in a convent would be even worse.

  At the landing, her younger sister, Daisy, met her in her nightgown. "Are you in trouble again?"

  "Yes," she said, sighing.

  "When are you ever going to learn?"

  "Probably never. I like being independent, wild, and kind of free. And Mother, she wants to clip my wings and put me in a bird cage."

  Daisy giggled. "Promise me you didn't do anything bad."

  Being out late at night didn't mean she was out whoring or something worse. Only gambling. Oh, how she wished her perfect sister would experience her mother's punishment just once.

  "No, had some fun. Unfortunately, I let the time slip away from me and it was almost midnight when I saw the time and hurried home. Next time, you could lie for me. Tell them I'm staying over at Sally's house."

  "Oh no, I'm not going to aid you getting into trouble. At the moment, Mother is going easy on me and favors me. Currently, I'm in a sweet place."

  Daisy was the favored child and always had been. So favored that she could commit murder and her mother would pat her on the head and say dear, dear.

  "Sometimes, Daisy, I wish you would lose your favored position."

  "As long as I can, I'm holding onto that place," she said and walked down the hall to her room.

  Chapter Five

  Nellie Trippe was determined her daughters would have the best husbands she could find in Laramie. Already, her oldest daughter, Meg, had married a railroad tycoon’s son, and they lived on a ranch in Pagosa Springs.

  Now she searched for a husband for Fannie.

  And that poor girl needed someone to tame her. She would need a strong man with an iron will to keep her in line. Frankly, Nellie would be glad to turn over those duties. The girl required constant supervision.

  Sitting in the tea room of the Grande Union Hotel, the ladies of the Laramie Ladies’ Club had gathered for their weekly meeting. Sipping her tea, she glanced at her rival Agnes Webb. "How is your daughter Edith doing?"

  “Edith is very happy. I'm so thankful she didn't marry the railroad tycoon’s son."

  Nellie smiled on the outside while on the inside a slow burn began. Agnes and she were always digging at one another. Even now, they tried to outdo the other.

  “Meg and Martin are expecting their first child," she said, smiling. The letter from Meg arrived today, telling her she would soon be a mother.

  Now her girls would see how difficult raising children could be. Especially young women like Meg and Fannie. Both headstrong young women, particularly Fannie, though Meg developed some fantasy of going to fashion school. Thank goodness her husband ended that dream. "Now I'm searching for a man for Fannie."

  Her nemesis gave her a wicked smile making Nellie cringe inside. The woman had some kind of juicy gossip to share.

  “Timothy told me he saw Fannie at the gambling hall the other night. Shocked, he came home and asked me why you allowed your daughter to gamble," she said in a snarky tone.

  If this was true, Fannie would be begging her to find her a husband.

  Immediately, Nellie started to shake her head. “Timothy is mistaken. None of my daughters will ever enter a saloon, a gambling hall, or any den of ill repute. As young girls, we warned them they would be sent to a convent if they disobeyed. No, Fannie may push the boundaries, but never that."

  The memory of her coming in after midnight and the smell of smoke on her daughter made her insides cringe. No, her daughter would not be so stupid as to go into such a haven of sin.

  Her grandfather taught her the game of poker, and she was quite good. But she wouldn't go into that place, would she? A woman alone?

  The gray-haired woman leaned over, and Nellie resisted the urge to grab her hair and pull her out into the street. "Now, Nellie, you know Fannie has always been considered your wild child. I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for her playing poker with the men. Maybe you should make certain your daughter is not misbehaving."

  The woman giggled as she made the announcement and the other ladies turned their heads, their eyes wide with fear. This wasn't the first time Nellie and Agnes had gotten into a skirmish at the ladies' tea club.

  Sooner or later, the two women would come to blows and Nellie knew how to throw a mean right hook, courtesy of her brother.

  "Agnes, I guarantee you my daughter would not step into a gambling hall. Fannie played cribbage at Sally's that night."

  The woman laughed. "She was playing all right, but not at Sally's. Sally's family traveled to Denver that week."

  A raging fire built inside Nellie. Fannie would soon find herself at the convent. If the girl didn't think she was serious, by the time she got a hold of her, she would know where she would be spending her time. On her knees praying.

  Chapter Six

  Walter heard the twins whooping and hollering before he ever walked in the door. How could two five-year-olds be so ornery? He only hoped that when he came home, they would be calm. After working all day, he liked his home to be peaceful and quiet.

  As he opened the door, the mess that greeted him was a shock.

  Toys were strewn all around the living area, and play arrows were jammed in the sofa. Astounded, he saw their nanny, tied to a chair in the middle of the chaos, a rag stuffed in her mouth. Piles of paper were stacked under her feet in a ring of rocks like kindling. All it needed was a match struck to the heap to create an inferno.

  Oh my God, what if he hadn't come home on time? The poor woman's eyes were large and frightened.

  "What is going on here," he cried as he hurried toward the stricken nanny, knowing instinctively he would need to give her a raise.

  "We're Indians," Todd said as he stared at him. "Don't untie her. We captured her and now she's going to burn."

  Where did his children learn this kind of stuff? And how did two little boys tie up this woman?

  "You do not do this to anyone. You do not do this to your nanny, do you understand me?" he said, raising his voice to his sons. "Can't you see you've terrified the woman?"

  As he gazed at her, he realized not only a raise, but possibly even a bonus to keep her from quitting. Right now, the way she glared at him, he feared the worst.

  Todd came up to him. "She wasn't nice to us, Papa. She made us pick up our toys and clean our rooms."

  Anger rushed through him and the boys didn't understand. "This morning before I left, I told her to tell the two of you to straighten your rooms. It's what good children do."

  "We're not very good," Timothy said, looking at his father, proud of his announcement. "We don't want to be good."

  Walter wanted to thrust his fist at the sky and ask the Lord why? Why had he taken his wife, leaving him to raise these two little hellions? They needed his wife; they needed a mother and not a father. His job was to provide for them while a mother was to teach them and he couldn't do both.

  Not knowing how to respond to the twins’ declaration of being bad, he quickly pulled the rag out of the lady’s mouth and began to untie her hands.

  "I quit," she said, standing on unsteady legs.

  "Miss Harper. How did this get out of hand? They're just being boys," he said, thinking he couldn't remember a time when he acted this way.

  The woman turned on him. "They're hellions. Do you understand me? You can't pay me enough money to continue to work with these boys. They need a father who makes them behave and you, sir, are not that person."

  With a sigh, he gazed at the woman and understood there was no convincing her to stay. Turning, he glanced at his sons. What could he say? The nanny was right. At this moment, he didn't know how to be a father. The raising of children, he always considered to be his wife's job, not his. But she wasn't here.

  And now his boys had become devious little demons and he didn't know what to do.

  "I'll write you a check for your time," he said, gazing at the woman, thinking maybe this was for the best. Obviously, she had no faith in him.

  "I'm going
to pack and then I would like a ride to the train station," she said, whirling around. The twins stood in front of her grinning.

  "Bye-bye," they both said and laughed as they ran to their rooms.

  The little devils had somehow known how to manipulate her into leaving. Smart little kids who he sometimes felt outsmarted him.

  What did he do now? No woman in town would watch them. This nanny came from a service in Denver. Would they send another woman?

  The image of the young woman who played cards with him several nights ago came to mind. A strong personality that he watched turn away drunken cowboys and focused on her card playing.

  Would she be as determined with children? Could she make his sons behave or would he come home and find his house burned to the ground while his boys sacrificed a hostage.

  With a sigh, he knew he was running out of options.

  Chapter Seven

  For the last week, Walter tried to find another nanny for his children and no one in town was willing to babysit the twins. Even for a large sum of money. Then he contacted the agency he used before and thought someone from Denver would take the job.

  The woman sent him a terse telegram telling him not to contact their agency again. That none of her nannies would ever work for him.

  There was one last chance. Yesterday, he penned Mrs. Trippe a note asking her to meet him for tea at the Grande Union Hotel at ten thirty. When he gave the missive to his secretary, the man glanced at him, stunned. "Are you certain you want to do this? This woman is tough as nails."

  "It's a last resort," he said.

  When he took them to work, the boys terrorized his office, and cook told him she would quit the next time he asked her to watch them.

  As it was, he paid a woman to babysit them, double the amount normally required, and she would only sit with them for a couple of hours a day. That was all she could take of his ruffians.

  Sitting in the tea room, he waited for Fannie's mother to appear. He glanced at the entrance to the dining room when he saw a portly, well-dressed woman enter like she owned the establishment.