The Debutante's Revenge: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 6)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  That infuriated Daisy. Shouldn't they have considered that before rushing her to say vows with the man?

  "Well, no one gave me the choice. Papa and you both decided today. If I didn't know that he is rich, I would be walking out the door."

  A frown crossed her mother's face, and she glanced at her. "How did you learn he has money?"

  "At the party, I overheard him tell the banker he was rich. He lives in Durango and I wish we had known each other longer and held a big lavish wedding where we invited the whole town."

  But what if he lied? What did she know about this man besides something she heard at a dance?

  "You should have considered that before you decided to roll in the hay with him."

  "Did you never get carried away with Papa's kisses?"

  A blush spread across her mother's cheeks, and she looked away. "We never went as far as you and Lee. Your father never touched me intimately before we were married."

  "It was innocent. I'm still a virgin."

  "Not for long," her mother said with a sigh.

  Terror gripped Daisy. Later this afternoon, she would be expected to move to Durango with Lee. That her life here at her family home was no more. Now she would be a wife. Possibly soon a mother.

  Sitting up in bed, panic filled her. "I can't do this."

  Like she suddenly felt pity for her, her mother sat down beside her. "Dear, the wedding night is always special. Do you understand what is expected of you tonight?"

  "No, I am not doing this."

  Frantically she gazed at her mother, tears filling her eyes. "Don't make me do this."

  "When your husband comes to bed, he will lift your nightgown, crawl between your legs. Then you will experience a sharp pain when your maidenhead is broken. After that it gets easier."

  Daisy's stomach reeled with nausea, and she wanted to throw up. What the hell had she done? She wasn't prepared to be his wife. She wasn't prepared to sleep with her husband. She wasn't prepared for him to see her naked.

  "Go downstairs and tell Papa I refuse to marry this man."

  "Your father has decided. Believe me, the determined set of his chin told me he's not going to reconsider. Soon as you’re ready, you will be married. Now let's fix your hair and slip the dress on."

  How could the woman who claimed to love her turn her back on her now?

  Crying, she stared at her mother, shaking her head. "I thought you loved me. I thought Daddy loved me and yet you're going to force me say vows to a stranger? Fine, but I am not going to forgive you."

  Turning on her finest pout, the woman would not be budged.

  "This is out of my control, Daisy. You brought this on yourself."

  Why had her mother developed a resistance when she did everything in her power to manipulate her mother, and she wouldn't budge?

  They were all going to regret making her marry. Including Lee. The man had no clue what kind of wife he was getting. If he believed she was going to hop into bed with him tonight, he was sorely mistaken.

  He could be richer than the King of England, and she was not going to sleep with him. And he better be prepared for her to completely redecorate their home. For revenge, she would spend so much of his money, he would regret rolling in the hay with her.

  Today's little adventure would cost him plenty.

  Chapter 10

  Today was his wedding day.

  Not that he planned on marrying Daisy, but it was hard to ignore her father's gun pointed at his temple. Even in Texas, he had never felt so threatened and his father wasn't here to protect him.

  Sitting in the office of his soon to be father-in-law, his heart hammered in his chest. The man had a room all to himself to do the accounting for his ranch. On one wall was the rack of a huge elk, and on the other were shelves lined with books on cattle and ranching.

  The urge to go over and browse, take a look at the titles, overwhelmed him, but he remained sitting.

  Books were not something he considered using to learn about cattle ranching. Where could he read up on how to make his herd stronger?

  Mr. Trippe brought him a western style coat. "Wear this when you marry my daughter."

  "Thank you, sir," he said, knowing now was not the time to bring up how he wanted to borrow his bull. In fact, he didn't know when it would be a wise time to discuss business with the man. But for the sake of his heifers, he needed a bull.

  "Where do you live?" the man asked, his voice still not warm and friendly. How many fathers would welcome the man who they found in the hay with their daughter.

  "Near Pagosa Springs. I own a hundred acres. Whispering Pines is the name of my place."

  A scowl appeared on Mr. Trippe's face. "Let me be real clear. You are to treat my Daisy with respect. She is to be honored. If I ever hear of you hitting or mistreating her, you won't live to see the next sunrise."

  "Yes, sir," he replied. "My parents were good Christians and my father never hit my mother."

  Only his brother was the wild one who robbed banks. And himself. But only the one time, and he paid dearly for that moment of stupidity.

  "Daisy can be trying at times. She'll need guidance and a firm hand."

  Oh, how was he to respond to that? How did her father expect him to guide her, and he would never use his hand on her in any way. A strong man had no need to abuse his woman.

  "It will take a while, but I think we'll find our way," he said completely lying. How he was going to keep a spoiled rich girl content? There was plenty of attraction and desire between them, but you couldn't build a marriage on allure and lust.

  "What kind of ranch do you have?"

  "Cattle ranch, sir," he said, wondering if the man would let him borrow his bull to help him get established. It would be in his daughter’s best interest. The cattle he sold would pay the note on the land.

  "The missus and I are going to give you two one month before we come to visit. My daughter better be happy."

  A trickle of fear scurried down Lee's spine. How in the hell would this woman ever be content with a poor man like him in a one-bedroom cabin? She didn't seem like the sort to take to living rough.

  Thirty days to make her happy or face her father's gun again.

  What would he think when he saw Whispering Pines? Lee didn't have a barn yet for the ranch. Only a lean-to and if it became too cold, he brought his horse into the house to keep her warm.

  How would the new Mrs. Sackett feel about a mare in her home?

  Just then the preacher knocked on the door and opened it. "They're ready."

  Lee stood and slipped on his father-in-law's suit coat and glanced at the man. Somehow he needed to make this better.

  "Sir, I'm sorry this is how I'm marrying your daughter. Again, I didn't mean any disrespect, but Daisy is such a tempting woman. I give you my word I will do my best to be a good husband to her."

  The man sighed. "She's the favored child. The one we doted on and gave everything she wanted. Son, you are going to have your hands full."

  There was no doubt about that.

  "Just keep her happy."

  How in the world was he going to make a woman used to luxury happy in a tiny cabin?

  The door opened and the preacher and Daisy’s mother entered the room. His soon-to-be wife wore the yellow dress from the night of the ball. The one he pushed down the bodice of and touched her breast.

  For a distraught bride, she looked stunning, and he knew somehow the universe was blessing him with a gift.

  When she stepped up beside him, he smiled.

  "You're beautiful."

  "I'm going to make your life hell," she whispered.

  Well, they were off to a good beginning with her threatening him in front of the room. How he responded would set the pace of their relationship. If he replied angrily, she would enjoy the public outcry. If he was weak, she would take control. Somewhere there had to be a happy medium, but where?

  He sighed. "I have no doubt."

  "There's still ti
me to run."

  He glanced at her father and at the preacher whose mouth had dropped open as he listened to the two of them argue.

  "I'm not a runner," he said and immediately his conscious called him a liar. After the bank robbery, he made a vow to never again run from a situation. Even an uncomfortable event like this one. And this was definitely one hell of a position he found himself in.

  "Too bad," she said. "By the time I'm finished with you, you're going to wish you had run out the door."

  Maybe so, but that would only get him a bullet in the back. Time to face the music no matter how difficult it might be.

  "Enough, Daisy," her father commanded.

  With a sigh, she faced the preacher. "Say the words."

  Staring, the holy man looked at the two of them. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes," they both said at once, their voices tense.

  Chapter 11

  Her father allowed them to borrow the wagon. In the back was her trunk, some things she had to have, and linen items her mother had given her.

  As they traveled down the lane, her mother stood on the porch crying and even her father choked up. Daisy was hell-bent on revenge. Furious with her parents for making her marry, she barely said goodbye as Lee helped her in the wagon.

  Josephine and Lee's horse pulled the vehicle out of the yard away from the only home she'd ever known.

  Now would be a good time for her parents to think about what they had done to her life, how they ruined it, before she would speak to them again.

  When he turned out of the gate, the opposite direction from Durango, she was shocked. The urge to scream take me back almost overwhelmed her.

  "Where are we going?"

  "My ranch is near Pagosa Springs. It'll be late when we reach there."

  "I thought you lived in Durango."

  What was he doing? Pagosa Springs was a small mining community that barely survived. The little town was nothing compared to Durango. It was more of a wild west trading post than the stately city of Durango with its modern-day society.

  "No, you've never asked me where I live," he said, gazing at her.

  "But you were at the debutantes ball? Why would you come all the way to Durango?"

  "Business," he said and didn't elaborate. "Pull the blanket around you. The drive will take us all day. The closer we get, the colder it will become."

  Tears filled her throat, but she refused to cry. They were not going to live in Durango, and she would never be the head hostess of society. Her only consolation was at least he had money. Otherwise, she would be telling him to turn this wagon around.

  The wagon bounced along the bumpy road, and she swayed, holding onto the side as Lee tried to avoid the bigger holes. Was this trail a symbol of her life to come with Lee?

  "Why did you marry me?" she asked.

  Many men would have run the other direction, so she needed to know why he would consent to being forced to marry her. Especially now that she learned he lived in Pagosa.

  "Did I have a choice? Your father said I'll wed his daughter or receive a bullet in my head."

  "Daddy would never shoot you." At least, she didn't think he would shoot anyone.

  Lee gazed at her like she was crazy. "Your father wanted to kill me. Sorry, but he would gladly have killed me if not for your mother and you and the preacher being a witness."

  It could be true. That still didn't make her want to believe what her father said or forgive him.

  "The way I'm looking at this marriage is we can make the best of the situation, or we can be miserable. From here on out, it's up to us to decide what we're going to do."

  Why was he being so practical?

  After the ceremony, her mother scolded her, telling her she behaved rudely in front of the minister. An argument was not the way to begin her new life with her husband, but Daisy needed to test him as far as she could before they said the vows.

  He passed.

  What he said was true, but exhaustion rode her hard. The day had been an emotionally tiring day, and she still worried about her sister Fannie not getting a chance to escape from her little hellions.

  "You're a rancher?"

  "Yes."

  Another ranch. Another place out of town and farther from Durango than her parents’ place. Why hadn't she asked him before she started kissing him?

  The more they traveled down the road, the terrain grew steeper with tall mountains in the background. The horses strained to get the wagon up a small hill, and in the distance, a huge rock formation stood taller than the mountains.

  "What's that?"

  "Chimney rock," he said. "The Indians lived there many years ago and I've been told if you climb to the top, you can visit where they lived and held their ceremonies. It's a very spiritual place." The Indians in the area were friendly, and she could say a few words in the Ute's language.

  Would his place be as nice as her father's? The man was rich, so hopefully, he had the same protections in place against marauders as her father.

  "How big is your home?"

  The gaze he gave her left her unsettled as he glanced away and turned back to the road. "Let's wait and let you see it for yourself."

  That was odd.

  "All right," she said. "Since, we're married, I think you should tell me more about you. All I know is that you attended the ball in Durango."

  She didn't want to mention she knew he had money, because then he would think she married him for his money. And while she had no choice but to wed him, the money helped to convince her she made the right decision.

  "Not much to tell. After my father died, I packed up and headed to Colorado. When I reached this area, I knew I had found home."

  The sun began to sink, and soon, it would be night, and she wondered if they would make it before it grew dark. Hopefully, his servants would serve dinner when they arrived.

  "What about your family? Any brothers or sisters, cousins?"

  "When I was twelve, my mother died. Since then, my brother has been in and out of trouble. The last I heard, he was in prison. Before my father passed away, he begged me to start over somewhere. And here I am."

  Daisy couldn't help but think about her sisters Meg and Fannie. Meg lived on the other side of Pagosa Springs. Once she settled in, she would visit Meg. Fannie, her middle sister, resided in Durango, living Daisy's dream life, except for the fact her husband owned a mining company.

  With a sigh, she couldn't believe her new rich husband was a rancher.

  The wagon began to slow, and he turned onto a dirt drive. They had arrived. Above a wooden gate a sign hung—Whispering Pines.

  This would be her home. Would it be a large spacious mansion? With a glance at the carved wooden sign, disappointment filled her. For a rich rancher, it seemed ordinary, not what she expected. As he jumped down and opened the gate, she gazed at her muscular husband. Taking the bridle of the horses, he led the wagon through.

  "How long have you lived here?"

  "This is going on my third summer."

  "Can't have the cattle getting out."

  Darkness had descended on the land as they traveled down the lane. In the distance, she could make out a small cabin.

  "Where's your house?"

  "There it is," he said and pointed to a log cabin that could only be one room.

  In horror, she turned and stared at him. "That's our home?"

  No, this couldn't be happening. Why in the world would a man with money live in such a tiny house?

  "Yes."

  "But you're rich," she screamed unable to contain herself.

  "Who told you I had money?"

  "You said so yourself at the debutante ball. You told the banker you were already rich," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

  Had everything she knew about Lee been a lie. The man didn't live in Durango and now she learned the hard, cold truth of him being poor. She married a poor man.

  For a long moment, Lee stared at her. "Does this mean you threw yours
elf at me because you believed I was rich?"

  "Yes, no, I was attracted to you and being wealthy only made you that much better looking."

  Lee pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the cabin. Daisy covered her face with her hands. "Noooo, this can't happen to me. I'm supposed to marry a rich man who lives in Durango. Take me home. I can't do this."

  Wrapping the reins around the brake, he stepped out of the wagon and ignored her as he began to unload her things. Sitting on the bench, she sobbed as he took her trunk into the cabin. What had she done?

  He wasn't a rich man. She married a fake.

  Chapter 12

  As Lee carried her things into the house, he left her sitting in the wagon. Somehow the woman filled her head with all kinds of nonsense. Just because he attended that stupid ball, and she'd overheard his ridiculous conversation with the banker.

  Now they were both stuck in a marriage that had only one emotion, lust. No love, nothing but a bratty rich girl who erroneously believed she would get her same style of life with him.

  Wrong. So very wrong.

  While he tried not to let it bother him, it stung. She came on to him not once but twice. And foolishly, he thought with the inappropriate head and been drawn into her allure. One he now regretted. How long before she walked out the door?

  Just then she came into the cabin and slammed the door.

  Jeb, his cattle dog, growled at her, and she took a step back.

  "I'm leaving first thing in the morning," she said.

  "Good," he replied. "Look, if you're not happy, I think it's for the best."

  Her mouth dropped, and he realized she expected him to put up a fuss, for him to beg her to stay. Why? Yes, she was beautiful, but he didn't need a brat of a wife, who didn't want to be with him because he couldn't give her the luxury she envisioned.

  "Would you please load my trunk back into the wagon. I'll need to borrow your horse to return home."

  "No," he said. "That's the only mare I have and without her, I can't work."

  Getting a second work horse was on his list of improvements, but so far, there were other things he needed.