A Cheyenne Celebration

by Caroline Lee

  But the real problem was that the longer he thought about it, the more he questioned if he really wanted to marry Serena. He’d called on her three times since her birthday, and hadn’t been particularly impressed with the connection they’d shared. Each meeting had been civil and pleasant and sociable, sharing a luncheon with Serena and her batty old aunts. But he got the impression that they were testing him, and finding him somehow lacking. Moreover, the conversations he’d had with Serena revealed that despite his long-held love for her, they weren’t as compatible as he’d hoped.

  He needed someone who would work beside him to make their ranch a success; she had no interest in cooking or housekeeping, and frowned at the thought of managing her own ranch, much less two. He was looking to start a family as soon as possible; she didn’t want to think about having children for several years. He had quit school early; she was learned and liked to discuss things she’d read, which made him feel deficient. He was perfectly happy spending his life in relative solitude on the ranch; she wanted to experience the social whirl of the city. And he didn’t think her aunts and his father could sit in the same room without insulting each other, much less live together.

  Their basic differences were vast enough that he wasn’t sure if they could overcome them. He’d pushed his luck, and kissed her again. She was a willing participant, but again, he’d been fairly underwhelmed. Just like that first kiss.

  He had watched her grow from a porcelain-doll-girl into a delicate and pristine lady, but kissing Serena Selkirk just didn’t arouse him. Maybe it was because she still looked like a doll to him; why, she barely came up to his chest!

  And so he put down his spoon and ran his hand through his hair. “I know, Da. I know.”

  His father was a gruff man, hardened by years of poverty and hard work. Cam knew that the older man was proud of all of his children. But the two of them had shared a special bond since Ian left his Ontario home to stay with his youngest son. Now, Cam watched his father’s eyes soften.

  “She’s a beautiful woman, Cameron. She reminds me of that doll we got yer sister Mary years ago. Perfect an’ delicate. It’s hard to imagine her livin’ here.” He gestured around the cabin. It was a single room, with two sections portioned off with curtains. Cam knew he’d have to make some changes if he ever hoped to bring a wife here, but he’d built it with his own hands, and was still proud of it. And he knew his father was comfortable here.

  And he knew that Serena Selkirk would never be.

  “I had to ask for her hand, Da. I love her!” His father scowled. “And I don’t want to risk someone else getting control of the Double-S. I had an agreement with Stanley, and Serena still lets us access Horse Creek if ours dries up. But I don’t like relying on that goodwill. I want to control my future, and the only way to expand around here is to have control of the Double-S.”

  “Not through her, laddie. She’s not right for you.”

  “I love her!”

  “Nae, ye don’t. Ye love the idea of her, of what she represents. A perfect wife. Ye haven’t spent nearly enough time with her to love her. Ye saw her one day an’ decided she’d be the woman ye loved, and that was it fer ye.”

  “What do you have against her? What’s wrong with her? Or do you think there’s something wrong with me?” The moment the words left his mouth, Cam regretted them. He understood his father’s point of view, and knew that the older man loved him.

  Still, there was a part of him that was relieved to watch Ian’s face crumble in sadness. “Ye know I think ye’re equal to any man that’s lived, Cameron. Ye know I am proud of the life ye’ve made here. But she wouldn’t be happy here, and ye wouldn’t be happy with her. And I want ye to be happy, son.”

  Cam stared at his father for a long moment before turning back to his stew. His father claimed that he didn’t really love Serena, and he was beginning to wonder if that was the truth. They had little in common, and she didn’t stimulate him the way he’d assumed she would. It was hard to imagine that they could have a successful marriage.

  He chewed a big bite of carrots and potatoes flavored with beef, and swallowed. The meal was a metaphor for his life; the basic necessities to survive, with just enough hints of comfort to make the whole thing worth living. “I know, Da.” A sophisticated lady like Serena could never be happy living here with them. “I know.”

  …do me the honor of joining me for dinner tomorrow evening?

  Oh Heavens! Serena’s cheeks were warm again, and her hands shook slightly. The note in them was scripted in an elegant hand on the Inter-Ocean Hotel’s stationary, and sounded like something straight out of New York society. She sighed, and pressed it to her chest.

  “Well, what’s it say?”

  “Don’t leave us guessing, young lady, what’s it say?”

  Serena, reluctant to part with it, held the invitation out to her aunts. “He wants us to have dinner with him tomorrow evening at his hotel.”

  “’He’? Who ‘he’? Which ‘he’?”

  “What do you mean, ‘which he?’ You ignorant old woman, the same ‘he’ she’s been sighing over for days!”

  “The teacher? So not Cam MacLeod?”

  “Why would a cowboy like Cam MacLeod invite three eligible ladies to the finest establishment in Cheyenne? Use your brain for once, you ninny.”

  Serena tried to interrupt her aunts’ bickering. “Actually, he’s invited Molly and Annie as well. He would like to get to know Annie a little better.”

  “See?” Agatha turned to Agnes. “Five ladies!”

  “Molly’s not eligible, and Annie’s too young for him.”

  “And you’re too old for him.”

  “I’m exactly one minute older than you, you fool.”

  “Alright, I’m too old for him too. I think he’s inviting us all just to see our Serena again.”

  “Well, of course he is.”

  Both old ladies turned to Serena, their squabbling put aside in the face of a new, more interesting target. She caught her breath at the picture they presented. “You really think he wants to see me?” she whispered.

  Agnes’—at least, Serena thought it was Agnes’—sharp gaze softened. “How could he not, dearie? You must be the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.”

  Serena scoffed. “Don’t be silly. Molly said that he comes from one of the wealthiest families in New York. He probably attends all of the balls and parties and knows hundreds of ladies more beautiful than I am. Someone as handsome as him…” she trailed off in a sigh.

  Agatha primly stroked Calpurnia—of course the cats had traveled with them to the city—while peering over the invitation, and flippantly waved her objections away. “Annie told Molly that he could barely take his eyes off of you. And from the way you’ve been waltzing about with stars in your eyes for the last several days, I think there must be some sort of spark between you.” She held the stationary closer to the light; heedless of the way her casual words had made Serena’s heart leap. “My eyes aren’t as fresh as they used to be. Look at this.” She handed the invitation to her sister. “Have you ever seen such an elegant hand? I can’t recall seeing such a lovely invitation since we were girls in St. Louis, and that handsome Mr. Martin used to call on us…”

  Agnes took the paper, but instead of looking at it, pressed it against her chest in a pose eerily similar to Serena’s. “Oh, yes…” she sighed.

  Serena’s interest was piqued enough to ask, “A gentleman used to call on you both? What happened?” This was one story she’d never heard before; an oddity with two aunts who loved to dredge up old grievances.

  Agatha’s gaze snapped back into focus, her mouth puckered into her usual frown. “What do you mean, what happened? He proposed, of course.”

  Serena’s eyes widened. She’d never heard anything about this. Her aunts were notorious flirts and pranksters, though, and often used their identical appearances to trick friends and family. They looked so alike that even she had trouble telling them apart unt
il they spoke, at which time she could recognize their mannerisms. Agatha tended to be bossier, while Agnes was flightier. Unfortunately, both sisters knew that, and could take on the other’s mannerisms if they really wanted to cause confusion. Serena had heard stories from her father about the way his older sisters would switch places and make mischief.

  “To whom did he propose?”

  Her aunts glanced at each other, and Serena thought they each looked a little guilty. “To both of us, of course.”

  “You see…” Agnes had the grace to blush, “He didn’t realize that there were two of us.”

  Serena gasped at the wickedness. “You both went stepping out with him? And he thought you were the same lady? Whatever did you do?”

  Agatha’s chin rose. “We very nearly gave him a heart-attack when we both appeared in the parlor one afternoon and told him that we couldn’t marry him because we couldn’t stand the thought of being separated.”

  Her sister giggled. “I shall never forget the look on his face. He made his excuses as fast as possible and we never saw him again.”

  “But he did have a lovely hand, didn’t he?”

  “Oh yes, he used to write the most romantic notes.”

  “Almost as romantic as this one.” Agatha waved Mr. Carderock’s invitation, and Serena quickly recalled the original topic.

  “Do you really think he could be interested in seeing me again?”

  “I do indeed, young lady. It sounds like you were quite taken with each other.”

  “And it’s up to us to ensure nothing improper happens.”

  “What Agnes means is that she never passes up a chance to dine at the Inter-Ocean.” Her sister stuck out her tongue.

  “Mr. Carderock seems to be a perfect gentleman. It’s hard to imagine that he would discuss anything other than Annie’s schooling, as he mentioned in the invitation.” Although, Serena was honest enough to admit, she wouldn’t mind discussing all sorts of things with him. She’d found herself lying awake at night, wondering all about him. Was he really as refined as he appeared? Was he strong enough to survive the harsh Cheyenne winters? Was it possible that he could be happy in their city, when he came from such elegance? And why was he here, if his family was as wealthy as she’d heard whispered? Why, Mrs. Davis had told Aunt Agatha that Mr. Carderock would be investing in Mr. Hay’s new bank!

  “Well, I’ve heard that Mr. Sebastian Carderock is most definitely unmarried.” Agnes’ sly expression proved that she was pleased to be imparting this new gossip. “He would be a fine match for our Serena, wouldn’t he?”

  Serena caught her breath at the thought. Her? Married to Mr. Carderock? Oh, Good Heavens! She placed her palms against her suddenly-warm cheeks.

  “Agnes Marie! How dare you plant such ideas in dear Serena’s head?”

  “I’m Elizabeth, you old biddy. Your middle name is Marie.”

  Agatha sputtered, “Fine, Agnes Elizabeth. You mustn’t raise Serena’s hopes like that. Now she’s going to be extra-nervous during tomorrow’s dinner, trying to make a good impression.”

  “I was only saying what you were thinking,” Agnes pouted.

  “Well of course, but I didn’t have the ill manners to say something, did I?” Aunt Agatha seemed to forget Serena was in the room, and if she hadn’t been so distracted at the thought of being courted by Mr. Carderock—of being kissed by Mr. Carderock!—she would have thought it amusing. “Besides, sister, you know that Serena is half-enthralled with the gentleman already. He’s devilishly handsome from what we saw, and very urbane. Marrying a man here in Cheyenne—especially if he were wealthy—would certainly solve her problems with the Double-S and Mr. MacLeod. I’m sure she’s thinking all of this, but shame—shame!—on you for bringing it up and making such a fuss out of it!”

  Agnes sputtered at her sister’s accusations. “You’re the one spouting off about things I’d never even considered. Of course she’s going to be thinking about it now!”

  “Aunt Agnes, Aunt Agatha!” Serena smiled and tried to distract them from their tiff. “I certainly have no intention of thinking anything other than what Mr. Carderock’s invitation states. He would like to dine with all of us, to get to know Annie’s family better. I’m flattered that he even included us, frankly.” Her aunts exchanged glances, but Serena couldn’t read them. “Besides,” she flushed momentarily and looked down at her hands, “even if Mr. Carderock isn’t married, that doesn’t mean he’s looking for a wife. Please don’t do anything foolish.”

  “Why, whatever do you mean?” Serena wasn’t fooled by Agnes’ innocent demeanor.

  “I mean that I really don’t want you doing what you did to poor Cam; going on about me making him a fine wife and whatnot. I felt like I was up for auction!”

  Agatha waved her concerns away. “Don’t be silly, Serena. We only did that the first time. It’s become obvious that you and Cameron MacLeod simply do not suit, and would not be a good match. Mr. Sebastian Carderock the third, however…” The twins sighed in unison.

  “There! You’re doing it!” Serena glared at her aunts. “You haven’t even met the man and you think that we’re suited. You have no idea. No one has any idea, much less me! He could… he could… I don’t know, he could be engaged already, or pick his teeth, or not like children, or only eat meat, or something else horrendous.”

  Her aunts shared a look, and turned back to her. As one woman, they burst into laughter.

  “’Pick his teeth’…? Really? That’s your—”

  “—Objection to him? A gentleman could be taught not to pick his teeth, Serena.”

  She sighed, and rubbed her temples. “I just mean that we don’t know anything about him, so please find out more before you start advertising me to another man.”

  Agatha smiled benevolently. “Serena, since your mother passed away, you’ve been like a daughter to us. We’ve done everything possible to ensure that you were raised with all of the grace and gentility our brother’s child deserves.”

  Her sister took over, as she was wont to do. “We only want your happiness, and we have been working towards that—”

  “—and will continue to work towards that—”

  “Yes, thank you Agatha. And will continue to work towards that until we’re satisfied that you are happy.”

  They really were dear women. She couldn’t ask for two more loving, devoted, and committed guardians as she looked to her future.

  As Serena enveloped them both in a hug, however, she realized that they’d never actually promised that they wouldn’t interfere. On the contrary; they’d both just vowed that they’d continue to interfere until they were satisfied that she was happy.

  Oh dear. Poor Mr. Carderock didn’t know what was about to hit him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The Inter-Ocean Hotel was really quite elegant. It didn’t have the same cachet as the Hoffman House in New York, or the size of the Hotel Imperial, but it was modern and stylish; three stories high with a canopy out front. As with the rest of Cheyenne, the hotel was a delightful surprise.

  Sebastian had gotten another surprise when he met the owner and proprietor. Barney Ford was an older black gentleman with a thick gray mustache and a willingness to discuss the past. Sebastian discovered that his host had been born into slavery in Virginia, escaped well before the war via the Underground Railroad, and had opened hotels in Nicaragua, Denver and Cheyenne. He had shared several drinks with Sebastian the evening before, pleased to have a new set of ears for the stories of his various adventures. Sebastian found his tales fascinating and inspiring, to listen to everything the ex-slave had overcome.

  Tonight, though, his mind was on other matters, as he nodded to Mr. Ford across the lobby. Tonight, he was going to see Serena again.

  He’d thought about her often over the last days. If he were honest, he’d thought of little else, despite the meetings with Misters Hay, Carey and Whipple about the new bank. Miss Serena Selkirk just had a way of sticking with a man. He assumed i
t was those eyes, the most unusually beautiful shade of purple. But the rest of the package was memorable, too. He smiled and checked his pocket watch.

  Right on time, a footman opened the doors to the foyer, and three women stepped through, chattering happily. They allowed the footman to accept their light wraps, and stepped into lobby. From where he stood, Sebastian could recognize Serena’s pale countenance, and her two older companions must be her aunts. But where were Annie and her sister?

  “Miss Selkirk,” he crossed and, accepting her hand, bent over it. “You look exquisite this evening.” It wasn’t empty flattery. Her hair was pulled into a simple bun at the base of her neck, and Sebastian found himself pleased that she didn’t attempt the ridiculously frizzy coiffures he’d seen in England and New York. She wore a lilac evening gown that draped elegantly over her small shoulders, falling just low enough in the front to reveal the faintest swell of breasts. His gaze must have lingered a moment too long, because when he glanced back to her face, he caught the faintest tint of a blush on her high cheekbones. Her serenity and aloofness was belied by the way her pulse beat at the base of her neck; the silver necklace she wore only drew his gaze back to that vulnerable spot.

  “Hello, Mr. Carderock.” Her voice was just as soft and alluring as he’d remembered. She was a perfect lady, and it still amazed him to think of her running her father’s ranch.

  He smiled, and saw her eyes widen slightly. “Won’t you introduce me to your sisters?”

  Both older ladies tittered, and she smiled at his attempt at humor. “Of course. Mr. Carderock, these are my aunts, Miss Agatha Selkirk and Miss Agnes Selkirk.” Both ladies twittered again in unison and bobbed two identically out-of-date curtseys, as if he were royalty.

  “We’re so pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Carderock!”