She nodded. “That fits. He’s thirty-seven now.”
“Oh, there’s no doubt. Even with the passing years, I had no trouble recognizing him. Some things your brain simply does not forget.”
Emily blew out a breath, running her palms up and down her arms. “I always suspected Louis had it in him to kill. Lord knows he’s threatened me enough. At times there was something in his eyes that told me it would not overly distress him to kill me.”
What a horrible man. Why had she not seen that before she foolishly married him? Barely two weeks after her parents’ deaths she’d become engaged to Louis, and within another month they were married. Still numb from the shock of the boating accident, she’d leaned on him, assuming his support to be caring. He’d immediately taken over her finances and had her move into his house. Only the presence of his staff stood between her and disgrace at that move.
The wedding had been beautiful, the only thing missing had been her parents. The church overflowed with guests, the scent of dozens of bouquets of flowers filling the air. She’d worn her mother’s wedding gown and looked at Louis like he was her savior. He played the part well the entire day, through the reception afterward, keeping her by his side, patting her hand and smiling for all the world to see.
Then the guests had left and they retired to the bedroom. And her nightmare had begun. What a fool she’d been.
“You never told me you felt he was that dangerous. I had no idea, but now that I know his background, it becomes even more important for us to get you out of here.”
“Will you go to the Galveston police?”
“With what evidence? An eighteen-year-old memory of a thirteen-year-old boy? No. They would laugh me out of the office. Especially with the name Louis has built up for himself in the community.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better get you back to Millie’s or your driver will be looking for you.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“However, before we go . . .” Hunter cupped her face with his palms and rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. “You are so beautiful. I want so badly to take you away from here.” He slowly closed his eyes and brought his mouth to hers. Softly, at first, then with more need as he slid his tongue along her lips, urging her to open to his taste.
The tiny flutters in her stomach grew until her heart pounded and her breathing sped up. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer until her breasts were crushed against his steel hard chest. Somehow the sun grew brighter and the ocean more fragrant. Every awful thought their conversation had dredged up faded as the kiss continued.
Gradually he withdrew, giving her small pecks on her lips, nose, and forehead. With a sigh he released her, leaving her senses reeling with want and desire.
They gathered up their belongings and took the short walk to the carriage. Emily still had a hard time with this new information about her husband. As they pulled away from the stable for their return to the dressmaker’s, she realized she had even more reason to be afraid of Louis than she’d had before.
Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory
Tori entered the library, then came to an abrupt halt at Jesse’s words. “Divorce? Why would Hunter want to know about divorce?”
“It’s only a guess, but most likely it has something to do with Emily.” Jesse flipped over the envelope the letter had arrived in. “This has a Galveston, Texas post mark. I guess his trip to Oklahoma City took him further south.”
Tori blew out a deep breath. “But divorce? That would be such a scandal for the girl. I don’t think I know anyone who’s been divorced.”
“We know Hunter. He wouldn’t do anything that would cause a scandal for someone he cared about, unless he had a very good reason. And given the way he hightailed it out of here a few weeks ago, he cares for Emily Cabot.”
Tori sat alongside him on the settee. “As much as I love my nephew, I’m not really certain I know him all that well. From the time I’d arrived in their lives, Hunter was a mystery to me. He was definitely the quiet one among the four of them, and it always seemed to me he was brooding about something. A problem much too great for a boy his age.”
“I got that impression, too. I tried a few times to get him to talk to me about more than inane things, but he would eventually clam up. I wonder if he was always that way, perhaps just part of his personality?”
Tori shrugged. “I’d always regretted that my aunt who raised me kept me from knowing my brother. Spending time with Henry and his four children would have certainly helped when their guardianship fell to me after Henry’s death.”
She recalled those days, and the fear she’d tackled every morning as she’d faced another sunrise. The responsibility of four children, three of them adolescents, had weighed heavily on her mind. Now when she looked back on her race for a piece of land for them by riding the train from Arkansas City to Guthrie, it amazed her that she’d succeeded.
Jesse pulled her from her meanderings. “One time after a particularly frustrating conversation with him, I asked Michael if Hunter had always been so quiet and thoughtful, and he said not as much as he’d been since his father had died.”
“Well, that’s certainly understandable. Thirteen is pretty young for a boy to lose the man in his life.”
Hunter always had trouble in school, but for a while after she and Jesse had married, it seemed as if the boy had lost interest in everything. He barely made it across the stage to collect his high school diploma when he announced he was packing up and leaving.
With no definite destination in mind, she and Jesse worried about him, but he was a man, and they realized he had to make his own way in the world. So after hugs and tears, the entire family stood on the porch and watched his back as he slung his satchel over his shoulder, and headed for the train station.
Over the years they’d gotten a letter or two, and once he even stopped in when he was working in the area. But for the most part the shadow Hunter had been when she’d first met him remained firmly in place until this very day.
Jesse slowly folded the letter and returned it to the envelope. “In any event, I will research this for him and send the information along.”
“Have you had any more success in weaning out the person feeding false information about Franklin to the newspaper?”
“Oh, I know who it is. Proving it is something else.”
She straightened her back, ready to do battle. “Who?”
Jesse flicked his fingertip on the tip of her nose. “I’m not ready to share that little bit of information just yet, sweetheart.” He rose and walked to his desk, dropping the letter on the surface. Turning toward her, he leaned against the edge, crossing his arms over his chest. “I prefer to keep it to myself until I figure out what to do with the information.”
“But that man—and I’m assuming it’s a man—has arranged for false, damaging information to be published about your client and friend.”
He grinned and pushed away from the desk, heading to the door. “Don’t assume anything, Mrs. Cochran.” He winked and let himself out, leaving her annoyed and frustrated.
Galveston, Texas
Emily stared at herself in the mirror. Since Tuesday, when she and Hunter had parted, she’d thought of nothing but the news about Louis and Hunter’s father. She knew her wretched husband suspected her of something, just by the way he watched her. She tried very hard not to act differently around him, but she couldn’t help the shivers when he came near.
“Are you chilly, my dear?” he’d asked last evening when he placed his hands on her shoulders after entering her bedroom while she’d sat in this very chair. She’d felt the blood drain from her face, afraid he intended to join her in bed. He hadn’t approached her that way since her return from Guthrie. But she knew it was only a matter of time.
He’d been fully dressed, and after
a few minor comments told her he would be out for the evening. She’d breathed a sigh of relief as he left the room.
She shook herself from her reverie and concentrated on tonight. Another one of Galveston’s society balls had Maria primping her hair, fussing as she maneuvered its weight into curls.
“Mrs. Smith, you have such lovely hair, so easy to work with.”
Emily smiled at the compliment the maid gave her every time she fixed her hair. Her eyes roved downward at the new gown. The evening dress that had afforded her time to spend with Hunter. How she wished he was attending the Ratchford’s ball tonight. She closed her eyes, imagining him stepping up to her in full formal wear, and extending his hand toward her to lead her to the dance floor.
Fighting the unwanted tears, she smiled at Maria through the mirror. It was such a strain keeping up pretenses with the staff, even with her maid. There was no one in the house she could relax around. They all reported to Louis and he let her know that.
“Would you like your linen shawl? It would go very well with your dress.” Maria held out the powder blue garment with the colorful silk screen flowers on it.
“Yes, that one is fine. Thank you, Maria.”
The deep blue silk mousseline gown had a darker blue band about the bottom of the skirt with narrower strips around the bodice. After a final glance in the mirror, Emily took her shawl and gloves from Maria, and left to join Louis downstairs.
He was sipping a glass of whiskey when she entered the drawing room.
“Would you care for a sherry, my dear?” Oh so polite and polished when he wanted to be. Now that she knew he’d at one time been a common bank robber, it was hard to contain her sneer at his pretense. Hopefully Hunter would be able to finish his investigation, and have Louis put safely behind bars. Then she could begin her life anew.
“No thank you.” She avoided his eyes as she pulled on her gloves.
“My dear, I sense a change in you. Perhaps your foray outside of my protection harmed you in some way?”
“Whatever are you talking about, Louis?”
She jumped when he slammed the glass down and strode over to her, gripping her upper arm. He leaned in close, the smell of whiskey wafting over her, making her eyes water. “You’ve yet to tell me what it was, exactly, you did while you were working as a common serving girl in Guthrie.” He pulled her closer, tightening his grip, the pain shooting up her arm to her neck. “And don’t think I plan to merely forget about it. You will tell me one day.”
“There is nothing to tell. I served customers. That is all.” She hated the breathlessness of her voice.
He released her, the force almost tossing her backward. After tugging on the cuffs of his evening jacket, he flicked invisible lint from his lapel. “I think not, my dear. But I will find out. Trust me.” He smiled at her and extended his arm as if he had not just hurt her. “Are you ready, my love?”
God, she hated him. Since Hunter had come into her life, she’d felt stronger, allowing herself to experience more anger than fear. How she would love to spit in his face and march out the front door.
Not yet.
Martin brought the automobile to a rolling stop in front of the brightly lit mansion of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Ratchford on Seawall Boulevard. Not too far, she noted, from where she and Hunter had had their picnic.
A kernel of fear lodged in her stomach at the thought that anyone looking out the window of the mansion might have seen her and Hunter. A Ratchford servant helped them from the vehicle and escorted them up the stairs to the entrance.
After greeting the host and hostess, they entered the ballroom, which had been tastefully decorated in a fall décor. Large displays of autumn flowers were tucked into each corner, and set on every open space. The scent, combined with women’s perfumes and men’s hair tonic, almost choked her.
There had to be over two hundred guests crowded into a room not built for a group that large. Most of Galveston’s high society, including judges, politicians, and affluent businessmen made up the guest list. All the wives were bedecked in jewels which reflected their wealth and status in the community.
Louis escorted her to a group of women, smiling and nodding as they passed friends and acquaintances. “I will come by later for a dance with the most beautiful woman here.” He bent and kissed her hand before leaving her with a smoldering look.
“Oh, my. Your husband is just so romantic.” Mrs. Stevenson sighed as Louis turned and walked away. “How lucky you are to have such a devoted man. And so handsome, too.” She nudged Emily with a smirk on her face. “I’m sure he keeps you happy in the bedroom.”
Emily had to fight to keep the bile rising at the back of her throat from decorating the stupid woman’s gown. If she revealed exactly what it was that Louis did in the bedroom, the woman would most likely scream, and then faint dead away. She was almost tempted to tell her.
She spent most of her time chatting with the ladies, none of whom were close friends because Louis didn’t allow it. One or two older men asked for a dance, which she complied with. Louis didn’t mind her dancing as long as the gentleman was at least three times her age and his belly kept them apart.
By the end of the second hour, however, her feet hurt, she was thirsty, but the room was far too crowded to fight her way to the refreshment table, and all she wanted was to go home.
From the corner of her eye she saw Louis wending his way through the crowd. He was heading in her direction, and seemed to be speaking to someone behind him. At last he edged through the remaining few people in front of her.
“My dear, I would like you to meet one of my new investors.” He turned and said to his companion, “My wife, Mrs. Emily Smith.”
Emily’s eyes grew wide, and she swallowed a giggle as she slowly extended her arm to Hunter.
He offered a noncommittal smile and took her hand. “Mrs. Smith. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Chapter 12
Hunter hoped to hell Emily didn’t faint dead away right there in front of him. When he’d managed to wrangle an invitation to the event through his Rangers connections, he’d had no way to warn her he’d be attending.
Unable to resist the opportunity to spend more time with her, he’d taken a chance that her expression or demeanor wouldn’t give their relationship away. But she quickly pulled herself together and said, “It is nice to meet you, too. What did you say your name was?”
“Henderson, ma’am. Hunter Henderson.” He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. The flush on her face receded, and she was cool and remote, exactly as he’d hoped she’d be. “Are you enjoying yourself, Mrs. Smith?”
“Yes, I am, Mr. Henderson.” She turned to Louis. “I am a bit thirsty and would love a glass of lemonade.”
Louis bent his head. “Of course, my love. I regret I did not come sooner.” He took her hand and kissed it, smiling warmly. Emily looked as if she wanted to kick him in the shin.
“Don’t say anything,” Hunter warned as Louis moved away. “Just smile like you would at a stranger.” She followed his glance and saw that Louis had stopped to speak with someone, then looked back at the two of them.
“Your husband is very devoted to you, Mrs. Smith.” Hunter grasped her elbow and moved her slightly to avoid being run over by a man barreling through the crowd, waving frantically at someone behind them.
She gave him a sad smile. “That was my chance to get Louis away for a moment. He is always willing to play the besotted husband in public. I knew he would not pass up this opportunity to strengthen his image.”
Noting Louis had finished his conversation and was moving toward the refreshment table, Hunter took the opportunity to study Emily. Beautiful even in her Harvey House uniform, dressed as she was tonight in a formal gown, with her hair swept away from her face, curls cascading down her bac
k, she was stunning.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here.” She smiled at him a little too warmly for his comfort. If anyone took particular notice of Mrs. Smith and the stranger, they could be in for a difficult time.
“Can we walk, or will Louis be right back?”
“I doubt it. Now that he’s made the proper impression on you, I’m sure he’ll be much too busy to actually bring the lemonade.”
“Then let’s take a stroll around the room. In plain sight of everyone, so no talk starts.” He extended his arm and Emily took it.
Before they’d taken more than two steps, he glanced down at her, and his gut twisted. “What happened to your arm?” Plainly visible at the top of her long glove were black and blue fingerprints.
Emily tugged on the edge of the glove to cover the marks. “Nothing.”
He smiled at a couple they passed by, all the time wanting to punch his fist into Louis Smith’s face. “By the mere fact that you said nothing tells me how it came to be there.”
“Let it be. It looks worse than it is.”
“Do you have any idea how much I want to just grab you and run?” He tried desperately to pull himself under control. “First thing tomorrow I will visit the police and lay out my story. If they refuse to do anything, you and I will leave. Once Jeremy gets here he can take over the investigation. I will not allow this situation to continue.”
“Calm down, Hunter.” She cast anxious glances at a few people whose attention they’d attracted.
Anyplace But Here (Oklahoma Lovers Series Book 5) Page 11