Pierre banged his glass on a table and stood. He moved toward his son and with a lightning fast movement, reached out, grabbed his lapel and pulled Peter close.
Peter slapped his father’s hand away. “Do not dare to manhandle me,” he hissed.
Pierre dropped his hand back to his side but remained close. “Do not presume to interfere with Cora’s future. I have every right as her father to decide what she will and won’t do. Do not make the mistake of crossing me.” He turned, poured another whiskey and resumed his seat. “I believe you said something about going for the doctor?”
Peter had been effectively dismissed. He would bide his time. He glared at his father before silently leaving the room. He now had no doubt of how dangerous a man Pierre Ancelet was. He would tread very carefully.
***
The doctor had placed Cora’s dislocated shoulder back into its socket. Peter explained that his sister had stumbled on the steps and, as her father grabbed her to prevent her falling, the shoulder must have popped out.
The doctor was skeptical about the explanation and suspected she had been abused. He made a point of telling her father and brother, she was to rest in bed for at least one week and have meals delivered to her room. He would check back with her in a few days.
Cora was beyond surprised when they both agreed. They advised the doctor they would employ the widow Skinner from down the street to cook their meals, take care of the house and assist Cora where needed.
Widow Skinner had commenced immediately and the following day she brought Cora her breakfast, assisted her to wash and slip on a clean nightdress. Pillows were piled up behind her so she was comfortable, she was handed her book and the widow left the room. Cora heard the key turn in the lock, her father must have given the instruction. She was now a prisoner. A tear dripped from her eyelashes. What am I going to do?
***
The following days passed slowly, Cora was bored with being confined in her room as her father continued to keep her door locked. He had not visited her since that night and she fretted about what he might be planning.
After ten days had passed, her shoulder felt fine and she paced her room restlessly. It was early but she was out of bed, washed and dressed. She heard the key turn in the lock and gasped when her father sauntered in.
“Widow Skinner has been told, her services are no longer required as you have recovered. You will come downstairs and prepare breakfast.” He turned to leave the room.
“Will you be leaving my door unlocked now?”
He swung around to face her. As he stepped forward, she shuffled back.
“No. Ernest has been informed you will marry him in five days’ time. He is delighted and preparations are almost complete. Until then, you will remain locked in this room as you cannot be trusted and I will not be humiliated by having you run away.” He stomped from the room.
Fear gripped Cora. “Dear Lord, please help me. I can’t marry that man, I would rather die.”
Peter had been passing her door and must have heard her anguished plea. He stopped and entered her room. Her head was buried in her hands and she recoiled as her father sat on her bed. She suddenly realized it was Peter and breathed a sigh of relief.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“My shoulder has healed but father has vowed to keep me locked in my room until I marry Ernest. Peter, please help me. I can’t marry that horrible creature.”
Peter’s sorrow for her showed in his eyes. He hugged her to him as she cried. “I’ll see what I can do about this, but for now please, don’t anger father.”
Cora nodded, wiped the tears from her face and allowed Peter to escort her downstairs.
***
Cora remained locked in her room and two days later, her wedding day loomed. She had all but given up hope of her brother helping her. Then, midafternoon, she heard her door being unlocked. Peter stepped into her room.
“Hurry and gather your things together. I have a carriage waiting to take you to North Reading where you are booked on the stage for Boston. I have secured a room at the Parker House and you will catch the first train from there to Chicago. You will again stay overnight before catching a train to Sioux City. I have wired Millie’s father and he has responded. He will meet you at the station. I have asked him to ensure your whereabouts are kept secret and he has agreed. You will travel under the name Rose Brown to make it harder for father to find you.”
Cora sat stunned. Her brother was helping her. She was going to be free! Rose Brown was an alias she would easily remember – Rose being her middle name and Brown, the maiden name of her mother.
“Cora, hurry!” her brother urged.
She bounced to her feet, pulled a trunk from under her bed and threw in the things she needed. Personal items and a change of clothes were packed into a small travelling bag. She paused, “Peter, why are you helping me?”
Peter sighed and lowered himself to the bed. “Mary informed me that one of her friends was raped two days ago. By our father! Apparently she is inconsolable but refuses to bring charges against him. Mary took me to visit her yesterday hoping together, we could change her mind. Oh Cora, it was dreadful. Her wrist is broken and she’s covered in bruises. One eye is badly bruised and she is unable to open it.” Sorrow saturated his voice.
Cora lowered her fist from her mouth. “You must go to the authorities. Father must not be allowed to get away with it. What do her parents say?”
“She has only told Mary and me. She threatened if we go to the authorities, she’ll deny everything. Her parents are beside themselves with grief but she refuses to tell them it was father who is responsible and has sworn us to secrecy. Our father, as it turns out, is as bad as the fiends he mixes with.” He wrung his hands. “I would never had dreamed he was capable of anything as monstrous as this.”
“If he finds out you have helped me, he will ruin you.”
Peter smirked. “No, he won’t. I’ll threaten to tell the authorities about Mary’s friend ……”
Cora interrupted him, “but…..”
Peter held up his hand to silence her. “He won’t know I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
“What about Ernest?”
“I’ll tell him I have evidence about the girls he has raped and beaten. He won’t give me any trouble.”
“Do you have evidence?” She was curious.
“No, but he doesn’t know that.” Her brother smiled as he lifted her trunk. “I would love you to stay so we can build a friendship but I can’t guarantee father and Ernest won’t kidnap you and force you into marriage. I can’t watch you every minute of every day and I would fear for your safety. I believe the best thing for you is to get away and start afresh.”
“I understand.” Cora reached under the mattress and pulled out the money she’d saved. She stuffed it into her reticule, draped her cloak around her shoulders and gathered her travelling bag. After taking one last glance around the room, she followed her brother from the house.
The carriage awaited her at the front door. Peter secured her trunk to the back and turned to face her. She watched as he pulled a large envelope from inside his jacket. He offered it to her.
“This is your travel itinerary, tickets and two hundred dollars in cash. You should be fine until you secure a position but if you need extra money, wire me via Mary. I would suggest you consider using the name Rose Brown to keep you safe. Millie and her family will understand when you explain.
Cora gazed at the envelope in her hand. “It’s so much money Peter. How will I ever repay you?”
“Consider it an apology for all the times I should have been there for you and I wasn’t. Remember, if you need to contact me or want to write, do it via Mary. She’ll keep our secret.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small gold band. “This was mothers’ wedding ring, I want you to have it.” He also handed her a delicate lace edged fan embellished with pale pink painted flowers. “This was given to mother by her grandmother on
her wedding day.”
Tears pricked her eyes as she slipped the ring onto her finger and carefully placed the fan into her travelling bag. She stood on tiptoe and kissed her brother’s cheek. He pulled her to him in a crushing hug. “Be careful, I do care about you, sis. Be happy.” He kissed her forehead.
“And you.” Tears coursed down her cheeks as he assisted her into the carriage and instructed the driver to be on his way.
Cora glanced back, waved to her brother and sank back against the seat. “I’m free at last,” she whispered.
***
The trip to North Reading passed quickly as she closed her eyes and attempted to doze. Her mind wouldn’t quiet enough for her to completely relax. Over and over she questioned. Should I withdraw my letter to John and forget about being a Mail Order Bride? What if you can’t find employment near Millie’s home? She did tell me they are miles from anywhere. It was two days by wagon into Sioux City to pick up supplies. If I withdraw my application and dismiss the idea, will I find another man willing to marry a plain girl like me? I can’t expect Millie’s family to support me forever. Her decision was made, she would go ahead with her application to marry John.
The driver startled her from her thoughts when he opened the carriage door and spoke. “North Reading, Miss.”
He offered his hand to assist her, she slipped her gloved hand into his and stepped onto the street. “Thank you,” she said.
“You go on into the office. I’ll take your trunk around the back and set it with the other luggage so it can be loaded onto the stage to Boston.” He bounded up onto the driver’s seat and she watched as the carriage disappeared around the side of the building.
Several people were seated, others milled about talking as she pushed the door open and entered the Stage office. Her ticket was ready in her hand, stepping over to the counter, she handed it over to a short, gruff looking man. His appearance was decidedly untidy. He accepted her ticket and studied it before tearing a piece from it and handing it back. He noted her name and destination in a book in front of him. “Be seated please. The stage will be ready to leave in about one hour.”
“I have someone down the street who I need to speak with. I shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.”
“Just make sure you’re back in time for the stage. It won’t wait,” he warned.
“I will be,” she assured him as she pushed open the door and left the office.
It took only moments for her to hurry down the street to the Agency office. The bells tinkled as she entered. Lillibeth was seated at her desk and glanced up at the sound. “Cora, why are you back here so soon?”
“I’m leaving for good today and I need you to forward any correspondence from Mr. Franklin to this address.” She produced a piece of paper on which she’d written Millie’s address and handed it to Lillibeth who read it quickly. “I’ll be staying with friends.”
Lillibeth smiled. “I’m pleased you’re getting away from your father and brother. I’ll be sure to forward any correspondence from Mr. Franklin to this address. Good luck and take care.”
The two girls embraced before Cora made her way back to the stagecoach depot.
***
Rapid City, South Dakota
Two Weeks Later
“Letter for you John. All the way from Massachusetts. Looks like a females handwriting.” George, the Postmaster, thrust the letter into John’s hand and waited expectantly for him to open and read it.
John turned it over in his hands wondering who in Massachusetts, could have written to him. “I have no idea who it could be from.” He shrugged. “I’ll open it when I get home.”
The smile left George’s lips. Known as the town gossip, it was hard for him to accept that John was not sharing his news.
“Anything for Ma and Pa? I’m headed to the store to see them before I head back.”
George checked and handed John another four letters.
“Thanks, George.” John clapped his hat on his head and left the office. As he strode up the street to the General store owned by his parents, he continued turning the mysterious letter over in his hands. He was so engrossed with wondering who it was from, he almost bowled old Mr. Rivers over as he entered the store. He placed an arm around the man and steadied him. “I’m sorry, Mr. Rivers,” he apologized.
The old man grunted, “young whippersnappers never watch where they’re going. I swear, one of them will hurt a person one day.”
John held the door open for the old man to leave and chuckled once he was gone.
“He gets crankier every day,” his mother said as John hugged her and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Son,” his Pa said. “I hear things are good out at the ranch. Sam tells me you’re lookin’ at buyin’ in more cattle.”
“Sam has a big mouth.” John glared at his best friend and foreman.
His mother watched the exchange. “When are you boys gonna find yourselves wives and give me some grandchildren?”
John and Sam groaned. Every time the boys paid a visit she asked the same thing. John’s three older sisters were married with children but it didn’t stop his mother from wanting the men to get hitched.
Sam had become like a second son to Sarah Franklin. His own mother had passed when he was thirteen years old. He’d been devastated and John’s mother had helped to guide him through his grief. She had been there for him whenever Sam needed a motherly touch. He had grown to love and adore her almost as much as his own mother. It was a very special relationship.
“Ma, you know there aren’t any women around here,” John protested.
“Yeah, Ma. We work too much for a wife anyway,” Sam said.
Sarah glanced up at John. “What about …..”
John interrupted. “You know things didn’t work out. She wanted the city. I want the peace and quiet of the country.”
“Leave ’em be, Sarah. They’ll marry when they’re good and ready.” Josiah Franklin, his father, said.
“Your parents are as bad as my pa, John. Every time he sees me he asks when I’m gonna settle down. I keep tellin’ him, it isn’t gonna happen,” Sam said.
They all laughed at Sam’s determination to remain single.
“You’ll get caught one day, son,” Josiah said. “All good men do.”
“Are you staying for supper?” Sarah asked.
“No, we have to get back, Ma. We’ve got a wagonload of supplies and chores to be done,” John said.
Sarah’s shoulders slumped with disappointment.
“Next time, Ma, I promise.” John handed his mother the mail, keeping his own letter clutched in his hand. He watched as his mothers’ eyes locked on it. She struggled with her curiosity and he saw the sparkle in her eyes as it finally got the better of her.
“Who’s your letter from? It looks like a woman’s handwriting,” she said.
John turned it over again as he glanced down. He suspected what it was about and nerves settled in his belly. He hadn’t mentioned the advertisement to anyone, he wanted to wait and see if he received any responses. “I don’t know who it’s from. It’s postmarked, Massachusetts.”
“Why would you get a letter from someone in Massachusetts, you don’t know anyone there?” his mother said.
“No, I don’t,” he conceded.
“Open it,” Sam said.
John hesitated, he suspected the letter would be private. “No, I’ll open it when I get back to the ranch.”
“Why?” his mother asked.
“I want to get my chores done and read it when I relax.” A feeble excuse, John thought but didn’t want his Ma and Pa to know what he was up to, well not yet anyway.
“But, I want to know who it’s from and what it says,” his mother insisted.
Josiah rested his hand on her arm, “Leave the boy alone, Sarah. He’ll read the letter when he’s ready and tell us about it in his own good time.”
“I’ll wonder about it until I know,” Sarah admitted. Her admission set
them all to laughing.
“We have to get going.” John kissed his mother’s cheek and clapped his father on the back. Sam followed suit.
His parents watched from the door of their store as the boy swung themselves onto the seat of the loaded wagon.
Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Page 3