A Lady for Luke

by Donna K. Weaver

“No, they’re not.” Doris gave one of her soft smiles. “But just like Hank, they only know what they’ve been taught. We have an opportunity to show them there’s a bigger world out there than what they’ve seen so far.”

  “How did I not realize I was marrying such a wise woman?” Marshall leaned over and kissed his wife.

  Judith’s brother had certainly not learned such loving behavior in their childhood home. Even so, she had to blink at the sudden emotion flooding through her. Watching her brother and Doris and also Charles and Maude with their unabashed affection was startling. Polite society did not approve of such demonstrations.

  It made Judith reflect upon her interactions with Teddy. They’d been completely devoid of anything that might smack of true feelings. She considered different married couples back home and couldn’t think of any who treated their spouses like this, not even her friends who had recently wed. Were any of them in love with each other? Until she’d come here, Judith had never considered love to be important in a marriage. Now she wondered.

  “What do you have in mind for the schedule?” Doris asked, her cheeks still flushed.

  Judith refused to fall victim to envy, as tempting as it was. The Lancaster sisters had suffered enough at the hands of their uncle and were entitled to their happiness. It made her wonder if Edgar had managed to find out something.

  “Judith?” Marshall asked, watching her. “Doris asked you a question.”

  “I’m sorry.” Judith shook her head. “I was wondering if you’d heard from Edgar.”

  Doris stilled, and her face paled. She still wasn’t completely comfortable talking about Marshall’s cousin who’d been coerced by her uncle to bring her to him. Marshall covered her hand with his.

  “I received a telegram from him this morning. He says he has news for us and will be back in a few days, assuming the weather holds. I hear the storms have been bad north of us, and it’s caused some delays with the trains.”

  “Is Frances safe?” Doris asked.

  “Even if your brother wasn’t watching her like a hawk, that Nick Reynolds always seems to be in her company.” Marshall helped himself to another roll.

  “And how is that appropriate?” Judith couldn’t help asking. It was simply another society rule the youngest Lancaster sister seemed determined to cast aside.

  “There’s nothing untoward in their relationship,” Doris said without a hint of doubt. “Frances views him the same way she does Luke. In fact, when we first arrived here last spring my brother gave Nick the responsibility to watch over her. He’s taken her under his wing just like a younger sister. He left one behind in Texas. From what he’s said, he misses her a great deal, and Frances helps to fill that emptiness.”

  Judith barely prevented herself from sniffing in distain, something Marshall had chastised her about too many times since she’d come from New York. Until he’d brought it up, she hadn’t known she was doing it. It had been something she’d picked up from her friends.

  “It still isn’t fitting for a lady,” Judith said.

  “My sister is fond of saying—and firmly believes, I might add—that society’s rules are merely the methods men used to control women. She also says we’re five years into a new century, and it’s time for women to be in charge of their own lives.” Doris gave a soft laugh. “She can’t wait until she’s twenty-one and can vote. That alone will keep her in Wyoming.”

  Judith shook her head.

  “You don’t think women should vote?” Marshall asked with a frown. “William Bright, the man who introduced the bill in Wyoming said something along the lines of his wife being as good as any man, that she was definitely better than convicts and idiots.”

  Judith gave her brother a flat look, and he laughed.

  “Don’t like the comparison to convicts and idiots, huh? Well, I happen to agree with him. I’ll even go further to say women are better than men in many things. I’ve had to work with plenty of stupid men, believe me, but they’re allowed to vote. Why not you ladies?”

  “I’ve never thought about it,” Judith said, considering his words. “It’s not ladylike.”

  “Are you saying it’s not ladylike to use your brains?” Marshall asked. “I will pit your intelligence against almost any man I’ve met.” Marshall reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t short-change yourself. It might not seem like it, but we Westerners are driving this new century.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I’m sure it’s a wise decision to have you and Luke organizing the Christmas Fair,” Marshall said.

  Judith didn’t respond. She hadn’t needed the reminder she’d be working with Luke, but her brother’s comments had given her pause. Was she short-changing herself and her role in this burgeoning community? Did this still-wild country need women who challenged the rigid social structure found in the East? She wasn’t sure she was comfortable with the idea of Frances Lancaster as a role model for women of the future.

  Judith rubbed her temple. She was getting a headache.

  5

  As Luke rode to the Circle B Ranch for his meeting with Judith, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He hadn’t missed her expression when he’d first suggested the “manly” events, as the ladies of the society had taken to calling them. It had been obvious Judith hadn’t approved.

  After he’d been commanded by his brothers-in-law and Abe to represent the men on the committee, Luke had spoken with Doris about what his approach should be. All his sister could say was Judith was likely offended by the events because they didn’t fit what she considered a cultural event. If Judith was going to resist the events, he didn’t want to waste his time.

  Culture. Sophistication. Those were things he couldn’t imagine coming to Lilac City for a very long time, if ever. Not at the level Judith was used to and seemed to want. His thoughts drifted back to the Thanksgiving meal, when he’d gained insight about her. Was her dissatisfaction because she refused to let go of her former life and the people who’d rejected her?

  He gave a rueful chuckle. As a rancher, he hadn’t had a need for deep thinking about that kind of thing and certainly not about a woman.

  A gust of wind drove a chill as cold as a knife down his back, and Luke shifted his collar. Dang, but it was going to be a miserable winter if it continued like this. He’d lost another two head of cattle. With wolves already preying on the herds, what would February be like?

  The light from Marshall Breckinridge’s large house gave off a warm and inviting appearance, making the cold seem to cut through Luke’s coat even worse. He took the road to the barn and turned his horse over to one of the hands there before trudging through the snow to the house.

  Doris must have been waiting for him because she opened the door even as he was still stomping his feet.

  “Come in. Come in.” She tugged him inside and shut the door. “Whatever were the two of you thinking to plan a meeting on such a terrible night?”

  “I didn’t have time to do it during the day.” Luke gave his sister a hug, and she took his hat and scarf.

  “Hang up your coat. Judith is in the parlor waiting for you with some hot coffee.”

  Luke rubbed his hands together and strode to the room where the monthly teas had been held during the summer. The warmth of the day he’d brought Doris to help now seemed like an eternity ago. It was a shame they couldn’t capture the summer weather for days like today.

  Judith must have heard him enter the room, but she didn’t look up, continuing to examine something on the writing desk on her lap. He still wasn’t sure what to expect from the meeting. He wished Marshall had been willing to take it on, but he’d cried off saying he was a newly married man who had to spend time with his bride.

  Luke headed to the table with a coffee pot on it and poured himself a cup. It was near the fireplace, so he turned to warm his backside. Judith still hadn’t acknowledged him. Was this her way of showing she didn’t approve of his being included?

  “It’s no skin off my nos
e to not be part of your little committee,” he said, being sure to keep his tone mellow. “I’ve got a ranch to run and plenty of important things to do.”

  Judith looked at him then, one brow arched. “And you don’t consider our little committee’s unimportant efforts to be worth your time?”

  Luke studied her for a second. If she’d been a man, he’d have guessed she was angling for a fight. Did women do that too? It wasn’t like he’d had a lot of experience with them in the last decade. Mrs. McDaniel didn’t count. She’d always bossed him around like one of her boys. She and his mother had been like opposite sides of a coin, one woman delicate and gracious. The other woman the salt of the earth, who wouldn’t let manners get in the way of something that needed to be said.

  In spite of her obsession with proper manners and etiquette, he wondered if there was anything delicate about Judith Breckinridge. He put down his cup and sat on the couch beside her. She looked alarmed and shifted away from him.

  “I’m not your enemy, Judith. Why do you treat me like one?”

  Her face colored, and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Luke raised his hand and gently covered hers with it. He liked the feel of her soft skin under his. Without a thought, he ran his thumb over the top of her hand. She gave a little gasp and looked up at him. It took him a second to remember what he’d meant to say.

  “I understand it means a great deal to you to bring some of the culture you love to Lilac City. It’s a good thing too. We need more civilization, as Sheriff Vosburg is always saying. But if you only offer culture to people who already have it, you’re preaching to the choir.”

  “Yes.” Her voice had an odd edge to it, and she stared down at their hands.

  “I’m only here to help. I’ll do anything I can to make my sisters happy.”

  Judith’s gaze shot up to meet his again. Her whole body had stiffened, and she pulled back her hand, like she was worried he had lice or something. What had he done now?

  There was no understanding the woman.

  Did he have to keep reminding Judith he only thought of her as a sister? Her hand still tingled where he’d touched it, and she clenched her fist. Inhaling deeply, she forced herself to speak calmly.

  “I’m pleased to hear you wish to make us happy.”

  Luke blinked as though her words confused him. She chose to ignore his expression.

  “I understand your analogy about preaching to the choir. Believe it or not, I’ve given it a great deal of thought since the meeting.” Judith shifted uncomfortably. “I’m merely concerned bringing in a series of events which are obviously not cultured will confuse the people who need to be educated.”

  Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He turned his head to look at her. “What gives you the right to decide what’s cultured and what’s not?”

  It was Judith’s turn to blink, and she had to remind herself she was trying not to be cross with people. Especially Luke. She took a deep breath.

  “My social status and education.” She wished she didn’t sound so much like one of her prim finishing school instructors.

  “You forget I also come from your social status. I attended university until my mother’s death. I used to share your bias.”

  “Bias?” Her voice came out higher than she’d intended.

  “Yes, bias. We both were taught things had to be done a certain way, and it was the only right one.” Luke straightened and leaned back in the chair. “Marshall told me once about a Chinese woman who worked for your mother when she married.”

  At the memory of the sweet old woman, Judith’s shoulders relaxed. “Yes, she did.”

  “Did you try to force her to change her ways and thoughts?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Why?”

  At first, Judith wasn’t going to respond, but there was something in his eyes that softened the confrontational edge to his question.

  “Because she’d come from an ancient and dignified land which she loved. She learned how to be a good maid to my mother but never surrendered her culture when she was on her own.”

  “And you know this because you saw her when she was on her own, am I right?” Luke asked.

  “My father was not a comfortable man. When I was young, I especially found it difficult to gain his favor. I would—” Judith dropped her gaze, her hands going cold at the memory. “—hide from him in her room while she worked on mending. She would tell me about her childhood in China.”

  “I understand.”

  At his soft words, Judith glanced up and found him staring at the fireplace.

  “My father loved my mother, but he had a bit of a wild streak,” Luke said, still not looking at Judith. “His father had forced him to go into the family business, but he hated it. Even though he had a wife and a son he was responsible for, my father took risks. The last one he accepted was a challenge to race a particularly dangerous route. His horse stepped in a rabbit hole, and they both went down. He broke his neck.”

  She was struck by a sense of camaraderie with him and said, “My father is a different kind of risk-taker. He broke my mother’s heart and destroyed our family’s reputation.”

  “I know you’re paying the price,” Luke said, his voice soft and commiserating.

  “Just as you did at the hands of your stepfather.” When he winced, she regretted mentioning the man. Doris and Maude always spoke so lovingly of their father, but Judith had always thought he sounded like two different men, one the kind and loving father of the sisters and the other the cold and heartless one who had disowned Luke. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned him.”

  “I assume your brother told you about my situation.” The bitterness in Luke’s voice carried the same taste as the one she had for her father.

  “You, at least, can claim no blood connection.” Judith smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

  “There is that.” Luke gave a dark chuckle.

  “I apologize for taking out my frustrations on you upon your arrival.” She sighed. “It wasn’t ladylike and proves me the worst hypocrite.”

  Luke leaned forward and gave her a measured gaze. “Everyone’s a hypocrite. We can’t help it.”

  “How so?” Judith straightened, prepared to argue.

  “Because all of us have personal ethics we fail to live up to from time to time. One of mine is to be a patient man. When I lose my temper—which happens too often—I’m a hypocrite.” Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s one of many things in my life I’m forever working to improve. Some days I’m better than others, but I’d rather be a struggling hypocrite than a man with no morals.”

  Judith stared at him. Luke’s words spoke to her like nothing had since the disclosure of her father’s criminal behavior.

  “I didn’t mean to render you speechless. That’s quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself.” He winked at her, lifting the mood, and she smiled.

  “You, sir, are a tease.” She picked up her lap desk again. “Now, I’ve made a list of the events the society decided to include and tried to spread out a mixture of the manly events with the cultured ones.”

  “Because a manly event can’t also be a cultured one?” he asked dryly.

  “That was not what I said.” He arched a brow, and Judith gave a soft laugh. “But that was what I meant. I apologize. Now tell me if you like the order.” She handed him the sheet of paper.

  They spent the next half-hour going over the list, with Luke making several recommendations for moving events around.

  “My biggest concern is I don’t like the idea of a rowdy activity just prior to the Christmas story which Doris’s scholars will perform.”

  “I’m going to be an angel, Uncle Luke” Lydia cried, skipping into the parlor in her dressing gown. The exuberant five-year-old threw herself into his arms for a hug.

  “I’m Mary,” Florence said, with an air of superiority expected from a big sister, even one who was only a year older. She was more circumspect in the wa
y she hugged him, but squealed just as loudly as Lydia had, when he tickled her.

  Judith glanced at Marshall and Doris who’d followed the girls into the parlor. A twinge of jealousy at the happiness of the new family stung Judith, but she pushed it away. Luke might have to battle to keep control of his temper, but she had to fight the envy that continued to plague her. She liked his comment about being a struggling hypocrite. The obvious happiness of both Maude and Doris took nothing from Judith, and she truly did not resent them.

  Judith simply wished she would have a family of her own someday. She could only hope that, when enough time had passed, some man—a decent man—could look beyond the black mark on her family name. It would take someone very high in society, indeed, who could weather undamaged the stain she’d bring.

  “Mama Doris is going to show us how to make pine Christmas wreaths tomorrow to go with the tree,” Lydia said, jumping from Luke’s lap. “It makes the house smell so good.”

  “That reminds me,” Luke said. “Have you already put up your tree? We’ve always put ours up on Christmas Eve, but Frances insisted on doing it a few days ago. I’m afraid it’ll burn the house down.”

  “We put our tree up yesterday. We won’t use candles until Christmas Eve,” Doris said. “Judith is quite clever in the way she strings cranberries.”

  “Really?” Luke glanced at her expectantly. “I’d like to see.”

  “Yes,” both Florence and Lydia cried, taking his hands and pulling him from the room.

  “It’s nothing special,” Judith said, her chest tightening. What if he didn’t like them?

  “Come along,” her brother said, taking her arm before she could flee. “You won’t be casting your pearls before swine, so have no fear.”

  Judith allowed him to pull her into the library, where they’d decided to put the tree. She really had been pleased with the effect and the touch of elegance her garlands had given the tree. It seemed she might have a creative streak after all.

  “We were just going to string together a few strands of popcorn and some with cranberries,” Doris said, studying the tree. “And then Judith suggested mixing and matching. The effect is quite lovely.”