Regency Romance: An Intriguing Invitation (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance)

by Sarah Thorn

  He went directly to Angelica’s room and pushed open the door. She was, indeed, lying in the bed, her face red, her forehead sweaty.

  He walked to her bed and sat on the edge, looking down at her. As ill as she looked, her beauty still shone through.

  “You aren’t feeling well.” He didn’t ask it as a question. She nodded at him, her brown eyes reflecting deep sadness. “Do you know why?”

  She didn’t answer. She just shook her head and looked away from him.

  “Would it make you feel better if I told you that I have decided to keep you on here as my wife?”

  Angelica looked at him. He pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “You do not love me,” she said.

  He touched her cheek with his fingers, brushing them softly over her lips and through a ringlet of brown hair that had gone astray. “I would like to love you. I would like to have the opportunity to love you. But can you love me? Can you love an old bachelor with no sense of compassion or romance?”

  “You have compassion, Adam,” Angelica murmured. She pushed herself up on her elbows and gazed at him. “You would not have taken in two strange women if you didn’t have compassion. I know I can love you. I…” She had closely watched him in the last week. He was kind and gentle to every living thing. She wanted to know him much better. If he married her, she certainly would.

  He looked at her for another brief moment before taking her in his arms and holding her to him. Relief flooded through her.

  “I think…” he hesitated to confirm it in his mind and heart and pray quickly. “I think I already love you, Angela. I just didn’t know it. God sent you and your friend here. He did.”

  Angelica pulled back from him and gave him a loving look, the first of many. “I am sure He did, Adam. I’m sure he did.”

  Adam pulled her back into a tight hug and whispered in her ear, “Will you marry me?”

  She smiled and whispered back, “Yes. Yes, I will.”

  ****

  THE END

  A Sheriff’s Heart – A Clean Western Historical Romance

  Chapter One

  The napkin in Hettie’s hands was nearly ripped to shreds before she noticed she was pulling it apart. She stopped, felt her cheeks flush and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. She licked her lips and looked back out the window at the passing scenery. She was leaving everything behind, her father, brother and uncle, her best friend and her dream of being the schoolteacher for the town she grew up in.

  She was nervous but knew what needed to be done. The man she was going to meet and marry had given her father enough money to get the store out of the red and into the black. She needed to be strong and accept that things had to change.

  At 24, she had never expected to leave her home and travel across the country to marry a stranger. But it was apparently her lot in life. God must have decided this for her or she wouldn’t have felt as compelled to go when her father mentioned it. He’d shown her the ad and asked if she would be willing to make that kind of change. The war had put an economic strain on their small town, and the store was beginning to fail. Although her family were all supporters of President Lincoln, it didn’t put money in their accounts.

  James Banks had placed the ad. He was Sheriff of the town of Elko, in Nevada, and was looking for a bride. He was willing to help them financially if she would agree to travel there and marry him. She had accepted.

  It was four weeks ago that the prospect of this adventure was placed before Hettie. Her mother had died when she was only twelve; she barely remembered her. She had grown up in the loving, firm care of her father and uncle, her mother’s brother. Her older brother of two years had also vowed to protect her throughout her life and had held true to that statement, keeping her safe from harm whenever it approached. And it had.

  Hettie was fully aware of the methods of men. She had sometimes been accused of being too rough, though she was a small, fit young lady, with long blond hair that waved around her petite face. Her eyes sparkled an aquamarine blue and were framed by long dark blond eyelashes. She had small red lips and high cheekbones. She certainly didn’t look rough on the outside.

  She wondered what James was like. A Sheriff. She guessed he might have a lot of rough characters he had to deal with regularly. She hoped he wasn’t a big, tough man. She didn’t want to be fighting for the rest of her life. That sounded miserable.

  She was working herself into a frenzy. She pulled in a deep breath and relaxed her muscles. She would have a headache by the time she got there if she wasn’t careful. That was the last thing she needed.

  “Are you all right, dear?” the elderly woman sitting next to her leaned forward and looked up into her eyes. Hettie gave the woman a smile and nodded.

  “I am, thank you.”

  “You look very nervous. Is this your first time on the train?”

  “I did a little traveling with my father when I was younger,” Hettie confessed. “But this time, I am traveling alone. I’m not a little girl anymore. But I feel like one inside.”

  The woman nodded emphatically. “I can understand that, sweetie. You are off on your own adventure then?”

  “Yes, I’m going to the West to start a new life.”

  “Oh, my. Leaving all you knew behind, are you?”

  “Yes.”

  The woman nodded, put a hand forward and rested it on Hettie’s “I’m Ester Canaberry. What’s your name?”

  “Hettie Longfield.”

  “Well, it’s good to meet you, Hettie. Do you know where you will be living when you get to the West?”

  “Elko. I’ll be wed to the Sheriff there.”

  “How interesting.” Ester nodded, taking her hand back and resting it in the other small wrinkled one on her lap. The knitting needles she had been using clinked when she set her hands down. “Do you know how to knit?” She asked, glancing down.

  “I do.” Hettie nodded.

  “Would you like to do some with me while we travel?”

  Hettie had to smile again. She nodded without a word and lifted her hands to receive the work Ester had been working on. She inspected it. “Is it a bonnet?”

  “It is. It’s for my great grand baby girl, Mona. I am also traveling to Nevada, but not Elko. That’s where my daughter lives now. She went there in the same fashion as you.”

  Hettie’s eyes opened wide. “Isn’t that a coincidence?”

  Ester tilted her head. “Yes, it does seem so.”

  Ester’s stop was before Hettie’s, so she spent the last hour riding by herself. She had finished the bonnet for Ester, who praised the work vehemently, making Hettie blush furiously. She was relieved to hear that her stop was next and gathered her bag in her lap, retrieving her coat from where she had set it next to her. She certainly didn’t need it. The air was very warm and dry.

  She patiently waited until she was given permission to depart. She looked out through the window at the platform outside. It was deserted. She pulled in a deep breath, stood up and walked out of the cabin.

  She was the only one leaving the train, but there were several people getting on. She watched them when she stepped off as they said goodbye to their friends or family. It made her miss her brother and father.

  A couple was coming toward her with attentive looks. She straightened her spine and made sure a pleasant look was on her face. They didn’t look very happy, but they also didn’t look unfriendly. She was confused by their presence and prepared herself for whatever might be coming her way.

  “Hello!” The woman was the first one to greet her. She was tall, slender and dressed in a single layer dress, tall boots that reached halfway up her calves and was carrying a parasol with bright colors on it. Hettie had to assume it was to keep the sun from bursting down too much on the woman’s head because there was not a single chance of rain. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

  “Hello,” Hettie responded, smiling at the woman and reaching out to take her hand.

/>   “You are Hettie?”

  “I am.”

  The woman nodded and looked back at the man she was with. He was tall, muscled and looked like he wanted to turn around and run right then and there. Hettie was somewhat amused, wondering if he was the man she was to marry. He certainly didn’t have the countenance of a Sheriff. She suddenly envisioned herself taking over as Sheriff of the town in his place. She lifted her hand to hide a giggle.

  “This is John, my husband. I am Elizabeth Bannerman, but you can call me Liz. We are here to pick you up. Are you prepared? Do you have your bags?”

  “This is what I have here.” She gestured to the two luggage bags sitting next to her.

  Liz looked up at John and nodded. He gave her a distinct look, leaned down and picked up the bags. Without saying a word, he turned and went back toward the edge of the platform, where six steps would take them down to the parking area. Hettie saw a pretty yellow carriage waiting there, with two horses leading it that looked tall and majestic.

  “Very nice carriage,” Hettie said, admiringly.

  “Why, thank you, Hettie.”

  Once they were in the carriage, Hettie tried not to mention the tension between the husband and wife. It was so thick; Hettie thought she would be able to cut it with a knife. She looked from one to the other. He was looking out the window, his jaw set. She was smiling at Hettie with a nervous look.

  “May I ask why James did not come to get me?” Hettie asked in a small voice. She was a strong woman, but the pressure in the room was palpable.

  John made a strange, grunting sound in his throat and Liz cast him a look before dropping her eyes.

  “You need to tell her before we get there, Liz. You can’t leave her in the dark.”

  “I’m sorry?” Suddenly Hettie was afraid she had made a bad decision answering the ad. She peered at both of them, settling her eyes on Liz’s friendly eyes to calm herself.

  Liz sighed deeply and leaned forward. She put her hands on Hettie’s knees and looked at her pleadingly.

  “John is upset because I…you…well, you see, John and I decided to play matchmaker.”

  “This is you, Liz.” John shook his head. “I was skeptical.”

  “You didn’t have any problems with it before, John.”

  “I changed my mind.”

  “It’s too late for that, and you know it.”

  “Please tell me what’s going on.” Hettie pleaded, taking Liz’s hands and squeezing them gently.

  Liz pressed her lips together in an attempt to give Hettie a reassuring look. “I placed the ad and sent for you, dear. James is my brother, and I feel he has been alone long enough.”

  “How long has he been alone?” Hettie asked, the tightness in her chest loosening just a little with the secure sound of Liz’s voice.

  “A little over three years. And you have never been married?”

  “No. In his…your letter, you didn’t mention how old James is.”

  “He’s 29.”

  Hettie was relieved he wasn’t too much older than she was. “Has he any children?”

  “No.”

  “Did you tell her anything at all about James in your letter, Liz?” John sounded annoyed but looked less stressed than he had a few minutes before.

  Liz looked at him. “Of course I did, John! I just…didn’t mention those things.”

  “So you just described him and said he’s the Sheriff?”

  Liz ignored him and looked at Hettie again. “He’s got a good heart, Hettie, you don’t need to be afraid of him. He won’t hurt you, and he’s not in the saloons or bars much, so you don’t have to worry about that. He doesn’t spend any time with the women in town either. He has a lot of…” She stopped, and her face flushed a little as her emotions got a hold of her. “He has a lot of memories that it’s difficult for him to get rid of. I think a fresh start with a new woman will do him some good.”

  Hettie rolled that statement around in her mind. She agreed that a fresh start was always a good idea, especially when things got tough. But she’d been deceived and wasn’t sure how she felt about it. If James wasn’t the man who had paid her family and it had been Liz instead, that meant her preconceived perception of him was flawed. In fact, she had never communicated with him at all. She had no clue what he would be like.

  Plus, Liz was fond of saying the word “I.” She had made all the decisions here. What kind of person was her brother?

  Hettie moved her eyes to John, who was looking out the window again. He glanced at her just when she looked at him, and she dropped her eyes. He didn’t look nearly as upset now. He kept his eyes on her for a few more moments, considering her. Then he looked back out the window with a thoughtful gaze. She couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking.

  Liz leaned forward again, getting her attention. “Don’t you worry, Hettie. I like the way you look. You are sweet and kind; I can tell. James will love you. You’ll see!”

  Hettie just smiled at her.

  Chapter Two

  By the time the carriage pulled up in front of a two-story house, Hettie had worked herself up again. She was worried that with this turn of events, James might be displeased with her and she would end up in a miserable and unhappy marriage. She was so hoping for love. The thought of it sounded distant to her at that point.

  “Okay, here we are.” Liz sounded a little apprehensive herself. John stepped down from the carriage and rounded it to open the door for the women. He helped Liz out first, then Hettie. He went to the back of the carriage to unstrap the two bags while the women went up the few steps to the porch and crossed to the front door.

  Liz opened the first door and knocked on the second.

  They waited in silence, Liz giving Hettie a nod and a smile, squeezing her arm in the process.

  They heard the sound of footsteps on the other side and the door was thrown open by a tall man dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt.

  “Liz! What are you doing here?” He didn’t sound unfriendly, but he didn’t smile at his sister. His eyes settled on Hettie, and he blinked, giving her the once-over. “And who might this be? New member of the community? Hello, I’m James, the local Sheriff. I have to say you don’t look like the type to make trouble for my little town.”

  Hettie smiled shyly and giggled quietly. She didn’t feel very tough around James. He was intimidating and amazingly handsome. In fact, it made her heart do a little flip, and her stomach did the same. She took his extended hand, and he bowed to her. “I’m Hettie,” she responded. “It’s good to meet you, James.”

  “There’s actually something interesting about her arrival that you should know, James,” Liz said. She smiled her biggest smile and tried to look as positive as possible.

  James stared at her during the brief pause, his smile freezing on his face. “What is it, Elizabeth?”

  His use of her formal name made Hettie lose her smile and catch her breath.

  “I…well, I brought Hettie here from the East. To…to be a companion for you. A bride. A new wife.”

  How many ways was she going to say it? Hettie suddenly felt like a piece of meat being bargained upon. The look on James’ face had changed. He didn’t look so friendly now.

  “Elizabeth.” His voice had dropped several octaves. “Elizabeth, what have you done?”

  Hettie felt Liz’s hand on her arm squeeze tighter than before. Oh no, she thought. James took a step toward them and Liz instinctively backed up, pulling Hettie with her.

  “You need someone to bring you out of your mourning, James. You’ve been in pain for too long.”

  “So you reckoned you’d put yourself in the middle of my life and make decisions for me? You decided for my life, what I need and who I need in it? Do you realize that you are my younger sister? I am not a little child to be coddled and manipulated!” James’ voice was rising. Hettie lowered her head and glanced behind them to see John had put her bags back on the carriage and was leaning against it, his head down and his h
ands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. He had a sorrowful look on his face and didn’t make a move to come up on the porch to defend them.

  She moved her eyes back to the front and waited to see what Liz would say or do now.

  “James! You can’t possibly take this attitude right now, right here in front of this woman. She’s traveled a long way and is probably tired and hungry.”

  James leaned forward and looked directly at his sister. “And who was it that made her that way? You brought her here. You take care of her!” He stepped back into his house and slammed the door shut.

  “Oh!” Liz gasped and put one hand up against her throat. When she looked at Hettie, she had tears in her eyes. Hettie was taller than Liz and looked down at her with gentle eyes, putting one hand on Liz’s. “Oh, Hettie! I am stunned. I am so sorry. I couldn’t have known he would react like this.”

  “Liz,” Hettie whispered. “What do I do now? Must I go home? Will you want your money back?”

  “No.” It wasn’t Liz who answered. Liz was becoming a bundle of tears, and they both turned when it was John who answered. He was coming toward them now, holding one hand out, not to his wife, but to Hettie. “You will come stay with us, at least for tonight and we will sort this out. We aren’t about to abandon you here when this is all our fault.”

  “Oh, John.” Liz went toward her husband, and he gathered her in his arms. He nodded at Hettie and took Hettie’s hand. He led her back to the carriage, never taking his arm from his wife’s shoulders.

  Liz cried the entire way to their house, which was about ten minutes away down a dirt road lined with trees and houses set far back from the road. Hettie felt bad for her. She was wrestling with her own emotions but did not feel like crying. She was aghast at the behavior of the Sheriff. Perhaps Liz did interfere with her brother’s life a little too much, and perhaps he was getting weary of it. But to treat a complete stranger in such a way. What could his excuse possibly be?