by Kit Morgan
Now, however, was another story. Those strange clicks inside him had done … something. And before he could stop it, the matter had been settled.
Now came the details. “I don’t have a house, I’m afraid – I live in the men’s camp outside of town. Obviously that’s no place for a woman.”
“How long would it take you to build a house of your own?”
Amon shrugged. “Depends on the help, I guess. Of course, I am good with wood – I could build one myself if I had to. But it would take longer.”
“Ambitious, I must say,” Newton said, sitting back in his chair. “But not necessary. I’ll help you. We have ample money to stay at the hotel for some time. You and Nettie could have your own room.”
“Well … that’s most generous of you,” Amon said. “I’m sure your sister would prefer to continue on at Mr. Van Cleet’s hotel rather than sleep out on the prairie.”
“Quite so,” Newton agreed and stood. “I’d like to get things moving immediately if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Strangely, he didn’t mind, even though he knew he probably should. “But tell me … after I marry your sister, what’s to become of you? Are you going to stay in Clear Creek?”
Newton looked away a moment and stared out the window. “I haven’t thought about that much. Protecting Nettie and seeing to her needs has been my priority since we arrived here.” He chuckled as he looked back at Amon. “Long before we left England, actually. It never occurred to me what I would do once my job was done.”
“Naturally you had to see to her protection. But once that’s passed to me, you’re free to go anywhere.”
“True enough. But I’ll not think about it until she becomes Mrs. Cotter. After all, there is the possibility she won’t … like you, just as you say.”
“And what if I find I don’t like her?”
Newton smiled. “Really? You have seen her. What’s not to like?”
“The heart and mind are two separate things,” Amon stated. “Though your sister’s do happen to come wrapped in a delightful package, if I may say so.”
“You may. But be warned,” Newton chuckled. “Her mind is fast and her heart … well, my sister is of a passionate nature. Whether it’s a cause she believes in or a loved one she’s protecting, she gives it her all. And she’s a fighter. I suggest you woo her carefully, Mr. Cotter, and tap into that passion for yourself. As her husband, you’re the only one licensed to do so.”
Amon stared at him, surprised at the man’s frankness. He nodded as his usual calm engulfed him once again. “I’ll try my best.”
“See that you do.” Newton glanced around the room. “Speaking of which, where is she?”
Amon smiled. “Mrs. Upton probably has her cornered and talking her ear off.”
“Then she’s giving us time to talk. My sister is considerate that way.”
“Or she fears our words.”
Newton nodded. “I trust, sir, that she’ll have no reason to fear you in any way.”
“You have my word,” Amon told him, raising his hand as if taking an oath.
Newton began to study him with scrutiny when a knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” he called over his shoulder.
Mrs. Upton did so, followed by Nettie carrying the tea service. She carefully crossed the room to the small table and set it down. “There now, gentlemen,” Mrs. Upton said with a happy smile. “Sorry it took a bit longer than normal, but Miss Whitman here helped me get a batch of cookies into the oven. My, she’s handy in the kitchen!”
Nettie looked away a moment, and Amon noticed the pink creeping into her cheeks. “That’s reassuring,” he commented, just to see what she would do.
She turned to face him, but said nothing. She then looked at her brother. “What did I miss?”
“The part where I said yes,” he told her.
Her eyes widened and she quickly turned again to Amon. She looked him up and down, seemingly unable to breathe.
“Oh, isn’t it wonderful?” Mrs. Upton exclaimed and clapped her hands together. “Another wedding! I’ll have to know the date! I’ll make you the best cake you’ve ever seen!” She turned and bustled for the door.
“Kind woman!” Newton called after her. “I mean … Mrs. Upton?”
She turned back to him. “Yes, Mr. Whitman?”
“Mr. Cotter wishes to court my sister. There will be no wedding until she decides …” His eyes flicked to Amon. “… that is, until they decide if they’ll suit. Understand, I appreciate your exuberance in the matter, but I must ask that you do not rush ahead of things.”
Mrs. Upton looked at each of them and picked at her apron. “I do get a little excited about these things, don’t I? Very well, I’ll hold back!” She winked and left the room.
The only sound to follow was the click of the door as she shut it. Everyone went quiet and Amon studied the woman he’d just agreed to marry. True, she was beautiful, as beautiful as her brother was handsome. Hadn’t he heard they were identical twins? They certainly did look a lot alike. Her eyes were just as dark, her hair the same honey gold, though longer than his and piled on her head in what he assumed was the latest fashion. None of the women in Clear Creek wore their hair in such a sophisticated style, and he briefly wondered how long it took her to get it that way …
A tremor raced through him, taking him by surprise, and he had to blink a few times just to tear his gaze from her. He looked at Newton instead. “How should we proceed, then?”
Newton looked between them. “We haven’t had our tea. Shall we?”
* * *
Nettie couldn’t believe it! Her brother had just arranged a marriage between her and the man sitting on the settee. Now what would she do? And when were they going to get married? Wait … she gaped at her brother as he poured them each a cup. “Am I to understand that Mr. Cotter and I are to … court?”
He looked at her. “Would you rather not?”
She took a deep breath, then another. Why was she having such a hard time breathing? She stared at Amon Cotter again. He stared back, but said nothing. “You wish to court me?”
Newton handed her a cup. “I think we’ve already established that. Mr. Cotter, however, wishes to build you a suitable dwelling as well. I thought it would give you ample time for the two of you to get to know each other.”
“It will take me some weeks,” Amon told her. “But I’m sure you’d prefer your own house to living in the hotel.”
Nettie swallowed hard. So it was really happening. She nodded slowly as she took the cup and saucer from Newton. “Yes, I’m sure I would. And Mrs. Upton does have a fine kitchen.”
“That she does,” Amon agreed. “But I’m sure you’d want your own. In the meantime, Mrs. Upton can give you cooking lessons if you wish …”
Her eyes flashed. The last thing she needed was cooking lessons, but he didn’t know that. The real question was, did she want him to? Maybe it was better that he thought her domestically inept. Wouldn’t he ask questions if he saw what she could do in the kitchen, or the speed with which she could clean and organize? “I’m sure I could do with a few lessons. They would be most helpful.”
Newton glanced at her but said nothing. He didn’t have to; he knew how it must have galled her to say the words. Instead he took a sip of tea – and played along. “I have every confidence that by the time you two are married, my sister will have learned everything there is to know from Mrs. Upton and will be most pleasing in the kitchen.”
Nettie nodded and took a bite of biscuit … cookie, they called it here. A lady of her supposed station ran a household, rather than work in it. What would Mr. Cotter think if he found out he was marrying a glorified servant? Would he still want to marry her? She knew well that no one in England would, save another servant or a man so desperate they’d marry anyone of noble lineage – the Clinton Moresys of the upper class. And even most of them had wanted nothing to do with her. Not when she was a by-blow, the product of a fleeting tryst
between her mother and that no good Thackary Holmes.
She closed her eyes against the thought. To think that a man she’d never met could have ruined her life so thoroughly.
Six
Mr. Cotter shook hands with Newton one more time, bowed to Nettie, then left the room. She stared at the door after he’d closed it and went cold. “So that’s it, then,” she whispered to herself and stood.
Newton came up behind her. “Yes, it is.”
She spun to face him. “Is he agreeable?”
“What do you mean, ‘agreeable’?”
“Do you like him? Do you think him a man of good standing? What about his character?”
“That, dear sister, will be your job to find out.”
Nettie took a step back. “My job? Why does it have to be my job? Didn’t you find out anything while I was downstairs?”
“I found out he’s willing to marry you,” he said calmly. “And he’s quite adamant about keeping that Mr. Moresy from your person. As there will no doubt be times I can’t be by your side to do so, Mr. Cotter will see to it.”
Nettie sighed in exasperation. “You know nothing about him.”
“True. But obviously our relations do, or they wouldn’t have chosen him for you.”
Nettie sat in the nearest chair. “Well, there’s some comfort.” Though not much – I don’t really know them, either …
Newton took the chair next to her. “We must be practical in this. I want you to marry a man who will be a good husband for you, one that will treat you with respect. If this man is willing to marry you simply to protect you …”
“That’s another thing – why is he doing so? Maybe he thinks we’re rich.”
“I doubt people here care about such things as dowries.”
“Of which I have none,” she was quick to point out.
“All the more reason to believe he’s a man of character and his word. He knows this Mr. Moresy is no good and wasn’t about to let him near you.”
Nettie brushed at the skirt of her dress. “I know. It’s just that, marrying a complete stranger …”
“Which is why the two of you will court. Now stop worrying – we have to figure out how you and Mr. Cotter can spend some time together.”
“We were spending time together until you showed him to the door,” she said, one eyebrow raised in accusation.
Newton rolled his eyes at her. “It wouldn’t have been proper for the two of you to start courting this very minute. A man needs time to think about these things.”
“Think about things?” she said with a laugh. “What has he got to think about?”
“Clearly, dear sister, you know nothing of the opposite sex.”
“I know what it’s like to empty their chamber pots, cook for them, clean for them, serve them, do their laundry, start the fires in their houses for them …”
“… but this isn’t like that. You’re not trading our grandfather for this man. Mr. Cotter wants to marry you.” He leaned toward her in his chair. “Give the gentleman a chance to prove his worth.”
“Prove his worth? What are you talking about?”
He sat back with a heavy sigh. “Egads. You really don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“Men want to be able to woo a woman, to prove to her that he’s worthy of her love.”
Nettie sat and gave him a blank stare. “What have you been reading lately?”
“You may not have paid attention to those around you growing up, but I did. I’ve seen with my own eyes what it’s like between a man and a woman, how a man vies for a woman’s attention. Or the other way around.”
“Did you?” she asked incredulously. “What were you doing? Peeking through windows?”
“I did nothing of the kind and you know it!” Newton shot back, annoyed.
Nettie giggled. “I suppose you’re referring to old Mr. Thompkins and Miss Bundy.”
Now it was Newton’s turn to be amused. “Yes, yes I am. Mr. Thompkins did everything in his power to woo that woman. It was a miracle she finally gave in.”
“Gave in? Did she pity him, then?”
“On the contrary, it became a great game between the two of them. I think she was tired of spending her nights alone and wanted his company all the time. So she married him.”
“I’ll play no such games with Mr. Cotter,” Nettie stated matter-of-factly.
“I don’t expect you to. What I do expect is for you to remain a lady and not drive him away.”
Nettie set up in her chair. “I’ll do no such thing!”
“Won’t you?” he asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Of course not … I … well …” she stammered. “If you’re referring to Benjamin Hopkins …”
“I am. He too would have made you a fine husband, but then you had to go and chase him off.”
“He left of his own accord, I had nothing to do with it,” she said innocently.
Newton raised an accusing eyebrow at her. “Didn’t you?”
“Oh, enough about Benjamin Hopkins. This is about Mr. Cotter.” She looked away. She wiped her palms on her skirt a few times before turning back to him. “I’m frightened, you know,” she said softly.
Newton leaned forward and put a hand on her knee. “I know. But I’ll be at your side as often as I can.”
“You do that and Mr. Cotter might not be as inclined to win my affections. Especially if you’re wearing a pistol.”
Newton sat back with a quiet laugh. Ever since they’d left England, he’d hardly been without one. He was also a very good shot. “I’ll keep it hidden under my coat, then.”
Nettie sighed once more. “Oh Newt, how did it come to this? Here we are in a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere on the other side of the world because … because …”
“Because I love you,” he said, his voice gentle. “Because I couldn’t stand by and watch the Baron marry you off to some … someone like that Mr. Moresy. And he’d have done it too, if only to get you out from under his roof.”
“To get the scandal away from him,” she said, her voice trailing off.
“We’ll make the best of this, sister, you’ll see. This isn’t hidebound old England. Remember what that fellow on the ship said – America is the land of opportunity!”
“Yes, I remember.” Suddenly her head shot up. “But after… after I’m married, what will you do?”
He shrugged. “Find an opportunity of my own, I suppose.”
“Oh, don’t be pert.”
He looked past her to the door. “I don’t know yet. But I’m sure I’ll find out when the time comes.”
* * *
Amon rode toward the Triple-C at a slow canter. He figured he had to tell Colin and Harrison that he’d changed his mind and spoken with Nettie Whitman’s brother. Soon they’d see if they'd suit, and within weeks, perhaps even days, he could be married. A tiny spark of excitement ignited within him, overlaying his usual calm.
The anger he’d experienced earlier was gone, as was the overwhelming need to protect her. Maybe it was because he wasn’t in her immediate vicinity, or because he knew her brother was perfectly capable of doing the job. And Clinton Moresy had been nowhere to be seen when he’d left the hotel. Clinton’s horse was gone, so Amon’s guess was he’d either ridden back to the men’s camp or scurried off to Mulligan’s for a whiskey or six.
He didn’t care where Clinton was, only that he stayed away from Nettie. She looked like she wouldn’t know what to do if Clinton tried anything foolish, or worse. He had to consider the possibility, and what he would do if he got locked up in a jail cell for killing the reprobate. Thankfully, today hadn’t called for it. Tomorrow … was another matter.
When he reached the Cookes’, Jefferson and his wife Edith were sitting on the porch swing of the main house, each with a cup of coffee in their hands. “Hello, Mr. Cooke,” Amon called as he rode up to the house’s hitching post. “Your boys wouldn’t happen to be around, would
they?”
“Nah, they went to check on the stock down by the creek. They’ll be back come suppertime. You’re welcome to wait with us if ya want.”
“Speaking of which,” Edith said as she got up from the swing. “I’d best go help Belle and Sadie get it ready.” She turned to Amon. “Would you like some coffee?”
Amon dismounted. “Thank you, ma’am, that’s very kind of you.”
She nodded with a smile and went into the house.
“So the boys tell me you’re not the marryin’ kind,” Jefferson said as Amon tethered his horse then stepped onto the porch.
“That’s why I’m here, sir. Apparently I am.”
Jefferson smiled and sat a little straighter on the swing. “Are ya, now? Well, don’t that beat all? Changed your mind about the little lady?”
“Yes sir, I did. I’ve come to tell Colin and Harrison.”
“It’ll make them mighty happy. Poor Sadie and Belle were beside themselves when they came home after the sewing circle yesterday. I don’t mind telling ya, you were their first pick.”
Amon chuckled. “So I heard. It’s nice to know I made the top of the list, though I’m not sure what their requirements were for it.”
Jefferson motioned Amon to sit next to him. “It all comes down to a few simple things, really,” he explained. “A man’s got to have good character, which of course means ya don’t go out drinkin’ and gamblin’ every night, that sort of thing. And he’s got to have a heart.”
“How would your two daughters-in-law know about my heart? I might be the type to pull the wings off butterflies.”
Jefferson laughed. “They know you by your actions, son. They’ve seen the care you put into building Honoria’s cradle, how you helped out with the hotel, the things you do for folks around town. Why, everybody knows ya’ve made things for the Whites and not charged them, and everybody respects you enough not to take advantage of your generosity. If they got the money to pay ya, they’re gonna.”