Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  She looked at him and said bluntly, “Austin Brand, you have your own railroad car?”

  Delighted with her reaction, he draped a long arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Kissing the tangled blond hair, he said, “No darlin’, we have our own railroad car. It belongs to you. Anytime you tire of life on the prairie, just say the word and it’s there to sweep you across this big land. I told you, I’m going to pamper you, and I can hardly wait to begin. But, first things first.” He released her and rose. “And first I’m going to feed you. I want to put some meat on your bones. Let’s have breakfast.” He took her coffee cup and set it aside.

  “Breakfast it is.” She smiled and reached for her shoes. Before she could locate them, he bent and swung her up into his arms.

  “Austin!” she squealed as he pulled her to his powerful chest.

  “My dear, you look so cute barefoot, I insist you leave your slippers behind. I shall carry you.” With that he strode out of the parlor and into the kitchen. Suzette was well aware that he was treating her more like a child than a bride-to-be, but didn’t care. If he took pleasure in coddling her, she found it to her satisfaction. It had been a long time since she’d been catered to and fussed over. It felt good and she intended to enjoy it. There would be plenty of time after the marriage for her to fit into the role of woman, wife and mother. For now it was fun to be a child again and have a great big adoring man spoil her.

  It was nearing noon when Austin and Suzette climbed into his carriage for the ride into town. The weak sun that had risen earlier was nowhere in sight. Ominous black clouds filled the winter sky and sleet peppered their faces. Suzette pulled her wrap tighter and clung to Austin’s arm. He carried her small valise. She’d spent a painfully long time packing. She knew she had to choose a dress suitable to be married in; since it was a cold day she finally decided on a high-necked blue velvet with white lace collar and cuffs. It wasn’t new, nor was it the latest fashion, but it was one of the best she owned.

  Not until she pulled out the middle drawer of her bureau to look for stockings did it occur to her that she would need to pack a nightgown. Her cheeks flushed when she pulled one of her long-sleeved cotton gowns from its resting place. Her fingers shook slightly when she held up the gown. It was the first time she had let herself think about the fact that she would be sleeping in a bed with Austin Brand.

  Suddenly feeling faint, she went to sit for a minute on her bed, the gown clutched tightly in her hands. She bit her bottom lip and pictured herself wearing nothing but her nightie in his presence. The gown was modest—as all her gowns were—and not particularly pretty. She’d heard girls talk about the fancy, revealing gowns they planned to wear on their wedding night. Suzette frowned. This one would have to do; she had no money to buy a new one.

  “Suzette,” Austin called from the other room, “are you about finished? The weather’s turning rapidly. I’d like us to get into town as soon as possible. I’m afraid it’s going to get real bad and I don’t want you catching cold. I don’t have the covered carriage.”

  “Almost ready,” she replied and flew from the bed to finish her packing. Folding the gown neatly, she tucked it into the flat valise and slammed the lid shut.

  Now she sat huddled by Austin inside the carriage, a lap robe over her knees. Her wool bonnet deflected the biting drops of sleet, but still she felt cold. Austin’s arm came around her and she was drawn to his warmth. Her head rested against his shoulder, and she smiled up at him and knew she would never be cold again, no matter how bad the weather ahead.

  Shortly after one o’clock, they pulled up in front of the Wichita Hotel. It was stuffy in the small crowded lobby and Suzette could feel every pair of eyes on her. She could hardly suppress a grin as she stood at Austin’s elbow and listened to him tell the skinny, bespectacled room clerk that he would be needing the large room connecting with his for an indefinite period of time.

  The slight man looked from Austin to Suzette, his expression leaving no doubt in her mind that he found the situation quite shocking and he would lose little time in telling everyone that a certain Miss Suzette Foxworth had checked into the hotel with Mr. Austin Brand and that she was going to be staying in the room that connected to his.

  “Is something wrong?” Austin asked the man.

  “I…uh, no, sir, Mr. Brand. Not a thing. No, sir,” The man quickly busied himself with finding the key to the room next to Austin’s.

  “Good,” Austin said evenly. “Miss Foxworth will be occupying the larger room where I’ve been staying. She’ll be requiring two baths. Have one prepared for her within the hour. The other should be ready at approximately eight-thirty this evening. Can you manage that?” Austin took the key the man offered.

  “Two baths on the same day, sir? And in the winter?” The clerk was incredulous.

  Austin chuckled. “Please have someone lay a fire so she won’t freeze. And I’ll be needing a bath in the other room in an hour. Can you arrange it?”

  The desk clerk nodded. “Yes, Mr. Brand. It will be done.”

  “Good.” Austin took Suzette’s elbow and escorted her through the men loitering in the lobby, turning to nod and speak, as he passed. When he and Suzette reached the stairway, they could hear the twitter behind them and knew exactly what the men were talking about. “Looks like I’ll have to marry you, Miss Foxworth. If I don’t, you’ll be a scarlet woman in the eyes of the good people of Jack County.” He patted the hand clinging to his arm.

  “You know, it’s rather exciting being the object of gossip. Let’s forget about being married.” She turned her smiling face up to his and she looked so fresh, so young, so very lovely that Austin Brand felt his heart race.

  “Sorry, but you’ll have to find other forms of excitement. I’m going to make you my wife before the day draws to a close.” He was alarmed to realize that her teasing frightened him. He wanted her, he’d wanted her for longer than she would ever know. And he wanted her in a way that would shock and scare her if she ever knew, because although he cared a great deal for her, and she’d been like family for years and he wanted to take care of her, the truth was he had fantasized about holding her in his arms. So many times he’d tossed in his bed, wishing he had her there beside him. He’d wondered a lot how it would be to make love to her.

  Now she was climbing the hotel stairs beside him. By nightfall she would be his wife. Would he hold her in his arms this very night? Would she give herself to him and let him love her? He’d told her that nothing would be required of her, and he had meant it. Was that why she agreed to become his wife? Would they spend a lifetime together without consummating the marriage vows? Would he be required to have her constantly near him, yet never be allowed to possess her?

  “Austin.” Her sweet voice shook him from his reveries. “Is something wrong? You’re frowning.” They were in the upstairs hall.

  “I’m sorry, I was just deep in thought. I have many things to do. I want to get you a ring, then see about having the judge perform the ceremony.” They were at the door of his room and he unlocked it and handed her inside. “You’re to make yourself at home here. I’ll have my clothes moved into the other room.” He drew the heavy curtains while she stood looking around the spacious room.

  “Austin, I don’t need a ring.” She let him help her out of her heavy wrap. He shook out the wool coat and hung it up on the tree beside the door.

  Turning back to her, he smiled and asked, “Don’t you want a ring?”

  “Yes, I do,” she admitted happily.

  “Then you shall have one. A solid gold one for today. A diamond to go with it when we get to a big city where we can shop.” He walked to her and took her hand in both of his. “I’ll leave you now, dear. I want you to rest this afternoon. I’ll arrange the ceremony and wire our people in Fort Worth that we’ll be traveling soon.” Then he lifted her hand up to his mouth, turned it over, and kissed the soft palm, letting his lips slide up to the inside of her delicate wrist.

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nbsp; Austin Brand softly kissed the faintly throbbing pulse there. It speeded not at all. His did. His heart hammered in his broad chest. He lifted his head and smiled down at her. And he promised himself he’d eventually make her pulse race just as his was doing.

  He could hardly wait.

  As the weather continued to worsen that cold winter afternoon, Suzette sat before the fire in her hot tub and smiled at the sound of the sleet tapping the tall windows. She felt giddy and almost naughty. For the first time in ages, she was not busy at some task. It was the middle of the day and she was taking a leisurely bath that someone else had drawn for her. After a good soaking, she would be allowed to stretch out on a soft bed and rest for the remainder of the afternoon. Suzette sank farther down into the soapy water. She hummed to herself and looked forward to the years ahead—the years she would spend as Mrs. Austin Brand.

  It was growing dark outside when Austin and Suzette stood in front of the judge at precisely five P.M. His chambers were drafty and Suzette shivered; her feet were cold, her nose red, and she was quite certain she was not a beautiful bride.

  Austin Brand put an arm around her and held her close. He could feel the tremors in the slender body pressed to his. He looked at her and saw her perfect white teeth chatter slightly. Her nose was pink. His chest constricted painfully; never in his life had he seen a woman more beautiful and appealing.

  While he smiled down at her the old judge said brusquely, “Suzette Foxworth, will you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?”

  She looked up at Austin and said softly, “Yes, I will.”

  “Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The judge shook Austin’s hand, nodded to Suzette, and left the room.

  Austin kissed her cold cheek and said, “Let’s get back to the hotel where it’s warm. I know you’re freezing.”

  In the small dining room of the Wichita Hotel, the newly married couple sat at a table by the wall. Though Austin ordered the finest food the hotel had to offer, his new wife ate little. Suzette felt the food expanded the longer she chewed, and though she tried bravely to eat the meal before her, swallowing was difficult. She’d hardly had anything to eat all day, but for some reason her appetite was missing.

  Austin, who had devoured his large portion of rare roast beef, saw Suzette picking at her food and knew the reason. He was well aware the innocent girl across from him was uneasy about the coming night. To his knowledge, she’d never even spent time with a young man since Luke Barnes’s death. Suzette was undoubtedly ignorant of a man.

  “Sweetheart,” he said warmly, “If you aren’t hungry, perhaps you’d like to go on up.”

  “I…I…yes, Austin, I don’t think I can eat any more.” She said this apologetically as she placed her fork and knife on her untouched plate.

  “Doesn’t matter,” he assured her and dropped his napkin on the table. He rose and helped her to her feet. They made their way through the crowded room and Suzette’s apprehension increased when she saw the looks of amusement following her. Men whispered behind their hands and she was aware that by now all of Jacksboro knew that she and Austin had been married today; she was sure they were making crude jokes. Her face flushing, she nevertheless raised her determined chin, lifted her skirts, and preceded her big, burly husband from the room.

  Upstairs, Austin helped her out of her wrap and urged, “Warm yourself by the fire, Suzette. I’ll go back down and have my cigar and brandy while you take your bath.” Suzette noticed the big tub pulled up close to the fire’s warmth. Steam rose from the hot water. She turned and looked at Austin. Smiling, he explained, “I had the staff prepare your tub while we dined. I wanted to have it waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, Austin,” she said stiffly and wondered if he intended to remain while she disrobed.

  “You’re very welcome, sweetheart.” He walked to the door. Pausing there, he asked, “Can you manage alone?”

  “Yes!” She almost shouted the word. “I…yes, Austin, I need no help.”

  “Good girl. Then I’ll go down. I’ll see you in approximately half an hour. Is that satisfactory?”

  “Half an hour will be fine,” she assured him with a confidence she didn’t feel. As soon as he was gone, the smile she had been wearing disappeared. She closed her eyes and was dizzy. When she opened them, she resolutely began to undress. She slipped into the hot water and wondered why all the pleasure had gone out of bathing. This afternoon it had been so delightful; now she joylessly cleansed herself, rushing to be finished with it so that she might cover her nakedness with her modest nightgown.

  Precisely one-half hour had passed when Suzette, standing beside the bed, her white nightgown buttoned up to her chin, her long blond hair fanned out loosely over her shoulders, her feet bare, heard a sure knock on the door connecting the two rooms. She took a deep breath and tried to smile. “Come in. Austin,” she said in a voice that sounded strange even to herself.

  He entered the dimly lit room, leaving the door ajar. He smiled easily and started toward her. His fine coat had been discarded and his clean white shirt was open to his waist. Suzette looked at him and suddenly he appeared gigantic. Terror filled her as he loomed nearer, his shoulders wide, his broad chest covered with thick curly hair. She felt small and defenseless. He was bearing down on her and she felt panicky, trapped; he was so huge; he was enormous, awesome. Her heart thumped against her ribs and the soft material of her gown rose and fell. She’d never felt so intimidated and uneasy. She longed to scream at him not to come one step closer. Fleetingly, she wondered why on earth she had agreed to marry this man who was old enough to be her father. What lunacy had possessed her to become his lawful wife and be subjected to the fearful things he would surely do to her.

  “Suzette.” His voice didn’t fit his alarming stature. It was soft and soothing. “Why don’t you get into the bed? I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold.” He turned back the covers and put out a hand to her. Biting her bottom lip, she automatically took his hand. He helped her into the middle of the soft bed and she cringed, knowing that within seconds he would be in the bed with her.

  He was fluffing up the fat pillows behind her back and then he pulled the bedcovers up over her, tucking them in around her waist. “How’s that, dear?” he asked, making no move to undress or get in bed.

  Breathing just a little easier, she nodded and managed to say, “It’s fine, Austin. Thank you.”

  Nervously, she watched as he turned and walked to the fireplace. He poked at the smoldering logs and added two new ones to build the fire up. The dry wood caught and snapped, shooting sparks up the brick chimney. He came back to her, pulling up a chair close to the bed. Smiling, he folded his large frame down into it and, resting his elbows on his bent knees, he leaned close and began to talk, telling her of the plans he’d made for them.

  He spoke quietly, gently, and Suzette listened fascinated as he told her of the trip they would take, the sights he would show her, the good life they would have. She began to relax and soon she was clinging to his big hand, her eyes roaming his handsome face and his broad chest. Close up, he looked less frightening, and Suzette decided it might not be so terrible to sleep in the bed with him.

  Austin continued to talk. Suzette, who found herself relaxing completely, loved the sound of his deep, warm voice. When at last he fell silent and released her hand, she looked up at him to protest. He merely smiled and walked to the window, then closed the heavy drapes and came back to the bed. He stood above her, gazing at her. When he finally bent over her, he carefully placed her hands under the covers and pulled the sheet up to her chin. She snuggled deeper into the bed’s softness, hardly able to keep her eyes open.

  Austin whispered softly, “Sleep now, sweetheart. I’ll be in the next room if you should need me. I’ll leave the door open.” He kissed her cheek. “Thank you for becoming my wife, Suzette. You’ve made me happier than you will ever know.” His knuckles moved lightly over her soft cheek.

 
; “Austin,” she whispered, her eyelids drooping, “I’m happy, too.”

  “I’m glad, darlin’,” he murmured and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

  But the new Mrs. Brand was fast asleep.

  When the newly married couple arrived in Fort Worth, some forty-eight hours later, it was mid-morning. Exhausted and stiff from the arduous sixty-mile journey, Suzette felt as though her back would break. Her understanding bridegroom was solicitous and eager to get her aboard the railroad car, where she could rest.

  Tired as she was, her eyes grew big when she saw the sleek, green hotel-on-wheels parked on the side spur at the train terminal. On the car’s shiny side, the word ALPHA was painted in gold lettering near the door. Suzette laid a gloved hand on the lettering and turned to question her husband about the name.

  “I’ll tell you about the name and everything else later, dear. Right now, I insist you sleep.” He handed her up the steps into the impressive car, where they were met by a tall, middle-aged woman. She wore a black uniform trimmed in snowy organza. Her gray hair was pulled tightly into a knot on top of her head, but the primness was relieved by her friendly, open face and engaging smile. “Suzette, darlin’, this is Madge.” Austin nodded over Suzette’s head to the older woman. “Madge is here to help you. She’ll be traveling in the car ahead of us.”

  “Hello, Madge.” Suzette offered her hand and the other woman clasped it.

  “Mrs. Brand.” She smiled. “I’m so happy to meet you. I hope you know you’ve just married the finest man in all Texas. Why, I’ve known Austin Brand since he wore—”

  “Now, now, Madge,” Austin cut in. “Mrs. Brand is exhausted. I want you to get her into bed.” He took Suzette’s shoulders and gently turned her to face him. “Suzette, I’ve got some business to attend to. You’re to get into that bed immediately. I’ll see you when you wake.”