Wild Roses

by Hannah Howell

  “You’ve never been so exhausted before.”

  She frowned as she considered the matter and decided he was probably right. Even in her flight from Philadelphia she had not been subjected to such continuous strenuous activity. She had gone by train, eaten well, and occasionally enjoyed a comfortable night in a hotel. For a brief moment, Ella was disgusted by what she saw as weakness, then told herself not to be such a fool. What she and Harrigan had been doing required a little hardening. It was not something one just up and decided to do. She could hardly be blamed for not preparing herself to ride across the country on horseback.

  Concerns about her stamina or lack thereof were quickly pushed aside by other questions. She suddenly realized that she and Harrigan were sharing a bed in someone’s house. This was not a hotel where their scandalous behavior would go mostly unnoticed. Beyond the battered door of the room were the Lindons. She did not know who they were, could not even remember meeting them, but she could not believe they would allow a couple to climb into bed together if they were not married. Ella was suddenly afraid that Harrigan had slipped into the room unseen and an embarrassing confrontation with the inhabitants of the house was imminent.

  “I think you had better go now,” she whispered. “It’s almost dawn. Someone will be stirring soon.”

  “Don’t worry. They know I’m in here.” Harrigan grinned at her look of horror, then decided to put her at ease. “Ella, the Lindons think we’re married.” He felt sure that neither Rose nor Willie would let their suspicions become known, so there was no need to tell Ella about them.

  “They think what?”

  “That you and I are man and wife.”

  “You lied to people who were kind enough to shelter us?”

  He grimaced, for that still troubled him a little. “Not exactly.”

  “Harrigan, they think we’re married. We’re not. So, you had to have lied to them.”

  “When I knocked on their door, Willie Lindon asked if my wife was sick. I just didn’t disagree with him.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “Well, we have to tell them the truth.”

  “Go right ahead,” he said, hoping she didn’t take him up on the dare. “Go on out there and tell that kindly couple that the man you have just spent the night with in their only bed is not your husband.”

  She blinked, then muttered a curse, but was not ready to fall in with his lies that easily. “I could remind them that I was in no position to argue with you or what you let them think.”

  “And what happens if that isn’t good enough?”

  “I think you’re giving me the headache.”

  It wasn’t easy, but Ella ignored his soft laughter as she tried to decide what to do. She was thoroughly disgusted when she finally had to concede that the best thing to do was to play along with his lie. Although she had no real qualms about being Harrigan’s lover, she didn’t really want the world to know. There was always the chance that she could survive her battle with Harold, so it was wise to at least try to protect her good name.

  It would be no secret that she had spent many long days riding the countryside, alone, with the man, but everything they had done so far was easily denied. She could act offended if her honor was impugned and no one could find any proof that she was not still as innocent as when she had left Philadelphia. All anyone could do now was whisper rumor, damaging enough, but able to be fought if she had a mind to do so. It would be no more than the kind of nonsense she and her aunt had been fighting for years. The Lindons, however, had undoubtedly seen her in bed with Harrigan, as she knew she had not undressed herself or put herself to bed. She also knew it was not only her good name she sought to protect. Since Harrigan had shown no inclination to be any more than a temporary lover, she really did not want people to find any proof that she had been such a fool as to bed down with one of Harold’s hirelings.

  “Fine then. Have it your way,” she finally said. “I don’t like it at all, but I think the truth would cause more trouble than the lie at the moment.”

  “Such a gracious concession.”

  “So I’m not a good loser. Arrest me. Now tell me what other lies you’ve told them, and don’t try to deny that there are some. You would have to tell a few just to support the first one.”

  He sighed and nodded, then proceeded to tell her everything he had said to the Lindons. “I tried to keep it as simple as possible.”

  “I’m impressed.” She wasn’t sure she liked knowing how skilled he could be at weaving tales. “Don’t look so concerned. I won’t march out there and tell them that you’re a kidnapper.”

  Harrigan prepared to complain about how she and Louise insisted on calling him a kidnapper, but then Ella yawned. He suddenly noticed that she was still somewhat pale and her eyelids were still heavy. The fact that she had woken up and had a long, rational conversation with him eased a lot of his concerns about her health, but he realized that she was not fully recovered yet.

  “Go back to sleep, Ella,” he ordered softly.

  “After so much sleep, how can I still be so tired?” she asked even as she closed her eyes.

  “It takes a while to recoup your strength when you’ve used it all up.”

  He waited until he was sure she was asleep and then slipped out of bed and got dressed. The Lindons were moving around in the other room and he wanted to give Willie a hand with the chores. It was a small repayment for their kindness and, he confessed, a salve for the guilt he felt about lying to them.

  Ella cautiously opened the door of the bedroom. She was not sure how long she had slept after she and Harrigan had talked, but one peek out of the window revealed that the sun was high in the sky, hinting that it was at least the middle of the day. For a little while she had lingered over dressing herself, nervous about confronting her hosts. Finally she could not tolerate sitting by herself. She just prayed that she had the ability to hold up Harrigan’s lies and that the Lindons did not ask any pressing questions.

  As she stepped into the big room that made up the rest of the cabin she caught sight of a plump brunette scrubbing a long plank table. She nervously cleared her throat. The smile the woman gave her was so open and friendly, Ella relaxed a little even as she felt a pinch of guilt. It seemed a real shame to lie to such a woman.

  “I’m Rose,” the woman said as she hurried over, put an arm around Ella’s waist, and urged her toward a rocking chair set before a huge stone fireplace. “You just make yourself comfortable over here.”

  “I’m fine, really,” Ella protested, even as she sat down. “I have had more than enough sleep.”

  “And that’s good,” Rose agreed as she slapped a lump of dough on the table and began to knead it. “Your color is much improved. However, you shouldn’t try to do anything today. ”

  “I really do feel quite hale.”

  “It’s still more false strength than a true healing. When a body gets so worn out it forces you to fall asleep even though you’re on a horse, it’s sending you a mighty powerful message. Heed it. Better to sit and rest now than to get a few miles down the road and feel all weak again.”

  “I just feel that I ought to be helping you. You’ve done so much for us.”

  “Your man is outside helping Willie do his chores. You know, some of those things that require an extra pair of hands to do properly. He’ll be doing us a great service by helping my Willie do some much-needed repairs.”

  The thought of Harrigan doing hard, menial work was intriguing, and Ella wished she could slip outside to have a peek. “I’m not sure how much help Harrigan will be. He’s no homesteader.”

  “He can’t be doing too badly. I’ve been outside once or twice and didn’t here any cussing, so things must be going smoothly enough.”

  “There must be a few things that you need to have done.”

  “Not truly, but, if you begin to look as if you want to pull out your hair from boredom, I might have some darning you can do.”

  Ella smiled faintly. “I do have
some skill with a needle, if you’ll pardon my boasting.”

  “If we don’t occasionally boast about our housewifery skills, who will?” She exchanged a brief grin with Ella then put the dough back into the bowl and covered it. “Now, I’ll get you something to eat.”

  “There’s no need to trouble yourself. I’m not really very hungry.”

  “It’s no trouble. Just some bread and cheese. Simple, soothing, and filling,” Rose said even as she cut some bread and cheese and put it on a plate. “Food is as important as sleep to build up your strength. And, while you eat, we can talk about those things your man knows so little about.”

  As she accepted the plate of food, Ella watched Rose a little warily, not quite sure what the woman referred to. “Such as what?”

  “Female things.” Rose pulled up a stool, grabbed a bowl of potatoes, a bowl to catch the peelings, and a sharp knife, and then sat down facing Ella. “Fashions, scandals, all that sort of thing.”

  “I’m not sure how much I can tell you, as I’ve been living in the wilds of Wyoming for almost three years. It’s been a long while since I sipped tea and gossiped with the ladies in Philadelphia.”

  “Something I’ve never done. I don’t care how old the news is. I’m just powerful eager to hear some.”

  Ella laughed softly. In between bites of the tangy cheese and thick bread, she told an avidly listening Rose everything she could think of about fashion, manners, and society. They shared a few chuckles over some old scandals and a couple Ella recalled left Rose wide-eyed and gaping. Rose finally allowed Ella to shuck some peas as she told the woman about the theater. It was while they were giggling over the foibles of the fashionable at the theater that Harrigan and Willie arrived.

  The speed with which Rose had some food on the table astounded Ella, then she realized that they had been preparing the evening meal, not the midday one. Rose had fixed the hearty meal she now served the men much earlier and had simply kept it aside until they left their work long enough to eat it. It was what she and Louise had done back at the ranch, but her mind had been so consumed with thoughts of Harrigan and her guardian for so long, she had nearly forgotten about such simple, everyday events. As she walked to the table to sit next to Harrigan, Ella suddenly and fiercely missed the uncomplicated life she had been leading at Louise’s ranch.

  Harrigan watched Ella closely as she ate. He was briefly concerned over how little she consumed, but then Rose assured him that Ella had already had a plate full of bread and cheese. He finished his meal and rejoined Willie at his work, confident that Ella was in good hands. That confidence grew even stronger when he returned at the end of the day to enjoy a hearty supper, and found Ella quietly sewing. A little smile curved the corners of his mouth, for he knew she must be finding such enforced rest galling. She looked as if her strength had fully returned, and she undoubtedly wanted to do more than Rose was allowing her to.

  “You look much better,” he said as he walked over to where she sat and bent to kiss her cheek.

  “Strong enough to beat you back to Wyoming,” she whispered, smiling sweetly at him.

  “I can see that there is some advantage to your being so exhausted you can neither think nor speak.”

  “Many regrets, sir, but I have returned to my endearing old self.”

  “Well, bring your sweet little self over to the table and have something to eat.”

  “I am not sure I can,” she said softly as he tugged her to her feet and led her over to the table. “Rose has been feeding me all day long.”

  Harrigan laughed softly, set her down at the table, and filled her plate. Throughout the meal she cast him surreptitious looks of irritation, but he just continued to smile at her in what she obviously considered an annoyingly doting manner. As soon as the meal was over, he retired to the porch with Willie, bracing himself for another drink of the man’s brew as he went.

  Ella tried to help Rose clear away the remnants of the meal, but was politely and firmly pushed aside. She was beginning to feel more irritated than grateful even though she knew that was unfair. When Harrigan returned, she was delighted to see him, but it was a fleeting pleasure. There was a slight flush to his cheeks and a glitter in his eyes. Ella grew a little suspicious as he approached her. When he leaned close to her, she grimaced, smelling the liquor on his breath.

  “Are you drunk?” she asked.

  “That’s a distinct possibility,” he replied carefully. “Willie’s homebrew is heady stuff, but I couldn’t think of a polite way to refuse.”

  “Perhaps you should have discreetly poured it over the porch rail when he wasn’t looking.”

  “He’d know. I think it’d kill the grass.” He smiled crookedly when she giggled. “Are you strong enough to take a little stroll? I could use a walk to try and work this brew out of my system and I thought you might need one to calm yourself enough to go to sleep.”

  She did not hesitate, standing right up, and hooking her arm through his. A quick peek around the room revealed that they were alone, that Rose had already slipped away to sit with her husband. A well-taught sense of courtesy made her pause, however.

  “Don’t you think we ought to stay and visit with our hosts?” she asked as he led her out the back door of the cabin.

  “They know where we’re going. They even suggested that we take a walk. Rose thought it would be good for you. She said you were beginning to look itchy and might not be able to go to sleep. Willie told me about a pretty little water hole just on the other side of those trees.”

  Ella smiled faintly at the careful way he walked. She knew it was not done solely out of consideration for her. He was getting better, the fumes of Willie’s homebrew obviously clearing out of his head, but he was still a little unsteady.

  The moment they stepped through to the other side of the trees, Ella abruptly halted, stilled by the beauty of the place. There was a creek running down the rock-strewn hillside and that created a small waterfall. The trees, grass, and shrubs grew lushly all around the water’s edge. A full moon added a soft glow to the little glade and an inviting sparkle to the water. She released Harrigan’s arm and skipped down the hillside to the water’s edge.

  “What are you doing?” Harrigan asked as he sat on the soft grass and watched her carefully inspect the area.

  “Just checking for snakes.” She laughed at the way he hastily looked all around him. “You aren’t fond of snakes, are you?”

  “Is anybody?” he muttered. “Well, if it’s safe, you can come and sit down next to me now.”

  “Nope. I intend to enjoy this water.”

  Ella was not sure what had suddenly possessed her. It could have been the haunting romantic air of the glade, or the fact that she was full of energy after such a long rest, but she felt alive, sensual, and daring. She wanted Harrigan to make love to her. Even more, she wanted to enflame him. Dozens of exciting possibilities sprang to mind and she was a little surprised at the boldness of some of them. Casting Harrigan a faintly taunting look she began to undo her gown.

  “You’re going to have a swim?” he asked.

  “Yes. It looks lovely and cool and very clear.”

  “That’s nice, but you’ve been ill.”

  “Not ill, tired.” She wiggled out of her gown and placed it carefully on the grass, then tugged off her shoes. “I’ve slept for a day or so and have done little more than sit in a chair for a whole day more. I don’t believe a little paddle in the water will do me any harm.” Setting her foot up on one of the many rocks littering the banks, she slowly unrolled her stockings, knowing that Harrigan was watching her and finding that very exciting.

  Harrigan drew in a slow, unsteady breath as he watched Ella take the pins from her hair and let it tumble free down her slim back. “If you want to take a swim, fine, do so, but I think you ought to be a little more careful. You’re tempting fate with the way you’re carrying on.”

  Ella kept her back to him as she undid her camisole. She slipped it off, held it
out to the side, and let it drop onto the pile of her clothes. Her heart pounding, she tugged off her pantaloons, savoring the feel of the cool night air on her body.

  “Tempting fate, am I? I had rather hoped that I was tempting you.”

  She heard Harrigan stand up and walk to the edge of the pool even as she eased her body into the almost too chilly water. Keeping her body submerged, she turned to look at him, knowing full well that her modesty was only partly preserved by the clear, moonlit water. Ella found it a little amusing that she could want him so badly, so quickly, when he had not even kissed her yet. Passion, she decided, was a very curious thing and apparently had a mind of its own.

  “I’m trying to figure out if you’re playing some game,” he said, his voice thick and husky.

  “I might be,” she replied, smiling faintly at her own vagaries. “I’m not sure why, but when we arrived here, I looked at this place and decided there was something I wanted to do. Odd, but I felt almost compelled to do it.”

  “What? Swim?”

  “No. Enflame you.”

  “Oh, you’ve more than succeeded at that.”

  “Have I? Then why are you still dressed?”

  She giggled when he began to shed his clothes with a speed that threatened to damage them. Within seconds he was in the water and pulling her into his arms. She sighed with pleasure as their flesh met and, curling her arms around his neck, she kissed him, meeting the ferocity of his kiss with one of her own.

  Ella slid her hands down his sleek body to intimately stroke him, finding him hard and eager despite the chill of the water. She realized that she wanted him now, that she needed no kisses or caresses. Simply undressing in front of him and thinking about making love had stirred her passion to the point where she did not wish to waste any time. She wanted to be one with him immediately.

  “Ella,” Harrigan gasped as he tore his mouth free of hers and began to kiss the rapid pulse point in her neck. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

  Using her arms around his neck for leverage, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. “Damned if I know, but I think it might be one of those times when talking about something could ruin it.” She shuddered as he slid his hands down to gently clutch her backside and rubbed her against him.