“Miss Jeffries, the war has been over for more than ten years,” Effie pointed out kindly.
“Maybe for the North, Miss Lane,” Susanna drawled, “but the South has suffered mightily at the hands of the Yankees. Our family fortune was lost when I was still a child and my dowry along with it. I don’t expect you to understand, being from the north and all, but the war left the pickin’s mighty slim south of the Mason Dixon line. From what I understand, y’all come from wealthy families. I imagine you had your choice of eligible suitors.
“Mah situation was slightly different. It was desperation that brought me here, so y’all must excuse my simple southern manner. I came here expecting to marry a rich man,” she continued shooting a spiteful glare at Amelia. “I guess I arrived a little late and you’ll pardon my saying so, Mrs. Jordan, had I arrived on time I wonder if you’d still be wearing that fancy ring on your finger.”
Grace gasped, stunned at the woman’s rude remark.
“I believe you’re mistaken, Miss Jeffries,” Amelia replied softly as she took hold of Effie’s arm, stopping her from confronting the offensive young woman. “I know you’re well aware the letter you received signed by my husband was forged and a regrettable mistake.” Ignoring the angry faces of her friends Amelia continued. “I believe your letter actually came from Jonathan Reynolds, a lumberjack who works for my husband.”
“So I’ve been told,” Susanna said with a frown as she smoothed a wrinkle from her dress, sending the hooped skirt swaying like a bell.
“And have you met Mr. Reynolds?”
“I have, and unfortunately I found him to be as rough and crude as his work worn hands. I don’t see how I could possibly marry a man who would snag my dress every time he brushed by me,” she insisted with a roll of her eyes. “No, I believe I shall set my sights on the other Mr. Jordon. At least he has breeding and money. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I see Samuel is alone. I’m sure now would be a good time to secure a few private moments with him.”
Effie yanked her arm away from Amelia and took two steps in the direction Susanna hurried off in before Grace pulled her back. Charlotte took the opportunity to hastily escape, appalled at Suzanna’s impertinent behavior.
“Let go of me, Grace,” Effie commanded. “I’m not going to start any trouble, I just want to watch.”
“Watch what?” Amelia asked with her lips in a thin line.
“I want to hear what Sam says to her.”
“Effie, he’s already asked you to marry him. What could he possibly say to her that would not cause embarrassment for you both if you should overhear it?” Grace whispered. “Leave it be. I’m sure Samuel will handle it in the appropriate way.”
“When did you two get so proper?” Effie snapped. “Amelia, she just about accused you of stealing her husband, and implied he most certainly would have preferred her over you. Doesn’t that make you angry?”
“It makes me angry that a vulnerable young woman traveled thousands of miles under a misunderstanding. It makes me angry Mr. Henderson did not take more care when he handed out those letters. As far as my husband goes, I know he loves me,” she said softly. “I regret Miss Jeffries thinks she has a chance of winning Sam’s affection when it’s obviously been given elsewhere, and I’m sad the poor girl is wasting her time and about to make a fool of herself.
“I’m aware that many families in the South suffered dreadfully during and after the war as did many families in the North. It’s a shame Miss Jeffries found herself in a position where she was forced to seek a husband so far away from her home and family.”
“Well aren’t you just the soul of generosity,” Effie drawled sarcastically. “You feel so terribly bad for Miss Jeffries. If she could, she’d steal Hugh away from you like that,” she said with a snap of her fingers.
“Effie, Amelia, please don’t argue,” Grace pleaded as she twisted her hands. “We’re starting to draw attention to ourselves. Look, here comes Jonah and Hugh now.”
“Ladies, is everything all right?” Jonah asked, slipping an arm around Grace’s waist.
“Nothing my derringer couldn’t fix,” Effie replied, slapping a smile on her face.
“Wonderful,” Jonah sighed, rubbing his jaw. “Where’s Sam?” he asked, looking around the room, concern in his eyes.
Hugh laughed. “Really, Jonah, don’t you think you’re overreacting just a bit?”
“You haven’t seen her in action,” Jonah replied. “Gracie, do you see Sam anywhere?”
“No, he was over there speaking with Miss Jefferies a moment ago, but they seem to have disappeared. Effie, you wouldn’t really shoot that girl, would you?” she asked nervously.
“Only a little,” Effie replied.
“Miss Lane, there is no such thing as ‘a little’ gunshot wound,” a deep voice said from behind her.
“Amelia, please tell me Marshal Hadley is not standing behind me,” Effie sighed.
“I wish I could.”
“Marshal Hadley, how nice to see you again,” Effie said as she turned around with a brilliant smile and held out her hand. Her eyes traveled up to the face of the tall man wearing a fringed western jacket and a string tie. He ignored her hand.
“I thought you weren’t coming to the dance,” she remarked sourly, pulling her hand back when she realized he was not amused.
“I wasn’t, but I decided I’d better come and see how things were going, and thought I might as well enjoy a good meal in the bargain. Apparently, it’s a good thing I did. Where is your guardian, young woman?”
“Why, I’m sure I don’t know, Marshal. The last time I saw him he was having a tête-à- tête with Miss Jefferies. Perhaps you should remind him of his responsibilities,” she suggested sweetly.
“Perhaps I will, Miss Lane. Hugh, Jonah, you keep an eye on Miss Lane while I go and roust Sam out of the shadows,” he ordered, shaking his head. “You don’t by any chance have a weapon in your possession now?” he asked, frowning down at Effie.
“Oh no, but I think I’d like to go along with you if you don’t mind. I’ve been wondering where Sam went off to myself.”
“Come along then,” Cole said with a resigned sigh. “Maybe on the way you can tell me why I shouldn’t take you into town and lock you up,” he scolded.
“I’ll do my best,” Effie said as Cole took her arm and led her through the crowd.
“Good heavens,” Grace exclaimed.
“My sentiments exactly,” Jonah agreed. “I know Sam gave her what for, but apparently it didn’t make much of an impression. Perhaps a switch would…”
“I’ll speak to him,” Hugh said.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Amelia insisted as she turned to him, face flaming. “I’m sure Sam doesn’t need any advice from you and if you even mention the words switch or hairbrush in a conversation concerning my friend, I’ll-I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Hugh inquired, crossing his arms and looking down his nose at her.
“I don’t know, but I’ll think of something,” Amelia sassed.
“Yes, you do that and make sure you let me know what kind of threat I’m up against,” he teased. “I like to make informed decisions. Now let’s go and have some cake. I believe we’ve already missed them cutting it.”
The two couples approached the table surprised to see it covered with slices of cake and Molly red-faced with embarrassment and near tears. Angus had his arm around her gently patting her shoulder as he sent pointed glares at the men standing around.
“What’s wrong?” Amelia asked quietly with concern.
“No one’s eating the cake,” Angus whispered back.
“I can see that,” Amelia said looking at the table. “Why not?”
“They’re afraid,” Angus scoffed. “Molly made it, by herself,” he said by way of explanation.
“Well, it looks delicious doesn’t it, Grace?”
“It certainly does,” Grace replied. “I’ll take that piece right there, Mr. Maguire,” sh
e continued pointing. “Yes that one, the one with all the frosting and the little flower.”
Amelia decided Molly’s grateful smile as she wiped away a tear was worth taking a chance and directed Angus to another piece loaded with icing.
“Thank you, this cake is perfectly lovely, Molly. You must’ve worked very hard on it.”
“Oh I did,” Molly replied. “I wanted to prove to Angus his cooking lessons weren’t wasted on me.”
“Well,” Grace said taking a bite. “They certainly weren’t. This is one of the best cakes I’ve ever tasted. It’s as light and fluffy as a cloud,” she said with a sigh of delight.
“Oh, Molly, it’s wonderful. You’ll have to give me the recipe,” Amelia cried. “Have some, Hugh, you won’t be disappointed.”
Soon the slices of cake were flying off the table and Molly was basking in the praise of her culinary accomplishment. Angus was beaming with pride as he gently stroked his wife’s hair. When the guests had devoured every last crumb, he led his wife to the dance floor where he thanked everyone for their good wishes, toasted his wife and with a whoop swept Molly into his arms and carried his blushing bride from the room to a round of cheers and applause.
“Mon Dieu, was that not the worst cake you ever tasted?” Tempest asked, joining Amelia and Grace at the punch bowl.
“Yes, Ma Ma, but I could not stand to see Molly so sad on her wedding day,” Amelia replied as she nearly gulped her drink
“Oui, I understand,” Tempest replied. “You are such a sweet angel. Let us hope we all wake up tomorrow, not like the poor poulets. Pa Pa and I are going to take a walk in the moonlight,” she smiled.
“Enjoy yourselves,” Amelia called after her.
“Was Tempest saying something about chickens?” Grace asked.
“Yes, but trust me, you don’t want to know.”
*
Effie and Cole found Sam and Suzanna outside of the barn the same time Duncan and Tempest rounded the corner. Sam was trying rather unsuccessfully to extricate himself from the lady’s embrace as she hung on for dear life.
“Samuel, I will make you an excellent wife. I learned these skills at my mama’s knee. Of course, we will have servants to handle the drudgery. I’m sure you will want your wife to always look her best,” Suzanna drawled, trying to kiss him.
“Miss Jefferies, please,” Sam cried as he pried her arms from around his neck once again. “What gave you the idea I would be interested in you as a prospective bride?”
“Well, why wouldn’t you be? Am I not attractive?”
“Yes, of course you are, but…”
“Then I don’t see what the problem is,” Suzanna cooed, reaching for him.
“The problem is I don’t love you, Miss Jefferies,” Sam insisted, holding her away with his hands on her shoulders.
“Many marriages in the South are based more on necessity than love, Samuel. They are used to form great plantations and…”
“As you can see, we have a shortage of plantations around here,” Sam growled. “Now please stop this nonsense.”
“No, I’ve chosen you to be my husband and I always get what I want,” she pronounced. “Ask anyone.”
“Mademoiselle, I am afraid that will not be the case this time,” Tempest said firmly as she stepped from the shadows. “You see my son is already engaged to Mademoiselle Lane.”
“Miss Lane?” Suzanna gasped. “You mean you’re going to marry that skinny northern tramp?”
Effie lunged forward, and Cole snatched her back, keeping her firmly caught to his side as she struggled and swore.
“If it’s any consolation, I can sort of see why you wanted to shoot her ‘a little’,” he chuckled in her ear.
“It’s not,” she fumed.
“Yes, I have proposed marriage to Miss Lane and she has accepted. Kindly refrain from saying unkind things about her,” Sam ordered. A groan followed as he looked around and noted how many witnesses there were to this little debacle.
“I’ll say anythin’ I damn well please! I’ve had enough of this place and all of you. I shall return to the house and pack my things at once. Oh, how could you humiliate me this way?” she sobbed into her handkerchief.
“Do not be hasty, Mademoiselle,” Tempest advised. “I know you have no money and nowhere to go. Perhaps my husband will give you the funds to return to your home.”
“I’ll never go back there, never!” she insisted.
“At least go back to the house and leave this until morning when you’re thinking clearly, lass,” Duncan suggested.
“No, I am leaving tonight and I don’t care if I have to walk,” Suzanna insisted, stomping her foot.
Sam took hold of her arm, and keeping a firm grip, walked to Cole.
“May we switch?” he asked calmly as he watched Effie fighting to get away.
Nodding Cole handed her over and held tight to the struggling Suzanna.
“Would you be kind enough to see Miss Jefferies back to Hugh’s house for the night?” Sam asked, barely dodging Effie’s kick. “I seem to have my hands full.”
“I reckon I can do that,” Cole said with a nod. “Don’t know how I’m going to keep her there though.”
“You’re the marshal. I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Sam replied meaningfully. “Take the carriage out front and you can bring it back tomorrow. I’ll have someone see to your horse.”
“All right, come along, Miss Jefferies. I think you and I had better have a little set to. Mrs. Jordon, do you think you could have someone fix me a plate to take with me. All these female hysterics kept me from eating.”
“Oui, Cole. I will see to it myself.”
“So everything’s settled?” Sam asked.
“You wish,” Effie snarled.
“Good,” Sam continued, ignoring the wiggling woman at his side. Turning, he gave a firm tug of her wrist and bent, slinging Effie over his shoulder. “Mother, please bid Amelia and Grace a goodnight for my fiancé. She’s suddenly realized she’s very tired and going to bed.”
“I am not,” Effie squealed.
“Um, Sam, I think you’re going to need to keep a sharper eye on Miss Lane here,” Cole suggested. “It seems she’s eager to get her guns back. That’s what I was coming to talk to you about when we found you… when we saw… Hell, just watch her until we get this thing with Remington settled,” he growled as he tucked an irate southern belle under one arm like a sack of potatoes and headed for the front of the house. “I’m getting too old for this shit,” he called over his shoulder. “Kindly be quiet, Miss Jefferies, before I give you something to wail about.”
“You sir are a cad and a villain. If I had one of Miss Lane’s guns I’d shoot you myself,” Suzanna screamed at the top of her lungs as she fought for all she was worth.
“Tarnation, what are they teaching you Eastern girls in school?” Cole groused as he walked with purpose up the drive.
“Do not refer to me as an Easterner,” she spat. “I am a flawless example of Southern womanhood.”
“You don’t say. Well I’m fixin’ to add a few flaws to that Georgia peach bottom of yours if you manage to bite my leg, Miss Jefferies. You best keep that in mind,” they heard Cole warn as he moved out of hearing distance.
“Mother, Father, we will postpone our announcement until my fiancé has recovered her senses, if she had any to start with and that remains debatable. We bid you good evening.”
“Sam, you put me down right this instant,” Effie roared.
Patting her gently on the bottom, Sam ignored her and carried her toward the house.
Chapter Ten
Cole plopped Suzanna onto the seat of the wagon, slapping her hooped skirt out of the way.
“I don’t know why you ladies insist on wearing such ridiculous get-ups,” he said, shaking his head as he rounded the wagon. “Sit like that and everyone we pass will see your drawers plain as day.”
“If you would seat me as a gentleman should, instead of flinging me
into the carriage like a sack of meal, no one could see anything,” Suzanna replied sharply, rising and adjusting her skirt with a snarl. Shooting him a spiteful glare, she tried to smooth her hair into some sort of order.
“I never said I was a gentleman. I’m a lawman, plain and simple. Thanks for the dinner,” he told Hugh as he came to the wagon and handed him a heaping plate covered with a clean napkin.
“Our pleasure, sorry you didn’t get to stay and enjoy the party, but you know how fast these girls can get into a snit about something.”
“No, I don’t and I can’t say as I want to. I knew there was a reason I preferred the single life and it’s nights like this it all comes back to me.”
Hugh laughed. “Are you going to be able to get Miss Jefferies home without any trouble? I suppose I could ride along with you.”
“I said I’ll see her back to your place and I will. What condition she arrives in will depend entirely on her,” Cole said with a snort. “Here, make yourself useful and hold this,” he ordered, handing Suzanna his dinner. Cracking the reins he took off at a good clip, snapping Suzanna’s head back.
They only traveled a mile or so when he pulled off the road and into a clearing. The moon was high, and he stopped the wagon and set the brake.
“What are you doing?” Suzanna asked nervously. “You said you were taking me home and I demand you do so immediately.”
“Funny, a little while ago you were insisting you weren’t going home. In fact, you were leaving this place immediately if I recall.”
“That’s different. Now I want to go home!”
“Well, I’m sorry to tell you the world does not revolve around you, missy. I’m starving and thanks to you I got gypped out of a good spread. Hand me that plate and I’ll see what I can manage with my fingers. I wouldn’t want to offend your genteel Southern manners.”
“Fine,” she snapped, thrusting the plate in his direction.
Cole took it from her and watched with one eye as he uncovered the food, his mouth watering. Three seconds after he’d picked up a drumstick, she moved to get down from the wagon.
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