SEALs of Chance Creek 01 - A SEAL's Oath

by Cora Seton

  “There’s one more thing.” When Nora pulled back, her eyes were shining. “I called my old school yesterday during my cell phone time and told them exactly why I had to walk away. I called the school board next and then the local papers. I hope that by bringing attention to the conditions teachers like me work in, the community and government will see something has to change. Now that’s done, I’m ready for a new challenge. There must be someone who needs me in Chance Creek.”

  Riley knew she meant children to teach, but her thoughts strayed to Clay. There certainly was someone in Chance Creek who needed Nora. If only Fulsom hadn’t made things impossible between them.

  “Meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes?”

  “You bet.”

  “I LOOK LIKE a fool.” Boone surveyed himself in a mirror he’d had set up in one corner of the bunkhouse and frowned. Knee breeches and hose were a horrible invention. No wonder they’d been consigned to the trash heap of time.

  “You look like a dashing young officer,” Jericho corrected. “The women will swoon all over you. Or so says Maud.”

  “Anyway, we’re all in this together,” Clay said, coming to stand next to them.

  “Did we lose any recruits yet?” Boone asked him. He wouldn’t be surprised if one or two had slipped away.

  “None so far. They’re being good sports about it all.”

  “Angus said it beats basic training,” Jericho added.

  “What about Walker? Did we lose him?” Boone hadn’t seen the man in hours.

  “I’m here.” When Walker entered the bunkhouse, Boone had to grin. What would the women of Regency England have thought of their fearless leader? He cut an impressive figure, his dark, brooding looks set off by the scarlet uniform.

  “I don’t think I can remember any of those dances,” Clay complained.

  “The steps will come back to you.” At least Boone hoped so. Otherwise he was screwed. “Ready?”

  “Let’s go,” Walker said. “James is out front.”

  In an attempt to be true to the period, they’d accepted James’ offer to convey them to Coldfield Cottage in his barouche, and the recruits were to ride in the town carriage. Boone suppressed a smile when he spotted the throng of Redcoats outside of the bunkhouse. Together they did a credible job representing one of Her Majesty’s regiments.

  “I’d get drummed out of my clan if they saw me in this gear,” Angus called out as he boarded the cart. “No one better take any photographs.”

  “No worries; there weren’t any cameras in Jane Austen’s time. I think you’re safe,” Boone told him.

  “Thank God,” someone else muttered. “I’d never live this down.”

  They arrived at Coldfield to find Maud and James in the front hall waiting for them.

  “Come in,” Maud cried. “Right on time. I love punctuality in my guests. Go on into the ballroom and introduce yourselves. We don’t stand on ceremony here.”

  Boone had thought they were to arrive before the women, so he was surprised by Maud’s words, but the press of men behind him pushed him forward toward the ballroom. When he walked inside he was stunned to see that the Russells had drawn quite a crowd to their festivities.

  The room was transformed with garlands and flowers, and the light of hundreds of candles cast a warm glow over the assembled guests. Men and women gathered in knots, greeting each other and chattering as if they knew each other well. Boone wondered where they’d all come from.

  “The Regency Society,” James boomed in his ear when he appeared suddenly by Boone’s side. “It’s a national group of like-minded people, don’t you know. Montana and the Dakotas have a stronger membership than you might imagine. All too happy to come on a moment’s notice for the chance to go to a ball. You should see upstairs; people pitching camp in every nook and cranny!”

  James’ happiness was palpable and Boone decided not to focus on the waste of fossil fuel. He hoped a few of the guests had carpooled, at least. “I think you and Maud are the most cheerful couple I know,” he told James.

  “Want to know our secret?” James leaned in closer. “We decided long ago to become each other’s staunchest allies. There’s no pride separating us. When one of us takes up a passion, so does the other one. You should see Maud shoot for all she pretends she doesn’t. If we have a disagreement, we argue each other’s side of it as well as our own. Our first thought we each have every morning is how to make the day wonderful for the other one. Works like a charm!”

  Boone was impressed. “I’ll remember that.”

  “I’m off to fetch the ladies. Meanwhile, enjoy yourself.”

  Boone decided to do just that. He turned to the men who had gathered behind him. “Circulate. Introduce yourselves. Remember you’re part of a regiment newly stationed at Chance Creek.”

  “Is the quarry present, sir?” Angus asked, his Scottish burr as pronounced as ever.

  “Not yet. But soon.” They spread out. Boone approached an elderly couple and was grateful when they immediately began to ply him with questions. Far easier to answer them than come up with his own. Still, by the time a commotion near the door told him that Riley and her guests had arrived, he’d found out that they lived in Bozeman and attended every Regency event they could find.

  All thoughts of conversation fled his mind when Riley entered the room.

  She was luminous in a deep blue gown and matching earrings. Something sparkled in her hair and he longed to lead her straight from the room, get her alone, undress her and make love to her again. It had been too long. When their eyes met, she smiled and Boone’s breath caught. No other woman had ever elicited such a strong physical reaction from him. He was drawn across the room as if she’d roped him and reeled him in.

  When he approached she curtsied daintily. “Lieutenant Rudman.” Her downturned look made her eyelashes sweep over her cheeks and the hunger within Boone intensified.

  “May I have this dance, Miss Eaton?”

  “Which one?” She looked up at him, her eyes alight with mischief. “At present the music hasn’t even started.”

  He cursed his confusion. How could he think straight when her breasts strained at a neckline so low as to barely contain them? “All of them.”

  “That would be tantamount to announcing our engagement.” She broke off, color staining her cheeks.

  Boone forgot all about her breasts. “We’ll announce it soon.”

  She bit her lip and Boone wanted to swoop down and kiss the lush mouth she was torturing. “You should tell your men to ask my women to dance.” But when she looked around, she said, “Never mind. I guess you won’t have to.”

  The recruits had already surrounded Riley’s guests, much to the women’s evident satisfaction. Judging by the smiles and laughter, they were already enjoying the evening. The buzz of voices in the room increased to a swell and Riley grinned at Boone suddenly.

  “It’s going to be a marvelous night, isn’t it?”

  He took her hand as the musicians began to play a piece that he immediately recognized from Angelina’s practice sessions. “Damn straight it is.”

  AS BOONE LED her to her place in the newly formed line of women on the dance floor, Riley’s heart beat triple time. She was at a ball. She was wearing the prettiest dress she’d ever owned. She was about to dance a quadrille with the man she’d loved since she was sixteen.

  Could life get any sweeter?

  When she’d told Maud she needed a ball, fast, she’d pictured a small get-together with her friends and guests and one or two men Maud might be able to assemble on short notice. This huge, sparkling gathering defied all of her expectations.

  Maud and James must be her fairy godparents. They’d looked out for her every step of the way since she’d come home and they’d helped transform a drab, steadfast existence into something she’d hardly dared dream of. They’d stepped into the gap left by her grandparents’ deaths—the gap her parents had never even tried to fill.

  “You look happ
y,” Boone said when the music changed tempo to signal the start of the dance. The two lines of men and women stepped forward to meet each other, then back again.

  “I am,” Riley said when they advanced again. “What about you?”

  “I’m enjoying myself,” he admitted when they clasped right hands and circled each other. “This is better than the stupid jumping around I usually do in bars.”

  “Our ancestors knew a thing or two.”

  “They sure knew something about women’s clothing.” He nodded down at her cleavage.

  “Behave yourself.” They separated again.

  “Kind of hard not to look.” He did so as they crossed paths and separated again.

  Riley laughed. She thought their ancestors understood something about flirting, too. The pace of the song and the steps that led them together and apart again provided the perfect pace for a romantic flirtation. The happy buzz of chatter around them added to the mix.

  “You will marry me, won’t you? You haven’t changed your mind?” Boone asked the next time they were close.

  “I don’t go back on my word, Boone.”

  “I know,” he said when the music brought them together again. “That’s part of what I love so much about you.”

  “What else do you love?” She circled him and stepped back.

  “I love your eyes. I love the way you care so passionately about people and places.” They separated and came together again. “I love the way you move when I’m inside you.”

  Her whole body flooded with warmth and she nearly stumbled in the steps of the dance before she recovered and hurried to catch up to the beat.

  “Is there anything you love about me?” Boone asked in a low voice when they were near again.

  She realized she’d never given him any clue, except for allowing him access to her body. And yet he’d stood firm in his desire to marry her. With a rush of shame, she said, “Of course.”

  Boone smiled and Riley wondered why she’d never expressed her feelings clearly before. God knew she found it easy enough to tell him when she was angry. “I love your courage,” she said when they met again. “I love the way you defend your ideas and the way you want to make the world a better place. I love that you learned to dance in order to make this a special night for me and my guests.” Maud had told her all about the way Boone and his men had thrown themselves into their dancing lessons. That meant more to her more than she could say. Riley lost the beat again as an inspiration for his wedding gift hit her. She’d have to work fast to pull it off, but it would be worth it.

  “My pleasure.”

  This time the dance separated them for a longer span, as they each paired up with another partner for a series of steps. When she was faced with Boone again, she added. “I love the way you touch me.”

  “I could touch you forever.” Boone snatched a kiss and spun away again. Heady with desire, Riley moved through the steps until they brought her to him again.

  “I miss you at night.”

  “I miss you all the time,” he growled. “Can we leave yet?”

  “Not yet, Lieutenant.” She moved away from him and circled back. “But we’ll be together soon.”

  “NEVER THOUGHT I’D see you dancing, Walker.” Boone lifted his glass of whiskey and polished it off in one shot.

  “I’m a good dancer.” Walker leaned against the archway leading from the hallway into the ballroom and surveyed the scene. It was an amazing sight, Boone thought. Beautiful, really, although frivolous as hell. Still, was it unsustainable? If the gowns and uniforms were worn again and again, and the candles were made from natural substances, and the food served would be eaten anyhow… he wasn’t sure where the harm was.

  On the other hand, if the ladies demanded a new gown for each ball and the gentlemen wiped out the beaver population as they’d nearly done once in their desire for fresh top hats made from beaver skin, then it would definitely not be environmentally friendly.

  Still, Boone thought they had something to learn from their ancestors about homegrown fun. He liked the live music from local musicians and was glad Maud had employed local purveyors for the food and decorations. A dance didn’t need to be anywhere near this fancy, either. Maybe most men would prefer the rough and rowdy atmosphere of a bar like the Dancing Boot in town, but to his surprise he was enjoying the gentility of this far more formal affair.

  He spotted Clay partnering with Nora in the latest dance. Jericho stood near Savannah, chatting with her.

  He was proud to see his recruits dancing gamely with Riley’s guests. The tall, proud woman she’d mentioned once or twice—Win something—was laughing boisterously as she executed a complicated set of steps with Angus.

  “Success,” he said to Walker.

  “Feels good helping her, doesn’t it?” Walker asked in reply.

  Boone looked to Riley, who had just emerged from the back of the house where she’d gone to freshen up. She was so lovely, her cheeks flushed with the exertion of the dancing and her eyes bright with the triumph of the night. “Sure does. I wish Fulsom wasn’t so hard-headed. If he’d bend a little, those women would be on our side in a minute.”

  “Forget Fulsom. You keep waiting for them to come down that hill. You’ve got to give them a reason.”

  “Like what?”

  “You’ll figure it out, Chief.” Walker moved off into the crowd.

  Boone watched him go, puzzling over his words. He’d tried to get Riley interested in Base Camp, but she was too taken up with the wedding. If only her guests were interested in sustainable living—

  Boone broke off that thought. Riley’s guests…

  A plan bloomed in his mind like a dandelion springing up overnight after a rain. It was so devious he nearly laughed out loud.

  Riley’s guests might be the key to everything.

  EARLY THE NEXT morning, Riley was dreaming of Boone’s arms around her, swirling her around a dance floor in time to the music of an orchestra when a rough pounding at the front door of the manor woke her up. She was alone in bed and she dimly remembered Boone leaving for Base Camp after undressing her and making love to her until she shattered in his arms. The whole night had been magical, and she wasn’t ready to get up, but there were guests in the house, so when the knocking sounded again, she leaped out of bed, grabbed a robe, and rushed from her room, meeting Avery on the stairs.

  “Who could it be this early?”

  “I don’t know.” Riley hurried down the rest of the steps. When she unbolted the door and flung it open, she recognized Angus. He was dressed again in the redcoat uniform he’d worn the night before. Or perhaps he’d never taken it off, she thought. It had been very late when they’d trundled home from the festivities.

  “An invitation, miss.”

  “To what?” She peered into the early morning mist, looking for some sort of explanation, but saw nothing other than the pale shapes of the outbuildings far in the distance.

  “To breakfast. We figured you ladies would be hungry after all that exercise last night.” Angus bowed. “We await you down at Base Camp.”

  “Breakfast?” Riley repeated, but Angus was already striding down the hill.

  “Who was it?” Avery called down to her.

  “Angus with an invitation to eat down at Base Camp. He didn’t wait for an answer. I’ll have to walk down there with our apologies; our guests won’t be up for hours.”

  She hurried up the staircase to change into clothes, but on the second floor, guests stuck their heads out of their doors.

  “What is it?” Andrea asked sleepily.

  “No cause for concern. The men invited us to breakfast but it’s far too early.”

  “Breakfast sounds good, actually.”

  “I’m hungry,” Win said from her room.

  “We’ll bring you up a tray,” Riley said over her shoulder as she hurried to the next flight of stairs. “Go back to sleep. We’ll have something for you before you know it.”

  “How can
I sleep when a bunch of handsome men have cooked me breakfast?” Win exclaimed. “I’ll be right there.”

  “Me, too,” Andrea said. “I’ll get everyone ready.”

  “But—” Riley hesitated on the stairs, then chuckled. “I guess we’re eating at Base Camp,” she said to Avery.

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Back in her room, Riley quickly pulled on her clothes, then hurried downstairs to help their guests dress in their unfamiliar gowns. There was so much giggling among the bridesmaids, she felt like she was back in high school.

  “Those men have made quite an impression,” she whispered to Savannah as they passed in the hall.

  “I can’t say I blame them. I’m looking forward to breakfast, too.”

  “I thought you wanted to keep your distance from Jericho.”

  “I never said that.” Savannah flashed her a smile. “Don’t worry about me, Riley. I’m a grown woman. You don’t have to try to keep me safe.”

  Riley decided not to answer that.

  They were a colorful group as they walked down the lane to the bunkhouse, their bonnets bobbing as they talked and laughed. Riley’s heart soared as she breathed in the fresh scent of a new day. She felt a rush of love for everyone—even Win—and hoped Andrea’s wedding went off without a hitch.

  Boone met them near the fire, handsome in his old-fashioned uniform. “Riley. Thanks for coming.”

  “Thanks for having us. We didn’t expect breakfast.”

  “Can’t let you lassies go hungry,” Angus said. “Come and eat.”

  Riley hung back, but gestured the others on. Avery led the way and soon there was a line of women by the cook fire. Clay and Walker labored over the flames. Jericho handed out mugs of coffee. She was surprised by how eager Andrea’s pampered friends were to stand around in the chilly dawn when they could be fast asleep, but when she took in the way they were watching the men, she understood. The old-fashioned uniforms made them look earnest and dashing at the same time. It was too bad she wouldn’t have more guests for months after this weekend. It had been fun to host them and she’d miss the extra women filling the house with chatter.