The Submissive Suffragette (Lone Star Love Book 1)

by Smarts, Amelia

  She breathed heavily with sleep. Minutes went by during which he sat and did nothing but observe her. He noticed the way some of her hair fell onto her face and how each exhale fluffed a wisp of it away from her mouth. He observed her sleeping position, the one he knew well, where her knees curled up in a right angle to her waist, making her appear even smaller than she was. She looked exceptionally dirty. Light dirt dusted her dark hair, and her face needed a thorough soaping.

  When able to remove his gaze from her, he removed his boots, hat, and shirt. He washed his face. He took a long drink of water, after which he ate a generous helping of cheese, four slices of bread and butter, and two apples. Next he packed his pipe and smoked it by the open window.

  He glanced at Nalin often, comforted by her presence. His wife was safe and in bed, which was right where he wished her to be. He'd had enough of the convention and wondered how much fight she'd give him when he told her he wanted to leave tomorrow instead of attending the second day of it. If she wasn't up to traveling, he wished her to stay in the room and rest.

  "She will give me hell," he grumbled to himself. That was as certain as the sunrise. Nothing was ever easy with that infuriating woman. He gazed at her peaceful form and felt an urge to grab her awake and throw her over his knee for a good spanking, just for being so damn loveable and worrying the hell out of him.

  Carter removed the rest of his clothes and slid into bed behind her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the back of her neck.

  "Mm," she said sleepily. "You found me."

  "Eventually. You gave me quite the scare, honey."

  "I'm sorry," she said, her voice heavy and slurred. "I got sick on someone's foot. It was awful."

  Carter breathed in the musky scent of her neck and kissed it again. "Not as awful as a great many things, sweet girl. Go back to sleep."

  He waited until he heard her patterned breathing again before he allowed himself to drift into sleep next to her.

  Chapter 9

  Submissive Suffragette

  Nalin awoke to an empty bed and sun streaming into the room. She bolted to an upright position. How late was it? It had to be hours past dawn judging by the brightness of the sun and the heat in the room. Her heart sank, realizing she'd likely missed hours of the second day's events. She'd missed most of the convention the day before, too. She felt disappointed, but she also felt much better physically than the previous day. She could hardly wait to get back to the excitement. Rushing to the basin, she scrubbed her face.

  Carter opened the door and walked in holding a tray containing breakfast. On it were oranges, milk, coffee, toast, and bacon. He set the tray on the table. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he drawled, smiling at her.

  She didn't greet him back. She spoke with a sense of urgency. "I can't believe I slept for so long. Why didn't you rouse me? Let's make haste to the convention."

  "Not so fast. Eat and drink something. I'd like to talk to you." He pulled out a chair for her and sat in the one next to it.

  She uttered curses in her head but did as she was told and sat down. She didn't want to waste time talking or eating, but arguing with Carter wouldn't hurry things any. It would take longer to argue with him than it would to eat and answer his questions. She bit into a piece of toast, chewing quickly. Finished with the toast in less than a minute, she moved to the bacon, not tasting a thing.

  "Don't eat in such a hurry," Carter said.

  Nalin bit back a frustrated retort. He was eating slower than molasses in January, which made her want to scream. Carter took a very small, very relaxed sip of coffee, which filled her with such fury she almost snarled.

  "When did you come to the hotel yesterday?" he asked.

  "Right after Miss Anthony's speech. I was so tired by the time I arrived that I fell right to sleep."

  Carter let out a low whistle. "Honey, you were dragged out and sewn up. You slept for almost twenty-four hours."

  That surprised Nalin. She hadn't thought about it in terms of hours. "Guess I was dash tuckered," she said with a slight smile. She gulped down the milk.

  "I want you to rest today, Nalin. I don't think we should go back to the convention."

  She slammed down her glass with a start, rattling the silverware on the table. "No, Carter, don't say that. I've rested enough."

  Carter frowned. "You're unwell, and the convention is a bad place to be when you might throw up at any moment, as you've already discovered. Plus, it got even more rowdy and dangerous after you left yesterday. I have a feeling it'll be worse today."

  Nalin saw his frown and raised it a scowl. "I wish more than anything to attend, Carter. It's cruel of you not to allow it when I traveled so far and in such discomfort."

  "I beg your pardon? Do you remember our agreement when you asked me to make this decision? You agreed to rest when I said."

  "I didn't think you would force me to rest for an entire day! That's unreasonable."

  Carter leaned back in his chair and regarded her before relenting with a sigh. "All right, Nalin. Finish your meal and we'll go for a couple hours."

  Nalin squinted her eyes at him suspiciously. "Just like that you changed your mind?"

  He shrugged. "I have to agree it's unreasonable to keep you away from the whole thing today, though that's my admittedly selfish preference after the mayhem yesterday."

  Nalin pressed her thumbnail into one of the oranges and peeled it in round strips. "Were you searching for me long?"

  Carter snorted. "Oh, not long. Just hours and hours."

  "I'm sorry, ohpitsa. You must have been worried." She handed him the peeled orange and smiled. "Peace offering?"

  "I was certainly worried, though that doesn't seem to be a strong enough word for it. And I will accept, thank you." He took the fruit and winked at her.

  "Carter, have you changed your mind at all about the suffrage movement since we came? Do you think it has validity? Do you think women should have the right to vote?"

  He grunted. "You just asked me three questions. Ask one and I might answer."

  "Okay. Do you think women should have the right to vote?"

  Frowning, he said, "I don't understand why it's necessary for women to vote. A man votes for his family. Why should his wife duplicate his vote?"

  His words saddened her, and she looked down at the tablecloth. She felt a burning in her nose like she might cry. She had really hoped he might come to view things the same as she did after attending the convention.

  "Nalin?" He sounded incredulous. "You're not crying, are you?"

  "No," she said, as tears formed in her eyes.

  Carter groaned. He scooted his chair back and reached for her hand. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't let my opinion make you cry, honey. What do I know? I've been dusted by a bucking bronco more times than I've picked up a book."

  Nalin hated herself for getting emotional, which only gave credence to her husband's view of women as the weaker sex. She tried to speak with a strong voice, but it came out trembling. "Maybe in our case the wife should be the one to vote for the family. I'm more involved in politics than you. But I don't have that right."

  Carter kissed her cheek. His three-day-old stubble irritated her skin. "That's a good point, honey. I changed my mind. You should be allowed to vote instead of me."

  Instead of appeasing her, his words infuriated her. Nalin huffed. "You're out-and-out flippant about a serious matter. It's maddening." She pushed herself off his lap and stormed away. "I'm finished eating. I'd like to go to the convention now. Perhaps if you could finish your breakfast before sundown, we might hear a speech or two."

  Carter laughed. "You're such a temperamental little thing. Come back here. You need a spanking."

  Nalin pulled her dress over her head and glared at him. "And to be in my good favor, you need to believe in women's rights. Looks like neither of us is going to get what we need." She stomped back and stood with her back facing him, indicating with a wave of her h
and that he was to button her dress for her. Carter laughed again.

  "What's so funny?" she demanded.

  "You, darlin'. I just told you to come to me for a spanking, and you presented yourself in front of me, hind-side first. I'm mighty pleased with your accidental obedience, little girl." He flipped her over his lap. He tossed up her skirts and planted firm swats over her drawers, sending her warmth without the sting. She forgot her outrage and found herself in a much more pleasant state of mind.

  "You like your good girl spankings, don't you?" he asked, his hand coming down briskly and peppering her tender areas with licks that felt like the most amazing rough caresses.

  "Yes," she admitted.

  Carter stopped and rubbed her bottom, then gave her a pat.

  "By the way, I do believe women should have rights, but men are natural leaders. Women are submissive, or so they should be."

  "I'm not submissive," she said, trying to convince herself.

  Carter laughed heartily and resumed the mild spanking. "You are, honey, though I know you are loathe to admit it. Surely you see the irony in what you just said while enjoying getting your little ass spanked."

  Nalin most definitely saw the irony and had for months. She didn't know how to respond. She felt confused by her desire to submit to her husband and her desire to be treated as a man's equal.

  Carter gave her a few more swats. "Good girl. Not so snarly now, are you?"

  "No," she said, smiling.

  He gave her one final swat. "Up you go then, little firecracker."

  She climbed off his lap. He remained seated and buttoned her dress from the bodice up. He buttoned the final button at the nape and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back to his chest.

  "I think men should be the voters only because they're the natural leaders, not because they're better than women. But I stand by what I just said. You are one woman who should be allowed to vote because you're special. And smart."

  Nalin's ire returned and she whirled around to face him. "Carter Barnes, so you think I'm smart and special? Big deal. Are you so conceited as to think you're the only man who has a smart, special wife? Shouldn't other men's wives be given the same regard? And shouldn't an unmarried woman be treated as a capable person without needing a man to bless her specialness and intelligence?"

  Nalin bore her eyes into his, willing him to hear the truth in what she'd said. It was probably the best argument she'd ever managed to make in support of women's rights. Maybe this time he would be moved. Carter stared back at her and looked like he was about to speak, but he didn't get the chance. A knock interrupted their discussion. Nalin rushed to the mirror to try to tame her hair and appear presentable for whomever was knocking, while Carter answered the door. A vaguely familiar woman's voice spoke.

  "Mr. Barnes, we hope we're not disturbing you. We were just going to leave this for you downstairs, but the innkeeper told us you were still here and we wanted to express our gratitude in person. Please allow me to introduce you to Miss Susan Anthony."

  Nalin's hand froze on the hair she was trying to tame. She straightened and walked to her husband's side and viewed the two women standing before them. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton smiled broadly at Carter, and Susan shook his hand. Elizabeth held out a pie to him, then lightly touched below her eye in a self-conscious manner. Nalin noticed a bruise there.

  Carter took the pie. "That's right generous of you ladies. Unnecessary too, but far be it for me to say no to pie. Come in and eat it with us." He moved over to allow them entrance. Nalin stood in place in front of the door, shocked.

  Carter took her hand and guided her out of their way by bringing her to his side. "This is my wife, Nalin," he said.

  Susan and Elizabeth stepped in, and Elizabeth turned her smile to Nalin. "Glad your husband found you, Mrs. Barnes. He was sick with worry yesterday."

  Nalin managed to exchange pleasantries with Elizabeth and shake Susan's hand without gaping at her too obviously. The four of them agreed to address each other as friends using their first names.

  "I'll pour you both some coffee," Nalin said when she found her tongue. "What an honor to see you again, Elizabeth. And to meet you, Susan. I've read all your speeches and have a great deal of respect for the work that you do."

  Nalin's eyes flitted around, embarrassed by the unmade bed and unkempt state of their room, not to mention the unkempt state of her person. She caught Carter's eye and looked at him quizzically before she picked up the two mugs they'd been drinking from. She washed them and poured coffee for the visitors. Carter invited the ladies to sit at the small table. He sliced the pie and served pieces to them.

  "The sheriff released most of us from the jail this morning," Elizabeth said between bites. "Five women are suffering heatstroke, but they'll recover. No one was seriously injured last night in the arrests, and there have been no deaths reported at this time."

  Susan spoke next. "Carter, if it weren't for you, I've no doubt some women would have become seriously ill or even perished in the cells overnight. This is why we need men on our side. I tried to visit the jail to ensure the women were under proper care, but the sheriff wouldn't permit me entrance to the back. We are exceedingly grateful you did what we couldn't."

  Nalin stood to the side away from the table, observing the three of them. She became more confused with every passing second. Arrests? Heatstroke? Jail cells? She could see that Carter felt uncomfortable hearing Susan's praise, whatever it was for. He didn't respond. Instead he took a bite of pie.

  Nalin spoke, removing the attention from her embarrassed husband. "Will someone please tell me what in the Sam Hill went on yesterday? What is this about jail and women becoming ill?"

  The two visitors looked at her with surprise, then looked at Carter. A bit sheepishly, he said, "I haven't yet told my wife of my activities yesterday."

  The visitors laughed. Susan said, "No wonder you're looking at us like we have two heads, Nalin. Allow us to explain. You should know your husband is a hero of the women's suffrage cause."

  Nalin's confusion deepened. "He is?"

  Carter said "no" at the same time Elizabeth said "yes."

  Elizabeth explained what happened at the jail. She explained how Carter lugged in buckets of water, saving them from dehydration, and how he made their cells more sanitary. When Elizabeth finished speaking, Nalin turned her stunned expression to Carter, who was observing her state of shock with a small, smug grin.

  Nalin felt immense pride that her husband had done something so noble. To the women, she said, "Carter is a good man, if not an outright supporter of women's suffrage. I shouldn't be at all surprised by what he did."

  He cleared his throat. "Enough. You skirts are annoying me now. I suggest you use your tongues to taste this delicious pie, not to lick my boots."

  The women laughed, and Nalin addressed the suffragettes again. "He's a good man, but he's still a man. Bossy and ornery as all get-out, as you can see."

  Carter's eyes twinkled, and he bossed her further. "Come sit at the table, Nalin. Why are you still standing over there like someone might bite you?"

  Nalin joined them, wearing a smile. Upon sitting, she said to the women, "I'm curious. What do you say to men who don't believe a woman should have the right to vote?"

  Susan thought for a moment. "Not just one thing in particular. The reasons for that belief are complicated and differ from man to man, so I have to modify my argument. For some men, the reason is religion, stuff they read from the Bible, so I have to argue from that perspective."

  Elizabeth added, "Some men don't have a good reason. A man may just plain hate women. Maybe his mama beat him or a gal broke his heart. There's nothing we can really say to those men."

  Susan's voice turned very gentle. She glanced at Carter before looking at Nalin. "Some men see women as weak or fragile since they're not as physically strong. But we believe that physical power doesn't have any bearing on a person's strength of spirit or mind, which
are the requirements for voting. Voting doesn't require lifting anything heavier than a pencil. That's the long and short of it."

  Nalin was filled with awe at Susan's clearheaded, logical words. "Thanks for explaining that. I wish I had your gift of eloquence. I get teary and emotional while trying to explain why women should have the right to vote."

  "That's natural," Elizabeth said, touching Nalin's arm. "Although we're politically minded, this movement is deeply personal to all of us. Not to be valued or respected in government is a denial of our worth to society."

  Carter didn't say anything. He wore a troubled frown and focused on finishing his pie.

  Susan stood. "Elizabeth and I must return to our work. I'm supposed to give a speech very soon. Care to ride with us in our buggy?"

  The four of them set out for the convention in the suffragettes' buggy. Before parting ways, Susan and Elizabeth again expressed their gratitude to Carter. A true friendship was formed between the four of them that day. The suffragettes promised to write and inform them the next time they came to Texas.

  Susan gave a speech shortly after they arrived, and Nalin was happy to hear it with Carter by her side. She tried to read his face to see whether his opinion had changed at all, but he mostly frowned and looked around for possible danger. He held her hand too tightly, causing it to ache a little.

  He always thought to protect her. Nalin wondered why this wasn't enough for her. Did it really matter that Carter didn't share her view on women's rights? He respected and loved her. She desired to submit to him like an obedient wife, which was the way he believed things should be. What she wanted, she realized, was the option not to—if she were a different kind of woman. But she wasn't. So why did it even matter to her that he understand and support women's rights?

  Chapter 10

  Goodbye, Daughter