“It had nothing to do with marital relations, I assure you Sheriff Blake. But I genuinely fear Mr. Jameson. He often spoke of things that were perverse and not natural.”
A slow flush crept up the lawman’s neck to his face. “Well, Mrs. Jones, I am not sure exactly what you mean and I won’t have you elaborate. Did you fear for your life, Mrs. Jones? Because if you did, then that may be enough to keep you from any further accusations.”
“Is it not enough that he came and tried to take her by force?” Lucille snapped and put both hands on her hips. “He hit her and tried to take advantage of her. She is a married woman now, consummated and everything. So I would say that should be more than enough.”
“Lucille, please calm down,” Aurora tried to keep from laughing. In spite of the serious nature of the sheriff’s visit, the poor man was fully flushed now. His gaze kept going to the front door, no doubt wishing for Evan to appear.
When the coffee was placed before him, he drank it slowly, his gaze downward in thought.
Aurora took pity on him. “I did fear for my life the other day, Sheriff Blake. I left Philadelphia because I feared for something more dearly than my life. I feared the things Mr. Jameson had in mind to do would affect my eternal soul. I would prefer to die than to lose myself in the darkness of his ways.” True, she was exaggerating at the moment. However, she needed to give the sheriff enough so that he would stop Milford and not believe all the drivel he spouted.
Lucille moved to stand next to Aurora. “Milford Jameson needs to go home before something bad happens to him. If he tries some of his nonsense in these parts, he’ll probably be poisoned or something.”
If her friend didn’t stop talking, they’d be arrested for death threats. “Let’s hope he goes home immediately,” Aurora interrupted her. “Are there any other questions, Sheriff Blake?”
The poor man shook his head in rapid motions. “Good to see you, Doc!” He jumped from his seat at Evan’s appearance at the front door. Obviously relieved, he practically ran to Evan and shook hands. Aurora could only look at the ceiling.
Lucille nudged her and spoke softly. “Your husband is not going to be happy about this.”
“I know.” Hopefully Evan’s temper would not overtake him and cause him to do something rash.
Hands in her lap, she watched as Sheriff Blake and her husband talked.
Chapter Fourteen
“Thank you, Doctor Jones.” The sick woman’s cracked lips slowly formed the words. It would be a matter of days before she’d succumb to the illness that riddled her body with pain and sores.
Evan dipped a cloth in cold water and wiped her face. He’d given her some laudanum and now waited for what, hopefully, would be a quick effect. “Don’t worry yourself, Ramona. Relax and let the medication work.”
A tear slipped down from the corner of her eye. “What will become of me? I’m dying and my kin have yet to come see about me.” She took a shuddering breath. “I know my lifestyle wasn’t good. But they’re my family and have always treated me like trash.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure they will come. Don’t lose hope.”
There was pleading in her eyes when meeting his. “I want to see him. Just once before I die, I wish to see my son.”
The family had refused to even open the door the second time Evan went to inform them of Ramona’s imminent passing. Her mother, a proud and stern woman, shook her head and interrupted him. “She is no longer my kin. When she went to live a life of sin, my daughter died to me.”
Ramona was a saloon girl. Several years ago, she had given birth and immediately returned to her previous life. She’d sent money to her mother and sister to help them with the care of her child. However, when she tried to see her son, she’d been turned away. Now the boy was almost five and would not be brought to see his mother on her deathbed.
The room was dark and musty. The window hadn’t been open to air out the space and, at this point it didn’t matter, so he decided against opening it. The sun set on the second night Evan had remained at the brothel seeing after Rachel, hoping against hope she’d recover.
Shortly after hearing Jameson’s claims toward Aurora, he’d barely spoken to her before the saloon owner sent for him to see about Ramona.
Silence stretched for another hour. The door creaked open and the bartender, a burly man named Miles, peered in. “Doc, how’s Ramona?”
Evan shook his head. “Not long now.” Upon reaching to touch the side of her neck, he stopped midway. She was dead. “Let Maggie Lee know she’s gone.”
With a resigned shrug, the man turned and left. Evan stood and looked down at the frail woman. She’d never seen her son. Now the boy would never know his mother, not know how much she’d cared for him. On the side table, a small wooden box held her life savings.
Evan picked up the cheap wooden box. He’d promised her to deliver it to the boy. One day, he’d find a way to do so. The boy was much too young now, but once he was older, Evan would speak to him of his mother and deliver the letters and money she’d left. For five years, Ramona had stashed away almost every single dollar she’d earned. She’d denied herself many things in order to leave something for her son. It was almost as if the woman had a premonition that she’d not live long.
Finally, after speaking to the saloon owner, Maggie Lee, and getting payment, he made his way toward his house. The weather was better. It hadn’t snowed in a few days and the sun peeked out from behind clouds. Soon, spring would arrive and, with it, warmer weather.
“Hey, Doc,” Sheriff Blake called out and crossed the street from the jailhouse toward him. “How are you today?”
This was not the time for niceties. Evan wished for nothing more than a hot bath and a bed. “Ramona, the saloon girl, just died. I’m heading home to get some rest. What happened with Jameson?”
“Sent on his way to Pennsylvania. The authorities there have been informed of his kidnapping charges. I suspect, with his money, it won’t amount to much.”
Evan glared at the lawman. “Why did you release him to go then?”
Sheriff Blake let out a long sigh. “It would take two weeks to get a judge to come out this way. To be honest, I don’t think the judge would do much more than whatever happens to him back east. Not enough of a crime in the eyes of lawmakers.”
An outburst threatened at how lightly the sheriff took what happened to his wife. Evan gritted his teeth. “I best head on home.”
Sheriff Blake stopped him with a hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not enough.”
“I’ll remind you of this when you get married. When that happens, I want you to tell me how well this was handled.” He snatched his arm away.
“Thought you’d want to know your wife came to see him.”
The sheriff’s words made Evan so angry that he could not form a reply. Instead, he rushed to his house.
The aroma of dinner greeted him and, for some reason, it only made him angrier. “Aurora,” he called out.
“You’re finally home. I was about to send Filbert to see about you.” His wife stopped before reaching him, seeming to sense his anger. “Is something wrong?”
“You went to see him?”
Aurora placed a hand on the back of a chair. “I needed to face him. To tell him I wasn’t afraid. I also apologized.”
“What?” He didn’t want to hear anymore. “You apologized to the man who attacked you? Went to the jailhouse without informing me and I have to find out from the sheriff. Did it occur to you to ask me about it or at least inform me first?”
She seemed to shrink back, but held her head up. “No, I did not. I made a lot of mistakes, Evan. I needed to clear my conscious about…”
“Don’t say another word. I think this conversation is best left for another time. I’m going to bed.” He stalked to the bedroom. Unfortunately, her footsteps were right behind him.
“Evan, don’t you walk off in the middle of a discussion. I’d like to explain. We have
things to talk about.”
He swung to face her. “Not now, wife. Leave me be. I am too angry to talk to you right now.” When he closed the door in her face, the sound of fast footsteps moved away. He considered going after her. It would be a mistake. He’d only make things worse. Besides, he had every right to be angry at the moment.
Evan sat on the bed and hung his head. Weariness ebbed and all he could think of was allowing sleep to take him from the present. A woman lay dead at the saloon. There was nothing he could have done to save her. The lifestyle she’d chosen was a clear cause of her death. And yet, no one deserved to suffer so much. What right did the parents have to keep her son away? Then again, who was he to judge? It could be they wished to spare the boy the knowledge of his mother’s reality.
It made no sense to him that Aurora had gone to see Jameson. Could it be she still retained feelings for the man? She’d admitted to him the man’s lack of respect forced her to leave all she knew to come to Montana. And now she apologized to the man. The same man who’d tried to rape her.
After kicking off his shoes, Evan lay back on the bed. Barely able to keep his eyes open, he tried to understand what had just happened between them. His wife would explain herself once he woke.
Aurora paced in front of the fireplace. The food on the table was cold. Only Lucille had eaten. Seeming to understand it would be best not to engage her in conversation, Lucille sat nearby sewing by a bright lantern.
“I should go in there and make him apologize for slamming the door in my face.” Aurora let out a huff. “The nerve of him, screaming at me.” She turned to Lucille. “You heard him, didn’t you? He raised his voice to me.”
Lucille nodded. “Yes, I heard.”
“And to not allowing me to explain things, I am not sure how I feel about him right now.”
Her friend remained silent. Somehow, the silence flamed her already heated temper. “Damn it, Lucille, say something.”
Putting the sewing aside, Lucille folded her hands. “Am I to understand that finding out his wife went alone to see the man who almost raped her, should not have affected Evan? That you went to see the man who kidnapped and beat you, not to mention the same person you ran away from fearing his dark intentions, Evan should have not been angry?” She held up a hand before Aurora could interrupt. “In addition, Aurora, you know he was looking after a woman who was dying. He’d been there for two days straight without sleep. I sincerely doubt he has any patience or energy right now.”
Lucille’s warm gaze met hers. “I have to agree with your husband. I am quite angry with you, as well. I don’t understand why you felt it necessary to see Milford Jameson, either.”
Aurora blinked back angry tears. The truth of her friend’s words made things worse. Now more than anything, she needed time to think. Truthfully, after speaking to Milford, who’d sneered and called her names, she left feeling worse. At that moment, she wanted Evan to be there. She needed his strong embrace and assurance.
“I think I will drink some tea and think over things. How I wish it would clear enough so Wilhelmina will finally come.”
“Today would not be a good day for a visit,” Lucille said with a smile. “She’d walk into not only the shock of your marriage, but the fact that you’re in the midst of marital discord.”
Aurora could only sigh in return. “True.”
After making tea, she sat across from Lucille. “I sent a telegram to Mother and am writing her a letter. I’ve decided not to go. Father is not terribly ill. If I know my mother, no matter how much she likes to manipulate, she would never lie. If father were gravely or deathly ill, she would have said so. Instead she only stated ‘ill’, which could mean a common cold.”
“It makes sense,” Lucille said. “Hopefully, you’ll receive good news in response.”
Aurora went to the dining table and wrote the letter she’d put off for too long. Each word penned brought her closer to understanding
Dearest Mother,
As I write this letter, it is with hopes that you, Sybil and Father are well. I miss you all terribly. Although I know leaving in the manner in which I did was traumatic for you, I hope you understand my reasons after reading this letter.
The more I got to know Milford, the harder it became to accept spending my life with him. On every occasion when we found ourselves alone, he would inform me of his plans for dark and sinister things that would happen in our marital bed. I always left shaken and terrified of what my future held. Finally, I could take it no more after he’d described in detail what he planned on our wedding night. It was that day I planned my escape.
In hindsight, I should have informed you and told you everything. No matter what, I do believe you would have supported my decision to withdraw from the marriage. However, in this way, by my leaving being solely on my shoulders, I hoped to keep Sybil from social ruin. I am hopeful that by the time she is old enough for her coming out, this will have all blown over.
I married a wonderful man, Mother. You can be reassured in knowing that, although life here in Montana is very different and more rustic, I have a nice home and live in a very welcoming town.
As I informed you in my telegram, it is impossible for me to leave Laurel at this time. A storm has struck and it’s virtually impossible to travel more than a short distance. I pray my father will recover soon. Please write me back.
With much love. Sincerely, your daughter.
Aurora sat back and sipped from her now-tepid tea. A lone tear trailed down her cheek and she didn’t bother to brush it away. Purposely, she’d not written anything about Milford coming west. It was unlikely he’d said anything. No doubt, everyone in their social circle thought him gone off to nurse a broken heart. He would return a wounded hero and gain more of the attention he craved.
Mothers would shove their young socialite daughters in front of him hoping to garner his attention. Milford would have his pick of unsuspecting girls. It made Aurora shudder to think of the poor young woman’s fate. Hopefully, he’d pick someone strong enough to stand up to him or at least of the same nature as he displayed.
The sound of footsteps brought her head up. Evan walked into the living space, his hair damp. He’d woken, washed up and changed clothes.
Lucille jumped to her feet. “I’ll go warm up some dinner.” Aurora suspected her friend was too curious not to remain within earshot of whatever transpired between them. At the same time, it would keep her accountable for what she’d say and provide a second set of ears in case she needed another point of view later.
“I apologize for closing the door in your face.” He moved to stand near her. “It was uncalled for.”
No matter how often she looked at him, his handsome features never ceased to amaze her. Never did she imagine meeting, much less marrying such a stunning man. His brown hair was brushed away from his face, making each of his strong features compete for attention. From his well-formed brows, perfect nose to full lips. She cleared her throat.
“You were angry. I understand why.”
“Do you really?” The coolness in his voice was alarming. His gaze remained flat as if he looked to a stranger. “What is your reasoning?”
She’d not play his game and meet him with equal coldness. Instead, she stood and closed the distance between them. Tipping her face up, she met his gaze. “For some stupid reason, I felt responsible for everything that happened. I was rash and didn’t think things through. So much happened at once. The sheriff’s visit, a telegram informing of my father being ill and then your absence. You were gone for two days.”
Evan stood still as a statue. The only movement was his chest expanding with each breath. “Go on.”
Once again, she swallowed. “Of course, I understand why you were gone. I understand you have responsibilities.”
When he didn’t respond, nerves made her stomach tighten. “No matter Milford’s faults, I should have sent him word and expressed the reason for leaving. If I’d done so, he may not have follow
ed after me. Or maybe he would have, but I was wrong to leave not just him, but my family in such a manner. It was cowardly and childish.” When tears threatened she blinked and looked away for a moment.
Evan seemed to be mulling her words but remained silent. The man was stubborn and strong-willed. Aurora fought the urge to kick him in the shin.
“I owe you a bigger apology for bringing so much to your doorstep. If anything, I should have come to see about you. I know it’s not socially acceptable for me to enter the saloon. However, in this case, I shouldn’t have cared. You were there, going through I don’t know what. Just as alone and without support as I felt.” Aurora cupped the side of his jaw with her palm. “I’m sorry, Evan. Please forgive me.”
His eyes softened and finally he lowered his forehead to hers. “She died. Her family refused to bring her child.” Sorrow-filled eyes met hers. “I couldn’t keep Ramona alive long enough to see if, perhaps, the family could have been persuaded.”
That he cared so much for a woman of ill repute, who’d died alone, filled her heart with more love for him. “I’m sorry, Evan.”
His lips curved. “Thank you. I’m sure all happens for a reason. Perhaps the family paints her son a good picture of his mother.”
“I hope so.” Aurora sighed. “We can try and visit. You can tell him about her.”
He straightened and pulled her against his chest. Aurora wanted to weep in relief. They would talk through this and eventually resolve things. If anything, she hoped this instance of discord brought them closer.
Evan lifted her chin and his mouth took hers in a fervent kiss. She ran her hands up his sides, enjoying the feel of his body. When he shuddered in response and hugged her closer, Aurora relaxed against him.
Breaking the kiss, he took her hand and drew her toward their bedroom.
Aurora, A Romantic Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 2) Page 10