Regency Romance: Fallen Duchess (A Historical Victorian Murder Mystery Love Regency Romance)

by Tracey D Morgan

  “Thank you, Sir, but I’ll be fine with it riding here on my lap.”

  “Are you sure, Miss? It’s gonna be a long, bumpy ride.”

  “I’m sure. Thank you very much.”

  The driver nodded in response and turned his focus to someone other than the apprehensive, young traveler. A few more minutes passed until there was a jerk of the coach and the trekkers were on their way. Josephine leaned her head back against the padded carriage wall, doing all she could to not focus on the road she was about to travel—physically, emotionally, mentally and, most of all, spiritually.

  Hours upon hours ticked by. There were generic conversations of truly no interest, moments of silence when the rattling and creaking of the coach kept a steady rhythm, laughing, humming, reading, and napping. They stopped periodically in local towns at the stagecoach stations, stretching their legs, filling their bellies and having a descent rest. The teams were switched out before the travelers began their excursion once more.

  Hours soon turned into days that faded into weeks. One by one, the passengers reached their destination. But just as they would leave, others would load in their place. At one time, everyone road shoulder to shoulder, like sardines shoved into a can. But, they too would file out once they had arrived at their goal, leaving Josephine to her anxious thoughts and pleading prayers for safety and guidance.

  A day before they disembarked, all was going on as it had for the past three weeks. Josephine had just reached the point to where her weary eyes were closing for another bumpy nap.

  “Giddyap! Yaw! Yaw! Giddyap!” The stagecoach suddenly picked up speed. Josephine sat straight up and lifted the leather curtain blocking her view from the outside. A passenger grabbed her arm and spoke with great haste.

  “What is it? What’s going on out there?” Josephine ignored the panicked woman and focused her eyes on the dust cloud quickly stirring around them. She pulled herself out of the seat and popped her bonnet-covered head out of the window.

  “Oh, no! It can’t be”

  “What? What did you say?”

  “Excuse me, Miss, what do you see out there?”

  Josephine answered no one. All she could do was to keep her heart from jumping through her chest. “Oh Lord, please don’t let it be him. Please! Let it be anything, but him.”

  “Yaw! Yaw! Yaw!” The driver continued to guide his six-strapped team across the rough terrain, kicking up the dust heavier and thicker with every turn of the wheel. Secretly, Josephine reached down to her boot, slipping her fingers around the handle of her father’s knife that she had taken before leaving the farm.

  Suddenly, Josephine was thrust back into her seat as the coach pulled to a halt.

  “Whoa! Whoa, team! Whoa!”

  Quickly, she pulled herself back up to the window and held her breath as she waited for the dust to clear. Her fears charged wildly past her eyes. But just as quickly as she relaxed, she went for her knife again as her eyes speedily scanned the surroundings, looking for any sign of the man she feared. In her mind, the stampede was just a distraction to catch her off guard and make her fears a reality. The coach rattled for a moment before the driver opened the door and stuck his head inside.

  “Sorry ’bout that, folks. E’rybody all right in here?”

  Simultaneously, the passengers poured out their fears and questions on to the driver’s reply. “All right, all right! Calm down now, folks. Just a typical cattle drive crossing the main road to the next station. Nothin’ to get all worked up over.” He turned to Josephine, who was completely silent and had a face as white as a sheet. “Miss, are you OK?” She just stared out the window. “Miss? Ma’am?”

  She finally came to. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  “I ask if you were OK. You been sittin’ there all quiet and lookin’ like you just seen a ghost.”

  “Oh, heavens. I’m sorry. Yes, I’m fine. Just trying to catch my breath.”

  “Well, OK then. I think we all need to do that. I’m gonna check over the team, and then we’ll be on our way.”

  Josephine tipped her head back and closed her eyes.

  Thank you, Father, for keeping me safe. Please help me to reach Texas so that I may be able to live my life better, the way you want me to be. Thank you for your faithfulness and for hearing my prayers. Amen

  As the stagecoach gave a jerk and began its usual rocking back and forth, Josephine slipped her hand into the pocket of her traveling coat and pulled out the letter she wished she had never read. Opening the envelope, she pulled out its contents and slowly unfolded it. She took a deep breath and read the words staring back up at her.

  I know where you’re going, and I will find you to permanently finish what we started.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Warren Howard Cooper guided his horse and wagon into the small town of Wilson, Texas, and braked in front of the stagecoach station. He was a little early, but no time was ever wasted for this preacher turned cattle rancher. The 6-foot-3-inch handsome and gentle soul tied his team to the hitch post and headed to the general store to put in an order he would load up after he was finished with his reason for being in town.

  About an hour and a half later, a large rumbling at the edge of town increased followed by a mutt chasing and barking along the wheels, stealing attention from patrons and passersby of the small town’s shops and boardwalks. Slowly, the source of the distraction pulled up to the station and halted on the brakes. The driver gave a long stretch of his arms before crawling down from his post and opening up the stagecoach door.

  “OK, folks, welcome to Wilson, Texas. Just let me know if this is your final stop, and I’ll pull your stuff from the boot. Otherwise, feel free to take your time and rest yourselves here in this station town. Thank you, and we’ll be on our way in the morning.”

  He helped his passengers down from the coach and thanked them personally for choosing The Chesterton Coach Line as their mode of transportation.

  “Thank you, Sir. And this will be my final stop. I’m not in any hurry, so take your time unloading my trunk. I’ll just be waiting for my ride over here. And thank you, again.”

  “My pleasure, Miss. I’ll be with you in just a minute.”

  Josephine gave a short stretch, adjusting her bonnet and smoothing out her traveling coat as she took in the environment around her that would now become her new home.

  “Josephine?” She quickly turned around to the low, sexy voice that sent a rush of heat all over her body. “Hi. I’m Warren. Warren Cooper.”

  Her heart was pounding rapidly as her eyes took in his thick, brawny frame. He was not what her mind had imagined. He was much more handsome than any of the men she had come across in her lifetime.

  “Hi, Warren. Yes, I’m Josephine. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She reached out her hand and felt a surge of electricity as he softly received it and held it tenderly.

  “The pleasure is truly all mine. I’m extremely grateful you have come to be here with me in Texas. I know this has been a very difficult and an emotional task that you’ve had to endure, but I hope you know that it is all going to be worth the life that I want to give you.”

  All Josephine could do was smile in awe at how truly blessed her life had become.

  “Miss? Here’s your trunk.” The driver’s voice pulled her gaze from her soon-to-be husband.

  “Thank you, Sir. And thank you for getting us through that stampede. You are a very skilled driver. You handled your team with great experience.”

  “Well, thank you, Miss. And I hope you find what you’re looking for here in Wilson.”

  “Thank you. I believe I will.” She smiled at him before turning her attention back to the man who had suddenly stolen her heart by just a simple touch, a simple voice and sweet, simple words. Warren returned her acknowledgement with a smile of his own.

  “Would you like me to take your bag and load it onto the wagon with your trunk?” He reached for the carpetbag Josephine was gripping in her other hand. F
or a moment, she held on to it, hesitating, not wanting to give over her personal life to Warren, but the Holy Spirit reminded her that this man in front of her was now her personal life. She finally conceded.

  “Yes, thank you. That will be fine, Warren.”

  She gave over her carpetbag and watched as her future husband lifted her things and loaded them into what would now become her horse and wagon as well. The excitement of this new life was truly taking over the anxieties that she had carried along with her from Virginia.

  “There we go. All loaded up. Did you need to finish anything in the station?”

  “No, I have everything settled. Thank you for the ticket. It was so kind of you to give that to me.”

  “Think nothing of it, Josephine. That was my promise to you. I will always provide for you because you are going to be my wife, the woman I will take care of and will cherish for as long as you will let me.”

  Josephine took in a deep breath, wrapping her mind around this first meeting of the man with whom she was going to spend the rest of her life.

  “I know you’ve been traveling for three weeks now, but I’ve got some things at the general store I need to load up into the wagon. We’ve got about a 45-minute ride to the ranch, and I wasn’t sure if you were ready for the wagon ride or if you wanted to rest your body in the restaurant for a spell.”

  “That’s so thoughtful, Warren, but I’ll be fine with whatever you decide.”

  “OK, Josephine. Would you like me to help you into the wagon or did you want to stretch your legs on a walk to the store?”

  “Actually, I think I will walk to the store.”

  “Then I will meet you there.” He gave her a wink followed by a sheepish grin and a caring nod. He untied the team, and she watched as he effortlessly climbed into their wagon and urged the horses forward toward the general store. As she gazed over him, she slipped her hand into the pocket carrying the invitation to his home and held it with a new sense of thankfulness and appreciation. She couldn’t forget about the other note in her opposite pocket, but the security she felt with Warren simply made the threat not so full of fear.

  Father, how can I ever say thank you for this beautiful, kind and caring man? He is truly the one whom you knew I needed in my life. Please just keep us safe and guide us in the ways you’d have us live. Thank you, heavenly Father. In your name I pray all these things. Amen

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Months had passed for Josephine as she settled into her new home and life with her new husband, who she was growing to love more each day. She was overtaken by the selfless life the cattle rancher was determined to live. The way he followed the scriptures and allowed them to shine through his way of living burned the flame inside of her for him even hotter and longer than she ever thought she would have for a man.

  Josephine learned how a cattle rancher’s life differed from that of a farmer’s, and she took on the changes and strides with eagerness and open-mindedness. The daily chores that the new couple shared helped to develop a relationship that was growing stronger and deeper with love and trust that a husband and wife joined under the Father should have.

  Warren would set out on cattle drives with his ranch hands, delivering cattle to sell for meat. During these times, Josephine would establish herself in the small community of Wilson. She met the ladies in town and became involved with the women’s gatherings at church. They all welcomed her in as if she had been a part of their community from the very beginning.

  Josephine kept in contact with T.W. as often as the post would let her. She greatly missed him but was discovering everyday that things were happening as the way they should have all along. In every letter, T.W. would tell his JoJo to make sure she gave his thankfulness to her generous husband, who continued to send provision to keep Belle Fields alive and prosperous in her crops.

  “I’ll be forever grateful to him, JoJo, for giving us the money to pay for the taxes on Belle Fields. I didn’t know what we would’ve done if God hadn’t sent him our way. I sure do miss you, but I know that it’s all in our Father’s hands, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you, JoJo.”

  When Warren would come home, they’d spend their time volunteering to the deprived and opening their home to those needing to be rescued, even if only for a day. Warren would preach in the local evangelical church whenever he was available. Each time he shared the message, Josephine’s heart swelled up larger and deeper than the message he gave previous. She was proud of her husband and was grateful to her heavenly Father for leading the two of them together. Life for Josephine couldn’t be any better.

  Occasionally, the secrets of her past crept their way into her thoughts and tugged on her conscience, convicting her of being untruthful with the main reason she had even placed the ad for becoming a mail-order bride. Deep down inside, she knew she had to come clean with her faithful and loving husband, but the thought of him knowing and the fear of him denying her and sending her back to her brother was enough for Josephine to keep her secret hidden, even all the way to her grave.

  Another month had gone by, along with Josephine’s fears of her past catching up with her. Finally, she had reached the point of not looking over her shoulder each time she heard an unexpected noise or seeing a stranger gaze her way. Josephine was strong, but when Warren was at her side, she felt safer and more secure. She knew that this life was her future and that the past needed to be left in the past for good. That’s exactly what she decided to do.

  One morning after seeing Warren and his team of drivers off for another cattle drive, Josephine began her daily chores of maintaining their home and the land surrounding them. As she walked across the field, she couldn’t help but take in the morning air and the glory of the colorful sky that was painted above her raven head.

  “Thank you, Father, for this beautiful life that you have given me. I never thought that anything like this would have ever been possible, but you know so much more than I ever will. Be with Warren and his team on this drive and bring them back safely to me.”

  “What makes you think you’ll be here to see them when they get back?”

  Josephine froze in her tracks at the sound of the familiar yet unsettling voice of the past—the same past she had vowed to let go.

  “What’s the matter, Josey? Cat got your tongue?”

  She closed her eyes, trying to imagine him away.

  “Why don’t you turn around, girl? I’ve been waiting so long to see those sexy, dark-green eyes of yours.”

  Her lip began to quiver, but she bit it before she spoke, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of his effect on her.

  “What are you doing here, Hugh?”

  “Do you really have to ask me that question? I suspected my little note that I left you at the station before you had left was evidence enough for my being here.”

  “You’re not welcome here.”

  “Aw, now, don’t say such a thing to the man you were gonna give up everything for. Of course I’m welcome here.” He slid his slithery hand up her back and across her bare neck. “And besides, you know you don’t wanna be with ‘Mr. Uptight and Stuck on a Stick.’ Where’s the fun in that arrangement? You know that you’d rather be back home in Virginia with me, having the time of your life.”

  Josephine stepped out of his reach. “I am home.”

  “You really think this is home? What’s your preacher man gonna say when he finds out what you did with me and why you really put that ad out to become his wife?”

  “He’s never going to find out, Hugh. I’ll take my secret to the grave.”

  “Well, Josey, I might just make that become a reality.”

  “You’ll do no such thing, Hugh Doyle!” She picked up her skirts and started to run for the house. She had just about made it to her front porch steps, but her past was much quicker and caught up to her, pulling her strong frame into his heaving chest.

  “And just where do you think you’re going, girl?”

  She beg
an to struggle for freedom from his muscular arms. “Let me go, Hugh! Just let me go and get out of here. Now!”

  “Oh, I’m getting out of here.” He pulled his arms tighter around her body and lowered his lips to her ear to whisper. “But I’m not leaving here alone. I told you in my letter: I’d find you and I’d permanently finish what we started. That’s exactly what I’m planning to do, Josephine.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A chill rushed up her spine, but she squeezed her eyes tight to ignore it. She knew she had to do something, but at this point in her situation, there was not much chance of things turning positive. So what if Hugh took her and did things to her? At least she would be rid of him and would never have to see him. And the best of it all was Warren would never know that any of this had happened. Yes, that’s what she would give in to do. Then he would be gone, forever this time.

  “Fine, Hugh! Do whatever you want to me, right here right now. But then you must leave me in peace and never come back.”

  “Oh, after what I do to you, you’ll be left in peace alright. Left to rest in peace is more like it.”

  Panic surged through her body at the realization of what had just come from his mouth. She writhed and wiggled, desperately trying to set herself free from his hold. “Please, Hugh! You don’t want to do this. I promise, if you let me live, I’ll give you money, and I won’t say a single thing about anything that has happened here.”

  “Oh, you think I’m gonna believe a single word that comes out of that pretty, little, rosy mouth of yours? No, no, no. I believed you once. Shame on me.”

  “Hugh, I mean what I say this time. Do what you wanted to do that last night we were together, and I promise I’ll give you as much money as I can give you and will never tell a soul.”

  “And just where do you think you’ll get this money without anybody knowing?” He rubbed the tip of his nose across the nape of her neck, breathing in the smell of lavender and jasmine and most of all, fear.