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

by Tracey D Morgan

  Chapter Seven

  Christmas Eve was upon them, and Rick and Mary decided to take the day off from working on the farm. At the moment they were hanging shiny red baubles and pinecones from a tree Rick cut down only a few days ago. It was the first Christmas since Mary left home that she had a Christmas tree. When she and Jacob first moved to Wyoming, they didn’t have the money or know-how to get a Christmas tree or ornaments, and the next Christmas was the first one Mary spent alone. She decided that she much preferred the festivities to sadness.

  Her guilt over Jacob slowly started to wane with time. There were still moments where she questioned whether letting herself fall in love with Rick was the right thing or not. She would kneel at the foot of her bed every night and pray for an answer. For a long time, her only response was silence. No one seemed to be listening.

  One night while she kneeled to pray, she felt the warmth of a hand on her shoulder, and she knew it was Jacob. She knew he’d come to tell her that it was OK and that she deserved love. It was time to move on. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she fell asleep, curled up and smiling as tears of joy streamed down her face. She was so happy she didn’t have to wonder anymore.

  “Mary, are you all right?” Rick asked, handing her another glass ornament.

  She blinked a few times, coming back to reality before nodding with a smile. “Yes, I’m fine, Rick,” she said softly, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “I’m just thinking.”

  “Would it be rude of me to ask you what you’re thinking?”

  She smiled and hung the heavy ornament onto one of the thicker branches as she turned to look up to him. Ever since he’d chased the bankers off, they were more and more affectionate with each other. Mary found herself hoping and praying that one day they’d stop playing around and he’d hold her close and kiss her under the stars. He made her feel like a school girl in love, and she wanted more than anything for that dream to come to fruition.

  Mary stared up at him for a long time and crossed her arms. “I was thinking about Jacob.”

  His face fell just a little and he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh.”

  “I was thinking about how much he loved me and how much he would have wanted to see me happy no matter what. And I’ve been wondering about how I might achieve that happiness,” she mused.

  Rick said nothing and watched her closely. She smiled and leaned against him, sighing.

  “Were you afraid to move on after you lost your family?”

  “I was very afraid,” he admitted. “I was afraid that if I moved on it would somehow be a travesty to their memory.”

  “You were afraid?” she asked. “But you aren’t anymore?”

  “I’m not.”

  “What made you not afraid?”

  He paused a moment, looking past her before he finally met her gaze. “Well, I prayed, and I asked God and I asked Julie to help me heal. I prayed for help, and I got you.”

  Her eyes widened, and she stared up at him. “I’m the one who helped you?”

  He nodded and smiled. “I never would have expected it when we first met. I thought you were a brat,” he said with a good-natured smile. “All I wanted was a share in your farm, you know? I was going to marry you and take half your farm and eventually all of it. I knew that once you got a taste of farm work you’d hate it, but you proved me wrong, and I fell in love with you, Mary. Somewhere along the way I fell in love.”

  Her eyes widened, and she reached up to touch his cheeks, tears coming to her eyes. “Me, too, Rick. I didn’t think I’d ever love anyone again, and then you walked right through that door, and it was like the world shifted,” she whispered.

  Rick paused and reached into the pocket of his working trousers and pulled out a small piece of dried mistletoe. There was a little red ribbon tied around it, and when Mary saw it, her eyes widened and a grin spread to her lips. Rick took the mistletoe and held it over their heads and between them, grinning down at her.

  “Looks like we’re under the mistletoe.”

  “It seems we are,” she whispered.

  Rick paused, taking a deep breath before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, their lips meeting in a long awaited kiss. She always thought nothing would ever beat her and Jacob’s first kiss, but she was proven wrong that Christmas Eve.

  When their lips met, fireworks exploded behind her eyes. He pulled her close and held her tight as they held the kiss until the need for air became too strong to ignore. When they finally separated, her lips tingled pleasantly, and her heart was pounding so hard she was afraid it might pound right out of her chest.

  She blinked a few times, breathless as her knees became weak, and she leaned against him for balance.

  “That was … ”

  “Amazing,” he finished.

  She laughed and leaned up to catch his lips in another tender kiss before he lifted her into his arms and twirled her around, grinning. She gasped and laughed excitedly as he finally set her back on her feet, and she cupped his cheeks again, looking up at him with sparkling eyes.

  “Merry Christmas, Rick.”

  Chapter Eight

  It was the first of many Christmas’ they would celebrate together. No matter how much time passed, they always made sure to hang mistletoe where they would be sure to find themselves underneath it. They were happy, and that was something neither of them expected after they lost so much. Their love was proof that the human spirit would endure and that God always had a plan.

  They eventually got married, though they waited a year or so in order to fall in love properly. Mary was ready to marry him on Christmas Day, but Rick never wanted her to wonder if their marriage was just about the farm, so he made her wait until the fall. They were married the very same day they met and had a beautiful wedding and invited everyone in town, including the bankers.

  The very men who tried to take her house came to her wedding bearing gifts and apologies for their harsh words. Their apologies were accepted, and they never bothered Mary or Rick again. No bankers and no guilt would ever burden them again.

  Mary smiled as she watched her children play in the snowy field near the tree where Jacob was buried. She hoped he could see them, and she hoped he knew just how happy she was. Her life was complete, and although she loved Jacob dearly and missed him every day, she’d learned that she wasn’t put on this earth to cry and be sad.

  She was a mother with a successful farm and a loving husband. She had so much in her life to be happy and thankful for that it seemed a travesty to get hung up on grief. Mary sighed and put her hands flat on the counter, smiling when Rick wrapped his arms around her from the back and kissed her temple.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “Christmas is just around the corner, you know.” She hummed, putting her delicate hands over his rough and calloused ones.

  “Our favorite time of year.”

  She smiled and turned around, wrapping her arms around him gently. “Is it by chance that we met?” she whispered, stroking his cheek.

  “I don’t think so.”

  She smiled and tugged on his sandy hair playfully. “What do you think it was then?”

  “I think there were a lot of angels watching over us.” He hummed, kissing her cheek. “I think Julie and Jacob wanted us to find each other so we could be happy.”

  Mary nodded and leaned back a little. “I hope they know how happy we are.”

  “I’m sure they do, Mary.”

  He smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out some mistletoe and holding over her head. “It seems we’re under the mistletoe,” he said with a grin.

  She smiled and leaned up, placing and adoring kiss on his lips.

  “It seems we are.”

  THE END

  Return to the TOC for Bonus Content

  The Heart Series

  The Hole in His Heart

  Chapter 1:

  Wayne Thurgood was a good man, hardworking, and loyal. His entire
life revolved around two key things: his wife and his children. Betsy Thurgood was a rough-and-tumble woman who knew how to take care of business and never complained about anything. She was God-fearing and cared deeply for the well-being of her family as they settled in Wyoming, where life could get hard. That very attitude carried her though till the end, and even on her deathbed, she didn’t break in the face of death. She stared it head on, and told Wayne it was OK for him to move on because one day she’d see him again.

  It had been roughly three months, but it still hadn’t been easy for Wayne. His heart was hurting again today as he sat in the kitchen where his daughter Melinda was making breakfast. She was only 8, but the young girl knew how to cook up a mean meal like her mama.

  “Smells good in here,” he said after a moment of scanning through the paper.

  “Thanks, Daddy. I figured you’d want something good to start the day right with. I know things have been hard.”

  “That is true, but we don’t need to dwell on that. We take the good with the bad around here,” he said.

  She continued to cook, and Wayne resumed looking in the paper again. He was searching for something in particular, and after a few more moments, he found it. He’d placed a mail-order bride ad in the paper about a week ago, but he hadn’t gotten any responses yet. He kept running it, hoping someone would answer the call soon. “Maybe I ought to change my phrasing,” he said with a sigh as he looked at the description.

  It read, “Wanted: Wife who knows how to take care of multiple children, cook, clean and doesn’t mind the ways of the Midwest. Travel expenses will be taken care of, and living arrangements can be made if necessary.”

  When he thought about it, the ad might not sound too enticing. What woman would want to take on the role of raising three children who weren’t her own, as well as live in such a harsh environment? Everyone knew about the problems the Midwest faced, with attacks by Native Americans only being one of the issues. It wasn’t the most glamorous place to call home, and most women preferred to stay on the East Coast and up north where the living was much easier.

  Charlie and Elisabeth came in from outside laughing and carrying on, though Elisabeth was whining. Wayne grinned at the younger kids, “What’s got you two so riled up?” he asked.

  Charlie, who was 6 at the time, smiled. “We were just playing by the well, and I made up a story about a witch being down there. You should have seen Elisabeth’s face,” he said laughing harder at the flustered girl.

  Elisabeth was only 5, not very far apart from Charlie, so they got along—most of the time. She stomped her foot angrily and crossed her arms, “Charlie’s just mean! Tell him to stop making up stories, Daddy,” she begged.

  Wayne stood up and mused Elisabeth’s hair lovingly. “Sometimes we just need to grow a little bit of thick skin. But what have I told you both about playing near the well?” he asked, getting more serious now.

  Both kids shifted from foot to foot quietly.

  “Well?”

  “Not to do it.” They answered in unison.

  He sighed deeply and then ushered them toward the table. “Now hurry up, wash up your hands and settle down. Your big sis is about to get your plates ready,” he said.

  He walked out onto the front porch with the full intention of getting some fresh air, but then he saw a familiar wagon out front, and it made him sigh deeply. Sheryl and James Carson were here, no doubt to discuss the children’s “dire” situation with him once again. These were his wife’s parents, and they’d always been overly concerned about their grandchildren and their upbringing.

  “Wayne, you’re looking well,” his heavyset mother in law said as she stepped out.

  Wayne nodded and adjusted his hat. “Same to you, Sheryl,” he said.

  “Now what have I told you about addressing me like that? We aren’t that familiar, Wayne,” she scolded lightly before coming up and taking a seat in a rocking chair.

  Mr. Carson came over next, and he was the very antithesis of his wife, standing very tall and lean. He was a proper man, nothing like Wayne with his bulging musculature and simple manner of dress. “Good day to you, Wayne,” James said before taking his own seat.

  “I take it you both are here to discuss more about the kids,” Wayne guessed.

  “Quick to the bullet, aren’t you, Wayne? Well, you’re right. I just so happen to think that it’s been long enough, and it’s high time we start getting serious about their arrangements,” Sheryl said.

  “Their arrangements are fine. There’s no need to uproot two kids from their daddy, move them halfway across Wyoming and put them at more risk just from the travel alone,” he said.

  “We already mentioned we were considering building a house here,” James said. “This is just you stalling.”

  “There isn’t a way in hell I’m going to let you both keep coming over here and causing trouble. They already said they don’t want to go with you,” Wayne retorted.

  “You see, it’s that brute behavior of yours that makes me really worried about leaving my grandchildren here. We’re going to have to take this to court if you don’t cooperate. You already have your hands full with the ranch, and the kids are always running around here not being minded as it is. You won’t even get a nanny for them,” Sheryl said pointedly.

  “They don’t need a nanny. They’re smart enough to manage themselves while I work,” Wayne said.

  “Then what about when I came rolling up and saw Charlie and Elisabeth playing by the well again?” Sheryl said narrowing her eyes and leaning forward. “You think that’s smart enough? They’re children and don’t know any better, and they need guidance. I fail to see why this even needs anymore discussion,” she said.

  Wayne was about to say something, but suddenly Elisabeth ran out of the house and hugged both James and Sheryl. “I missed you two!” she said happily.

  Sheryl’s venomous demeanor turned loving and sweet when she caught glimpse of her granddaughter. “Well, I missed you, too, you sweet thing you! How would you like to come stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a bit?” she asked.

  Wayne stood upright at that one. “Now don’t you think you can just come here and start playing mind games with the kids,” he said angrily.

  Elisabeth looked shocked. “Why can’t I, Daddy?” she asked softly.

  Wayne grimaced a bit, but then pointed to the door. “You need to finish your food, and all of you need to stay in there until I come back inside,” he said.

  Elisabeth looked confused and hesitated, but after a moment, she ran off inside just as she was told.

  Sheryl chuckled low. “Seems to me like they’d be just fine coming to stay with us,” she said. “That’s fine, though. Once a court looks at all of this evidence, then I’m sorry, but you’re going to lose, Wayne. Two parents that make much more money than you, and two parents who have raised kids before. They’re not going to give you the time of day,” she said as she stood up and walked down the steps slowly.

  If he was any less of a man, he would have knocked her down the steps. James stood up and eyed Wayne condescendingly. “I never wanted you to end up with my daughter anyway, but these kids deserve a better home than this,” he said and walked off with his wife.

  Wayne watched them pull off in all their self-righteousness. When they were finally gone, he kicked the railing on the porch in his agitation about the whole thing. He knew they were just using this to get back at him for stealing their daughter away. Now she was dead, and no matter the reason, they would always blame him. He failed to see how logic escaped them when it came to the kids, however. How would these gifts from God have come to exist without his marriage to Betsy?

  . . .

  A few days passed, and there was still no sign of a woman accepting his proposal. With a summons in hand, the time was drawing nearer and he was getting more desperate. At this point, he was prepared to pay for the woman’s time and even make it a shorter gig.

  He walked into the post office, and j
ust before he was about to speak, he got the news he’d been waiting for. “Hey, Wayne, a telegram came in for you earlier. Care to take a look?” the postmaster asked.

  Wayne couldn’t help but grin ear to ear and walked over quickly. “Sure do!” he said and sat down to look at it.

  To my dearest Wayne Thurgood,

  My name is Chelsea Sharpton, and I happened upon your ad looking for a wife who can care for children and tend the home. I am young, have never been married and have never had children, but it has been all my life that I have spent raising the children in my community and assisting at the schoolhouse. I’m certain I would be perfect for this, so if you accept me, please write me back.

  Sincerely,

  Chelsea Sharpton

  She sounded perfect, and Wayne was getting excited just thinking about it. The fact that she was young was even better because that meant she wouldn’t be clingy. When this was all over, she could go back home, and there would be no more questions asked. “Let’s go ahead and respond to this now,” he said as he vigorously wrote down his response. He couldn’t wait to meet her, and he hoped she was everything she was saying she was. If this all worked out, he wouldn’t have to worry about his meddling in-laws anymore.

  The telegram was sent quickly, and all that was left was to get a response. Wayne was surprised when it came back as quickly as it did, and soon the plans were set. He was one step closer to proving Sheryl and James wrong.

  The postmaster smiled. “It’s been set, and the money has been sent,” he said.

  James thanked him for his time and help and proceeded back home. There was still a load of work to be done around the ranch, and despite the fact that he was already hours behind, he didn’t care. He could work forever now knowing that his kids would be cared for and they would never have to leave him.

  Chapter 2:

  The sun was setting when the train pulled into the station. Wayne stood there with all of his children dressed nice and presentable.