His Prairie Duchess

by Kit Morgan

  Suddenly everything went quiet. Each man looked to the other briefly before they listened intently for any further sounds of disaster. But none were forthcoming. So they waited.

  And waited.

  And waited some more...

  Until finally the door to the store room opened. A single set of footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. Belle entered. Half her hair had been pulled from its chignon. The right sleeve of her dress was torn at the shoulder, the dress itself drenched.

  The men looked at her, horrified, then heard another set of footsteps slowly come down the hall. Sadie emerged looking much the same as Belle. But both women had wide smiles on their faces and looked immensely pleased with them selves. Surely that had to be a good sign!

  Grandma entered then and also smiled. “Well gentlemen, we have someone we’d like you to meet.”

  Several more sets of footsteps could be heard. The men stood as Mrs. Mulligan and the new Mrs. Jones, one on either side, escorted a woman into the room followed by Mrs. Dunnigan and her trusty ladle. At least she hadn’t brought her hatchet to help with the cause.

  But any thoughts of Mrs. Dunnigan’s hatchet quickly disappeared as the petite woman standing between the two older matrons came into full view.

  She was beautiful. At least from what they could see. Her head was down and the hat she wore hid most of her features from them. Mr. Duprie let out a gasp as he approached. “Cozette?”

  She slowly raised her head. Her face was delicate, almost fragile looking. Her eyes a dark green, her skin a beautiful olive. The women had pinned her hair up underneath the hat but all of them could see how it glistened even though only partially dry. She had an odd, almost fairy tale look about her. Like she just stepped out of the pages of a storybook.

  Another crash suddenly brought everyone’s attention to the center of the saloon. Belle and Sadie tried their best not to laugh.

  Duncan sat on the floor next to an overturned chair. He’d gone to sit down but was so transfixed with what stood before him he’d missed the chair completely. In fact, he didn’t even bother to get up. All he could do was sit there and stare at the exquisite creature standing before him.

  Mr. Duprie ignored him and went to his daughter. “Cozette!” he exclaimed as he quickly looked her over. “My beautiful Cozette!” He took her in his arms and held her. “You are more beautiful than I remember! It is good for your papa to see you like this, no?”

  She nodded, the hat now askew from the way he had her crushed against him. I suppose so, papa. I just hope you know what you’re doing. Why must I be a woman now?

  But the dress she wore was beautiful. And she loved the way the soft velvet felt against her skin. The hat too she would treasure. It had ribbons and flowers on it that she could hardly take her eyes from. That is, until they put it on her head of course. It was then Belle placed a mirror in front of her.

  Cozette didn’t recognize the young woman in the mirror who stared back. She’d never seen her before. Not for many years and the last time she saw her she looked much different from the way she did now. And the woman in the mirror wasn’t the only person she didn’t recognize. The man who now sat on the floor and gawked at her like a silly goose couldn’t possibly be Duncan Cooke. Though she knew well he was, he just didn’t look his normal crabby self at the moment.

  Suddenly the doors swung open. A well-dressed man glided into the saloon like a spider and went straight to Cozette. “Well, it’s true then.” He began, his accent like that of the Cooke brothers. “There is a woman in town. And what a woman you are, my dear. Charming! And just as beautiful.”

  Duncan sprang to his feet. Cozette cringed slightly. Now she recognized him. The look he was giving the other Englishman was anything but friendly. Cozette wondered briefly if he wouldn’t hesitate to toss the newcomer over his knee and give him a good whooping.

  “Mr. Holmes. What are you doing here?” Duncan demanded.

  “Simply seeing to my interests. I have a schedule to keep and wish to wrap this whole thing up as soon as possible.”

  “Does that mean you’re leaving?”

  “That depends on my...” he turned to Cozette and looked her up and down, “...interests.”

  Cozette tried to ignore the sick feeling that sank to the pit of her stomach like a piece of lead. There was something in the newcomer’s eyes that didn’t seem right.

  “You that Englishman Mr. Van Cleet tell of. You have no business here. Be off!” Mr. Duprie said and waved him toward the saloon doors.

  “I have as much right to be here as these people. This establishment is open to the public after all.”

  “It’s a private party and I don’t recall inviting you.” Duncan said through clenched teeth as he began to move toward him.

  Cozette backed up a step and the newcomer grabbed her by the arm. She froze. His hand was like ice. The cold immediately seeped through the fabric of her dress to the delicate flesh beneath.

  In one stride Duncan was on them, his fist pulled back and already heading straight for the newcomer’s face. But instead of connecting with his nose, it landed in Mr. Duprie’s hand. “There will be no fighting today. This one reason I keep Cozette hidden! You stop! We are in agreement, you and I!”

  He shoved Duncan’s hand away then turned to the man called Mr. Holmes and detached his from Cozette. A strange chill suddenly covered her entire body. It was an ugly feeling and she felt as if his hand still gripped her.

  Duncan suddenly wedged himself between Mr. Holmes and Cozette. She stepped back as he placed himself in front of her like a shield. Was he trying to protect her? Considering how Mr. Holmes made her skin crawl, she didn’t mind Duncan’s tall body blocking her view of the other man. But what was wrong with her? She normally would have been off like a shot. But no, she froze at his icy touch. Just like a... well... just like a girl! Maybe it was the dress and the hat.

  “Duprie’s right, you have no business here. I strongly suggest you leave.” Duncan told him.

  Cozette leaned to one side to peek around Duncan and see Mr. Holmes's reaction. He looked Duncan up and down like he was the lowliest of peasants, glanced to the rest of the men assembled, and then stepped away.

  “Rest assured I will be back to see to my interests. This time he looked at Cozette as if he’d like to eat her for lunch. Cozette darted behind Duncan once again to block any view of the man. She shivered, yet could feel the heat coming from Duncan’s body. It permeated the cold surrounding her and seeped its way into her very skin. Before she realized what she was doing, she took a step closer to soak in the warmth radiating from him.

  Mr. Holmes turned to her father a brief moment. “If I may, I’d like to speak with you. This is your daughter I take it?”

  “She is.”

  Mr. Holmes sent Duncan a smirk then turned back to her father. Cozette now peeked around the other side of her human shield to watch what her father would do. “Excellent. Take a walk with me, will you?”

  “I rather not. You leave now.”

  “Oh, but I wouldn’t send me away just yet. You haven’t heard what I have to say.”

  “I no want to hear! You go!” Her father boomed. Cozette knew that tone of voice, and if Mr. Holmes knew what was good for him, he’d hightail it out of the saloon pronto!

  Mr. Holmes took a few steps closer to her father and whispered something in his ear. Cozette had excellent hearing and caught a few words, but not enough to make any sense of them. Her father obviously didn’t care for whatever it was he’d heard if the piercing glare he gave Mr. Holmes was an indicator. Cozette wished she could see what sort of looks Duncan was giving him at the moment but it was impossible from her position.

  “I’m afraid you’re going to regret you didn’t take that walk.” And with that, Mr. Holmes glided out of the saloon the same way he’d glided in. Like a big hungry spider.

  * * *

  Mrs. Dunnigan, Mrs. Mulligan and Grandma quickly sprang into action as soon as Mr. Holmes
left. They went upstairs to the living quarters a few moments and soon returned with tablecloths, plates, silverware and napkins. The women set two tables then with the help of Mr. Mulligan began to bring food down from the upstairs kitchen. They laid out the food on the bar and Mrs. Dunnigan took up her post behind it to serve.

  “Dig in, everyone! It’s on us!” Mr. Mulligan announced.

  Harrison and Colin were the first to grab a plate off a table and go to the bar. Sadie and Belle had disappeared to change into dryer clothing. They’d brought extra just in case. A good thing too. Mr. Mulligan still hadn’t seen the back room, but if the looks of the two women said anything, it said mess! He decided to eat first, clean later.

  Duncan still hadn’t moved. Neither had Cozette. She still hid behind him even though there was no one to hide from. Her father had stepped to a table to get a plate, but not before he let go a long sigh. It told her everything was finished and done. She could relax.

  “Are you alright?” Duncan asked her, his voice soft and low. He slowly turned, as if he was afraid he’d startle her, and looked down at her face.

  She’d never been this close to him before, face to face that is, and lifted her eyes up enough to take in his own. They were dark in color like his brother Harrison’s, but darker still because of what he’d seen with them. The other Cooke brother also held the same look in his hazel eyes, whereas Harrison’s were void of it. Cozette had seen the same look in the eyes of other men. Ones who had seen horrors beyond description, and it made her wonder. What horrors had this man seen and experienced?

  He continued to look at her, taking her in. “He didn’t hurt you did he? Your arm, I mean?”

  Cozette quickly glanced to her father. He had his back to her. How could he so easily ignore her after all she’d just been through that morning? But he was, and she could almost bet he was doing it on purpose.

  She slowly looked back to Duncan and shook her head no. No, he didn’t hurt me, but it felt as if he was going to. She didn’t trust this Holmes. Where did he come from? Why was he in town?

  “I’m relieved to hear... I mean, know that he did you no harm. I dare say, but you’re stunning. I never would have thought that under all that dirt... er, ah... that you would look so lovely. But I was wrong.”

  Cozette took a step back. She suddenly realized that he too, was stunning.

  “I was wrong about several things concerning you. Our first meeting for one.”

  She again looked up at him, and caught the remorse in his eyes. But are you really remorseful? Or only because you now know I’m a woman?

  “Miss Duprie,” Duncan began. “I’m afraid you’re going to cause quite a stir in town. I don’t think you realize how lovely you are. The men here, well, I’m afraid women being as scarce as they are, are going to want to pursue you.”

  That got her attention. It was the main reason her father disguised her as a boy in the first place! To keep the men away! She quickly looked to her father who sat at a table with Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan eating. He still did not look her way or acknowledge her. Just what are you up to, Papa?

  “I... I’ve already spoken with your father about... offering my services as your protector.”

  She took another step back to look at him. Really look at him. He was so much taller than she and powerfully built. He had a slight sheen of sweat on his brow and his dark eyes looked as if they wanted to soak her up. There was a hint of hope in them for something. But for what she did not know. Why would you make such an offer to my father in the first place?

  The words were right there, yet no sound came out. She glanced to her father once more, then back to Duncan. She cocked her head slightly to one side and raised her brow. Why?

  “You’re curious as to my offer?”

  She gave him the barest of nods.

  “Because I’ve seen what can happen to a woman left unprotected out here. You might have not had to worry about it before Miss Duprie, but in your current state of dress and shall we say, beauty, no man will be able to resist the temptation to... take you. Perhaps against your will.”

  Her eyes widened at that. She swallowed hard and took another step back.

  “You needn’t worry about me. I am first and foremost a gentleman.” His voice was softer than before and drew her to him as if he’d placed an invisible rope around her waist. “Your father and I have an agreement,” he practically whispered. “I will be your protector.”

  His eyes glistened with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. No man had ever looked at her the way Duncan Cooke was looking at her. She’d never seen such a look. But one thing she read in his eyes was clear. Duncan had most definitely just made his mind up about something.

  The question was, what?

  Five

  On the Seventh day...

  Duncan watched for stray cattle as he puzzled about what came over him when the Duprie girl looked into his eyes the day before. It was like getting punched in the gut by a huge, invisible fist. His knees went weak and actually gave way as the thing hit him sank and into his bones and afterwards. Well, odd as it sounded, afterwards he felt as if he and the Duprie girl had somehow been fused together. And in that moment Duncan swore he heard a voice in his head, or maybe throughout his whole being. Had it been the good Lord above? Or simply his own lonely heart screaming out the bloody truth. You need someone in your life. You’re lonely. To marry would ease the pain from prison and give you something of your own to live for. To protect. To give you a woman to die for. And this one, this woman before you, is she.

  Had Harrison felt like this when he’d first laid eyes on Sadie? What about Colin? Didn’t he tell him it was love at first sight with Belle? Was any of this normal? Perhaps he’d been so worried about taking care of this Duke business he’d lost sight of himself somehow. Maybe that’s how she’d so utterly overwhelmed him. It had to be. His reaction to her just wasn’t natural. Or was it? How long had it been since a woman affected him that way? Too long. And only because there weren’t any women around to do the affecting! Colin had staken claim on Belle from the beginning. Duncan saw it in his eyes the first time she came to the ranch for a sewing circle. He smiled at the memory, recalling how he and Harrison aided Colin in his quest to court Belle. Duncan certainly hoped his two brothers didn’t decide he needed the same kind of help to secure the Duprie girl. But did he want to secure her? Or did he want to win her? Woo her into his arms?

  His agreement with her father had already secured her for him. But now... now Duncan realized he wanted to truly win her. But how?

  Yes, they’d been able to communicate to a certain extent the day before. He’d gotten them both a plate and she did not deny him his offer of provision when he handed it to her. They sat opposite one another at a table with Harrison, Colin, Sadie and Belle. Cozette seemed to calm with the two other women sitting on either side of her. And that was fine for yesterday. But what about the next few weeks? He had only so much time to court and marry her before the set deadline.

  And then there was Thackary Holmes. What sort of game was he playing?

  “You missed one.”

  Duncan jumped slightly in his saddle and startled his horse enough to have to pull on the reins to steady him. Harrison let go a chuckle. “For once one of us was actually able to sneak up on you! I don’t believe it! This is a day to go down in history!”

  Duncan scowled. “Hardly. But I was lost in thought. I’m afraid I’ve done more than my share of wool gathering lately.”

  Harrison kicked his horse and headed toward the stray he’d spotted. “You can still back out. But then, I’d be lying if I told you it doesn’t matter to me. Father would want you to have it.”

  “And I will, but I want to do this the right way. I’ll not have a wife who runs from me like a frightened filly.” Duncan said as he rode beside him.

  “She’s certainly skittish, more like a wild filly than simply a frightened one.”

  Duncan stopped his horse. “What
did you say?”

  Harrison stopped as well, and leaned on the saddle horn. “She’s like a wild filly. I dare say, you’re going to have a time of it breaking that one.”

  Duncan thought a moment. Harrison had just given him an idea. “Sometimes it’s not a matter of breaking, but of simply taming.”

  “Do you want her to fall in love with you?” Harrison asked.

  “I will do what I have to for our family.”

  “You don’t have to make it sound like such a sacrifice, dear brother. Colin and I married for love. Why not you? Can you see yourself falling in love with her? You have to admit, she’s quite beautiful now that she’s all cleaned up.”

  “Yes, a beautiful piece of property needed to seal our family’s fortune.”

  “Duncan, give it some time.”

  “Time, little brother, is not something I have much of.”

  “But time enough, if you spend enough of it with her. And after what I saw yesterday, it may not take as much time as you think.”

  Harrison tipped his hat, kicked his horse into a canter, rounded up the stray, and drove it back to the herd which grazed nearby.

  If only it was that easy to round up Miss Duprie and drive her to the alter. But perhaps if he was gentle enough with her, as one would be when taming a filly, she’d be more receptive to the idea.

  * * *

  “Now, let’s try this one on.” Sadie said as Belle helped Cozette out of the dress she’d just managed to get her into. Grandma Waller had driven Cozette and her father out to the Triple C ranch so Sadie and Belle could have the chance to fit her for more dresses. Some would have to be taken in as Belle contributed several while the others Sadie pulled from her own wardrobe. Which, Cozette noticed, was quite extensive. But dresses were not on Cozette’s mind today. Instead a certain English cowboy kept pushing his way into her thoughts. He even made it hard to enjoy the pretty tea cups and saucers she’d seen set out on the dining room table for later. Not to mention the lovely wall paper in Sadie’s bedroom or the beautiful bed and it’s wonderful coverlet. She’d heard Sadie’s father Horatio Jones had money. She didn’t realize how much until she came out to the ranch house he’d built for his daughter and new son-in-law.