His Prairie Duchess

by Kit Morgan

  It’s all so very lovely! And you are both being so kind to me. How can I ever repay you?

  Again, the words were right there, yet would not come. It frustrated her not to be able to speak to them. So much so a tear formed in one eye, but she brushed it away before it could fall and continued to let the women pull and tug at the clothing she wore. All of which was more lovely than anything Cozette had ever worn in her life.

  The more she tried the dresses on, the more she wanted to wear them. She never thought she would ever look like a girl. She’d accepted the fact that acting and dressing like one was far too impractical for the sort of life she and her father led. But Anton Duprie had obviously decided to settle down, and that meant no more travelling the wild or crossing the grand prairies to get from one place to another. Which meant he must also expect her to do the same. Settle down.

  But how? She didn’t know the first thing about ... anything!

  But I want to learn. Yes, I want to learn! And you two will teach me, no? To sew a pretty dress, to cook a lovely meal. To have tea with ladies like yourselves. But will you accept me? You’ve seen me. Know how I have lived. Will I always be like some sort of savage in your eyes?

  Sometimes Cozette was glad she could not speak. Then she couldn’t ask questions she might not like the answers to.

  “Oh this one is beautiful on you!” Belle exclaimed. “I think we should take a break and go downstairs and have tea.”

  “I agree. This has been a busy morning. I wonder, would your father like to join us?” Sadie asked.

  Cozette automatically opened her mouth to speak. She’d not done that before. It hung open, her eyes wide. Of course it was a natural thing for Sadie or Belle to do. But not for her. Why did it happen now? She shut her mouth and looked from one woman to the other. She offered them a simple shrug. I do not know.

  “Well,” Sadie began. “Let’s go find out. If he’s still here. He said he was going to take a look around.”

  Cozette nodded and the three women went downstairs. Cozette sat in the parlor while Sadie went to get the kettle of water and Belle went to get her father. But as he was nowhere to be found, they retreated to the dining room and prepared their tea.

  Cozette watched in fascination as Sadie poured. “Would you like sugar?” She asked.

  Cozette looked to the delicate little china bowl full of sugar. What was she supposed to do? She’d never had tea before. She looked helplessly to Sadie.

  “Oh, is this your first time to tea?”

  Cozette bit her bottom lip and gave a single nod. She could feel herself begin to blush with the disclosure. But it was only tea. She shouldn’t feel so ashamed. But she was. What would they think of her now?

  “Let me serve you then. Try a sip and then if you want to sweeten it, add a little sugar.”

  Sadie poured then set the cup and saucer in front of her as Belle took a seat. Cozette watched as Sadie served her as well then poured herself a cup.

  “Go on, Cozette. It’s wonderful! Try it.” Belle urged.

  Cozette carefully picked up the tea cup. Sadie and Belle did the same. The two women took a small sip then set their cups down with a delicate clink of china. Cozette raised the cup to her lips. She felt the heat from the hot beverage, smelled the spicy sweet scent and drank in the feel and color of the china cup in her hands. The whole affair gave her a satisfaction she could not described. It was like a dream she had as a child, yet could not remember, was coming true. She took a tiny sip. The hot brew was heavenly. A slight tremor raced down her spine as she sat in pure bliss.

  “Would you like to try it with some sugar?” Sadie asked.

  Cozette sat, the tea cup still in hand, and again automatically opened her mouth to speak. She froze, her mouth still open, and again looked from one woman to the other. Perhaps the words were trying to come out of their own accord. She licked her lips, swallowed, and waited to see if they would come again. But no. Nothing. She closed her eyes a moment in silent defeat, and tried to keep her lower lip from shaking.

  She set down her cup as she’d seen them do, and shyly nodded. Just as Sadie spooned some sugar into her cup, the front door opened. Sadie stood up. “Mr. Duprie?”

  But it was not Mr. Duprie who entered the dining room. It was Duncan. He stopped up short, Colin and Harrison right behind him, and stared, a rather shocked look on his face.

  Colin walked right into him. “I dare say, Duncan. But are your feet nailed to the floor?”

  Duncan stood solid as a tree and said nothing. He could only stare.

  Sadie looked from Duncan, to Cozette, and back again. She smiled. Now this was certainly a familiar scenario. She remembered when Colin had been dragged into the parlor by his brothers and it was Belle and Colin everyone noticed had an eye for one another.

  “Your lunch is in the kitchen.” Sadie announced. “We ladies will continue with our tea if you don’t mind.”

  Harrison took in Duncan’s open-mouthed stare and grinned. “Oh Colin and I don’t mind. More for us if Duncan can’t make his feet move to the kitchen! Lovely to see you again, Miss Duprie. We had no idea our wives had a guest.”

  Duncan tore his gaze away from Cozette long enough to scowl at his brothers. But then the thing that fused them together the day before pulled at him and his gaze was suddenly locked again with her own.

  Colin looked at him, waved a hand in front of his face, and laughed.

  “Enough you two!” Sadie scolded. “Go eat!”

  Duncan shook himself out of his trance and forced his feet to move. “Are you ladies quite comfortable? Do you need anything?”

  Belle hid a smile. “No, Duncan. But thank you for asking.”

  “After you eat why don’t you have a cookie and a cup before heading back out?” Sadie suggested.

  Duncan’s chest began to rise and fall as his breathing picked up. “I’ll do that.” He spun on the heel of his boot and quickly left.

  Cozette let go the breath she’d been holding and slumped in her chair. Sadie immediately sat as Belle took a quick sip of tea. They both eyed Cozette with an unfamiliar gleam in their eyes.

  Oh dear. What ever are they thinking?

  “I do believe Duncan was admiring Cozette in that dress.” Sadie stated.

  “It’s a lovely color on you,” Belle said. “I think we should also try the yellow.”

  Cozette fingered the pretty laced trimmed collar then unconsciously smoothed the fabric of the skirt. It was a lovely pink calico with a hint of green that brought just the right amount of color out in her eyes. She smiled at the compliment and blushed at the thought of Duncan being pleased with how she looked. She didn’t want his approval. Didn’t need it. But it affected her nonetheless. Her stomach flipped in response and she placed a hand over it. Truth be told she found the sensation fascinating and wondered when it would happen again.

  “Try your tea with the sugar. I think you’ll like it.” Sadie said. “Duncan loves sugar in his tea. He has a horrible sweet tooth.”

  Cozette fought against a smile. He’s not the only one!

  “He absolutely adores chocolate.” Sadie then added. “You don’t happen to bake do you?”

  Cozette stopped sipping her tea and slowly set her cup down. She looked away, ashamed of her lack of skill. With a stove at any rate...

  Belle and Sadie quickly glanced at one another. Belle spoke first. “Oh but it’s easy to learn. My aunt is giving me lessons. She’s the best cook around. I’m sure she’d teach you too if I asked her.”

  Cozette’s eyes widened slightly. She knew well who Belle’s aunt was.

  “You can come with me next week if you like. Aunt Irene is going to teach me how to make bread and pot roast.”

  Cozette smiled in relief and looked right at Belle. I would love to! So long as you are there with me. And provided your aunt isn’t going to try to hit me with her ladle.

  Belle gave her a warm smile in return. “It’s settled then. You and I will learn how to make bread
and pot roast next week!”

  “And I can teach you how to bake cakes and cookies if you like.” Sadie added.

  Cozette’s smile positively exploded. She nodded to Sadie in thanks. You have no idea what a gift you are giving me! It’s like a dream come true! No more cooking over campfires! To learn how to cook on a stove! I’m so excited to learn!

  Cozette suddenly stopped speaking in her head as she realized her mouth was also moving, though no sound escaped. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand and turned away. Often times her mouth wouldn't move at all. Until lately that is.

  Sadie leaned toward her. “It’s all right. You don’t have to be embarrassed. We understand. Has it been a long time since you lost your voice?”

  Cozette slowly looked back to her and nodded. So long now, I do not remember when I last spoke. But I know that if I ever do speak again, I will do it well. I read when ever I can, and that is how I speak in my head now. Shakespeare, the Bible, I love to read...

  “It must be hard at times.” Belle said then added. “Don’t think I’m prying, but can you write?”

  Cozette smiled shyly and nodded.

  “Oh that’s wonderful! This makes things so much easier. But I must say, it’s so easy to understand you, even without writing anything down for us!”

  You have no idea how long I’ve had to communicate this way. Cozette gave her a big smile and nodded at the compliment.

  “I would love to hear about some of the adventures you and your father have had.” Belle told her. “I’m sure some of them were quite exciting.”

  Cozette’s smile faded. Again, you have no idea. There are so many I do not wish to remember. She looked at them solemnly.

  “Oh, but you don’t have to share them with us if you don’t want to.” Belle told her gently.

  “Only if you want to.” Sadie said and reached for the teapot. “More tea, anyone?”

  And as Sadie poured them each a second cup, Cozette wondered if any of the things she and her father had been through were fit tales to go along with tea.

  Unfortunately, there was not a one.

  Six

  Duncan sat at the kitchen table with his brothers and watched as they devoured their lunch. He looked at the sandwiches Sadie and Belle had prepared but suddenly had no appetite. Why did this little slip of a woman affect him this way? He’d dreamed of women in prison, it was one of the things that kept him sane. He’d dreamed of things he probably shouldn’t have, and as soon as they had the first church service in Clear Creek, he’d repent from every last one of them. But this was different. This was not a lustful desire that came over him whenever she was near. No, this was like being near a chalice filled with a magical elixir that if he didn’t drink of it, he would surely die.

  “I say, old boy,” Colin began. “But are you all right? You’ve not touched your meal.”

  No he wasn’t all right! It was all he could do to stay in his chair. He wanted to run into the dining room, scoop the Duprie girl into his arms, run up to his room and claim her. Claim her in the most primal of ways, yet also in the most beautiful. To make their bodies not only sing together, but become something new. To merge into one.

  Good Lord! What was happening to him?

  “I’m fine.” Duncan said tersely. “I’ll take a sandwich with me. Just not hungry right now.”

  Harrison and Colin both got up from the table. “Perhaps if you started with dessert, it would whet your appetite for more.” Harrison said and jabbed Colin in the ribs.

  “Ah, yes,” Colin began, taking the cue. “A spot of tea and a few sweets will set you right. Why don’t you go on into the dining room and have Belle pour you a cup?”

  Duncan glared at his brothers. “Are you two going to have some?”

  “Oh not us.” Harrison quickly said. “Couldn’t eat another bite. I’ve had my fill, time to return to work.”

  Harrison turned toward the back door of the kitchen. He slapped Duncan on the back as he left. Colin was next to leave, but not before he said, “It’s going to be a long hard afternoon out there. Be sure to take the sandwiches when you leave. But do go in and have a spot of tea first. We know you’ll catch up.”

  “I’ll do that.” Duncan said.

  Colin left him to go join Harrison. Duncan sat in silence a few moments and stared at the food in front of him. If he thought on it, he was hungry. But not for food. No, he hungered for something more than physical sustenance. What he felt now went beyond any sort of natural need. In fact, he’d go so far as to say this went so much deeper. Again, it wasn’t lust. And it was too soon for him to have fallen in love with the girl. So if it wasn’t that, then what was it?

  Sadie and Belle’s laughter floated into the kitchen from the dining room. He supposed he’d best go in there and find out.

  Duncan wrapped the sandwiches in a linen napkin, took two steps in the direction of the dining room, then promptly spun on his heel and hightailed it out the kitchen’s back door after his brothers.

  * * *

  On the Eighth day...

  Nothing. Despite the fact Duncan knew he needed to get this courting business underway, he just couldn’t quite bring himself to see Cozette. But the longer he stayed away, the more strangely he felt. But to see her meant he’d have to keep himself under tight control and the question of course was, could he do it?

  On the Ninth day...

  He was struck with the brilliant idea that he’d just have to make sure he was never alone with her. Good Lord, why hadn’t he thought of that before! It wasn’t only the proper thing to do, but it might well keep him from doing something incredibly stupid.

  And on the Tenth day...

  Duncan tried to dodge the oncoming fist, but wasn’t quick enough. The blow his brother delivered actually knocked him onto the seat of his pants! Thankfully he’d landed in some hay. They were in the barn and had just put their horses up for the night.

  Colin looked down at him and studied his face. “See, I told you!” He lamented to Harrison. “Look at him! He just sits there and does nothing! You’d think I’d be sporting two black eyes by now after sending him such a blow!”

  Harrison stepped over to Duncan and held out his hand to help him up. Duncan only glared at it. “I dare say old boy, but you’re certainly not yourself of late. Are you going to tell us what’s the matter or do we need to keep testing you to find out?”

  Duncan got up, growling as he did, and faced them both. “I can’t explain it. I need to start courting her but can’t bring myself to do it!”

  “Does she no longer hold appeal for you, dear brother?” Harrison asked.

  “That’s the problem. She holds far too much appeal.”

  “Ahhhh...” Colin began. “Then why don’t we lend a hand? Sadie chaperoned Belle and I and did a fine job of it too.”

  “I’m sorry to say, but this will take more than Sadie’s company to do the job properly.”

  Harrison and Colin exchanged a quick look. Harrison let go a low whistle. “Understood. I remember how hard it was for me. I’m sure Colin suffered it as well. We’re not made of iron you know. But is it really that bad? Or is there something else?”

  Duncan let go a shaky laugh. “I wish there was something else, but no. I’m afraid of my own actions before hand. More so than I’ve ever been. And I cannot even begin to tell you why. Suffice to say, I’m afraid I’d frighten her away if not careful, not to mention face her father’s gun.”

  “Dear, dear. You do have it bad!” Harrison exclaimed. “What we need then is an event. Something with lots of people present.”

  “A dinner?” Colin suggested.

  “No, something more festive I should think.”

  Duncan sighed. “A dance?”

  His brothers smiled. “Perfect!” Colin said and slapped Duncan on the back.

  Duncan rubbed his jaw where Colin punched him. “When?”

  “As soon as possible,” Harrison began excitedly. “Of course the women will want to p
repare for it, but we could have them include Cozette in the planning!”

  “I suppose ...” Duncan said with a heavy sigh.

  “You suppose? Duncan, we’re running out of time. You’ve got to pull yourself together!” Colin told him with a dramatic wave of his hand.

  “The problem with this whole thing is Cozette will be the only unmarried female there. The men will be all over her. The thought of that makes me want to...” Duncan looked them both in the eye. “Kill something.”

  “Ahhh, I think someone is more attached than he cares to admit.” Harrison teased.

  “We could invite the settlers. They’re stuck outside of town until more supplies come in. Belle said Wilfred found out they have a few unmarried daughters among the families. That should even things out.”

  “Yes, so long as their daughters are older than six!” Duncan quipped.

  “It will be fine, and good for everyone. I think Clear Creek could use another little celebration. It won’t be anything like a grand ball, but most folks do love a good dance! And besides, you’ll have to get used to hosting these sorts of things anyway... your Grace.”

  Duncan rolled his eyes at the remark. “Don’t remind me. All right, let’s do it.”

  And so the three Cooke brothers left the barn to go tell the Cooke women they were going to be hosting a dance.

  Little did any of them know what they would be bringing into their midst.

  * * *

  On the Eleventh day...

  Word was getting out about the dance and it quickly became the topic around town. Duncan went to look for the Dupries but couldn’t find them. He certainly hoped they hadn’t taken to the woods again or were camped out on the prairie somewhere.

  On the Twelfth day...

  Duncan still had no clue where the Dupries had got to and hadn’t been able to get to town to ask either. Logan Kincaid had a lot of questions and decided to start teaching the brothers what he thought they should be doing with their new-found cattle business. Everything he taught them within two days was incredibly useful, but wouldn’t help Duncan in his quest for a wife! Not if it kept taking up so much time! At this rate he might know all there was about cattle ranching, but could well lose something more precious to Thackary Holmes. And it wasn’t just the title and estate he was worried about. Thackary Holmes seemed to have disappeared as well and the thought of Thackary weaving some web around the Dupries set his teeth to grinding. He’d even asked Jefferson to keep an eye out for the Dupries when he came to town. But just how much could he count on Jefferson to carry out his request? Jefferson acted like he didn’t care. Truth be told, Jefferson didn’t care about anything.