Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

  “I love Albert just the way he is,” Anne announced. “Between his cantankerousness and my temper, we’re perfect for each other, and our marriage certainly won’t be dull.”

  Henry and Ben both grabbed Anne, kissing her and welcoming her to the family and then shook Albert’s hand.

  Thomas hugged his son and kissed Anne, announcing, “We must have champagne. Ben, run down to the cellar and get a bottle. And we must sit down and plan their engagement party.”

  “Father,” Albert began, “Anne and I want the wedding as soon as possible, and we want to concentrate on that. An engagement party really isn’t necessary.”

  “Yes it is! I’ve waited a very long time for one of my sons to marry. Now I’m going to have my wish, and I want everyone to know. We’ll have it next Saturday. We’ll send a wire to your sister and see if she’ll come. Besides, you can’t arrange to have the wedding that quickly. We’ll invite everyone in Carson City.”

  Turning to Anne, Albert asked, “Is that all right?”

  Smiling at her future father-in-law she said, “Of course, whatever your family wants. It’s not every day a Stuart man is married,” she laughed.

  “All right, but Anne and I are concentrating on wedding plans. The three of you will have to plan this little party.”

  “We will,” Thomas told them. “Ben, open that bottle. Henry, get George, he’s a part of this family, too, and grab six glasses.”

  While Henry and Ben did Thomas’ bidding, Thomas asked to see her ring.

  “How did you know?” she asked.

  “I know my son, Albert, would have seen to that. I bet he had it commissioned in San Francisco. Besides, your left hand hasn’t left your pocket,” he replied.

  Anne held out her hand, looking into Albert’s eyes, and asked the older man, “Isn’t it beautiful? I’ll never take it off.”

  Walking back into the room, Henry looked at it as he whistled, saying, “Dang, Albert, that thing is almost too big for her hand. Couldn’t you find her a bigger one?”

  “No, Henry, it was the biggest one I could find,” Albert laughed. “I want every man to be able to see it so everyone will know she’s spoken for.”

  “Henry, don’t tease, it’s perfect. I love it. Albert picked it for me and I would not want anything different,” Anne told him.

  After everyone gathered in the great room, Thomas accepted a glass from Ben as he waited for the rest of his family to be served and then began his toast. “Today, my eldest son has made my dream come true. For years I have prayed for my sons to find women who would love them and make them happy. Albert, I had begun to wonder if you could find a woman who would live up to your expectations and you evidently have in Anne. Son, your mother would be so very proud if she were here.” After a moment Thomas added, “Now that I think about it, I swear she and Margaret planned this years ago. Anne, welcome to our family.”

  As they drank their champagne, Albert congratulated himself on finding the perfect woman for himself. Anne is perfect for me. She loves me, yet won’t allow herself to be overshadowed by me. She has a strong sense of self-worth, so different from the other women I’ve been involved with who depended on me for everything. She is everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

  “Now can we eat?” Henry asked. “Champagne makes me hungry.”

  “Everything makes you hungry,” Ben laughed.

  George came to the young couple, bowing and telling them, “Miss Anne, Mr. Albert. A thousand blessings on your house. May it be overflowing with your love and your children.”

  “Thank you, George. As a matter of fact, Anne was just telling me just how many children she wanted,” Albert began.

  “Albert, that was private!”

  “I know, sweetheart, I just want to let George know we have plans on filling our house with children,” Albert replied.

  “Good, I need grandchildren and soon. Your sister and you need to make good on it. I’m not getting any younger!” Thomas laughed.

  “And neither is Albert,” Ben added, laughing.

  That night at dinner they discussed the wedding, the house, and their party. Thomas asked, “Are you inviting anyone from England to the wedding, Anne?”

  “I would like to, Mr. Stuart, but I don’t know if they would be able to arrive in time as fast as Albert wants to get married,” she answered. “Besides, with all of the love and support that you all have shown me, you’ve made me feel that my family is sitting right here with me. I don’t need anyone else. But you’re inviting Mary and her husband, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, yes,” Thomas replied. “I’ll send them a wire tomorrow telling them to come.”

  Albert took her hand, kissing it as they smiled at each other. Thomas watched the exchange between the two, thinking, Elizabeth, our son has found his other half. Albert will be alright from here on out.

  After dinner, when they retired to the great room for coffee, as Anne sat making notes of details for their wedding, Henry volunteered, “Albert, I’d be glad to give you a hand with the house.”

  “Me, too,” Ben offered.

  “I would appreciate all of the help I can get. I don’t want Anne to see it until the wedding. The sooner I finish it, the better. We had discussed staying in the little cabin out there until the house is completed, but with all of your help that won’t be necessary.”

  “What about Anne’s house? Couldn’t you stay there until yours is finished? There won’t be anyone staying there,” Ben asked.

  Anne watched for Albert’s response, as he replied, “No, Ben. We do not want to stay there. It will be in our house or the little cabin.”

  “Well, if we all pitch in, we can have it done in two weeks,” Thomas declared. “Branding is done and anything else on the ranch can be handled by the ranch hands.”

  “Father, I can’t ask you to do that,” Albert told him. “Being one man short will be difficult enough for you to deal with.”

  “You didn’t ask, I volunteered. Your brothers and I want to help you two in any way we can,” Thomas replied.

  “I can help, too,” Anne offered.

  “No, the house is a surprise, and you’re going to be too busy with the wedding,” Albert told her. “I’ll help as much as I can with the arrangements, but if you can manage that, it would be a big help, and I can concentrate my efforts on the house.”

  “Agreed!” she told him. “I’ll see to the wedding arrangements. If there’s something I believe we need to discuss, we will. Otherwise I’ll accept the responsibility of planning it.”

  After the brothers drew up a rough schedule for the house, Henry said, “If you don’t need me and Ben any more tonight, we wanted to ride into town and see what’s going on.”

  “Hey, Albert, why don’t you go with us?” Ben grinned. “Might just be your last chance to kick up your heels and have a good time before you’re married.”

  Anne watched with interest to see Albert’s response. “No, Ben, I better not. There are things Anne and I have to discuss. You and Henry go on. We’ll start work on the house day after tomorrow,” Albert told them. “After our meeting with Mr. Lawrence, I can concentrate on everything else.”

  “Well, while you two and Father are at your meeting, Ben and I can go up and finish clearing the brush,” Henry told him.

  “That would be helpful, and then the following morning we’ll get started. I’ve already arranged for the lumber to be delivered that day, and we can set the posts at first light,” Albert explained.

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll be getting back after you folks are in bed, so good night, see you tomorrow,” Ben replied, grinning.

  Albert caught a brief glimmer in Anne’s eyes and instantly knew something was wrong. “Yes, Albert,” she began. “Maybe you should go kick up your heels and have a good time.”

  “No, Anne, I am done with that life,” he told her.

  Thomas, sensing there was something amiss, told them, “I’m going to walk your brother
s outside and check on a few things.”

  *****

  When the house was empty except for the two of them, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, except why do I get the impression you were torn about going to town with your brothers and having a good time or staying here with me?”

  “I wasn’t torn. I have no intention of going to town and sitting in a saloon,” he told her.

  “Evidently, Ben thought there was a chance you would or else he wouldn’t have invited you,” she said.

  “Anne, this isn’t the first time my brothers have asked me to go into town with them. Each time I’ve refused. There was a time that, yes, I did go with them and, yes, I had a good time. However, all of that was before you. I haven’t been into town other than on business since I met you.

  Looking at him for a long time, she said, “I apologize. I was out of line; I should have questioned your intentions.”

  “No, you have that right now, just as I do with you,” Albert told her. “I haven’t the slightest interest in anything now except you, our wedding, and our house. Anne, don’t ever doubt my commitment to you. It is you who I want. I don’t need anything or anyone else.”

  After the brothers had left, Anne had wanted to speak to Thomas with only Albert present. When he returned, she began, “Mr. Stuart, I know I’ve imposed on you far too much already, but I have one more favor I must ask of you. Due to the present circumstances, I have no one to give me away at our wedding. I know it’s asking a great deal, but would you?”

  “Anne, it would be my honor,” Thomas told her.

  “Thank you,” she said, hugging the older man. “It means a great deal to me that you’re willing to do so.”

  They sat, discussing what time they would leave the following morning for town. The magistrate would meet with them at ten after Mr. Lawrence arrived on the nine o’clock stage.

  “We should leave by eight,” Albert suggested. “Mr. Lawrence will not know anyone in town. Someone should be there to meet him.”

  “With that settled, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I believe I’ll retire for the night,” Anne announced.

  “I’m ready for bed, also. Good night, Father,” Albert said.

  “Albert,” Thomas stopped him, “may I speak to you for a minute?”

  Sensing Thomas wanted to speak to his son alone, Anne excused herself. “Albert, I’ll go on to bed. I’ll see you both in the morning.”

  After they heard the door to her room close, Albert asked his father, “What’s wrong?”

  “Ray stopped by this morning after you and Anne left. He wanted to speak to you regarding John and Young. Albert, they both escaped.”

  “What?” Albert asked, not believing what he had heard. “How could they allow something like that to happen?”

  Thomas repeated everything Ray and then Chuck had told him, finally saying, “John has already been captured on the road heading towards California. Young has been seen heading in the same direction. Ray has wired every town between here and San Francisco to be on the lookout for him. He’s confident Young will be captured very soon. I didn’t want to say anything in front of Anne until I told you.”

  “Of all the incompetence,” Albert raged, “how could Ray and Chuck allow this to happen?”

  “Albert, what’s done is done. John is behind bars, and Young will be soon. I didn’t want to spoil your day, but thought you and Anne should know everything.”

  “I better tell her immediately. I don’t want her finding out from someone else,” Albert said, dreading this responsibility.

  Anne had not changed into her bedclothes knowing Albert would want to see her before he went to bed. Shortly there was a knock on her door. As she opened it, Albert asked, “May I come in?”

  “Please do,” she said opening the door.

  Albert told her everything regarding her father and Joe Young escaping and how John had subsequently been captured. When he finished, he waited for her reaction.

  “All right, at least they caught Father. That’s what’s important,” she said calmly.

  Not sure if she had heard him correctly, he asked, “You do understand Young is still loose somewhere between here and California.”

  “Yes, I understand. I’m not worried. Young wouldn’t dare show his face around here. I’m just glad they caught my father, he’s far more dangerous,” she told him.

  “Anne, are you sure you’re okay? You’re taking this much better than I thought you would.”

  “Albert, today is the happiest day of my life. I’m not going to allow anyone or anything to destroy that happiness. Thank you for your concern, but really, I’m all right,” she promised.

  “Well, if you’re sure,” Albert replied, “I guess I’ll go on to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she said, kissing his cheek.

  Albert held her and said, “Trust me; I won’t let anyone ever hurt you.”

  “I do trust you,” she said looking into his dark eyes. “I always have.”

  Only after he left did she let her resolve slip and allowed fear to overwhelm her. We couldn’t even enjoy today without something to do with my father spoiling it. When is this going to end? I have to trust Albert that everything will be all right. If I don’t, my fears will eventually come between us.”

  As Albert closed the door to his room, he told himself, She is not all right. I watched her eyes and saw fear there. She has got to learn to trust me that I will never let anything happen to her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Anne rose early, having slept little the night before. She was eager to have this day behind her. After making her bed, she washed and did her hair. She then selected a dark blue suit and white blouse to wear for their meeting. When satisfied with her appearance, she tucked a document into her purse and went downstairs to join the others. She could hear Thomas and Albert talking. Henry and Ben’s voices were noticeably absent. Usually their good-natured banter dominated talk at the table.

  Stopping their conversation, Albert looked up, greeting her as he rose from his chair and met her as she stepped into the great room. “Good morning, did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, I got in bed and didn’t hear a thing,” she said, easily skirting the truth. “Where are your brothers? Surely, they aren’t sleeping in.”

  “You won’t believe it. They’re on their way to the bluff to start working on the house. When Father told me, I was astonished. Henry must have gotten Ben up at daybreak,” Albert replied. “Now come and eat something. We have to leave in a little while.”

  Anne accepted a cup of coffee, but declined anything else. “I’m a bit nervous. I’d better pass on food for now.”

  “Anne, you really should eat something,” Albert told her.

  She wasn’t hungry, and the thought of food made her nauseous. “Not now, maybe later. After the meeting,” she said firmly.

  Soon they were on their way to town to meet Mr. Lawrence, arriving before the stage.

  “Good,” Thomas remarked. “It wouldn’t do to have Mr. Lawrence standing here on the street waiting on us.”

  As he finished his statement, they heard the stage approaching. When it pulled to a stop, the only passenger, a tall, distinguished, white haired man got off.

  “Mr. Lawrence?” Thomas asked, removing his hat.

  “Yes, Mr. Stuart?”

  “I’m Thomas Stuart,” he said, shaking the man’s hand. “This is my son Albert and . . .”

  “You’re Anne Wallace,” he interjected, taking Anne’s hand. “I remember those eyes and that hair. Of course, you were just a little girl then. Now you’ve grown into a beautiful woman. I’m sure you don’t remember me.”

  “No, sir, I’m sorry, I don’t,” Anne answered.

  “Shall we go on to the courthouse? I took the liberty of asking the local magistrate to sit in on our meeting,” Thomas explained.

  “Very well, Mr. Stuart, I will present my credentials to him,” Mr. L
awrence replied.

  Thomas had a valet take the attorney’s bags to the Frontier Hotel, where he had reserved the visitor a room.

  As they entered the court, Thomas introduced the magistrate to Mr. Lawrence. The attorney presented his papers, identifying himself, and then took a seat at the large table and opened his briefcase.

  Taking their places, Mr. Lawrence began, “Miss Wallace, I regret we have to meet under these circumstances. I had sent you numerous inquiries, all of which were returned to me, I’m assuming by your father. I was concerned something might have happened to you. Thankfully, Mr. Stuart contacted me. He has been most kind to keep me informed of events that have occurred the past two months. From the information I’ve gathered, through various sources, I assume you know nothing of your grandfather’s will.”

  “No, sir, I don’t,” Anne replied.

  “Very well then, we shall go over everything. First, you should know I was your grandfather’s attorney for over twenty years and was well aware of the animosity between him and your father. William had left explicit instructions, written into his will, pertaining to your inheritance, on how he wanted it to be administered. After your grandfather’s death, your father petitioned the courts in London that he be named trustee of the estate. There was nothing illegal or unusual about his request. He was your father and assumed to have your best interest at heart. Therefore, he was granted trusteeship. While living in England, there was no hint of any wrongdoing. It was after moving that irregularities were uncovered. I had to rely on family members, Jackson McDonald for one, to supply me with information on your whereabouts. He informed me you had written to him and were now residing in Nevada. I traced you here and sent inquiries to your father.” Here the man paused.

  All the time the man spoke, Albert and Thomas had been taking notes.

  The attorney continued, “The trust was set up so that on your twenty-first birthday, you would inherit William’s estate, which also included your mother, Victoria’s. Due to your father’s refusal to answer my many inquiries, I had a fiduciary responsibility to secure the trust. Therefore, I put a hold on all of the accounts a month ago. I’m sure your father was outraged when he discovered this. I also petitioned the court, at that time, to remove him as trustee, which was granted. Therefore, since you have not attained the age of twenty-one, a new trustee must be appointed to oversee your interests.”