Kate eyed the cup the woman held out to her. She knew without a doubt that it contained more of the medication Hiram had given her after their arrival back in Helena. That had been two months ago. After falling against the coffee table in the hotel room in Virginia City, she’d been too weak to protest. She’d barely been cognizant of her surroundings on the journey back to Helena, and for most of their stay there before they returned to Boston.
Kyle’s death had shocked her system into an almost catatonic state. His body lying unmoving in the street after his fall from the window haunted her every day. She’d seen him get shot. Exactly where the bullet had hit him, she wasn’t sure, but she knew it had to be somewhere up high from the way he jerked his body after the impact. No one would survive a gunshot to the chest, and then a fall from the window like that. Kate hadn’t cared what happened to her. She wished the injury to her head had killed her as well.
Her external wounds had healed, however, and her mind cleared. Hiram began medicating her again, no doubt to keep her placid on their journey back to Boston. Discreetly, she found ways to discard her daily medicine-laced tea. If Hiram thought she was too simple minded not to know he was secretly drugging her, then he was the ignorant one. Kate was no longer the puppet she’d been before her experiences in Montana. Kyle had shown her what it meant to think for herself.
Her nightmare about him was always the same. He would come to take her back to his valley, and then he’d get shot. Every time, he told her to be strong. If she had nothing else, it was those words that sustained her. She vowed that someday she would find a way back to Montana. Even though the man she loved was no longer alive, his dreams and visions for the Yellowstone area would survive, and she wanted to be there to see those dreams come true.
During her recovery in Helena, and even for several weeks after they arrived back in Boston, Hiram had barely spoken to her, and thankfully he never sought her out. She’d stayed out of his way, and kept to herself. Mary Jane had been hired a few days after their arrival. Kate was sure she’d been hand-picked by Hiram to keep a close watch on her, and that the woman reported religiously to him about Kate’s activities and behavior. She’d done well enough that Hiram had no longer medicated her. Until recently.
He’d come to her chambers one evening, demanding his rights. Kate had refused. The furious look on her husband’s face almost made her laugh, igniting his wrath even more. He had thrown her against the bedpost in anger. Kate had scrambled to her feet, and stood, boldly facing him.
“If you dare lay another hand on me, Hiram, I swear I will run through the streets of Boston in the nude, and show the world what it is you do to me. The evidence will be irrefutable. Even if people proclaim they don’t believe you hurt me, the seed of doubt will be planted in their minds. I’m sure you don’t want that kind of publicity.”
To her utter amazement, her threat had worked. She could see it in his wide eyes and reddened face that he wanted to hit her again, and it cost him all his resolve to restrain himself.
“Your lover is dead, Kate Ellen,” he sneered. “You have a duty to me.”
Kate held her head high. She would not allow Hiram to see the pain his words caused her. She held tight to the bedpost, and inhaled a deep breath. “Go seek out your mistresses, Hiram. I have no desire to be your plaything. Kyle may be dead, but my heart will always belong to him.”
He took a step toward her, his hand raised, and his mouth clenched in a tight line. Kate stood, unflinching. She raised her chin and squared her shoulders. If he struck her, she would not cower. Hiram hesitated, then lowered his hand.
“I’ll make a bargain with you, Hiram. Leave me alone, and I will keep up appearances.”
Surprise registered in his eyes at her boldness. Kate could scarcely believe her own words and actions. It felt good.
“You are in no position to bargain with me,” he scoffed. “You’re my wife, Kate Ellen. That gives me the right to come to your bed. At some point, I wish to have an heir.”
“Then you married the wrong woman. Grant me a divorce, and you can marry someone more willing than I.”
“Never,” he laughed. “I’ve desired you since you blossomed from a child into a young woman. I’ll never let you go.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Kyle was convinced this marriage is illegal. I haven’t quite figured out how he came to that conclusion, but someday I will, Hiram. And when I do, you’ll no longer hold me prisoner.”
“What could a backwoods simpleton know of such things?” Hiram hissed. “Father Ashton married us in the church.” He laughed. “That scout lived in his father’s shadow so long, he wanted to impress you any way he could. Apparently his false promises worked on you.”
Kate remembered several of Virginia City’s residents telling her of Chase Russell’s incredible accomplishments many years ago. The man was a living legend in Montana. Kyle had never mentioned it to her, and neither had his family ever spoken of it.
“Kyle didn’t need to live in his father’s shadow. He was his own man,” Kate said boldly.
”Enough!” Hiram bellowed. “I will leave, for now, but I won’t stay away from your bedchamber forever, Kate Ellen. You have a duty to me, and you will uphold it.” With those words, he turned and hurried out of her room.
The next morning, not an hour after drinking the tea her maid had brought, Kate had felt sick to her stomach, and she knew immediately what it meant. Each subsequent morning, she discreetly poured the tea into her chamber pot.
Mary Jane pushed the cup into Kate’s hand. The maid hovered in front of her, an expectant look on her face. Kate cursed silently. Ladies don’t swear, Kate. Kyle’s teasing words resonated in her mind, and brought tears to her eyes. She blinked, and eyed the cup the maid thrust at her.
Was the woman getting suspicious? With a trembling hand, Kate reached for the cup, and rose from the bed at the same time. Feigning loss of balance, she reached out for Mary Jane’s arm, tipping the cup toward the woman. The hot liquid spilled down the maid’s uniform.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m so sorry,” Kate gasped, and reached for a handkerchief from her nightstand. Inwardly, she gloated. Mary Jane sputtered incoherently, and stepped away from Kate, swiping her hand hastily down her front.
“It was an accident,” Mary Jane said, as if trying to convince herself. “I shall return shortly. I must change my uniform.”
“By all means, please do,” Kate urged, and steered the woman toward the door. “I’ll wait for your return. And, no need to brew more tea, Mary Jane. I can go without this morning.” She’d have to think of something else if the maid returned with a fresh cup.
******
Whenever Hiram entertained guests for supper, Kate usually sat quiet, and spoke only when spoken to, which was rare. She never cared much for the talk around her, and usually tuned it out. This evening, however, the topic of conversation had piqued her interest.
With Hiram at the head of the table, Kate had sat to his left, facing a senator seated to Hiram’s right. She absently pushed the food around on her plate, creating swirly patters with the mashed potatoes. She would have much rather preferred to eat her supper in her room, rather than sit here stiffly and bored amongst these puffed up congressmen.
The senator sitting across from her had leaned over, and although speaking loud enough for several other members of the party to hear, whispered, “So, did everything work out for you in Montana, Hiram?”
Kate’s hand stopped moving. Her ears had honed in on the word Montana. She looked discretely across the table at the man, then lowered her eyes again, resuming her plate painting.
“Everything looks to be in place. Besides us,” the senator motioned to the men seated around the table, “we’ve been able to interest five other members. It should be enough to sway the vote in our favor.”
“We’ll discuss this in greater detail after supper, Mortimer,” Hiram said, his forehead wrinkled. He glanced quickly toward Kate before directing his attenti
on to his guest. Kate pretended indifference. She shoveled some potatoes on her fork and forced it into her mouth.
“The Yellowstone area seems a great investment, and we’ll all profit from it immensely,” the senator continued. “Your efforts in that regard are to be commended. We’ll make sure nothing stands in our way.”
Hiram cleared his throat. Apparently, whatever his efforts had been, he did not wish to share them in front of Kate. She dabbed her napkin to her mouth, and reached for her goblet of water. Her mind raced as she held the glass to her lips. What business dealing in the Yellowstone area was Hiram involved in? Surely it couldn’t have anything to do with creating a national park. There was no profit to be made from that. Kate slowly perused the senators seated at the table. She’d seen several of them at other business meetings, but she didn’t really know any of them. Kyle had mentioned the proposal was up for discussion in Congress in November, and he’d been asked to come and speak on behalf of the supporters. That was only a month away. Somehow, she needed to find out what these men were up to.
After supper, Hiram excused her to her rooms, and the men left for the parlor to drink their after-dinner brandy. That was the time when business was discussed. Kate dashed up the stairs. She had to listen in on what was going on. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. She’d never done anything like what she was about to do.
In her bedchamber, Mary Jane unlaced the tight corset with swift jerky movements, and Kate inhaled a deep breath for the first time all day. How she had ever considered it normal to wear one of these contraptions, as Kyle would call it, she had no idea. There would come a time, she vowed, when she would toss each and every one she owned in the fireplace. Fresh tears threatened. Memories of Kyle surfaced everywhere.
“That’ll be all, Mary Jane. I’m rather exhausted. I’ll finish getting ready for bed myself.”
“As you wish, mistress,” the stern maid curtsied, an awkward movement from the tall and stiff woman. She pursed her lips, and shot one final glare at Kate, then turned and left the room.
Kate waited five minutes, and hastily donned her nightgown, then pulled on her robe, and tied the sash around her waist. Slowly, she opened the door to her room, and listened. All was quiet in the hall. She turned her head to the right once more. Satisfied that Mary Jane wasn’t lurking nearby, she tiptoed barefoot from her room, and headed for the staircase down the hall. If Hiram discovered her, she didn’t know what would happen, but it would be worth the risk. If anyone questioned her wanderings, she would simply explain she needed a drink of water from the kitchens.
Kate darted past the dining room, which was now unoccupied. From there, she headed into Hiram’s library, which was adjacent to the parlor. It was risky for her to be in this room. What if Hiram decided he needed something from there? She shrugged off her apprehension. She knew the air vents in the library were connected to those in the parlor. This was the best place to be if she wanted to overhear the men’s discussions. She had been in this room once before, and overheard some maids gossiping in the parlor. It would be easy in here to overhear someone.
Kate sank down in the corner of the library, behind Hiram’s large oak desk. If anyone looked in on this room, she would be well hidden. She inhaled deeply to calm her nerves. Kyle had called her a demure church mouse at one time. She smiled softly. What would he think of her now? She closed her eyes to ward off the fresh tears that threatened to spill.
“I hope there’s something I can find out here that will help your cause, Kyle,” she whispered. Keeping her eyes closed, she listened as men’s voices drifted from the other room.
“We have enough votes to impede the conservationists in their plan for a national park. You’re sure, Hiram, that the area is as valuable as you say?”
“I have been through the area. Commercialization is the way to go. We build hotels in strategic places within the area, along with some towns that will accommodate the railroad. With your votes in my favor, I guarantee you gentlemen will be millionaires within a year.” Hiram’s voice was loud and raspy.
“Let’s see your proposal, and guarantee for profit, Hiram. Then we’ll sign and pledge our votes.”
Papers rustled. If Hiram had forms for the senators to sign, he would surely bring them in here for safekeeping. The library was where he kept all his important papers. She had heard enough. Her husband was bribing members of Congress to vote against the park idea, so they could all gain financially from commercializing the area.
Quietly, Kate darted from her hiding place, and rushed back to her bedchambers. Her mind raced wildly as she slid under the covers of her bed. She was too keyed up to sleep, but just in case Mary Jane came to check on her one more time, she wanted to avoid an explanation as to why she was not in bed.
Staring at the ceiling, clutching her covers to her chest, she mulled over what she had heard. Kyle’s dreams could not end like this. She had to do something. She had no idea who the people were whom Kyle had been in contact with. She remembered him talking about a geologist who had surveyed the area, and several other prominent men, but names eluded her. Somehow, she had to get hold of the evidence that proved her husband was engaged in these illegal schemes. Then she had to present the evidence to someone who would know what to do with it. Slowly, an idea began to form in her mind.
“I won’t fail you, Kyle. I’ll make sure your dream doesn’t die at the hands of my husband.” Kate closed her eyes, fresh tears escaping down her cheeks. Perhaps Kyle would visit her in her dreams, and for once it wouldn’t turn into a nightmare.
Chapter 30
Kate expelled her breath in a long sigh of relief. Mary Jane had finally left her alone. She stood at her bedroom window, gazing out into the distance. Her husband’s stables, filled with fine thoroughbreds of the best breeding lines, offered a relaxing view in the distance. She loved to stroll the barns and talk to the horses. She missed Rosie, Kyle’s faithful mountain pony. None of the sleek animals in Hiram’s barn would ever be capable of traversing the Montana mountains like Rosie could. For starters, they didn’t have the calm disposition required of a sure-footed mountain horse.
She stepped away from the window, her heart racing. She thought about the plan that had formed in her mind since overhearing her husband and the senators’ schemes. It would have to be now or never. Kate had waited almost a week for an opportunity such as this. Hiram had left for a business meeting in Baltimore two days ago, one that would keep him out of town for the remainder of the week. Mary Jane, her watchdog, had the afternoon off.
Last night, while everyone slept, she had snuck into Hiram’s library. It hadn’t taken long to find the papers she sought. She’d found them in a folder at the bottom of the top drawer in his desk. Hiram obviously wasn’t worried about anyone going through his things. She knew he kept a safe hidden in the library where all his valuables were stored. That anyone in his household would go searching for incriminating evidence to illegal schemes had obviously never entered his mind.
Kate had carefully removed the sheets of parchment, folded them up, and hidden them under her mattress. Mary Jane would surely not find them there. Wash day was a few days away, when the maid usually changed the bed sheets. Today was the day to implement the second part of her plan. Pulling a shawl around her shoulders, she left her room, and hurried down the wide and sweeping staircase. She bypassed the front door, and headed for the kitchens. Delicious smells wafted to her nose, reminding her she had not eaten her afternoon meal. She shrugged it off. With her nerves on edge, she wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite.
She opened the door to the kitchen, and scanned the large galley. Two maids sat on stools, peeling potatoes, and the head cook stirred a long spoon in a large kettle over the stove.
Everyone looked up when she walked in. “Mrs. Devereaux, what a pleasant surprise.” Winifred Rogers, the cook, wiped her hands on her apron, and looked at Kate expectantly. “Is there something we can get for you? Your dinner was not to your liking?”
&
nbsp; Kate shook her head. “No, no. Everything is fine. Your culinary skills are to be commended, Winifred. I simple wanted to ask for some carrots. I wish to visit the stables, and the horses enjoy their treats.”
Mrs. Rogers’ eyes narrowed in a disapproving look, and she pursed her lips. Kate hadn’t meant to insult the woman with her request for kitchen fares for the horses. “I suppose we can spare a few,” she grumbled, waving her hand at one of the maids. The girl hurried off, returning moments later with a parcel of carrots.
“Thank you. I much appreciate it,” Kate said with a smile on her face, and quickly left the kitchens. She’d come in to ask for carrots before, but never from the head cook. Obviously, the woman didn’t relinquish her ingredients willingly. She headed out the back door, and down the gravel path to the first of three barns. Horses snorted and nickered from their stalls. Heads popped over the doors one by one, and Kate made sure each animal received a tidbit. Smiling softly, she watched the animals. They were all beautiful to look at, but she held none of the fondness for any of them that she had for Rosie.
Kate lingered in the barn. She knew young Fred, one of the grooms, would be along shortly to make his afternoon rounds. A twinge of guilt nagged at her. She was well aware of the boy’s admiration for her. Often, she had seen him discretely glance her way when she visited the horses. She’d tried to engage him in conversation on a few occasions, but the shy youth had tripped all over his words. Today, she meant to take advantage of his infatuation with her.
Yellowstone Awakening (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 3) Page 26