Forty minutes later, after a silent ride into Boston, Josh assisted her from the buggy in front of an impressive court house. He completely ignored the stares and even blatant looks of shock and outrage from men dressed in fine suits. Some women gasped and fanned themselves. Silently, he guided Kate up the stone stairs and into the building, and down a complicated labyrinth of halls. He sure seemed to know where he was heading, and Kate wondered anew what was going on.
Finally, he stopped in front of one of the many doors lining the corridors. The plaque hanging on the door said Judge William Bennett. Kate’s heart rate increased. In front of the door, an older gentleman in a common-looking business suit, nothing like the fancy expensive suits she’d seen other men in the building wear, stood waiting. His face lit up in a smile when he noticed Josh and Kate approach. He looked vaguely familiar, but Kate couldn’t place where she might have seen him before.
“Oh, good. You’re right on time, Josh,” the man said, his eyes on Kate. “And you must be Katelyn. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He extended his hand to her.
Kate gasped, and stared at the man. Katelyn. Who was he, and why would he use the name Kyle had given her? Trembling and unsure, she placed her hand in his.
“Forgive me,” she stammered. “I seem to be at a disadvantage. You apparently know me, but I’m afraid I don’t know you.”
The man held her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His smile widened before he shook his head at Josh.
“Sorry,” Josh grumbled next to her. “Kate, this is my uncle, Zach Osborne.”
Kate stared at the man. Of course! Now she saw the familial resemblance. The brown eyes, the facial features, all so very much like Samuel Osborne, and Josh standing next to her.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she said. “Why have I been summoned here? I assure you, I took those documents from my husband’s office with the best intentions. He’s conducting illicit business with members of Congress, and I thought someone should be made aware.” Her jumbled nerves made her ramble, she realized. She must look incredibly silly to this man. She was defending her actions before any accusations had even been brought forth against her.
Zach Osborne patted her hand. “I can assure you, that matter is already in the hands of much more prominent men than this country lawyer, Katelyn. I’m not here because of that. I’m here at the request of my nephew, Kyle, to appeal the judge for an annulment of your marriage to Hiram Devereaux. We have a strong case.”
All air left Kate’s lungs, and her knees went weak. Reflexively, she grasped Zach Osborne’s hand, or she would have fallen. His other hand shot to her arm to steady her.
I swear, if it’s the last thing I do, I will free you of your marriage to Hiram Devereaux.
Kyle.
His words echoed in her mind. Tears welled up in her eyes. Even in death, he was keeping his promise to her. She stared at the blurry image of Zach Osborne standing before her. Words wouldn’t come. Her throat constricted painfully.
A soft breeze caused her skirts to brush against her legs, and a few loose strands of hair at her nape tickled her neck. Behind her, the courtroom door opened.
“Katelyn.”
A man’s voice she would recognize anywhere. A voice that had haunted her in her sleep for more than two months. Her heart drummed in her ears. Zach released her, and she slowly pivoted on her feet to turn around. It wasn’t possible. She wouldn’t dare hope. Her hands shot to her mouth, and her body shook. A deep cry escaped her lips.
“Kyle,” she gasped, not daring to trust her eyes. In the next instant, strong familiar arms pulled her into a fierce embrace. His hot breath tickled her neck as he repeatedly whispered her name. Her trembling arms shot up and around his neck, afraid if she didn’t hold on, he would fade away. Her body shook from head to toe as she collapsed against his solid form. She would have swooned, but a firm resolve to stay awake took hold in her.
Kate cried into his shoulder. She breathed in his scent. How was this possible? All this time, she had assumed he was dead. Any moment now, the nightmare would take over, and she would wake up in a cold sweat as she did every morning.
Chapter 33
Someone loudly cleared his throat behind her, and Kate eased up on her hold around Kyle’s neck. She drew herself back to look up into his face.
“You’re alive,” she whispered, still not quite trusting herself that this wasn’t an illusion. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The man she loved more than anything, whom she’d thought was lost to her forever, stood right here before her, alive and well. Surely this couldn’t be a dream. His hair had grown longer again. Not quite as long as she remembered before he cut it, but in another month or two it would be. She ran her fingers up his neck and through his hair, just to confirm that he was real.
“I wanted to be here sooner, Katelyn. Every day was torture, not knowing if you were all right.” Kyle’s voice was raw with emotion. His soft smile, and the intensity of his stare went straight to her soul, warming a part of her that had been frozen over since she saw him lying lifeless in the dusty street. “Today, I’m finally making good on my promise.”
His hands stroked along her waist, scorching every part of her that he touched. One hand reached up, and he caressed her cheek. She leaned her face into his touch and closed her eyes. This couldn’t be a dream. It felt too real. His lips touched hers, and she sighed softly and leaned into him, her arms once again wrapped tightly around his neck.
“I hate to spoil the reunion,” an amused voice behind her said, “but we are expected inside the judge’s chamber.”
Kyle’s lips lingered on hers. He pulled away by a mere fraction of an inch, then claimed her mouth fully again, one hand behind her neck, the other holding her to him at the waist. Kate didn’t care that others were watching. All that mattered was that she was in his arms, something she never thought possible again. When he broke the kiss fully, her arms tightened around his neck.
“Don’t let me go,” she pleaded. She opened her eyes. Kyle stroked her cheek, love burning in his gaze as he looked at her.
“After today, I’ll never let you go again,” he said hoarsely, and cleared his throat.
“Kyle, we have to get in there. I’ve heard this judge is not a very patient man.” Zach Osborne patted his nephew on the shoulder, an indulgent smile on his face. He opened the door to the room, and stepped inside, not waiting to see if anyone followed.
Kyle’s chest heaved, but he stepped away from Kate after she reluctantly loosened her hold around his neck. He reached for her hand, and squeezed gently, giving her a reassuring smile.
“There’s no time now, but I’ll explain everything once this is over.”
Kate nodded. Everything seemed surreal to her. She had no idea what to expect when they walked into the court room. As they entered the room, Kate noticed a slight limp to Kyle’s stride. She looked up at him, her eyebrows drawn together in a worried frown, but he merely grinned at her.
The room was no more than a chamber. Kate had expected to be entering a full sized courtroom, with witness stands and lawyer’s benches, and perhaps an audience. This room looked similar to Hiram’s library. Volumes of books rested on floor to ceiling shelves on the walls to her left and right. Judge Bennett sat behind a huge mahogany desk, glancing up from under his spectacles when they walked in.
A quiet gasp drew Kate’s attention to the far left of the room.
“Eliza?” Kate’s astonished question broke the silence in the air. Her former maid rose quickly from the chair she’d been sitting in, her hand clasped to her chest.
“Miss Kate,” she said softly, before darting a nervous glance in the judge’s direction. Kate rushed to the plump woman’s side, and embraced her in a warm hug. “I’m so sorry, Eliza. Because of me, your employment was terminated.”
“Oh no, ma’am. I’m the one who should be sorry, and ashamed of myself. I didn’t know the way the wedding was conducted would be considered illegal. Mr. Josh expl
ained everything to me when he sought me out in Helena. I swear, I didn’t know, or I would have told you.” The woman began to sob.
“Would you ladies care to take a seat?” The judge said sternly, pointing at the only two chairs in the room. Kate noticed his lips twitch under his thick white mustache. “We’re still waiting for one member with an interest in this hearing, am I correct?” He addressed Zach Osborne.
“Yes, he’s been notified of the time and date, just as Miss Chandler was,” Zach assured the judge in the calm and confident manner Kate had come to associate with all the men in Kyle’s family. She wondered why Zach referred to her by her maiden name, and not as Mrs. Devereaux.
No sooner had Zach spoken, and the door to the chamber burst open. Kate’s head darted around. She choked back a gasp when Hiram strode into the room, sweat beating on his forehead, his face flushed. He breathed heavily, as if exerted from a long run.
“I demand to know the meaning of this hearing,” he bellowed, his focus on the judge sitting behind his desk. Only then did his eyes seek out the rest of the people in the room.
“You!” Hiram’s eyes fell on Kyle, and he pointed an accusing finger at him. Kate’s hand involuntarily shot to her throat, and she fought back a gasp. The air around her swirled thick with tension.
Kyle grinned, his body relaxed as he turned to face her husband. “I’m not as dead as you’d like me to be, am I, Hiram. Surprised to see me alive?”
Hiram’s face turned as crimson as the vest he wore. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. His eyes fell on Kate, and she nearly choked at the rage she recognized on his face. He made a move toward her, but Kyle quickly stepped in front of him.
“Out of my way, woodsman. I’m taking my wife home,” he sputtered.
Kyle stepped up to him, his face inches from the older man, his lips pulled back in a sneer. “As of today, she’s no longer your wife. She never was.” His fisted hands coiled tightly at his sides belied his calmly spoken words. Every muscle in his body tensed, his pulse visible in his neck. Kate had no doubt he was ready to lash out at the man who’d nearly caused his death.
Judge Bennett, who’d been quietly sitting behind his desk, watching the events unfold, loudly cleared his throat.
“There will be no violence in my chambers, gentlemen, or I will hold both of you in contempt and have you thrown in jail.”
Kyle hesitated, then stepped away from Hiram. His posture didn’t relax, however. Strategically, he stood between Hiram and where Kate sat in a chair next to Eliza.
“Well, then, now that everyone seems to be in attendance, let’s get straight to the matter at hand,” Judge Bennett said loudly, leaning back in his leather-backed chair. He held his hands in front of him, the tips of his fingers touching, creating a V-shaped tent. He looked toward Zach.
“I have gone over the evidence presented to me by Mr. Osborne, and—”
“Evidence of what?” Hiram interrupted. The judge’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward in his seat.
“Mr. Devereaux, I have heard about you. Men such as yourself, men of wealth and power, are no doubt accustomed to speaking whenever they wish.” He paused briefly. “In this chamber, however, I am the one with all the power. You will do well not to speak out of turn, and when you address me, you will address me as Your Honor, is that understood?”
Kate stared wide-eyed from the judge to Hiram. She’d seen her husband mad before, but the many different shades of red the skin on his face had acquired in the short amount of time he’d been in this room was at an all time high. She covered her mouth to suppress a smile. Kyle glanced down and winked at her. Heat crept up her neck. Her face must surely match Hiram’s at this point.
Judge Bennett once again cleared his throat. “As I was saying, Mr. Osborne has presented evidence that Miss Kate Ellen Chandler was married to Mr. Hiram Devereaux without her explicit knowledge of the event.” His imposing eyes rested on Kate, and her heart leapt to her throat. “Miss Chandler, is that correct?”
Kate’s sweaty palms rested in her lap. She could feel all eyes in the room on her. Tentatively, she rose from her chair. Stay strong. Kyle’s words gave her the courage she needed.
“Yes, Your Honor. I have only a vague recollection of my wedding day.”
“But you were aware that you were going to marry Hiram Devereaux? You accepted his proposal?” the judge pressed.
Kate shook her head. “I was aware that I was to be wed to him, yes. But there never was a proposal. My mother arranged the marriage. I was never consulted.”
The judge’s eyes narrowed. “So, had Mr. Devereaux approached you with a proposal of marriage, would you have accepted?”
“No, Your Honor.”
Hiram let out a loud snort, the only sound in the room. Kate kept her eyes trained on the judge. She did not want to look at her husband’s face, and see the wrath she knew he felt at the moment.
“Thank you, young lady. You may sit down,” the judge said kindly. Kate expelled her breath, and took her seat again next to Eliza. Her faithful former maid patted her reassuringly on the hand. Kate ventured a quick glance at Kyle, who stood close to her chair. He flashed her a warm smile, and nodded his head.
“Have you anything to say, Mr. Devereaux?” Judge Bennett asked, his eyes trained like a hawk’s on Hiram. Kate’s pulse increased anew. What lies would he come up with now? She knew him to be cunning at turning the tables in his favor.
“It’s her word against mine, is it?” Hiram sneered. Kate forced her focus to her hands in her lap. She had no desire to be drawn into looking at her husband. Her mind filled with dread. She still had no idea what evidence Kyle could provide, other than Eliza’s word. But she was merely a maid. Would the judge weigh her testimony as heavily as anything Hiram had to say?
“What evidence do you have to prove her accusations?” Hiram’s voice droned. “Marriages are arranged all the time. Mrs. Victoria Chandler thought I would be a good match for her daughter. She had Kate Ellen’s best interest in mind. I have been an associate of the family for a long time, and an allegiance was a natural course of action.”
Judge Bennett rested his arms on his desk, looking up at Hiram “Did you, or did you not, with the aid of Mrs. Victoria Chandler, medicate Miss Kate Ellen Chandler, knowing it would impair her mental state?”
“I did no such thing,” Hiram spat.
There was a long, silent pause. Judge Bennett’s unwavering eyes remained on Hiram. Kate ventured a glance upward. Kyle’s jaw muscles worked furiously, and the tendons and sinews were clearly visible in his tense arms. Papers shuffled on the judge’s desk, and Kate tore her eyes away from Kyle.
Judge Bennett sat stooped over the papers in his hands, his forehead furrowed. He took his time leafing through each sheet. No one in the room dared to utter a sound. Finally, he looked up. His eyes traveled the room, then rested on Hiram. He cleared his throat.
“Well, in my ever to be humble opinion, this hearing is merely a formality.” He casually waved his hand in the air. “Mr. Osborne has already presented his evidence to me, and Miss Eliza Banfield has given her sworn testimony. As a signed witness to the wedding, she has attested to the fact that Miss Chandler was indeed medicated with sedatives and mind-altering drugs, and that she was barely cognizant of her surroundings and actions on the day of her nuptials to Mr. Hiram Devereaux. According to Miss Banfield, Mrs. Victoria Chandler stepped in to say the I do’s on behalf of her daughter. “
Hiram snorted loudly, and the judge shot him a quizzical look. “Is there something you wish to add, Mr. Devereaux?”
“You’ll take a mere servant woman’s word over mine? The woman is bitter because I had to terminate her employment.”
“I can assure you, Mr. Devereaux, that her testimony was procured while still in your employ. Furthermore,” he glanced at his papers again, pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. “I have statements obtained by Mr. Kyle Russell from one Doctor Henry Mason, that he advised against
sedatives for Miss Chandler, as they were making her ill. Mr. Russell also managed to get a confessional,” he paused and chuckled with a shake of his head, “from Father Ashton at St. Margaret’s Church that you donated a sizeable sum of money to the church in exchange for the good Father’s silence in connection with the events of the wedding.” He paused, and glared at Hiram. “Do you deny any of this?”
Hiram sputtered, but no words came from his mouth.
Judge Bennett smiled. “Well then,” he said, rising from his seat. “According to the laws of the Catholic church, a person cannot be married without giving valid consent. This is not even a matter for the courts, but to make it sound official, I hereby order the marriage between Mr. Hiram Devereaux, and Miss Kate Ellen Chandler annulled, effective immediately. This matter is now closed.”
The last thing Kate heard was the loud bang of the judge’s gavel, as it fell to the table. A collective sigh, and loud murmurs erupted in the room. In the next instant, she was pulled from her seat, and found herself crushed to Kyle’s chest.
“It’s really over?” she whispered, hoping she had understood the judge correctly.
“It’s over, Kate. You’re free now,” Kyle said, his voice husky. He kissed the top of her head. Someone slapped Kyle on the back, saying, “good work.”
“Not so fast, Mr. Devereaux,” Judge Bennett’s loud voice boomed. Kate’s head shot up. For the first time, she dared to look at the man who’d held her prisoner for all these months. She felt no hatred for him, only relief that her life was finally her own. Hiram had turned wordlessly to leave the room, but stopped at the judge’s words.
“There is another matter that does concern you and the courts,” Judge Bennett said slowly, waiting for Hiram to face him again.
“What accursed accusations would those be?” Hiram growled, his hate-filled eyes darting to Kyle, then lingering on Kate.
Yellowstone Awakening (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 3) Page 29