Zed nodded and scratched his chin. “So tell Sheriff Hampton your story.”
Hank sighed. “He won’t believe me. Look at the cad I’ve been lately, drinking, gambling, and other terrible vices. Why would he believe me?”
“Because the sheriff knew your parents like I did. Sheriff Hampton won’t hang you until he has some kind of proof.”
“Thanks, Mr. Slater. I’ll seriously think about it.”
“Well, think mighty fast, kid.” Zed pushed his chair back and stood. “Because Mr. Grayson is on the warpath, seeking revenge. The longer you hide, the angrier he’ll become.” He placed his hand on Hank’s shoulder. “Besides that, your sister needs you. Mr. Grayson is charming her, and I worry about her alone in that big house without her brother’s protection.”
Hank widened his eyes. “What? Why, that dirty rotten polecat. He’d better not touch her!” Hatred shot through him. That man was a swindler and seducer. Hank would make certain one way or another Mr. Grayson did not get his sister.
CECILIA COULDN’T REMEMBER how long it had been since she attended a ball. As a woman, anyway. Doctor Copeland went a few times to support the community but never danced. She had never felt right about dancing while portraying a man.
But the town was having a ball tonight to celebrate the end of harvest, and Cecilia would attend...as herself.
Anna-Mae assisted Cecilia with her hair—wrapping it in a loose bun at the back of her head, leaving wisps of curls around her ears. The coral pink satin gown used to be her mother’s. One of the last gowns her mother purchased, in fact. Cecilia clipped a silver studded brooch to the scooped neck, and matching earbobs to her lobes, before slipping her arms into white elbow length gloves.
She’d never felt like a princess...but tonight she did.
“Oh, chile,” Anna-Mae said as tears filled her eyes. “Ye looks jus lak yer mamma, God rest her soul. She was very lovely in her day.”
Cecilia smiled and gave the older woman a hug. “Thank you. I’m sure Momma would be pleased to see me wearing this gown.”
“That, she would.”
She pulled away and glanced at herself in the full-length mirror. Once again, she wished she could look like a lady all the time instead of a male doctor. “Well, hopefully tonight will be a magical night for me, because midnight is approaching faster than I wanted, and soon this fairytale will be over.”
“What do ye mean, Miz Celia?”
Sighing, she turned and faced Anna-Mae. “I need to bring Doctor Copeland back.”
The other woman frowned. “Ah wish ye didn’t have tae do that.”
“I know.” She grasped Anna-Mae’s thick fingers. “As much as I miss being a lady, I would miss being a doctor even more. I pray every night that soon the town will accept a woman doctor. I know the Lord hears my prayers. I just have to keep having faith that He’ll make that happen for me.”
The other woman nodded. “Ya shore knows how to believe, and God loves ya.”
Cecilia pulled away. “Well, I suppose I’m ready.”
“Is Missah Grayson goin’ with ye tae the ball?”
Without being able to help it, a blush rose up her neck to her face and she quickly turned away. She hadn’t forgotten he’d called her my love. Did he really mean it? Every time she thought of it, her heart flipped with excitement. If he was falling in love with her, did that mean he’d be lenient on her brother once he found out what he’d done? “Mr. Grayson hasn’t said anything about taking me to the dance.”
It had been three days since she had shamefully thrown herself at him after Mr. Sterling’s attack, and although she wasn’t mad at Peter for stopping when he did, she was still very ashamed of her actions so had not talked to him personally. He’d tried to get her alone, but she always made sure one of the servants was with her.
Cecilia had known better than to act like a wanton woman that night. Yet the growing attraction for the man mixed with her overwhelming gratitude had made her do things she couldn’t quite control. Thankfully, he knew how to handle himself. He really could have taken advantage of her, but instead, he acted like a true gentleman.
Just thinking about his heroics made her heart melt. He’d been so sweet, and she hadn’t stopped smiling since. Deep down she wanted him to love her. Never before had she felt this way, and even though it scared her, it also gave her hope for a happier future.
“Waal, Ah’m shore he won’t let ya go by yerself,” Anna-Mae continued. “Yer too darn pretty ta be left alone t’night.”
Cecilia picked up her wrap and threw it over her shoulders, tying it together at her throat to hide her gown. “Thank you for your compliment, but I really don’t know if he plans on going. It won’t hurt my feelings if he declines.”
Anna-Mae shook her head. “Y’all can fool others, Miz Celia, but ye can’t fool me. Ah knows ye likes him more than ye lead on.”
“I’ll admit, I do like him, but you know as well as I that it cannot work between us.”
The older servant grasped Cecilia’s shoulders and peered deep into her eyes. “An why not?”
“Because he’s a gambler and I don’t like men who gamble. And...because I’m a doctor and I would like to remain a doctor for as long as the town will allow it.”
“So ye both have vices. Everyone has prob’lms. Nobody’s perfect.”
Cecilia frowned. “What do you want me to do? I cannot let my secret out. The town isn’t ready to hear they have had a woman doctor treat them all this time.”
“De town might not be ready ta hear dat, but Missah Grayson jus might. He seems lak a worldly, understandin’ kind of man. Ah thinks he’d listen to ye and support ye.”
Cecilia gave her friend another hug. “You are a wise woman, Anna-Mae, but I’m just not ready to tell anyone my secret.” She pulled away and walked to the door.
“Enjoy yerself t’night,” Anna-Mae called after her.
Cecilia walked down the stairs, her thoughts spinning in turmoil. Could she really talk to Peter? It was hard to trust anyone, especially a man she’d not known for very long. Although she thought him a skunk a few times, he’d also shown her he had a heart...and he really had been raised a gentleman.
But she hesitated. She didn’t want her heart broken, and loving him this way would definitely break her heart. He wasn’t ready to settle down and marry. And really...neither was she.
She reached the front door and opened it, then froze. Peter stood in front of her, his hand lifted, ready to knock. Dressed in his fancy duds—black waistcoat over a white shirt with black string-tie, and black jeans and boots. In his other hand, he clutched a bouquet of roses.
A smile stretched across his face as he handed her the flowers. “For you, lovely lady.”
Surprised, she didn’t know what to say, but she gratefully took the flowers and lifted them to her nose to smell. Her heartbeat quickened and his soft gaze kept her spellbound.
“If you are not otherwise engaged, I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to the harvest ball this evening.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m not otherwise engaged. In fact, I was heading to the ball myself.”
Straightening, he held out his elbow. “Then would you allow me to accompany you?”
Hesitantly, she nodded, even though she knew deep in her heart she’d follow him to the ends of the earth right now. Still, she couldn’t let him think she was over-eager. She also hoped he couldn’t hear the way her heart was crazily knocking against her chest.
Behind her, Ana-Mae cleared her throat, getting Cecilia’s attention. “Here, chile. Let me take those purdee flowers.”
Cecilia handed them to the older woman before hooking her hand around Peter’s elbow, and walking beside him out to the buggy.
It was a gorgeous, cloudless night. Stars shone almost as bright as the moon. But she couldn’t take her attention away from Peter long enough to enjoy the evening’s scenery. And Heaven help her, she couldn’t stop grinning like a kid in a candy
store.
Once they were both in the buggy, Peter whipped the reins and the horse took off into a trot. She gathered her wrap closer around her neck. He glanced at her and winked.
“You’re being awfully quiet, Cecilia.”
“I am?”
“Yes.”
“Forgive me. I just cannot think of anything to discuss right now.”
He shrugged. “How about what happened the other night between us.”
Inwardly, she groaned. This particular subject was almost as difficult to discuss as her being a doctor. “Well...I really don’t think we need to talk about that.”
“I do. You’ve been mighty quiet since that night.”
“I know.”
“Do...do you hate me?” he asked warily.
A surprised gasp escaped her throat. Did he remember calling her my love? “Hate you? Why would I hate you? If anything, I admire you for...um, well, what you did. Obviously, you had better control than I, that night.”
“I know how you were feeling. Gratitude for me was overriding everything. I knew I couldn’t take advantage of you. But it’s not because...well, you know.” Shyly, he turned his eyes back on the road ahead of them. “I’m very attracted to you, Cecilia.”
She grinned, even though she really shouldn’t. “Why, Peter? Do you still think of me as that woman who cared for you in Doc’s office? Do you still think of me as your night angel?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Not anymore. You’re such a different person. Every day I learn more about you, and what I learn, I like.”
She didn’t say anything for a few minutes, content just to smile and enjoy the way his arm or leg casually bumped into her from time to time during their ride. Although he learned something new about her every day, she couldn’t say the same. There were still things in his life he didn’t share. Perhaps she’d regret asking, but she just needed to know.
“Peter, will you tell me about your life so I can get to know you better?”
He swung his gaze back to her, his eyes wide. “What do you want to know?”
“I want to know more about your family.”
Shrugging he turned his attention back to the road. “I grew up in Montana on a cattle ranch. Every summer I came out here to stay with my granddaddy. I think Pa wanted me to learn about how to run a plantation as well as a cattle ranch. I have two older brothers and one younger. A couple years ago, the brother just older than me—the one I was closest to—was shot and killed. I took his death hard.” He heaved a sigh. “Very hard, in fact. I hid it for quite a while, before it ate at me like an infection and I couldn’t deal with it any longer.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head. “Matthew wanted more out of life than working on a cattle ranch, and so he left to meet a woman in South Dakota and marry her. My brother followed his heart. But look where it landed him—six feet under.” He took a deep breath. “Anyway, my family welcomed Careen—Matthew’s widow—into the family, and all was back to normal.” He shrugged. “Except for me. I suppose, suddenly, the cattle ranch bored me. I wanted more. I wanted to do things I’d never done before and meet new people. I wanted to make the most of my life before it ended. Thinking about death made me realize things, and I knew I had to follow my heart, too.” He chuckled softly. “Unfortunately, my family didn’t like my decisions.”
“Why?”
“Because I was raised by a religious family. They couldn’t understand why I’d lost my faith in God. And they didn’t like the fact that gambling became the most important thing in my life.”
“But Peter,” she leaned in closer and touched his arm, “why was gambling so important to you? More important than your family?”
A frown claimed Peter’s handsome face, and when he glanced at her, sadness etched his expression. A few moments passed in silence, and just when she thought he would elaborate, he jerked his body straighter and looked ahead.
“We’re here now,” he said stiffly.
She looked at the town’s dance hall, all lit up with lights, flowers, and streamers. Blowing out a pent-up breath, she sighed dejectedly. Hopefully, she would find another moment to be alone with him so he could tell her what happened to make him want to gamble. She’d do anything to try and change his mind about that terrible sin.
Chapter Sixteen
Between Cecilia and Sheriff Hampton, Peter was introduced to more people in the community. A few people remembered his granddaddy, which made Peter happy. They also remembered him as a lad. It also relieved him that they didn’t say anything to Cecilia about where Peter’s Granddad used to live.
Peter also met a few pretty unmarried ladies. But sadly, they couldn’t hold a candle to Cecilia, the most beautiful woman at the ball. The pink gown she wore tonight looked lovely on her. He wanted nothing more than to be alone with her, hold her and kiss her to distraction. He would also like to have her on his arm...forever.
Forever? He shook his head. Forever was a mighty long time. Yet, being with Cecilia made him happy, and he sure enjoyed making her smile and laugh.
Being polite and friendly, he danced many dances with the available women even if it was just to pass the time, but he noticed quite a few men had danced with Cecilia. Peter knew those men enjoyed it. He wasn’t blind to the way the way they looked at her with leering stares.
Mr. Sterling was in attendance, but thankfully, he kept his distance from both Peter and Cecilia.
Before the next dance started, Peter hurried to Cecilia, and luckily no other man had come to claim her for the next dance. She must not have seen Peter because just as he neared, she turned her back to him as she gazed out the window. He didn’t know what she looked at, but the yard held shadows everywhere, only a few lanterns marking a cobble-stone pathway.
He walked closer behind her until his reflection appeared in the window. Through the reflection, he noticed when her eyes lifted to look at his image. Immediately, her eyes sparkled. His heart leapt with excitement.
“Dance with me,” he whispered in her ear as he ran his finger softly down her arm until touching her hand.
Right away she grasped his fingers. “Yes.”
Slowly, she turned toward him. He should have stepped back to give her more room, but he enjoyed being this close. When she faced him, her gaze dropped to his mouth and her gaze darkened. Suddenly, his throat turned dry. The urge to kiss her was strong, but he wouldn’t give in. Not now in a room full of people who would definitely gossip about the very proper Miss Ashby.
He led her to the dance floor, then took her in his arms. Usually, he didn’t like dancing, but...with Cecilia it felt like they were floating on clouds. Having her in his arms was like touching Heaven.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked.
“No, I don’t believe you have.”
“Forgive me, then. I should be telling you every five minutes.”
She chuckled. “I might get tired of hearing it, then.” After a few moments passed between them without speaking, she said, “Well, are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Are you going to tell me how beautiful I look tonight?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, I will.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Cecilia, my love, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. You literally take my breath away.”
Her pink cheeks darkened. “And you, kind sir, look very handsome. I find it hard to rest my attention on anything else tonight.”
“That relieves me.”
“It does? Why?”
“Because I become jealous really fast, and if you were dreamily gazing at other men, I’d be mighty tempted to take them out back and show them who they’re messing with.”
She chuckled. “What an amusing man you are, Peter.”
“I’d rather be amazing.” He winked.
“Oh, I think you’re already that.”
“So tell me, pretty lady, have you had enough dancing for tonight?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. What else do you have in mind?”
“I thought of taking you for a quiet walk outside with only the moon and stars as our backdrop.”
She grinned wide. “That does sound enjoyable. If we leave right after this dance, we might be able to disappear before anyone misses us.”
“Splendid idea, my love.”
Timing worked remarkably well, and soon Peter had ushered her outside without being noticed. Well...that he could tell, anyway.
She hooked her hand around his elbow, and he covered his palm over her knuckles. Walking beside her like this felt good. Felt right. Perfect, in fact.
“Peter? Would you please finish telling me about why you became a gambler?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because I care about you...about your life. I want to know all about you.”
He glanced down into her upturned face. Her eyes were wide with wonder. He smiled and gave her a nod. “I’ll do anything for you, darlin’.” He winked. “During the time when I was becoming bored with my life, and pondering other things I could do, I became friends with a man I briefly met who was passing through town. He was a drifter, and lived off his winnings. He explained how he had gambled for years and how much money he’d acquired during that time. After he left, I realized how much freedom that would give me. Then I remembered my granddaddy’s plantation and how I wanted it back in the family. I knew gambling was the only way to achieve that goal.”
She slowed her steps. “What happened to your granddaddy’s plantation?”
“He lost it in the war.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. The war brought a lot of people heartache and a lot of them lost loved ones. I thought that getting the plantation back would make my granddaddy happy. I could even imagine him smiling at me from Heaven.”
She came to a complete stop and faced him. “So you’re telling me you do believe in Heaven?”
Peter chuckled. “Of course. Doesn’t everyone?”
“No, not everyone, but I’m happy to know you do.”
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