Memories of last night seized her chest and she couldn't believe the same man had requested to end their marriage. Turning on her heel, she left the room, leaving her father-in-law alone.
Chapter 32
Meg went to their bedroom; she needed time alone. Was she just refusing to see he wanted her to go? Could he have gotten what he wanted from her and now she was being sent on her way?
That didn't seem like the Martin she knew. That seemed more like the man who wanted to keep women at arm’s length? The old Martin. The one who only appeared in newspapers.
A knock sounded on the door and before she said come in, Clara swept into the room.
"Well, come in," Meg said, knowing sarcasm crept into her voice.
"Look, missy, we need to have a woman to woman talk. Your momma thought she secured you a place in society when you married my stepson, but she was wrong."
The woman placed her hands on her hips and stood in front of Meg, her rouged cheeks and flashing eyes commanding. “Martin has been corresponding with his father on the annulment. So take what my husband offered you, pack your bags and catch the next coach to New York," she said in a hostile voice. “Martin said to give you this."
When did Martin correspond with his father? The memory of them going to the mercantile and he received a letter from his father came to her and she wondered if Martin been corresponding with them?
With shaking hands, she took the paper from Clara as a chill spiraled down her spine.
A handwritten note from Martin. Staring at the handwriting, it appeared to be her husband’s scrawl.
Dearest Meg,
We both wanted an annulment and now my father obtained one for us. Sign the document and you are free to attend the school you've dreamed of. Become a great fashion designer.
Martin.
Tears welled up in her eyes, as stunned, she read the note again. Could this be from her husband? Especially after last night.
"No. Not until I speak to Martin,” Meg said, needing to hear these words from his mouth, not this woman.
"He's downstairs with his father and they are making plans for us to leave in the morning. There's no room in the wagon, so I suggest you ride a horse into town and catch the next stage to Denver. Then the train to New York."
Had Martin come in while she was upstairs? After last night, did he really want her to leave? Sadness overwhelmed Meg. How could her husband leave his grandmother so soon after the death of his grandfather? Nothing felt right.
The man she'd gotten acquainted with, grew to love, would not do this. Yet, here was the evidence in her hands. His handwriting.
"I don't believe you," she said, hoping it wasn't true.
The woman laughed, the sound like an evil witch cackle. “Martin is reuniting with a girl in Denver. They've known each other for a long time, and he doesn't want to hurt your feelings. Now if you want to talk with him, wait right here and I'll go get him."
What? The lover from last night had another woman? Had everything been a lie? She didn't know what to do. But she couldn't face him after everything they had done last night.
With a sigh, she told Clara, "Bring me the annulment and I'll sign the document."
Clara hurried out the room and Meg began to pack an overnight bag, taking very little. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing.
As she looked out the window, part of her wanted to crawl out to avoid going downstairs to face anyone again. Never had she been so humiliated, so used, so lied to as she did at this moment.
Clara walked back into the room, a smile on her face as Meg signed the paperwork. "I'll leave soon."
"Good girl. Tell your mother I said better luck next time."
It took all her willpower to keep from scratching the woman's eyes out. And if she hadn't been hurting so badly, she probably would have.
Chapter 33
When Martin rode into the yard of the house, he saw the wagon and wondered who was visiting. Probably one of his grandmother's friends come to pay their respects. In no hurry, he slid off his horse, removed the saddle, brushed the roan down and gave him a bag of oats.
The poor animal worked hard today carrying him through the snow to the pasture. Helping him pull down bales of hay and bringing him home after a long, tiring day. All Martin wanted to do was eat a bite of supper, and hopefully, find himself back in his wife's arms.
All day long, he thought of Meg and how much he was falling in love with her.
Last night had been beyond his wildest dreams and showing Meg the ways of love had taken them both to new heights of pleasure. If she still planned to go to New York, the pain would be excruciating to let her go, but because he loved her and wanted her to be happy, he would kiss her goodbye.
As he entered the house, he heard his stepmother's voice and his nerves curled like someone raked their fingernails down a chalkboard.
“Martin, is that you?" his father called, walking into the kitchen.
"Father, what brings you all this way?" he asked, surprised to see him after the way they parted. Where was Meg?
"You, son, you," he said, slapping him on the back. “Clara and I have wonderful news."
What did the man want this time? Martin wondered what would bring him all the way out to his grandparents. "What?"
The governor held up some legal documents. "The annulment. Your wife has already signed."
"What?" he said, his heart crushed that Meg signed the paperwork ending their marriage. Especially after last night, he didn't want to dissolve their union.
Why would she do that without talking to him? Why would she sign unless she intended to leave him and go to New York?
"Your marriage is over as soon as you sign this paperwork. Once again, you were right, son, I should have defended your honor. That woman is not who you should wed. One of the top debutantes in the state is who you deserve. Now, you can come back to Denver and I'm sure we'll find something you're interested in doing."
Confused, Martin stepped farther into the room. "I don't understand. That night, you told me I needed to marry this girl."
And he had. For once, something his father forced on him was the best thing to happen to him. Now his father wanted to end the marriage? Why?
"Well, when I arrived home, Clara said I acted foolishly, especially with the two of you leaving town. How I missed an opportunity to connect you with one of the best families in Colorado.” His father laughed. "While I know you don't think much of Clara, you need to admit she's a pretty smart woman."
Martin would admit nothing of the sort. This was why he hated this woman. A conniving, greedy, nasty spirited woman who actually egged his father on to do evil things. "Why didn't you telegram me or mail me a letter with this information. Instead you've driven all this way for nothing."
"What do you mean nothing?"
In some ways, Martin had sympathy for his father. The man had no clue as to what his son wanted or how to grow closer to him.
"The women are in the parlor. Let's sit down and talk here in the kitchen."
They pulled out chairs and sat across from one another. Martin knew his father was not going to like what he had to say, but for his own happiness, it was necessary.
"Since Meg and I arrived, things have changed. Grandfather helped me to understand the reason I was so unhappy in Denver, why I hated the work. All you did was push me to go into something I had no desire for. Here, I found what I'm supposed to do. I'm happier than I've been in years."
Already he could see from the man's face, he was not happy with his decision. But for once, Martin didn't care. No longer could he hold the money over him.
"You're not going to work this ranch. This type of work is beneath you. Just sell the place and move your grandmother into town."
The first spiral of anger radiated through Martin, but he was determined to show a new maturity and not react to his father's demands. The old Martin would have become angry and reacted to his commands. Now, they really didn't matter as his mind
was made up.
"Grandfather gave me that option when he left me the ranch. This is what I love. This is what I'm meant to do," he said. "No, I'm not selling Elk Ridge. What I want is to stay here and keep this place going. There are some things I want to try to make the land my own, but this is where I'm destined to be."
The words turned his father's face beet red. "Meg signed the annulment papers, there's no reason for you to remain here. Your wife is going to school in New York."
August’s stomach clenched as all the determination, the happiness, even the sense of pride he felt, diminished. Did last night mean nothing to her? "Well, if that's what she wants," he took a deep breath knowing letting her go would be the hardest thing he'd ever done. "Then I guess the marriage will be annulled, but I'm not going back to Denver.”
"A debutante in Denver is waiting to meet you. Clara raved about you to her and now she's interested in marrying you. She's a gold heiress and her father is a millionaire. This debutante would be a great match."
Now the visit made perfect sense. The reason his father came to Elk Ridge was to ensure Martin ended his marriage and returned to Denver to wed this new woman who had money. And he would just bet that her father used his father’s train to haul his gold.
"How much money does this man pay to your railroad?”
“You can be such an irritating son," his father said.
"How much?"
"All right, he's paid tens of thousands of dollars and will use us even more if you marry his daughter."
All the old anger came rushing back, and yet a sense of peace overcame Martin. Once again, his father proved he only liked to use his son as a pawn. "Until I speak to Meg, I'm not signing the annulment, and even then, I'm not returning with you to Denver.”
The old man's eyes narrowed. "Then your trust fund will not be depositing any money in your account."
The man was a master manipulator: if you can't force your son to do your biding one way, try for tactic number two.
Martin leaned his head back and roared with laughter. Did his father think he was this big a fool? "Father, you haven't put any funds in there in years. Frankly, I think you spent my trust fund and don't want to admit to me it's gone. Keep the money. Obviously, you need it worse than I do. What with your fancy wife who likes balls."
With a sigh, his father's face turned completely red. "Well, Clara does like new things. More than your mother ever did. The fund is empty, but with the marriage of you and this girl, we would be back in the money."
"Because of you, I'm married, good luck with that. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to talk to my wife and ask her if she does indeed want the annulment."
While he would do his best not to change her mind, he had to hear from her that this was what she wanted.
A strange almost guilty expression came over his father and a tremor went through Martin’s body. Suddenly he knew. "What did you do?"
"After we told her you wanted her to leave, Clara forced her to sign. I think Meg’s already left."
Rage unlike anything Martin ever experienced before overwhelmed him. "Get out. You and your stepwitch have done enough damage to my life. Get out now. I’m never going to marry anyone else. I’m never going back to Denver. We’re done.”
Chapter 34
Martin took the stairs two at time, running, hoping his wife had not left. When he got to their bedroom, cold air filtered through the open window and some of her things were gone. Not everything, but enough for him to realize she had already departed without saying goodbye.
Once again, she crawled out the damn window. She could have fallen, she could have killed herself, and he hadn't been here to protect her, to catch her if she fell.
“Meg,” he yelled hoping she would hear him, but she was nowhere in sight and the sun was slinking down the western sky. Maybe an hour of daylight left.
Running downstairs, he glanced at his father and stepmother. "Do not be here when I return, or I will throw you out into the snow. Do you understand me?"
"Son, you're overreacting," his father said, shaking his head.
"I'm overreacting? That's probably the stupidest thing you've said today. My wife, a woman, is out in the cold and snow alone because of you. Get out."
His grandmother came over to him, wringing her hands. "She loves you Martin. Find her and tell her your feelings."
With a quick kiss on her cheek, he ran out the door. In the barn, he grabbed saddle blankets and a tent and loaded up his horse. Just as he left the barn, his father and Clara walked out the door. Hades might freeze over before he let the two of them anywhere close to him again. This last stunt was more than even he could forgive.
As he galloped toward town, he knew she wouldn't be camping near the road, but rather somewhere safe. Still the chances of finding her in the dark were slim to none. But he would ride until darkness forced him to make camp.
Just when he was about to give up, a flicker of light drew his attention. Could that be her? Could that be his Meg?
Spurring the roan, he rode toward the fire, hoping and praying he found his woman.
Chapter 35
Meg’s heart was breaking. Sure, she had what she desired, the opportunity to go to school in New York, but that was no longer her dream.
Now her dream was being the wife of Martin and someday having a family with him and raising their children at Elk Ridge Ranch. The home his grandparents created, that was where she wanted to live with the man she had come to love. But he seemed to have taken a step back.
Now he was pursuing a rich debutante. Martin had gotten everything he wanted from Meg - her virginity, her innocence, and her heart.
Once again, he would return to Denver and be the ladies’ man she thought died along with his grandfather.
With a sigh, she put another log on the fire and watched as the sparks reached for the sky. Time to let her broken heart heal and go back to pursuing her first love.
No more men. No more taking a chance on a man and letting his charm persuade her that he was the lucky one. No more believing men's lies.
Sitting alone, she felt uneasy, but what could she do. Clara wanted her gone and so she left.
Could she be wrong? No, it sounded like the Martin of old returned and she only knew that this time it was her heart he broke.
The snap of a twig had her reaching for the gun she took with her. Standing, she held the weapon up and glanced into the darkness, holding her breath, her heart beating rapidly as fear rushed through her veins. The inky blackness revealed nothing as her hands shook, she tried to hold the Colt steady.
"Who's there," she called.
"Your husband," Martin said, stepping into the light. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Get out of my camp. You're not welcome here. How can you show up after you got what you wanted?"
With her still holding the revolver on him, he stopped. “Meg, put the gun down and let's talk. I don't know what lies they told you, but I don't want you to leave."
"The note you wrote said for me to go," she said, staring at him, wondering if they tricked her.
"What note? I never wrote a note."
Confusion rippled through Meg.
Martin sighed, removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "Your mother was right about one thing. You are the most stubborn woman I've ever met. But you're my bride and I never wanted you to go to New York.”
Blood rushed through her. He didn't want her to go?
Taking another step toward her. "Since we married, I have fallen deeply in love with you, and after last night, how could you ever think I would want you to leave? These last few weeks, I’ve lived in fear, afraid you were going to insist on attending that fashion school. No, I don't want you to go, but if that's what you want, I understand."
Her chest clinched at the words her husband said and tears welled up in her eyes. Why had she believed their lies? Lowering the gun, she stared at him. "For you, I gave up my dream. You're my life, now."
/> In the firelight, she saw his face soften with relief. "Thank you."
She had to ask the question to quell all her doubts. "There's no one in Denver you're going back to."
"No," he said. "We're never going back to Denver or Durango.”
"You don't want the annulment?"
"All right, I have a confession. The letter my friend sent, gave me detailed instructions on how to dissolve our marriage, but I didn't want our union to end. No, I don't want an annulment, a divorce, or anything else. All I want is for you to be my wife," he said, walking to her.
With her heart pounding, she began slowly walking to him. "Please tell me you're not going off and leaving your grandmother alone?"
"Now that is the worst lie of all. No, my scandalous bride. If you'll have me, I love you and want to be your husband in every sense of the word. Our life will be here at Elk Ridge Ranch.”
Dropping the gun, she ran the rest of the distance to him. "Oh, August, I love you too. I'm sorry I listened Clara, but it sounded just like the Martin you use to be."
They came together in the pasture with the last rays of the sun sinking, their lips covering for a brief, heartfelt kiss. Martin broke the kiss.
"No, I'm not that man anymore. You've changed me into a better man, and I want our marriage to be a real union." He released her and dropped down to one knee. "Meg Trippe, will you marry me in a real ceremony at the little church in Pagosa Springs. In front of my grandmother and the congregation, will you pledge to be my wife?"
Meg gasped, her hands flying to her face. "Yes, oh yes, and thank you, Martin. Our first wedding was not one of love and this one will be."
When he rose to his feet, she threw her arms around him. "This time, we'll make our vows real."
"This time our union will last forever," he said. "Only one problem I see in our future."
"What's that?" she asked.
"If you climb out another window, I'm going to nail them all shut, do you understand me?"
The Debutante's Scandal: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 4) Page 11