The Debutante's Gamble: Western Historical Romance (Debutante's of Durango Book 5) Read online

  "Now?"

  "Yes," she said.

  The kiss he gave her was soft, nothing like what she expected.

  With her hands, she pulled his head down and pressed her lips against his. His arms curled around her, and he gave her the kind of kiss she dreamed of experiencing. A ripple of desire and heat spread through her body when he pushed against her, letting her see how she affected him.

  Right there, in the hallway of the hotel lobby, his lips covered hers, and he ravished her mouth, leaving her feeling like a wanton. Reckless and wanting.

  Someone walked by and cleared their throat, bringing them back to the present.

  Stepping back, she looked dazed and her lips were swollen from his kiss. Her hand reached up and touched her mouth. The warmth of the whiskey flowed through her veins and something else left her warm and giddy.

  "Walter," she gasped, staring at him stunned, "are my shoes still on? That kiss melted them right off my feet."

  Chapter Fourteen

  The evening with Fannie had been fun. The woman knew how to keep a man on his toes, but when Savanah showed up, he'd feared disaster. He wasn't certain Fannie understood the type of woman Savanah was. And since she knew he had dinner with her one night a week, he would never inform her.

  With no nanny and courting Fannie, he stopped seeing Savanah. Though if he and Fannie married, he might continue to seek his release there so his wife would not get pregnant. The thought of Fannie writhing in pain and dying because of him was more than he could endure. Once was enough.

  Tonight, the boys went to bed early and his housekeeper told him she would keep an ear out for them. So he decided to sneak down to the gambling hall and experience some fun of his own.

  Now here he sat at the table, sipping on a glass of whiskey, waiting on the dealer to deal the next hand, when he heard her voice.

  "Good evening, gentlemen. Mind if I join you?"

  He glanced at her and shook his head. "What are you doing here?"

  Tonight she wore a very respectable, proper gown that complimented her auburn hair and made her sapphire eyes appear bluer than the Colorado sky. As a proper woman, she had no place here, and yet he couldn't say a word without her running in the opposite direction.

  "I've come to gamble," she said, smiling. "Waiter, would you bring me a glass of whiskey?"

  His mouth fell open. This was the woman he planned to marry? The woman he would entrust his children with? A cringe filled him. One of the ways he enticed her to court him was by promising her he would allow her to gamble. Why did that idea now seem ludicrous?

  Fannie laid her silver dollars down and smiled at the men. "All right, gentleman, let's play seven card stud."

  For the next two hours, she played, winning a hand, losing a hand, but mostly taking the money of all the men at the table. Including Walter's. Finally, she glanced at her watch. "Gentleman, as much as I hate to take your cash and run, I must go. It's been such a lovely evening. Let's do this again soon."

  Walter placed his money in his pocket. "I’m leaving with the lady."

  Whirling around, she turned and gave him a look that warned him she wanted no interference. "No, you're not."

  "I'll see you home," he said.

  "No, you can't or my mother will know something is wrong."

  She started walking toward the door and he followed her. "Fine, I'll follow behind until you reach the ranch."

  Lifting her hand, she waved him off. "I'll be all right. Besides, you're taking me to dinner on Friday night."

  It was true, they were having dinner again, and he hoped their courtship would progress a little further. But the idea of her riding home alone in the darkness had him following her.

  As she stepped onto the stairs of the hotel, he caught a glance of her mother and father standing there waiting. For a moment, his heart seemed to stop as shock rippled through him. How did they know?

  "What in the hell is going on here," her father said, his eyes glaring with anger.

  "Young lady, you are in so much trouble," her mother said quietly. "Sister Beatrice will be looking forward to seeing you."

  Fannie stopped and stared at them, her mouth open as she searched for some kind of excuse.

  "This is all my fault. She was with me," Walter said, stepping beside her.

  Turning, her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. A moment of tense silence filled the air and her father shook his head.

  "Walter, my house tomorrow afternoon at two. Be prepared to talk marriage."

  "What? No, Papa," Fannie cried.

  "Let's go," her mother said, taking her by the arm. She gave a quick glance back at him and he knew tonight sealed their fate.

  Chapter Fifteen

  On the ride back to the ranch, Fannie sat between her father and mother in the buggy. How had they known when she left? After the lights went out, she waited until she believed they were asleep before she slipped from her room.

  A restlessness had overcome her, and she couldn't stand being cooped inside the house a moment longer. Like a bird, she needed to escape and take flight. She needed to find fun and laughter and gambling. Something to ease this loneliness.

  "I didn't do anything wrong," she said. "Walter happened to be there. He was surprised when I showed up."

  Her parents didn't say a word, her father drove the team of horses, her mother rocked in the wagon beside her.

  "Aren't you going to say anything?"

  "Nothing left to say. He will marry my daughter or face the end of my shotgun," her father said.

  Oh, no, this was the worst. Yes, he was courting her, but she wasn't ready to take that final step.

  "Why? Nothing happened."

  "A good woman does not go into a gambling establishment, with or without a man. It just isn't done. Especially a young woman like yourself. Any one of those men could have followed you home in the darkness and..."

  What they didn't know was she carried a pistol with her when she made these nighttime trips. And she enjoyed being out in the moonlight, riding her horse, just the two of them alone. Sure, there was an element of danger, but that was part of the excitement.

  "What if I don't want to marry him?"

  Why did her mother and now her father want to rush her into a commitment that would last a lifetime?

  "Guess you should have thought of that before you went traipsing out to meet him at the gambling hall."

  Shaking her head, she thought of the twins, and Walter. While she liked his kisses, his kids were all right, but mainly she hadn't finished her list of things to do before she settled down.

  "No, I refuse to marry him," she said suddenly. "You can't make me."

  Her mother laughed. "Fine. Your father will tell him your decision when he comes to talk. Your bags should be packed because we will be taking you to Saint Catherine's Convent the day after tomorrow. Never imagined you would be the daughter to take the vows, but who knows, it might be for the best."

  Oh, no, she would never live her life as a nun. That would be the absolute worst thing. So many things she liked about Walter. But she wanted more time to get to know him, to make certain he was the man who would accommodate her. She needed more time.

  "No," she cried. "I'd make a horrible nun."

  "Oh Lord, you can say that again," her father said.

  "Then you'll marry Mr. Hersey," her mother said. "A summer wedding."

  "No," she wailed.

  "You have a choice," her mother said. "Marry Mr. Hersey or go to the convent."

  Fannie slumped in the seat, knowing the decision had been made and nothing she said would change their minds. But before she tied the knot, she was determined to finish her list. Maybe her desire to experience life was trivial, but she didn't care. Before she became a wife and instant mother, she wanted to try these things.

  "Please let this courtship go on for at least six more months," she said pleading. "I'll promise no more nighttime trips."

  "Two at the most," her mother said. "
Like I said, a summer wedding."

  How would she cope with losing her freedom and being forced to marry a man she liked, but didn't love? Could they fall in love and be happy?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Two weeks later, Fannie stood in her bedroom in her wedding dress. Everything happened so fast. Once Walter came and spoke to her father, his only condition to the marriage was that it happen right away. While she hoped for several months to become adjusted to the idea, Walter insisted on a small ceremony in the next few weeks.

  And, of course, her mother delivered.

  She never dreamed of a large wedding, but then again, she wasn't ready to be a wife and mother.

  The ceremony would be held outdoors in front of the house. The sound of people gathering in the warm sunshine drifted up through the open window.

  Her mother came into the room along with Daisy, who was standing up beside her. Walter had chosen his boys to stand up with him, so they appeared one big happy family. Or at least it seemed that way, while on the inside, Fannie had the urge to run.

  "People are gathering outside," her mother said. "Oh Fannie, you look so pretty. I'm so glad you are wearing my wedding dress."

  She didn't choose the dress to please her mother, but rather, because she liked the gown.

  "Honey, I know you don't think this is what you want but trust me. Being Walter's wife, you'll have security and money, and he appears to be a nice man who will take care of you."

  Growing up in poverty greatly affected her mother and until she was grown, she never understood the depth she would go to, to make certain her daughters never experienced being without.

  "What about love, Mother? Did you ever think I wanted to love the man I married?"

  "That will come in time. One day you'll wake up and realize you love him."

  Was it magic? One thing she understood about Walter, he didn't appear a romantic. They had barely seen each other in the last two weeks, and he had very little input on the wedding.

  "What if he doesn't love me? I've always wanted a man crazy in love with me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Why do I fear he's marrying me to be the babysitter for his boys, who are going to be a challenge."

  The twins, a new husband, a new life, all because she went gambling one night. Once again, the rules were to cage women in, and she was tired of being locked up.

  Her mother patted her on the arm, like that would solve everything and calm her down. "As you'll soon learn, men need us. Tonight your husband will take your virginity. Lay there and let him. You will only hurt for a brief moment."

  Behind her mother, Daisy rolled her eyes and it was all Fannie could do to keep from busting out laughing even after she expressed all her fears about today. The way her mother explained the marriage bed was hilarious.

  "Is this what I hear you and Papa doing in your bedroom?"

  Daisy covered her mouth and whirled around, though her snickers could still be heard. For some reason, Fannie wanted to make her mother as uncomfortable as she was making her. At the sight of her mother's blush, she knew she had succeeded.

  "Fannie, do not speak of such things. You'll soon have children listening outside your door. What goes on behind a closed door is none of your business," her mother said.

  "Yes, ma'am," she replied.

  Fear spiraled through Fannie and the urge to crawl out the window and run as far as she could all but overwhelmed her. But that would only give her access to Saint Catherine's convent. Today, she would become Walter's wife, for better or worse, and she hoped and prayed the marriage was for the better.

  "I'm going downstairs, and in a few minutes, when your father appears, you and he will join us. Please, Fannie, be a good daughter and make us proud," her mother said as she gave her a hug. "One day you'll be grateful I found Walter for you."

  With a sigh, Fannie watched her mother walk out the door and turned to Daisy. "You know what this means."

  "No, what?"

  "You're the last remaining Trippe girl to be married. She's probably already searching for you a husband."

  Daisy smiled. "Unlike you, I can't wait."

  Fannie shook her head. Why was she always the odd one out? Why did she always have to be different from everyone else? And why did Daisy always prove to be the favored one? Just once she'd like to see her do something their mother didn't approve of. "Well, good for you."

  A knock sounded and her father opened the door. "It's time, Fannie girl. Are you ready?"

  One last gaze at her old room, knowing this would no longer be her safe haven before she turned to her father. "Doesn't appear I have much choice, now, does it?"

  "No," her father said. "He's a fine man, and he'll make you a wonderful husband."

  With a sigh, she took her father's arm. "Let's get this over with."

  Chapter Seventeen

  As much as she hated to admit it, the wedding had been fun. After the ceremony, they ate on long tables set up in the yard and even danced on a makeshift dance floor. Her husband had been attentive, the twins behaved like perfect little gentlemen and when they began to fuss, Walter said it was time to go home.

  Now here they were in his mansion, which she had never been in. Two blocks from downtown, she would learn to live as a city girl instead of the ranch she'd grown up on.

  She helped him put the boys to bed, who promptly fell asleep.

  Then she turned to Walter, not knowing what to expect. He took her hand as they walked downstairs to the living area. The six-bedroom home was opulent with its rich tapestries and upholstered furniture adorning a parlor, a great room, and rooms she had yet to see.

  They sat on the couch. "I'm sure you're tired," he said.

  "Yes," she replied, thinking what an odd statement.

  "The stable boy took your trunk upstairs to the guest room. I thought you'd be more comfortable there," he said not looking at her.

  Her parents shared a bedroom. Sure, she heard of married couples having separate bedrooms, but never imagined sleeping apart from her husband.

  "All right," she said, not knowing his intentions. Did this mean they would consummate their marriage in her bed?

  "Let me show you to your room," he said. "It's going to take some time for us to adjust to living together. For the boys to know that you're their new mother."

  "Of course," she said, realizing the next few months would be filled with change. Hopefully change she would welcome.

  "You will be in full control of running the house," he said. "Planning the meals, the servants, and making sure everything goes smoothly. You'll be given an allowance and that money is yours to use however you want."

  Why did this seem like more of a job than an actual marriage? Like she would be paid a salary to maintain his home.

  "In the morning before I leave for the office, I'll tell the boys they are to mind you explicitly."

  "You're not taking tomorrow off? This is our honeymoon," she said quietly as they climbed the stairs. Where was the dashing man who helped her experience drinking whiskey? Where was the man whose kisses she enjoyed?

  "Oh no," he said. "Too much is going on at the mine for me to miss more than a day. Working only a half day today will put me way behind. A couple nights a week, I work late."

  Was that when he went to the gambling hall? What happened to the man who kissed her passionately? What happened to the man who intrigued her, and she thought eventually she would want to be his wife? Why did this feel so cold?

  "Here we are," he said, standing in front of her door. "If you need anything at all, tell Mrs. Daniel, she's the housekeeper, and she will help you."

  She nodded at a loss for words, somehow getting the feeling this night would not go as planned.

  He reached out and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, Fannie. Sleep well."

  With a whirl, he hurried down the stairs, abandoning her. What the hell just happened? That wasn't the man she married. No, they weren't in love, but he was leaving her alone on their wedding n
ight?

  As she opened the door to her new room, she glanced around at her new gilded cage. Why did it appear all her misgivings about marriage were coming to fruition?

  Tears welled up in her eyes and her chest ached with the pain of betrayal. Tonight was not the wedding night she dreamed of.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next morning, Walter watched his wife descend the stairs. A troubled frown appeared on her face and she looked tired. Last night had been so difficult to keep his resolution.

  Walking away from her had been the hardest thing he'd ever done. Sooner or later, she would realize he would never consummate their marriage.

  Then how would she react?

  "Good morning," he said. "I'm getting ready to leave for the office."

  "A moment of your time, please," she said, standing in front of him blocking his path.

  "All right," he said. "What do you need?"

  She gave him an incredulous glance. "Last night was our wedding night. Why didn't we consummate our marriage?"

  One thing with Fannie, there was no subtlety. She got right to the point. "We were both exhausted and we're still getting to know each other. I thought it would be better to wait."

  No way would he tell her their marriage would be a loveless one, because he knew she would walk and he didn't want that. In fact, not sleeping with Fannie would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, but he must try. An attractive, vibrant young woman who he wanted to grab and kiss until they woke up beside each other satisfied.

  The memory of Natalie and the horror of her death was more than he could handle. He couldn't sleep with Fannie, but would she accept their marriage in name only?

  Yes, he was a selfish bastard, accustomed to getting his way. And now guilt gripped him. He married Fannie for his own self-centered purposes.