Indulgence (165 page)

“Ray, how could you?” Thomas began.

“That ain’t all, Thomas. While I was gone, Young got the
drop on Chuck when he brought his breakfast to him. Knocked him in the head and
took the keys. He’s gone, too.”

“Ray, how could you let this happen? You should have gone
and gotten John last night,” Thomas rebuked the man.

“I know that, I don’t need you telling me I messed up. But I
never dreamt the judge would take off. He hasn’t got anywhere else to go,” Ray
told him. “They’re probably both outta the territory by now or near to it. I
need you and Henry and Ben to join the posse and help me track them.”

While Thomas railed at Ray, back at the bluff, Albert and
Anne were enjoying this time alone. Albert had been planning this moment for
six months, rehearsing what he would say over and over again. Now that the time
had come, he was nervous. Taking her hand, he walked her to the edge of the
lake.

“Anne,” he began, “you like it here, don’t you?”

“I love it here,” she said. “I told you the first time you
brought me here that I could stay here forever.”

Albert Stuart had never been at a loss for words in his life
until now. Struggling to find exactly the right ones, he finally began, “I’ve
wanted to find the perfect moment to ask you this for some time now. I’ve
searched for what you possess all of my life. Your love for me has changed my
life. You’ve made me a complete man. I never felt for anyone what I feel for
you. Your effect on me is maddening. The simplest look from you, and my heart
races. Your touch sends my pulse soaring, and your love for me is pure and
complete. You believe in me and trust me in a way that amazes me. You see and
know my every need and want without a word from me. I love you more than
anything else in this world. I want to wake up in the morning with you beside
me and watch the sun rise and set with you. I want to give you children and
watch you grow large with them. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,
Anne. Marry me and be my wife.”

He took a small box out of his pocket. As he opened it, he
told her, “I wanted something special for you. I searched for the perfect ring
that would somehow express my love. I had this made while I was in San
Francisco.” He took out the most exquisite diamond ring Anne had ever seen and
slipped it on her finger.

“Yes!” she cried.

“Yes?” he asked to be sure. He had expected her to hesitate
or tease him before giving him her answer.

“Yes. I want to be your wife, to love you forever, take care
of you, have your children, have a house full of children with you,” she said
excitedly.

“That part about the children. . .,” Albert said, grinning.

“Albert, I meant after we were married,” she said, blushing.

Pulling her to him, he looked deeply into her eyes, and then
kissed her softly. He held her for the longest time, not wanting to let her go.
He loved this woman as he never knew he could love anyone. When he gently
pulled away, he said, “I know what you meant. That’s one of the reasons we need
to set a wedding date. And soon! I’ve waited long enough to make you my wife. I
don’t want to wait any longer than necessary.”

“Tomorrow,” she said.

“Tomorrow? Anne we can’t plan a wedding that fast,” he
laughed.

“Why not? Ray can marry us. We can be married tomorrow,” she
said confidently.

“Anne, I want you to have a wedding that every woman wants.
Besides, I have to finish our house and Father will insist on a big wedding.
He’ll want Mary and her husband to come from Sacramento. Anyway, that’s why I
asked you if you liked it here. I’m building our home up there,” he told her,
pointing to a bluff that was amid vast woodlands, overlooking the lake and
mountains.

Slipping her arms around his neck, pulling him close, she
told him, “Albert, I would live anywhere with you, you know that. But if this
is what you want, to complete our home, and to have a big wedding, then that’s
what you shall have. I love you, but I don’t want to wait any longer than
necessary. I want to start our life together now.”

“I suppose we could live in the little cabin off the trail
as we come up here until I finish the house,” he said, considering the idea.
Now, realization set in that she had agreed to be his wife. He was going to be
married. He wrapped his arms around her and said, “I’ll make you a good
husband, Anne. I swear.”

“I have no doubts that you will make me a wonderful
husband.”

Releasing her, he said, “I brought champagne to celebrate.”

Sitting on their blanket, she held the glasses as he popped
the cork on the bottle, pouring for them both, and made a toast, “Here’s to our
beginning, the beginning of our life together for the rest of our lives.”

As they sat together, sipping champagne, they talked, making
plans for their wedding and their future. They spent the rest of the day
happily talking of the life that they would soon have together.

Later in the afternoon, as Albert lay with his head in her
lap, looking up at her, he asked, “Is there anyone in England you would like to
invite to the wedding?”

“There are a few, but I doubt they would be able to come.
I’m surprised Mr. Lawrence is able to travel so freely.”

“About Mr. Lawrence,” he began, “I think Father is right
about having the magistrate there. There are some legal issues that need to be
addressed.”

“Whatever you think best, Albert. Now that you’ve committed
your life to me, you’re stuck with everything that comes with me. My
grandfather was a farmer, and I’m sure his estate is minimal,” she said.
“Perhaps we will be able to purchase a small piece of art, or a few books for
your library with it.”

As she lay by him, he pulled her close and said, “I will
take care of everything and deal with Mr. Lawrence. You just see to being ready
to be my wife.”

“That, sir, I have been prepared for since the first time
you kissed me,” she told him, tracing his lips with her finger.

“And I’ve been ready to make you my wife since I saw you at
Topaz Lake that day,” he said with a grin.

“Albert!” she said sitting up, gently slapping his arm. “You
promised you’d never bring that up again.”

“I have a confession, Anne,” he said seriously. “I don’t
want us to have any secrets from each other.”

“What, Albert?” she asked hesitantly.

“I did look at you that day,” he said smiling.

“I knew it!” she exclaimed. “You swore. . .”

Silencing her with a kiss, he told her, “I can’t wait for
the day I can see you that way anytime I wish.”

“Father,” Henry began, don’t you think one of us should go
and try and find Albert?”

“Yes, Henry, we should, but I have no idea where they went.”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea where they went,” Henry said,
climbing astride his horse. “I know which way they went, and I can track them
the rest of the way.”

“Hey, wait,” Ben cried out. “Isn’t that Chuck riding this
way?”

“Mr. Stuart, Henry, Ben,” the deputy began as he nodded to
the men. “Ray sent me to tell you that they caught the judge on the road to San
Francisco. Said to tell you also that Young was spotted heading for Sacramento.
Ray sent wires to all the towns, told me to tell you it ain’t necessary to join
the posse, most likely he’ll be caught by sundown. Ray was more worried about
the judge getting away than he was with Young.”

After the deputy left, Thomas began, “I don’t want anything
said to Albert about all of this when he returns. There will be plenty of time
to tell him tonight after Anne retires.”

Both Henry and Ben nodded their heads in agreement of their
father’s decision on the matter. They then unsaddled their horses and returned
to the house.

On the ride home, Albert asked, “I would like to announce
our engagement when we get home if you have no objections.”

“Yes, why don’t we? When they see this,” she said holding
out her hand, admiring the ring. “They are going to know. I’ll keep my hand in
my pocket until you tell them.”

“After, let's sit down and make a list of the things we have
to do for the wedding,” he told her.

“What about the house? Don’t you need to make a list for
that, also?”

“I drew up the plans on the house months ago. I designed it
the way I knew you would want it. There’s no need to makes notes on that.”

Tucking her arm in his, she kissed his cheek declaring, “You
think you know me pretty well, don’t you?”

“I know everything I need to for now,” he said grinning at
her. “The rest, I’ll learn after we’re married.”

“Albert, you have me at a disadvantage. I’m not sure I
understand.”

“It’s not important that you understand that part of our
relationship now,” he explained. “When the time comes I’ll help you.”

Realizing what he was referring to by their life after they
were married, she stammered, “Albert, you, you know that I. . .”

“I know, Anne,” he said softly, squeezing her hand. “I told
you I would see to everything, and I will.” They rode for a while in silence
each lost in their own thoughts and dreams when he was torn from his thoughts
by her cry.

“Oh my gosh! I just realized, I have no one to give me
away,” she said.

“Anne, that’s the least of our concerns,” he told her,
relieved it was nothing more serious.

“Albert, what am I going to do? Even if my father wasn’t in
jail, I wouldn’t allow him anywhere near us or our wedding. Do you think your
father would consider doing it?”

“I believe my father would be honored if you asked him.”

“If you’re sure,” she said hesitantly. “I don’t want him to
feel obligated that he has to.”

“Anne, I’m positive. Ask him.”

When they arrived at the house, Thomas and his sons were on
the porch talking.

“Anne, Albert, you certainly had a beautiful day for a
picnic. You’re just in time for dinner,” Thomas said, greeting them.

“Yes, we did,” Albert declared. “But before dinner, Anne and
I have an announcement.”

Thomas smiled at the young couple before him. “Go ahead,
son,” Thomas coaxed.

“Anne and I are engaged! We’re going to be married,” Albert
said bursting with excitement.

Henry was the first to shake his brother’s hand saying,
“Well I’ll be doggone, Albert. About time you ask this gal. Congratulations,
I’m happy for both of you.”

Ben, offering his good wishes, also, asked, “You sure Anne?
You know how cantankerous Albert can be. Wouldn’t you rather. . .”

“No, Ben, Anne has said yes, and I’m not letting her change
her mind,” Albert said, smiling.

“I love Albert just the way he is,” Anne announced. “Between
his cantankerousness and my temper, we’re perfect for each other, and our
marriage certainly won’t be dull.”

Henry and Ben both grabbed Anne, kissing her and welcoming
her to the family and then shook Albert’s hand.

Thomas hugged his son and kissed Anne, announcing, “We must
have champagne. Ben, run down to the cellar and get a bottle. And we must sit
down and plan their engagement party.”

“Father,” Albert began, “Anne and I want the wedding as soon
as possible, and we want to concentrate on that. An engagement party really
isn’t necessary.”

“Yes it is! I’ve waited a very long time for one of my sons
to marry. Now I’m going to have my wish, and I want everyone to know. We’ll
have it next Saturday. We’ll send a wire to your sister and see if she’ll come.
Besides, you can’t arrange to have the wedding that quickly. We’ll invite
everyone in Carson City.”

Turning to Anne, Albert asked, “Is that all right?”

Smiling at her future father-in-law she said, “Of course,
whatever your family wants. It’s not every day a Stuart man is married,” she
laughed.

“All right, but Anne and I are concentrating on wedding
plans. The three of you will have to plan this little party.”

“We will,” Thomas told them. “Ben, open that bottle. Henry,
get George, he’s a part of this family, too, and grab six glasses.”

While Henry and Ben did Thomas’ bidding, Thomas asked to see
her ring.

“How did you know?” she asked.

“I know my son, Albert, would have seen to that. I bet he
had it commissioned in San Francisco. Besides, your left hand hasn’t left your
pocket,” he replied.

Anne held out her hand, looking into Albert’s eyes, and
asked the older man, “Isn’t it beautiful? I’ll never take it off.”

Walking back into the room, Henry looked at it as he
whistled, saying, “Dang, Albert, that thing is almost too big for her hand.
Couldn’t you find her a bigger one?”

“No, Henry, it was the biggest one I could find,” Albert
laughed. “I want every man to be able to see it so everyone will know she’s
spoken for.”

“Henry, don’t tease, it’s perfect. I love it. Albert picked
it for me and I would not want anything different,” Anne told him.

After everyone gathered in the great room, Thomas accepted a
glass from Ben as he waited for the rest of his family to be served and then
began his toast. “Today, my eldest son has made my dream come true. For years I
have prayed for my sons to find women who would love them and make them happy.
Albert, I had begun to wonder if you could find a woman who would live up to
your expectations and you evidently have in Anne. Son, your mother would be so
very proud if she were here.” After a moment Thomas added, “Now that I think
about it, I swear she and Margaret planned this years ago. Anne, welcome to our
family.”

As they drank their champagne, Albert congratulated himself
on finding the perfect woman for himself.
Anne is perfect for me. She loves
me, yet won’t allow herself to be overshadowed by me. She has a strong sense of
self-worth, so different from the other women I’ve been involved with who
depended on me for everything. She is everything I’ve ever wanted, everything
I’ve ever dreamed of.