Newton (Prairie Grooms Book 9) (20 page)

He pulled her into his arms. “Not another word. Just, let me think.”

“Should we not join the others?”

“Others? Oh yes, the others …”

“Cozette rescued them. I was to come after you.”

He pulled her closer, careful of his ribs, though they were feeling much better all of a sudden. Strange. “I’m glad you did. Who knows how long that madman would have dragged me?”

“I would have saved you. I … had to save you.”

“Of course, darling. Just as I would you if it came to that. Which I thought would happen. Things got turned around, though.” He pushed back and looked at her. “How did you escape?”

“They used bad ropes.”

“Bad ropes,” he said, then started to chuckle. This time it felt fine. “Well, they used some bloody good ones on us. Speaking of which, we’d better go find the others.”

“No need,” Duncan Cooke replied.

“Are you all right, Your Grace?” Newton asked.

“Fine. You?”

“I will be. Give me a moment.” He took a few test breaths.

Harrison and Logan approached, lanterns in hand. “We found these by some horses,” Harrison explained. “Sheriff Hughes and Seth have shown up. Seems they were helping from afar – or at least just outside those outlaws’ lantern lights. Seth told me they were throwing anything and everything they could at them.

“Boy, was I relieved to hear that,” Logan said.

“Why?” Newton asked.

“Well, because … this is gonna sound plumb crazy …”

“What?”

Logan looked at the ground. “Well, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say it looked like Arya and Cozette did all the rescuing tonight.”

Duncan chuckled. “Don’t be absurd, Logan.”

Cozette looked away, biting her lower lip.

“What happened after I was taken away?” Newton asked.

Harrison was about to speak when Duncan cut him off. “Sheriff Hughes and Seth took care of everything.”

“With a little extra help,” Harrison said, giving his brother a sideways glance.

“Yes, of course,” Duncan said.

Newton stared at them but was in no mood to press. He just wanted to get Arya back to town where she’d be safe.

“Newton?” Arya said.

“Yes, darling?”

“Can we go home now?”

He sighed and pulled her into his arms. “I’d like nothing more.”

T
he man’s
name was Sydney Luck, and he claimed to be a businessman from back East. Right now, he resided in Clear Creek’s only jail cell, along with more than a dozen other outlaws that had been rounded up the night before. It made for a pretty tight fit.

Outside the cell, Duncan stood, frowning at him. “Things will be easier on you if you cooperate and tell us who you work for.”

Sydney returned the scowl but said nothing.

Duncan shrugged. “Very well. But the judge you’ll be facing isn’t the most agreeable, so I’m told.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Sydney grumbled.

Duncan eyed him a moment. “So be it.” He turned, left the cell area and went into the sheriff’s office.

“Tough bunch, ain’t they?” Sheriff Hughes asked.

“They think they are, at any rate. I’ve sent for transport – they’ll be tried and judged properly. You won’t have to do a thing, Harlan.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is a matter for the Crown. Cozette and I are English nobility. Mr. Luck and his men were watching us in England and followed us here. Their intent was to abduct my wife, but I don’t believe for a ransom. I want to know who’s behind this and what he wants. So will others, given my position.”

Harlan made a face. “So this is out of my jurisdiction. I guess I understand.”

“Just hold onto them. They’ll be gone before the week is out.”

Sheriff Hughes shook his head in confusion. “Before the week’s out? How in tarnation are lawmen going to get here from Oregon City or Salem that fast? How are you going to get a hold of any in the first place? We don’t have a telegraph office here yet.”

Duncan sighed. “This whole incident hasn’t been a total surprise to me. I suspected something like this might happen and … took precautions.”

“What kind of precautions?”

“I’ve had men camped outside of town – they arrived shortly after Cozette and I did.”

The sheriff could only stare. “Well, I’ll be. I kind of wish you’d filled me in on that before.”

“My apologies, Harlan. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go help plan a wedding.”

“Newton and Arya’s?”

“Yes,” Duncan said with a smile. “Everyone’s made such a fuss over Cozette and me that poor Newton and Arya must feel like they’ve been shoved into a corner.”

“Well, its not every day you come to town, Duncan,” the sheriff pointed out.

“True, but it’s not every day a man gets married either.”

Sheriff Hughes nodded as he walked Duncan to the door. “I’ll do my part and keep an eye on this lot. Won’t be easy – that cell wasn’t built for such a crowd. What’ll I do with them come nightfall? I can’t expect them to sleep standing up.”

Duncan glanced at the door. “I’ll see what arrangements can be made to get them off your hands quickly.”

“Er … okay.”

Duncan nodded in farewell and left the sheriff’s office.

He had to find his wife. He was tired and hungry and didn’t think he could make it back to the Triple-C to take care of his needs. He could find Cozette, satisfy his hunger and rest at the hotel.

Besides, he had a lot to think about with this nasty business, and didn’t look forward to dealing with all the questioning that would no doubt take place. He still felt very raw in his position, even after over two years. He was still learning, and feared making mistakes – he’d already made a few along the way. But the other dukes, not to mention Her Majesty Victoria, were forgiving of newcomers.

He found Cozette sitting next to Eloise on the settee in the hotel lobby. “Hungry?”

She nodded but said nothing. She didn’t need to.

“Me too,” he said.

“I’m sure Mrs. Upton will have breakfast ready anytime now,” Eloise volunteered.

“Well, then Cozette and I will go to our room and … freshen up. Have Mrs. Upton bring us a tray in about an hour.”

“You’re not coming down to eat?”

“My dear cousin, we’ve just spent most of the night either being chased by, or chasing, outlaws. I’d much rather enjoy my breakfast alone with my wife. I’m sure you understand.”

Eloise blushed. “Of course – I’m sorry.”

“No apologies needed.” He held out his hand. Cozette took it and stood. “One hour, cousin.”

Eloise curtsied, not knowing what else to do. “I’ll tell her,” she replied as Duncan led his wife upstairs.

O
ne week later
…

“
A
rya
, do you take Newton to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage?” Preacher Jo asked. “Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”

Arya felt her chest tighten. The last few days had been a whirlwind of activity getting ready for this very moment. “I do.”

“Then by the power vested in me by the great state of Oregon, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Preacher Jo said with a smile. “Newton, you may kiss your bride.”

Newton smiled back. He’d been very attentive since their ordeal, hardly leaving Arya’s side. He lifted the veil that covered her face, bent his head as his arms wrapped around her waist and brushed his lips across her own.

“Oh, come on – that ain’t no kiss!” Sheriff Hughes called from the back of the church.

Newton rested his forehead against hers, as was his habit. “They want me to give you a real kiss, darling.”

Her eyes widened. “But Newton, I cannot stand up after one of those.”

He grinned. “I know.” He pulled her against him and let her have it.

The townsfolk cheered as Arya’s legs gave out.

Newton laughed as he broke the kiss and swept her into his arms. “Was that better, Sheriff Hughes?”

“It’ll do for starters!”

“I think that was better than the kiss Anton Duprie gave the Countess when they got hitched!” Wilfred commented in awe.

Irene elbowed him in the ribs. “Wilfred!”

“Well, it was!”

Colin jumped up from the front pew to address the crowd. “Everyone to the hotel! We’re going to have a party like this town has never seen!”

Another cheer as Newton carried his bride down the aisle of the church and out the doors. The townspeople followed, cheering and laughing as they went. Only the Cooke brothers and their wives remained behind.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad that’s over,” Sadie announced.

“As am I,” Harrison agreed. “This has been an exhausting week!”

“I’m exhausted, and I wasn’t even there for most of it,” Belle said.

“You have a reasonable excuse, love,” Colin replied. He put an arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. “Do you want to walk to the hotel or should I get the wagon?”

“I’ll walk – it’s easier than climbing onto it.”

“Pretty soon you won’t be coming into town at all,” Duncan put in. “Which brings me to our plans.”

“Yes, how do you expect us to go to England with you after the baby arrives?” Colin asked.

“The baby will be fine,” Duncan said. “People make the journey all the time.”

“I’m inclined to disagree with you, brother,” Colin said. “I’ll not risk my wife and child on such a long trip. I’m afraid I’ll have to decline the invitation.”

“Don’t be hasty, Colin,” Duncan said. “I’ll make sure Belle and the baby are kept safe.”

“Who’s going to make sure the ship is kept safe?”

“On second thought, why don’t we discuss this after the party?” Harrison suggested.

“Harrison is right,” Cozette told her husband. “We don’t need to talk about it now. We should be celebrating with Newton and Arya.”

“Besides, this party was originally planned for you, brother,” Harrison told Duncan.

“I can have a party on my next visit. You only get married once. This is their day.”

“He’s right,” Sadie said. “Let’s go join in before everyone starts to wonder where we are.”

The six left the church and walked to the hotel where everyone was already gathered. Music could be heard coming from inside. “What the …?” Harrison said as he reached the boardwalk. “Where’s that music coming from?”

“The dining room, I should think,” Duncan said.

“Yes, but … since when did Henry Fig’s fiddle playing start to sound like a small orchestra?”

Duncan sighed. “Oh … did I fail to mention I invited a few extra guests?”

The others glanced at each other. Colin and Harrison headed for the doors at the same time, bumping and jostling for position to see who would get through them first. Sadie and Belle laughed as they followed them into the hotel.

Duncan put an arm around Cozette. “That went well.”

“The wedding?”

“Everything.”

“When must we leave?”

Duncan gazed into her eyes a moment, then kissed her. “Why don’t we go inside and find out?”

They went into the hotel, cut through the lobby and entered the dining room to cries of delight. Henry Fig, fiddle in hand, stood to one side of what was indeed a twelve-piece orchestra. He looked at Duncan and shrugged, as if not sure what to do about it all. But the music wasn’t what had the townsfolk cheering and squealing – it was the two people dancing a reel in front of the players.

Cozette giggled when she saw them. “I like them.”

Duncan smiled. “So do I. Except that they only show up when trouble’s brewing.”

“But they always solve the trouble. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Possibly. Only I’m not sure if they show up because trouble starts, or it starts because they’ve shown up.”

She arched an eyebrow at him, then turned her attention to the couple dancing in the center of the crowd. “I had no idea the Scot and his wife could dance like that,” she commented.

Duncan laughed, took his wife by the hand and pulled her into the throng. They reached the front just as the music ended. Everyone clapped as the huge Scotsman Dallan MacDonald and his petite wife Shona bowed to the crowd.

Newton and Arya stood to one side and stared at the couple. Duncan caught his look and waved to the Scot. “Mr. MacDonald, may I introduce you to the bride and groom?”

Dallan took his wife by the hand and, following Duncan, went to stand before them. “Congratulations, Mr. Whitman, on yer wedding.” He took Arya’s hand before anyone said a word, bent at the waist and kissed it. “Mrs. Whitman. I congratulate ye on this fine day.”

Arya stared at him as her jaw dropped.

The huge man’s wife bowed as well. “Congratulations,” she said.

A chill went up Arya’s spine and she wondered if Newton felt one too. The couple standing before them exuded a powerful …
something
. It was all Arya could do to stand still. “How do you do?”

Shona smiled. “Very well, thank you. You must be very happy today.”

Arya nodded. “Yes, very happy.”

Shona glanced at her husband, who gave her the tiniest of nods. She faced Arya again.
“Delah sohl, vu mihnrahl.”

Arya gasped in shock. “You speak my language!”

Shona smiled. “Yes, I do.”

“But how? How is this possible?” Arya shook herself, trying to regain her composure.
“Meh le? Meh le vu trah?”

Newton put an arm around Arya. “What are you saying?”

“She said the same thing in our language that she said in English,” Shona explained.

A light dawned. “You were raised by her …”

“Her people, yes,” Shona cut in. “More or less.”

Newton blanched. “What? You’ve spent time with Arya’s people?”

“A different tribe, but the same race.”

Newton was gawking now. “Fascinating.”

“Indeed, laddie,” Dallan replied. “We’ll ha’ to talk it about it, but not here. Ye’ve a wedding celebration to enjoy.”

Newton was about to comment when his father approached. “Congratulations, son!” Cutty said as he grabbed his hand and gave it a healthy shake. He glanced at the huge Scot and flinched. “Oh, em … hello. Pardon me, but I don’t think we’ve met.”

Dallan raised a single eyebrow at him.

“Or have we?” Cutty asked sheepishly.

“After a fashion,” the Scot replied, amused. The music started again.

“Yes, well …” Cutty said, then turned to his son. “May I have a dance with your wife?”

“Actually, I think
I’d
like to dance with my wife,” Newton said, still a little befuddled. He led Arya to the dancing area and proceeded to try to teach her a few steps.

“Oh this is awful, just awful!” Sally Upton groaned. “We were gonna have you teach us all how to dance, Cutty.”

“What? Me?”

“Yes, on account you being the only one around here that knows all them fancy dances.”

Cutty gulped as his eyes darted to Duncan and the Scot. They were staring right back at him. “Where’s the food, Mrs. Upton?” he asked, looking for an escape route.

Duncan grabbed him by his coat and pulled him back. “Not so fast, Thackary.”

Cutty frowned. “Indeed.”

The Scot looked him over. “I must admit, ye’ve clean up nicely for having been such a blackguard.”

Cutty swallowed hard and faced them. “Yes, so I’m told.” He straightened. “If you have anything to say, I’ll gladly hear it. However, if you’re going to strike me, please do so outside. I don’t want any of the women to get upset.”

“Spoken like a true gentleman,” Duncan said. “I do have a few things to say to you, but not here. What I will say now is … thank you.”

Cutty gaped at him. “What?”

“Thank you,” Duncan said again. “You risked your life to save my family from a fire. You not only risked it, you gave it up. It was forfeit after that act and you knew it.”

“Yes, well … what else could I to do? That devil Spider was up to no good.”

“Well, you’ll be glad to know that Spider has gone back to his father the devil,” Duncan told him. “He was one of the men that tried to kidnap my wife, but took Arya instead. He’s also the one that kidnapped my cousin Apple a couple of months ago.”

“Oh my.” Cutty swallowed. “And you … brought justice to him?”

Duncan shook his head. “No – one of his compatriots took care of that for us. About which I have no regrets.”

Cutty was still taking it all in. “But … how did I not know about Apple?”