Rebellious Bride (6 page)

Rolfe walked over to Lillian and took her hand, cool and clean from its recent washing, and raised it to his lips. He brushed a light kiss across it. “Thank you, Lillian, for your skillful touch. It was a most pleasant and memorable experience. Now if you will excuse me, I have an appointment with Mr. Smith and afterward a meeting with your father, a most competent sheriff.”

Lil choked on her words. “By all means don’t let us keep you from such important engagements.”

Rolfe bowed gallantly to Lil, nodded to Doc, grabbed his silver-tipped walking stick, and left.

Lil shook her head and furiously tossed the towel into the nearby laundry bucket.

“What’s got you so riled, girl?” Doc asked, reaching into the box on his desk for a cigar.

“He’s such a pompous fool,” Lil said, pointing to the closed door.

“Thought he was mighty pleasant myself.”

The rich fragrance of imported tobacco drifted through the room. Lil crossed the room, drew back the white curtains, and pushed up the window. “He should be out at his ranch learning all he can about running it. And he should be learning how to protect himself.”

“Who says he can’t protect himself? He looks big enough.”

“You know as well as I do that size doesn’t always matter. Remember that skinny fellow who came through town last fall? Everyone considered him insignificant until he called Wilbur Jaspar out for cheating at cards. His gun left his belt so fast that if my dad hadn’t pushed Wilbur out of the way of that bullet, he’d be dead and buried.”

“Looks can be deceiving. Maybe this lord knows more than we’re giving him credit for.”

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Lil said, throwing her hands up in frustration. “He fell off his horse. He’s done nothing but have meetings with the important men of the town. He carries that stupid walking stick and wears stupid clothes and walks about as though he owns the place. He’s nothing but a popinjay.”

“Ain’t you being kind of harsh on him, girl?”

“Harsh? I’d like to be around when someone gets harsh with him. He’ll probably snap his fingers and expect one of his cowhands to protect him.”

“Well, he sure has enough money to hire as many men for protection as he wants.”

“What about fighting his own battles? Standing up for himself? Being a man!”

Doc rubbed his chin, nodded, and smiled. “You kind of like him, don’t you?”

Lil turned bright red and sputtered before finally getting her words out. “I don’t like him. I can’t stand him.”

The doc’s smile grew.

“Men!” Lil yelled and stormed out of the room.

Lil sipped at the mint tea. The fresh flavor cooled her mouth and calmed her stomach. When she had arrived at Holly’s for the noon meal she was agitated. Doc’s reference to her liking Lord Sherborn had really hit its mark. Physically, she couldn’t deny he was attractive, but that was where any interest in him ended. He just didn’t measure up to her standards for a man, especially when she called to mind that silver-tipped stick he always carried. The silly object made him look like a dandy.

“Feeling better?” Holly asked, entering the dining room with a platter of hot corn biscuits, the steam still rising off them and their sweet aroma tempting. She placed the blue china platter on the table and took the seat opposite Lil.

Lil felt comfortable around Holly. They shared secrets and gossip like young girls, even though Holly was twenty years her senior. “Much better and feeling hungry.”

“Good. I cooked up a storm today. I made a sweet potato soufflé, baked ham, turnips, and blackberries with cream.”

“Now I’m really hungry,” Lil said with a laugh. “No wonder your boardinghouse has become so popular.”

Holly beamed with pride. “And to think four years ago I wondered how I’d ever survive.”

Lil reached out and patted Holly’s hand comfortingly. She recalled how fever had struck the town and claimed the lives of two babies, three older residents, and Mike Davin, Holly’s husband. No one had expected Mike to die. He had been big, strong, and stubborn.

Holly wiped a single tear from her eye with the back of her hand. “You bullied me into opening this place. I couldn’t believe a young girl of seventeen could speak with such candor.”

“You’re a great cook and keep a sparkling clean house. It was only natural that you open this large house to boarders,” Lil insisted. “And besides, you like having people around you. You’re comfortable with them.”

“That I am,” Holly admitted freely. “Pour us some more tea while I get the meal. And while we eat, we can discuss plans for the end-of-summer dance.”

Lil groaned, but Holly ignored her, hurrying off to the kitchen for the plates she had prepared.

“That’s weeks away,” Lil protested in a raised voice.

Holly returned carrying a tray laden with enough food for four people. She arranged the plates on the white linen tablecloth that covered the large cherry-wood table and then slipped back into her seat. “It’s barely three weeks away,” she corrected.

Lil served herself the tempting food. “So what do you want me to help you with this year?”

Holly smiled sweetly, a spattering of wrinkles fanning the corners of her eyes. “I thought a new dress would be nice.”

“Sure, I’ll help you sew a new dress,” Lil offered, relieved it was a simple task and not some tremendous baking job.

Holly shook her head. “Not for me... for you.”

Lil put her fork down with the piece of ham still speared to it. “Why would I want a new dress?”

“It’s been ages since we stitched you one. I think it’s about time you had a new dress.”

Lil eyed her skeptically. “You can’t lie to save your life, Holly Davin. Now tell me the truth.”

Holly’s soulful frown expressed defeat. “If I tell you the truth, you won’t let me stitch you a new dress.”

“I don’t need a new dress.”

Holly waved her finger at Lil like an irate mother scolding her child. “Yes, you do. All the young women are busy stitching dresses for the dance. They’re all primping and preening themselves to look their best, hoping to snag Lord Sherborn as a husband.”

Lil moaned. First the doc and now Holly. Her father was the only person not looking for a husband for her. “I’m not interested.”

“I told you once before that he’s prime husband material.”

And with a wink Holly added, “Best of all he’s not hard on the eyes.”

Lil returned a mischievous grin. “That’s the only thing in his favor.”

“Well, it sure is working to his advantage. Mary Beth pants over him. Lou Ellen is insisting that her mother stitch for her an eye-stopping dress. And Sissy Dawson...” Holly let her voice trail off, shaking her head and thinking a moment before she continued. “Sissy Dawson is refusing to wear her spectacles. She feels they might hurt her chance of Lord Sherborn noticing her.”

“But the girl’s practically blind without them.”

Holly nodded and fought back a giggle. “I know. She walked into the hitching rail in front of the mercantile and fell right over it.”

Lil couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous behavior of all the women. “And you want me to join in this frenzy?”

Holly’s tone turned serious. “Don’t you want to marry and have children?”

Lil’s response wasn’t immediate. She did want a husband and children. She loved kids. But she also wanted to love her husband. She questioned whether she could love a man like Rolfe.

“Of course I do, but Lord Sherborn isn’t what I had in mind.”

“A woman doesn’t have a wide range of men to pick from around here, Lil.”

“Regardless, I don’t plan to settle for a man just because my choices are limited. I won’t be forced into accepting less than what I want.”

“Sometimes we don’t have choices.”

“I do, and I don’t choose to consider Lord Sherborn prime husband material.”

“You are a stubborn woman,” Holly said with a gentle shake of her head.

“I like to think of myself as determined.”

“As I remind you often enough, you’re a rare bird, Lil Prescott.”

Lil leaned forward, resting her crossed arms on the table. “That’s why I need to find a rare husband.”

Holly immediately understood. “One who’ll accept you for who you are and what you do.”

Lil released a light laugh, though it was strained. “Not an easy task. There aren’t many men who would accept a wife who runs out at all hours of the day and night to tend to sick people.”

“I’ll bet you’ll find just that man.”

“I’m determined,” Lil said, the strength of her voice confirming her conviction.

Billy came rushing through the door. He was panting like a worn-out dog. “Bibi... needs... you.”

Lil ran out of the house in a flash.

~~~

“Two weeks. Two weeks, I told you.” Lil was angry. Her hands shook, not to mention her trembling legs. Bibi was curled up in a ball in the center of her bed. “But it was only two days shy of the two weeks. I didn’t think it would matter.”

Lil attempted to calm herself. Now was not the time to display anger. She sat on the edge of the bed and softened her voice. “It matters. Every day matters when you’re with child.”

“I’m sorry.” Bibi’s apology was meek and barely audible.

How could Lil explain? How could she get through to her? Bibi was barely seventeen. She had no family, and her only friends were the ladies of the saloon. She had walked into Doc Talbert’s office a year ago, bruised and battered. She had explained that she had hooked up with a farmer heading to homestead in the Dakota Territory. Her payment for the ride had been to entertain him on the trip. Only he didn’t bother to tell her he liked to play rough. When they arrived in Little she decided she had had enough and told him he was on his own. He left her standing in the street without even a backward glance.

Lil had treated her bruises and since that day, crazy as it seemed, had felt responsible for her.

“Am I dying?” Bibi whispered in a shaky voice.

“No,” Lil said adamantly.

Bibi smiled, then reached out to Lil and grabbed her hand as tightly as her weakened condition would allow. “‘I knew you wouldn’t let me die.”

Lil felt a lump not only in her throat but in her chest as well. Bibi thought her a miracle worker and she wasn’t. “You have to listen to me, Bibi. Do you understand?”

The young girl nodded as her eyes once again filled with tears. “I will.”

“You’re to stay off your feet.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t take on any more customers.”

Lil shook her head. “No. You’re to stay off your feet completely—no customers, no kitchen work, no anything. Bed rest is all you’ll be doing.”

Bibi’s eyes popped open wide. “I can’t do that. Susie will never let me stay here. I’ll be out on the street. I’ll—” Bibi grabbed at her stomach.

Lil rolled up her sleeves and went to work. Several hours later Bibi was sleeping comfortably. She had been washed, placed in a clean nightgown, given a cup of chamomile tea, and assured that Susie would not throw her out on the street.

Now all Lil had to do was speak to Susie and make certain her assurance to Bibi was honored.

Rolfe had been sitting in the saloon for the last hour with Sam Prescott, discussing the town and ranching. Sam was perceptive. He caught on quickly. That was why Rolfe wasn’t surprised when Sam said, “You’re no greenhorn.”

Rolfe didn’t blink an eye. He looked straight at Sam and answered. “I’ve learned a few things about this land and survival here.”

“More than you’re letting on.” There was a hint of admiration in Sam’s voice. “I’ve got to give you credit. Most foreigners who come here don’t know squat about the area or about ranching, and they don’t want to learn. They hire men and let them run everything. Then they sit back and act like gentlemen ranchers. It’s not a good way to make friends and win the respect of neighbors.”

“I want to make friends and win my neighbors’ respect.” Rolfe’s expression was serious as he proceeded. “But I want them to accept me and trust me, and that means also accepting me as Lord Sherborn, even though the title means nothing here. I still take pride in my heritage, and I want people to realize that.”

“I can understand that, but don’t underestimate the people of Little. They all come from good stock too.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Rolfe said and raised his glass in a salute.

Sam joined in, and both men raised their glasses to taste their pleasure, but before the drink reached their lips they stilled their glasses. Both sat staring at the sight of Lil marching into the saloon through the rear door.

“Damn,” Sam muttered.

Rolfe followed with “Bloody hell.”

Lil’s steps were determined, and her mind was occupied. The saloon was crowded, it being late afternoon. She hadn’t stopped to consider that. She was too upset with Bibi’s condition to think of anything else.

Her shirt-sleeves were still rolled up, and her blouse was opened at the neck, revealing just the slightest bit of her upper chest. Though barely a peek, it was enough to turn every man’s head her way.

Lil didn’t need to ignore all the eyes focused on her. She was so intent on her mission that she didn’t even notice them. She spotted Susie at the far end of the bar and headed directly for her.

Susie took delight in the situation and sent a stunning smile to Sam and Rolfe, who sat at the table only a few feet from her.

Lil stopped right in front of Susie and didn’t waste words on pleasantries. “Bibi can’t work, Susie. Is that going to be a problem?”

“She’s that bad?” Susie asked.

“That bad,” Lil confirmed, relaxing some upon hearing concern in Susie’s response. “And she has nobody but you and the girls.”

Susie smiled. “Imagine me a mother hen.”

Lil felt like collapsing with relief but held her firm stance. “Thanks, Susie. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”

“Then you should have waited until you could have spoken to me in private.”

Lil closed her eyes, realizing what she had done. “Oh, Lord!”

“He’s here too.” Susie couldn’t help but tease and added, “So is your father.”

Lil kept her focus on Susie and her voice just above a whisper. “Does my father look angry?”

“Let’s just say he’s not smiling, but then, neither is Lord Sherborn.”