Mail Order Bride: Deception (Historical Western Romance): Clean Romance Series (Western Mail Order Brides Book 1) (3 page)

“I don’t mind saying that I’m more than a bit nervous about meeting all the family tonight.”

“Oh, nonsense. It will be just fine; you’ll see.”

Leah laughed. “It might not be, though.”

For Leah, things were happening fast. One minute she was lying about who she was to Austin, and the next, she had met his daughter and sister. Soon, she would meet, and be lying to, his family.

She had never been courted, and to think that she had put herself in a position where a man thought she was going to marry him was unthinkable. Leah shrugged, and reminded herself that she wasn’t Victoria, and that she wouldn’t be there when Austin was getting ready to marry her. Leah was living a lie, and as soon as she could figure out where she was going next, she would be gone.

If she asked too many questions, it wouldn’t take Austin long to figure out that she wasn’t Victoria.

“Ready to go to Mother’s then?”

Both women looked up at Austin.

Chapter 4.

Leah was traveling with the man she’d only just met at the station, his sister, and his daughter, to meet his entire family. She reminded herself that she must answer to the name, ‘Victoria.’

“Don’t mention Maude to my mother,” Beth said.

“Maude?” Leah asked. She had hoped that she wouldn’t be asked something she should know. Should she know something of Maude?

“I haven’t told Victoria about Maude yet,” Austin said.

Leah relaxed, and then felt free to ask, “Who’s Maude?”

“Maude is our younger sister. She disappeared six months ago. Ran away with a man, and she’s only sixteen.”

“Oh, no. I won’t mention a thing. Your mother must be worried sick.”

“She’s distraught,” Beth said. “We can’t mention Maude’s name, for she runs out of the room crying.”

Leah nodded. It seemed odd to her that Beth had never mentioned Maude to her when she’d been telling her about the rest of the family. “Do all members in your family get along well together?”

“Mostly,” Beth answered

“Yes, we all get along well. James works with me at the newspaper; he’s a photographer. Brock has taken over Father’s ranch. Hank is the Marshal as you know already, Calvin’s the doctor, and the youngest, Dustin, is still finding his way.”

“That’s quite a lot to remember.” Leah knew that she wouldn’t be around long enough to worry about who was who and what their employment was. She figured she would enjoy their hospitality a couple more days, before she planned her next move.

They traveled to the main street in the town, then around the corner, and down a couple more streets, before Austin stopped the carriage in front of a majestic home.

Leah looked up at the house. “Is this it?”

“Everyone out. This is it,” Austin said. He swept Violet off Beth’s lap. “I’ll hold her while you get out,” he said to Beth. Once Beth was out, he handed Violet back to her, and picked up Leah’s satchel. He laid a soft hand on Leah’s shoulder, and with a comforting smile said, “Are you ready?”

Leah smiled back at him, and, with her hand across her stomach, said, “I don’t think so.”

“Trust me; you’ll be fine. Mother will love you.”

Leah headed toward the house with Austin beside her, and Beth walked in front of her, holding Violet. The front door swung open. An older, small lady stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. Her hair was severely pulled back from her face, deep wrinkles were etched into her forehead, and her thin lips curved slightly upwards at the corners. Her eyes were set on Leah.

“Mother, this is Victoria,” Beth said.

“Hello, Victoria. I’m so pleased to meet you at last; do come inside.”

Leah smiled at the woman. “Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Wright. Thank you.” Mrs. Wright looked at her son. Her gaze dropped to Leah’s satchel. “Put that up in Victoria’s room, will you? I’ve put her in the yellow room.” Mrs. Wright fussed over Violet, and took her from Beth.

“No one is here yet then, Ma?” Beth asked.

“No, but they’ll be here soon enough.” Mrs. Wright looked Leah up and down. “Would you like some iced tea, dear?”

Leah was neither thirsty nor hungry, but thought it would be best to agree to have whatever was on offer. “Yes please, that would be lovely.” Leah was so nervous that she could scarcely breathe as she followed Mrs. Wright and Beth into the kitchen.

“Would you like me to take Violet?” Leah asked Mrs. Wright.

Mrs. Wright nodded, and Leah clapped her hands to the large baby, who put her hands out toward her. “That’s better, she’s getting used to me now.” Leah sat down at the kitchen table, while the two women fixed the tea. She wondered if that’s what the women did around these parts: drank tea and ate all day. She could smell the dinner, and it looked as though Mrs. Wright had done a lot of work toward the evening meal. Leah relaxed for a moment, and thought what it would be like to have a real family, brothers, sisters, and people who cared about her. That was something that she’d never had before.

Just when a cup of tea was placed in front of Leah, Austin came into the kitchen.

“Let me take Violet, so you can drink your tea, Victoria. I’ll take this little lady outside for a walk.” Without waiting for her to reply, Austin scooped Violet up into his arms, and strode outside with her, leaving the three ladies alone in the kitchen.

“How was your train journey, dear?” Mrs. Wright asked.

“It was a little tiring, and someone stole most of my luggage.”

“That’s not good.”

“Austin said to tell James of it tonight, when he comes for dinner,” Leah said.

Mrs. Wright and Beth looked at each other, and smiled.

Mrs. Wright said, “It would be better if you told Hank, he’s the Marshal. James takes photographs.”

“Oh, dear, I did mean Hank. There are so many names to remember.”

“I told Austin that it might be too much for you to meet everybody the first day that you got here,” Beth said.

“Don’t be too hard on him, he wants to show off his new bride,” Mrs. Wright replied. “And he has got a pretty one to show off.”

Leah smiled at Mrs. Wright; she wasn’t nearly as frightening as she first appeared. Everyone was quiet for a while, and Leah wondered if they were thinking about Charlotte, Austin’s late wife.

The conversation over tea was light and easy. Neither of the ladies asked Leah any hard questions, for which she was grateful.

“Come upstairs and I’ll show you where you’re staying, Victoria,” Beth said.

Leah followed Beth upstairs and into the yellow room. On entering the room, it was plain why they called it the yellow room. Yellow and gold wallpaper lined the walls; the bed was covered with a brocade yellow and gold quilt. The furniture was a matching set in carved walnut, with a grand four-poster, matching washstand, and a chest of drawers. Leah sighed. “It’s a beautiful room.”

“I guess it’s okay.”

Leah turned and looked at Beth. “Where do you and your husband stay?”

“We’re on the other side of the house.”

“You must be so excited, having a new house built.”

“It’s taken a long time coming. It’ll be good to get out of this place, but I suppose it’s been nice staying with my mother.”

“Yes, I guess so. Will your mother stay here by herself, in this big house?”

“Oh yes, she’d never leave this place, as there are too many memories.”

Leah liked Beth more the longer she spent time with her. It didn’t sit well with Leah to deceive good people like this; that had never been her intention. She wandered to the window, and looked outside, remembering what Austin had said about his former ranch.

Beth moved to stand beside her. She looked out the window too.

Leah said, “Austin said I could see his old ranch from the window.”

“Yes, that land as far as you can see into the distance, that was his land and he sold it to me. Austin was sad let it go when Charlotte died, but he never was much of a rancher. He’d always preferred to work at the newspaper. He couldn’t do both things, and it was costing too much to pay someone to run it when he wasn’t there.”

Leah walked back over to the bed to unpack her belongings.

“This is all you’ve got with you?” Beth asked.

Leah nodded. “The robbers took everything else.”

“Well, we’ll just have to fix that. We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

Leah’s hand flew to her neck.  “No, I can’t. I mean, I don’t… I just can’t.”

“Don’t worry about anything, a good friend of mine is a seamstress, and she can have a couple of outfits sewn for you in no time. And the price will be right.”

Leah swallowed hard. Beth seemed so insistent, it felt awkward to say no. “I only have a little money left.”

“Don’t worry about the money, Austin will cover it. You will be married to him soon enough anyway.”

“Oh, I don’t think I could - I mean, I could when we’re married, but not until then.”

Beth threw her head back and laughed. “You are very sweet, Victoria. Austin will be more than happy for you to have new clothes. I mean, you must have clothes to wear.”

Leah frowned and looked down at the blue dress she wore. It was serviceable enough, and sturdy. Besides that dress, she had her green Sunday best dress.

“We’ll go first thing tomorrow,” Beth said.

Leah took a deep breath, and said, “Thank you, Beth.”

“I’ll see if Mother needs any help in the kitchen. You come down when you’re ready.”

As soon as Beth was out of the room, Leah flopped onto the bed. She needed some new dresses if she were to fit in with the Wright family, but taking the dresses would be like stealing, since she wasn’t Victoria. It was bad enough to be liar and an impersonator, but now she was about to add theft to her growing list of crimes.

Leah was aware that one lie had grown to many, as she finished packing her last things away.  She shrugged off her guilt, and instead enjoyed her surroundings, running her hands over the beautiful, chest of drawers. The Bradburys had some nice furniture like this, but not nearly as fancy. She wondered if she would ever own anything like it.

Why hadn’t Victoria been on the train? Leah wondered. Maybe she’d had secrets of her own, since she hadn’t sent a photograph of herself. Maybe she told Austin lies, and was scared to be found out, and that’s why she hadn’t been on the train. The sound of horses’ hooves near the house drew her to the window. She stood a distance back from the window so she couldn’t be seen, then looking out, saw two carriages pull up and men getting out.

“Austin’s brothers,” she murmured to herself.  They all looked similar to Austin. She made her way downstairs. Before long, men surrounded Leah, each one as handsome as the next. She took a deep breath to stop her heart from fluttering. Mrs. Wright introduced her to her sons. Leah tried to remember all the names, but knew she had no hope.

While the men talked between themselves in the living room, Beth followed Mrs. Wright back into the kitchen, and asked if she needed any help.

“You’re still a guest,” Beth insisted, before Mrs. Wright could speak.

Mrs. Wright turned away from the hot stove, and said, “Go outside for a walk in the fresh air.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help?”

Beth shook her head. “Off you go.”

Leah hurried outside past the men in the living room, hoping that they wouldn’t call her to join them.

Chapter 5.

Leah stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, and walked over to the corral where the horses were kept. She watched them, and smiled to herself, wishing she were as free as a horse. Lifting up her dress slightly so it wouldn’t drape over the dirt, she walked closer to the horses. She leaned on the wooden fence, and then a large, black horse wandered over to her. “Hello, boy.” She stretched out her hand to the horse. “I’m sorry I don’t have any sugar to give you.”

“Sugar’s bad for the horses.”

Leah spun around to see a man who looked very much like Austin. He tipped his hat slightly.

“Hello.” She stared at him, and waited for him to say something else.

“It’s Brock.”

“I’m sorry, Brock. It’ll take me a while to remember everybody’s names.”

“Well, that’s only understandable. I haven’t got that great a memory myself. Now, where did you come from again?”

Leah frowned. Did she know where Victoria came from? “Chicago.” She assumed Victoria must have come from the Chicago area, since she was supposed to be on the same train that Leah had been on.

“And you’ve come to this lovely town to marry my brother?”

“That’s right. Do you live close?” The black horse distracted Leah, as he pushed his nose on her arm. Leah laughed, and stroked his neck.

“This one’s called Night.”

“Hello, Night. You’re a real beauty.” Night lowered his head, and Leah scratched him behind his ears.

“He’ll take that all day. Anyway, to answer your question, I live half an hour away.”

“On a ranch?”

Brock nodded. “Yes, I’m the only one out of the six of us who took to ranching.”

Leah was pleased that he wasn’t the Marshal. This man was asking far too many questions. “Six of you?”

“Six boys in the family, two girls, but I guess you already know that.”

“Yes, I do.” Leah had learned a little from Beth, and thought she’d show off her knowledge. “Six boys and two girls, but Maude’s not here at the moment.”

Leah felt the atmosphere change the moment she mentioned Maude. “Oh, I’m sorry for mentioning Maude. I thought it was only your mother I should be careful of mentioning her in front of.”

“Well.” Brock rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think it’s good to mention her at all. Everyone’s upset about her, but there’s nothing we can do about it, which makes the whole thing worse.”

Leah nodded. “Yes, I see.”

“Do you?”

Leah looked up into Brock’s eyes. “Yes, I think I do.”

“Are you here for the right reasons, Victoria?”

“Excuse me? I think everyone knows why I’m here.” Leah couldn’t help but be annoyed by what he’d said.

“Okay, I’m sorry. Forgive me and my big mouth.”

Leah turned her attention back to the horse. She much preferred animals to people. “I heard about what happened to you, but that doesn’t mean that it’ll happen to Austin.” As soon as she said the words, she regretted them. Things would not work out for Austin and her. Brock was right to be suspicious, but what had aroused his concerns?

“I see. Someone’s told you then that my wife died?”

Leah gasped. “I, I’m so sorry. I thought your bride ran away from you days before the wedding.” Leah bit her lip and looked down at the ground, wishing she had kept her mouth shut. This was the brother whose wife had died.

“You’re thinking about James. James was to marry, and the woman disappeared. I’m the brother who had the wife who died.”

“I’m sorry.”

“And who’s spreading stories about me? Who was it who told you my private business?” he snarled.

“Nobody is spreading stories. It just came up in conversation. No harm was meant by it.”

“I guess you know everything about us? All about me, Maude, and how Charlotte died?”

“I guess I do, but were those things supposed to be secret? I will be a part of this family very soon.” There she went again. What use was it trying to defend herself as if she were really Victoria? If Victoria showed up over dinner in front of everyone, what would she, Leah, do then?

“I’m sorry, I’ve got no right to be cross with you. I do have an unreasonable temper sometimes,” Brock said.

Leah looked across the pasture. “We’ve all got our faults.”

“There you are, Victoria.”

Leah spun around, glad to hear Austin’s voice. “Brock was just telling me a little more of the family history.”

“Was he now?” Austin looked at his brother carefully.

“Seems like I’m too late,” Brock said. “Someone’s already filled her in on our sad stories.”

“These are hard times,” Leah said. “I think we’ve all had bad things happen to us.”

Brock leaned his shoulder on the fence, and crossed his arms in front of this chest. “And what bad things have you had happen to you, Victoria?”

Leah opened her mouth to speak, and then looked at Austin, hoping he would save her. To her relief, Austin did just that. “Maybe Victoria will leave that conversation for some other time. She’s tired, and dinner will be ready soon,” Austin said.

“Come on you lot, dinner is ready,” Beth called out from the front of the house.

“See?” Austin said to Brock.

Brock gave half a sneer.

By the time the three of them reached the dining room, everyone was seated, except for Mrs. Wright and Calvin. Leah noticed that Calvin was slow because he walked with a limp.

Leah sat down to a finely set table; she was sure she’d never seen such silverware, china, or such splendid crystal goblets. Then her attention was drawn toward the partially open door, which gave her a clear view into the kitchen. She saw Mrs. Wright struggling with some dishes. She stood. “Can I help you, Mrs. Wright?”

“No, I can do it,” Mrs. Wright called out.

Beth grabbed Leah’s arm, and pulled her back into her chair. “No, she doesn’t like help while she’s serving the food.”

Leah frowned, while she watched the old lady slowly and deliberately dish out the food onto individual plates.

Leah looked at Beth, and Beth shrugged her shoulders, and said, “That’s the way she likes to do it.” She leaned closer to Leah, and whispered, “She gets angry if anyone tries to help her.”

Everyone sat quietly, and waited while Mrs. Wright served the meals onto the plates, and then carried each one to the table. The atmosphere was tense. Once everyone had a plate in front of them, they bowed their heads in prayer. When the prayer was finished, everyone began to eat.

“It will take a while before I remember everyone’s names.” As soon as she said the words, Leah was sure that it wasn’t the first time she’d uttered that sentence that night.

“As long as you remember my name,” Austin said.

Leah smiled at Austin, and then looked around at his brothers. It was obvious they were all related, as they all had the same blue eyes, and strong, angular facial features. It was hard to comprehend that none of these men were married. Beth was the odd one out as far as appearance was concerned, as her eyes were hazel, and she was short, and her frame hefty.

“Someone say something,” Beth said, and then turned to Leah. “They’re not generally this quiet, Victoria.”

“You’re usually telling us we’re too noisy. There’s no pleasing you,” James said.

“What do you do, James? Are you a rancher?” When Leah asked, she remembered that James was the one whose bride had run away before the wedding, and Brock had said that he was the only rancher.

Before James could speak, Austin answered for him, “James is a photographer, and he works for me at the newspaper.”

James dug his brother in the ribs. “I can speak for myself.” He looked at Leah. “I’ve got my own space above the newspaper office. I take photographs of anyone who wants their portrait done. Wedding photos and family portraits are what I do, as well as working for my brother. I would be honored if you and Austin would sit for a photograph on your wedding day.”

“Thank you. We’d be glad to.” After another moment of silence, Leah said, “The food is delicious, Mrs. Wright.”

“Do you like it?”

“Oh, yes, I do.”

“First, I braise the meat slightly, before browning it on both sides. Then I toss it in flour, then breadcrumbs. No wait, flour, then egg, and then that makes the breadcrumbs stick.”

“Yes, Ma, I’m sure that’s very interesting, but maybe Victoria should tell us something of herself. I’m Brock by the way.”

He spoke as if they hadn’t had that conversation outside at all. She found Brock quite odd. “Brock. Third oldest?” she asked, trying to memorize their details.

“That’s right. Third brother in age, first in intelligence.”

James kicked Brock under the table, causing him to holler.

Austin said, “We’ll get to know Victoria soon enough. She’ll be overwhelmed enough just meeting you lot.”

“I just think we should learn something of Victoria right now. She’s a woman with a few things to say, I’d reckon,” Brock said, with a laugh in his voice.

Leah looked at Brock. Did he know her secret? There was something about the way he looked at her, almost as if he were challenging her to speak. It was clear that he wasn’t going to give up.

“What made you come all this way without knowing too much about my brother?” Brock asked.

“We’ve been writing. I knew quite a bit about him before I made the journey.”

Brock placed his knife and fork down, and rubbed both hands together. “You know a lot about him? How about I ask some questions then, and see if you get them right?”

“Stop it, Brock. Enough. Victoria is tired from her journey.” Beth turned to Leah. “I’m sorry about my brothers.”

Leah nodded, kept her gaze away from Brock, and took a mouthful of lemonade.

“Victoria, don’t forget to tell Hank about your robbery,” Austin said. “Victoria has had her bags and her money stolen on the train today.”

“Did you see anyone that might have done it?” Hank asked.

“No, I didn’t, and neither did anyone else. I woke up and my things had gone.”

“I’ll make a report about it. Come see me tomorrow. I’ll need to know everything that was stolen, and I’ll write up a report, and send it to the railway authorities.”

Leah gave him a nod. “Thank you.”

“Can you get her things back, Hank?” Mrs. Wright asked.

“I don’t think there’s any chance of it. Perhaps a slim chance, but that’s all.”

“Did they take the wedding dress your mother made?” Austin asked.

Leah glanced at him, and then looked down. “It’s gone.”

“I’m taking her to the seamstress tomorrow.” Beth looked at Leah. “She can make you another.”

Leah opened her mouth to object, when Austin said, “Yes, do that. Victoria, please go with Beth. I’ll take care of everything, just get whatever you need.”

Leah glanced at him again, and the smile he gave her sent a warm glow through her entire body.

When dinner was over and everyone had gone home, Leah found herself alone with Austin’s mother. “Let me help you with the clean up, Mrs. Wright.”

“Thank you, Victoria.”

“I’m glad to help. You are a splendid cook.”

“I do like to cook. I miss cooking for Mr. Wright though.”

Leah kept quiet. She wasn’t sure what she should say.

“I like to feed people.” Mrs. Wright gave a giggle. “I like having everyone to dinner like tonight.”

“You don’t often have them all here together?”

“They all live close, but they don’t come and see me much. We’re together of a Sunday breakfast and we have the Sunday evening meal together. I’m just glad that Beth lives here. I don’t know what I’ll do when she goes, it’ll be quiet around here.”

Leah wondered how Mrs. Wright thought about having her there to marry Austin. Wiping the dishes, Leah went over the events at the dinner table. It was Beth’s husband, Albert, who had surprised Leah. He’d had little to say. With his heavy frame and his rounded middle, he didn’t look like a rancher at all, at least not like any that Leah had ever seen. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve picked him as a saloon owner. Albert didn’t fit with the rest of the family; he was left out of most of the conversations.