Mail Order Bride: Deception (Historical Western Romance): Clean Romance Series (Western Mail Order Brides Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 9.

Leah opened the door of Mrs. Wright’s house, hoping she wouldn’t see anyone. She would much prefer to leave a note thanking them, and just disappear.

“There you are, Victoria. Jennifer has just brought some dresses for you. Look at your beautiful wedding dress,” Beth said.

Leah looked at the dress that Beth held up. Leah took one look at it, and could not stop the tears as they streamed down her face. She looked from Beth to Mrs. Wright, and then back to Beth. She wanted to explain the whole incident to them, but she could not stop the tears. The look of concern on their faces was too much for Leah. She ran up the stairs, opened the door of her bedroom, and flung herself on the gold brocade covered bed.

It wasn’t long before both Mrs. Wright and Beth were sitting on the bed next to her.

“What’s upset you like this, Victoria?” Mrs. Wright asked.

Beth handed Leah a white lace handkerchief, and she dabbed at her eyes. Leah sat up and took some deep breaths. “I’m afraid I’ve deceived you all.” She sniffed. “My name is not Victoria Hadley. I am Leah Morgan.”

Mrs. Wright frowned. “What do you mean? You’re Victoria.”

“What’s happening?” Beth asked, as her eyebrows drew together.

Leah knew she had some explaining to do. “You see. I came here to look for work, to look for a new life. Austin thought I was Victoria, and at first, I said that I wasn’t, but then, he looked so nice and kind, I thought I’d pretend to be Victoria. I don’t know why I did it; I don’t know why I lied like that. It makes no sense and I know that now. I’ve just made a fool of myself in front of all you good people.”

“Who wrote the letters then?” Mrs. Wright asked. “I saw the letters.”

Beth rubbed Leah’s arm reassuringly.

Leah explained. “There was a Victoria, but she just sent another letter, and Austin got it today. In that letter, she said she couldn’t go through with marrying him. She’d changed her mind about coming here, because of the gambling houses and other such things.”

“That’s good then,” Mrs. Wright said. “It leaves the way clear now for you to marry Austin.”

Leah straightened her back and took a deep breath. “Austin wouldn’t marry me now. I’m a liar, and I’ve deceived you all. You were all so nice to me, and you had me here to stay with you and everything.”

“How about a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake?” Mrs. Wright asked.

Leah looked at Beth, and Beth said to her mother, “Ma, do you understand what she just said?”

“Yes, she’s not Victoria, and her name is Leah.”

Beth sighed.

“I will leave on the next train.” Leah got off the bed. “Just as soon as I get settled, I’ll send the money to pay Austin back for those dresses. I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble.”

Beth sprang off the bed. “No real harm’s been done. What did Austin say when he found out?”

Leah shook her head. “I should have told him sooner. He was angry and upset. And of course, he should be angry and upset. I’ve embarrassed him.”

“How about I talk to him?” Mrs. Wright asked. “There’s no reason that you can’t continue with the wedding, is there? I mean, he didn’t know this other girl either, so what’s the difference?”

Leah sat down on the bed again. “The difference is he doesn’t trust me now. He’d been writing to Victoria for some time, so he would’ve known a bit about her. Enough for him to ask her to marry him.”

Mrs. Wright pursed her lips. “Come downstairs, and we’ll eat cake, and figure out what to do. You’re not going to go running off into the night; I don’t care what my son says.”

Leah wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks. It was too much for her to bear that they were so nice to her after she’d told them the truth. She might have felt better if they’d been mean to her.

Mrs. Wright patted her back. “Why all the tears, child?”

Leah sniffed. “I feel bad.”

“People get angry, then they calm down. You and Austin have just had a little spat. It’s the Fourth of July tomorrow. He’ll forget all about it with the celebration, and when he’s got some good food in his stomach.”

Leah looked at Beth. Did Mrs. Wright realize what was going on at all? Beth smiled back at her, and shrugged her shoulders at her mother.

“I’ll be gone by then.” Leah couldn’t stay tomorrow with the whole family knowing that she’d lied.

“No, you must stay, you’re our guest,” Mrs. Wright said.

Beth nodded. “Yes, you must stay, Leah.”

“It wouldn’t be right. Austin wouldn’t want me here after what I’ve done.”

“I won’t hear another word about it. You’re my guest, and I want you to stay longer. You don’t have to leave,” Mrs. Wright said.

Leah licked her lips.

“Ma’s right. Wash your face, and then come down and have a cup of tea. We’ll figure out what to do,” Beth said.

“Okay, I’ll be down in a minute,” Leah said, glancing over at the basin and jug of water on the washstand.

“Come on, Ma, we’ll leave Leah alone for a moment,” Beth said.

When both women walked out of her room, Leah lay down flat on her back. Her whole body was numb, but still, she’d known this day was going to come. She couldn’t have gone on deceiving everyone forever. It was better to happen this way, than for the real Victoria to land on the doorstep. She got up and poured water into the basin. Leah splashed cold water onto her face, soothing her hot skin. With her eyes closed tightly, she reached for the white fluffy towel at the end of the washstand. She was pleased that Beth and Mrs. Wright were taking the news so well, but there was no way she could stay on at the house. Leah knew that she would have to leave as soon as possible, and was grateful for one more night in a nice house. First thing in the morning, she’d be on her way.

When Leah had freshened up, she went downstairs to join the other ladies.

Mrs. Wright and Beth looked up from the kitchen table to see Leah in the doorway. Mrs. Wright pulled out the chair next to her. “Come and sit, dear.”

Leah sat down next to Austin’s mother.

“Tell me about yourself, Leah. Where are your parents?” Mrs. Wright asked.

After licking her dry lips, Leah said, “Both my parents are dead. Well, my father left us years ago, and never returned. I have to assume that he died, and my mother died a couple of years ago. The last two years I’ve been a mother’s helper, looking after children.”

“What prompted you to come here?” Beth asked.

“I couldn’t go on as I was. I needed to change. I guess I just wanted a new life. I bought a train ticket here with no real plans. I kept hearing stories that there was opportunity out here, and I guess I wanted to see it for myself. When I noticed Austin at the station, I was looking for a sign that I should stay in this town.”

Mrs. Wright said nothing, but leaned over and picked up a white and pink china teapot. She delicately poured tea into a fine china teacup, and then passed the cup to Leah. “There you are. A nice cup of tea will make you feel better.” She turned to her daughter. “Beth, why don’t you cut us some cake?”

When Beth stood up, Leah felt tears begin to well in her eyes once more, and sniffed. “Can I help you with anything, Beth?” she managed to ask.

“No. We can’t have our guest doing anything.”

Mrs. Wright stood up, walked to a drawer, and pulled out a large knife.

Beth said, “Sit down, Ma. I can cut a piece of cake by myself. You have to get used to other people doing things for you.”

Mrs. Wright’s lips turned down, but she obeyed her daughter, and sat down.

“Just a small slice for me please, Beth,” Leah said.

Once they were seated with cake and tea, Beth asked, “Now, what are we to do?”

“I think I should leave. I don’t see what else I can do.” Leah looked down at the slice of cake that Beth had just placed in front of her. “I don’t think I can eat all this cake, Beth.”

“Nonsense, you have to keep your strength up,” Beth said.

Mrs. Wright laughed. “You’re becoming just like me, Beth.”

Beth chortled. “Yes, you do like to feed people.” She turned to Leah. “Ma always likes to feed people.”

Leah poked her cake with a fork, took a portion, and placed it into her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the two women stiffen. She looked into their faces, and saw that they were both staring over her shoulder. She swiveled to see what they were looking at, and it was then that she saw Austin standing in the doorway holding Violet. Leah nearly choked on her cake; she covered her mouth with her fingertips, and quickly swallowed.

“Beth, you and I better go and see to that thing I told you about yesterday,” Mrs. Wright said.

“Yes, I’m right behind you, and I’ll bring Violet with me,” Beth said, as she plucked Violet out of Austin’s arms, and hurried out of the room with her mother.

Before Leah could say or do anything, she was alone with Austin. He leisurely ambled around the other side of the table, and sat opposite her.

“I told them who I really am.” Her heart thumped hard against her chest.

“I’m sorry if I was rude, Leah. I was shocked and surprised - I guess.” He put his elbow on the table and placed his chin on his knuckles. “I was wondering if I might offer you some help. I could give you money until you find a suitable position, and perhaps find you a place to stay?”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you, but your mother’s been kind enough to let me stay here tonight, and then tomorrow, I’ll be on my way.”

“You’ll be on your way to where?”

“I’ll send you money for those dresses that you paid for, I will pay you back every dime.” Leah did not look at him when she spoke, preferring to look at the lace tablecloth. She was nothing more to him than a charity case, a destitute woman.

“I’m not worried about that,” he snapped. She looked up at him in shock. He breathed out heavily. “I’m sorry, Leah.”

“No, you don’t need to be sorry; it’s all my fault. The whole thing is all my fault.”

“My life hasn’t gone how I had planned it. The last few days I thought my life was finally going in a good direction,” Austin said.

“Well, I’m sorry to ruin things for you.”

He nodded. “Everything aside, I do want to help you. If it’s marriage you’re after, I know many men who are looking for wives.”

“No, I was never looking to get married.” Leah’s eyes glazed over. “I suppose I do want to though, someday.”

“I know a widower who’s in desperate need of someone to watch his children while he works. You’d be helping him out. His name is Jed Palmer, and he works with my brother at the Marshal’s office.”

Leah pressed her lips together. She remembered making out a report about stolen suitcases in the Marshal’s office with a man named Jed, but she could barely remember anything about him.

“Jed needs someone quickly. His sister, Adeline, was looking after the boys, but now she’s moving away. He came into the newspaper office a week ago to place an advertisement to employ someone.”

“I’ve looked after children before; I could do it.” At last things were looking better. Maybe she wouldn’t have to go back to Chicago.

“It will be a live-in position, but I can assure you that Jed has a good reputation, and is one of the most trustworthy people I know. He’s a good Christian man. I’m sure the pastor would recommend him as well.”

“That sounds good.” Leah smiled for the first time since her real self had been revealed.

Austin clapped his hands together so loudly that it made Leah jump. “I’ll make a meeting with him tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow everyone’s going to the old fort, aren’t they? It’s Independence Day.”

“Perfect, I’ll go see him right now, and see if he and his two boys can travel with us. It’ll be a perfect way for you to get to know them.”

“Thank you for being so kind, Austin.”

Mrs. Wright came back into the room. It was as if she’d been listening in for the perfect time to re-enter. “Piece of cake and a cup of tea, Austin?” she asked.

Chapter 10.

Austin left his mother’s home, pleased that he could help Leah. He rode his horse to the Marshal’s office, hoping to find Jed on duty; all the way there, he wondered how things would have been for him if Victoria had come to meet him. He couldn’t imagine having stronger feelings for anyone than he had for Leah, but he couldn’t let his feelings for Leah cloud his judgment on choosing a suitable wife. Even if he had asked Leah to marry him after everything that had happened, it would have been a poor start to a life together.

He walked into the Marshal’s office, and found Jed sitting behind the main desk. “Jed.”

Jed looked up from the paperwork he’d been shuffling. “Austin, what can I do for you?”

“It’s what I can do for you. I think I’ve solved a problem for you.” Austin sat opposite Jed.

“What problem would that be?”

“I think I might have found someone to look after William and Samuel.”

Jed’s expression changed immediately. The lines in his face disappeared as he leaned forward with a smile. “You have?”

“Her name’s Leah, she’s very good with children, and she’s looking for work.”

“She’s not married?”

Austin scratched his chin, and told him about Leah.

“I’ve met her, she came into my office just a day or two ago, and reported some missing personal property. She came in with Beth.”

Austin nodded, wondering if maybe there were no missing suitcases; that satchel might have contained everything she owned in the world. “Yes, that was she.”

“You’re not marrying her now?”

Shaking his head, Austin simply said, “No.” He looked across at Jed, and wondered how he could ask such a thing. Why would he marry a woman who could dream up such a deception?

“Can I meet her somewhere to discuss the position?” Jed asked.

“Yes, the other thing I meant to do was invite you and your boys to travel with us to the fort tomorrow. Leah will be there, and I thought the two of you might be able to talk throughout the day, and get to know each other.”

“I’d be delighted, so would the boys. Thank you, Austin.” 

Austin walked out of the Marshal’s office, not sure he’d done what was best. A part of him wanted to keep Leah to himself, and continue with the marriage. She’d been everything he could’ve hoped for in a wife and mother, except for her falsehoods. Her dishonesty was one thing he could not overlook. It wasn’t just himself who was at risk if he made a wrong choice; he had to consider Violet as well.

* * *

Leah was a little happier that she might have employment with Jed, looking after his two boys. She struggled to remember Jed from that day when she’d filed that report. He’d seemed kind, from what she could recall.

Beth was busy in the kitchen, while Mrs. Wright was having an afternoon nap.

“Can I help you, Beth? Please say ‘yes’, as I’ve little else to do.”

“I’ll be glad of the help. I’m getting things prepared for the picnic tomorrow. When we wake up, there’ll be a lot to do, so I’m getting it all ready to make things easier.” Beth gave Leah the vegetables to peel. “Austin said that Jed is coming with his boys.”

“Yes, hopefully, I’ll have some employment if all goes well, and a place to stay,” Leah said.

“You look a lot happier.”

Leah did feel more relaxed now that she wasn’t nervous about being found out. “What do you know about Jed?”

“Not a lot. He’s got a good name around the town; he’s worked with Hank for a few years now. His wife died about three years ago, and I think his boys are about four and five. There’s William, the eldest, and Samuel is the little one.”

“The boys are good ages, four and five. They are so innocent and sweet at that age. It will be restful only to have two to watch, rather than twelve children.”

“How many did your other employers have?”

“Twelve.”

Beth and Leah giggled.

“I hope to have five children some day,” Beth said. “We’ve been hoping, and waiting since we’ve been married, but still we’ve not been blessed with any.”

Leah turned away from her vegetables, and looked at Beth. The pain on her face was clearly evident. “It’ll happen when it’s meant to,” Leah said.

“Maybe, and maybe it won’t happen at all.”

Not knowing what to say to comfort this woman who’d quickly become her friend, Leah remained silent. After all, she knew nothing of the mysteries of how children came to be. She knew of the process of bringing them into the world, but how that process produced a child was a complete mystery to her.

“I shouldn’t burden you with my silly problems,” Beth said.

“You’ve been good to me, Beth. Better than anyone else in my life. I’d like to be able to say or do something to make you feel some comfort.”

“It’s in God’s hands. That’s what Albert tells me. I suppose that’s true enough.”

Leah bit the side of her mouth, and turned back to the vegetables.

Dinner that night was just for Albert, Beth, Mrs. Wright and Leah. It was a simple dinner of beef stew and rice.

When dinner was over, and the dishes were done, Leah excused herself for an early night. She walked into her bedroom, wishing that she hadn’t disappointed a good man such as Austin. He deserved the very best of everything, especially after he’d lost his dear wife. Leah sighed heavily, and lowered herself onto the bed. Maybe things had worked out how they were supposed to. She might have a good position looking after Jed’s two boys and boarding in their town lodgings.