The Heart Breaker (36 page)

Reluctantly she stepped aside and took his hat and cane. “May I offer you tea?”

“I should like that, thank you. The drive from Denver was long and dusty.”

“I shall put the kettle on.” She hesitated. “You may wait in the parlor, or accompany me to the kitchen, if you prefer.”

“The kitchen, if that is where you will be.”

Heather led Evan to the back of the house, wondering what he could have to say to her that would warrant his traveling such a great distance. He paused when he spied the child. Janna had pulled herself to her feet and stood clinging unsteadily to the wooden leg of a chair, staring at the newcomer with wide, solemn eyes.

“This is McCord’s Indian daughter?”

Heather felt her shoulders stiffen reflexively as she prepared to defend Janna from any possible slur. “Yes, this is Janna McCord. But I consider her my daughter now.”

Evan viewed the raven-haired toddler critically. “Those eyes and cheekbones are striking. I expect she will grow up to be a rare beauty.”

Hearing the sincerity in his tone, Heather breathed more easily. Evan Randolf was a legendary connoisseur of beauty, and it gratified her to have him praise Janna’s attributes rather than focus on her mixed blood. “Please, have a seat.”

Taking Janna’s hand, Heather led the child to her blanket to play with her toys, then turned to fill the teakettle and set it on the stove to boil. Her guest settled at the table to watch her.

From the corner of her eye, Heather saw him survey the serviceable kitchen. When he pressed his lips together, she wondered if Evan Randolf had ever even been inside a kitchen. In St. Louis he had an army of underlings to see to his every whim.

“You have no servants?” he asked after a moment.

Heather couldn’t repress a smile. “Not a one, I’m afraid. Although Sloan’s ranch hands are always willing to help if I need assistance.”

“It must be difficult, managing under such adverse circumstances.”

“It isn’t so bad. Actually I find depending on myself to be a challenge.”

“Your family would be dismayed to see you thus.”

Her smile turned wry. “My mother would have been appalled. Fortunately I am not much like her. She was a wealthy socialite whose happiest function was deciding which parties to attend. I grew unaccustomed to a life of ease after my father’s passing. And truthfully, there is something quite satisfying about putting in a hard day’s labor. Certainly it makes me appreciate more the advantages I do have.”

Evan’s brows drew together in a frown. “Even so, I cannot imagine that you are truly happy here. You deserve better than this, Heather.”

She started to shrug and reply, “I am content”—and yet she
wasn’t
content. Ignoring his comment, therefore, Heather began setting out the tea things. “I never expected to see you in this part of Colorado.”

“I have business dealings in Denver, but in truth I came here out of concern for you.”

“Why should you be concerned?”

“I saw Richard Weld recently. He suggested you might be in need of assistance.”

Her frown conveyed her disappointment. “I never expected Richard to betray a confidence.”

“He did not, not in so many words. But he had promised to keep an eye out for you, and when I quizzed him about how you were faring, he told me you were seeking employment. I’ve come to offer my aid, Heather.”

“I am flattered, Evan, but there really was no need for you to go to such trouble.”

“Ah, but there was. I am greatly worried about you, my dear. I do not like to think of you struggling
under such hardship … although in all honesty I cannot deny hoping you would come to regret your choice of husband.”

“Evan…” She said nothing further, but her tone implied how inappropriate she found the conversation, and how uncomfortable.

“I warned your Mr. McCord to see to your happiness, or he would answer to me. It seems he did not take me at my word.”

She glanced at Evan in surprise, but before she could reply, he leaned forward, eyeing her intently.

“Heather, I wish you to know that the offer I made you some months ago still stands.”

To hide her dismay, she averted her gaze. As she set the china cups and saucers on the table, she kept her answer carefully neutral. “Evan, I am a married woman. I would never contemplate committing adultery.”

He shook his head solemnly. “You quite mistake me. I would never ask you to. I would never be satisfied to have you merely as my mistress, nor would I ever insult you so. But there is such a thing as divorce.”

“Divorce?” She stared down at him.

“It would leave you free to wed again.”

Her lips parted but no sound came out.

“I still want you, Heather. As my wife. I want you to share my life.”

“You … cannot mean what you’re suggesting.”

“Believe me, I do. I have been unable to forget you, Heather, though God knows I’ve tried.” When she started to speak, he held up an elegant hand. “Please, my dear, hear me out. I’ve spent the past thirty miles working up the courage to say this. Please … won’t you sit down?”

When she complied and sank a bit dazedly into the seat beside him, Evan took a deep breath. “I
made the worst mistake of my life letting you go. And I’ve come to beg you to give me another chance. Believe me, I am quite serious when I ask you to consider divorce.”

“But … the scandal… Surely you wouldn’t wish to wed a divorcée.”

His smile was rueful, edged with selfdeprecating charm. “I fancy my consequence in society is high enough to weather a scandal. But even if not, it would be worth the risk to have you by my side.”

Was he truly in earnest? Heather wondered, still reeling in shock.

He apparently saw her confusion and reached out to gently take her hand. “If I thought you happy here, I would never dream of making so bold a proposal. But you aren’t happy.”

“That doesn’t mean,” she replied in a low voice, “that you and I would suit. I could never be the wife you desired, Evan. You’ve always seen me as a pretty ornament for your empire.”

“Perhaps I once did. But with you gone from my life, I realized what a gem you were. I was wrong, not giving you the respect you deserved … not appreciating or valuing you properly. I should never have taken winning you for granted.”

“Evan, that is all in the past now.”

“But it needn’t be. Please, my dear… can you not give me reason to hope?”

“I … I’m not certain what to say.”

“Say you will consider my proposal at least.”

“Evan… I can’t.”

His voice lowered. “Perhaps you cannot forgive me for my despicable behavior when we last met.”

“That isn’t the reason.”

“Heather, I wish you to know how deeply I regret my behavior that day. It was unpardonable. I
cannot remember that incident without cringing.”

“You needn’t apologize again, Evan. You did so quite adequately at the time. Lending your private railroad car for our wedding trip was a generous gesture.”

“It scarcely seems sufficient after my barbarous treatment of you.”

“I have put it out of my mind, I assure you.”

“Then you are not sorry to see me?”

“No … not at all. Truly, it
is
good to see you,” Heather replied, and was surprised at how much she meant it. “But I cannot marry you.”

“I would understand if you don’t wish to return to St. Louis. If you prefer to remain here in Colorado, I can buy you a dozen ranches.”

“Evan,
please
believe me. I am overwhelmed by your generosity, but I could never wed you.” She eased her hand from his grasp. “I am afraid I could never feel anything more for you than friendship, or become involved in any intimate way. I’m sorry.”

His expression was pained, but his sigh was one of resignation. “I feared as much. But I had to try.”

He looked down at his fingers, and Heather stood up awkwardly, unsure what else to say to convince him.

“Can you tell me…” he asked quietly, “if you are planning to leave your husband?”

“I’m not certain. But regardless, I couldn’t accept your proposal. It would not be fair to you to have a wife who could never return your feelings. You see … I love Sloan.”

It was a long, long moment before Evan moved or spoke. With an uncustomary air of defeat then, he reached into the inner breast pocket of his frock coat and withdrew an envelope. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Curiously Heather took it and opened it. Inside was a bank draft for fifteen hundred and fifteen dollars. “What is this?”

“The amount your husband gave me to settle your debts, plus six months’ interest.”

“I don’t understand.”

Again his lips curved, but this time his smile was tinged with bitterness. “I realize I never had the right to hold you accountable for your father’s gambling debts. Indeed, I only used the obligation as leverage, so you would accept my suit more readily. It was unforgivable of me.”

For an instant Heather shut her eyes, contemplating how different her life might have been had Evan come to this conclusion
before
she had wed Sloan out of desperation.

“I should have canceled the debt months ago,” Evan added regretfully, “when you first refused my offer. But I couldn’t bear to think of McCord winning you. Call it jealousy or pride, but I wanted to make him suffer.”

“Thank you, Evan. I shall put this money to good use.”

“You will be able to redeem the mortgage on this ranch at least. The note is for fifteen hundred, is it not?”

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “What gives you the notion the Bar M is mortgaged?”

“I make it my business to know the fiscal circumstances of my opponents.” Evan held up a hand to forestall her protest. “I swear to you, my intentions are entirely honorable in this case. I understand your husband is suffering rather serious financial trouble.”

“No more than most,” Heather responded loyally. “Many cattle ranchers are facing difficulties this year.”

“Perhaps, but none of the others are wed to you.” His eyes darkened. “Heather, please believe me when I say I only want the best for you, and that I would very much like to atone for my past sins. If you will permit me, I should like to provide the capital to get this ranch back on sound financial footing. No conditions attached. Purely out of friendship for you. Indeed, I would be honored if you would allow me to help. On behalf of your father’s memory, if nothing else. He was my friend and I owe it to him.”

“I appreciate your generous offer, Evan, truly, but I must decline. Sloan would never agree. He is a proud man, you see. He refuses even to let his family help him.”

“Very well… but I cannot simply stand idly by while you suffer. Most certainly I don’t like to think of you being forced to seek employment.”

“I am grateful for your concern, but I couldn’t accept your financial assistance.”

“Whyever not?”

She smiled. “Besides the fact that I have a reputation to uphold, I never have enjoyed being indebted to you, or anyone else. Call it my pride, if you will.”

His smile was genuine this time, and it reminded Heather why he was such a favorite with most ladies. “Very well. But if you mean to leave here, you must at least allow me to help find you employment. I have a number of business acquaintances in Denver, if that is where you choose to go. I can make inquiries… discreetly, of course. In fact, I know a certain affluent widow there who might be seeking a companion. If so, I could facilitate the introductions.”

“Well … I expect there would be nothing improper in accepting an introduction.”

He hesitated. “If you mean to leave here, I’m not certain why you don’t simply return home to St. Louis where you have friends.”

Heather gave a delicate shrug. She did have friends in St. Louis who cared for her. Certainly Winnie would always take her in. And not having to pay for lodging would greatly minimize her expenses. But she preferred Denver, where she could perhaps lead a life of anonymity, where her failed marriage would not be so obvious. Where she would not be so very far from Janna, from Sloan....

“There is no future for me any longer in St. Louis,” she answered evasively. “But I have a little more time to decide my course of action. I shan’t go anywhere until after the election.”

“It is to be held in two weeks, is it not?”

“Yes, on Wednesday after next.”

“I fathom the race was predicted to go down to the wire, but that may be changing, from what I’ve read. Richard’s articles have been highly critical of your husband’s opponent.”

“For good reason. Mr. Lovell’s use of his wealth and influence so far has been less than ethical.”

“I have a passing acquaintance with Lovell. He is as ruthless as they come. He won’t take kindly to the idea of losing.”

“I don’t imagine so,” Heather agreed.

“Your husband should be on his guard.”

She nodded. Sloan’s chances of winning had improved recently, thanks to Richard’s candid articles questioning the honesty of the mining baron’s more lucrative dealings. And she wouldn’t put it past Quinn Lovell to use some underhanded means to tip the scales back in his favor.

She felt Evan’s penetrating gaze on her, though, which brought her out of her reflections.

“Are you certain I have no chance with you?” he asked again, softly.

“I’m sorry, Evan. I wish I could feel something for you, but I can’t.”

“I know—you profess to love that cowman you wed. I just wish I knew what you see in the fellow.”

“Evan…”

He sighed again. “Forgive me, my dear. I’m acting the spoiled child, but I’ve always been reluctant to concede defeat. Very well, I suppose I must accept your answer with good grace.” He straightened his shoulders and was once again the urbane railroad magnate who ruled much of St. Louis and a good deal of the rest of the country.

“In any event I intend to remain in Colorado until after the election is over. If you decide to return home to St. Louis, my dear, I would be pleased if you would consider my private car at your disposal. And if you choose Denver, I hope you will accept my safe escort there. There can be nothing improper in a friend offering a ride. My carriage can be here in under three hours, and I can even bring a female chaperone, if that would satisfy the dictates of propriety. You have only to send me word. I shall be staying at the Windsor Hotel in Denver.”