To Catch a Wolf (27 page)

friendship and every encouragement at this crucial time, which I cannot do here." She

met Cecily's stare without apology. "I am aware that Niall does not wish me to go, but

Miss Hughes's condition outweighs such personal considerations. I am sure you

understand.”

Cecily tugged at the fingertips of her white kid gloves. "I am afraid that I must advise

against it, my dear. Not only is it likely to upset your brother, but this is hardly the time of

year for such travel. And how would you go? You cannot drive yourself.”

"I don't intend to. I can arrange everything, if you will agree not to speak of this to my

brother until I am back in Denver.”

"Isn't Mr. Munroe in Chicago?”

"Yes, and he is not to return until the day of the ball. I will be safely home in good time."

Athena clenched her hands in her lap. "I know that you are very fond of my brother,

Cecily. It is possible that you may hear from him. That is why I request that you say

nothing of this beforehand. No harm will be done by it.”

Cecily sighed and took on a pensive air. "You know that I am your friend, dear Athena,

but I do not feel quite comfortable in deceiving your brother. And I must be concerned

for you, as well. Even if you take your maid—”

"I will be going alone. I do not wish to involve the servants, though of course they will

know where I am.”

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"I see.”

It was obviously time to bargain. Athena had some familiarity with the method, for she

had used persuasion many times when soliciting the sometimes reluctant contributions

of the lions—and lionesses—of Denver society. She was sorry for the need to

manipulate Cecily, but what she intended to say was not very far from the truth.

"It is a great deal to ask," she admitted, "and I abhor deception just as much as you do.

But in many ways I have come to think of you as a sister. I consider it an excellent sign

that my brother is not so much alone as he has been in the past.”

Her gentle hint did not go unnoticed. Cecily straightened, and her eyes took on a certain

gleam.

"I am flattered that you think so, Athena." She lowered her gaze. "I

I fear I have not

been particularly successful in concealing my affection for Mr. Munroe.”

Athena relaxed. "My brother can be quite stubborn, but he is blessed with many fine

qualities. I will keep your assistance in this matter between the two of us, and Niall will

know only of your tireless work for charity and the constancy of your friendship.”

Cecily was quiet for several minutes, and Athena wondered if perhaps she had gone too

far in suggesting the bribe of her influence with Niall. He had shown more attention to

Cecily than he did most women, and a good word or two on Athena's part might make

the difference.

Athena wondered why she had not more actively encouraged Niall to consider Cecily as

a wife. She had recognized the possibility of it from the beginning of her acquaintance

with the older woman—she had seen Cecily's strong interest in Niall—yet she hadn't

pursued the scheme in spite of the advantages.

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Niall could not be driven, in any case, and heaven help the woman who tried. The girl

he chose to love must be far stronger than his sister was.

"Are you quite sure that you feel comfortable leaving the ball in my hands?”

Cecily's voice startled Athena back to attention. "I have no doubts whatsoever. Your

taste and experience are impeccable.”

"But if there are sudden changes—if alterations must be made—”

"Then I know that you will do just the right thing." Athena glanced at the clock on the

mantel, impatient to have this over and done with so that she could begin planning for

the trip.

"When did you intend to depart?" Cecily asked.

"The day after tomorrow, at dawn," she said, making a quick decision. "Will you help

me, Cecily?”

"I will do all that I can." Cecily rose and shook out her skirts. "My carriage is waiting. I

must be getting home.”

"Of course." Athena released a quiet breath. "Is there anything you need to know about

the ball? I will inform the necessary parties that you have complete authority, and

additional expenses can be deferred until my return, but if there is anything else

"

The older woman smiled. "I have observed your work carefully for the past few months,

my dear. I believe I can act as your deputy with all due efficiency." She paused at the

door. "Take great care. I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you.”

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"You are a true friend, Cecily.”

"And I hope one day to be much more—to you, and to Mr. Munroe. Good-night,

Athena.”

"Good-night.”

Athena listened for Brinkley's steps and the sound of the front door closing on a gust of

wind. She tugged the shawl back over her shoulders and wheeled her chair to the

secretary. She chewed on the tip of her pen, considering the letters to be written, and

began the first of them while sleet rattled against the windowpanes.

Tomorrow she would see the letters delivered. And in a few days, she'd be at Caitlin's

bedside, among the people who had come to mean as much to her as any of her

Denver friends.

Perhaps Morgan would smile at her again. She did not expect it, let alone anything

more. If she could see Caitlin through her most difficult time, it was enough.

It would have to be.

The necessities of business had never seemed so interminable or the conversation so

dull as they had been for the past five weeks. Niall leaned his head against the seat of

the Pullman Palace car on the railroad heading west from Kansas City, profoundly

grateful to be going home.

Or was he? When he walked in the door of the house on Fourteenth Street, he would

have to face Athena—and he knew the awkwardness that had grown between them

would not have vanished so quickly.

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It wasn't that he expected Athena to defy him. In matters of importance, she had always

deferred to him no matter how stubborn she might appear. That was how it ought to be.

And Miss Hockensmith—Cecily—was looking after her. In fact, he had felt relieved at

the prospect of getting away, allowing Athena a chance to reconsider her foolishness

and return to her normal routine.

But the niggling little worry remained: Athena was infatuated with the circus—worse,

with Morgan Holt—and those people were a mere thirty miles away in the mountains.

God only knew what they were doing at the ranch. And the girl—

He loosened his collar and tried to relax, though he had neither slept nor eaten well

since he had left Denver. That girl—Caitlin—he had thought of her far too many times in

Chicago, in the loneliness of his hotel room with the empty commotion going on in the

street below. He had remembered her smile, the halo of red hair, her courage in the

face of a serious injury.

The doctor had said she would recover with proper rest. That was the only reason she

and the others were at Long Park. Apart from his providing them winter quarters, he

was not responsible for what happened to Caitlin Hughes.

Yet he thought of her. He imagined her like Athena, confined to a chair, her vibrant spirit

stilled forever. And the sickness of guilt welled up in his chest, reminding him that he

was as much a cripple as his sister.

Athena had used their shared memories against him—he was too skilled a negotiator

not to recognize that. Without directly calling upon the great debt he owed her, she had

forced him to acknowledge the necessity of keeping Caitlin from the fate she had

suffered.

It will not happen to Caitlin. He had made sure of that. He had behaved correctly,

honorably. Athena was grateful.

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But none of these truths comforted him. The closer the train drew to Denver, the more

certain he was that he must see for himself how matters went at the ranch. He could

speak to Mr. Durant and the foreman, make certain that the circus people were not

taking too much advantage of their free accommodations. And while he was there, he

would look in on Caitlin and carry a report back to his sister.

Yes. I will go to Long Park. Only a brief stop in Denver, and then I will be on my way.

The moment he made the decision, the tightness in his chest eased and his mind was

clear again. He closed his eyes. The train's rocking became a soothing motion, and he

no longer noticed the smoke or the discomfort of the long journey. For the first time in a

month, he slept through the night.

For three whole days, Cecily kept her fingers crossed and prayed for just a little bit of

luck. Athena had left Denver early yesterday morning; a mere day and a half later,

Cecily had achieved more than she had any right to expect.

At first she had resented the position Athena had put her in. After all, the last thing she

wanted to do was lie to Niall should he ask how his sister was faring—though, thank

goodness, he had done so only once during his sojourn to Chicago. But Cecily had

found it impossible to turn down the opportunity Athena unwittingly offered: that of

making the Winter Ball her own.

True, there were relatively few details left to attend in the week and a half remaining

before the event, but those could be made quite important with the right emphasis. The

usual guests had already been invited, and the catering arranged, but Cecily had been

doing her own investigating while she helped Athena. She knew that the grand ballroom

at the Windsor was available the night of the ball. And she had decided, immediately

upon Athena's departure, to change the venue from the Munroes' private ballroom to

the public setting.

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That, of course, meant more decorations, more hothouse flowers, and many other

alterations. Cecily knew that Athena preferred intimacy and the same familiar circle of

acquaintances to crowds and public display. With a complete lack of imagination, she

chose guests who were generous with donations, not those who made fascinating

company or offered new social or business opportunities.

Cecily had no interest in charity beyond what it could do for her social progress. She

knew of several dignitaries and businessmen from other states or cities, and even

outside the country—including a prince of some small European nation and at least one

English earl—who were currently in town; she sent invitations to them and a number of

other useful personages who had been left off the guest list for want of space.

After that, it was necessary to order additional foodstuffs, suitable for such elegant

attendees. By the time the day of the ball arrived, the affair would bear little

resemblance to the one Athena had planned.

And Athena, bless her naïveté, would remember that she had given Cecily carte

blanche to do as she saw fit. She would seem both foolish and selfish if she protested

the changes. Indeed, if the girl were gone only the few days she had proposed, Cecily

would be most surprised. By the time she came back, it would be too late to return to

the previous arrangements.

Cecily sighed with airy regret and stepped down from her carriage, glad to be home

after a long day of shopping. The price of this deception might very well be the loss of

Athena's trust and friendship. But Cecily had grown more and more confident of Niall's

attachment to her; in fact, she had prepared several stories to explain Athena's absence

should he return to Denver before his sister. Every one of them would reflect badly on

Athena and leave Cecily the injured party.

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That was a risk, too, of course. Niall might decide to believe his sister instead, if she

chose to brand Cecily a liar. But whom would Niall trust when his sister had so blatantly

broken her word?

The door to the Hockensmith house on Welton swung open as she reached it. The new

butler, one of several servants recently employed thanks to Mr. Hockensmith's profitable

partnership with Niall Munroe, bowed and took her coat.

"Miss Hockensmith," he said with just the right note of deference, "there is a gentleman

waiting to see you.”

"A gentleman?" She was both intrigued and annoyed; the man should know better than