Heart of mine, p.30
Heart of Mine, page 30
“I know. I know. And I, you. And the others. But I can’t let Beranger go. I love him. We are two halves of a whole. We have to be together.”
Lavinia gave her another warm hug. “So you finally understand?”
“I do. Before I went to Santa Fe, I was so confused. So unhappy and heartbroken. I never told anyone, but I’d received a letter from Mrs. Gamble. Tim has married, and Cooper is engaged. I was devastated.”
Lavinia’s face lit with empathy. “I see. But aren’t you glad now that happened? Tim or Cooper weren’t your destiny. That handsome, wonderful Englishman is. And you better get back there before he gets impatient and comes to carry you off.”
Emma hurried back to Beranger at the gazebo, feeling as if she were dreaming. Their presence alone on the pretty platform surrounded by lanterns and under a multitude of stars had people curious. Silence fell when Beranger opened his mouth.
“Emma and I have a surprise we’d like to share.”
Emma could have heard a feather drop. Lavinia and the rest of her sisters stood in a group next to Lord Harry, beaming as if they’d lost their collective minds. She had to giggle.
“But before we do, I’d like to ask Reverend Caskill to please come forward.”
Shock registered, followed by Emma’s heart spreading wing and taking flight. Everything that followed happened so quickly.
The preacher passed his cup of punch to someone to hold and hurried forward.
Emma looked at Beranger. He gave a playful shrug.
Beranger whispered into the man’s ear. When Caskill cocked a brow of censure, Beranger quickly explained the necessity of speed. He handed him a small scrap of paper he’d gotten somewhere. The reverend’s face softened.
Beranger picked up Emma’s hands.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Caskill called out in a loud voice, “seems we have another wedding to witness. You all have already heard my sermon on love and forgiveness, so I won’t take up your dancing time with another. This young couple just wants a quick exchange of vows.”
He turned to Beranger and Emma. “Please join hands.” He shook his head. “I see you’ve already done that.” A ripple of laughter slid through the crowd.
Beranger stared into Emma’s eyes. He didn’t know what his future held, but as long as she was with him, he knew they could accomplish anything.
Caskill blinked comically at the paper several times, then wiped his brow. “Sorry. Someone must have spiked my punch. As I was saying”—he raised the scrap of paper close to his eyes—“do you, Your Grace, Beranger William Harry Northcott, Duke of Brightshire, take Emma Fortitude Brinkman, daughter of John and Celeste Brinkman and sister to Mavis Applebee, Belle Harding, Lavinia Laughlin, and Katie Brinkman . . .” Guffaws rang out from the bar area, and the preacher lowed the paper. “To be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, through better and worse, for richer, for poorer, through sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live? Do you promise to love her, honor her, cherish her, and cleave unto her until death do you part?”
The most important words of his life. “I do,” he proclaimed boldly, with all the love in the world.
“Do you, Emma Fortitude Brinkman, take His Grace Beranger William Harry Northcott, Duke of Brightshire, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Now that everyone was over the first shock of his formal name, they giggled and smiled when Caskill said it again. Best of all, he spotted all of Emma’s sisters crying, holding each other, and bouncing up and down with excitement.
They approve.
“To have and to hold . . .”
The words floated off, and all he could see was Emma’s eyes brimming with love.
“I do,” she said, holding his gaze.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband—er—duke and duchess.” He gave them both a stern look. “And tomorrow, you will get your marriage license from our new mayor the moment she’s awake.”
The crowd, which had clearly been drinking, laughed merrily. Cheers went around.
Beranger pulled Emma into his arms for safety as the multitude rushed forward to pay their regards. He heard her happy laughter and felt her warmth against his chest. Nothing in his life had ever felt so right.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Three days later, packed and ready to depart, Emma and Beranger sat in the ranch house waiting for Lord Harry and the others to join them in the living room. Instead of going by stage, they planned to travel to a train station north of Eden and Dove Creek. Beranger planned to ship Charger to England, as well as Emma’s horse, Dusty. Trevor would drive the buckboard with Emma’s trunks, luggage, and whatever worldly possessions she was bringing along. From there, they would travel to the East Coast and book passage on a steamship bound for Great Britain.
As much as she loved Beranger and looked forward to the trip and her new life, Emma had been a teary mess since the night of the wedding. How could she live without her sisters? Her wedding ceremony directly after Lavinia’s was one to remember, and since then it had been marital bliss in Beranger’s arms, but still . . .
Eden and my sisters.
Beranger leaned toward her on the sofa. “Don’t be sad, my love. Our lives will be filled with love each and every day. I promise you that. You won’t have time to be lonely.”
“I don’t doubt that, Beranger. It’s just . . .”
The night before, they’d had a goodbye celebration in the café—with the whole town. Beranger was now a celebrity. When he’d lived among them, he’d been kind and fair to all, hardworking and smart.
“Life changes are difficult.”
“You of all people know that,” she responded. “I’m sorry Fran declined your offer to go to England as well. I would have liked to have met her.”
“She’s too old to change, she said. Wants to be buried next to her husband. I do understand that. She won’t lack for anything until that time.”
Hearing footsteps, she turned to see Lavinia. Rhett had gone into town to work, conscious of the timeline he had to keep on the hotel. Lavinia took Emma’s hands and pulled her to the large front window to speak in private.
“Now you’re the one who’s bowing out on our morning chats, Emma,” she said, a pretty smile on her lips. “But I forgive you.” They embraced. “This isn’t goodbye, it’s farewell until later. I’m so happy for you and Beranger. When I think about all you’re going to experience, I think sometimes my heart might burst with love and pride.”
Emma was still clinging to her hands. “Please don’t. Rhett would never forgive me.”
“You’re right about that. His love for me seems to grow stronger by the day. I’m very happy. And very, very lucky.” A poignant moment stretched between them. “You’re a duchess now, Emma. Imagine that. Mother and Father would be so proud—so proud! It’s difficult to even wrap my mind around all that’s happened.” Lavinia giggled, and a devilish glint came into her eyes. “Imagine, we were wedded and bedded on the very same night.”
“Lavinia!” Heat rushed to Emma’s face, and she cut a quick glance at her magnificent husband. He was watching them with a smile. He couldn’t hear their whispered conversation—or could he? By that devilish look in his eyes, she wasn’t sure. She was sure she loved him more than anything she could describe. The moon, the stars, the galaxy. There weren’t enough words in her vocabulary to express what she felt. “You surprise me at every turn. I’m still shocked about the secret you shared moments before saying ‘I do.’ You in nothing but your corset—oh my!”
They laughed, and Beranger arched an eyebrow. “Things sound pretty interesting over there. I wonder if I might join you?”
“No!” they said in unison.
Lavinia’s eyes twinkled. “What if we’ve both conceived? Oh, Emma, I can’t wait to have ten children of my own.”
“Ten! Oh my. I’ll do well with two moppets of my own.”
“What’s this?” Lord Harry asked, descending the stairs, looking regal. Mavis and Katie were by his side. His brown hair was still as thick as Beranger’s but had a salting of gray around his temples. He had the deep blue Northcott eyes—one of which Beranger had. Her heart warmed. She loved her husband’s eyes and couldn’t imagine him without them. Lord Harry had won over the entire house, including the help and the ranch hands in the bunkhouse. He said he wanted to return someday and make a camping trip into the San Juan Mountains. “Only two heirs for the Duke of Brightshire? That will hardly put a dent in the rooms at Ashbury Castle. You may want to rethink that.”
“Stop teasing my wife,” Beranger said with a smile. He stood and went to her side. “Two children or ten, I’m still the luckiest man in the world.”
Emma didn’t miss Mavis’s tense lips or Katie’s scrunched brow. What was wrong with Clint? He needed a good swift kick in the pants. If she weren’t leaving in the next half hour, she’d make sure he got one.
What’s he so frightened of? He was a sheriff, wasn’t he? Lawmen are supposed to be brave.
She chanced a glance at Katie. No help there. Santiago had done a fine and thorough job of breaking her heart. Time was the only thing that would help her baby sister now. Emma stood back, taking stock: two sisters happy, two sisters sad. Not the best time to be leaving.
Henry, Blake, and Belle came through the front door.
“All set?” Beranger asked.
Trevor, driving the wagon, would be the only person from the ranch accompanying the group to the train station. They’d all said their goodbyes last night. The two men who had accompanied Lord Harry were already outside, ready to get back to their home.
Blake nodded, but Belle hurried to her sisters’ sides.
“I’m trusting you, Beranger, to keep Emma safe,” Blake said. “Fate has a strange way of working out. Last year, when John’s daughters showed up for the reading of his will, I never expected such a drastic turn of events.”
His stern expression moved Emma’s heart. He might be her sister’s husband, but he watched out for them all.
“You have my word, Blake,” Beranger said. “Emma is, and will remain, my main concern. Her happiness and welfare mean everything. Now and always.” He strode forward and gripped his new brother-in-law’s hand. “And I’m sorry about the Lucky Sister. But our quick departure is prudent.”
Blake laughed. “We all understand. That mine has sat forgotten for a long time. A few more months, or even years, won’t make a difference. We’ll wait for your first visit back. How’s that?”
The girls locked hands in a circle, just like they used to when they were young. So much emotion welled up in Emma, she couldn’t speak. They’d be leaving in moments. Who knew what fate would dish out? Perhaps she’d never see any of their beloved faces again.
Everyone’s eyes brimmed. Katie’s tears were the first to fall. One moment later, the other four sisters followed suit.
“I’ll only be a letter away,” Emma gasped, wiping away the dampness from her cheeks. “And I’ll visit every year.”
“Promise?” Lavinia said. “And bring your children?”
“Of course. Beranger assured me.”
Mavis studied her face. “Don’t be frightened on the ship, Emma. And don’t overextend yourself trying to do and learn too much at first. When your mind gets worked up, you have even more difficulty falling asleep. Just relax and have fun. Don’t get homesick, because you’re where you’re supposed to be. Bob and weave with trials and tribulations, and all will be well.”
Emma pressed her cheek against Mavis’s. Being the oldest, Mavis had had to step in as their mother long ago. No one could ever take her place. “I won’t be frightened, Mavis. I’ll be brave. And I’ll enjoy myself. You needn’t worry so about me.”
Belle lifted a brow. “No more wagers,” she said in a stern voice, but her eyes twinkled with love. “You would have had plenty of time to plan your own wedding if you hadn’t been so stubborn, betting against your own happiness.”
“That’ll be the least of my problems, I’m sure.” Emma laughed. “But yes, no wagering anymore at all.”
Belle sucked in several huge, jerky breaths. “I’m going to miss you so much, sister of mine.”
“Don’t you dare forget about us, Emma.” Katie was staring at her with the most perplexing expression. “You may be a duchess now, but you’re still our sister first, and an irreplaceable part of this family. Your life will never be the same once you walk out that door. Please, for us, and for Mother and Father, remember your roots and follow your heart. You belong to Eden, and Eden belongs to you. We’ll be waiting.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Heartfelt gratitude goes out to many special people for their help with Heart of Mine, book three of my Colorado Hearts series.
First to Megan Mulder, my editor, and Montlake Publishing for believing in this story of five sisters forging new lives on the Colorado frontier. To the Montlake staff, for your love and support throughout the years.
To Caitlin Alexander, my developmental editor. Your fine eye and creative ideas always make my work shine. Thank you so much!
To Saralee Etter, my first-round reader and editor, thank you! Especially now, for keeping an eye on the Victorian aspects of this story. You’re a jewel.
To Tim and Justin Popovich, knowledgeable blacksmith docents of the Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, for your detailed information on mining and how to find the perfect spot to begin, as well as your input on working with steam and fire.
As always, love and gratitude to my husband, Michael, for taking up all the slack when I need to work, for reading and critiquing, and for tweaking my “man-speak.” And lots of love to my beautiful family, with the new addition of Hudson Bryce! Grandsons are very fun!
To my awesome readers, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love!
And to our Awesome God for making my life so wonderful!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Fyffe was born in Waco, Texas, the first of many towns she would call home during her father’s career with the US Air Force. A horse aficionado from an early age, she earned a bachelor of arts in communications from California State University, Chico, before launching what would become a twenty-year career as an equine photographer. She began writing fiction to pass the time during long days in the show arena, channeling her love of horses and the Old West into a series of Western historicals. Her debut novel, Where the Wind Blows, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award as well as the Wisconsin RWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award. She and her husband have two grown sons and live in the Pacific Northwest.
Fyffe, Caroline, Heart of Mine
