Last Promise Page 3

  Perhaps he wasn’t as ill-mannered as she first thought. She appreciated his consideration. “Yes, thank you, a fire would be lovely.”

  Luke noticed how she hovered by the open door, looking something akin to a lost calf, a bit skittish, uncertain of which way to go. It was understandable why a little thing like her wouldn’t want to close the door with a man in her room. He thought maybe if he talked to her it would put her at ease. Plus he liked the sound of her proper English accent. After removing his hat, he tossed it on the bed and it landed right beside her frilly pink hat making the feathers flutter. “You must have traveled a long way,” he said conversationally.

  She wasn’t accustomed to servants speaking so freely. That didn’t happen in her father’s home, no one dared speak out of turn. But she must remember she was in America now, and attitudes here, as she had learned, were vastly different. As Luke went about lighting the fire, Mary Ann covertly observed his physique. He was a very large man, tall and muscular, with legs that seemed to go on forever. When he squatted down in front of the fireplace and leaned over to add more logs, his shirt stretched over his broad, muscled shoulders and she half expected the seams to tear apart. She hadn’t noticed his wavy raven black hair when he was brawling in the street. Once he removed his hat, she noticed he wore his hair a bit longer than most men, but on him it somehow seemed fitting. With his dark bronze complexion and black hair, she thought it most unusual his eyes were bright blue. A very attractive combination, she grudgingly admitted.

  Luke waited for an answer, but when none was forthcoming, he turned to her. “Did you travel a long way?”

  “What would give you that impression?”

  Ignoring her frosty tone, Luke pointed to the luggage. “That much luggage says either you’ve been traveling for some time, or you’re planning to stay awhile. Plus your accent is a dead giveaway.” He gave her a smile, hoping something about him impressed her. His smile always worked with the ladies.

  “Hmm.”

  So much for trying to engage her in conversation. Once the fire was blazing, Luke stood and grabbed his Stetson from the bed and his eyes lingered on her hat. He really wanted to pick it up and look at it. He wasn’t sure why, other than it was so feminine, and well . . . pink. One of his favorite pastimes was watching a woman at her toilette. He prided himself on being a man who appreciated the time women took with their appearance. It was all of the little things women did that he treasured, whether it was the way they fixed their hair, or how they applied perfume in strategic places, or how they pulled on their stockings. He loved watching them dress and undress, and all of the various stages in between. He liked how they chose their hats to match their dresses. Actually, he loved everything about the opposite sex. That was one of the reasons women were drawn to him; he made them feel appreciated. Right now, he admired one particular pink hat worn by one particularly beautiful woman. He slowly sauntered to the door. “That’s a beautiful hat.”

  It surprised her a scoundrel like him even noticed her hat. How unexpected. “Thank you.”

  Standing just a foot from her, Luke smelled her subtle perfume. He had the urge to nuzzle her neck like a dog and get a good whiff. Looking down at her he realized she was just a little thing. He figured she couldn’t have been over five feet tall, but it was hard to tell because she had her head lowered looking for something in her reticule. Luke wasn’t sure, but he thought the bag she was digging through might have been designed by his sister-in-law Victoria. He’d never really paid much attention to the little bags before he’d seen Victoria’s artistic designs. The intricate detailed work involved in creating them gave him a whole new appreciation for her creations. He was really surprised to learn that some women paid more for those little things than a man did for a good horse.

  He lingered, trying to think of something else to say to her so he could hang around a little longer. It was unusual for him to be so tongue-tied around a woman and he didn’t know why it was happening now. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He thought he’d start with the basics and not try so hard to impress her. “I’m Luke McBride.”

  “Mr. McBride.”

  “Call me Luke.”

  When she found what she was looking for she looked up at him and their eyes met, and his brain stopped working again. Everything about her face was flawless; smooth pale skin, a small straight nose, even her pink lips were perfectly formed, and her silver eyes sparkled like stars. Don’t stand here like a dummy. Say something, impress her. He nervously twirled his hat in his hands. “So are you staying a long time?” He hoped so.

  Standing so close to her, she found his size most intimidating, and the display of fisticuffs in the street earlier didn’t help matters. And she certainly didn’t understand his interest in her travel plans. Still, she couldn’t help but notice what a handsome man he was even with a swollen bloody lip. “I believe so.”

  Lord she was a beauty, but she was definitely on edge. She reminded him of a baby bird, and he was the hawk flying overhead. “Do you want to have dinner?” His question was impulsive, but he was proud of himself for mustering the courage to ask.

  She took a step forward. “I’ll require some later.”

  Luke thought it was an odd response, but he didn’t have time to comment since she was slowly inching him toward the threshold as she pulled the door with her. He had no choice but to step back or have the door smack him in the face. What she did next really threw him. She reached out and placed some coins in his hand. “Thank you,” she said and promptly closed the door in his face. He heard the key turn in the lock with a loud click. Only then did he realize that she had masterfully shuffled him over the threshold and he was standing on the wrong side of the closed door. He stood there speechless. That little gal had actually shoved him out the door without touching him. He opened his palm and looked at the silver dollars. Yeah, he made an impression all right. She thought it was his job to carry up her luggage. He chuckled all the way down the stairs.

  * * *

  On his ride home, Miss Mary Ann Hardwicke occupied Luke’s thoughts. Eb said she had business with George Granville, the owner of the hotel. He knew George had only been in Wyoming for a few years, hailing from England. Luke’s brother told him that once George purchased the hotel he’d spent months and a lot of money renovating the place until it was one of the nicest hotels in the West. Luke hoped George made it to church tomorrow so he could ask him about the mysterious lady in the pink hat. It seemed odd a young woman like her would be traveling alone. She couldn’t have possibly traveled all the way from England without an escort.

  * * *

  “Don’t you want me to stay, Uncle George?” The reunion with her uncle hadn’t gone as well as Mary Ann had expected. After she’d told him of her reasons for leaving London, he seemed concerned her father would come to America to find her. Perhaps her uncle thought he might face her father’s wrath and be held responsible for her decision to come to Wyoming.

  George’s sister, Coreen, had married Hardwicke for his money. Coreen was a great beauty in her day, just like his niece, and Hardwicke had been persistent in wooing her. George’s family were on the same social level as Hardwicke, but their estate was not nearly as large. George knew when his sister married Hardwicke it wasn’t a love match, but his sister wanted the life his wealth could provide. When George inherited the Granville estate he chose a different path than his sister. He gave control of the estate to his younger brother and he left England. He yearned for a different life, one filled with adventure and knew he would find what he was looking for in America. He could sympathize with Mary Ann for desperately wanting to get away from the life she was destined to lead. She feared her life would mirror Coreen’s if she stayed in England.

  “Of course I want you to stay, but you know your father. He’ll send someone to find you, and I would expect if they are not already on their way, they soon will be. I just don’t want y
ou to be disappointed if he forces you to return.”

  “I left Mother a note and told her I was leaving. I didn’t say where I was going.”

  She looked so devastated that George tried to relieve her concerns. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that it would only be a matter of time before they discovered she’d left England. Hardwicke had a legion of detectives and barristers at his disposal. “Let’s not worry about it tonight. I certainly don’t mind if you stay forever. If your father’s agents appear on our doorstep, then we will deal with the situation when and if it happens. But if you decide you want to go home before then, I will escort you.” It troubled him that his beautiful young niece had traveled so far with no escort. Why, all manner of evil could have befallen her. Her guardian angel must have been keeping a close watch over her.

  “I will not be going home. I have some funds, but I need to find a position, or a building where I can establish a business. Once I arrived in America, I discovered I could start a small shop. As a matter of fact, while I was waiting for you to return today I had time to look around your hotel and there is a perfect little spot I could utilize for a shop I have in mind.”

  George couldn’t believe his ears. Mary Ann was nearly royalty in England, he wouldn’t hear of her looking for a position, or working for that matter. “My dear, that is impossible for someone of your position. If your father does show up here he will have me drawn and quartered if he finds you among the working class.”

  “Uncle, I don’t need to remind you that this is a different country and I am determined to support myself. I am no longer dependent on Father and I have not come all this way to be a burden on you.”

  “My dear, you have never been forced to earn a coin and I assure you I can certainly see to your needs. I do not consider you a burden.” Her desire to work was the last thing George expected out of a young woman who had been coddled her entire life.

  “I want to work. I want to live life like everyone else. I’m sorry, but I cannot exist like Mother.” She’d given her future a lot of thought, and if her uncle wouldn’t assist in her effort, she would find another way.

  They discussed this point for over an hour until George finally relented. If she was determined to do this, then he would help her in any way possible. He actually admired her resolve. “What kind of shop do you have in mind?”

  “A small shop to carry products for women.”

  “What kind of products?”

  “On my journey here I noticed the farther west I came that there were fewer stores that sell items necessary for a woman’s toilette; powders, tinted rouges, perfumes, and such.

  “You are so beautiful, surely you have no need of such potions.”

  “Thank you, but I assure you all women will use such products if they are available. I will carry the finest perfumes, as well as undergarments from France. Such items are only found now in the larger towns.”

  “You’ll not find the women here will buy such foolishness. I thought apothecaries mixed the powders for women. As far as undergarments, these are items that can be purchased at the mercantile.”

  “I assure you it is not foolishness as all women enjoy looking their best. Apothecaries do mix various powders, but they are not equal to the products from Paris. The undergarments certainly are not what you will find in the local mercantile. They will be designed from the finest silks and satins.” She wasn’t comfortable discussing intimate apparel with her uncle, but he needed to know what she had in mind, and he seemed truly interested. “I am quite determined. If you do not have space to spare in the hotel I will find another spot.”

  He quickly concluded his niece was not just a lovely woman, she also had a sharp mind. Far be it from him to know what interested the fairer sex. He would have to take her word for that. It seemed her mind was made up, and he wasn’t one to squash her dreams of independence. “What space did you see that you fancied?”

  “The space to the right as you walk through the door. The alcove under the staircase is quite large and I can use a partition should the ladies prefer privacy while they are shopping.”

  “Quite right. That is a space not utilized. While you are getting your shop underway, perhaps you would be interested to learn about managing the hotel. I am building a house on some land outside of town, and it is taking me away from my responsibilities at the hotel on a regular basis. You can register the guests when Eb is occupied with his other duties, and supervise the two ladies who handle the cleaning of the hotel. Mrs. Howe does the cooking in the restaurant. You may need to help her in the dining room when we are busy, nothing too demanding, maybe refill coffee cups, things of that sort.”

  Mary Ann jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh thank you! I don’t know what I would do without you. I will pay you rent for the space.”

  “Now, now, this is not something you need to concern yourself with. As I said, the space is not used at present. Let me know what you will need in the way of construction for shelving, painting, or whatever, and I will see to it. We will install a door to have a private entrance.”

  Her uncle hadn’t mentioned the man who carried her luggage to her room. The man with the stunning blue eyes. “Uncle, you didn’t mention Mr. McBride. What is his position at the hotel?”

  George gave her a puzzled look. “Mr. McBride?”

  “Yes, he carried my luggage to my room.”

  “I have no Mr. McBride employed here.”

  “That is strange. I’m quite sure he said his name was Luke McBride. He’s a very tall man and quite the ruffian.”

  George laughed. “Luke is not one of the employees. He is one of the owners of the McBride Cattle Company. He is the youngest of the three brothers. Fine men.” He furrowed his brow at her. “Ruffian, you say?”

  “Indeed. He was brawling in the street when I arrived. I thought he was one of those pistoliers I’ve heard so much about.”

  “Most men here carry guns and make no mistake, the McBride brothers know how to use them. But they are good men, certainly not gunslingers. I consider them friends, they’ve been very kind to me.”

  She had tipped a man who didn’t even work for her uncle. “You say they have a ranch here?”

  “They own one of the largest cattle ranches in Wyoming. And Luke carried your luggage?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid I made a dreadful mistake. I thought he was in your employ and I tipped him.” She’d probably insulted one of her uncle’s friends.

  “No worries, honey. I’m sure he took no offense. Luke is a good-natured man.”

  She remembered when Mr. McBride was in the room she hadn’t been very friendly. He was such a large man that he made her nervous. “I will apologize, of course.”

  “Don’t give it another thought. These men out here don’t consider such slights as serious transgressions.” He smiled at her. “Particularly if the transgressor is someone as lovely as you.”

  She hoped her uncle was right and she hadn’t offended Mr. McBride. While she didn’t countenance his behavior, she wouldn’t want her uncle’s friends to think ill of him due to her mistake.

  George stood and walked to the door. “You best get some rest, we will talk some more over breakfast and make plans for your shop. In the morning I’ll have Eb take your things to the third floor. Those are my living quarters for a few more months until my home is completed. You will find the space more accommodating than this room.”

  Mary Ann hadn’t realized he lived on the premises. “The entire third floor is your personal living quarters?”

  “Yes, you will have all the room you require. Your bedroom is much larger than this room,” George informed her.

  “This room is quite lovely. Why are you building a home?”

  “I’ve an interest in trying my hand at cattle ranching. So perhaps your arrival will be most opportune for me if you find you enjoy managing a hotel.”

  “I am sure I will enjoy it very much and I will start tomorrow.” She was anxious to get
started now that she had a plan for her future.

  “There is no hurry, take some time to rest.” George had made the trip from England and it was a grueling journey.

  Mary Ann didn’t need rest. She was invigorated knowing she would no longer be forced to attend parties gossiping with bored women, or be forced into a marriage she didn’t want. “I do not need to rest. Tomorrow is the beginning of my new life.”

  Chapter Three

  “What do you mean you got in a fight with Clyde Slater?” Colt asked. The three brothers were sitting on the porch waiting for the women to get ready to go to church, and it was the first chance Colt had to ask Luke about his busted lip.

  “I told you, he was rude to Sally Detrick and I kicked his butt,” Luke answered.

  “Bad words,” Jake reminded his brother.

  Luke gave him a sheepish grin. “A synonym for donkey is in the Bible; just ask Cade and Cody.” His twin nephews had a way of letting him know what words were in the Bible, and what he could get away with saying and what were bad words.

  Jake chuckled. “You better put a jack in front of it then.”

  Colt gave them both a hard look. “Luke, you need to stop brawling in the streets.”

  Luke took a deep breath and expelled it loudly. “Just tell me what you would have done, big brother.”

  “Yeah, Colt, tell him what you would have done,” Jake said. Both Jake and Luke knew Colt would have done the same thing.

  Colt couldn’t help but laugh. Sometimes his brothers were like dealing with his twin boys. “I know, I know. But it seems to me you have a way of finding trouble, Luke.”

  “I was taking Sally and Lucinda to lunch, I wasn’t looking for trouble, at least not the kind you’re thinking about,” Luke explained.

  Jake shook his head at Luke. “Both of them? Dang, brother, don’t you ever get tired?”

  “I’m not married.” Luke grinned at them. “Remember me? I’m the smart brother.”