Alice Read online

“They’re like rats leaving a sinking ship,” he said. “What were they thinking?”

  “Exactly what they said.” Alice recovered her wits. “They wanted to be real sisters.”

  “Our getting married wouldn’t accomplish that, anyway.”

  “To their way of thinking, it did. Where would they get all those flowery words from, that’s what I want to know. Who in their right mind would write such rubbish?” She wrinkled her nose in distaste.

  “I reckon one or both of them have been sneaking around reading those trashy romance magazines women buy.” His lips curled derisively.

  “Well, Emily didn’t see one at our place, and I am quite sure Aunt Kate would not waste her money on them.”

  “It would be Sophie. She would have more opportunity than Emily to browse around the mercantile. That’s where you buy them.”

  “Oh? You seem to know a lot about them, Devlin. Read one or two of them, have we?”

  “Certainly not. I would never lower myself to read such nonsense. My deputy told me. He’s courting a girl who works in the mercantile in Golden Square, and while he waits for her to finish up, he sometimes skims through them.”

  “Bad enough women reading them,” Alice exclaimed. “But a man.”

  “They are quite informative, so he tells me.”

  “You went out and bought one. Didn’t you?”

  “I certainly did not. I don’t need to read a magazine to know what to do.”

  He might not need it, but she sure could do with some help on romance.

  “Don’t waste your money on them, Alice.”

  He might well have read her mind.

  “You’ll learn nothing from them that your husband wouldn’t show you on your wedding night.”

  Her neck and face burned with embarrassment.

  “You’re blushing, sweet Alice.”

  “I am not.”

  He laughed. “Yes, you are. Let’s go and get something to eat to build up our strength for the dancing.”

  Alice hunched her shoulders. “I don’t dance.”

  “If you let me, I can show you everything you need to know.”

  About what she nearly said? “I didn’t know you were a dance expert.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, sweet Alice.”

  “How do you know I’m sweet? I could be as sour as a lemon.”

  “But you’re not.” He lowered his voice. “You’re too sweet for me now. You’re a distraction I can’t afford. Let’s get some food before some of those greedy vultures pick the table clean.”

  Alice glanced over and watched several people load their plates up with food. “I see what you mean. Sheer greed.”

  “They’ll waste half of it.”

  Thankfully, Uncle Max and Pa, who were in charge of the roast pork, did the carving and only placed three or four slices of the still sizzling meat on to each plate.

  They joined the queue for the hot meat. “I like pork,” she said. “But I can’t stand the animals it comes from. Is that strange?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

  “What have you two been up to?” Uncle Max asked with a grin, causing her father’s eyes to widen.

  “Now, don’t you start on us, Max. We’ve put up with enough torment from those mischievous little monkeys over there.” Devlin glanced at the two girls who stood a little distance away, angelic smiles on their faces.

  “Oh? Do you and I need to have a talk about my daughter, Devlin?”

  Alice could not believe the words coming out of her father’s mouth. “No, you don’t. Just give me a couple of slices of pork.” I should never have come here tonight, she thought. No wonder Emily was so keen to get me here.

  “There’s nothing to discuss, Logan.” There was a hard edge to Devlin’s voice now. She picked it up straight away.

  Alice moved away from him on the pretext of filling her plate. Not that she took much; only a few slices of tomato, a hard-boiled egg, and a chicken drumstick. Eating too much at these functions held no appeal.

  When a crusty bread roll was deposited on her plate, she realized Devlin was beside her again. “You don’t have to stay with me all night.”

  “I might want to stay with you.”

  “There are plenty of other young ladies around here.”

  “I know, but I want to be with you.”

  “Oh?” She could think of nothing else to say. She had noticed the envious glances being directed her way by a few of the unattached girls because she was with Devlin and they were not. Of course, he was the best-looking man here by far.

  He escorted her back to the haybales where they had been sitting before. “Would you like me to get you a drink?”

  “No, thanks. I might have a cup of tea when I’ve finished eating.”

  “Okay.”

  Emily and Sophie walked toward them carrying their plates of food.

  He grimaced. “Here comes our little match-makers.”

  “Maybe they think we need to be chaperoned.”

  “For what? I can’t believe little girls would be so devious.”

  “Well, they are. Big girls too, for that matter. You better watch yourself, Devlin. I’ve seen two or three women staring at you with predatory eyes.”

  “Yeah, well they can go and prey on someone else because I am not interested.”

  “Who aren’t you interested in, Devlin?” Sophie piped up.

  “Women,” he growled.

  “But Alice isn’t a woman. She’s my sister.”

  “She is a woman, Emily, and a mighty pretty one at that.” He got up and strode off, leaving Alice opening and closing her mouth like a stranded fish.

  “Come on, girls, eat up or you’ll miss out on dessert.” Alice forced herself to eat, wondering why the food had suddenly lost its flavor. She watched Devlin walk with an easy, straight-back grace. She liked everything about the man, even though she shouldn’t. Men like him would never be interested in someone as ordinary as her.

  She finished off her food and took her plate back.

  “Will you have some dessert?” Aunt Kate asked.

  “No thanks. I ate too much of Uncle Max’s pork.” She automatically started stacking the dirty dishes ready to be taken back to the preacher’s house to be washed.

  After dessert was eaten, it took little time for the tables to be cleared. Alice volunteered to wash the dishes, better than standing in the barn watching for…any of her old school friends, of course.

  A couple of tin tubs had been filled with the dirty dishes and the men helped carry them to the kitchen. A few others helped to fold up and carry the tables away, from what would now be the dance floor.

  “Isn’t Devlin Stone a fine-looking man,” Minnie Evans remarked to her sister, Ella.

  “I’m going to ask him for a dance,” Ella went on. “He smiled at me.”

  Alice did not know why she felt a great urge to give one or both sisters a hard slap. Surely, she wasn’t jealous? How ridiculous, she thought as she hurried to the kitchen.

  By the time the dishes were washed and dried, the music was in full swing.

  “Off you go,” her mother said. “Find yourself a young man to dance with.”

  Alice loitered around for as long as possible, wondering why she was behaving so idiotically. When she could hang around no longer without arousing suspicions, she reluctantly returned to the barn.

  One part of her hoped Devlin had gone home, the other part wanted to be in his arms on the dance floor. Her foot had barely touched the barn floor when he stepped in front of her.

  “I thought you had run off on me.”

  “Why would I do that?” She forced a laugh. “I was helping the ladies do the dishes in Mrs. Amos’ kitchen.”

  “Would you dance with me, Alice?”

  She nodded. Lanterns were set at intervals along the walls, well away from the hay bales. In the subdued yet adequate lighting, Alice watched numerous couples dancing.

  Along one wall, several young women waited expectantly to be asked to dance, including Minnie and Ella. On the opposite side to them were young cowboys obviously wanting to dance, but too shy to make the first move.

  Devlin was a good dancer, she a poor one, yet he made it easy for her. It felt good having his strong arms around her, his breath stirring a few strands of loosened hair. He smelled of leather, soap, and well, a special Devlin kind of smell. It infused her nostrils and she knew she would never forget it.

  She leaned her cheek against his chest and caught the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

  “You are a beautiful girl, Alice.”

  Had she heard right? “Am I?” It was inadequate but all she could think of to say.

  Chapter Seven

  Devlin could not believe the way Alice made him feel. She was by far the prettiest girl here. Why hadn’t he noticed her before? He should have done as Max and Kate had wanted him to do; spend more time at their place. He inhaled her perfume. The essence of Alice, sweet, untouched, everything he wanted in a wife.

  The temptation to taste her lips again was almost beyond endurance. If only he was not obliged to finish the assignment he had already started. It would be coming to a head soon without a doubt.

  Could he ask Alice to wait for him to come back? If he did so, explanations would be needed, and he was sworn to secrecy. He had not even mentioned anything to Max because too many lives were at stake. The ball had already started rolling and it was gathering speed even now.

  He was annoyed when the tempo of the music picked up and someone called out. “Change partners,” and a red-haired cowboy took Alice from him and danced away, leaving him with the preacher’s wife.

  A dozen women must have danced with him before he got Alice back. “Would you like a drink?” he asked, as it looked like there was going to be another round of changing partners. He never did like these types of dances because a man had no way of knowing what sort of woman he would end up with.

  “Thanks, it is rather hot.” She fanned her face. “Just water will do.”

  He held her hand as he led her off the dance floor, and by the excited squeals, he realized Sophie and Emily watched their every move. For a dime, he would wring both their necks.

  “Our little matchmakers are keeping an eagle eye on us.” Alice laughed.

  For the first time, he noticed dimples in her cheeks. He was desperate to kiss her again.

  “I know, they’re as tenacious as blood hounds. How about we give them something to really talk about.” He maneuvered them through the barn door and into the darkness. “I want to kiss you, Alice.” He wanted to do more but would not act on the need.

  “I would like you to kiss me.” Her soft words nearly had him buckling at the knees. He led her around the side of the barn until the music became muted. Darkness surrounded them except for the stars and the lights of Trails End, half a mile away.

  Slowly, he lowered his head to give her time to refuse him. When she made no such move, he claimed her lips in a long passionate kiss. Finally, when they came up for air, Alice was trembling.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you.” He drew back and took several deep breaths to get himself under control. In his wildest dreams he would never have expected her to respond in such a way.

  “I liked it. I’ve got feelings for you, Devlin.”

  “Oh, Alice. I’ve got feelings for you too, darlin’, but it’s not the right time for us.”

  “Why isn’t it?”

  “Because—”

  “—Alice,” Logan called out, and by the tone of his voice was not happy.

  “Pa, I’m over here with Devlin.”

  Devlin didn’t know whether to stand his ground or run. He would have to try and bluff it out.

  “I expect you to do the right thing by my daughter,” Logan growled.

  “The right thing? Nothing happened. We were—”

  “—I know what you were up to, Devlin Stone, and I will not have Alice’s reputation sullied. I expect you to do the right thing and offer marriage.”

  “Marriage!” He felt as if Logan’s fist had connected with his stomach.

  “Pa, we were just talking.”

  “You had no right going out there with him. Don’t you have any care for your reputation?”

  “We didn’t do anything.”

  “Alice, do not argue with me. Devlin has compromised you and I expect him to do the honorable thing and marry you.”

  “I…I can’t.”

  “Can’t! Now, you listen to me, laddie.” Logan’s Scottish accent became more pronounced the angrier he got. “You will marry my daughter.”

  “I won’t,” Devlin shot back, hating himself even more on hearing Alice’s shocked gasp. “Nothing happened and I will not be railroaded by you or anyone else.”

  He was behaving like a dirty, low down skunk, but had no choice. In normal circumstances, he would have jumped at the chance of making Alice his wife. Of all the fool things he had ever done, to take her outside like this. He didn’t blame Logan; he was lucky the man didn’t put a bullet in him.

  “I’m sorry, Alice, but I can’t marry you now.” He emphasized the last word and hoped she picked it up. Swinging on his heel, he disappeared into the darkness. He would walk to Max’s house, get his horse, and ride back to Golden Square tonight.

  Once Logan spoke to Max about his despicable behavior, he would no longer be welcome in his uncle’s house. He dreaded to think what poor Alice might have to go through because he had weakened his resolve and tasted her sweet lips for one last time.

  Alice slunk back inside the barn. She could not believe how her father had acted, but Devlin’s emphatic refusal to marry her was soul destroying. Several people gave her long, speculative looks.

  Ma rushed up to her. “What happened? Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be? Pa and Devlin argued.”

  “What about?”

  “Devlin and I went outside and—”

  “—Alice, you didn’t?”

  “Nothing happened. We were just talking then Pa came out demanding that Devlin marry me.”

  “And so he should. He compromised you. He should have had more sense.”

  Alice blinked back tears. “He’s gone.”

  “Who’s gone?”

  “Devlin.”

  “What do you mean? He should have spoken to the preacher to—”

  “—Ma, there is no wedding. He refused to marry me and walked off.”

  The color faded from her mother’s face and she wrung her hands. “Oh, Alice. You could be ruined if this gets out.”

  “Nothing happened.”

  “You went outside with a young man who was not courting you and—”

  “—Did nothing.” All Alice wanted to do now was go home, crawl into bed, and stay there.

  “If the gossips get hold of this, they’ll have a field day. You won’t be able to walk down the main street without people whispering and pointing at you. I thought Devlin was a decent young man.”

  Pa strode toward them with a face like thunder, with Uncle Max a step or two behind him.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over the boy. I’ll speak to him when I get home, make sure he does the right thing by you.”

  Alice knew Devlin would be gone. He would ride out of Trails End never to return, as sure as God made little green apples.

  Aunt Kate came back next mopping her eyes with her handkerchief. “I can’t believe Devlin would act so badly. Don’t worry, Alice, Max will talk some sense into him.”

  “He won’t be there.” Alice bit back the words forming in her mouth. Her mother and Aunt Kate looked to be in a worse state than her. They weren’t really. Her hurt ran too deep to show. Devlin had said he had feelings for her. She had admitted the way she had felt about him, yet when the chance to marry her came up, he refused to take it.

  Would everyone gossip about her now? For the moment, she did not care. Later, when the shock subsided, she would just about die of humiliation. She had let a man compromise her and he had refused to do the honorable thing. This would have to be the worst night in her life.

  “We’re going home,” Pa said. “Where’s Sam?”

  “I’m here. What happened? Everyone is saying Devlin and Alice—”

  “—We didn’t do anything.”

  “That’s not what everyone will say,” her mother said.

  “We’ll leave, too.” Aunt Kate’s lips trembled.

  “No, we won’t. We’ll act like nothing has happened,” Uncle Max said.

  “Good idea.” Her father patted Aunt Kate’s arm.

  “I don’t know what’s got into the boy,” Uncle Max said. “Don’t worry, Alice, we’ll sort it all out. I’ll make sure Devlin does the right thing and marries you.”

  “I don’t want to marry him.” She almost stamped her foot. Now she thought on it she did want to be his wife, but only if he was willing, which he obviously was not.

  Alice forced a smile and vowed to keep it on her face even if it killed her. As they walked out of the barn door, she heard Minnie Evans say. “I always knew she threw herself at men.”

  Alice wanted to call her out on the lie but dared not. How many people had seen them sneaking off outside? Nearly everyone, if the questioning, disapproving glances cast her way were anything to go by.

  The drive home was silent. Even Emily knew something had gone wrong as she didn’t chatter like she always did.

  “Pa, you shouldn’t have insisted Devlin marry me. We didn’t do anything.”

  “Do anything? At a church gathering he sneaked you outside in the dark for—”

  “—To talk, the music was too loud in the barn.”

  “You should have refused to go with him. I’ve warned you before how carefully a woman has to guard her reputation,” her mother said. “Who would know better than me what unfounded rumors can do.”

  There was a bitter edge to her mother’s voice.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Now is not the time or the place, Jemma. We’re all upset.”

  “I’ll punch him in the mouth if I ever see him,” Sam said.

  “I can’t understand why all of you are so upset when I’m not,” Alice lied, knowing full well that she could not show her hurt even to her family. Pride was the only thing she had left. She didn’t expect Devlin to marry her, but he could have stayed and at least stood by her and try to alleviate the damage their thoughtless actions had caused.