Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] (8 page)

❧

Gavin had heard the murmurs and hushed comments before he’d even glanced up to see what the commotion was all about. What he saw was rather shocking, but like everyone else in the lobby, he was mesmerized by the vision on the staircase.

“Angel!” he whispered, and she did seem very much like a heavenly illusion. Then, much to his amazement, she turned on the bottom step and rushed back upstairs as though she’d forgotten something important.

Gavin got to his feet as if to follow her but realized he needed to stay put. Douglas Baker was due to join his cronies for a drink, at least that’s what a well paid bellhop had passed on to Gavin not fifteen minutes earlier. With the picture of Angeline in the burgundy gown still fresh in his mind, Gavin forced himself to sit back down and wait.

“One of these days, Angel,” he breathed almost painfully. “One of these days.”

Chapter 13

W
illa left Angeline’s room quickly after the younger girl had stormed from the premises. She had to find Douglas and talk to him about Angeline. Rather, she had to figure out how they could better control Angeline.

Painfully aware of the asset that was about to slip through her fingers, Willa cautiously made her way to the lobby via the back stairs. It would do her no good to have another confrontation with Angeline just yet. No, it would be better to discuss her thoughts with Douglas and see if together they couldn’t get the spirited girl under their control.

The hotel lobby was busy as always. This seemed to be one of the many gathering places in downtown Denver where business deals were made and broken. Willa had chosen the hotel for just such a reason. It never hurt to find oneself rubbing elbows with the very powerful and very rich. It cost a small fortune to maintain the four suites they held here, and Willa knew that without Douglas’s additional help in the matter she would never have enjoyed the luxury.

Spotting Douglas in his exquisitely tailored suit, Willa ignored the men who surrounded him and pleaded with him for a private moment of his time.

“I must say this is a surprise,” Douglas said, following Willa to a small sofa in a far corner of the lobby.

There were people everywhere and Willa uncomfortably glanced around her at the nearest occupants to ascertain whether they could prove harmful. “I’m sorry for the disruption, Douglas,” Willa began, deciding that the people around her were of no consequence. “Angeline is fast becoming a problem. She had a bit of a fit this morning when I brought her the clothes.”

“A beautiful young woman and she got angry at new clothes?” Douglas questioned with a chuckle in his voice. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, believe what you want, but it’s true. She’s even more angry about being told what to do. She wants to call her parents. It seems perhaps that friend of hers, you remember, the Lucas man? Well, I think perhaps he stirred up feelings in her that she can’t quite deal with. She hasn’t been the same since he came into the picture.”

“I took care of him in New Mexico,” Douglas stated flatly. “What more do you want me to do, kill her parents?”

Willa seemed aghast for a moment. It was impossible to tell if Douglas was just saying the words for effect or if he really meant to offer the solution as a viable possibility.

“Don’t give me that shocked expression, Willa. Just cut to the heart of the matter and tell me what you want me to do.”

“We need better control over Angeline. She’s threatened to walk out. I need her connections and the money behind them or we’ll never get the vote in New Mexico.”

“And where do I fit into this?” Douglas questioned, remembering to keep his voice down.

“Perhaps you would woo the girl and get her to marry you. As your wife, Angeline would have to respond more respectfully to instruction.” Willa’s statement was offered so matter-of-factly that Douglas was now the one silently stunned.

Finally, a slow grin spread across his face. “I would very much enjoy the pleasure of husbanding Angeline Monroe. However, I doubt very seriously that you could convince her to agree.”

“I’m not suggesting you ask her, but rather you tell her. Force her if necessary. Use the threat of her parents. It doesn’t matter. If you have her under control, then we can get at her connections.”

“Angeline doesn’t strike me as the kind of girl who will be easily swayed by idle threats,” Douglas replied.

“Then don’t make idle threats!”

Willa’s voice rose enough to cause Douglas to glance around at the nearby hotel guests. No one seemed interested in their rather lively conversation, however. In fact, the man directly across from them was thoroughly engrossed in a copy of the
Denver Post
and seemed not to even notice that other people occupied the same room.

“Look,” Douglas whispered. “I’ll do what I can. I also could use
Angeline’s connections as you well know. But I’m going to have to persuade her to marry me, and perhaps that will result in her spending less time involved in the suffrage cause and more time on my arm.”

“I can’t give her up to you,” Willa declared firmly.

“What do you think you would be doing if she married me?” Douglas questioned. “Did you think I’d invite you on the honeymoon?” His face was twisted in a leering expression.

“Don’t be vulgar with me!”

“Then don’t be foolish in your dealing with me. I will get Angeline to marry me, but there is price to pay, my dear, dear Willa. You may control the child to a degree, but after we are married she’s mine and everything she does must come through me first. That includes the suffrage cause and any political contacts you make through her.”

Willa considered the words for a moment and nodded. “Very well. If we are to be adversaries for her attentions, at least let us be cooperative ones.”

“Rather like the United States and Germany and this insane agreed upon neutrality?”

“Neutrality serves my purpose very well,” Willa stated and got up to leave. “I’d rather we never enter war and take the focus away from the rights of women in this nation.”

Douglas got to his feet. “You seem rather unconcerned with the rights of one particular woman,” he said with a smirk. “I doubt you’d ever tolerate such a heavy hand upon your will.”

“Just bring her under control, Douglas.”

“So that she responds more respectfully to instruction?” Douglas used Willa’s words against her.

Willa’s eyes narrowed, and Douglas realized quickly that it wasn’t best to have this powerful suffragette against him. At least not in this manner. “Just see to it, Douglas.”

“Certainly, Madam,” he said with a slight bow. “May I escort you somewhere?”

“No, I have a meeting nearby.” With that Willa went one direction and Douglas the other, and neither saw Gavin lower his newspaper with an intent look of concern edging his features.

“If this weren’t becoming just a little too dangerous for my taste,” Gavin muttered, folding the newspaper under his arm,“I’d like to see Baker try to tame Angel. What a laugh!”

“Did you say something, Sir?” A hotel attendant was quickly at his side.

“Yes,” Gavin replied and thrust the newspaper at the man. “Dispose of this for me, please.” The man quickly took the paper, while Gavin made his way to the main staircase.

I’d better warn Angel,
he thought. Taking the steps two at time, he glanced quickly over his shoulder to assure himself that Douglas Baker was still moving towards the men’s club entryway. Noting that he was, Gavin slowed his step a bit and tried to figure out a plan.

Angel will be suspicious no matter what I say, so I’d best just come clean with the truth.
Gavin reasoned that he’d have certain information to give Angeline that would prove he’d overheard Douglas and Willa in conversation. Perhaps that would be enough, he tried to convince himself.

Making his way to Angeline’s room, Gavin began to pray in earnest. “Father, she’s so innocent and she doesn’t begin to understand what these people are trying to do to her,” he whispered the words under his breath. “Please help me to convince her. Please show me a way to reveal the true nature of these people so that she won’t be hurt by their scheming. Amen.”

He finished the prayer just as he reached Angeline’s door. Knocking for several minutes, with worried glances down the hall toward the stairs, Gavin finally gave up and tried to think where Angeline might have gone.

Heading down the backstairs, Gavin immediately thought of the park across the street. Angel would love it there! He raced down the remaining steps and made his way to the park. She just had to be there, he thought. “Please God, let me find her first.”

❧

Angeline had found the confines of her room unsettling and more than once had hoped for a stroll in the city park across from the hotel. Willa’s absence from her room had allowed her to change out of the very grown-up burgundy satin and into her serviceable blue serge skirt and shirtwaist. Before she realized what she was doing, Angeline found herself strolling among the park’s aspens and pines as though she’d been there a hundred times before.

It was summertime, soon to be heading into fall, and Angeline marveled at the colorful flower beds. Carefully cultivated rosebushes were in full bloom and
the scent that lingered on the warm air was heavenly. Taking a seat on a near
by park bench, Angeline wondered what she was to do. On one hand, she wanted to be helpful to the cause of securing women the right to vote. But, on the other hand, she knew that Willa’s ideals and forceful ways were not her style. Furthermore, Angeline knew they were not God’s ways, either.

“I hoped I’d find you here,” the familiar voice called out, and Angeline didn’t know whether to be relieved or concerned.

“Hello, Gavin,” she replied and looked up to find his gaze fixed on her. My, but he was a welcome sight!

“You look a little upset. Want to talk about it?”

“No,” Angeline stated emphatically.

“Well, I do.” Gavin took a seat beside her and put his arm around her.

Angeline stared at him hard for a moment, but when Gavin’s grin only broadened, she stiffened her shoulders and sat on the edge of the bench.

“You can’t get comfortable that way,” Gavin teased.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to sit beside you like that.” Angeline nodded backwards toward his arm.

“But we’re engaged,” he argued.

“It doesn’t matter. It still isn’t appropriate,” Angeline answered and only after it was too late, realized that she’d affirmed Gavin’s possession of her.

Gavin wasn’t shy about grasping onto the words for security. “So maybe we should set the date.”

Angeline glared at him and scooted away from him. “Have you found the proof you need?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Gavin said, causing Angeline to drop her stuffy look. “I see that surprises you.”

“Well, I suppose it does. Well, maybe not surprise, oh, I don’t know.” Her hands went to her head as if she could sort everything into perspective with wave of her hand.

Gavin pulled her back against him and forced her to remain. “Don’t go, Angel. We need to talk. You’re in danger, and I have to warn you in order to keep you from making a very grave mistake.”

“What do you mean, I’m in danger?” she questioned and stopped her struggles.

“Willa wasn’t very happy that you didn’t like the new clothes,” Gavin stated, and Angeline gasped at the words. “I see that verifies for you that I have a reliable source. Matter of fact, this time it came straight from the horse’s mouth.” He grinned hard. “So to speak. Of course, I thought you looked real nice in that little red number.”

“Burgundy,” Angeline muttered without realizing until too late the compliment he was paying her.

“It was a little out of your routine style of dress, but I thought it looked great.” His warm breath was against her ear, and his words were so soft and alluring that Angeline found herself nearly hypnotized. Nearly, but not quite.

“When did you see me in that dress?” she asked quietly, trying to steady the racing of her heart.

“When you came storming downstairs. My, oh my, but you did look fit to be tied.” Gavin was laughing softly, and Angeline jabbed him quickly in the ribs.

“Why am I supposed to be in danger, and why should I believe anything you say?”

“I’ve been trying to get the proof you asked me for, remember? Well I was sitting in the lobby when Douglas Baker and your friend, Willa Neal,
came sauntering over to where I was and began talking about the need to con
trol you.”

Startled at his words, Angeline jerked away and stared at Gavin. “You were sitting right there, and they didn’t see you?”

“Nope, I had the paper in front of my face the whole time. Anyway,” Gavin began again and paused. “Are you listening to this, Angel? I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”

“I’m listening. Just get on with it.”

“Well, it seems Miss Neal is quite worried about you and your political associates slipping away. Seems you threatened the old woman that if she didn’t stop interfering and planning your life you were going home.”

Angeline nodded. “I did say that, so I guess I should believe that what you say is true.”

Gavin looked hurt. “I’ve never lied to you, Angel.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t, even to get me back home,” she responded, sorry that she’d hurt his feelings.

The seriousness of Gavin’s expression only deepened. “Angel, Willa Neal wants you to marry Douglas Baker. He’s going to try to court you and get you to marry him right away. Miss Neal even suggested force.” He wasn’t about to tell her that this included the death of her parents in that threat.

“Oh really, Gavin!” she exclaimed and got to her feet. “You must be over-exaggerating. Douglas has no interest in me outside of the political arena.” She faced him with her hands on her hips and eyes fairly blazing. “I know you mean well, but this is too much.”

One minute Gavin was seated on the bench with that all-knowing look that Angeline had come to know better than to argue with and, the next minute, he’d pulled her into his arms.

“Angel, you have to listen to reason.” His voice was nearly hoarse with pent emotion. “I love you, and I know you love me too. You’re just too pig-headed to admit to your feelings and leave this nonsense behind. They’re using you, and I can’t stand by and let that American kaiser dictate to you how you’ll spend the rest of your life. Marry me, Angel. Come away with me and marry me now.” Before she could speak, Gavin lowered his lips to hers and tenderly
kissed her. It was a kiss like no other Angeline had ever known. And though her
experience was quite limited, she found the urgency in his manner most confusing.

Slumping against his chest and letting him support her full weight, Angeline nearly broke into tears. What was she to do? Had Gavin spoken the truth? Of course he had, she chided herself. She’d never known him to lie, but if he hadn’t lied then that meant Willa and Douglas cared nothing about her as a person. Feeling Gavin’s arms tighten around her, Angeline knew the blunt, harsh reality of what he’d shared. Gavin’s truth was no different than the conclusions she’d already come to.