The Lady And The Outlaw

The following morning, Nate sat with his head back and his hat over his face, trying to catch up on his sleep-or lack of. He had already ascertained that the upper Pullman berths were definitely not constructed for a man his size. It was like trying to sleep on a narrow plank. With his back to the wall, the movement of the train had nearly caused him to fall forward on several occasions. Turned the other way, he was certain he would roll backward off the confounded thing.

Hearing the conductor announce that the train would be stopping shortly for breakfast, Nate shoved his hat to the back of his head and straightened up.

“Good morning,” a sweet female voice acknowledged.

“Mornin’,” he replied to the English lady.

After tying back the curtains, Hester and Ann took their seats. Though Hester had managed to sound cheerful, she wasn’t yet fully awake. Ann made a point of not even looking at Nate. She found him to be entirely too unnerving. Instead of worrying about his effect on her, she should be worrying about making it to Beau’s before Hester had her baby. Still, it would help if Nate would remain silent for the remainder of their trip.

“I thought you might want to know that when a train stops at stations for meals,” Nate said, “you’ll only have a short time to eat.”

Ann squeezed her eyes shut. She should have known her wish wouldn’t be granted.

“Why?” Hester asked.

“It’s a crooked deal, but there’s nothing the passengers can do about it. You see, the cost of a meal is always collected first. On some trains, the conductor will have the passengers board the train the minute the food is placed in front of them. The plates are then collected and handed out again when the next train stops. The conductor gets his share of the take.”

“You mean the meal is served over and over again?”

“Exactly. Of course that isn’t always true, but it is a guaranteed fact that none of the food along the way is eatable. Nevertheless, to ensure time to eat, I suggest you exit the car as quickly as possible.”

“We have managed quite nicely without your assistance,” Ann admonished. As she had explained to Hester last night, they had to keep their distance from others. Though they had possibly escaped Matthew’s watchdogs, they didn’t need word getting out that an English couple had been traveling west and the woman was in a family way.

Twenty minutes later Nate and other more experienced travelers jumped from the train before the wheels even came to a grinding halt.

It wasn’t until Nate had gulped down the last bite of food on his plate that Mr. and Mrs. Potter made a leisurely entrance into the eatery.

“All aboard!” the conductor yelled.

Obviously skinny Albert needed all the food he could manage, and in Hester’s condition, she could use a meal, also. Nevertheless, Nate thoroughly enjoyed the shocked looked on the couple’s faces when the conductor yelled “All aboard!” the second time. Nate considered it ample payment for their ignoring his earlier warning.

Nate went out the doorway, stepped up the steel stairs and into the Pullman car. From here on, the smartest thing he could do would be to keep his counsel to himself.

He took his seat, then watched the other passengers board the train. He wanted nothing more to do with the Potters. He didn’t care for Albert’s barbed tongue. He’d already felt its cutting edge twice. But it was Hester who bothered him the most. She brought back memories of another gentle, pregnant woman he’d known years ago. Memories he thought he’d long since suppressed.

With no more than a wink of an eye, his mind turned back time and Bright Moon’s lovely face came to mind. He had married the Cheyenne princess and had lived with her honorably. Life had been good then.

Nate’s eyes focused on the British couple returning to their seats. They seemed such a mismatched pair. Albert looked too young to be Hester’s husband. His face was far too pretty for a man. Hell, he looked as if he should still be in a crib. His skin was as smooth as a baby’s behind, and it was hard to believe it had ever seen the edge of a straight razor. And that ridiculous mustache Albert was sporting looked as if it were part bear. Did Albert honestly think others would believe it was real? While Albert was tall and lithe, Nate estimated Hester to be only about five feet tall. Other than her protruding stomach, she was quite petite and as cute as a button. She was friendly, Albert wasn’t. They both had blond hair, though Albert’s was almost silver and Hester’s considerably darker. Albert walked with a superior air. Hester didn’t walk. She waddled. Another thing. Hester seemed far more common folk than her husband did. Albert had the grinding mannerism of someone who thought himself superior to others.

Ann could feel Nathan Bishop watching as she and Hester moved down the aisle. Not just watching, but scrutinizing. Something she couldn’t afford. How long would it take for him to realize she was not a he? She moved closer to Hester, who was leading the way, then leaned down so as not to be easily observed. “I shall not wait for you at the next stop, Hester,” she stated firmly. Her mustache had prevented her from eating what little food she’d been able to snatch up. “You deliberately took your time before leaving the train, and we missed our meal.”

Hester made no reply. Though on occasion she walked up and down the aisle, she was still uncomfortable and decidedly bored. Now she could add hunger to her growing list of complaints. Nevertheless, she had no intention of apologizing. The pleasure she derived from having Antoinette Huntington waitthen go without food-was as pleasing as eating candy.

Ann sighed dejectedly when Hester settled in her seat and asked Nathan, “Do you travel often?” Last night’s talk about protecting themselves had apparently gone in one ear and out the other.

“No,” Nate replied reluctantly. He’d deliberately not spoken to her.

As the train stopped at seemingly every small town stretched along the railroad track, Ann kept a constant vigil. She wanted to see who left and who entered their car. Though it was doubtful Matthew would have men searching moving trains, Ann knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down again. She couldn’t understand why Hester never showed any concern for their safety. The only thing Hester cared about was hanging on to every word Nate said. Not that Ann could honestly fault that. She certainly hadn’t failed to notice him, nor had she missed the way his broad shoulders filled out the white leather jacket.

Looking out the window, Ann’s full lips suddenly spread into a wide grin. A freckled-faced boy on a bareback horse was racing across a field, trying to beat the train. His face was lit up with joy and excitement. Ann found herself rooting for him. But the contest didn’t last long. The young lad finally pulled back on the reins and waved as the train passed him by. Would Richard be able to enjoy such simple pleasures? She hoped so.

Ann sighed. She had never so much as hinted to Hester about her part in Edmund’s death. But during the past months, she had spent countless hours deliberating over who had killed the duke. How wise her father had been to send her to Captain Cuthwell’s lodgings and now to her cousin. No one had to tell her that Matthew was still searching for her. She and Richard would be in constant danger until they arrived in Arizona Territory and were ensconced in Beau’s home.

At noon, Ann and Hester stood with the others, ready to hop off the metal stairs the minute the train came to a complete stop. They only managed to eat a small portion of their food before having to board again. Each was determined to be first in line come supper time.

Chapter Four

Hearing a grunt, Nate jerked his head up, causing his hat to fall to the floor. A quick glance assured him that Hester was only shifting about in her seat, attempting to get comfortable. The way he was acting, one would think she carried his child. But then again, it could be because she seemed so tiny and helpless. Feeling like a damn fool, he reached down and snatched up his hat.

“I’m sorry,” Hester said softly. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“I was only resting my eyes.” He gave her an appreciative smile. “I’m not much good at sitting about doing nothing.”

“That must be why you persist in talking to my wife.” Ann regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. She had no reason to snap at him. She was tempted to retract what she had said, until Nate’s cold eyes settled on her. No matter how strongly she felt his masculine appeal, she would not allow him to intimidate her. Her eyes locked with his in a silent battle.

“She needs to talk to someone,” Nate said. “You’re certainly not offering any conversation.”

Ann’s mood was already at a low ebb, and the man’s cutting words didn’t help raise it.

“Mr. Bishop, need I remind you that Hester is my wife?” Ann laced her fingers together. “You’d do better to watch for an Indian attack than pay attention to Hester. I’ll have you know there are savages everywhere.”

“Is that so?”

Nate’s broad grin started Ann’s heart hammering against her ribs. Why did he have this strange effect on her?

“I didn’t realize you were an authority on such matters.”

Ann raised her chin a notch. “When traveling, I always make sure I know what to expect from my surroundings.”

Hester had to fight to contain her laughter. Her Grace knew nothing.

“I will protect my family,” Ann continued. “You, Mr. Bishop, will have to take care of yourself.”

“Just how do you plan to protect yourself and your lady?” Nate asked, refusing to let the matter drop. “I see no gun. Or maybe you plan to use fisticuffs.” The thought of Albert raising his soft fists in defense made Nate chortle.

Ann’s ire had been plucked. She refused to let him have the last word. “I’ve had enough of your insults,” she stated haughtily. “Hester, change places with me. Mr. Bishop can find someone else to talk to.”

“But, Albert-”

“Obey me, Hester, and please sit by the window,” Ann stated quietly but firmly.

The muscles in Nate’s jaw flexed as he settled his gaze elsewhere. He would not get involved in this test of wills.

“Sitting next to the window nauseates me,” Hester whined.

Ann cleared her throat. “Oh. Well.” She was completely disconcerted. She crossed her legs. She needed to relieve herself and she wasn’t going to be able to delay much longer. It was bad enough that a woman of her station had been forced to wear men’s clothing. Having to use their closet was absolutely demoralizing.

Later, when Hester was certain Her Grace’s temper had calmed, she said sweetly to her husband, “Dearest, Nate knows where Arizona is located.” She looked at Nate. “Perhaps he would be willing to escort us there.”

Ann gasped. How could Hester suggest such a thing? That would be tantamount to posting a public notice declaring Hester as Richard’s mother! “We can discuss it later.”

Hester gave a brief nod before returning her attention to Nate. “She’s…I mean he’s thinking about it.”

Ann looked out the window with unseeing eyes. Perhaps she had initiated the confrontation with her comment, but knowing that still did nothing to calm her anger. And who was he to say she never talked to Hester, when Hester was always talking to him! And who was he to speak of a wrongdoing? One minute he had been passionately kissing the woman he loved at the train depot, then he’d turned right around and flirted with a very expectant Hester!

Ann thought of a ball that she had attended a year ago. She had overheard two widows discussing how some men especially enjoyed sex with pregnant women. At the time, she had found the conversation disgusting and had moved. She looked at Nate and sneered. He was no different than other men when it came to leaving one woman’s arms and immediately seeking the love of another.

Ann closed her eyes. Her marriage had made her callous, but that didn’t change the fact that Nate was in the wrong.

To say she and Edmund made love would be a complete misuse of words. When they were first married, he delighted in hearing her screams as he forced himself on her. It hadn’t taken long to realize silence was her best defense. Finally, ignoring the repercussion of what would happen when he discovered she was lying, she had made up the daring story about being pregnant. For some reason the ploy had worked. Edmund had stayed away from her bed. Until the night before his death.

Ann’s hands curled into fists. As clearly as if it was happening again, she could see him suddenly appearing in her room, devoid of clothes, his face twisted in viciousness. Her throat had filled with bile, and she had wanted to die. There had been no boundaries of degradation that Edmund didn’t try to satisfy his vile lust. That night had been the worst.

Had she really been pregnant, there was little doubt she would have lost the child. Maybe that was what he had wanted. It was likely that he had long since made her incapable of bearing children.

But Matthew was pursuing her. Would it never end?

After an hour of sitting and watching people getting on and off the train, Ann had developed another throbbing headache. As she rubbed her temples, it occurred to her that Hester had fallen asleep. Ann wished she could rest as peacefully.

The porter had said there would be a fifteen-minute delay at the next stop. That would give her plenty of time to take a walk and work out the stiffness in her legs.

When the train finally made its stop, Ann immediately stepped into the aisle. After a quick glance to assure her she hadn’t disturbed Hester, she eagerly hurried to the exit.

As soon as Ann was far enough away from the train, she inhaled deeply. The soft breeze and fresh air immediately lessened the throbbing in her head. She tugged at her fob, then checked her pocket watch to be sure she returned on time.

Ann hadn’t walked far before again finding herself facing a broad chest. She backed away. His closeness made her dizzy: “Are you deliberately blocking my path?” she queried. She was tall for a woman, but next to Nate she felt quite small.

“I guess you could say that. I want to know what your problem is.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ann said irritably.

“Then let me be more specific. You don’t know a thing about me, yet when you speak, you deliberately cut me down. I want to know why.”

Ann squared her shoulders and stood as tall as her frame would allow. “Very well.” She had taken all she could from the man. “I believe you to be an opportunist. A ne’er-do-well. Something neither I, nor my wife, have need of. I strongly advise you to find another place to sit.”

Nate pulled a cheroot from his vest pocket and bit off the square end. “And just how did you arrive at such a conclusion?”

“I saw you at the train depot with a woman, acting quite despicably in public. Then, the minute you were seated in the Pullman, you started flirting with my wife. You are a womanizer, sir.”

“Flirting?” Nate chuckled. “I thought I was just being friendly.”

Ann considered the possibility that he was telling the truth, then immediately tossed the thought away. She could not afford to patronize anyone who knew Richard’s true birthright. This was a perfect opportunity to be rid of Nate once and for all. “I don’t believe you. I think it advisable that you move to another car.”

Nate cocked an eyebrow. “Had you at any time asked nicely, I would have been more than happy to oblige. Except there is only one sleeping coach, and the only empty seat is the one next to me.”

Ann watched him strike a match with his thumbnail then hold it to the end of his cigar. She started to go around him, but he stepped in front of her, again blocking her route.

“Oh, no,” Nate warned. “You’ve had your say, and if you’re finished, it’s my turn. There is no way in hell that I’m going to move, so you might as well relax and listen.”

Ann looked up into black eyes that were daring her to try something. “Very well. I’ve come to realize that any words we exchange are simply an unnecessary waste of my time. If I must, I can tolerate you until Davers-”

“Denver.”

“Exactly.”

A deep laugh bellowed from Nate’s chest.

“May I ask what you find so funny?”

“You, Albert. I’m laughing at you.” The humor disappeared from Nate’s face. He took several puffs of his expensive cigar then slowly blew out the smoke. “I’ve met a lot of men just like you. Cowards who try to intimidate others with threats.”

“I will not stand here and allow you to speak to me in such a manner!” Ann tried to push by him. Instead, she was shoved backward and had to do some fast footwork to keep from falling.

“I said it was my turn to talk. I’m going to give you some advice, though I doubt you’ll heed what I’m about to say. Don’t try threats out west. I’d hate to see a nice lady like Hester end up in the middle of nowhere, widowed, penniless and having to raise a child. And one other thing. Nice, sweet words don’t cost a thing, and you’d have a lot less trouble with your woman if you used them.”

“Are you married?” Ann was fuming.

“Nope.”

“Then don’t go around trying to act the authoritarian on a subject you know nothing about.”

Nate blew two perfect smoke rings and said, “I am, however, a bit of an authority on women, Mr. Potter. I doubt that you could make the same statement.” He turned and walked away, wanting to kick himself. He had always made it a practice to mind his own business, so why did he continue to ignore his own good advice? It all centered on Albert. He was like a chigger that gets under the skin, itches like hell and is impossible to get rid of.

Ann continued her walk. Oh, how she would have loved to put a fist in his stomach. An authority, indeed. He hadn’t even recognized her as being a woman. Ann suddenly wondered how he would have treated her if he knew she was a female. Would he smile at her the way he smiled at Hester?

By the time Ann was headed back to her car, she had come to accept that Nathan Bishop had every right to feel angered by Albert’s sharp tongue. Nor had she any right to be angry with him. He had done nothing but show concern for Hester, a gentlemanly quality that Ann could not fault. And it was Hester who persisted in conversing with him. How could Hester not see the possible ramifications of her actions? At the first opportunity she’d have another private talk with, the abigail.

“All aboard!”

Without thinking, Ann reached out for the conductor to help her up the steps. It was the look on the older man’s face that made Ann realize her reaction had been that of a woman. She quickly glanced about to be sure Nate Bishop hadn’t seen her faux pas. Fortunately, he was nowhere in sight.

As Ann walked down the aisle, she could see Nate and Hester were already conversing. And to Ann’s shock, Hester reached across the aisle and caressed his broad shoulder. The turn of the maid’s head as she glanced out the corner of her eye and just the right flutter of lashes made her intentions quite clear. Even in her condition, she was blatantly flirting.

Ann continued forward, unexpected anger tearing through her like a cleaver. Were these the same tactics Hester had used to get herself with child? Ann wondered bitterly.

Positioning herself between Hester and Nate, Ann looked at Hester. “How could you dare forget yourself?” she said through clenched teeth. “Now move next to the window.”

This time there were no arguments. Hester obediently changed seats. She knew exactly what Ann was angry about.

Hearing Albert’s angry command, Nate had to curl his fists and force himself not to bound from his seat and attack the yellow-bellied coward. He wanted to tell Hester she could sit by him. He wanted to give Albert a taste of how it felt to be struck. He wanted to break the man’s jaw! Unfortunately, none of what he wanted to do was going to change a thing. Still, he couldn’t keep from grabbing Albert’s coat sleeve and yanking him toward the aisle.

“If you ever talk like that again, or lay a heavy hand on Hester while I’m on this train,” Nate said quietly, “I guarantee that an Indian’s or marauder’s punishment will be welcome, because if I get to you first, you’ll no longer be able to call yourself a man.”

Ann jerked her sleeve from his grasp, then looked straight ahead, determined to ignore the warning. How much harm could the man do? Her nerves were already stretched beyond their limits. Neither the anger nor the threats would have even taken place if Hester had kept to herself.

The rest of the afternoon passed in blessed silence. Ann tried taking a nap, but sleep evaded her. Seeing Hester flaunting her feminine wiles had disturbed Ann deeply. She knew that it had not only been Hester’s uncalled-for gestures that had caused her fury to explode. Nate’s acceptance of Hester’s attention had also played a part in it. But Ann now realized there had been yet another reason. As disgusting as it was, she had experienced an unexpected case of jealousoutrage.

In truth, when Edmund was alive, she hadn’t caredwhom he slept with. She had actually been grateful to anyone who kept him from her bed. But when he had dared to seduce her personal maid, Ann had felt betrayed. She had begun to think of Hester as a friend.

It was nearly one in the morning when Ann jerked straight up, striking her head painfully on the top of the sleeper. What had awakened her? Had she heard Hester groan? With little room to maneuver, she scooted around until she could lean over and peek inside the curtain at the bed below. “Are you all right?” she whispered worriedly.

“The child is coming,” Hester groaned.

“No, no!” Ann insisted. “There isn’t a midwife. Can’t you make it wait?”

Hester grimaced at the duchess. “It’s not something I have control over.” Her face twisted in anguish as she was besieged by another pain.

Ann scrambled to get her robe over her nightshirt. Again she heard a loud groan from below. What was she to do?

She nearly fell from the berth when Hester released a bloodcurdling scream. Somehow Ann managed to grab the ladder and swing her bare feet onto the wooden rungs. Passengers already had their heads poked outside their curtains, either curious or angry at being disturbed.

“Hester. my wife is having a baby,” Ann called frantically. “Is there someone who can help?”

Another scream. Ann yanked the curtain back, terrified that she’d find Hester dead. Instead, Hester’s eyes were wide-open. Beads of perspiration covered her face and damp tendrils of hair clung to her cheeks. But it was the blood on the bedclothes that proved to be Ann’s undoing. Hester was bleeding to death! Ann immediately looked away. Grasping the ladder was the only thing that kept her from swooning.

Nate had heard the quiver in Albert’s voice when he pleaded for help. So far, the lanky Englishman hadn’t received a reply. Having heard Hester’s first groans, Nate had already accepted the inevitable. There was a good reason for a man to keep his britches on when traveling. He never knew what would take him from his bed. For instance, he had thought to be rid of the Potters by getting off in Chicago, then catching a later train. Unfortunately, Hester’s time had come too soon. They weren’t due to arrive in Chicago until nine-twenty in the morning.

Nate felt his hands shaking. The last child he’d brought into the world had been stillborn.

Nate climbed down from his bed and joined the useless husband.

He shoved the pale-faced man aside and pulled the curtain back to have a look at Hester. She grabbed his hand and squeezed as another pain racked her body. Nope, Hester wasn’t going to wait until Chicago to have her baby.

“Albert, make yourself useful and tear up those sheets on your bed,” Nate ordered. “And get the porter to bring water, scissors and whiskey.”