The Lady And The Outlaw

Chapter Five

Ann sat in the seat next to Nate, wondering at the pleasant odor emanating from his hide coat. Or maybe it was from the man himself.or both. The smell was a combination of dried earth and sun, with subtle hints of wildflowers.

She crossed, then uncrossed her legs. A bad habit she seemed to have acquired since donning men’s trousers. Wildflowers, indeed.

She leaned forward and looked past Nate at the drawn curtains across the aisle. Hester and child were still sleeping peacefully. Ann settled back in her seat. She could hardly wait to hold her son in her arms.

A moment later, she caught herself twiddling her thumbs. Nate hadn’t spoken to her since he’d marched off with the whiskey bottle last night. She would have said something to him if she could have thought of something to say.

Though they weren’t touching, Ann could clearly feel his body heat. The same heat she’d felt in the dreams she’d been having lately. Nate would either be holding her hand, whispering sweet nothings or just staring at her, his black eyes full of hungry passion. It was those dreams that now made her want to lean against him and draw in his strength.

Ann unthinkingly crossed her legs again. There were plenty of things to think about besides Nathan Bishop. She glanced at the closed curtain once more. Why would a woman be willing to go through such pain to have a baby? Not that women had a choice. No wonder there were wet nurses, nannies and such. At least she would never have to go through such an ordeal. She had Richard.

Earlier, she had asked Hester if they should depart the train at the next stop and remain in a hotel for a week or so of rest Hester had quickly reminded her that money was growing short and, to guarantee their safety, they needed to get to Beau’s place as quickly as possible. Ann had considered Hester’s sacrifice to be the very epitome of bravery. Never, never again would she question Hester’s loyalty and goodness. A horrible thought suddenly entered Ann’s mind. Now that Hester had held Richard in her arms, would-she decide to keep him as her own?

“I take it you will be getting off the train?”

Ann raised a smooth brow. Had Nate read her thoughts? “Hester has assured me that she can get all the rest she needs on the train,” she replied, welcoming the conversation.

Nate nodded. “She may be little, but she’s strong.”

“Yes, she is,” Ann agreed. “Why were you in New York?” Ann asked, in a hopefully friendlier tone. Why hadn’t she thought to ask the question sooner? “Is that your home?”

“A relative passed away,” Nate said. “Have you picked a name for the boy?” Albert’s sudden, radiant smile startled Nate. He had been caught completely off guard.

“Indeed, I have,” Ann spouted joyfully. “Richard. Taken from Richard the Lionheart. Richard Edmund Huntington. You, sir, should be proud.”

Nate fidgeted. He was having serious problems with Albert’s smile. It had completely transformed the man’s face. Nate even found himself avoiding looking at the Englishman. Were Albert a woman, Nate would have described her as a fetching beauty.

“You helped deliver the future duke of Gravenworth.”

How come Albert had said Richard Huntington instead of Richard Potter? Nate wondered. Getting the answer from Hester would undoubtedly be a lot easier than getting it from Albert. “I know nothing of titles,” he commented, just to say something. He edged his body more toward the aisle.

Ann was shocked. “You know nothing of titles?” She had found a perfect topic of conversation. “How could you not be knowledgeable about something so important?”

“Important to whom?” Nate replied offhandedly. “We don’t have titles in America.”

“That’s what is wrong with your country,” Ann stated honestly.

Nate shoved his hat back. He was getting angry. Mostly because of his reaction to Albert’s looks, but also because every time they got in a conversation, the confounded man made his blood boil. “I didn’t know there was anything wrong with this country.”

For his own good, Ann decided she should enlighten the gentleman. “Had America remained under English domain, you would have discovered the many benefits. As duchess.” Ann bit the inside of her cheek. How could she have made such a slip? She had already said too much by giving the boy’s proper name. “Tenants are taken care of.”

“Tenants? I own my own land, sir, as do others. We fought to become a free people and we do not answer to some lord who holds court over us.” He still refused to look at Albert. “I don’t know what you’re so proud of. I met a gentleman from England once, and be couldn’t stop praising our vast, open land. He often spoke of the filth and poor in your country.”

His bitter, uncalled-for words stirred Ann’s ire. She had been trying to be informative. “Your friend makes it sound as if all of England is like that. It’s not. Your acquaintance obviously liked being around rabble.” She suddenly realized others in the coach were turning and staring at her. She lowered her voice. “How else could he be so ill informed,” she stated in a quiet tone of voice. “I no longer wish to discuss the matter.”

Nate finally turned and stared at the uppity Englishman, then immediately turned away. Albert’s eyes were the deepest green he had ever seen. “You certainly do have a tendency toward one-sided conversations. But we’re not in England and I’m not going to be dismissed. The man I spoke of is from nobility and had been here on a hunting expedition. He is more than qualified to make comparisons.”

“I doubt that your friend was nobility or knew anything about England. He undoubtedly enjoyed listening to himself talk. And how can you sit there and insinuate your country is devoid of the poor? What about the Irish? They are treated as slaves. And what have you done with your Indians? They receive more respect in England than they do here. Why. you don’t even have wet nurses!”

Nate stared blankly at Albert. What did wet nurses have to do with anything? It was impossible to follow the man’s logic. Albert looked away, undoubtedly dismissing Nate from his mind.

Nate clamped his mouth shut and ignored the festered pimple seated beside him. Last night he would have gotten drunk if he hadn’t run out of liquor. Actually, he would have enjoyed having someone to celebrate with. The successful delivery of Hester’s child had been a monumental moment for him.

Nate deliberately moved his thoughts to the past. It had been more than ten years since he’d delivered his own son. Some of the memories were faded now. He could no longer visualize running through the forest, searching for his wife, nor could he picture in his mind’s eye the bloody trail he had followed. But seeing her by the river, half-conscious and trying to give birth to their child was a sight that would be etched in his mind forever. He had tried to help, but he had lost them both. Fortunately, time did heal. Age also had a way of making a man look at things differently. He no longer blamed himself for what had happened, nor did he lie awake at nights cursing his fate.

Nate smiled inwardly.

This time everything had gone right. For him it was something like redemption. Richard’s healthy cry had been the most beautiful sound he had heard in many years.

For the next two days, it seemed that everyone on the train managed to find their way to their car, offering congratulations to the parents. Any hope of keeping herself and Hester secluded had been solidly dashed.

Ann couldn’t believe how quickly Hester recovered from her ordeal. The abigail’s mood was especially bright, and she gave no indication of how she had suffered. Hester had even said the labor had been brief and there were no aftereffects. Ann cringed at the thought of what a long labor would be like.

She leaned her back against the comfortable seat and permitted herself to wallow in the pleasure of having a son. He was so perfect, even down to his tiny toes. All of her hopes and prayers had been answered. Edmund’s son would take his rightful place as the duke of Gravenworth. He even looked like his father, whose handsome facial features had been a perfect cover for his cruelty. But as much as Ann had looked forward to cradling the tyke in her arms, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. He was so very small. She was afraid she might do something to harm him. What if she held him wrong and broke something? Surely when he grew bigger she wouldn’t be so hesitant.

As for Hester, she had resumed her giggling, leaning closer and reaching across the aisle to touch the man who had claimed to know women. Nate wasn’t even aware that Hester was making a fool of him just to satisfy her vanity.

Ann raised her hand to cover a yawn. She wasn’t getting much sleep at night. The mattress was too hard and the space too narrow.

She turned her head and looked at Nate. What would it feel like to touch him? What would it feel like to have him touch her? Last night she had dreamed they were copulating. She had awaked covered with perspiration and her unfulfilled passion still painfully alive. Wonderful pleasure had washed over her and she.

Ann felt her passion rising. Embarrassed, she glanced around to see if anyone had notice her flushed cheeks. No., She raised the book of Tennyson poems from her lap. How could she dream about passion when she had never experienced it before? And why? After Edmund, she had sworn never to let a man touch her again. She opened her book and pretended to read.

Nate’s curiosity had been eating at him as to why Albert had called his son Richard Huntington instead of Richard Potter. Now seemed the perfect time to find out the answer. Albert might not give information freely, but Hester was an entirely different matter.

“Albert told me your son is a duke,” Nate said casually.

Hester was shocked that the duchess had revealed such. “Ah. yes.”

“Does that mean you’re a duchess?”

“Well, I.yes.” Hester knew her supposed husband was glaring at her. She could feel the heat on her back. But she had suddenly realized that she had been given the perfect opportunity to launch her plan. “In truth, I am Antoinette Huntington, the duchess of Gravenworth.” Though it hurt, she ignored her mistress’s pinch. She had just taken the first step toward switching places with the duchess. “Friends and family call me Ann.”

Nate smiled. If Hester was a duchess, Albert had to be a duke. That could possibly account for his prissiness and lack of muscle. That was a big assumption since he’d never known a duke. “Where did the name Hester come from?”

Hester leaned toward the handsome man and whispered, “I didn’t want anyone to know my real identity so I took the name of a servant. I had heard so many tales about your country, I feared for my well-being.”

Nate thought a moment. “I would say you have every right to feel that way, sweetheart. Do you mind if I call you Ann?”

“Yes!” Hester heard the duchess mutter.

“No,” Hester replied, a bit breathy from her sudden excitement at having received such an endearment from Nate.

“Why are you headed west?” Nate asked.

“For a stay at my cousin’s estate in Arizona.”

“Arizona is a big territory, with Indians and hot desert from Santa Fe to where you’re headed. If I were you, I’d convince Albert to find a good guide who can supply plenty of protection before taking you into the wilds.”

The baby started fussing and Hester had to attend to his feeding. Nate’s words of warning frightened her. As the baby suckled, Hester considered the advantages of getting Nate to take them to Arizona. He seemed to be the only one who knew where it was. And there could also be other benefits. At Beau’s ranch, Nate would testify that she was the real duchess and Richard’s mother. Milady would declare it was all lies, but who would believe her? The plan was foolproof.

Though it apparently hadn’t bothered Hester, Ann had placed a cloth over Hester’s breast so others could not observe the nursing. At least Nate had the courtesy to leave the Pullman. He had probably headed for the saloon car.

“Hester, whatever possessed you to tell Nate you are the duchess of Gravenworth?” Ann asked worriedly.

Hester looked shocked. “I had no choice. After you told him Richard’s name, I had to be titled.”

“You’re right. I’m to blame. Well, it doesn’t matter, I guess. We’ll never see him again once we reach Colorado.” Ann looked at the precious baby. She could no longer put off the question that had been tormenting her these past few days. “Hester, you haven’t changed your mind about me raising Richard, have you?”

For now, Hester still needed the duchess. She raised her hand to her mouth in mock shock. “Oh no, milady,” she whimpered as she feigned humility. “How could you ask? You are the mother.” She adjusted her nipple to the baby’s tiny mouth. “I’m only the wet nurse.”

Ann’s concerns faded as quickly as melting ice. She had already come to realize that had Hester decided to keep Richard, she could never take him away. But though that dilemma had been settled, their plight was far from over. Watching who left and who entered the coach had become so automatic that half the time she didn’t even realize she was doing it.

“Hester, please be careful about giving information to anyone else. We won’t be safe until we reach Beau.”

“I fully understand your concerns.” Hester smiled sweetly. “Richard is sleeping now. Would you care to hold your son?”

Ann smiled back.

With no further ado, Hester placed Richard in Ann’s arms.

Seeing the warmth that had entered the duchess’s green eyes, Hester knew she had made the right decision.

“He’s so tiny,” Ann whispered.

“You won’t be awakening him. He is full and content” Hester stretched. It felt so good to no longer be pregnant. And, from all indications, it wasn’t going to take long for her body to return to normal. She could hardly wait to welcome Nate to her bed.

“Your Grace, you look uncomfortable. Here, let me lay milord down.” Hester placed the baby on the seat between them, making sure the small bundle had enough room. “He will make a splendid duke.” She frowned. “Who is going to take care of us once we reach the village of Colorado?” she asked innocently.

Ann’s eyes were still on the small, sleeping babe. His long, tiny fingers fascinated her. He was so perfect. so beautiful. “You sound as if you have someone in mind. Would that person happen to be Nate?”

“Please, just listen to what I have to say.”

“Can Richard see?”

“Not yet” She hurried on before being told to keep her thoughts to herself. “Nate knows how to get to Arizona. He also warned me that it is a dangerous place. If you offered him money, perhaps he might be persuaded to accompany us. We would at least have a guide and a degree of protection. None of His Lordship’s hirelings would be looking for such an entourage.”

“Have you forgotten the danger in such a plan? We know nothing of the man. He could easily be lying to take what money I have. No, I won’t even consider it. We’ve managed this far and we can manage the rest of the way.”

“But Nate said the territory is huge.” Hester could see she was getting nowhere. She had, however, planted the seed of thought. Tonight she would tackle the subject again.

Ann couldn’t seem to keep her hands off Richard. She placed him in the crook of her elbow and rocked him. Nate had said that Colorado was only halfway to the West Coast. Would finding Beau prove to be more of a problem than she had anticipated? The miles of never-ending land were beyond anything she had ever seen. None of it fit the descriptions she’d heard in England. Nor had she seen a single outlaw or an Indian riding a painted pony.

Thirty minutes later, Ann stood and placed Richard on her seat. Though she would have been quite content to hold her son for the rest of their journey, she had to use the gentleman’s closet. She dearly resented no longer being able to squat and hide what she was doing beneath the folds of a full skirt as proper ladies did.

Ann expelled a sigh of relief when she discovered there wasn’t a line of men waiting to use the closet. She stepped inside, but before she could close the door behind her, a hand reached out, bracing it open. Ann found herself face-to-face with Nate. She stared in disbelief as he folded his arms and leaned comfortably against the doorjamb.

“Leave here immediately,” Ann demanded.

“Why? I want to talk to you about your trip to Arizona.”

“Anything you have to say can certainly wait. I want my privacy!” She had to watch her temper. Was it her imagination, or did Nate seem to avoid looking at her?

Nate grinned. He was in just the right mood to give Albert a bad time. “Would you feel less emasculated if I turned my back? Perhaps you don’t want your lack of manliness to be seen,” he ribbed.

Ann stiffened. Did he know the truth? “What do you mean by that?”

Nate slowly shook his head. “I thought it was pretty obvious.”

Ann’s cheeks burned when she realized what he had alluded to. At least he still mistakenly took her to be a man. “Move out of my way. If you must, I shall let you go first. I will wait outside.” She tried to move back out of the way, but Nate continued to block her path.

“That won’t be necessary, Albert,” Nate said with considerable disgust. With that, he backed out of the gentlemen’s closet, shutting the door behind him.

Ann made sure it was locked. What other humiliations would she have to suffer before this trip was over?

“I’ll meet you in the saloon car when you’re finished,” Nate called through the door. “Don’t make me wait too long.”

Ann could hear his chuckle fade away as she proceeded to unbutton her trousers. How could he cause her heart to race when they were always at odds with each other?

By the time Ann entered the saloon car, she had managed to regain her composure. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the virile man seated with a drink in his hand. Just looking at the way his clothes hugged his strong body made her knees weak. But from the look on his face, Ann knew she was about to have more problems. She decided to attack first this time. “I don’t like threats,” she stated when she joined him.

“Nor do I. Here.” Nate handed Albert a partially filled glass. “It’s whiskey. Maybe it’ll put some hair on your chest, though I doubt it.”

Ann thought to refuse but held her tongue. The sooner Nate said what was on his mind, the sooner she could leave. She raised the glass to her lips, but the smell of the brew caused her to lower her hand. She preferred good Irish whiskey.

Nate shook his head. “Albert, you’re such a greenhorn it makes me almost embarrassed for you.”

“I don’t need the sarcasm. What was so important that you felt the need to converse with me?”

Nate curled his lip but somehow managed to contain his temper. “I made a decision.”.

“I am not the least interested in any of your decisions.”

“Dammit, I seriously suggest you contain that mouth of yours!” Nate stood. The easiest way to handle the duke would be to avoid him. He took a deep breath and looked down at His Lordship, who had taken the same chair he’d just vacated. “I have grown quite fond of your wife-”

Ann leaped to her feet, only to be shoved back down.

Nate placed his hands on the arms of the chair and leaned down into the duke’s face, his eyes boring into Albert’s. “Not the way you think. And,” he continued, “since I have agreed to be Richard’s godfather-”

“You what?” Ann gasped. “No! I forbid it! I was not consulted.” Not until he suddenly stood did Ann realize she had been holding her breath. Why was he looking at her so strangely?

“Have you ever shaved?”

Ann’s hand flew to her cheek. “Oh. a.well, you see, T’m rather fortunate. I have never had many facial hairs. I hope we have an understanding about you being Richard’s godfather. I have someone else picked out.”

“As I started to say, as Richard’s godfather, I have decided to accompany you to Arizona.”

Ann tried to control her panic. How could this be happening? “Listen to what I am telling you. You are not his godfather!”

“You no longer have any say in the matter.”

“Of course I have a say. I am his father. Besides, you would never find Cousin Beau’s ranch.”

“Beau?” Nate asked, startled. “Beau Falkner?”

Ann groaned. “You know him?” she asked weakly.

“I doubt there’s a man in Arizona Territory who hasn’t heard of the man. New Mexico, as well. He’s a mighty rich man.” Nate frowned. “Had I known your destination, I would have volunteered my assistance sooner.”