Chapter Five

Laura

Standing in the middle of Clarice’s room, Laura’s face warmed with embarrassment. She studied her reflection. Her breasts practically spilled over the top of her dress. Clarice had pulled the corset so tight, she felt lightheaded.

“I’d hate to walk into his jail cell and faint.”

Clarice laughed. Clearly, she thought the notion of Laura fainting in Seth’s jail cell amusing. She loved anything scandalous. “You’ll get used to it. The wooziness passes.”

It was mid-afternoon. Laura was anxious to see Seth and bring him supper, but Clarice kept fussing about everything, first the dress then her hair, then the dress again.

“Let’s see if he calls you a slip of a girl when he sees you in this dress.” Clarice eyed her with a satisfied smile. “Damn, I’m good.”

“You don’t think it’s a little too much?”

Clarice laughed and swept past her. She rummaged in the top drawer of a bedside table. “No such thing, sweetheart. Now mind you, when we dress you for court, we don’t want to show off your curves like this. If this thing ends up in court, you’ll be playing the part of the devoted wife.”

She looked over her shoulder. “Actually, you’re not really even playing a part, truth be told. I know you’ve pined for that man almost from the first time you saw him. Isn’t that true?”

Laura waited for Clarice to say something teasing, but she didn’t.

“It’s true,” she whispered. “I’m sick with worry. I’d do anything for Seth Travis.”

“I know, honey. I know.” She went back to searching the depths of her drawers. “We need to find you a wedding band. Hopefully, something I have will fit.”

She tugged a box free and set it on the bed. When she opened the lid, Laura gasped to see the multitude of rings. Silver and gold rings, with enormous gems, glittered inside the velvet box.

“Where did you get these?”

“Over the years, I’ve had a few gentlemen offer me jewelry. Most of them had the good sense not to ask for their baubles back when things went south. How about this gold band with a ruby?”

She gestured for Laura’s hand and slid the ring onto her finger. “Lookee there, it fits, too.”

“It’s beautiful. It reminds me of the verse in Proverbs.”

“I don’t recall who gave it to me, but I remember him saying it reminded him of my hair.”

Laura shook her head. “I can’t take it, Clarice. It feels wrong. If I wear a ring one day, it will be a ring of my husband’s choosing.”

She took it off and handed it back.

“Besides, Seth would wonder why I was wearing a ring. I don’t especially want to explain that he and I are man and wife.

Clarice sighed and tossed it into the box.

There was a knock at the door and one of the girls poked her head in. “Mr. Travis is here to see Laura. Why look at you, Laura, you look pretty as a picture.”

Laura’s mouth went dry. Mr. Travis. That had to be Nick. She wondered if he had come to give her some news about Seth. They’d waited to hear from the judge. The man was expected any day to look over matters and rule if there was enough evidence to hold a trial.

“Thank you. I’ll be right out.” When the girl was gone, Laura closed her eyes, steeling her nerves. “I’m almost afraid to find out what Nick’s going to tell me.”

“Now, don’t you fret, girl. Once they find out what sort of man Seth Travis is, they’re going to free him. And right after that, the town will tar and feather Sheriff Holden.”

Laura lifted her hands to her neckline and covered her bare skin. “I should wear a cloak. I don’t want to give Nick Travis the wrong idea.”

“Right.” Clarice winked. “Let’s just give Seth the wrong idea.”

She found a cloak for Laura and helped her put it on, arranging her hair around her shoulders. She fussed and grumbled until she had things fixed just right. Laura left Clarice in her room and went into the saloon. It was quiet. Nick sat at the bar with his back to her.

She crossed to the bar. “Hello, Nick.”

Her voice was soft as a whisper and shook with nervousness. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon. Her heart felt like a stone in her chest.

But when he turned, and took off his hat, she almost fainted. It wasn’t Nick who waited for her. Instead of Nick, Seth sat on the bar stool, clean, shaven, and staring intently at her.

“Seth.” Swaying on her feet, she grabbed the back of the chair.

He got to his feet and put his hand on her waist to steady her. “Why don’t you sit down, darling?”

His words were kindly, but they didn’t match the cool look in his eyes. He pinned her with his gaze as he eased her into the chair. Warmth spread from his touch and heated her skin despite the cloak she wore.

“I was just coming to see you. But you’re free. I can hardly believe my eyes.”

“You were going to bring me supper again?”

“I was. I know you expected me to leave today, but I didn’t want to go. Not while you were in trouble, Seth. Don’t be angry with me.”

“I knew you wouldn’t get on the train.”

When she’d seen him in the jail, he’d been unshaven and unkempt. Sitting before her he looked entirely different. He wore a white, crisply-pressed shirt, and finely tailored trousers. He looked like he was on his way to church services, not waiting for a judge to decide his fate.

Laura felt an overwhelming sense of relief along with some foreboding. What did Seth know? Why hadn’t Nick intervened to set things right? How would she ever explain what she’d agreed to when Seth clearly wanted her out of Colter Canyon? Not posing as his wife.

“When did they release you?” she asked.

“This morning. They found their man. He confessed right before he died.”

“My word. Thank God.” Her hand fluttered to her throat. “You’re not here to give me trouble about staying in Colter Canyon, are you?”

His eyes drifted down her face and lower.

“What’s this?” he asked softly.

He slipped his fingers inside her cloak. When he stroked the edge of her dress, he trailed his finger across the swell of her breast. She shivered with a heady mixture of surprise and desire.

“You were coming to the jail?” he asked, his voice gruff.

“Yes.”

“Wearing this?”

Dear lord, his touch was making her lightheadedness return. Desire drifted through her body, leaving her needy and breathless. She tried to push his hand away, but he stopped her with a hard look. When he tugged the cloak back, cool air washed over her skin. Goosebumps sprang up.

“Seth,” she pleaded, for what she didn’t know. It was just the two of them in the saloon. Why had he come? Why was he touching her so intimately? Slowly, it dawned on her.

The marriage proxy… he knew…

His lips curved into a slow smile. He drew back and straightened, towering over her. “Interesting day. I get out of jail and find out I’m married.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, fighting the wash of shame. He’d caught her in a bold-faced lie. “You’re not married, Seth.”

“Says who?”

He seemed almost amused. With slow, dawning horror, she realized he toyed with her. “You didn’t sign that proxy. Nick signed your name. Forged your signature.”

He frowned. “Let’s see, did I sign that, or didn’t I?”

Clarice’s door opened. She came out but stopped abruptly. “Why, Seth Travis. You’re a free man.”

Seth turned to face her. “That I am. And a married man, too. But I’m sure you knew that, didn’t you?”

Clarice’s brow arched. She set her hands on her hips and crossed the room, a pensive expression on her face. “Am I supposed to remember something?”

“You saw Laura sign the marriage proxy.”

Laura got up from her chair. “What do you want from me?”

She tried to gain some distance from him, but he blocked her retreat. He cupped her chin and stroked her cheek with his thumb. His gaze grew sultry. “I want what any man wants. A wedding night with his lovely bride.”

She closed her eyes, His touch sent sparks across her skin, tantalizing pleasure that made her weak. “I did it to help you, Seth.”

“I know,” he murmured. “But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you go. Ever.”

She swallowed and shook her head. She felt weak. The room began to swim around her. The corset made it hard to draw a breath and his words and the meaning behind them overwhelmed her.

“You had your chance, Laura. I told you to run. You didn’t. Now you’re mine.”

Swaying on her feet, she clasped his arm. As she fell forward, he caught her and lifted her in his arms. She sank against the span of his powerful chest, unable to utter a single sound of protest.