A Constant Love (The Hope of Cheyenne #1)

Chapter 5

5

Charlotte loved being back in church. She lifted her soprano voice to join in with the others as they sang the doxology to close out the service.

“‘Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.’”

“Now take God’s love with you as you go and spread it along the way so that others may know Him,” the pastor declared. “You are dismissed.”

Charlotte smiled and turned to her mother, but already Lewis Bradley was somehow at her side.

“I must speak with you, Charlotte. Please allow me a few minutes of your time.”

Charlotte drew in a deep breath and turned to face him. “Very well. What is it you need to say?”

“Come with me outside. Away from the others.” He took hold of her elbow.

Charlotte nodded. “Mama, I’m going to step out to the wagon and speak with Lewis. I’ll be ready to leave when you are.”

Her mother gave her a sympathetic smile. “I won’t be long.”

Charlotte turned back to Lewis. “Please lead the way.”

He all but pulled her through the congregation and out the doors. Charlotte waved to this person and that and even managed to bid a couple of old friends good day, but Lewis wasn’t pausing for even a moment now that he had her in hand.

“What is so important that you can’t even allow me time with my friends?” she asked.

Lewis slowed their walk and cleared his throat. “The time for delays is over, Charlotte. I know that you needed time to mourn your father and brother, but it’s been well over a year. I want us to announce our engagement and move forward toward setting the wedding date.”

They had reached the Aldrich Cattle Company wagon, and Charlotte reached out to take hold of the wooden side. The day was quite warm, and the church had been stuffy despite the open windows. A bit of a breeze blew, and for a moment she lifted her face to feel the air.

“That is a blessed breeze,” she murmured.

“Charlotte, please. You must listen to me.”

She lowered her gaze and nodded. “I am listening and have been listening. You are the one who clearly has failed to hear. I am not in love with you, Mr. Bradley. I have never been in love with you. Frankly, the very idea of marriage to you has been the source of much pain and suffering on my part. I’m sure you’re a good man with great qualities to offer some young woman, but it is not me. I do not know how to make this clearer.”

Lewis’s eyes narrowed. “Charlotte, you must hear what I have to say. Your father promised me that we would be married. I know you don’t love me, but you will come to in time. I feel confident about that. Beyond love, however, your father recognized the importance of sound investments and business arrangements. He knew that our joining together would unite two families of wealth and power to form a formidable empire.”

Charlotte shook her head. “But I am not interested in forming an empire, Mr. Bradley. Not with you. Not with anyone. Mama and I are content to rebuild our herd and begin a new era for the Aldrich Cattle Company. I want no more responsibilities than those of my ranch. To try and split my time between that and the city would be disastrous. The ranch demands my time and attention, and you would expect a wife to remain in Cheyenne caring for you and Victoria. And that is a reasonable request. But I cannot give it, and you must understand that any business dealings or plans you had with Papa ended with his death.”

“No, that’s not the way business works. You are obligated to fulfill those plans, Charlotte. Not only because of the legalities of written agreements and financial investments—although I had given your father a great deal of money to invest in the cattle, and he had promised me a large dowry—but also there’s the matter of his desires for you. Your father loved you and wanted the very best for your future.”

Charlotte was unable to hide her frown. She didn’t need the reminder of what her father planned for her future.

“I can see that you understand what I’m saying. Your expression suggests that you know you are disappointing him.”

“You know nothing of me, Lewis.” She dropped all formalities in hopes that he would hear the sincerity in her words. “I do not wish to hurt you nor to cause damage to your investment. I realize you consider us engaged, but I do not. Nor will I, so please stop pestering me about marriage. Stop telling people that we are betrothed.

“Papa had his plans, that much is true. But he is dead, and so are those plans. If there are legalities that need to be ironed out, please go see our lawyer.”

She glanced over her shoulder. Where was Mama? She ignored Lewis and climbed up onto the wagon seat before he could react. Looking down, Charlotte couldn’t even muster the tiniest bit of sympathy for the man. There was only the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. She didn’t know what it was, but she felt that way every time he came around.

He reached up, but Charlotte pulled back. “Restrain yourself, Mr. Bradley. We are at church.”

“Charlotte, you can’t leave things this way.”

Mama came out of the church and was making her way to the wagon now. Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. She took up the lines but didn’t release the brake.

“Well, I hope you two have finished with your conversation,” Mama said, looking to Lewis.

He started to say something, but Mama continued. “Where is your aunt and little daughter this fine Sunday?”

“Victoria wasn’t feeling well. Aunt Agnes felt it best they remain home,” he replied, looking away.

“Would you help me up, please?”

Charlotte knew he could hardly refuse. “I would like to extend an invitation to my home for luncheon. It would be such a pleasure to host you both. Our cook is making a beef roast,” he said.

Once Mama was seated, Charlotte released the brake. “I’m afraid we can’t.”

“We’re needed at home, Mr. Bradley, but thank you for the invitation,” Mama replied.

Charlotte slapped the lines lightly and urged the horses forward. “Good day, Mr. Bradley,” she called over her shoulder.

“Goodness, he seemed quite unhappy.” Her mother gave her a curious look.

Charlotte shrugged and watched the traffic as she crossed the road. “He won’t take no for an answer. He told me that he and Papa had financial arrangements and agreements that demand our marriage go through. That money exchanged hands, and more money needs to be exchanged. I made it quite clear that I had no intention of ever marrying him. I told him if there were legal contracts and such involved to go see our lawyer. I hope he’ll accept my words and stop pestering us now.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Mama asked, looking at Charlotte with one brow raised.

“I honestly don’t know. He doesn’t seem to understand that I will never marry him. He doesn’t understand that I love another. Of course, I’ve never really made that the point of my rejecting him. Perhaps I should. Maybe I’ll just tell him that I’m going to marry Micah.”

“Maybe you should let Micah know about that first,” Mama said, chuckling. “It seems only fair.”

Lewis hated the fact that he couldn’t intimidate Charlotte Aldrich as he had his first wife. Willa would have swooned at such a stern discussion, but it only seemed to push forward Charlotte’s fixed stance and determination. A part of him found that intriguing, almost exciting. In financial dealings with a man, it would have given him a sort of giddy anticipation of what he could accomplish. With Charlotte Aldrich, however, there was a finality that he was unwilling to accept.

He frowned and began the walk home. There had to be a way to reach her. He had found it impossible to woo her. In the past, he’d had little difficulty with women. With his dark hair and eyes, he had what some called a constant look of passion. He rather liked that analogy. He credited his Italian and Armenian ancestors who, although several generations past, had handed down the blend of external characteristics that came together to make Lewis Bradley one of the handsomest men in Cheyenne. So why couldn’t he win over Charlotte Aldrich?

He was charming enough. He knew women were fascinated with him and his mannerisms. He’d had no trouble in his youth or bachelor days back east. He was well-to-do, for all that Charlotte knew, so it wasn’t a matter of money that kept her from accepting his proposal. Lewis picked up his pace as he crossed the street and headed up Ferguson.

So what was holding her off?

It wasn’t like there was someone else in her life. He knew from her father that there had been quite a few men asking to court her, but Charlotte had little or no interest. Perhaps she felt obligated to her mother now that her father and brother were dead.

That was a good possibility. Charlotte was a kind, Christian woman, as he often heard people say. Perhaps she felt that it was her obligation to care for her mother. It was certainly something to consider. Maybe he should take up the matter with Mrs. Aldrich and explain to her that he had more than enough room for her to live with them. Having his mother-in-law in residence wasn’t his desire, but if it resolved the situation, then he was happy to oblige. In time, he could always figure out a better arrangement. After they were wed, Charlotte would have no choice but to adhere to his commands. Even if it meant sending her mother elsewhere.

He knew, too, that living on the ranch was something Charlotte didn’t want to give up. It was one of the reasons he had been prompted to buy rangeland. Frank Sr. had convinced him that it was a good investment. There had even been the promise of a starter herd once he and Charlotte married, but then that hideous winter had hit them and destroyed so much.

Lewis had purchased quite a few bred heifers in the fall of ’86 after purchasing the ranchland. He had run his cattle on the open range with the Aldrich, Johnson, and Hamilton beasts. Mrs. Aldrich gave everyone the advice to sell off as many animals as possible. She believed something in the signs of nature that convinced her the winter would be bad. He wished he’d listened, but pride wouldn’t allow him to take the directive of a woman. Most of the men in the county felt the same way. And most of the men, including him, suffered the loss for not listening.

When the winter came, all was lost. Lewis’s animals were young and not yet fat enough to endure the devastation. They had died early on. When all was said and done, Lewis had no choice but to sell out, and in doing so, he took the biggest loss yet. The price per acre had dropped considerably since so many were desperate to get rid of their lands. He sold his land for pennies on the dollar and greatly depleted his fortune.

The Aldrich family had done all right given Lucille’s directions, and now they sat on plenty of money and were rebuilding their herds, while others had to sell out and move on. It might be wise to keep his hand in that.

Lewis supposed it might be possible that Charlotte and Victoria could live at the ranch while he resided most of the week in town. As a lawyer he needed to be where the action was and where people could readily find him. He hated that he had to depend on that resource at all, but it was necessary. Thankfully, he had a great reputation as an attorney and had spread the word that he loved the law. In the West, no one thought it odd that a wealthy man enjoyed continuous work rather than sitting idle like a grand duke or king. Lewis had been instrumental in several lucrative negotiations, and people recognized that he was quite skilled. There was even talk about him entering the political arena once they were finally a state.

But a politician needed his family close at hand to show off and prove to the conservative-natured folks that he had their best interests at heart. He could hardly allow Charlotte to live away from him out on her family’s ranch. How would that look?

It was a great frustration that she wasn’t a more obedient female. Her father had warned him that she was opinioned and educated. The finishing school in Denver had prided themselves on the young ladies learning about a variety of things that would help them to be better wives. Charlotte had told him that they had worked to help their students understand, for example, elements related to government and business. It all seemed absurd to him. Charlotte said it was taught so that wives could discuss these matters with their husbands, but Lewis couldn’t imagine ever wanting to have such a conversation with a woman. As far as he was concerned, the less conversation between a man and his wife, the better.

Willa had been properly trained in such matters. She didn’t even discuss the household, except on rare occasions when Lewis asked her a direct question. Lewis had no idea what Willa did with her time, and he didn’t care. She stayed out of his way and caused him no trouble and that was all he asked of her. Well, that and to bear him sons. Which she hadn’t done.

A well-run household with an obedient wife and well-behaved children was a good example of a man being able to manage not only his industry but his home. There were those who credited the wife with such management, but men of his ilk knew the truth of it. Nothing ran properly without a man’s involvement.

As he approached his three-story brick house, Lewis couldn’t help but admire the gardens and walkway. The gardeners had been quite faithful. They had even coaxed life into a few trees, although they weren’t all that big. The flower beds and lawn, however, were remarkable, as many people often told him.

Perhaps his house wasn’t quite as grand as that of Joseph Carey or Max Idleman. The latter was rumored to have spent some fifty-five thousand dollars to create his three-story mansion, complete with a third-floor ballroom. Lewis had been inside each of those magnificent dwellings and after each visit had found ways to improve his own residence. He was always careful to listen and learn what was considered the best in furnishings and fixtures. Over the years, his house had continued to improve. In time, he’d have a place every bit as grand as Idleman had.

Lewis took great pride in that and couldn’t for the life of him understand why Charlotte wouldn’t also see the value in what he could give her. If she’d only give him a chance, Lewis could show her a much better life than the one she had on the ranch.

The house was surprisingly quiet when he entered. The butler came and took his hat. Lewis motioned his head toward the grand staircase. “Rogers, where is Aunt Agnes?”

“In the nursery, sir.”

Lewis nodded and started up the stairs. He paused halfway up. “Oh, tell the cook I’ve returned. I’ll take a tray in my office. I have work to do.”

“Very good, sir.”

Lewis proceeded up the stairs and went in search of his aunt. He hated visiting the nursery, but at the moment it seemed the quickest solution.

Willa had asked for the nursery to be placed in the far west wing when they had built the house. Lewis’s bedroom had been at the extreme opposite end of the east wing, and Willa’s bedroom had attached to his. When she had been nearly ready to deliver Victoria, she had arranged for the bedroom adjoining the nursery to be opened for her in order that there be no disturbance of Lewis’s sleep should she go into labor.

Lewis paused in front of that bedroom door. It was here Willa had died shortly after giving life to their daughter. The doctor said she had lost too much blood and was simply not strong enough to survive. Lewis felt regret at her passing, but whether for the loss of his beloved wife or simply the complications she’d left him with, he couldn’t be sure.

Thank goodness there was Aunt Agnes. When Lewis’s grandmother had died just the year before Victoria’s birth, the question of what to do with the spinster aunt had caused quite a stir among remaining relatives. She had never married, remaining at home to care for her aging parents. Willa had insisted the older woman come and live with them. She had reminded Lewis that Agnes was nearing her fiftieth year and that she had no means of making her way in the world. She further pressed that Agnes could be of great benefit to them in helping with the children who were sure to come. Lewis was finally motivated by the thought of free labor.

He went ahead to the nursery and opened the door. Victoria was in a wooden high chair, and Aunt Agnes was spooning something into her mouth.

“I’m home,” Lewis said, giving his aunt a slight nod. “How’s she feeling?”

“Still sniffling,” Aunt Agnes replied. “But no sign of fever. Perhaps it’s the new growth of summer vegetation that’s irritating her breathing.”

Lewis honestly didn’t care. He was only asking out of obligation. “I stopped by to let you know that I’ll be working in my office. Taking lunch there as well.”

His aunt, a very plain-looking woman with graying hair, gave him a nod and refocused her gaze on the almost two-year-old beside her. She was never one for much conversation, which Lewis appreciated. He was even happier to find no reprimand for working on the Sabbath as his father might have given. Apparently, his father’s younger sister was far less religious in nature.

“If you need me, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you for letting me know,” she told him, then gave Victoria another spoonful of food. “I’ll endeavor to keep her quiet.”

He nodded and headed down the hall to his bedroom, tearing at his tie as he went. His valet awaited him, anticipating his every need. This was the way it should be in every area of his life. So why wasn’t it? Why was it so impossible to force one woman to the altar?

It took only a moment in his own suite of rooms to change into something less formal before going back downstairs. Victoria and Agnes were all but forgotten, while Charlotte Aldrich was a festering wound.

In his office, he was pleased to find that the staff had already furnished a tray of several selections for his dining enjoyment, including the delectable roast beef. He ran a well-ordered house and a perfectly adjusted staff.

Why, then, should it be so hard to secure a properly obedient wife?