Chapter 14
Cody eyed the lawyer sitting in their parlor.
He didn’t feel comfortable with the man in their home, but it was better than creating a scene at the café.
Had it only been an hour since they first saw Blackwell?
Thankfully, Hattie had taken the boys out for a picnic when Cody and Ella returned home and said a lawyer was on his way.
Addie was upstairs napping. The children shouldn’t have to witness… whatever was about to happen.
Mountbatten’s hireling reminded him of a snake—smooth, sneaky, and poised to strike. Ella sat beside Cody, holding fast to his hand. Hers was slick with moisture. He slipped his other hand over their joined ones, running his thumb over her wrist to bring her comfort.
Blackwell sniffed and pointed at their hands. “You don’t need to pretend for my sake.”
Glaring at the man, Cody stiffened. “There is no pretending here.”
His tone must have conveyed his emotion. Blackwell blinked, looking taken aback. He recovered quickly. “Miss Mountbatten, I’ve been hired by your parents and Mr. Archambeau…”
“It’s Mrs. Brooks.” Ella’s voice sounded small, but it didn’t waver.
Blackwell frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“My name is Mrs. Brooks, not Miss Mountbatten.”
The lawyer’s lips thinned. “Your family and Mr. Archambeau are convinced the marriage can be annulled. You aren’t cut out for a life of menial labor in this backwoods town. Don’t you miss being a wealthy heiress to the Mountbatten fortune?”
Her grip on Cody’s hand tightened. “No.”
“Are you sure? Living in this podunk town can’t be easy.” Blackwell’s brow rose in a condescending manner.
Cody bristled at the insult. Ella remained calm. “I love Harmony Springs. It’s the first place I’ve been truly happy.”
The man sneered. “You’d rather live in this ranching town than Boston?”
“Yes.”
She hadn’t hesitated at all. Gratification washed over Cody. He slid one hand from hers and slipped it around her waist. Ella leaned into him in response.
“Mr. Archambeau asked me to convey that he misses you and wishes you’d return home. He still wants to marry you, Miss Mountbatten.”
Ella went still. “I’m already married. Cody and I joined ourselves together until death do us part. I’m not about to break those vows.”
Blackwell turned to Cody. “And what about you? What price would make you dissolve this marriage?”
Cody bit his tongue to keep from retorting in anger. He drew in a long breath before speaking. “Like my wife, I believe marriage is forever. When I make a vow, I keep it. End of discussion.”
“Maybe you misunderstood, Mr. Brooks. The Mountbatten family is prepared to reimburse you handsomely to end your marriage and return their beloved daughter home.” Blackwell held up an envelope. “You’d never want for money again.”
Did the man know about his financial troubles? And did he really think that was enough to tear Cody from Ella? He snorted, not bothering to look at the envelope. “Beloved daughter? They don’t care about Ella, and you know it. She’s staying here.”
The lawyer sighed. “I wish you’d take the easy way. It’s a substantial amount of money, Mr. Brooks.”
“I don’t want your money,” Cody practically growled. “I want my wife.”
It surprised him how much he meant those words. The thought of losing Ella sent chills down his spine.
Blackwell removed his spectacles. “Is this a marriage of convenience?”
Ella froze beside him. Cody steeled his voice. “That’s none of your business.”
“It is my business if it means the marriage can be annulled.”
Cody didn’t like the man’s tone—much less, his suggestion. “A marriage cannot be annulled unless the man or woman wishes it to be. Considering neither one of us wants to dissolve this union, your argument is invalid.”
Annoyance flashed over the man’s hawk-like face. He tapped his briefcase with his fingers. “But are you truly married? If there’s no plan to have children, then this”—he motioned between Cody and Ella—“isn’t valid.”
Maybe having a grizzly side had its benefits. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but we do intend to have children. So again, your point holds no water.” Thank God he and Ella had that conversation.
Blackwell didn’t seem inclined to give up. He leaned forward, sharp gaze biting into Cody’s. “Why did you marry so quickly?”
“My children needed a mother. I planned to send for a mail-order bride, but Ella volunteered to marry me instead.”
The lawyer frowned, looking at Ella. “This was your idea?”
She nodded. The man’s frown deepened. He glanced at his notes. “We could still cite coercion since you may have felt as though there was no other choice…”
“Coercion!” Ella’s voice came out shrill.
“If you want to know what coercion looks like, try asking Mr. Archambeau what he attempted the night I left Boston! Ask him about the bruises he left on my body. Or how he manipulated me for years. Or said he would force me to marry him. Ask my parents how they ignored my pleas to break the engagement and insisted I marry Howard despite his abuse. That is coercion.”
She pointed a finger at Blackwell. Her voice went quiet and steely.
“When I met Cody, I quickly found out he was different. I offered to marry him to give the children a mother. He tried to talk me out of it. This was my choice. I’d do it again if given the chance.
My husband is an excellent man, and we are raising three orphaned children together.
Life here might be hard, but it is good. I regret nothing.”
Pride straightened Cody’s spine. Ella might be terrified, but she wasn’t backing down. He couldn’t help but admire the fire in her eyes.
Blackwell looked at Cody again. “Consider carefully, Mr. Brooks. Miss Mountbatten belongs with people of her class. If you don’t let her go, there are those who might be inclined to use other methods of persuasion to gain their objective.”
“This conversation is over.” Cody pinned the lawyer with a fierce look. “I suggest you leave the property before you find yourself in an unfortunate accident.”
Rearing back, Blackwell widened his eyes. “There’s no need to sound hostile.”
“No need to sound hostile?” Heat rushed through Cody’s veins.
He stood, towering over the lawyer. “You come to my town claiming you plan to take my wife from me. You come into my home and ask rude questions. You try to bribe me to end my marriage, and you use veiled threats as a fear tactic.” Each word grew in volume as he tried—and failed—to control his anger.
“So you’ll excuse me if I sound hostile.
” He stepped closer, hands on his hips. “And if you don’t get out of our home in ten seconds, you’ll see exactly how hostile I can be. ”
Blackwell hopped to his feet. “No need to threaten. I’m going.” He shot a glare over his shoulder when he reached the door. “But this isn’t over.”
The door slammed behind the man. Cody turned to Ella. He barely registered how close she was before she burrowed against him, trembling.
Her hands gripped the front of his shirt. “I should have known my father leaving wasn’t the end of it.”
Rapid, unsteady puffs of breath penetrated the cloth and warmed his skin. Cody wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She buried her face in his chest. Her body shook so hard, he had to brace his feet to keep her from pulling them both down. “He can’t do anything, Ella.”
“He’ll try. And did you hear what he said? He’s not just working for my father. Howard is his client too.”
Cody’s brow furrowed. “Is that significant?”
“It means Howard might show up here to try to get me back.”
“Then he’ll have me to deal with.” Who knew his tone could be so menacing?
Ella pulled back, studying him. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
Her smile, fragile and gentle, pulled at his heart. “Make me feel better without trying.”
Apparently, she didn’t require an answer. She leaned into him again, but this time, her trembling stopped. A soft sigh escaped as she fully relaxed. Cody held her, lending the strength he knew she needed and trying not to notice how perfectly she fit in his arms.
A cry from upstairs broke them apart. Ella smoothed back her hair and met his gaze. “Addie’s up. I’ll go get her and check on the boys.”
Cody could only nod, his gaze following her as she headed to the children’s room. Her bravery in the face of fear astounded him. She stood her ground and refused to give in to Blackwell’s bullying. It was another thing Cody could add to the list of traits he admired about his wife.
He held back a snort. Admired? Things had gone well past admiration.
And that terrified him.
Ella paced in the parlor. No lights glowed at such an unearthly hour, but she’d been restless and unable to sleep. Not wanting to disturb Cody, she’d made her way downstairs, releasing her nervous energy with constant movement.
So far, it hadn’t helped.
The visit with her father’s lawyer impacted her more than she cared to admit.
Mr. Blackwell had been to their Boston home a number of times.
Ella always avoided him. Maybe it was his roaming eyes or his condescending tone.
Whatever the reason, she didn’t like him.
When he came through the café door, she’d known they were in for a fight.
Ella shivered in the chilly room. Spring might be coming, but for now, a bitter chill hung on through the nights. She turned once more and made her way across the dark room. Moments later, pain exploded in her leg as it hit the corner of a chair.
“Ouch!”
She hopped backward, only to trip over the carpet. A little shriek escaped as she fell to the floor. Her grunt coincided with a light entering the room.
“Ella? Darlin’, where are you?” Cody called.
Mortification joined her pain. Though tempted not to answer and save herself the embarrassment, Ella forced herself to speak. “Behind the chair.”
Within seconds, her husband appeared beside her, his face illuminated by the light of a single candle. He placed it on a table, brows furrowed. “What happened?”