For the Roses

have heard her. He was going in the opposite direction.

'Where are you going?' she called out.

'To bed.'

It was late, but not that late. 'Aren't you coming back to the house tonight?'

'No.'

'Good night then.'

He didn't return her farewell. She waited another minute, and when he reached the entrance of the bunkhouse and pushed the door open, she ran out of patience.

'Good night,' she shouted. She silently added the words damn it.

He finally turned around and looked at her. 'Mary Rose?'

His voice was forceful enough to lift her off the ground.

The fanciful, impossible notion made her smile. 'Yes?'

'Don't keep me waiting.'

May 4, 1867

Dear Mama Rose,

We were all heartsick after we read your letter. We have a hundred questions to ask you. Why didn't you tell us what Livonia was up to sooner? You shouldn't have had to worry alone. We're your family now, and you shouldn't ever keep anything from us.

How long has Livonia been blackmailing you into staying with her? Yes, we know and we understand how afraid the old woman is. Being blind is terrible, of course it is, and being saddled with two self-centered sons who are trying to sell everything out from under her must be just as frightening, but, Mama Rose, none of her burdens can justify what she's doing to you.

Do you really believe she'll tell her sons Adam killed their father or could she be bluffing? Has she completely forgotten he was trying to protect you and Livonia from your master's rage? Remember all the times he beat her? Livonia surely has suffered, but none of what has happened to her can make her sin against you easier for us to bear. Lincoln wanted you to have your freedom, and all the thousands of young men who gave up their lives in battle did so to ensure your freedom.

Now Mistress Livonia has bound you into slavery once again…

God protect us all,

Your loving son, Douglas

Chapter 14

Cole and Eleanor stayed in the hallway kissing and hugging and whispering sweet nonsensical words to each other for a long while. He finally called a halt to the love play when he felt his control slipping. He was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it, but Eleanor wasn't like any of the other women he'd kissed and bedded. There would have to be a commitment given before he slept with her, and damn it all, he wasn't about to carry things that far.

He made up his mind never to kiss her again as he followed her back into the dining room. He held her chair out for her first and then walked around to the other side of the table to take his seat. He didn't seem to notice his brothers were watching him. He was fully occupied mentally listing all the reasons he needed to stay away from the blushing virgin across from him.

'Didn't you forget something?' Douglas asked his brother.

Travis had to nudge Cole to get him to answer.

'Like what?' Cole asked.

'Like your sister. She's still in the kitchen with Harrison.'

Cole started to get up, then changed his mind. 'Mary Rose is a big girl. She can take care of herself around Harrison. If he wants to give up his freedom, that's his problem, not mine.'

'His freedom?' Douglas asked, trying hard not to laugh. He'd noticed Cole had stared at Eleanor when he'd made the comment about Harrison.

'Yes, his freedom,' his brother muttered. The set of his jaw indicated he didn't want to continue with the discussion.

'I don't think Harrison looks at it the way you do,' Travis interjected.

Eleanor wasn't aware of the change in Cole. She smiled at him and said, 'Mary Rose is very capable. All of our teachers at school thought so. She helped me get through a perfectly horrible mathematics class. I would have failed without her.'

Travis stared at Cole for another minute, then stood up and went into the kitchen to get Mary Rose. He didn't care how capable his sister was. He knew Harrison and understood exactly what his intentions were. Cole may have adopted a lackadaisical attitude, but he certainly hadn't.

He found his sister sitting at the kitchen table, staring off into space. Her face looked flushed to him.

'What's the matter with you?'

'Nothing.'

'Something's wrong. You only look flustered when you're sick or angry. Which is it?'

'Neither.'

'Where's Harrison?'

'He went to bed.'

She wasn't about to give her brother any further details. She therefore didn't mention the fact that Harrison expected her to join him.

Don't make me wait. Hadn't he said those very words to her just minutes after he'd practically shoved her away from him?

'You're angry, aren't you?'

'I'm not angry.'

'You don't have to snap your words at me. Tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I can fix it.'

She knew Travis wouldn't quit pestering her until she satisfied his curiosity. She had to tell him something, even if it was only a half-truth.

'Arrogant men bother me. Can you fix that?'

Travis's grin was slow and easy. ' Harrison made you mad, didn't he?'

'Please leave me alone. I need time to think.'

Her brother crossed the kitchen to get the coffeepot. 'Is he…'

He didn't quite know how to phrase the delicate question he wanted to ask.

'Is he what?'

He forced a shrug. 'Pushing you to do something you don't want to do?'

'He would never push me or force me to do anything I didn't want to do.'

Travis nodded. 'I didn't think he would, but I still wanted to hear you tell me so. Answer one more question for me, and I promise I'll leave you alone to stew.'

'I'm not stewing.'

'Do you love him?'

'Oh, yes, I love him.'

'You're sure?'

She smiled. 'I'm sure. He's rude and bossy and arrogant and stubborn.'

'A girl can't ask for more than that in a man.'

'He's also kind and gentle and loving.'

Tears gathered in her eyes. Travis spotted them right away. 'Are you going to cry about it, Mary Rose?'

'No, of course not.'

The miracle of his commitment was finally sinking in. He was going to love her until the day he died. Hadn't