The judge handed Eliza an envelope. “Your husband wanted to be sure you had enough funds even though all your expenses are covered. This is if you need anything before you travel or along the way.”
Eliza took the heavy envelope and mumbled, “I have some funds in the bank.”
“My driver and the guard will see to it that you can withdraw your money after you collect your belongings. The best of luck to you, my dear.”
“Thank you,” Eliza said as she left the judge’s office.
The judge’s secretary introduced Eliza to Morton, a large, burly man sporting a bald head and pitch-black beard and mustache.
“Morton will assure that you do not have difficulty collecting your things and will accompany you to your hotel and see you safely settled. He will also assure that you get on your train safely in the morning. The best to you, Missus Montgomery.”
Missus Montgomery, that was her name now. Eliza muttered her thanks and followed Morton out of the building to the waiting carriage.
She dreaded the scene that might take place at the Richards’ home. When Morton followed her into the parlor and explained to Mister Richards that Eliza, a now-married woman, was there to collect her things and he was there to guarantee her safety, Mister Richards nodded his approval and disappeared into his office.
Eliza packed quickly, and Morton and the butler took her meager belongings down to the waiting carriage. Morton helped her with her few errands, and when she arrived safely at the hotel, he assured her he would be there in the morning to take her to the train station.
Chapter 3
As the stagecoach rumbled closer to the stop in front of the mercantile, Blake felt his stomach tighten. He’d promised Amalie and Faith that he’d treat Eliza well and behave like a gentleman which he knew he’d have no problem doing. However, just the idea of having a woman living in his house made him a bit uneasy. He swallowed hard when the stagecoach neared with piles of luggage and trunks on top. When it stopped, and the door opened, he blew out a quick breath.
A tall, thin man wearing an Eastern style black suit, vest, tie, and bowler hat stepped out first, offering his hand to someone following behind him. A lovely blonde woman dressed in the height of fashion stepped out and gazed apprehensively around her. This wasn’t Eliza; she didn’t fit the description.
When the man held his hand out to help another passenger alight, Blake’s heart skipped a beat at the beauty that stepped out. Faith had said Eliza’s hair was red, but the cinnamon shade of her hair was far more lovely than he expected. She wore a simple green traveling suit that brought out the green in her eyes and squealed in delight when she saw Amalie and Faith waiting to greet her.
As the young women were giggling and talking, Blake stepped forward and said, “Hello, Eliza, I’m Blake.”
Eliza turned to greet him with a broad smile on her face. “Hello, I’m happy to be here. Thank you for your assistance in getting me away from my unpleasant employment situation.”
Blake took her hand and answered, “It was my pleasure to be of assistance.”
When she smiled at him again, Blake’s heart beat faster. He felt happy and content that he did the right thing for Eliza and himself. Both would benefit from this proxy marriage, and he would help her find her way in the world when they needed to annul it. His happiness was short-lived when he recognized the shrill voice coming from the inside of the stage.
Aunt Hortense?
The voice grated his ears again, and he knew for sure that it was his aunt. “Of course, I expect you to allow me off the stage before you, young man. Who do you think you are? Don’t people in this part of the country have manners?”
Blake watched the man in the black suit help his aunt from the coach. She was followed by a rather red-faced young cowboy who disappeared heading for the saloon as soon as he dropped to the ground after jumping from the stage’s door.
Blake was still holding Eliza’s hand when he heard his aunt say, “Blake? How did you know we would be on this stage? It’s delightful that you came to meet us.”
Blake stepped forward with Eliza following and greeted his aunt. “Welcome to Wyoming, Aunt Hortense. I hope you had a nice trip. I’d like you to meet my wife, Eliza.”
“Wife?” Aunt Hortense stammered before her eyes rolled back, and she dropped to the boardwalk in a dead faint.
The tall thin man in the Eastern suit rushed forward. He fanned Aunt Hortense with his handkerchief until Blake intervened and said, “We can carry her across the street to the hotel and call for the doctor.”
The thin man nodded and answered, “She has these spells often, but resting in the hotel will do her good. Perhaps a doctor can offer her a tonic for her nerves. Your introduction of your wife has unsettled her greatly. My name is Simms, by the way, Sir.”
“Thank you, Mister Simms,” Blake said. “Let me help you.”
“No need, she is quite light, and it’s just Simms, Sir,” he said as he lifted the petite woman in his arms and carried her across the road.
Blake looked over his shoulder at Eliza, Amalie, and Faith, saying, “I’ll be back as soon as I see to Aunt Hortense. Perhaps you could go to the café for lunch or tea.”
“We’ll be all right,” Amalie assured as Blake rushed to follow Simms.
Blake nodded and hurried to follow Simms into the hotel.
“We need a room,” Simms announced as he walked through the doors of the hotel with a still unconscious Aunt Hortense.
“Right this way,” the desk clerk said and pointed to the stairs. He turned to a young waiter walking out of the dining room and said, “Go fetch
