Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] Page 10

  Willa’s eyes narrowed, and Douglas realized quickly that it wasn’t best to have this powerful suffragette against him. At least not in this manner. “Just see to it, Douglas.”

  “Certainly, Madam,” he said with a slight bow. “May I escort you somewhere?”

  “No, I have a meeting nearby.” With that Willa went one direction and Douglas the other, and neither saw Gavin lower his newspaper with an intent look of concern edging his features.

  “If this weren’t becoming just a little too dangerous for my taste,” Gavin muttered, folding the newspaper under his arm,“I’d like to see Baker try to tame Angel. What a laugh!”

  “Did you say something, Sir?” A hotel attendant was quickly at his side.

  “Yes,” Gavin replied and thrust the newspaper at the man. “Dispose of this for me, please.” The man quickly took the paper, while Gavin made his way to the main staircase.

  I’d better warn Angel, he thought. Taking the steps two at time, he glanced quickly over his shoulder to assure himself that Douglas Baker was still moving towards the men’s club entryway. Noting that he was, Gavin slowed his step a bit and tried to figure out a plan.

  Angel will be suspicious no matter what I say, so I’d best just come clean with the truth. Gavin reasoned that he’d have certain information to give Angeline that would prove he’d overheard Douglas and Willa in conversation. Perhaps that would be enough, he tried to convince himself.

  Making his way to Angeline’s room, Gavin began to pray in earnest. “Father, she’s so innocent and she doesn’t begin to understand what these people are trying to do to her,” he whispered the words under his breath. “Please help me to convince her. Please show me a way to reveal the true nature of these people so that she won’t be hurt by their scheming. Amen.”

  He finished the prayer just as he reached Angeline’s door. Knocking for several minutes, with worried glances down the hall toward the stairs, Gavin finally gave up and tried to think where Angeline might have gone.

  Heading down the backstairs, Gavin immediately thought of the park across the street. Angel would love it there! He raced down the remaining steps and made his way to the park. She just had to be there, he thought. “Please God, let me find her first.”

  ❧

  Angeline had found the confines of her room unsettling and more than once had hoped for a stroll in the city park across from the hotel. Willa’s absence from her room had allowed her to change out of the very grown-up burgundy satin and into her serviceable blue serge skirt and shirtwaist. Before she realized what she was doing, Angeline found herself strolling among the park’s aspens and pines as though she’d been there a hundred times before.

  It was summertime, soon to be heading into fall, and Angeline marveled at the colorful flower beds. Carefully cultivated rosebushes were in full bloom and the scent that lingered on the warm air was heavenly. Taking a seat on a nearby park bench, Angeline wondered what she was to do. On one hand, she wanted to be helpful to the cause of securing women the right to vote. But, on the other hand, she knew that Willa’s ideals and forceful ways were not her style. Furthermore, Angeline knew they were not God’s ways, either.

  “I hoped I’d find you here,” the familiar voice called out, and Angeline didn’t know whether to be relieved or concerned.

  “Hello, Gavin,” she replied and looked up to find his gaze fixed on her. My, but he was a welcome sight!

  “You look a little upset. Want to talk about it?”

  “No,” Angeline stated emphatically.

  “Well, I do.” Gavin took a seat beside her and put his arm around her.

  Angeline stared at him hard for a moment, but when Gavin’s grin only broadened, she stiffened her shoulders and sat on the edge of the bench.

  “You can’t get comfortable that way,” Gavin teased.

  “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to sit beside you like that.” Angeline nodded backwards toward his arm.

  “But we’re engaged,” he argued.

  “It doesn’t matter. It still isn’t appropriate,” Angeline answered and only after it was too late, realized that she’d affirmed Gavin’s possession of her.

  Gavin wasn’t shy about grasping onto the words for security. “So maybe we should set the date.”

  Angeline glared at him and scooted away from him. “Have you found the proof you need?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact,” Gavin said, causing Angeline to drop her stuffy look. “I see that surprises you.”

  “Well, I suppose it does. Well, maybe not surprise, oh, I don’t know.” Her hands went to her head as if she could sort everything into perspective with wave of her hand.

  Gavin pulled her back against him and forced her to remain. “Don’t go, Angel. We need to talk. You’re in danger, and I have to warn you in order to keep you from making a very grave mistake.”

  “What do you mean, I’m in danger?” she questioned and stopped her struggles.

  “Willa wasn’t very happy that you didn’t like the new clothes,” Gavin stated, and Angeline gasped at the words. “I see that verifies for you that I have a reliable source. Matter of fact, this time it came straight from the horse’s mouth.” He grinned hard. “So to speak. Of course, I thought you looked real nice in that little red number.”

  “Burgundy,” Angeline muttered without realizing until too late the compliment he was paying her.

  “It was a little out of your routine style of dress, but I thought it looked great.” His warm breath was against her ear, and his words were so soft and alluring that Angeline found herself nearly hypnotized. Nearly, but not quite.

  “When did you see me in that dress?” she asked quietly, trying to steady the racing of her heart.

  “When you came storming downstairs. My, oh my, but you did look fit to be tied.” Gavin was laughing softly, and Angeline jabbed him quickly in the ribs.

  “Why am I supposed to be in danger, and why should I believe anything you say?”

  “I’ve been trying to get the proof you asked me for, remember? Well I was sitting in the lobby when Douglas Baker and your friend, Willa Neal, came sauntering over to where I was and began talking about the need to control you.”

  Startled at his words, Angeline jerked away and stared at Gavin. “You were sitting right there, and they didn’t see you?”

  “Nope, I had the paper in front of my face the whole time. Anyway,” Gavin began again and paused. “Are you listening to this, Angel? I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”

  “I’m listening. Just get on with it.”

  “Well, it seems Miss Neal is quite worried about you and your political associates slipping away. Seems you threatened the old woman that if she didn’t stop interfering and planning your life you were going home.”

  Angeline nodded. “I did say that, so I guess I should believe that what you say is true.”

  Gavin looked hurt. “I’ve never lied to you, Angel.”

  “No, I suppose you wouldn’t, even to get me back home,” she responded, sorry that she’d hurt his feelings.

  The seriousness of Gavin’s expression only deepened. “Angel, Willa Neal wants you to marry Douglas Baker. He’s going to try to court you and get you to marry him right away. Miss Neal even suggested force.” He wasn’t about to tell her that this included the death of her parents in that threat.

  “Oh really, Gavin!” she exclaimed and got to her feet. “You must be over-exaggerating. Douglas has no interest in me outside of the political arena.” She faced him with her hands on her hips and eyes fairly blazing. “I know you mean well, but this is too much.”

  One minute Gavin was seated on the bench with that all-knowing look that Angeline had come to know better than to argue with and, the next minute, he’d pulled her into his arms.

  “Angel, you have to listen to reason.” His voice was nearly hoarse with pent emotion. “I love you, and I know you love me too. You’re just too pig-headed to admit to your feelings and leave this nons
ense behind. They’re using you, and I can’t stand by and let that American kaiser dictate to you how you’ll spend the rest of your life. Marry me, Angel. Come away with me and marry me now.” Before she could speak, Gavin lowered his lips to hers and tenderly kissed her. It was a kiss like no other Angeline had ever known. And though her experience was quite limited, she found the urgency in his manner most confusing.

  Slumping against his chest and letting him support her full weight, Angeline nearly broke into tears. What was she to do? Had Gavin spoken the truth? Of course he had, she chided herself. She’d never known him to lie, but if he hadn’t lied then that meant Willa and Douglas cared nothing about her as a person. Feeling Gavin’s arms tighten around her, Angeline knew the blunt, harsh reality of what he’d shared. Gavin’s truth was no different than the conclusions she’d already come to.

  “Let me take you away from here, Angel. You belong with me.”

  ❧

  From the seclusion of his hiding place, Douglas Baker snapped a twig in half. The scowl on his face was enough to distinguish his mood had his actions not already made that clear. He found it hard to believe he was witnessing Angeline in the arms of that Lucas man. Hadn’t he paid well enough to have Lucas out of the picture, permanently?

  “I won’t be so gracious next time, Lucas,” Douglas muttered and watched as Gavin kissed Angeline. Dropping his hand from where it divided the brush, Douglas turned back toward the pathway and made his plans. “I’ll put an end to this entire charade, once and for all.” His words were low enough to offer comfort to their speaker, but not loud enough to give away his plans.

  “I’ll teach Willa Neal the meaning of respectful response to instructions,” Douglas announced, emerging from the park with a plan already formulating in his mind. “I’ll teach them all.”

  Chapter 14

  Angeline was nearly back to her room when she spotted a red-clad bellhop knocking on her door.

  “May I help you?” she asked.

  “Are you Miss Angeline Monroe?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Then this is for you.” He handed her a folded piece of paper.

  The note read: Please meet me in the hotel restaurant in fifteen minutes. It was signed, Elaine Cody.

  “Who is Elaine Cody?” Angeline wondered and folded the note and handed the bellhop a nickel from her skirt pocket.

  “Not sure, Ma’am,” the young man replied, “but she said it was urgent.”

  “I see,” Angeline said thoughtfully. “Please tell her I’ll be there.” The boy nodded and took off down the hall.

  Angeline pulled her key out and entered her room. A quick glance revealed no sign of an intruding Willa or anyone else, and for that Angeline breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed of late that nearly everyone had a way in and out of her room.

  Deciding to quickly freshen up, Angeline went to the wardrobe. A survey of the clothes hanging there revealed that Willa had once again meddled in Angeline’s affairs. None of Angeline’s original clothes remained, forcing her to either continue wearing the serge skirt and shirtwaist or give in and utilize the new attire.

  Stomping her foot in a private protest, Angeline muttered to herself and fingered through the dresses. Willa had thoughtfully provided for her daytime needs as well as evening wear. Choosing a sedate forest green suit, Angeline didn’t stop grumbling about the interference until she reached the bottom step of the grand staircase.

  Angeline was led to the table where Elaine Cody waited. “Miss Monroe,” the woman said, motioning her to take a seat.

  Elaine Cody was a simple woman in her thirties. She wore her brown hair short and curled and a simple gown of lavender and cream. “Are you hungry?”

  Angeline smiled. “I’ve had such a busy day that I hadn’t even thought to eat.” She took the chair across from Elaine. “I hope I don’t sound rude, but I don’t know why you’ve called me here, Miss Cody.”

  “Mrs. Cody,” the woman said sweetly. “I know this is a surprise, but we’ve been trying for several weeks to talk to you, but Willa Neal always managed to put a stop to it.”

  “Why would Willa keep us from talking?”

  “I represent a less radical approach to the suffrage movement,” Elaine said softly. She paused long enough to allow Angeline to order something to eat when the waiter approached their table. When the man had graciously left the table, Elaine continued.

  “Willa Neal and her comrades believe that change can only come through militant action. They’ve caused civil upheaval all across the nation, even the world. On the other hand, our organization believes that a direct but less radical approach is the best.”

  “I must say I do agree, Mrs. Cody.”

  “Please call me Elaine.”

  “And you must call me Angeline.”

  “Angeline, Willa Neal does more to harm the cause of suffrage than to aid it. She gives people the impression that all suffrage supporters are violent in nature and care nothing for legal processes. Suffrage is an important, no, a vital issue, but we can win this cause through rational, straightforward behavior and by educating people to the importance of women voting.”

  Elaine’s words mirrored Angeline’s thoughts exactly. “I have long felt,” Angeline began, pausing only to accept the lobster salad that the waiter placed in front of her, “that Willa’s approach is worrisome. I was with her in New Mexico when the crowd stormed the stage. It was terrifying. Willa seems to enjoy stirring people up, however, and she won’t hear reason from me.”

  “Perhaps you would consider attending one of our functions,” Elaine said with a smile.

  Angeline shared her smile. “I think it would be a welcome change, but I’m leaving soon for Washington. Willa has a march on the Capitol planned and a meeting with the president.”

  “Yes, I know,” Elaine replied. “Maybe you should reconsider your plans, however.” Elaine grew thoughtful for a moment. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding rather trite, but do you realize that Willa preys on people like you?”

  Angeline put down her fork. “What do you mean?”

  Elaine shifted uncomfortably. “You have friends or at least your family has friends who can offer Willa and her cause a great deal of support and money.”

  “And you believe that Willa’s sole interest in my participation is that I join her with these friends?”

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve seen her at work before. You have to remember Colorado has had suffrage for many years. Willa Neal actively pursued the vote for women and, even then, she wasn’t opposed to breaking the law. She uses whomever she can and always she weighs the benefit of each participant before she pulls them into her circle.”

  Angeline’s frown and sudden lack of appetite caused Elaine to reach her hand out to Angeline’s arm. “I am sorry, but it is important that you know what you’re up against. Willa is looking for power. Unfortunately, she doesn’t care who she uses, nor what happens to them when she’s accomplished what she’s set out to do.”

  Just then the waiter came with a silver tray holding a piece of paper. “Excuse me, but I have a message for Miss Monroe.”

  “I’m Miss Monroe,” Angeline said, reaching for the note.

  Angeline scanned the note quickly. It was from Gavin, and he requested that she join him immediately in the lobby. How was it that he always seemed to know where she was?

  “I’m afraid something has come up, Elaine. A friend of mine has asked me to join him and says that it can’t wait. I hope you will excuse me.”

  “Of course,” Elaine replied. “I hope we have a chance to speak again.”

  Angeline nodded. “I hope so too.” She turned to the waiter. “Please put this luncheon on Miss Willa Neal’s account.” She winked at Elaine with a knowing smile.

  Making her way through the dining hall, Angeline searched the lobby for Gavin. People seemed to occupy every corner of the busy lobby, but Gavin was nowhere in sight.

  “Looking for me, Angel?” Gavin
whispered from behind her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked in a worried tone. She looked Gavin over in case he’d once again come into harm. Seeing that he was unhurt, Angeline relaxed a bit.

  “Nice to know you can come quickly when you’re called.” He grinned mischievously at her and took her arm in his hand. “You look real nice, Angel. More new clothes?”

  “Yes.” She sounded irritated, and Gavin raised a brow in question. “Willa took all of my clothes and left me with these.”

  “You still have that red one?”

  “Burgundy,” Angeline corrected again, but this time she couldn’t help but smile. “You kind of liked that one, eh?”

  Gavin’s grin broadened. “Kind of.” He pulled her along with him to a closed, ornate wood door. “Do you know what’s in here?”

  “I have no idea,” she replied dryly and added, “but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

  “This is the men’s private smoking lounge. Women are strictly forbidden entry.”

  “How nice,” Angeline said, trying to sound offended.

  Gavin pulled her closer. “Baker and his men are sequestered in there. I believe, if I may offer a guess, that they are planning how to force you into marriage. I think perhaps, if I can get you close enough, you will overhear the proof you want of Baker’s guilt.”

  Angeline paled only a bit, but it was enough to make Gavin feel concern for the younger woman. “I promise I won’t let him hurt you, Angel.”

  “How are you going to get me in there?” she asked softly, steadying herself on Gavin’s arm. “I thought women weren’t allowed.”

  “I have a plan,” he said with uncustomary seriousness. “Come on.”

  Angeline let Gavin take her along a servant’s corridor. A sense of anticipation and dread seemed to hang over her. Wasn’t this her moment of truth? No, she thought, she’d already come to believe what Gavin had told her as true. She put her hand out to stop Gavin from opening the door.

  “You don’t have to do this,” she whispered, her lavender eyes seeking his.

  Gavin understood at once what she was saying. “Just this once,” he said softly and touched his finger to her cheek. “Just this once I will give you absolute proof of what I told you to be true. Then, in the future, when I give you my word on a matter, you will remember this and not doubt me.”