The Debutante's Secret Read online

  Her sister was pretty good at that so she decided it best not to reveal too much about Alex, at least not until she herself was sure about his feelings. The only sure way she knew for that to happen was for him to profess his love for her and propose. Otherwise, she could only be guessing.

  After all, a girl must never assume. It was the surest way to a broken heart.

  After Alex dropped Roxanne and Grace at Regina’s, he made his way to the telegraph office. He could only hope today’s trip to town did not end the same as yesterday’s.

  He tied his mare to the hitching post and took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever news awaited him. He stepped into the telegraph office and all he could hear was the boardwalk creaking under his boots and his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

  “Good morning. I’m Alex Harp. I was in here yesterday and sent a telegram to New Orleans. Did I get an answer to that telegram ?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Harp. Came in yesterday just before six o'clock.” The man handed him the envelope over the counter. Alex's heart raced as he took the envelope and ripped it open.

  He rushed through the words and then re-read it slower the second time just to make certain he was reading it correctly. The third time he read it, he thought he should probably sit down.

  Dear Son,

  I was shocked to hear about Kate. Stop. Her parents believe she may have gone to Chicago. Stop. Her father sends his regrets. Stop. He feels responsible for his daughter’s behavior. Stop. He’s wired five thousand dollars to your bank in Durango. Stop. I wired ten thousand more. Stop. I love you, son. Stop.

  J. Harp

  Alex felt his shoulders slump in relief. Fifteen thousand dollars would go a long way to getting his debt squared away. It would also give him the money he needed to hire an attorney in New Orleans and file for divorce from Kate no matter where the heartless harlot was hiding.

  He turned and grinned at the man behind the counter. “Thank you!”

  “By the look on your face, you got some good news.”

  “The best news I could have ever hoped for.”

  He gave the man a two-bit tip and rushed outside toward the bank. He needed to see that money in his account before he was completely sure everything was going to be alright. In his haste, he collided with his friend, John.

  “Whoa, there, cowboy.” A surprised John stepped back. “Alex? Is something wrong? Everything okay with Grace? Roxanne?”

  Alex could see the worry on his friend's face. “No. No. Just the contrary. I got a telegram from my father. I have been waiting for word about an unexpected financial situation I found myself in—”

  “I didn’t know you were having money problems, Alex. You could have come to me, you know.”

  Alex felt the guilt sour his stomach. John had always been a true friend to him. Someone he could count on. Would he still feel the same when he discovered Alex’s deceit? Whether it was intentional or not. He hated the thought of losing his friendship. Perhaps, once Alex had his divorce and could offer Roxi the secure future she deserved, John might be able to forgive him. He just hoped Regina could.

  John nodded to a couple passing by and waited for them to fade out of earshot.

  “You know you can tell me anything, right?” John’s earnest expression pricked at Alex’s conscience.

  “Yes. I know. You’ve always been a true friend to me, but this was something I needed to fix on my own. You understand, don’t you?”

  “Of course. And I’m glad everything seems to have worked out, but if you need help in the future, you know you can come to me.” John looked at him from underneath his dark brows.

  “Yes, I know that, but—” Alex wrestled with his conscience. Now that he had enough money to fix all his financial woes and get a divorce from Kate, should he tell John the whole story.

  “I sense something is bothering you, Alex. I’m happy to listen if you need an ear,” John offered.

  “There's something you should know. I should have told you the truth in the beginning, but I hope you’ll try to understand my situation before you write me off as your friend. Hell, you may even decide to shoot me.” Alex blurted out his words before he gave himself a chance to change his mind. It was too late to turn back now.

  John frowned. “That sounds rather ominous. How about we walk down to my hotel and talk in my office? From the sound of things, this isn't a conversation we should be having on the street. Especially if I'm going to have to shoot you. I'd prefer not to shock the sensibilities of Durango's female population by littering the boardwalk with dead bodies.”

  Alex cut a look sideways at his friend. He was certain he was kidding, but then again, John didn't know what he was about to tell him either.

  He left his carriage and horse tied up in front of the telegraph office and walked beside John to his hotel. They entered the elegant lobby and he followed John down the familiar hallway to his office. A group of women met them halfway.

  “Oh, I forgot today is the weekly meeting of The Ladies Club of Durango. Stay up with me and keep walking or some marriage-minded momma will waylay you and bore you with the long, long list of her daughter's charms,” John whispered, as they approached the gaggle of chattering ladies.

  “Which one?” Alex whispered back. He wanted to make certain he avoided her.

  “All of them.” John grinned. “Hello, Ladies. I'm sorry we can't stop to chat. Important business. Good day, ladies.” John smoothly led him through the group and into his office. He waved to them down the hallway and closed the door behind them.

  “Whew, that was a close one.” John teased and took his seat behind his desk. “Care for a drink?”

  He really could use something to bolster his courage right about now, but it was a tad early, so he declined.

  John took his place behind his desk and faced Alex. “How are things at the ranch?” John asked, but Alex knew what John was eluding to. “You mean how are things going between me and Roxanne?”

  John grinned. “Yes, I suppose that's what I'm asking. How are you two... getting along?”

  Alex thought about his answer for a moment. “Things are going great. In fact, that’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  John frowned. “You said earlier you had something to tell me and I wasn’t going to like it. Have you compromised Roxanne in some way?”

  “No. Hell, no. I wouldn’t do that, John. I have too much respect for her. And for you and Regina.”

  John’s relief was evident. He relaxed and nodded. “Good. That’s real good. So, what is it you think you’ve done that I wouldn’t like?” John pushed for an answer to Alex’s cryptic comment earlier.

  “Well, I know that you and Regina hold Roxanne in high esteem. As do I. And although we have not slept together, we have come close on more than one occasion. We have feelings for each other. In fact, I’m in love with Roxanne and I am pretty sure she feels the same way about me.”

  John frowned. “So, what’s the problem? Sounds like you two are moving along in the right direction.”

  “Yes. But there is something about my situation that you should know.” Alex swallowed hard to keep his voice from shaking with nerves.

  “Situation? I’m not sure I like the sound of that.” John eyed him with curiosity.

  “Yes, I am planning to ask Roxanne to marry me, but there are some complications that may make that a bit difficult—complications we…I still need to work through.”

  “Yes, I can imagine there will be many obstacles standing in your way, but I’m assuming if you two are determined to move forward and marry, you’ll find a way to overcome them.”

  “Obstacles?” John’s comment caught him off guard. He took a moment to think about what John had said. What obstacles could he be talking about? He was the one with the mountain-sized problems, but since he hadn’t told John just what those were yet, then he must be talking about Roxanne. What kind of obstacles could she be facing?

  “Don’t worry. I know yo
u two will figure it out. Regina is going to be so excited to hear the good news and while this may be a tad premature, let me be the first to welcome you to our family.”

  John stood and walked around the desk toward him, hand extended. Alex instinctively stood and shook his hand. What the hell was happening? Stunned, Alex watched John pour two crystal glasses full of the expensive Scotch he had declined earlier. Something told him he should probably drink it down so he promptly tossed the contents down his throat.

  John grinned at him and clapped him on the back. “Congratulations, my friend. I have to admit I was rooting for you.”

  Alex stammered trying to make sense of what was happening. “I—John, I’m not sure…I mean…I don’t think I understand what’s going on here. What are you talking about and whose family are you welcoming me in to?”

  “Why, our family, of course. My family. Since Regina and Roxanne are first cousins, that makes us cousins-in-law.”

  Alex could hear the pounding of his heart beating in his ears. He stared at John and tried to make sense of what he was saying. “Who are first cousins? Roxanne and Regina? When did that happen?” Alex felt the blood rush from his head to his feet.

  John laughed and then stopped short. “Alex, are you saying you didn't know Roxanne and Regina were cousins?”

  “No, I thought Roxanne was an employee…a valued employee...maybe even a good friend, but cousins? No. I had no clue. I mean…I met her at your school that day I came to find someone to care for Grace. I—she was working there, and I just assumed that she...”

  “She wasn’t working there. She volunteered to help teach the children to color. She’s just here for a few weeks this summer, but I assumed that since you two are—interested in each other…um, she didn’t say anything about her going back to Boston at the end of August to—” John stopped short and Alex knew now he was the one keeping a secret.

  “To what, John? Roxanne is going back to Boston in the fall to what?” Alex asked the question, but he wasn’t sure he wanted an answer.

  “She’s supposed to get married, Alex. But I thought since you and she were…well, I just assumed when you said obstacles, you were talking about Roxanne’s fiancé.”

  “Married? Roxanne is engaged?” Alex’s mind was slow to catch up, but he sensed his heart had already grasped the truth and it hurt like hell.

  “She's never mentioned Boston?” John asked, sympathy etched across his face.

  Alex shook his head no.

  “And she’s never mentioned her trust fund?”

  “Trust fund?” Alex felt like his brain was sloshing through molasses trying to make sense of what was happening.

  He swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat and shoved it down deep to settle next to Kate’s betrayal. Alex thought he knew Roxanne. She was so kind and considerate and hardworking and... and honest. He would have sworn she didn’t have a deceptive bone in her body. And just like his bitch of a wife, Roxanne had turned his world upside down. He shook his head in denial. “No, she never said a word. Not. One. Damn. Word.”

  Chapter 12

  Roxanne had left Grace at the nursery school so the little girl could spend time playing with other children her age, while she and Regina spent the morning chatting and making plans for her future. She had written to her parents only once since she had arrived in Durango. It was time to begin the process of informing them she had found the husband they sought for her, but he was not the owner of a great fleet of ships. Instead, he was a handsome cowboy with a herd of horses and a little girl who had stolen her heart.

  Over the next couple of months, she would write to her parents and share the details of her adventures here. Eventually, she would include the news that she had met someone. Someone special. And then she would introduce him to her parents as the man she wished to marry, and she would be moving to Durango permanently. She grinned to herself as she imagined her perfect life with Grace and Alex.

  “You are doing it again, Roxi.”

  Regina's voice pulled Roxanne out of the clouds once more. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good company today, am I?” she mused.

  “Nonsense. I am thrilled you have found someone you can make a life with. You deserve every happiness Alex can give you. Has he actually asked you to marry him?”

  “No, he hasn’t asked, but he has given me every indication that he intends to do so,” Roxanne paused, then decided to tell Regina everything. “I almost told him about my trust fund yesterday.”

  “And why didn’t you?”

  “Old habits, I suppose. Can you understand my hesitation?”

  Regina nodded. “Yes, I certainly do. A woman cannot be too careful when it comes to her heart...or her money. When I thought John had betrayed me and I believed there was no hope for us, my heart was broken. The pain was unbearable.”

  “Yes, I was there, remember? If it weren’t for me and Marianne, I’m not sure your stubborn pride wouldn’t have allowed you to forgive him,” Roxi teased her cousin.

  “I fear you’re right, and I will always be in debt to you and Mari for your insight, persistence, and, of course, both of your bullying skills.” Regina laughed.

  “I wanted to tell Alex, but…I suppose I wanted to wait until he pledged his love to me first. Again, old habits die hard,” Roxi admitted.

  Regina gave her a knowing look. “Then I pray you have your chance to tell Alex soon, dear cousin. You deserve every happiness. And I pray you never get your heart broken. As I said, the pain is unbearable.”

  “I hope I don’t either because I watched as you suffered and I wouldn’t want to experience that kind of heartbreak first hand.”

  The sound of a carriage rolling to a stop outside Regina’s house caught their attention. Regina rose and pulled the window curtain back to get a better look. “It’s a woman.”

  Roxanne rose and stood beside her at the window. “Were you expecting anyone?”

  “No. I don’t even think I know her. At least, I don’t recognize her from here. I hope I haven’t made a commitment I’ve forgotten about. That is going to be so embarrassing if I have.”

  Regina stepped back from the window and smoothed her skirts. Will you help me? Straighten the tea cart, and I will speak with Cook to see if she can quickly make some little tea sandwiches. I’ll only be a moment.”

  “Of course.” Roxanne busied herself with clearing the tea cart and straightening the chairs when a knock at the front door announced the arrival of their unexpected visitor.

  “Regina?” Roxanne called out.

  “I’m coming. Please invite the woman in and offer her a seat.

  Roxanne gazed around the room. Satisfied everything was in order to welcome their guest, she patted her hair and opened the front door just as the woman knocked a second time.

  “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. Please. Do come in.” A very attractive blonde woman dressed in the latest fashion nodded and entered the foyer. Roxanne extended her arm to show the woman the way into the main salon.

  Roxanne followed her and studied her without appearing to be studying her. It was a skill every young woman of social standing in Boston learned at an early age. Observing one’s competition provided an advantage over the hordes of debutantes competing for a husband. Roxanne hadn’t used the skill since she wasn’t the husband-hunting type, but that didn’t mean she didn’t know how it was done.

  She followed the woman into Regina's main parlor and took in every detail. It was evident she came from money. Her stylish clothes were custom made to fit her tall, slender frame. The expensive kid gloves were dyed to match the rose color of her dress. And her jewelry—matching sapphire earrings and necklace—were exquisite and must have cost a fortune. But it was the stunning diamond wedding ring that intrigued Roxanne. It was obvious the woman was not from Durango.

  The woman walked ahead of her and stood in the main parlor as Regina entered the room. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. I’ve arranged for some refreshments.
Please, have a seat.” Regina offered her a chair. Roxanne took a seat opposite the woman giving Regina the chair next to her. When everyone was seated, Regina spoke to the woman. “Now, please tell me what I can do for you today.”

  The woman nodded in greeting and looked around the room, taking in every detail. Regina sent Roxanne a look and a shrug that said she still had no idea who the woman was or why she was here.

  Finally, after a few moments of silence, the woman returned her attention to Regina with a casual glance in Roxanne’s direction. “I do apologize for my unannounced appearance at your front door. I’m not usually so socially inept, but in this case, I do have a good reason. I hope you will give me a moment to explain.”

  Regina frowned at the woman in confusion. “Well, of course. We don’t stand on such formal edicts here in Durango. Please, tell us how we can help you?”

  The woman nodded. “I just arrived in Durango and I’m trying to find someone who can tell me of my husband’s whereabouts. The man at the train station ticket office said he was certain you and your husband, John Kingston, were friends of his and would know how to find him. Am I at the right house? You are Regina Kingston, are you not?”

  Regina nodded. “Yes, of course. You have found the right address. And it is possible I do know your husband. I’ve been in Durango quite some time. What is your husband’s name?”

  The woman’s shoulders slumped in relief. “That is excellent news. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kate Harp and my husband’s name is Alex. Alexander Harp. Perhaps you’ve heard of him?

  Roxanne exchanged a shocked look with Regina just before the arrow of pain hit her dead center. She could barely draw in a breath for fear her heart would shatter into a million sad little pieces. It was then she remembered what Regina had said about a broken heart. And the pain was, indeed, unbearable.