Pioneer Dream: The O’Rourke Family Montana Saga Page 5

  With a long sigh, she tried to banish the regret that man wouldn’t be Kevin O’Rourke.

  Seamus O’Rourke entered the darkened interior of the only hotel in Fort Benton. The lobby area consisted of a front desk along one wall while two dilapidated armchairs set near the front door. A dust covered window on one side of the door let in a sparse amount of light. The doorway across from the front desk led to a popular bar, the Levee Saloon. The owner of the hotel, Mr. Foster, had decided to cater to the men pouring into town to be miners, rather than curry the favor of the few women or cultured men who made their way to Fort Benton. Thus, no dining room serviced the hotel and any staying here had to travel to the nearby café for meals.

  He clapped a hand on the back of his son Declan, smiling at him and then motioned for Ardan and Kevin to follow him into the hotel.

  “Da, why are we here, rather than at the saloon?” Ardan asked. “We always have a whiskey to celebrate the delivery of a shipment of goods.”

  “Aye, and we will in a little while. We’ll have a second drink to celebrate yours and Kevin’s return.” Seamus grinned at them, his blue eyes sparkling. “I’ve a surprise for Declan an’ I thought you’d like to be included.” He nodded to Aaron Foster, the proprietor of the hotel who manned the front desk. Foster had trouble keeping workers as they continued to run off to the mining camps with hopes of quickly becoming rich.

  “Seamus,” Mr. Foster said with a deferential nod as the O’Rourkes were one of- if not the- most important families to have settled in Fort Benton. “I thought you might want to use my office.” He led them to a large room behind the stairs and reception area, well lit by a bright, clean window. “I’ll bring them in when they arrive.”

  “Da?” Kevin asked as he shared a confused look with Ardan and Declan. Both brothers shrugged their innocence at their father’s plan.

  The door opened again, preventing Seamus from having to speak and Mr. Foster entered with two women. Kevin gasped, blurting out, “Miss O’Keefe, Mrs. Davies.” He turned to his father and Declan. “We met them on the steamboat.” He schooled his features into a cool friendliness.

  Seamus watched Kevin intently a moment, seeming satisfied at his explanation. “Well, it seems you’ve already met part of the family, Miss O’Keefe. I hope you didn’t find them objectionable.” He winked at the woman wearing a remarkably ugly dress and who had barely looked up since she had entered the room. “Here’s the man you’ve been waiting for all your life.” He clasped Declan’s shoulder and pushed him forward to stand a few paces in front of his older brothers. “Your betrothed.”

  “His what?” Kevin breathed as he looked from Aileen to his brother. He grunted when Ardan elbowed him in his side.

  Seamus glared at his second son. “Forgive Kevin. He’s generally more charming with the lasses.” Seamus backed up a step, gripped the aunt’s arm and urged her away from her niece, granting the two betrothed a few moments of relative privacy.

  “Mrs. Davies, ’tis lovely to meet you at last.” Seamus’s smile froze at her fierce glower.

  “Don’t try any of that worthless Irish charm on me, you charlatan! You led me to believe we were coming to a civilized town! To a place of society. Of …” She sputtered to a stop for a moment. “Not to a rough and tumble town filled with ruffians who think nothing of leering at upstanding women.” Her bosom trembled while a drop of saliva hung on her chin after her outburst.

  “I fear we have differin’ definitions of civilized, ma’am. For Fort Benton is civilized, for Montana Territory.” He smiled as his words seemed to anger her more. “And you can’t expect a man not to stare at a fine lookin’ lass.” He shrugged as he battled a chuckle at her indignation. “You had to have known a frontier town would be wilder than Albany.”

  “Saint Louis was wild enough!” she snapped. “If I had any say, I’d cancel our agreement for misrepresentation.”

  Seamus studied her a moment, noting that while the niece appeared to wear little more than rags, the aunt was clothed in a fine navy dress cut in the latest style. “Aye, you know you can, at any moment. When the money for the trip here has been repaid.” He met her loathing filled glare with one of equanimity. “Or when either of them decides they don’t want to marry the other. Only then is our agreement void.”

  “I’m well aware of our agreement,” she hissed.

  “Aye, an’ it was very generous toward you. However, I’m pleased. You did not lie. You’re niece is lovely and I hope she will be a good wife for my Declan.” He paused as Mrs. Davies continued to glower at him. “As you know, I want a willing bride for my son. Not a woman forced to do something against her will.”

  “Aileen is shy. She will be eager on her wedding day,” Mrs. Davies said.

  “Aye. I hope so.” He stared at the two standing in stiff formality as they became acquainted. “I want it understood that Aileen is the one to make decisions. Not you.” His blue eyes shone with warning. “If you force her to do anything, you’ll never get another penny from me.”

  Mrs. Davies sniffed in disgust. “I knew I should have expected no better from a lowly potato digger.”

  Seamus gripped her arm. “I may be Irish. An’ aye, I was a farmer once.” His eyes gleamed with a deep emotion. “I’m proud of where I come from, although I’ll always regret what I lost.” He took a deep breath. “From where I’m standin’, ma’am, you’re in no position to disparage me.” He let her go and moved to speak to his two eldest sons who stood huddled in a corner. They quieted at his approach and he studied them, although his focus was mainly on Kevin. “All right, lad?”

  “Aye,” Kevin said with a forced smile. “I spoke with her on the ship and she seems pleasant.”

  “Pleasant,” Seamus repeated as he stared at his son and then looked at Aileen who blushed and seemed to study the hem of her dress rather than flirt with her betrothed. “The aunt wrote that she was in great anticipation of the event,” he said in a disgruntled voice. “I don’t want to raise Declan’s hopes.”

  “Declan seemed surprised, Da,” Ardan said.

  “Ah, well, he mentioned he wanted to marry a few years ago, and then bemoaned the lack of women here. I decided to write away for a bride for him. Thought to surprise him with a lass. I thought it a bonus a fine Irish lass wanted to travel here.”

  “What if she doesn’t want to marry him?” Kevin asked in a low voice.

  “If she decides she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to, an’ I would never expect her to repay the cost of the tickets for her an’ her aunt. However, it must be her decision, an’ the aunt knows that.” Seamus paused as he stared at his son, Declan, and his mail order bride. “Although she’d be daft to turn down someone like your brother and continue her life with that aunt of hers.” Seamus cast another curious stare at his second son and then turned the topic to Saint Louis and their recent shipment.

  Aileen stared at the man who was the spitting image of Kevin’s brother, Ardan. She gave thanks he didn’t look just like Kevin as she didn’t know how she would handle that shock. Discovering her betrothed was Kevin’s brother was enough of a surprise. She looked around at the others in the room, at Declan’s father smiling with encouragement, her aunt preening smugly, Kevin appearing poleaxed, and Ardan with brows furrowed in concern. Finally she focused on Declan.

  He looked untamed, as though the wildness of this place was already seeping into his marrow and any chance of a civilized man disappeared more with each passing day. She shrank into herself at the eager, joyous look in his brilliant blue eyes. Although he had seemed surprised by his father’s announcement, he now appeared delighted and relieved.

  “Miss O’Keefe?” he asked in a deep baritone with the barest hint of Ireland. “I hope I’m not displeasing to you.”

  She battled a hysterical laugh as he was a handsome man from a successful family and could choose any woman he wanted. She knew she should be asking him that question. “Of course not. It’s all a little overwhelming,” she said
in a barely audible voice.

  She gasped as he clasped her arm to lead her to the side of the office where they would have more privacy.

  “Although I had not known my father had sent away for my bride, I’m thankful he did.” He smiled at her.

  “Yes,” she whispered as she stared at her feet.

  “I know we will be very happy together,” he said with an unvarnished joy.

  “Yes,” she said in a barely audible voice.

  Declan continued to ask her questions and she answered as simply as possible, preferring to respond with yes or no. She tried to ignore the other occupants of the room, but it felt as though Kevin’s intense gaze burned a hole through her.

  Finally her aunt declared they were exhausted after their travels and extricated Aileen from Declan’s side. With a fleeting glance over her shoulder, she met Kevin’s smoldering stare, blanching as she noticed his father watching them.

  Seamus entered Fort Benton’s house of ill repute, commonly referred to as “the Bordello,” smiling at the man standing by the door with a billy club. Ezra Jackson was built like a bull and rarely had to wield any weapon other than a glare. As a regular, Seamus was not questioned or searched for hidden weapons. Madam Nora did not like anyone threatening her girls and ensured they were well protected. One word against any man and he was barred forever.

  The main salon was wallpapered a dark purple while the chairs were encased in a bright, red velvet. They had caused quite a stir the previous year when they were delivered on one of the steamboats. However, for men who had eschewed comfort for the dream of digging in dirt, a few moments relaxing in the plush chairs tended to loosen their tight hold on their coin. Madam Nora believed those chairs had paid for themselves within the first month.

  Seamus strode through the salon, smiling at the women awaiting the arrival of the men from the saloons. He tried to call before Nora’s establishment was busy, but some evenings he arrived late due to his obligations with his sons.

  Arriving at the back of the building, he knocked on the closed door. After a moment, it opened to a frowning Nora. “Madam Nora, lookin’ lovely as always,” Seamus murmured as he bent to kiss her cheek.

  She smiled, her bad mood dissipating as though fog in the sunlight. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Seamus. Not with the arrival of your sons.”

  He squeezed her arm and entered her private domain as the door clicked shut behind her. “How well you know me,” he murmured. “Everyone else in town talks about how delighted I must be to have more stock to replenish my shelves. You understand the joy I feel at my sons’ return.”

  “Love always eclipses the material. Or it should,” she murmured as she motioned for him to sit.

  Where the chairs in the salon were comfortable, these were luxurious. Seamus sank into his customary seat with an appreciative groan.

  “I fear you only visit to relax in my chair,” she teased. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief. She stood a little over five feet tall, with nondescript brown hair and a boyish figure enhanced by a corset. Although not a particularly beautiful woman, she had an engaging mind and a quick wit that Seamus appreciated. Although sophisticated and worldly, she was two years shy of forty.

  “Ah, you flatter yourself,” he said as he sighed while resting his head against the back of the chair and kicking his legs out in front of him. “What’s the matter, lass?” he asked. “You looked ready to murder when you answered the door.”

  She rubbed at her temple. “I was looking over bills during the lull before customers. I saw they charged me half again what they should have for the food I ordered.”

  Seamus frowned, his blue eyes flashing with irritation as he met her gaze. “Let me order it for you. I’ll sell it to you at cost.” He waited for her to calm as she muttered under her breath. “’Tis the way of the world, lass. Too many men don’t like doin’ business with a woman.”

  “I shouldn’t be charged more because of it,” she snapped. “I didn’t ask to be born a woman any more than you did to be born a man.”

  He chuckled and closed his eyes. “Ah, I wish my problems were so easily solved.” He smiled his appreciation as she handed him a glass of whiskey. “Sláinte.” He raised it before taking a sip.

  “I thought your troubles would ease with the return of Ardan and Kevin. I know you missed them while they were in Saint Louis.”

  He sighed and shook his head. “No. I fear I multiplied them.” He met her curious gaze, his blue eyes shining with chagrin. “You know Declan’s been dreamin’ of a wife?” He rubbed at his head, running his fingers through his black hair streaked with gray. “He’s dreamed of little else since his mum died, although he’s kept it hidden from his brothers. The rest of my lads are terrified of fallin’ in love.” He paused as he fought the deep emotion he always felt at the mention of his first wife’s death in 1847 in Montreal. He saw the Madam’s expression fill with compassion at the mention of Mary although there was a hint of amusement at him calling all of his children, including Niamh, ‘lads.’ “Declan believes he’ll find the happiness that has always eluded him—eluded us—since Mary died.”

  “What did you do, Seamus?” Nora asked as she sat in her chair across from him.

  “I sent away for a mail order bride. I read about them in one of the papers at the store.” He looked at her watching him with a bemused smile as she waited to hear of this folly. “She’s a wee mouse of a creature, nothin’ like the vibrant woman my Declan needs. And her aunt’s a terror.” He shook his head. “The worst is I think my lad, Kevin, has already taken a shine to her. He met her on the steamboat here. They’ve had two months together to become acquainted.”

  When Nora burst into laughter, he glared at her a moment before chuckling too. “Oh, Seamus,” she gasped.

  “’Tis a right disaster,” he moaned as he took a sip of whiskey and closed his eyes.

  Nora waited a few moments and then murmured, “Your boys will determine what to do. If your Kevin loves this woman, he’ll stop the marriage.”

  “I fear he’s too loyal to his brother and will sacrifice his happiness for Declan’s.”

  She made a note of frustration at his obstinacy. “Then you’ll have to stop the marriage, Seamus, for you don’t want two of your boys miserable.”

  “No,” he breathed, “but at least one will be.”

  She rose. “I must start my evening. Stay as long as you want. Enjoy the quiet.” She leaned forward for his kiss on her cheek, stroked a hand over his head and left him in deep contemplation.

  Aileen paced the small space in front of the window as her aunt preened in front of the mirror before they were to depart for the nearby café for dinner. She rubbed at her temple, her mind filled with disjointed images from the disastrous meeting. How could she be expected to marry Kevin’s brother? Aileen looked over her shoulder to see the smug, satisfied smile of her aunt. “How could you?” she rasped.

  Her aunt looked at her with mock incredulity. “How could I wish my beloved niece to marry a fine, upstanding man? How could I wish that she have her own home?”

  Aileen shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to stave off shaking. “How could you, knowing I was promised to his brother, allow me to continue to seek Kevin out while on the steamboat?”

  Her aunt made a tsking noise and smoothed a hand down her fine silk shawl. “If you recall, I did warn you to keep your distance.” She raised her gaze, her expression one of a steely determination that usually made her niece cower. “I should not be blamed because you were unable or unwilling to follow my advice.”

  Aileen flushed with anger. “You knew!” she yelled. “Were you laughing the entire time? Did you find it amusing that you would soon break us apart?”

  Rolling her eyes at what she considered her niece’s histrionics, she stood with perfect posture and with no evidence she was disturbed by her niece’s outburst. “You should have known better than to form an attachment not sanctioned by your elde
rs. For your family always knows best.” She peered at her niece as though awaiting her agreement. When none came, she gave a sniff of displeasure. “You imagine yourself thwarted in love. However, I am certain you will find that the man you are to marry is by far the better man for you.”

  Aileen rubbed a hand over her forehead. “How can you say that?” she whispered. “If you believe Mr. O’Rourke good enough for me to marry, then his brother is too.”

  Her aunt moved forward and gripped her wrist to the point of bruising, causing Aileen to gasp with pain. “You will do well to remember that you would have nothing without me. I arranged everything so you would have a chance at a future.” Her eyes flashed fire. “You must learn to cease pining for what never will be. For if he truly wanted you, he would have spoken out today.”

  Aileen flinched and dropped her gaze. “You don’t understand,” she whispered.

  “Said every young woman who has ever believed herself in love, charmed by a deceptive man,” her aunt snapped. “Now, it is time we walked to the café for dinner. I have no desire to be out later than necessary. One never knows when the ruffians begin their debauched behavior.”

  Aileen walked behind her aunt, her movement listless with none of the innate vitality evident when she was with Kevin shining through.

  The O’Rourke warehouse stood on a corner lot on the block behind Fort Benton’s Front Street on what was called Main Street. The O’Rourke and Sons General Store stood in front of the warehouse, facing Front Street, the levee and the river. Their da had believed the store needed to be the first thing the men arriving in Fort Benton should see. If they needed more supplies, the men could walk a block to the warehouse. However, most everything a man needed for his expedition into the wilds of Montana could be found in the store. Few ventured to the warehouse, and it had become the eldest boys’ domain.