LAND OF STARS: The Texas Wyllie Brothers (Wilderness Dawning Series Book 2) Read online

  After she dressed, her day started early. Mrs. Grant, the two Wyllie women, and the baby were all due to arrive tomorrow afternoon, and she wanted to be sure they would be comfortable in her brothers’ two old rooms and the one guestroom.

  The guestroom was already well furnished, clean, and comfortable, but her brothers’ rooms would need major work. On her orders, the rooms hadn’t been touched since the day her brothers died and had been shut up for six months. It had been a comfort to her to know that everything was just as they left it. But now it seemed more an onus burden than a comfort.

  Tying an apron on, she took a deep breath to brace herself. Sorrow resided in the two rooms as well as her heart. She opened the doors to each of her brothers’ rooms. Then she opened the windows to let in the fresh spring air. She would waste no more time looking back on what she and her parents had lost. It was time to move on with her life for both her sake and theirs.

  First, she would strip the rooms of all the reminders of her brothers. Although she couldn’t help shedding a few tears as she and Colette worked, it was time to say goodbye. Time to be happy again, although she still couldn’t let go of her anger. As long as their deaths went unpunished, she would keep her anger close to her heart. A kind of shield against the pain.

  She and Colette carried out all her brothers’ clothes and gave them to the displaced slaves who seemed extremely grateful and would make good use of them. Then she carefully packed all her brothers’ personal items in a trunk and had it carried up to the attic. And after she and Colette gave the rooms a thorough cleaning, they’d made the beds up with fresh linens and hung new white and yellow-striped drapes. She’d purchased the cheerful drapes some time ago, but until now she hadn’t been able to bring herself to clean out the rooms. And Mother and Father certainly couldn’t.

  The impending arrival of Mrs. Grant and the two Wyllie women was the perfect incentive to spur her into finally tackling the difficult task.

  When they’d finished, Rebecca stood with her hands on her hips, staring into first one and then the other room. Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

  Colette said softly, “Mademoiselle, I know that was difficult for you. Are you all right?” The young, petite woman peered up at her through concerned, pretty eyes.

  “It was difficult. But it’s time for change. Time for these rooms to have life in them again. My brothers would want that.”

  “Will there be anything else?” Colette asked, smoothing her dark hair and then her apron.

  “Yes, will you please help me carry that cradle upstairs?”

  “Oui.”

  She’d borrowed the wooden cradle with rocker legs from a neighbor whose last child had outgrown it. With Colette’s help, she got the small cradle upstairs and placed it in the room Louisa would share with her baby. Then she pulled the rocking chair from her own room into Louisa’s room so she’d have it to rock the baby to sleep. In deference to the woman’s age, Rebecca would assign the larger of the two remaining rooms to Mrs. Grant.

  Finally, she and Colette picked wildflowers, placed them in water in vases, and put one in each of the rooms.

  That evening at dinner, neither of her parents mentioned her work that day, although they were aware of what she’d spent the day doing. They both knew it had to be done and they seemed relieved and grateful. Today, the blanket of sorrow covering all of them was lifted.

  “I can tell you’ve worked hard getting our rooms ready,” Mrs. Grant said the next afternoon as they brought her bags into her room.

  Rebecca hoped that preparing the rooms also got her heart ready. Ready to focus on the future. A future that might include Steve. From the very first, she’d felt something for him. Something intense that could even be love. But if she were honest with herself, she knew anger still claimed a portion of her heart. Would she be able to love with only part of her heart?

  “Thank you, Rebecca.”

  “You’re welcome, Mrs. Grant.”

  “Please call me Melly. Everyone else does.”

  The kindly woman was old enough to be her mother, but she said, “All right.”

  After the housekeeper and one of the farmworkers provided a copper tub and numerous buckets of warm bath water for them, the women all took turns bathing and watching the baby. Afterward, they began dressing for dinner.

  It was good to see life in those rooms again. To hear the sounds of laughter and shared affection. And life. The cheery noises seemed to chase away the dark shadows of grief that had lingered for so long.

  Rebecca bathed in her own tub and styled her freshly-washed hair in a simple updo. Then she selected a burgundy evening gown and donned her finest jewelry. Glancing in the mirror as she left her room, she hoped Steve would approve.

  She’d taken great pains with her instructions to the cook. She wanted everything perfect for her first dinner with Steve’s family. As she descended the stairs, mouthwatering aromas drifted up from the kitchen.

  The menu included fresh bread, a rosemary seasoned pork roast with root vegetables and onion, creamed spinach, and buttered potatoes. For dessert, she selected a recipe from Seventy-Five Recipes for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats, the first baking and dessert book ever published in the United States. The very sweet cake, called Indian Pound Cake, was spiced with nutmeg and named after an ingredient original to Indians, cornmeal.

  Mother was even going to join them this evening. It would be her first time to visit with guests since her terrible spell. She insisted that she felt perfectly well. In fact, she planned to dress up and attend Rebecca’s dinner party. And, she informed Rebecca, she planned to enjoy a glass of wine or two.

  So that Dr. Grant and Louisa’s brother, Adam, could join them, earlier Rebecca had sent their farm manager, John Tunstall, out to the Wyllie campsite to watch over Amos, his father, and Mr. Watson.

  Dr. Grant, Mr. Wyllie, his three sons, and Louisa’s brother Adam were due to arrive soon for their dinner. Her father paced in the front room, already waiting to greet them even though they weren’t due to arrive for another half-hour. A heavy decanter of fine whiskey and sparkling crystal glasses rested on the lace-covered round table next to the front window.

  “Perhaps you should pour a little of that,” she said, pointing to the decanter. “It might settle you down.”

  Father laughed. “I’m just eager to meet Steve’s father. We could someday share grandchildren.” For the first time in a while, his blue eyes twinkled with merriment.

  It was so good to hear his laugh after so many months of sadness, but she needed to curb his expectations. “Hold on, Father. Steve just started courting me. We may not even be suited for marriage. And even if we are, we’re a very long way from children!”

  “Oh, you’re suited all right. That fellow was made to order for you by the good Lord. And you both will learn that soon enough.”

  “Since when did you become a bonafide cupid?” she asked.

  Father raised his brows and gave her a silly grin.

  She knew in her heart that her wise father was likely right. She and Steve did seem well suited. He appealed to her in so many ways. Just thinking of him, which she did incessantly lately, made her feel like her insides wanted to giggle. Perhaps she needed to tame her own expectations.

  “You look stunning this evening,” Father told her. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you looking so radiant, Rebecca. Meeting Steve has been good for you.”

  “Meeting him has been good for all of us, I think.”

  He nodded. “Ah, speaking of radiant, here comes your dear mother.”

  Rebecca glanced behind her. Mother strolled gracefully toward them in her nicest evening gown. The smile on her face was directed at her husband. It was obvious to Rebecca that even after decades of marriage, the two were still very much in love.

  “Mother, you look so well and beautiful!” Rebecca said.

  “Thank you. I feel well and beautiful,” Mother told her. “Mrs. Grant was kind enough to come and
help me style my hair.”

  “Mother, please sit here. I don’t want you standing for too long,” Rebecca said.

  “You need not worry, dear. I’m feeling well enough. I’ll let you know if I grow weak again,” Mother said as Father helped her into the chair.

  Mrs. Grant and the two other women descended the stairs. The baby was asleep upstairs and hopefully, Louisa would be able to have a few hours of relaxation before Little Stephen woke again.

  “Ladies! Welcome!” her father said as the three joined them in the front room. “Never in my life have I been surrounded by so many beautiful women at once.”

  Abigail giggled and said, “Thank you, Mr. Tyler.”

  “We’re so grateful for the baths and comfortable rooms,” Melly said.

  “You’re very welcome, Mrs. Grant,” Mother said.

  “Please, all three of you must call me Melly. After all, we are staying at your home.”

  “It has been a month since I’ve felt this clean and well-dressed. We can’t thank you enough,” Louisa said.

  “Your gown is lovely,” Rebecca said. “That shade of blue perfectly matches your eyes.”

  “And you look positively stunning,” Melly told Rebecca. “If I know Steve, he’ll have a hard time taking his eyes off of you this evening.”

  “That’s the idea, isn’t it?” Abigail said with a grin and wink at Rebecca.

  “Abigail!” Louisa admonished.

  “Well, we all know Steve is smitten,” Abigail said. “I’ve never seen him in such high spirits.”

  Rebecca smiled and turned toward the fireplace to hide her reaction. She had to admit she was besotted as well. It wasn’t just Steve’s supportive presence and the balm he’d been to her heartache. Or that he was sinfully handsome. Or that the first time she’d seen him riding Stardust, he’d reminded her of a knight that exuded courage and strength. Or their deliciously erotic ride on his horse. It was that she saw in him a kindness. It was in his voice. In his smile. In his gentle touch. In his compassionate actions.

  Just thinking about him made her chest heave and made her dress feel too tight against her breasts. She would have to compose herself before he arrived.

  The loud knock on the door turned all their heads toward the home’s entrance.

  “Ah, they’ve arrived,” Mother said.

  Chapter 20

  Rebecca’s heart beat with eagerness as Father opened the door.

  But it wasn’t Steve and his family at the door. It was a vile looking man Rebecca recognized. The leader of the three men she’d encountered on the road. She remembered his bearded, sun-darkened face, and he wore the same unkempt clothes.

  “How may I help you, Sir?” Father asked the man.

  “Father, he’s…”

  Before she could finish her warning, the two other rough-looking brutes stepped out of the shadows, guns drawn.

  “Back inside,” the leader growled. He withdrew his pistol and shoved her father backward.

  “How dare you!” Rebecca told him.

  “We dare because of these,” the man answered and waved his flintlock pistol. “And because you were so rude to us on the road.”

  “How did you find me?” Rebecca asked.

  “It wasn’t hard. You told us your name and we just asked some folks in town until one told us,” he said. “We could tell by your dress and horse that you came from a well-fixed family.”

  Her mother gasped in surprise. “Heaven have mercy! These are the men who tried to accost you on the road, Rebecca?” She held a hand to her mouth and appeared panicky.

  “Yes, Mother. I’m afraid we are being robbed.”

  Her father turned to her mother. “Amelia, stay calm and remain in that chair.”

  “Now this is a pretty set up,” the despicable bearded man told his cohorts as he glanced around. “We knew we would find one beautiful woman, but instead there are five beautiful women. And one old, wealthy man.”

  Spotting the decanter of whiskey, the leader strode over to the table and gulped down a mouthful before handing the decanter to one of his companions. They passed the whiskey among each other a couple of times and then placed it back on the table. “We’ve robbed homes from New Orleans to San Antonio, and it doesn’t get much better than this, boys. A fine whiskey, beautiful women, and a grand home. I even smell good food being cooked by someone.”

  “I wouldn’t mind living here if I could be surrounded by these womenfolk,” the shortest one said.

  “That one’s old,” the third man said with disdain. The scarecrow of a man gave her mother a scornful look.

  “I do not regret growing older,” her mother said sharply. “It’s a privilege you’ll likely never know. Something tells me you’ll die young.”

  “That one’s older too.” Short one pointed to Melly. “That still leaves three young women.” With lust in his eyes, the man marched toward Abigail until her back was pressed against the staircase. He leaned into her as his hand groped for her breast.

  Abigail recoiled in horror and thrust him away. “Get away, you vile worm!”

  Shorter and weaker looking than Abigail, the fittingly-named worm stumbled backward.

  “Leave her be for now. First, we’ll get what we came for.” The bearded man shoved the barrel of his pistol against her father’s belly and pushed. “I want all the cash you have in this house.”

  Her father grunted with pain and stumbled backward. Losing his balance, he fell and his gold pocket watch fell out.

  Bearded man snatched the watch up and yanked the attached gold chain off her father’s waistcoat. Then he shoved her father’s treasured watch into his pocket.

  Rebecca’s fists clenched at her side and her jaw and throat tightened with a fury that almost choked her.

  When Father regained his feet, he held up a hand and said, “All right. I’ll give you all my money, but only if you do not harm these women.”

  “Just get the money now!” bearded man shouted. “And any other valuables you have. Then we’ll collect these pretty baubles from the women,” he said lifting up and admiring the pearls Rebecca wore.

  The triple-strand necklace of lustrous pearls was the last gift she’d received from her brothers and her most treasured piece of jewelry. On one of their trips, they’d bought it for her at a fine store in New Orleans that sold pearls imported from China. She wouldn’t give it up without a fight. She smacked his hand away.

  In response, he slapped her face so hard she nearly lost her balance.

  The other women gasped and Mother shrieked.

  With her palm held against her throbbing cheek, and her eyes narrowed, she stared at him with loathing.

  “Without your pistol, you can’t be so haughty,” he snarled with a sneer.

  “With a pistol, you’re still overconfident and dimwitted,” she countered.

  Protectively, her father quickly shoved her behind his body and faced the man. “There is no need for further violence. I will give you what you want. It’s all in my safe. Rebecca, stay here,” her father ordered and then stepped toward his study.

  “What about their money?” the leader asked, waving his weapon at Mrs. Grant, Louisa, and Abigail.

  “They’re guests, invited by my daughter,” Father said. “They have no valuables here.”

  Bearded man’s face twisted into a threat. “Then get going, old man.”

  “If you harm a single gray hair on his head, you will not live to see another day,” Rebecca warned.

  Bearded man only chuckled nastily and continued following her father.

  “Feisty one, ain’t she?” the short one said, looking at Rebecca. He was disgustingly filthy and smelled worse than he looked.

  “I’ll take her,” scarecrow said with a lecherous glare. “I’m feeling kind of randy tonight.” The loathsome toad licked his lips.

  “You’ll do no such thing!” Mother sputtered, bristling with indignation. Despite her outrage, her mother’s face was deathly white. “You’ll
only get to my daughter over my dead body.”

  Rebecca placed a calming hand on her mother’s shoulder. If these men upset her further, it might actually be over Mother’s dead body. At least Mother remained seated. But Rebecca worried that this ordeal would put a significant strain on her mother’s weak heart.

  And the thought of her father in the study alone with that revolting cur made a tight knot grip her stomach. Both her parents were in mortal danger. As were Abigail and Louisa, a new mother.

  They couldn’t tell the robbers that Steve and the others would soon be there. If they did, the thieves might lay in wait and ambush them as they arrived.

  She had to do something now. And she had to do it before Steve and the others got there. If they came in unawares, with three armed bandits here, some or all of them could be killed.

  “Are you wholly without honor? You’re both robbers and rapists?” Mrs. Grant said with a scathing glare at the men.

  “That ain’t the worst things we done,” scarecrow said dismissively. He picked up and examined an expensive vase sitting on a side table.

  “Then I suggest you repent from your wicked ways and start praying for forgiveness right now,” Melly said. “You can change if you want to. It’s never too late to repent.”

  “Why should we do that?” the same man asked.

  “If you don’t, I can promise the wrath of God will descend on you shortly,” Mrs. Grant said. “You must leave now. We may be women but that does not mean we are helpless to defend ourselves.”

  “You’re warning us!” short man said, snickering at them.

  “Yes, we are all warning you!” Louisa said.

  Abigail nodded and crossed her arms defiantly. “Go now, Sirs.”

  “Yes, we’re warning you, leave now,” Rebecca repeated. “Just because your friend is a robber and a rapist doesn’t mean you have to be. I advise you to leave now and run away from him.”

  “We are what we want to be,” the shorter one said.

  Scarecrow nodded. “What we’ll always be.”