Leora: Bride of California (American Mail-Order Bride 31) (14 page)

“Straight out of one of those ‘penny dreadfuls’?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Have you been reading my book?”

“Well, it is on the desk in our bedroom. The thing’s so big, and I was curious …”

“Well, since you mention it, yes. He talked very much like a character in one of C.I. Sayer’s stories. Obviously someone’s out to make either you or me look bad.”

“You’re right.” He paused before asking, “Forgive the question, but you’re sure it wasn’t some old paramour of yours?”

Leora couldn’t help it – she burst out laughing.

Theron smiled. “So that’s a ‘no,’ then.”

Leora nodded. “I’ve been working in a mill, six days a week and twelve hours a day since I was a girl. When would I be able to fit in a paramour?”

“Valid point. So yes, it must be a set-up – what else could it be?”

“Well, whoever did it, it’s working. Only half of the cast showed up for rehearsal today.”

“We’ll have to set things right. And find out who’s behind this.”

She leaned her head against his chest. His arms were warm, safe, and she realized that he trusted her. “Who told you about it?”

“Peter Oliver.”

“Irene Oliver was there,” Leora said. “She saw the whole thing – and made it clear that she wasn’t too happy about it.”

“Of course not – whoever set this up planned it that way. Who knows how long that man followed you.”

“Followed me?” she asked in surprise.

As if sensing her alarm, he tightened his hold. “He was probably waiting for the right moment, to make sure they were witnesses.”

“There were witnesses, all right, but the only ones I recognized were Mrs. Oliver and Mr. Allen.”

“Both of whom were shocked enough to skip play practice.” He gently pulled away and gazed into her eyes. “I know you would never do such a thing, Leora. You’re my wife, and I …”

Please say it!
she thought to herself.
Please …

“… I love you.”

“Oh Theron, I love you too!” she gushed, her heart in her throat. As if the admission was a relief to both of them, they held each other tight for a few moments. When they finally did step out of each other’s embrace, both of them were trembling.

Theron’s voice rumbled with passion – and righteous anger. “This was an attack on your character, Leora – on
our
character. And I won’t stand for it.”

“I was the one attacked,” she pointed out.

“Yes, but it affects me as well, because of my position. And because I am yours and you mine.”

She nodded in understanding – they were one flesh, just as the Good Book said. “So what do we do?”

“The one thing we can do. We’re going to hold a meeting.”

Fourteen

“A … meeting?” Leora asked, confused.

“That’s what you do when there’s trouble in a church – you call a meeting,” Theron explained. “It’s either that or announce what happened during Sunday service.”

“But how are we going to gather everyone together?”

“That’s easy – we’ll get a few volunteers to round people up. I’m not talking about the entire population of the city, just enough folks to counteract the gossip. It’s probably all over town by now.”

Leora paled. “Already? It’s only been a few hours.”

“With something like this, that’s all it takes,” he said flatly. He pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“So am I. But it happened to both of us, as you said. I’m still trying to figure out who would do such a thing. All I know is that it wasn’t Ophelia.”

Theron smiled, knowing the connection Leora and Mrs. Rutherford had made. “I’m glad to hear that. I have a confession to make, though.”

She looked up at him. “You do?”

“I was worried for a moment – only a moment, mind you. But even though we’ve only been married a short time …”

“Theron, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you worried it was true. It’s not, of course. It has to be someone’s idea of a bad joke. Or maybe the man was drunk, I don’t know.”

“Did he smell of alcohol?”

“It happened so fast … but no, I don’t recall smelling anything like that. I remember he was young … and thin.”

“Young … thin … hmmm. I wonder …”

“Wonder what?” she asked.

Theron closed his eyes a moment. “I think I know who’s behind this.”

“Who?”

Theron sighed heavily and opened his eyes. “Prudence Stevens.”

Leora thought for a second. “Isn’t she the young girl Mrs. Pleet said used to follow you around like a stray puppy?”

“That’s the one. The same one I told Mrs. Stevens was too young for me to consider as a wife.”

Leora had to stifle a chuckle. “Oh, I see it now. You think she did it out of jealousy?”

“She or her mother. Mrs. Stevens put it into her daughter’s head that I’d be a fine catch for her and had her convinced that we’d marry one day.”

“That won’t happen now. Poor girl.”

“Poor girl, my foot. What she did was abominable, if she is indeed the guilty party.”

“How can we find out? Are you going to question her?”

“Her parents will be furious – unless they were behind this as well. Whichever it is, they’ll reap what they sow. If it was just her, though …” He paused and sighed. “… well, she set out to ruin your reputation, Leora, but she’ll only end up damaging her own.”

“And you don’t want to see that happen?” Leora asked in surprise

“No, I honestly don’t. She’s young, Leora, foolish and inexperienced. If she did this, it was more juvenile stupidity than anything else – and I wouldn’t want to see anyone’s life ruined for something they did before they knew better.” He made a face, thinking some more. “Would you recognize the man that kissed you if you saw him again?”

“It happened quickly, but yes, I believe I would.”

“I’m suspecting it was one of Prudence’s cousins from Grass Valley – that would explain why no one recognized him. The Stevenses go to Grass Valley to visit their relatives, but the relatives rarely come here except during the holidays. They’ve occasionally come to the Christmas play.”

“Maybe we don’t need to have a meeting,” she said. “We should go to Grass Valley and talk with her cousins.”

“The meeting would just be to mend fences here in town. But if one of Prudence’s cousins confesses, then we’ll have our answer.”

“I spoke with the cast members that showed up. They’re going to help alleviate as much of the gossip as they can, so there’s no need for a meeting just yet. But, if these cousins of Prudence’s don’t confess…”

He shrugged. “Then we have a mystery to solve. Hmmm … I have a book of some of my mentor Brother Wingate’s sermons, and he has a rip-roaring one against gossip. Maybe I should haul it out some Sunday. But first things first – tomorrow we’ll take a little trip.”

“But what about play practice?”

“We should be back in plenty of time for rehearsal. And regardless of what we discover, I want to call that meeting. I want everyone to know that my wife is not the type of woman to have trysts with strange men.”

“But Theron, only half of the cast showed up today for rehearsal. What if no one shows up at the meeting?”

“They’ll show up. I would think that by now they’d know us better than that. If I’ve not accused you of any wrongdoing, then how can they?”

“People are people,” she said. “They’re always looking for someone to accuse. Half the people, anyway.”

“Yes, but I’m trusting there are more people in this town that aren’t the accusing type than those that are. Not a 50/50 split. Now I know you’re probably exhausted from the day – let’s go to Mrs. Pleet’s for dinner.”

* * *

The next day Theron and Leora left early for the neighboring town of Grass Valley, four miles to the south. It was a pleasant ride and Leora enjoyed the scenery. She hadn’t been out of Nevada City since the day she arrived. “How are we going to find Miss Stevens’ cousins?”

“That’s easy,” he said. “I’ve met them before, and I know which street they live on.”

“Do you have the exact address?”

“No, but there are only so many houses on a street. I don’t mind knocking on a few doors to find the right one, do you?”

“Not if it means clearing this up. I don’t like the thought of people whispering behind our backs.”

“No one’s whispering,” he assured.

“I saw a few doing so as we passed through town when we left.”

Theron put his arm around her. “Regardless, we’ll get this settled. Today.”

“But what if we can’t find the cousins? Or we do and they don’t confess?”

“All things in due time.” He steered the wagon onto Main Street.

Leora’s stomach felt like it was full of rocks, and the palms of her hands were sweating. But why was she suddenly so nervous? She knew she wasn’t guilty, and Theron hadn’t accused her of any wrongdoing. On the contrary, he’d had only a flicker of doubt, as who wouldn’t? Even though they’d been married only a short time, he trusted her, and that was a great comfort.

But what if they couldn’t find the culprit? What if they never did? Would her husband’s reputation suffer? As to her own reputation, well, almost no one in Nevada City knew her well enough to know she’d never cheat on her husband. What a mess.

Theron turned onto a side street, followed it for a block, turned again. “This is it,” he announced as he parked the wagon. “The cousins live in one of these houses.” He set the brake, hopped down and helped Leora do the same. “Why don’t you start on that side of the street and I’ll start on this one,” he suggested.

“Okay,” she said with a nod and started to cross the street. “Wait a minute,” she said as she reached the other side. “What’s their name?”

“Stevens, naturally,” he called back.

“Just checking!” It could have been different, after all. With a sigh she went to the first house and knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again, then glanced over her shoulder at Theron.

He was speaking with a man on his front porch, who pointed across the street at a house three down from where she stood. “Thank heavens,” she muttered. No more knocking on doors, and no having to explain why they were looking for the Stevens family. It was bad enough that
she
knew why.

Leora waited for Theron to come back across the street. “They’re on this side then?

“Yes, the gray house down there. Let’s go.”

When they reached it they went up the walk and straight to the front door. Theron had just raised his hand to knock when they heard a noise come from the rear of the house. A young man suddenly appeared off to one side, took one look at them – and began running.

“Aha!” Theron yelped and took off after him.

Leora watched her husband catch up to his quarry and hit him with a flying tackle worthy of a rugby player. Both men went down and rolled a few times across a front yard, finally stopping under an oak tree. “Oh dear!” she said as she hurried over to them.

By the time she reached the tree Theron had straddled the young man, pinning him. “Well, well, I know you,” he said. “What’s your hurry, Charlie?”

Leora gasped. “That’s him! That’s the man who attacked me in front of the mercantile!”

“I figured as much,” Theron said. “The guilty tend to run.”

“I didn’t mean nothing by it!” Charlie squawked. “But I needed the money!”

“And whom, may I ask, paid you to kiss
my
wife
in public?” Theron asked, even though he already knew.

“Pru!” Charlie grumbled. “That durn cousin of mine … should never listen to her. I had no idea she was
yer
wife, Pastor Drake!”

“Didn’t you? I would think it was obvious.”

“Honest, Pastor Drake,” Charlie said. “Pru had to point her out to me. She never said who she was, just that she deserved it!”

“You mean she was with you?” Leora asked in shock.

“Uh-huh. We was across the street. First she dared me to do it and I told her no. Then she said she’d pay me. I got some debts, so … aw, I’m sorry. I really am!”

Theron got off him, stood, then held out a hand to help him up. “So she did it on a whim, eh?”

“Yeah, that’s Pru for you. Does stuff like that all the time.”

“And how often does she pull you into these things?” Theron asked.

Charlie gave them a sheepish look. “Well … a few times. But nothing like this. Again, I’m awful sorry, Pastor Drake. I hope this hasn’t caused you no trouble.”

“It’s caused some,” Leora said, unable to help herself. Her earlier nerves had been replaced by anger – all she could think about now was getting her hands on Prudence Stevens. “Tell me, would you have done that if you knew I was Pastor Drake’s wife?”

“Aw, hel … er,
heck
no, ma’am. I wouldn’t think of doing suchlike to him. Besides, I want to see the Christmas play. We were planning on going this year – Pru invited us.”

Theron looked at Leora. “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” he quoted.

“So what do we do now?” she asked.

“What else? Clean up the mess.”

* * *

They lingered in Grass Valley long enough for Theron to confirm the details of the stunt Charlie Stevens had pulled at his cousin Prudence’s behest. According to him, she’d been waiting for an opportunity to exact her revenge on the man who spurned her, even though there was nothing to spurn. She and Theron were never courting.

Leora almost felt pity for the girl, though not totally. Misguided by her mother into thinking she and Theron were sure to marry, she’d lost her heart to her would-be husband, only to have him brush it off as a silly crush. But that crush had done a lot of damage as far as Leora was concerned. Especially when only five people showed up for play rehearsal that afternoon. “This is terrible!”

“Now don’t panic,” Mrs. Pleet said, though she was wringing her hands together. “I’m sure folks are just running late.”

“Practice should have started ten minutes ago,” Leora reminded her.

“Oh. Well …”

“They’re not coming. They think I’ve done some horrible thing and they’re sending a message that they don’t like it.”

“They’re a bunch of fools, is what they are,” Mrs. Pleet said. “And the only one they’re going to hurt is themselves, not to mention the play.”

“Christmas Eve is two days away!” Leora lamented. “What am I going to do?”

“I’ll tell you what you’ll do!” Ophelia Rutherford came striding up the center aisle.

Leora sighed in relief. “Ophelia! Oh, thank goodness you’re here!”

Mrs. Pleet’s eyebrows rose at her words – and shot to the ceiling when she watched the two women hug. “Ophelia?”

“Martha,” she greeted, then turned back to Leora. “I hear you have a problem.”

“Hear it?” Leora said, then motioned to the few people in the pews. “You can see it.”

“I mean regarding what happened. The gossips in town have been spreading rumors like wildfire.”

“You ought to know,” Mrs. Pleet huffed. “You …”

“Mrs. Pleet, please!” Leora said. “Ophelia is here to help.”

“That may be so, but …”

“… but I’ve been in the middle of such gossip in the past, I know,” Ophelia finished for her. “But now I see how petty it was. Not to mention damaging. I regret every rumor I’ve latched onto and spread. Rumors are wicked, nasty things and people are far too eager to scatter them about.”

“Right you are,” Leora agreed. “Thank you for understanding.”

“Did you find out what happened?”

“Yes. Prudence Stevens is the one behind this – she paid her cousin Charlie to accost me in public because she felt spurned by Theron.”