Southern Seduction [Bride Train 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (12 page)

He’d promised not to seduce a terrified virgin, but Casey didn’t look terrified these last few days. Far from it. He’d had to jump in the creek too many times to get his cock to shrink. The scent of her, even a glimpse, made him want to make her his except that she was a virgin.

But Marshall had thought a bit before he’d said he’d not seduce Casey Wright. In a few minutes Casey Wright would change her name to Mrs. Cole Taylor. Marshall was always slippery with his words, saying exactly what he wanted to promise.

Of course, once Marshall seduced Casey, she’d neither be terrified nor a virgin. That left her open to him without having to break his own vow to Cole. Byron’s cock thickened in anticipation even as he cursed. Cole meant they were not to touch Casey, at all. Grandpa was an honorable man and had raised them to be the same. They had to follow the intent of Cole’s vow, not the words. No descendent of Grandpa would act like a shyster lawyer.

“Dang it!”

He stomped down the hall. Casey had good reasons to be scared of what men could do to her. No matter what, they had to gain her trust by treating her like a sister. Each of them had demons from their past to slay. His was reading and writing. Maybe teaching each other, would allow her to get used to him.

If she never showed an interest in becoming a lover rather than a sister, they’d just have to be brotherly all winter. No matter how much it made them want to pound their heads against the wall, they’d keep their hands off her. For eight long, cold,
hard
months!

Another image came to mind, that of Casey with her back against the wall while he pounded his cock into her. Her feet would be wrapped around him, ankles crossed, as she eagerly cried out for more. He closed his eyes and groaned, wishing he could wear a kilt to cover his raging erection. He blew out a deep breath and opened the door. He didn’t try to hide his expression, or his erection. Cole frowned.

“Ha!” crowed Marshall. “I knew if you got Judge Thatcher and Walt Chamberlain together, something would happen.”

“What?” Cole barked the word.

“Thatcher insists you and Casey stand beside Mrs. Johnston and Walt Chamberlain in a double ceremony.”

“What?” Cole’s voice had gone up an octave. He stormed toward the hall. “I’ll see about that!”

The door slammed behind him. Marshall kept chuckling.

“While he’s gone I’ve got something to say to you,” said Byron. “We’ve got to treat Casey as a sister so she can get used to us. I want you to promise you won’t seduce her.”

“Are you out of your mind? Have you seen her in a dress? How can you ask me to spend a winter with a woman like that and not even try to kiss her?”

Byron crossed his arms. “It’s not what I want that matters. She’s terrified of us. Look at how she sits at the table and just pushes her food around the plate. I lie awake listening to her tossing and turning above us. I try not to look at her in case it bothers her, but she’s not happy. She doesn’t even smile at Zeus anymore.”

Marshall stuck his fists on his hips, dropped his head, and sighed. After a moment he looked up. All traces of the happy-go-lucky entertainer were gone.

“I know. Sometimes she reminds me of what you and Cole used to look like when you thought no one was paying attention. Y’all had that hunched-over look, as if you never knew when you’d be kicked. Nobody ever beat on me, so I don’t know what—”

“Words can hurt just like a fist,” replied Byron. “So will treating a boy as if who he is means nothing. I think you know something about that, cousin.”

“You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, boy.” Marshall had his false face back in place. “I had me a right nice family. They jest were a might quiet.”

“Quiet?” Byron stared Marshall down. “We were jealous when you showed up because Grandpa and Grandma fussed over you so much. You were so loud, making all those faces so we’d laugh, I finally told Grandpa I was going to shut you up once and for all.”

“Ha! You were so quiet it was hard to tell if you were there. And I can take you anytime you want, cousin!”

Byron let Marshall’s verbal attack flow over him. He recognized the fear talking.

“Grandpa said you were making up for what you’d missed,” he said quietly. “That he’d been extra careful of me for a long time, and that now it was your turn. He said Cole needed his special time to heal as well, once his mama left.”

“What’re you sayin’?”

“That all four of us had bad things happen. We had Grandma and Grandpa, but Casey had nobody but her little brother once her mother died.” Byron flexed his shoulders the way he would before a fight. “I know you hide behind all that bluster.”

“Just like you get that quiet, mean look in your eye, like you’re gonna throw down your hat and start punching. The one I see right now.”

Byron nodded, accepting the truth. Keeping everything inside was what kept him going. If no one knew what he was thinking, they couldn’t use it against him. “And Cole gets all tight and angry, just daring us to push him.”

Marshall nodded at Byron’s description.

“Casey had it far worse.” Byron set his hands on his hips and dropped his head. “We were rescued. Cole at five, and us at twelve. Casey was about fifteen when her mother died. I hate to think what her mama must have had to put up with.”

“She tell you why they ran away?”

“Let’s just say if she didn’t get out, she’d be dead by now, or wishing she was.”

Marshall rubbed his head, messing up the neat combing job he’d done for the wedding. “Shit. I’d hoped she might like sharing our bed someday. She must have some bad memories.”

Byron lowered his voice and turned it to polished steel. “First, you will not do anything which will hurt Casey. That includes anything that might make her cry. Second, you won’t try to seduce her.” Byron held out his hand. “I want your word on it.”

“Dang it, By, you don’t have to tell me not to hurt her! It’d be like stomping on that runt of a puppy.” Marshall shook out his shoulders. He held out his hand and they shook. “But if Casey tries to seduce me, there’s no way in hell I’m turning her down. She’ll be our wife, and I’ll do anything I can to make her happy.”

Casey seducing them? Byron’s mouth went dry. His cock, having finally relaxed, leaped into full arousal. That was not something he’d considered. Maybe this winter wouldn’t be so long after all.

“If Casey tries to seduce one of us, we have to let her lead, all the way,” said Byron. “Keep her a virgin, but for God’s sake, give her an orgasm or three before you take your own!”

Marshall scowled, exaggerating it as usual. “You tryin’ to teach a master fox to suck eggs, boy?”

Byron’s lip twitched. He raised an eyebrow. “You can suck all the eggs you want. I’m looking to suck something a bit sweeter. And if she wants, she can return the favor.”

* * * *

When Cole chose Byron as his best man, Marshall was miffed at being cut out of the wedding ceremony. But now he was happy to be leaning against the wall in the hotel dining room waiting for the brides, rather than standing at the front of chairs jammed with people.

There were more people here than had attended the ranchers’ meeting, and everyone was dressed up. He was in shirtsleeves, having lent Willy his coat. Cole had explained the arrangement, and Willy was all in favor. Having never been to a wedding, he was eager to be part of it, and would escort his sister down the aisle. Ben Elliott, as legal father to her grandchildren, would escort Emma Johnston.

While Judge Thatcher stood calm and cool in his robes at the front of the room, Cole and Walt fidgeted. They kept pulling on their collars and peering over their shoulders, as if it would speed up the primping women.

Marshall caught a flash of bronze just before the judge gestured that all were to stand and his view of the grooms was blocked. Willy walked forward with the most gorgeous woman on his arm. He held a sleeping puppy in the other. Casey said Zeus was her only family other than Willy and she wanted both with her. Since she knew nothing of weddings, no one had the heart to tell her different.

He strained to see. His jaw dropped. That was Casey? She wore a shiny bronze dress showing cleavage no one knew she had. Someone had trimmed her short brown hair and added a crown of white and purple flowers. Her face was pink as could be and the tips of her ears were red.

Hot damn!

Casey was a beautiful woman, and she’d soon be Cole’s wife. Their wife. But she’d sleep in the loft above their bed, alone except for Zeus! They’d hear her soft sounds all winter. He groaned. How was he going to keep his promise not to seduce her?

The audience turned around and a collective gasp erupted. Casey’s step faltered when everyone stared. Willy’s face was even redder than his sister’s.

“Dang it, Casey, you sure clean up good!” yelled Marshall. Casey’s eyes shot to his. He grinned and gave an exaggerated wink. She gave a tremulous smile, put her shoulders back, and stepped forward with more confidence.

“That was a damn fool thing to do,” said a cool voice beside him. A quick glance showed a silver badge and bushy moustache, a real soup strainer.

“Sheriff, this is the first time Casey’s worn a fancy dress,” said Marshall softly. He curled his fingers into fists as if that would help protect her. “She’s been ducking blows and insults all her life. All those people staring scare the hell out of her. She doesn’t know what it’s like to be treated with kindness.”

Barstow scratched his chin. “You boys gonna do something about that?”

Marshall met his eyes full on. As one who put on an act, Marshall recognized that of another. The sheriff was far smarter than he let on.

“It’s no secret Cole says this marriage is only on paper. He says they’ll get an annulment come spring. We’re gonna make sure she can look a man in the eye without flinching by then. If she does walk away from this marriage, she’ll do it as a much stronger woman.”

Sheriff Barstow puffed air through his moustache. “What if she don’t want to walk away?”

He met the sheriff’s cool gaze. “That sir, is her business. And ours.”

Willy whispered something to Cole when he moved his sister’s hand from his arm to that of her groom. Casey got even redder, but Cole answered quietly. Willy gave a sharp nod before taking his seat in the front now. He brought Zeus with him.

“Looks like her brother’s got views on that as well,” said Barstow.

An excited giggle had everyone swiveling in their seats again. Seven-year-old Emma Elliott’s gap-toothed grin was framed by a halo of reddish-gold hair. She held a posy of flowers which matched her violet eyes. She was followed by her brother Johnny, two years younger. While Emma almost danced, Johnny scuffed his patent leather shoes. He wore a store-bought suit and held a white satin cushion with gold tassels in front of him. Rings were pinned to the cushion. He shot a look at the two older boys, Billy O’Keefe and Daniel MacDougal, and scowled. Ranger Elliott, an even greater scowl on his face, cleared his throat loudly.

“Good job so far, Johnny,” said Patrick, going for positive encouragement rather than threats. “We’re counting on you.”

The combination of censure and approval, and lack of insults by the older boys, seemed to work. Johnny now held the cushion as if it contained wedding rings rather than rattlesnakes.

Behind Johnny strolled Emma Johnston, beaming like no one had ever seen her. Ben, wearing his fanciest lawyer suit, gravely brought her to Walt. The groom’s face was as red as Willy’s had been.

“Breathe, Papa,” said Kate drily above the murmurs. “She’ll be yours in a few minutes.”

“When you’re this old, missy, every minute counts,” complained Walt. Though his suit was as good as Ben’s, and his face and hair trimmed, he was more comfortable acting as an irascible mountain man.

“I’m worth waiting for, aren’t I, sweetheart,” cooed Emma. She blew him a kiss.

“That woman’ll keep her husband in line,” muttered the sheriff.

“Sheriff, damn near every woman in this town knows how to do that,” said Marshall.

Mary Barstow glanced over at them. She rested one hand on her swelling belly and smiled. She fluttered her eyelashes but said nothing.

“My wife needs me,” said the sheriff gruffly and was gone.

Marshall snickered, then listened with half an ear to the ceremony. Maybe he’d ask some of the wives how he could help Casey get over her fears. He didn’t want her to talk with them, especially alone. Who knew what she’d learn?

* * * *

A couple of hours later the band, including one of the brides and grooms, took a refreshment break.

Knowing what Casey thought about drunks, Cole let the jugs pass him by. The ramrods of the various ranches had been told to meet behind the hotel. The sheriff and judge waited for them to approach. A few eyebrows went up when Sophie McLeod joined them.

“You called this meeting, Judge. What’s it all about?” asked Trace.

“Everyone here?” asked the sheriff. He counted them off on his fingers. “Trace, Gillis, Ranger, Ace, Luke, Jed, Cole, and Zach? Good.” He nodded at Judge Thatcher to start.

“That Pinkerton agent, Gibson, thinks he’s got a lead on Frederick Smythe,” said the judge. “We know about the railway deal Rivers and Jennet tried to haul the Elliotts and MacDougals into. It failed, partly because Ben whispered in a few ears.”

“That’s just speculation, Judge,” said Trace mildly. “Could’ve been many things that spooked them.”

“It was many things, including the fact that Smythe didn’t have the gold he promised,” replied Thatcher. “Now that Rivers is gone, Smythe’s getting desperate. I want you all to be extra careful of strangers. Once the snow closes the pass to Bannack City, we can relax, but everyone must be alert until then.”

“The gather starts next week,” said Sheriff Barstow. I know most of you were looking for a trip into the city, but we need to keep enough men here.”

“I won’t be leaving my bride, nor will my partners.” Cole glanced around. “I’m taking her home in a moment. I’ll send Byron out to talk over details with you.”

Barstow caught his sleeve. “I’d appreciate it if you let Casey carry a rifle when she’s up in the hills. We can use everyone who can shoot, in skirts or pants. Don’t mean no disrespect by it.”