The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection (97 page)

For all her bluster, Charlotte Beck obviously knew when she was bested, for she straightened her back, lifted her chin, and slogged across the room to the chair beside her father, leaving a trail of mud, rainwater, and leaves in her wake.

“Do not move,” Beck said to Charlotte. He walked over to clasp Alex’s shoulder. “Again, well done.”

“My pleasure, sir.”

Daniel Beck nodded. “I’ve not seen anyone handle my daughter that well. I could learn from you, Viscount Hambly.”

“I’m right here, Papa,” Charlotte said. “I can hear everything you’re saying.”

Mr. Beck shook his head as if to dismiss his daughter’s statement. “I’ve reconsidered my stance on the property sale. If your investors are still interested in my part of Summit Hill, I’m sure we can come to mutually agreeable terms.”

Alex ducked his head to hide his surprise. “While I appreciate your offer, sir, I want you to understand that I did not seek out your daughter to try to influence you.”

“I have my own theory as to why you sought out my daughter.” Mr. Beck paused. “Suffice it to say I will be happy to do business with you. If we can come to terms, that is.”

“All right, then.” Alex shook Daniel Beck’s hand.

“All right, then,” Mr. Beck echoed. “Just one more thing. I’d like you to stay a moment and hear what I’m about to tell my daughter.”

“Yes, sir, of course.”

As her father walked past Charlotte, she turned and made a face at Alex. Alex blew her a kiss.

Mr. Beck turned just in time to see Charlotte’s surprised face. “Do try to keep your attention on me, Buttercup.”

She swiveled to face her father while Alex affected an innocent expression. Outside, thunder rumbled as rain splashed in torrents against the windowpanes.

“I’ve asked Viscount Hambly to stay and hear what I have to tell you for a specific reason. As I mentioned to Alex while we were awaiting your arrival, I have excellent sources who keep me informed on certain things related to you, Charlotte.” Mr. Beck glanced over at Alex. “And you as well, young man.”

Alex met his stare but said nothing.

“Charlotte,” her father said, “I want you to understand that I am making an informed decision about your welfare.”

She sat a bit straighter. “Truly, Papa, I am well past the age to make decisions regarding my own welfare.”

“This is not a debate,” he told her.

“Yes, Papa,” she said softly.

“I love you, Charlotte, and while I’m not thrilled with some of your antics over the years, you have never been an embarrassment to me. Do you understand? A frustration, yes. Embarrassment, never. I regret my
use of the term.” When she nodded, Mr. Beck continued. “However, you have reached the point where I must examine your behavior with an eye toward the future.”

“I don’t follow,” Charlotte said. “Have you changed your mind about Wellesley?”

“I haven’t decided.” He paused. “In light of what’s just happened here, I will be taking you back to the ranch. There you will be free to paint or do whatever you ladies enjoy until I figure out what to do with you.”

“All because I ran off in a rainstorm? Papa, that’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Daniel Beck froze and slowly turned toward his daughter. “Care to say that again?”

“I said,” Charlotte replied in a tone far less forceful than her previous statement, “that if you are making a fuss because of a little rain …” Her pause seemed less intentional and more a requirement so that she might once again find her voice. “That is, surely you aren’t changing your mind about sending me to university.” Another pause. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would,” he said, “and I am. And no, it is not simply because of a little rain. For now, at least, you’ll be at home on the ranch and nowhere else. Do you understand?”

From where he stood, Alex could see Charlotte’s lip quivering. There would be tears before this conversation was over.

“The ranch? But there’s nothing there! And what about Wellesley and then working alongside you?” she managed, her voice trembling. “What of those things?”

Rather than acknowledge her question, Mr. Beck turned to Alex. “Leadville is too far from home and hearth, and I prefer other pursuits, so if your investors would like to purchase two mining properties rather than just the one, I am open to offers.”

“Duly noted, sir.” Alex’s mind reeled with the possibilities.

“Now back to things of a more personal nature. Charlotte, there is a second option.” Mr. Beck looked at Alex. “This also involves you, Viscount Hambly.”

“Oh?”

Mr. Beck returned his attention to his daughter. “You’re free to marry, Charlotte. And once married, you would also be free of your restriction to remain on the ranch, though that would preclude any further education at Wellesley.”

“Marry?” She shook her head. “I prefer not. Besides, what man could I find while living on the ranch?”

“I’ve done that for you, Buttercup.” He gestured to Alex. “My sources tell me Viscount Hambly is looking to barter his title for fresh funds in the family coffers and some extensive repairs of the family home at the Heath. Well, son, I’m willing to make that offer of my daughter.”

Alex’s heart seized. A solution and a new problem all at once. “Mr. Beck, I don’t know what to—”

“Papa!” Charlotte rose. “You’re not serious. You wouldn’t dare trade me for some silly title. You’ve got one of your own. Why add another? Especially his.”

“I assure you, Charlotte, my interest in seeing you yoked to the viscount has nothing to do with nobility.” Mr. Beck’s laugh held little humor. “It is because I’ve never seen anyone handle you and your outrageous behavior as well as Alex does.”

Charlotte’s face went red with fury. Thankfully, she appeared temporarily unable to speak.

Alex stepped forward, his fists clenched. Daniel Beck might be a man of power, but Alex would not be treated as if he were a pawn in a chess game.

“While I appreciate your offer, sir, I cannot imagine life saddled with your daughter.” Alex shook his head. “Forgive me. That did not sound as I intended. Your daughter is quite lovely.” Alex shot her a look and found Charlotte glaring at him, as though this were his fault. “However, I’ve been party to theft, injury, and property damage at her expense. The mind reels at what she could do with a lifetime ahead of her.”

Daniel Beck’s chuckle was interrupted by his daughter’s cry of outrage.

“So you don’t want me? Is that how it is?” she said to Alex. “Well, fine, because I cannot imagine life saddled with you either. And as for you, Papa, would you truly forbid Wellesley in favor of sending me off to be this man’s wife?”

Daniel Beck looked at Alex then back to Charlotte. “In a heartbeat, Buttercup.”

Her expression might have caused Alex to laugh had the situation not been so grave. “I must add my protest, as well, sir,” Alex said. “I wish no disrespect, but if the bride is unwilling …”

“Indeed,” Mr. Beck said, “however, I’ve given the bride options, which is more than it can be argued she deserves, given her behavior.” He turned his attention to Charlotte. “In lieu of the option to cloister you at a nunnery until your behavior becomes less outrageous, I have set two choices before you. Which will you take, Charlotte?”

“Marriage or imprisonment?” she said, shaking her head. “Neither.” At her father’s exasperated expression, Charlotte Beck amended her statement. “Lock me up then, Papa. I’d rather be allowed to roam free at the ranch than be married to him.” Her voice trembled, as did her fists.

“Thank you, Miss Beck,” Alex said. “I completely agree. Given the options, it’s preferable to me that your father keep you under lock and
key rather than give you the ability to torment me further.” He looked past Charlotte to address her father. “And Mr. Beck, I’d like it to be clear that I abhor the trading of titles for bank deposits. I am considering the path suggested by my solicitor under protest and duress, and only as a last resort to care for my widowed mother and the ancestral lands after years of financial mismanagement by people associated with my father. Marriage is, at this point, one of several choices, nothing more.”

“Understood,” Mr. Beck said.

“Should the property on Summit Hill sell for a decent price, I will happily return to Greenwich without the burden of a wife, or the need for one.” He paused to look at Charlotte. “And should the opposite occur, I already have another candidate in mind.”

“You do?” She sounded almost hurt.

“Yes. Now, if our business here is concluded, I will ask you to excuse me, Mr. Beck.” And, without a backward glance, Alex walked out of Daniel Beck’s office with his head held high and his heart racing.

Beck had offered up both mines. The solution to Alex’s troubles was at hand, and it did not involve marriage to a stranger.

Nor to Charlotte Beck.

With deliberate restraint in case either of the Becks was watching, Alex walked slowly across Harrison Street through the downpour. As rainwater sluiced down his back and mud tugged at his boots, he thought about how easy it might have been to accept Daniel Beck’s offer of his daughter’s hand.

And how difficult.

All hope would have to be lost before he considered it.

He stomped into the hotel lobby then shed his soggy jacket as he made his way upstairs to his room. He found Will studying a stack of telegrams.

The solicitor looked up as the door shut. “You’ve been gone quite awhile, Alex.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you all that’s happened.” He tossed his coat onto the nearest chair then shrugged out of his shirt. “Suffice it to say I have news.”

“As do I.” Will pushed aside the telegrams and rested his palms on the desktop. “But you first.”

“The Summit Hill property is ours if we want it.” Alex sat on the side of the bed and removed his boot. “You’ll have to negotiate some, but Mr. Beck indicated he is amenable to selling to us.” He paused. “He also mentioned selling Beck Mines and seemed interested in dealing with our people on that as well, though a sale on such short notice with our meager capital might be impossible.”

“You had a meeting with Beck? And he offered not only the Summit Hill property but also his mining operation to you? How did you manage it?”

Alex tugged on the other boot then set it beside its mate. “It all goes back to his daughter. And he qualified his position by saying he would be willing to entertain offers. Not that he was eager to sell. There’s a big difference between the two.”

“Yes, of course. But back to Charlotte Beck.” Will leaned back and crossed his arms. “She facilitated the meeting? I didn’t expect her to be sympathetic to our cause.”

“It was not exactly voluntary,” Alex said. “She came looking for me and the buggy. The sheriff brought her. By then Mr. Beck had already removed the handcuffs, but we were all soaked and more than a little upset.” Alex waved away Pembroke’s questioning look. “It’s a story for another day.”

As was the tale of the offer of a Beck bride.

“Indeed.” Will’s brows rose. “Unfortunately, I’ve a story that cannot wait.”

“All right.” Alex leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “What is it?”

“In lieu of a letter to Mr. Miller of Denver, I sent a telegram.” The solicitor reached for the stack of telegrams and sorted through them until he found the one he wanted. “We’ve had a rather hasty response regarding his daughter Augusta.”

“Oh?” Alex closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “What does it say?”

“To paraphrase, Mr. Miller is eager to begin negotiations for Miss Miller’s hand in marriage. We are to meet with him in three days. Should negotiations progress, he will require his daughter to return from New York so that you might meet her and a wedding take place.”

Alex opened his eyes. “The rest of my life reduced to a business deal.”

“Well, yes, I suppose,” Will said. “But these business deals happen all the time. You know that. Churchill and Manchester are but two of many.” He paused. “I thought we’d agreed. Are you rethinking the plan?”

“This was to be one of several possibilities, not the plan,” Alex said, even as he began to rethink the whole thing.

“Look.” Will shook his head. “Americans have money, and we have those ridiculous death taxes. What’s a man with a crumbling castle to do but find a wife with enough in her dowry to shore up the walls? I say there’s no shame in it.”

Alex rose and walked to the window, where the rain ran in muddy rivulets down panes that hadn’t been washed in quite some time. “I say
it’s easier commented upon when you’re not the sheep being led to slaughter.”

“Fair enough.”

Will’s chair scraped across the floor as he stood. Alex turned to see his best friend regarding him with irritation.

“What?” he asked Will.

“Just wondering whether I should coerce you into this or allow you to ruin your future and the future of the Hamblys with your lofty ideals.” Will shrugged. “Your friend would tell you to run, while your solicitor would have you on the first train to Denver.”

Alex looked past Pembroke to the desk. “There are other telegrams.”

Will sighed. “Yes, you’re quite popular. Unfortunately all but two are from your mother, insisting you send money for one dire need or another. Apparently the telegrams had been collecting at the Western Union office for some time.”

“And the other two?”

“From the observatory. Wanting to know when you’ll be returning.”

Alex collected those from Will and turned his back on the others. “Inform the countess I shall be handling her debts as soon as possible, and set up a meeting of our investors for three days hence in Denver. I rather like the Windsor, so perhaps a lunch at their dining room.”

“Of course,” Will said. “Shall I inform them of the topics to be discussed at this meeting?”

Alex thought a moment. Marriage to the Miller woman would give him leverage not only to repair the family’s finances but also to grow them. And with Pembroke handling the business ventures, he could go back to studying the stars.

He tossed the telegrams onto the bed, then sat beside them. “Tell them nothing beyond the fact that the viscount has become aware of an additional investment opportunity and wishes to discuss the possible option of including them. Emphasize possible. I want them to think I don’t need them. Any hint of desperation here, and we’re sunk. And while I’m speaking with the investors, I’ll let you see to Mr. Miller.”