Wild Roses (5 page)

Muttering a curse, Harrigan quickly followed his friend. Ella Carson certainly had a sharp tongue, but he did not understand why he allowed it to stir his anger. He had dealt with sharp-tongued women before and had been able to do so with calm. Their complaints and insults had simply bounced off him. Ella's went straight to his heart and that disturbed him, almost frightened him. After Eleanor's deceit had cost him so dearly, he had sworn that no woman would touch him. He spared one quick glare for Ella before concentrating on the route they rode over, and decided that he needed to toughen his hide. No tiny, green-eyed girl was going to make him forget the hard lessons he had learned.

Ella looked back, but only got one last glimpse of Louise and the boys before they disappeared behind the scattered trees and high grasses. She prayed that Harrigan was telling the truth and that George had tied them in such a way that they would be able to free themselves. It could be deadly to be left so helpless in the wilderness. There were dangerous animals and dangerous men wandering the unsettled areas.

She scolded herself for such selfish thoughts, but she also worried that Louise and the boys would not be able to ride to her rescue this time. Even if they got free, Louise was in no condition to go galloping across the countryside. The boys might try it on their own once they got Louise settled safely and comfortably, but that could bring new problems. Because of their mixed heritage, they were not often welcomed by people, no one would listen to them so they would be unable to enlist any help, and they could even come face to face with the dangerous prejudices that had caused them so much trouble in the past. Louise's presence sometimes softened those threats. People might think some very unpleasant things about her and her companions, but Louise had the presence and the training to overcome those difficulties or at least cause people to hesitate long enough so that she and the boys could get out of harm's way.

Ella forced herself to accept that she might well be on her own this time. It was hard not to give in to the fear that welled up inside of her. Fear was a destructive emotion and stole her ability to think clearly. While she was still in Harrigan and George's hands, her life was not in danger. She did not believe either man wanted to hurt her in any way. That was certainly something she could use to her advantage.

There was only one thing she had to give some very careful thought to and that was what she should do if she did have the chance to escape. She did not know the country they rode over. She had grown up in Philadelphia and spent her time at her aunt's within the confines of the ranch and the town. There was also the fact that she would be traveling around alone, at least in the beginning. It was a daunting thought. Only the certainty that Harold wanted her dead kept her from casting aside all thoughts of escape. She was in a fight for her life, whether Harrigan Mahoney deigned to believe her or not, and she could not let timidity stop her from grasping any chance to escape.

As carefully as she could, not wanting Harrigan to catch her at it, Ella studied George Morgan. He was suffering from a change of heart. Whether he was beginning to believe her or was simply infatuated with Louise did not matter. Ella was sure that George was heartily regretting signing on for this job. It was another thing she could use to her advantage if she could get some time alone with the man. Harrigan could have been overestimating his friend's loyalty when he had said that George would never work against him no matter how much the man hated the job he was doing. Harrigan had never considered the possibility that his friend would cast a covetous eye at their prisoner's aunt, something Ella was now sure George was doing. If she had not been so distracted by the need to run and by Harrigan, she probably would have noticed George's infatuation back at the train.

“I can almost hear the plots hatching under that gorgeous hair of yours,” Harrigan murmured, smiling when Ella glared at him.

“You have a vivid imagination,” she said as sweetly as she could. “If you heard anything it was the stiffening of your stubborn backbone.”

Harrigan grinned. “Now there is an image. Did you learn your witty turn of phrase from your mad aunt?”

“My aunt Louise is not mad.“

“The woman put her foot in front of a train.”

“Which, if you could push aside your inclination to ridicule everyone but yourself, you would see as a very clever plan. She needed to stop the train, but did not want anyone to be hurt. The safest obstruction she could put in front of the train was herself, something that would cause the engineer to stop if he was warned about it, but which could also be immediately removed if the man ignored Joshua's warning.”

“The only way she could have removed that foot was to cut it off.”

“Well, I will admit that her plan went a little awry.” She gave Harrigan a disgusted look when he laughed. “It was still a brilliant way to bring the train to a stop without hurting the machine or the passengers it carried. And, if you were not so arrogant, you would admit that.”

Very soon after he had been the victim of Louise's plan, he had been able to see the cleverness of it, but he was not about to admit that to Ella. He was certainly not going to admit that he was not sure he would have the courage to do such a risky thing. One thing he had become certain of was Louise Carson's abiding love for her niece. It told him that, for as long as she was able, the woman would continue to try to rescue Ella. He did not think the woman's injured foot would hold her back for very long either. Louise would soon be on their trail again and he intended to get as far ahead of her as possible.

“Well, that clever plan of hers has now put her out to pasture,“ he said, not believing it for a moment, but curious to see if Ella did.

“A little twisted ankle will not keep my aunt down for long,” Ella said, praying that she sounded far more confident than she felt.

“Are you sure it was only twisted?” asked George.

Ella almost smiled. That one shyly asked question proved that she was right about George's feelings for Louise. The way Harrigan scowled at his friend only increased her pleasure at gaining such knowledge.

“Yes, George,” she answered politely, blatantly showing George the courtesy she refused to extend to Harrigan. “With a little care the swelling will subside and my aunt will be her old self again. Of course, you will soon see that for yourself, when she takes me away from you again.”

“As I have said before, Ella,” Harrigan said, “I believe you have far too much faith in Louise Carson.”

“And as I have said before, Mr. Mahoney, you don't know my auntie.”

 

 

“I can't believe some green, fancy dresser from back East managed to follow us and steal Ella back,” grumbled Joshua as he struggled with the slowly loosening ropes that bound them all to the tree.

“Harrigan Mahoney may be from back East and he may dress well, but I don't think he's green,” said Louise. “The man has skill, more than I gave him credit for. That was a mistake, one I will not make again.”

“You're not thinking of running right after him, are you?” asked Manuel as he managed to squirm free of his bonds and began to help the others get loose.

Louise stared at her swollen foot and grimaced. “I was thinking of it, but I believe my foot has other plans for me. I hate it, but I have to concede to my injury for a little while.”

“Then we have lost.” Joshua crouched by her side and handed her the canteen of water. “They'll be too far ahead of us. We'll never be able to catch up with them.”

“Harrigan may be a lot more clever than we thought, but he's still a stranger to this land.” Louise took a long drink of water and handed the canteen to Edward. “He'll have to follow the well-traveled routes, if only out of a fear of getting lost. Taking a wrong turn would cost him time, and he won't want to risk that. Don't worry, we'll catch up with the bastard, and this time I will make sure he can't follow us.”

Joshua grimaced. “I'm willing to give it a try, but I don't feel as sure as you do.”

“That's because you didn't consider our Ella.” Louise smiled. ”She knows we'll need time to follow, and she'll do everything she can to buy us some.”

“I need to have a bath,” Ella said the moment Harrigan ordered a halt to their long ride, and she dismounted.

“Shall I call the servants?” he muttered as he began to unsaddle his horse.

“Very amusing. There is a little creek over there.” She pointed toward a thin line of trees. “That will do.”

Harrigan looked at her and almost smiled. She was dusty and disheveled, her hair was untidy, and her face flushed. She looked adorable and Harrigan was very sure that, if he said so, she would probably threaten to cut his tongue out. Ella Carson looked so soft and sweet, like a tiny porcelain doll, yet, when she opened her mouth, she revealed a wit and temper as sharp as a knife. She was like a wild rose, beautiful but protected by some very sharp thorns, he thought, a little amused by his sudden fancy. Harrigan blinked, shaking himself free of the disturbingly tender thoughts, and forced him mind back to her request.

He could sympathize with her need to clean up, but it did present a problem. There was no doubt in his mind that, given half a chance, Ella would try to escape. She had made no secret of her intention never to return to Philadelphia. Since he could not bring himself to deny her a bath or embarrass her by standing right there while she did it, he was going to have to think of a way to give her what she wanted yet take away all chance of escape. That was not going to be easy.

“What if I swear I will not try to run away?” she said, tired of waiting and easily guessing why he was hesitating.

“I mean no insult, but I don't know you well enough to know if I can trust in your promises. Go and clean up then, but remember that we are keeping a watch on you.”

“Watching me?”

“From a respectful distance. Don't worry, you'll have all the privacy you need, as long as you stay right by the creek and don't try to wander.”

Ella was not sure how he could do that, but decided to trust in his assurances. As she collected what she needed, she knew part of her willingness to believe him was inspired by a desperate need to get clean. She was not sure she would be deterred even if she knew he was planning to crouch behind the bushes and watch her every move.

When Ella reached the creek, she sighed with disappointment as she set her things down on the grass. It looked refreshing, clear and cold, but it was also shallow. There was not enough water for her to immerse herself completely and that was not only what she had hoped for, but what she needed to feel that her modesty would be preserved. Without the depth of water needed to hide herself, she could not take all of her clothes off. It would be as if she stood naked in the middle of an open field and she knew she would feel that way even if Harrigan was not lurking close by.

After a moment of thought, she decided to leave her camisole and pantaloons on. They needed to be washed anyway, and Louise had packed some clean ones for her. It would only take a moment to change from the wet ones to the dry ones and there was plenty of cover amongst the trees and bushes to hide her while she made the quick change.

The water was almost too cold, but Ella welcomed the refreshing chill. She felt as if she had been coated with dust and dirt for days. After she was done, she used her soiled gown as a drying cloth, then washed it out. Although she was sure Harrigan would not spy on her, she still checked for him before hastily changing her underclothes. She donned a blue gingham gown, found a black rawhide tie in her bag, and loosely tied her wet hair back. It was making the back of her gown wet, but it was still hot enough for her to find that pleasantly cooling.

Gathering up her things, she walked back to the campsite. Now that she was clean, her mood had improved, but she still felt a sharp pinch of anger when she looked at Harrigan. He was her uncle's hired man. Ella was beginning to believe that he had no idea of what Harold's plans for her were, but he was still taking her to Philadelphia, to her death, and she almost hated him for that.

“Enjoy your bath?” he asked as she sat down near the fire after draping her wet clothes on a nearby tree.

“The creek is very shallow, but it sufficed,” she replied, watching George make the coffee.

“Good,” he said as he stood up. “I think I'll have a wash too.”

“Watch out for the snakes,” she called after him, smiling sweetly at him when he gave her a doubtful look.

She had not seen one snake, but he did not have to know that. Some of the enjoyment of getting clean had been stolen by the knowledge that he was closely guarding her. Ella felt it served Harrigan right if some of his enjoyment was stolen by a need to look for snakes that were not there. And, she thought with a little smile, even though he did not really believe her, he would look.

 

 

Harrigan cursed as he caught himself carefully checking the ground before setting his clothes down. He really hated snakes, and, if he did not know better, he would swear that Ella had found that out. Until she had said something he had been blissfully ignorant of the possibility of meeting up with a snake. Her parting remark had reminded him that they were out in the wilderness.

He then softly cursed her as he shed his clothes and cautiously entered the cold water. Ella Carson was one tiny, beautiful bundle of pure trouble. He was going to make Harold Carson pay dearly for all of the trouble he had to endure.

His mind lingered on Harold Carson as he scrubbed himself clean. The man was as big a crook as some of the ones rotting away in the jails, but he walked among the elite. Power and money was what made the difference. A poor man could spend years of his life behind bars for taking a loaf of bread while Harold Carson stole thousands and was invited to parties. It was unfair, but it was the way of the world. Recognizing the injustice of it and feeling bitter was not enough to bring about a change.

What he had to decide was just how big a crook Harold was. Although he was not ready to believe everything Ella said, he could not discard it completely. Could the man stoop to the murder of his own niece just to add to his already full coffers? Deep in his heart, Harrigan knew the answer was yes, but was that answer inspired by his dislike for the man, or by fact? Or worse, he thought with a grimace, his growing attraction for Ella?

There was no profit in chewing over the matter, he decided as he stepped out of the creek and dried himself off. He could not decide Harold's guilt or lack of it based on such tenuous things as intuitions and Ella's accusations. He needed proof and that was in Philadelphia. Earlier, when he had said that he would look into the matter, he had not been entirely sincere. Now he was determined. If Ella was telling the truth, then Harold Carson was using him and George to help him commit a crime. He would see that the man paid dearly for that.

After rinsing out his dusty clothes, Harrigan hurried back to camp. He suspected that George would also like a bath and the light of day was rapidly waning. The moment he had tossed his clothes over some tree branches to dry and could turn his full attention on Ella, George strode off to the creek. Harrigan smiled faintly at the man's uncustomary haste as he sat down next to Ella before the fire. George was a very precise, tidy man and was undoubtedly finding the dust and heat of the journey a real trial.

Supper was going to be beans, biscuits, and coffee. Harrigan decided that was another inconvenience Harold would pay for. He was no wilderness man. He liked hearty meals of meat and potatoes, soft beds, and hot baths. Although he could ride, he preferred trains and carriages. When he had told Harold what the job would cost, he had not figured in all these inconveniences. The moment he saw the man again, he intended to make it very clear that the price for his services had just gone up.

“A bath obviously did not improve your temperament,” Ella said as she poured them each a cup of the coffee George had made. She briefly wondered why she was doing that, then decided constant animosity was simply too exhausting.

“I was just thinking about how much I should add to the bill I will give your uncle,“ he replied as he accepted the cup she held out to him.

“You actually plan to collect money from the man?”

“We have an agreement. I get paid when you return to Philadelphia.”

“You should have added a clause to that contract.”

“Oh? What?”

“That you would get at least part of your earnings even if you fail. It will be a shame when, after all the trouble you have gone through, you find yourself penniless.”

“I don't intend to fail.”

Ella shook her head over the heavy tone of confidence in his voice. “Oh, I really think you must, if only so that you lose a little of that overpowering arrogance.”

“Overpowering, is it?”

“Very. I am surprised you don't gag on it.”

“And your unwavering belief that you and your lunatic aunt will win is not arrogance?”

“No, it is just simple fact. And my aunt is not a lunatic.”

“The woman put her foot in front of a speeding train.”

“Will you just forget that?” she snapped.

“I don't think I can,” he murmured as he filled two tin plates with beans and biscuits, and set one down in front of her. “The image is seared into my mind.”

“Well, at least something has settled there. The truth has obviously found it difficult to get a grip.” She inwardly grimaced as she began to eat. She really did not like beans, but she was too hungry to be choosy.

“I have been told two different truths,” he reminded her. “I don't know either you or your uncle well enough to know which one of you to believe. So, why don't we just cease to discuss that. I will search out the truth the moment we get back to Philadelphia.”

She frowned and watched him covertly as she ate. There was the strong ring of a promise behind his words. It only comforted her a little, however. He was still implying that she was a liar and she deeply resented that. The fact that she was so attracted to a man who refused to believe her only added to her resentment.

There was a great deal of injustice in the world, she decided. It was unfair that she should suffer for her uncle's insatiable greed. It was certainly grossly unfair that she would have to die for of it. And, she thought sadly as she studied Harrigan's strong profile, it was painfully unfair that the man who was going to deliver her to that fate was so handsome, so intriguing, and so dangerously close to invading her heart.

 

 

Ella started, blinking in confusion. It was now dark and someone was gently shaking her by the arm. She absently swatted away the hand on her arm and looked around, slowly recalling where she was and why. George was missing and Harrigan was sitting next to her watching her with an annoying little grin on his face.

“Perhaps you ought to go to bed before you fall into the fire,” Harrigan said.

“Where is George?” she asked, troubled by the man's disappearance.

“He offered to take the first watch.”

“Aha! So you
are
worried that my aunt will find you.”

“No. Despite all of your attempts to slow us down today,” he almost smiled at the quick flash of guilt that crossed her face, “I am not worried that she will catch us up anytime soon, if ever. She can't ride with that foot and I don't believe she'll send those boys out alone. There are, however, a lot of other dangers to watch for. Bandits and Indians to name just two.” He did smile when she made a poor effort to hide a big yawn. “Go to bed, Ella.”

“Where is this bed?” She frowned as she looked around the camp and saw only one pile of blankets spread out on the other side of the fire. ”I see only one.”

“That's all there is. We are going to be very close tonight.” He held up the shackles he had used on the train.

“Has anyone ever told you what an irredeemable bastard you are?”

“Not with as much feeling as you, Miss Carson.”

It was embarrassing, but Ella managed to make her need for a moment of privacy understood. Harrigan called to George and then let her seek out a sheltered spot to see to her personal needs.

The moment she was done, Ella walked straight to the bed, not looking or speaking to Harrigan. She needed a little time to get over her embarrassment, one she knew would be revisited on her for as long as she was with the men. They were trying very hard to respect her privacy, but she did not feel very grateful at the moment. If they had not allowed themselves to be hired by Harold, none of them would be in such an awkward position, so, she decided crossly, her discomfort was all their fault.

Harrigan sighed as he banked the fire. He could not help but think that Harold Carson could have found a better way to retrieve his niece. In fact, although Louise was eccentric, he really saw no reason why the man could not have just left Ella with her aunt. Louise was Ella's family, more so than Harold, and she clearly loved the girl. Some arrangement could have been made with the lawyers who controled Ella's inheritance. It would appear that, at the very least, he had been dragged into the middle of a family squabble.

He walked over to the bed, sat down, and yanked off his boots. When he reached over to grab Ella's wrist, intending to shackle them together for the few hours of sleep he would be able to steal, she pulled away. He reached for her again and found himself in the middle of an undignified wrestling match. Although he tried not to hurt her, Ella obviously had no qualms about injuring him. He was panting and bruised by the time he got her pinned to the blanket, his right wrist securely manacled to her left one.

As he stared into her angry face, he became far too aware of her slim, soft body pressed against his. Instead of moving off her, he settled himself more comfortably on top of her, smiling faintly when her eyes widened. He had been thinking about kissing her since the first time he had set eyes on her and wondered if he might have a chance to satisfy that urge now. Although he admitted there was a chance he was deceiving himself, he thought he caught a flicker of interest in her lovely face, as if she was having the same thought he was.