Prologue

1879

Evelyn Bronson’s hands were like ice as she stood at the edge of the hole in the ground, staring at the wooden box at the bottom. There was no plaque on it; that was a luxury she couldn’t afford. As it was, Evelyn had been lucky that she had kind neighbors who put forward some money to help with the funeral.

Until now, it hadn’t seemed real. Her mother couldn’t be dead. Evelyn half-expected her to come around the side of the church and join her at the graveside, telling her that she needed to perk up as being sad wasn’t going to help anyone.

But as she looked down at the coffin that contained her mother’s body, Evelyn felt the reality crashing down. It pressed down, suffocating her until she struggled to breathe. Evelyn tried, but it hurt too much.

“Evelyn?”

Pastor David was at her side, the sun just behind his head like a halo. Evelyn hadn’t even noticed him approach, even with his boots squelching in the mud. The rain had stopped during the night, but the ground was still rather soft.

Her heart racing after being startled, she used her sleeve to wipe her tears, and turned to him.

“Pastor David.”

The old man’s eyes crinkled, his expression sympathetic. He reached into his pocket and brought out a handkerchief, which he held out to her. Evelyn held up her hands.

“I can’t…”

“It’s just a handkerchief, Evelyn. You don’t need to refuse something as simple as a piece of cloth.” He smiled gently. “I know things are hard for you, but you’re only fifteen. There’s nothing wrong with accepting this.”

Evelyn bit her lip. It was sore from chewing on it so much over the last few days. “I…I just don’t want to impose…”

“Impose by taking an item you need? Don’t be silly.” Pastor David pressed the handkerchief into her hand. “Here. Dry your eyes. They’ll sting if you don’t.”

Evelyn’s hands trembled as she took the item and wiped her eyes, blowing her nose loudly. She gave the man an embarrassed smile.

“Thank you. I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I…I don’t know.” She shuffled from foot to foot. “I feel like I need to say it a lot lately. Mother has died, and everyone’s been so kind, but… I…”

“You feel like you’re putting everyone out by needing help,” Pastor David finished for her.

Evelyn was glad he knew what she meant. The old man had been the town’s pastor for as long as she had been alive, even when her mother had been a little girl. It was a surprise that he was still as strong and healthy as he was. He was probably the kindest, sweetest person Evelyn had ever come across. He had been a godsend over the last few years, looking after her and her mother. Jessica Bronson had been a proud woman, and had always hated asking for help, but when it came to Pastor David it was difficult to turn him down. He was like the grandfather Evelyn never had.

She would need that now. She was all alone. With her mother gone, Evelyn had no other family.

“It’s only just feeling real now,” she said, glancing back at the coffin. It looked so far down. “I want this to be a bad dream, but it isn’t.”

“This sickness took her really quickly, didn’t it?”

“Yes. She was always so strong and able to get through anything, but when it made her take to her bed, I knew it was bad.” Evelyn swallowed. “She was scared that I would get sick and tried to stop me from taking care of her, but I wouldn’t let her. I needed to nurse her, just like she would with me when I was sick.”

“It’s understandable, Evelyn. And Jessica was a strong-minded woman. She was always looking out for you.”

“And what about now? As it is, there’s no one to come and pay their respects.” Evelyn gestured around her. “I would have thought people would have shown something towards the woman who did their laundry all the time, but clearly they didn’t care about her if they don’t care to be decent people.”

She knew she was getting upset over the fact she was the only mourner at her mother’s funeral, but Evelyn felt she had every right. With the amount of hard work Jessica gave to the community, they didn’t care when something happened to her. Perhaps that was why Jessica hated asking for help; she knew she would be turned away.

That made Evelyn want to scream.

Pastor David sighed.

“I don’t know. I think, with no living relatives, you’re going to be sent away. I don’t want to put it so harshly, but…”

Despite the warm day and Evelyn’s dress sticking to her with sweat, she felt very cold. She shivered and rubbed at her arms.

“Sent away? Where?”

“There’s an orphanage in the next town. With no parents or family to take you in, that would be where you would go.” He hesitated. “Unless you can find someone to take you as a member of their household, even with little experience. There are always families looking for staff.”

“I might have to go into servitude?” Evelyn gasped.

“I know it’s not ideal, but that is an option. I’ll put in a good word for you with several families, if you like. It will keep you in Yellowstone, and you can visit your mother’s grave whenever you want.”

Evelyn didn’t know what to say to that. She and Jessica had worked as laundresses, doing the washing for many of the families in the surrounding areas. It hadn’t brought in much, but they had managed. Jessica had wanted Evelyn to have a strong work ethic, so working for a family in a wealthier household wouldn’t be much of a problem, but the idea of becoming a servant left her in a cold sweat.

Then again, the thought that she would have to go to an orphanage if no one took her in terrified her more. She would be taken away from her mother’s grave, and Evelyn’s heart would be broken even more.

“I’ll do whatever I can to look out for you,” Pastor David promised. “I told your mother I would do that.”

“Really?”

“Of course. She was worried about you, and made me promise to make sure you’re safe and well.” He smiled. “If all else fails, I’ll make sure you have a place at my house. You could work for me, if you want.”

Evelyn blinked at him. “You? I thought you had a housekeeper. What happened to Mrs. May?”

“She’s had to go and look after her sick relatives in Montana. I’ve been pottering around, but I’m getting old, and I would require more help.”

“You’re not old, Pastor David!” Evelyn protested.

The old man chuckled. “Having you around will be soothing, Evelyn. Things will be fine, I promise.”

That lifted Evelyn’s spirits a little. She liked Pastor David, and she wished she could have him as a grandfather. She wondered what he would say if she told him that, but Evelyn kept it to herself. She wasn’t about to make things embarrassing for both of them.

“Come on.” Pastor David beckoned her to follow him. “The grave diggers are going to need to fill in the hole. You don’t want to wait around for that.”

Evelyn wanted to stay, but he was right. She needed to be productive and keep moving, even if she didn’t want to. Mostly, she wanted to curl up into a ball and hide in a corner, in a dark room where no one could find her. Then she would scream and let it all out.

It might make her feel better, but it wouldn’t last long.

“What am I going to do now?” she asked as she and Pastor David walked away from the grave, resisting the urge to look back. “Do I go home and wait for someone to take me away?”

“I’ll stay with you for a little while. We’ll have something warm to drink, and then we’ll figure out what to do.”

“And I’ll be able to stay in Yellowstone? I don’t want to leave if I can help it, Pastor David.”

He nodded. “I’ll do my best to make sure you keep safe. I don’t break my word, Evelyn.”

Evelyn knew that much. He was the most trustworthy person she knew after her mother. It was comforting to know that he was there looking after her.

It didn’t take long to walk home, heading down the slope to the small cluster of houses on the outskirts of town where Evelyn and her mother had lived. They passed children playing in the street, running back and forth laughing. They looked so happy and carefree, and Evelyn wished that she had that for herself. Even when they were busy and doing so much, Jessica always let Evelyn go out to play with her friends. She might have had to finish her education at thirteen to help her mother with her work, but Evelyn wasn’t deprived of anything.

She wondered if she could carry on the laundry business, even if it was on her own. Would that be allowed? She was fifteen, so that would likely cause a problem of people taking advantage of her, but Evelyn would be happy to do it if it meant she was able to stay in her own home.

When they reached her house, Evelyn was surprised that she had a visitor. A grand-looking carriage pulled by horses with glossy coats was outside her dilapidated house that had seen better days. Evelyn had always wondered how it hadn’t fallen down already with the amount of disrepair it was in. The carriage looked very out of place in the street, and Evelyn wondered if someone had gotten lost. There was a well-dressed young man in a dark blue coat standing by the carriage, hands clasped behind his back with his eyes fixed ahead.

What was going on?

“Were you expecting any visitors?” Pastor David asked.

“No, not that I know of. And certainly nothing like this.”

Pastor David frowned and approached the carriage. Just as he arrived, the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shining bald head and thick beard stepped out. He seemed to tower over the pastor, who was already quite tall. Evelyn felt a shiver down her spine. There was something formidable about the man.

“I was beginning to think the house was abandoned,” the man said without preamble. “I thought the girl would be home.”

“Who are you, sir?” Pastor David asked. “What business do you have with Evelyn?”

The man looked the pastor up and down, and then he looked past him to Evelyn. His eyes were cobalt blue, and they rooted Evelyn to the spot. He stared at her thoroughly for a few moments before nodding thoughtfully.

“I thought so. You still look so much like your father. It’s clear now.”

“I beg your pardon?” Evelyn stuttered. “What does that mean? Who are you?”

“My apologies, I thought you would have recognized me.” The man chuckled, sounding slightly embarrassed. “I’m Frederick Bronson, your father’s brother. I’m your uncle.”

Evelyn let the words sink in, but they were still swirling around her head. Her uncle? She wasn’t aware that she had an uncle. And yet…

A memory came to her, one that was so brief that she barely grabbed onto it. A familiar voice saying that she looked so much like her father, and she was going to grow up into a great beauty. In her head it sounded like the voice coming from the man before her.

She stared at him. “I haven’t seen you in many years,” she murmured.

Frederick looked sheepish and cleared his throat. “Well, it was hard for me, you know. Your father, my brother, died when you were still a baby. I came around a few times, but when you were around three years old, your mother and I… we had an argument.”

“What about?” Paster David asked.

“Money. I wanted to keep providing for Jessica as my brother’s wife, but when I suggested taking Evelyn with me so she didn’t have to worry so much. She lost her temper and told me to leave.”

Evelyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How was this happening? She had an uncle and didn’t know about it. Then again, if he had made the offer he talked about, and her mother had tossed him out, it would make sense she wouldn’t say anything about him. She would not allow anyone to take Evelyn from her.

“Why didn’t you come to the funeral?” she demanded. “She was buried today. Why weren’t you there?”

“Trust me, I was. I watched from a distance.”

“And you couldn’t come and give your condolences at her graveside?”

Frederick winced. At least he was looking chastised about it, given the way he had addressed them to begin with. Pastor David folded his arms.

“What are you doing here, then?” he questioned. “Why are you reaching out to Evelyn now?”

“I was hoping to talk to Evelyn so we might discuss her future, and come to a suitable agreement.”

Pastor David stepped closer to Evelyn, as if wanting to shield her. “What does that mean?” he asked.

Frederick looked at Evelyn, and there was something in his gaze that told Evelyn what he was talking about. She stiffened.

“He wants to take me away,” she said.

“What?” Pastor David looked stunned. “Why would you do that?”

Frederick shook his head. “This is something that Evelyn and I need to discuss alone. This is family business.”

“Evelyn is a child, and she isn’t going to speak to you alone. I’ll be staying with her while you talk to her.”

“You don’t trust that I won’t bring her to any harm?”

“No, I don’t.”

Frederick grunted. “At least you’re honest about it.” He turned back to Evelyn, his expression shifting to something she couldn’t recognize. “I’m sorry about your mother. I really am. But I think, in a time like this, family needs to stick together. You have very little choice right now, given your options. And I know Jessica would want family to look out for you if anything happened to her. Despite our arguments, she would have wanted you cared for properly.”

“Then why didn’t you do anything about it before now?” Pastor David spoke before Evelyn could say anything. “Why come back now? Jessica wanted you to stay away, so wouldn’t it be best to respect her wishes?”

Frederick ignored him, looking at Evelyn instead. Evelyn felt like she had been put on the spot. She didn’t want to make any decisions right now. All she wanted to do was shut herself inside the home she had lived in with her mother and hide away from the world. Then she could sob without anyone around her. Pastor David would have given her the space she needed. But now she had someone she barely remembered wanting to talk to her.

She could only hope it didn’t last long.

“Why don’t we go inside?” she suggested. “But I don’t want to talk for long. It’s been a long day. I’m sure you can understand.”

“Of course. I don’t want to intrude for too long.” Frederick paused. “But this is something you will want to hear.”

Evelyn didn’t know about that, but she was curious. What could he possibly have for her that would make things better?

Chapter One

1887

“Evelyn, would you leave us alone?” Frederick asked, glancing over at her sitting in the window. “I want to speak to Mr. Easton in private.”

Evelyn didn’t want to leave. She suspected that something hadn’t been right all through the afternoon and throughout dinner, and she didn’t want her uncle to implode everything around them. But a part of her was relieved. Their guest kept looking over at her with a leering expression that made her very uncomfortable, and Evelyn wished he would stop. She was tired of telling him that he didn’t need to gawk at her this much.

Closing her book, she stood up and nodded at Frederick.

“Yes, Uncle,” she said. “Will you need me for anything else?”

“No, don’t worry about that. I’ll send for you if I need anything further.” Frederick jerked his head towards the door. “Off you go.”

He was treating her like a child again. Evelyn was used to it by now. Her uncle had never married or had any children, so he had no idea how to treat her properly. There were times when she saw someone in him who could be a decent father or guardian, but it was mostly businesslike as if she was another acquaintance.

Evelyn had been dealing with it for eight years now. It was something she had grown up with since she had come to live with Frederick despite her misgivings. But it was either move in with her uncle and stay in Yellowstone, or leave to go to the orphanage in the next town. She hadn’t been able to stomach that, so she ended up in the big, grand house that her uncle owned.

He had money, and a lot of it, and he had made sure Evelyn continued her education and pastimes instead of working for her money. Her life had improved, certainly, although Evelyn felt a bit like a doll to be moved around at times. Her mother would be shaking her head at what was going on now.

And she certainly wouldn’t appreciate their esteemed guest leering at Evelyn like she was a piece of meat hung up in the shop window. James Easton put her on edge, especially when he kept making lurid comments towards her that Frederick wouldn’t stop after a while. Evelyn wished she could give him the sharp side of her tongue, but she was trying to be calm because he was a guest.

Having him in the house was not something Evelyn liked or wanted, but it wasn’t her house. Frederick was in charge.

But as soon as she left the drawing room, Evelyn hovered near the partially open door. She wasn’t about to be kicked out of the room without knowing what was going on. Frederick said that she didn’t need to hear about business because she was a woman, but Evelyn found that silly. She didn’t care about that, and she was curious.

Besides, with the way Mr. Easton and Frederick had been glancing at each other all evening, she wouldn’t be able to settle until she knew what was worrying her uncle. He had been rather distant lately, hiding away in his study. Something had to have gone wrong, and James Easton was a wealthy businessman. Maybe Frederick was bringing the man in for advice?

“Shouldn’t your niece be in here as well?” Easton asked. “This does involve her, after all.”

“I would rather talk to her alone once we’ve got everything confirmed,” Frederick replied, sounding like he was carrying a heavy heart. “She’s a spirited girl, and that is a wrath I will face alone. At least for now.”

“I like spirited women, Frederick. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Frederick grunted. “Evelyn is her mother’s daughter. She is strong-willed and firm in what she wants. She’ll have an opinion about me dictating her life like this.”

Evelyn frowned at the door. What was going on? Why were they discussing her like this? And why was Frederick worried about her reaction?

Realization began to knot in her stomach. They weren’t discussing what she thought they were… were they? She tried not to lean against the door as she moved closer to the gap.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Easton said with a chuckle. “She’ll understand why you’re doing this. After all, you wouldn’t be the first person who arranged a marriage for a family member to improve your financial situation.”

That made Evelyn almost bump her head against the door. Arrange a marriage? What was he talking about?

“I know, but I had promised her that I wouldn’t do that to her. Evelyn said she would never want that for herself. She doesn’t want to lose her independence.”

“What independence? She lives here with you.”

“She’s a tough person, Easton. Evelyn wants to strike out on her own and marriage isn’t on the cards for her right now. I want to respect that as much as I can, but…”

Easton snorted. “She’s not going to have an option at this point. Your business is doing badly, and you need some money. I’m willing to give you that, but I want something in return. You’re the one who suggested your niece as part of it. So, you can’t blame me on that.”

“I’m not blaming you. Not at all. I just know that Evelyn is going to be more than a little upset about this. She really doesn’t want to marry for anything less than love if it came around to it, and from the way she’s behaved towards you with her sharp words and stiff acknowledgement…”

“It will come in time. I greatly admire her, and she’s a beautiful girl. It’s a surprise that she’s not married already.” Easton chuckled. “You coddle her too much and give her too much freedom. Maybe you need to reel that in a little.”

Evelyn couldn’t believe the nerve of the man for saying that. She wanted to barge into the room to confront them about what they were saying, but she stopped herself. Even so, the anger began to build, and her hands began to shake. How could he think that was acceptable to say? And what was her uncle saying? She was to marry Easton?

How did he think that would be acceptable to do without her input?

“Don’t,” Frederick said solemnly. “I know that I give her too much space to do what she wants, but what am I supposed to do when I’ve never had any children of my own? I don’t know how to raise them. It was only a saving grace that Evelyn was fifteen when she came into my house, otherwise it might have been worse.”

“Why did you take her in? I’ve always been curious about that.”

“Because she’s family, and she was just a child. I’m not that cruel.”

Easton made a sound that Evelyn didn’t recognize. Then she heard footsteps and she jerked back from the door. But the footsteps never came closer. It sounded as if someone was pacing around, and Evelyn recognized her uncle’s heavy tread. He was not subtle when he walked at all.

“This is not going to be easy for her. She is going to protest.”

“But if she cares about you and your business, she will do whatever she could to help, wouldn’t she?” Easton pointed out.

“I don’t think that will work with her,” Frederick sighed. “I will admit that I tried not to talk to her about it as she was a child and I didn’t think a girl needed to know, but maybe I should have. She’s got a sound mind in that head of hers.”

Evelyn heard Easton scoff at that.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Women can’t be involved in business. They’re too emotional and wouldn’t make the best decisions. What you’re doing is perfectly normal and what you need. Besides, you’ve mentioned wanting to see Evelyn married and having her own family, haven’t you? This kills two birds with one stone.”

“I guess.” Frederick sounded dubious. “Even so…”

“Look, I accept the offer to marry your niece. She’s beautiful and intelligent, and I can see her being the ideal wife for me. And I’ll help you with what you need. You don’t have to worry about any of that.”

Evelyn heard a heavy outtake of breath, and then Frederick’s voice. He now sounded relieved. That was far from what Evelyn was feeling right now.

“Thank God for that. When do you want the wedding to happen?”

“As soon as possible. I know we have to have the banns published and all that, and you obviously need to tell her, but we can get that moving as soon as we can.”

“Sounds good to me. How about a stronger drink to celebrate it?”

Evelyn didn’t want to hear anymore. She backed away from the door, stumbling before catching her balance. Her mind was spinning, and her chest felt like it was tightening. It didn’t help with the corset she was wearing.

She needed to sit down before she fell down.

Making her way into the morning room, Evelyn collapsed onto the settee, pressing a hand to her chest as she gasped for air. It made her feel light-headed so she lay back against the cushions and waited until the room stopped looking lopsided. Mixed emotions raced through her, and Evelyn didn’t know whether to scream or burst into tears.

Horror gripped her. How could Frederick think he could do this? Why would he arrange her to marry someone she didn’t know to save his business? Surely, there had to be another way.

Although she couldn’t think of one right now.

Aside from the fact Evelyn didn’t know Easton properly—he had only come to the house a few times in recent weeks, and she had been forced to interact with him—she knew for certain that she didn’t like him. Certainly, he was good-looking and looked after himself properly, and he was wealthy himself so money wouldn’t be an issue. But there was something cold about him. His smiles never reached his eyes, and Evelyn could tell he was insincere with his comments. They were simply made because he had to, she was certain of it. He was putting on a facade for everyone, which made Evelyn worry about what he was like when nobody was paying attention.

She couldn’t marry a man like that. Evelyn hadn’t thought about marriage anytime soon, as she liked having her independence to do what she wanted, but if she did consider it, she knew she couldn’t marry James Easton. That would leave her miserable, and she would be trapped. Evelyn was certain Easton wouldn’t give her the same freedom her uncle had given her.

But how could she get out of this? Frederick was as stubborn as she was. If neither of them would budge, nothing would happen. Evelyn needed to do something about it herself.

But what? How could she get away?

“Miss Evelyn?”

Evelyn opened her eyes and saw a gray-haired portly woman approaching her. It took her a moment to recognize Martha, her uncle’s housekeeper, and Evelyn felt the tears forming. She sat up slowly.

“What’s wrong, dear?” Martha looked worried as she knelt before her and clasped her hands. “You’re shaking, and I heard you sobbing just now.”

“Was I? I didn’t realize.”