Lord of Misrule Read online

  Katie had to smile. "A Merino, I think. Isn't that right, Pa?"

  Pa grinned back. "Exactly. I remember them from when I was a lad in England. Like walking bales of wool. The only way you could tell front from back was that the front had eyes."

  "I sure wish Luke was here. He'll be sorry he missed helping with the tree."

  "Don't be too sure of that, Katie," Ma told her. "I saw distinct signs of panic on the poor man's face this morning when you talked about the crowd we'd have for Christmas. I don't think he's entirely comfortable with the idea of meeting everyone all at once."

  "Oh, no, I'm sure you're wrong. He's talked so much about his family, I know he misses having one."

  "Missing a family and being dropped into the middle of one are two different things, aren't they Soomey?"

  Until now, Soomey and Tony had been speaking softly together, a little apart from the general merriment. Now she turned toward Katie and nodded. "Oh, yes, your family is exhausting to one who is not prepared for it," she said. "I remember when we first came to visit you, after Boss and I married. I knew you all from what Buffalo had told me, but you frightened me, also."

  "Soomey, that's a whopper. You've never been scared of anything in your life," Silas called from the other side of the room.

  "You be silent, Boss. I am telling this story. Come, Katie, let us go where so many ears will not listen and so many mouths interrupt me." She led Katie to the sewing room and carefully closed the door behind her.

  "Now," she said, "tell me why you married this man so far from home, instead of bringing him here to meet your family first."

  Katie chewed her lip. "I...ah...we..."

  "Ah. Say no more. You loved him and you did not wait to have pleasure with him. So, that is not a bad thing. Are you pregnant?"

  "No, but not because we haven't been working at it," Katie admitted. "Oh, Soomey, I know Ma and Pa are disappointed with me. But I thought we were going to die. First the blizzard, then the Breedloves, and Whitney, and the riot." Quickly she gave Soomey a brief and well-edited account of their adventures. "It was awful. Luke was hurt so badly, and I didn't know where we were, and it was cold. We'd...we'd done everything else, but Luke always held back, because he said I might feel different when we got back to civilization. I knew better, but now I wonder..." Again she caught her lower lip between her teeth.

  "Now you wonder if you love him and he does not love you?" Soomey said, her tone sympathetic.

  Katie nodded, hating to hear the words she'd thought so often. "He said he loved me once, but..."

  "Is he an honorable man?"

  "Oh, yes. In fact, sometimes I wished he were less honorable."

  "Then you have your answer. He would not say he loved you if he did not. Just like Boss." She made a little snorting sound. "Men! They are so stupid sometimes, not trusting their hearts but only their heads. They do not understand that love is not something they can scrutinize and break down into parts to be examined. So they waste precious time thinking when they could be having pleasure." She pulled Katie into her arms. "Your man will adjust, but he will need time. Have patience with him, and do not expect too much. Men are not as adaptable as we. If you can remember that, you will be much happier."

  Katie wiped her eyes, only now aware that she'd been crying. "Soomey," she said, "can I ask you something more?"

  "Of course."

  "Do you think Ma and Pa will hold it against Luke, us having to marry like we did?" She'd wanted to ask ma, but was afraid of the answer. Somehow if Soomey said yes, it wouldn't hurt so bad.

  "Emmet was there when you married, you said?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Well, then that is your answer. Do not doubt for a moment that if Emmet Lachlan had not thought your man worthy, he would not be your husband now. Your father is a force to be reckoned with, Katie. Now," she said with a grin, "tell me. Did you find my little gift to you useful."

  "Oh, yes! If I hadn't had those derringers, I might be dead now. Of course, Luke says if I hadn't had them, I might have been a lot more careful, but he--" She stopped, interrupted by Soomey's merry laughter.

  "Ah, yes, that is what Boss says, too. But he gave me lovely new guns to replace them, and insists that I keep them with me always, so perhaps he is only teasing."

  A knock came on the door then. "Ma says you're to come to the parlor," Rhys said, his voice muffled by the thick wood panel. "It's time for the punch."

  "We will come," Soomey replied. With one hand on the doorknob, she said, "Keep the small guns I gave you, Katie. May they serve you long and well."

  "Thanks, Soomey." Katie gave her aunt a quick hug before she opened the door. "I feel much better now. And I'll try to give Luke all the time he needs to get used to the family."

  Chapter Four

  Snow started falling early. Flakes lightly kissing his exposed cheeks woke Luke from a dream of endless flight across a wintry landscape. His arms were empty, and for a moment he felt a terrible sense of loss. And then he remembered.

  Katie was safely back at her folk's big house in Boise City. He was seeking a place where he could build her the home he'd promised.

  Yesterday he'd come some fifteen miles west from town, staying as close to the river as he could. He wanted rich bottomland for his stock, deep fertile loam where grass would grow tall and green. No matter if it flooded now and then. He'd build Katie's house on a rise, where she could stand at the window and look out across their land. If there was a view of the mountains, too, she'd like it even better.

  Nothing was left of last night's fire but cold, sodden embers. He drank coffee so cold it hurt his teeth and chewed on a strip of dried beef while he struck camp and saddled up. Might as well head back this morning. From the looks of the clouds, low and heavy, there could be a foot of snow on the ground by nightfall. He'd not find a likely homestead hiding under a foot of snow.

  Turning the bay's head to the east, Luke found himself whistling. Maybe he hadn't found the exact place he'd claim, but he liked this country. Oh, sure, the hills were bare and brown, but down here along the river a man could build his kingdom. All it would take was hard work and determination. He had both.

  And a woman to build for.

  He sure missed Katie. Today was the first time they'd been apart for nearly two months. He kept looking around, expecting to see her trailing along behind on one of the asses.

  He took his time, letting the bay amble along, enjoying the silence and the solitude. The only sounds were the soft clop-clop of the horse's hooves and the whisper of snowflakes against his clothing. Having time to travel slowly, to think about nothing more complicated than what to give Katie for Christmas, seemed almost sinful. Ever since he'd finished the last cattle drive, he'd been on the run. Away from his own past, away from the kin of a man he'd killed, and away from the crazy Eastern swell who'd decided Katie was meant to be his wife. But even then, when he could finally stop running, he'd had to get Katie to Boise City before winter set in solid.

  Only trouble was, now he was here, he'd almost rather be anywhere else.

  Well, there was no help for it. Katie's family was his now, and he'd better make up his mind to get along with them.

  He sure hoped the rest of them were as nice as her ma.

  * * * *

  Katie went to the window for perhaps the hundredth time. Luke had promised to be here before dark. It was after four now, and the winter twilight was almost upon them. Of course, he'd been slowed by the snow, so she shouldn't be worrying. But she was. She wanted him here, safe and warm.

  Was that someone on horseback? She wiped condensation off the window. Yes! A single rider, coming up the drive. She dashed to the back door, snatching a cloak from the hook beside it. "Luke," she called, "is that you?"

  "Yo."

  She ran to meet him. "I was so worried," she said. "When it started snowing, I just knew you'd be late."

  He dismounted and pulled her into his arms. "Well, it ain't dark yet, so I'm not late."<
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  His lips were icy, his moustache covered with frost. Katie shivered, but not only from the cold. "You missed the trimming of the tree. We couldn't get the children to wait." She accepted the saddlebags he held out to her. "Did you find a place?"

  "I saw some likely spots. There's good land out there."

  She breathed a sigh of relief. He seemed easier in his mind than when he'd gone. As if whatever had been eating at him had been banished.

  "You go on inside, whilst I take care of Big Red, here. And mind, you keep your nose out of those saddlebags."

  "Oooh! Secrets! I can hardly wait." Obediently she went back to the house, but paused on the top step to look back. He was just disappearing into the barn. "Luke Savage, you're a good man," she said, knowing he'd be embarrassed if she said it to his face.

  As she went through the kitchen, Ma said, "Can you give me a hand here? I need some more flour sifted. Mrs. Petrie has her hands full with supper."

  "Let me get an apron." Katie hung up the cloak and set the saddlebags behind the pantry door. She'd sifted a bowl full of flour and was about to ask what else she could do to help when she heard a shout from outside. Looking out the window did no good at all. She couldn't see anything but softly falling snow. It had grown considerably darker since she came inside.

  Another shout, this one from upstairs, followed by running footsteps. Someone called, "They're here!" In a minute a herd of children thundered through the kitchen and out the back door.

  "That must be William and Flower," Katie said. "Do you need me?"

  Her mother shooed her towards the door. "Go say hello. I can manage from now on."

  From the top step she saw that the newcomers were indeed her godparents. They were surrounded by children, all laughing and shouting. She waved, but waited until the children had been loaded with packages and bundles and sent inside. Then she ran down the steps and into William's arms.

  He picked her up and swung her around. "Lawd a'mighty, Katie girl. You've gone and growed up into a fine lady."

  She pulled his head down and kissed him soundly. "Oh, William, wait until I tell you about my adventures"

  He returned the hug. "You want to turn my hair white? Your ma writ that you'd got yourself chased by a crazy man and ended up in the middle of a war. I don't want to hear about it."

  * * * *

  Luke heard the ruckus as he was filling the bay's feed bin. He gave the gelding a last pat and went to the barn door. The yard was full of people and horses. While he watched, all the kids went dashing inside, their arms full.

  That left several adults. Towering over them all was a big black man, holding a woman in his arms. Even as Luke watched, the man released the woman and Luke saw who she was.

  Katie!

  A red rage filled him, and he started toward the group. Katie's laugh scarcely penetrated his fury, but it was enough to slow his headlong rush. He saw his wife go into the arms of a small woman, all bundled in furs, while Mrs. Lachlan hugged the Negro.

  "Here's Luke!"

  Katie pulled free and came running to him. "Look who's here, Luke. This is Flower and that's William. And Soomey. Silas is somewhere...oh, here he comes. This is so wonderful. Now everyone's here."

  The next instant he saw a black hand stretched out to him. Luke had fought for the North and he truly believed that slavery was wrong. But he'd never actually met a Negro face to face. Not until now.

  The hand just hung there. Katie stiffened in his arms.

  Luke took the hand. It was warm, hard with callous, and no different from any other man's.

  "William King," the fellow said. "I guess Katie didn't tell you--"

  "He's just confused. So many new faces. Why, he still hasn't got the littles' names straight. Of course, he hasn't met them either, but I've been telling him..."

  William smiled down at her, but before he did, Luke read in his eyes that he'd understood the hesitation. "Give him time, Katie girl. We're a pretty big bite to swallow, all at once."

  Luke wasn't hiding behind any woman's skirts, not even his wife's. "Yes, she told me. But I was surprised, all the same, and I apologize. No offence taken, I hope."

  "None atall." William pulled the bundled-up woman to him. "This here's Flower."

  Luke barely managed to speak to her when Katie dragged another woman, tiny and delicate, even wrapped in a fur-trimmed cape, to him. "Here's Soomey, my aunt. She's the one who--"

  "How-do, ma'am," Luke said, not quite speechless. He hadn't known Katie's aunt was Chinese. What kind of family had he married into?

  "That's enough. We're all going to catch our deaths," Mrs. Lachlan called. "You men can take care of the horses, and we'll have hot cider waiting for you when you're done." She herded the women up the back steps.

  Luke followed the other men to the barn, still uncomfortable, still unsure.

  "I've been saving this for a special occasion," Mr. Lachlan was saying, when he slipped through the almost closed door. He held a stoneware jug, dusty and trailing spiderwebs. "It's the last of the '59."

  "Flower started a new batch this year, but we doubt it's going to be as fine," William remarked. "'Twasn't a good year for fruit."

  Abel appeared, carrying tin cups by their handles. He passed them around the circle of men.

  Mr. Lachlan half-filled every cup, then set the jug aside and raised his cup. "To family," he said, his voice strong.

  Luke raised his own cup, wondering if this family he'd married into would ever feel like his own. "Family," he repeated with the others, anyhow. He swallowed a mouthful of the wine.

  Wine? His throat burned like pure fire had slid down it. At first he couldn't even draw breath. Not until Abel swatted him on the back. Then he gasped and choked.

  "You all right?" his father-in-law said.

  "I...I think so." He cleared his throat. "What the dickens is that stuff?"

  "Well, if it was made from cider, we'd call it applejack," Mr. Lachlan said, with a chuckle. "Chokecherry wine, froze and decanted till all that's left is the alcohol."

  "Choke-jack?" suggested the wide-shouldered fellow Luke hadn't actually been introduced to. He held out his hand. "I'm Silas Dewitt, Luke. Katie's uncle."

  "Plea--" Luke had to cough again. "Pleased to meet you," he said, shaking Dewitt's hand. His throat still burned, but since there wasn't any water handy, he took another sip of the liquid fire. This time he tasted it. Somehow he was reminded of hot summer days along Butternut Creek, back before he'd learned how cold and cruel the world could be.

  He'd just emptied his cup when Mr. Lachlan said, "Okay, boys, let's get the stock settled. I reckon Hattie'll be calling us to supper soon."

  To Luke's surprise, every one of the men leant a hand at caring for the ten horses and mules William and his family had arrived with. The fellow who surprised him was Dewitt, who didn't seem to care about his fine linen shirt and silk waistcoat. He shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside Abel, just as if he'd been born to it. In what seemed like no time at all, the animals were wiped dry and turned into a pen at the back of the barn, where a half-shed gave them a place to shelter from the snow and there were feed-troughs full of grass hay and grain.

  Before they went in the house, they had another round. Luke decided he'd never tasted better, whatever they wanted to call it.

  * * * *

  Katie volunteered to help with the supper dishes, although as a married woman, she was not obligated to do so. She wanted to get reacquainted with her sisters, though, and with Lulu King. They'd all been little when she'd gone Back East to school, more than three years ago. Now twelve-year-old Reggie was wearing long skirts and would be putting her hair up soon. Lulu, a year older, still wore her skirts short, and her golden brown hair was cut too short to do anything but curl tightly about her head. She wasn't one to sit still for long enough to braid long hair. She and Iris dried, while Lulu washed and Regina--"I hate being called 'Reggie' but Pa just won't listen"--put away. Mrs. Petrie had don
e up the pots and pans before she'd gone home, so all they had to do was the supper dishes and the glassware Ma wanted washed up for tomorrow's big dinner.

  Iris sure did look like Ma. But she was going to be tall, too, just like all the others. Katie and Ellen were the only ones who'd inherited their mother's short stature, although both Rhys and Iris had hair as dark as Katie's and Ma's.

  They were drying the last of the soup bowls as Iris finished telling Katie of her school. "Of course, there are only two other girls in my class, Elizabeth and Maggie, but next year I'll be in the middle grade, and there's Mary O'Hara in that. She's got curly hair, but it's nowhere as pretty as Lulu's." She carefully added her bowl to the stack. "Katie, are you going to have a baby?"

  "Hush, Iris! I told you not to say anything," Regina said.

  "Don't yell at her. I want to know too," Lulu said. "Is that why you got married? Are you pregnant?"

  Katie wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed or mad. "What made you think that?" she said, hoping for time to think of a good way to answer.

  "Well, Regina said--"

  "Iris!" Regina wailed. "You have the biggest mouth."

  "Oh, be quiet, both of you," Lulu told them. "This is important." She wiped the spilled water from the drainboard, wrung the dishrag out and hung it over the towel rack behind the range. "Well, I can't think of any other reason for you to get married like you did. Why, Katie? Why did you waste your education like that?"

  Looking at her earnest expression, Katie realized that Lulu wasn't merely being curious. How could I have forgotten what a serious child she is? "Why do you call it a waste, Lulu? I'll still use what I learned. It's not as if marriage suddenly drove it all out of my mind."

  "But you'll only use it to teach your children and to be a rancher's wife--that's what Aunt Hattie said, that Luke wants to be a horse rancher." She came to stand right in front of Katie. "I admired you," she said, her voice intense. "You and Ellen both. You went East to a fine school. You were going to do grand things with your lives. Then Ellen got married--to a rich man. A man whose wealth is built on the sweat of other men's brows. I didn't think you would, though. I remember, you said once that you'd like to do something worthwhile, something to make the world a little better than you found it."