Oklahoma Territory, Mid- December 1882
Pastor Brown had been woken up a few times in the middle of the night, but he was clearly startled to see the town doctor and a young woman with a black eye and swollen lip.
“Pastor Brown, I’m sorry to bother you this late,” Brian started.
“Never mind that, son, come in where it’s warm. What’s happened to this young lady?”
“She’s in trouble, Pastor. She wants to start a new life and a man who thinks he controls her doesn’t want her to.”
“Poor dear,” Pastor Brown stared at the beaten face. “What can I do to help? She can stay here for a bit.”
Brian shook his head. “No, sir, I want her to uh, marry me. And she’s agreed. As my wife, I can protect her.”
Pastor Brown took off his glasses and cleaned them thoroughly. He had delivered Brian Belden on a crisp fall day twenty years ago. The serious little boy stood before him now, a full grown man and a trained doctor, willing to take on a burden that Pastor Brown wasn’t sure he could handle.
“Son, you do realize the commitment you’re talking about is permanent, and done before God?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, I do. But I care deeply about Lillian and this is the only way I can take care of her.”
Pastor Brown rubbed his chin. The girl wouldn't find a finer young man than Brian Beldem, he knew that. And no woman should be treated as she had. “All right then. Come on. Miss, how old are you?” He began to root around in a desk.
“Seventeen,” Lillian murmured.
He frowned and looked up. “Any family around?”
“No, sir.”
“Then who is it that thinks he owns you and knocked you around?” he demanded.
She swallowed. “Mr. Swegin, sir,” she whispered.
Pastor Brown was still frowning. “I don’t know any Swegin.”
“He owns the Lucky Star saloon,” Brian said quietly.
Comprehension dawned on the old man’s face and he stared at Brian and Lillian stared at the ground, her face flaming red with humiliation. He started to question Brian again but the stern look on the young doctor’s face stopped him. His eyes however, couldn’t help but wander towards her midsection. Brian shook his head emphatically. Lillian wore a pair of his pants and a shirt and his coat, all of which were several sizes too big, but he knew the old pastor was looking for signs of a baby. Everyone would.
“Well, then,” Pastor Brown said cheerfully, “let’s get you kids married!”
Fifteen minutes later, Brian’s lips grazed her unmarred cheek. He paid the pastor for his services and time, and their wedding certificate. He promised Lillian tomorrow he’d go to Lytell’s store and buy her a ring and some clothes.
They returned to his apartment over the office, and Lillian sank into a chair. The shock of the last two hours was finally wearing off and her head was clearing.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “My folks are going to be a bit surprised, but they’ll be okay.”
She nodded, clearly not believing him.
“You look exhausted,” Brian commented. “It’s late, why don’t we try to sleep? I’m usually up early, to see patients.”
“Where should I sleep?” she asked.
“Next to me,” he answered. “We went over this, Lil. For now, this is a marriage of convenience, and we’ll just live together for a while. I want to take care of you, get you healed. You don’t need to be afraid of me, I’ve never struck a woman and I rarely raise my voice unless my siblings are squawking at each other.”
She nodded again. Brian stepped in front of her, his hands gently touching her arms. She stared up at the handsome man, wondering if he had lost his mind to want to marry her.
“I do care about you, Lillian. More than I ever have for a woman. I’m not expecting marital relations from you. I hope you’re fond of me, and maybe someday, will care about me.”
“I do care about you, Brian,” she said. “You’ve been my only friend since I got here!”
He smiled at her. “Then that’s a good start to making this work. Tomorrow we’ll get you some clothes too.”
They were woken around dawn by the heavy pounding on his door and muffled shouting. Brian knew it was Swegin.
He dressed quickly and answered the door, his little used gun in his hand. It had been his grandfather’s and was old, but reliable. Brian hated guns, but he knew how to hit his target and he was determined to protect his wife.
“My whore is here somewhere and I want her back,” Swegin growled. He was a short, stocky man with oily dark hair and sharp eyes.
“No, she isn’t,” Brian said.
“I know she came here. You’re the only sucker who would take her in!”
“The only woman here is my wife,” Brian said. “Who used to be in your employ.”
Swegin just gaped at him.
“We were married last night, and you have no more claim on her.”
“She owes me wages for last night!” he bellowed.
Brian reached in his pocket. He had been expecting this. “Here. Take it and go. Lillian is my wife now, and you’re to have nothing to do with her. You will stay away from her, otherwise you’ll be talking with the Marshal. You don’t look at her, speak to her, wave at her, and if you see her walking down the street, you turn the other way.”
Swegin looked like he was debating otherwise, but wisely shut his mouth. He appraised the tall, lean young man in front of him, and realized the kid was serious. Instinct told Swegin this was a very determined young man who likely had a gun in his hand that he couldn’t see. Swegin turned and walked down the stairs.
Brian shut the door, locked it, and exhaled. False bravado wasn’t his thing and he was glad he had seen Dan go tough a few times for inspiration.
He turned back towards t he bed, to find Lillian staring at him.
“What if he comes back?” she asked.
Brian shook his head. “My sister is engaged to the US Marshal of this territory. He won’t come near you again.”
***
After breakfast, he left Lillian locked in the apartment and went to Lytell’s. He had hauled in snow to melt in the tub so she could bathe and clean up.
There was only a small mirror but Lillian used his comb to untangle her long hair. The right side of her face was a mottled mess of bruises, but there was no hiding it. She took her time combing her hair. For the first day in months, she didn’t have to primp it up and dress herself in a humiliating dress, no matter how pretty it might be. She left the long hair down, unused to the feeling of the wheat colored locks being loose. She’d have to ask Brian how he liked it, she thought. She was determined to make him happy, and not regret his impulsive offer. He was a very good looking man with a kind heart, and Lillian thanked God for the day he had walked into Swegin’s saloon to tend to the girls.
Brian had asked her to stay inside today, and she was glad to do so. She was exhausted, from the late nights at Swegin’s, the terror of running and the fear of being beaten. He had left the revolver, after asking if she knew how to use it. She nodded. It was loaded and ready, should trouble come while he was out.
Lillian knew she was a decent cook, so at least Brian wouldn’t starve being married to her. She could sew, knit and darn his clothing. She could certainly keep the small apartment clean. She was going to make this work.
At one point she glanced out the window and paused, when she saw Brian talking to a stunning young woman who wore a gorgeous dress of purple. Blue-black hair was elegantly coifed and even from up here, Lillian knew this was a woman of great beauty and class.
How did Brian know her? She wondered. Did Brian know a lot of young women? It occurred to her she knew nothing of her new husband. What if he had several women around town? Where did he spend his nights that he wasn’t with her? She asked around casually recently, and knew he had a sister, but something told her this stunning girl wasn’t her. Rumor had it that Brian had briefly courted a very wealthy young lady year, before leaving for his final year of medical school. Maybe this was her, the young lady definitely looked it. How on earth did he go from courting an heiress to a whore? She wondered.
Anxious that she didn’t know enough about her new husband, she turned from the window and went to check the bath water warming in front of the fire.
After a bath, Lillian dressed in Brian’s old clothes, behind the screen where the tub was, chiding herself for being so modest when there was no one around to see her. Taking her clothes off for perfect strangers had been her life for the last year. Finally, she lay on the bed and let sleep overtake her.
***
Diana Lynch stared at Brian Belden, violet eyed wide with shock.
“You what?”
Brian pulled her aside, away from prying ears.
“I married a girl last night, Diana.”
“I didn’t know you were courting anyone!” Diana said, stunned.
Brian gave her a sheepish smile. “It’s an unusual situation.”
Diana gasped. “Is she—in the family way? Brian, you didn’t!”
“No,” he said quickly. “Look, Di, I told you, I need you to keep this quiet for a few days, until I can tell my family.”
Diana just blinked rapidly as she tried to comprehend what he was telling her. “Where is she?”
“At my place. The thing is,” Brian said quietly, “I need a woman’s advice, and I can’t go to Trixie or Ma. I need to get her a dress, and some under things, and I don’t know the first thing about them.”
Diana snorted. “Brian Belden, have you lost your mind? What did you do, marry a street urchin? Just take her to the store, she should know what she needs!”
“No and not exactly. In fact, things seem real clear now, and that’s not a good idea right now.”
She shook her dark head. “You owe me, Brian Belden.”
“And I will be eternally grateful for your assistance, and discretion,” he smiled at his old friend.
Diana helped him pick out a thin gold wedding band for Lillian, and clothes. Shoes, Diana told him, Lillian would have to try on.. She based her choices on his description. She was a little taller than Diana, much curvier, and once he said she had blonde hair and blue eyes, Diana made the color choices.
After Brian paid for the purchases, with Mr. Lytell eyeing them suspiciously, they walked outside. Brian fervently hoped Lytell wouldn’t sniff out what was going on and alert his father before he had a chance to tell his family.
“Brian, how did you meet this girl?” she asked.
Brian scratched his head. “Di, you have to promise me you’ll keep this quiet.”
She nodded reluctantly and he told her. She gasped several times, covered her mouth in shock, and shook her head.
“Brian, you’re amazing,” she murmured. “But aren’t you worried about retribution?”
“No,” Brian said. “She’s very special, Di, I think you’ll like her.”
Diana still looked stunned. “I’m sure she’s lovely, Brian, but you do realize there could be fallout? You’re the mayor’s son and the town doctor. People may not want to go to you because you married a…former working lady.”
Brian nodded. “I know. Good thing I’m the only doctor for a ways out, yes?”
***
Ayla pressed the cool cloth to Thom’s forehead. Dr. Belden had been out several times but Thom just didn’t seem to be getting better.
With the bitter cold and snow storms of winter setting in outside, Ayla was worried. Thom wasn’t young, and he wasn’t recovering as quickly as he should.
If he died, Ayla knew they’d be in trouble. Jasper would have to take over the farm. And she wasn’t sure he could manage it all. He knew nothing about farming, and he wasn’t fond of it to begin with. The young man had never watned to leave the circus. But there was no other way to support themselves. Ayla was well read but she didn’t have a teaching certificate, and there was already a teacher. They had a little money put away, but not enough for her and Jasper to survive should the farm fail. She knew nothing of farming and crops; she had grown up in the circus. And going back wasn’t an option, after the throwdown Thom and the new owner had. Her father was dead, and she wouldn’t have gone to him anyway.
She refused to entertain the notion the voice in her head kept whispering. One name. One person who she knew would take care of her. His green eyes stared at them longingly in church, conveying the silent message. Ayla knew what he wanted, but the thought terrified her. Who knew what sort of person he had become? She was no longer the free spirited, carefree girl she used to be, and he surely wasn’t the same wise cracking, wide-eyed young man who followed her around.
William didn’t know that Thom wasn’t his father. Thom had raised him, clothed him, and schooled him. William adored the man he knew as his father. To lose Thom would be traumatic enough, for William to find out the truth…
Ayla prayed her husband would recover.
***
Celia, the Wheeler’s maid, had summoned Miss Trask to the kitchen, leaving Jasper and Madeleine alone.
“At last,” he murmured.
He scooted over from where he sat on the settee. “Know what I’ve been wanting to do for weeks?”
Eyes wide, heart pounding, Madeleine shook her head, hoping he would finally kiss her.
He flashed his beautiful smile, and lowered his lips to hers. Her eyes closed and heat rushed through her, as his hand touched her face gently during the kiss. He pulled back, too soon, in her opinion.
“Finally,” he whispered.
She nodded, eyes dazed. He smiled and kissed her again. This time she leaned forward a little bit, when a throat cleared.
Guilty, they sprang apart to find Regan in the doorway.
“You’ve got to keep a better watch out,” he advised. “Where’s Miss Trask?”
“Kitchen,” Madeleine murmured, her face red.
Regan gave Jasper a firm look with a clear meaning, and departed.
Jasper chuckled when Regan left. “I like him.”
Jasper slid back over to his side of the settee, but their eyes met and both smiled.
***
Fenton Hardy glanced up as Brian walked into the jail.
“Morning, Dr. Belden,” he greeted the young man.
“Good morning, Deputy Marshal,” Brian replied. “I was hoping to have a word with you.”
“Certainly, what’s on your mind?”
“In private?” Brian asked, motioning to the two men in lockup.
Fenton grinned. “Sure.” Rising from the desk he was sitting at, the stocky man led Brian to the back. “What’d ya got?”
“Well, sir, I’d like know what can be done about protecting someone.”
Fenton frowned. “Be more specific.”
Brian took a deep breath. “This stays between us, all right? Good. The short version is I married a young lady last night, whom I care very deeply for. The problem is she worked for Swegin until last night. Ben Riker used her as a punching bag last night. Now I got Swegin to back down this morning because I married her, but I’m worried he might come after her.”
Fenton stroked his chin. “I see your dilemma. I can’t give her personal protection, you understand, but I can haul Riker in for assaulting her. She might have worked for Swegin, but that doesn’t give him license to let men beat on her.”
“Swegin did too, not last night, but before.”
“Now you know I don’t agree with this, but if he was her caretaker, the law is on his side. It’s a bit of a gray area son, but as she’s your wife now, you have every right to demand retribution.”
“I don’t want trouble,” Brian said quickly. “I just want to protect her.”
Fenton nodded. “I understand. Have you made an announcement yet?”
“No, sir. I need to uh, tell my family.”
Fenton gave him a rueful smile. “Expecting some fireworks?”
Brian nodded. “A few, but I don’t regret it. The moment I met her, I knew there was something special about her. She’s also got an abusive father and brother that might be looking for her.”
Fenton nodded. “What’s her name?”
“Lillian, maiden name is Bachmeier. Some call her Lily. About this tall, beautiful blue eyes, blonde.”
“I’ll keep my ears open in case anyone comes looking. And please let me offer my congratulations. Marriage can be a wonderful thing. I hope you’ll bring her by to say hello sometime soon.”
Brian grinned. “Thank you, sir. I will.”
If only his family would take it as well.
***
Thom Malley sat up, swallowing the soup Ayla fed him. His color looked better, she thought.
“How do you feel?” she asked softly.
“Like a horse kicked me a few times and left me for dead,” he growled. “I wish that scrap of a doctor would give me something that worked instead of just those powders.”
“I do too,” she sighed.
She saw the warning sign in his face and snatched the bowl of soup before he started coughing hard. There was nothing she could but let it work itself out, alarmed as his face turned different colors until he could gasp for air. When the fit was over, she rubbed his back comfortingly.
They never should have come out west, she thought despairingly.
 
*** Author’s Notes
- A huge thank you to Julie, my editor! As always, she did a marvelous job editing and named the story.
- The character of Swegin is a tribute Al Swearengen of Deadwood, played by Ian McShane. No one else could do the role justice.
- Word Count, 3,019
| 
