Page 74 of Cloaked in Beauty

Leah Radcliffe’s forehead scrunched, but Philip plunged ahead, knowing he only had a minute or two before Letty reappeared.

“I’m aware that your daughter has led a very sheltered life. She’s not had the chance to meet men or experience much of the world. You have my word that I will not press my suit until she has had ample time to explore her options. I, on the other hand, have seen far too much of the world, and I know without a doubt that Letty is the best fit for me that I will ever find. So if she will have me after she decides what she desires from her future, I will spend the rest of my life honoring and cherishing her.” He shrugged. “If I’m no longer what she wants, then I’ll go on my way and not darken your door again.”

Stefan Anderson scowled. “I’ll be launching a full investigation into your character and your past, Carmichael. If you so much as cheated on a grammar-school spelling test, I’ll find it.”

Philip nodded, having expected nothing less. “Dig away. My parents are Dale and Rose Carmichael of Parker County. They can put you in touch with Miss Peterson, my grade-school spelling teacher, along with everyone else who knew me as a rambunctious kid.” He tipped his head toward Letty’s mother. “Mrs. Radcliffe can connect you with my employer and secure a copy of my work history. Like you, I want Letty to be protected, so please use whatever strings you have at your disposal to tie up her inheritance so her husband can’t touch it. I don’t want it anyway, and I don’t want a man who does to take advantage of her innocent nature. It’s a man’s duty to provide for his family. That’s how I was raised, and that’s what I aim to do.”

Mrs. Radcliffe stepped forward, her expression softer, her eyes shimmering. “I just got my daughter back, Mr. Carmichael. I’m not ready to lose her again.”

His heart pricked. “There’s no hurry for any of this, ma’am. You and Letty need time to get to know each other again. That ranks above any courtin’ plans.”

Approaching footsteps announced Letty’s imminent return. Philip glanced back at Mrs. Radcliffe. “I’m willing to wait for her as long as necessary.”

****

After allowing Letty to doctor his arm, Philip focused his attention on coordinating the household defense. A deputy came by to take his statement and those of Mrs. Radcliffe and Mr. Anderson. He took note of the bullet holes in the walls and the crease on Philip’s arm and jotted down their theory of Drake Radcliffe’s involvement but gave no indication that he found any validity to the supposition. He mumbled something about writing up his report and turning it over to the sheriff, but Philip didn’t hold out much hope that a thorough investigation would occur. Drake Radcliffe hadn’t risen to his position without being able to manipulate everyone in a position of power around him. He likely had dirt on law enforcement officers, newspapermen, and even judges.

Wendell and Harper arrived less than an hour after Carter sent the telegram. Philip brought them up to speed on the case, and while they weren’t exactly thrilled that Philip had been less than forthcoming with them at the start, they understood the secretive nature of the job and agreed to lend their assistance. One guarded the front of the house, the other the rear. After Rusty was brought inside. The wolf didn’t take too kindly to strange men in his territory. Having the animal inside did more than allow a trained guard to patrol the rear of the house, however. It gave Letty a personal bodyguard. Should anyone slip past their defenses, Rusty would keep Letty safe.

The house was a rather dim and dreary place with all the windows shuttered, but Mrs. Radcliffe had extra lamps brought into the front parlor, and she and the servants did their best to distract Letty with games of charades and singing around the upright piano. Letty didn’t know many of the words to the songs they chose, but she caught on quickly, joining in on the choruses. It made him smile from his position on the porch, taking his shift guarding the front of the house. Made him long for a future where he would join her in a parlor of their own, singing and playing games and laughing until their sides ached.

As night descended, Philip shifted to the rear guard for the first watch. Harper relieved him for a few hours so he could catch some shut-eye. As much as he hated surrendering to sleep with Letty still in danger, he knew he’d do a better job protecting her if he wasn’t dead on his feet.

Thankfully, the night passed with no further attacks. The sun rose, full of promise and hope as Letty’s twenty-first birthday dawned. Philip joined the small group gathered around the breakfast table, sipping coffee and tea as they attempted to ward off the effects of a poor night’s sleep. Even Rusty looked tired, his body stretched across Letty’s feet under the table.

Philip’s gaze met Letty’s from across the table, both of them with cups raised halfway to their mouths. She smiled at him over the brim of hers, and immediately, the fancy furnishings disappeared from his view along with the papered walls and glittering chandelier. Only he and Letty remained, sitting at a campfire, sharing a cup of coffee at the start of a new day. His chest ached as he longed for a return of that simplicity and the intimacy of being alone together.

Her mother slid a small box tied with a bow in front of Letty and drew her attention away from Philip.

“Happy birthday, darling.”

Letty set her cup aside and placed her hands on either side of the box, as if afraid to actually touch it but clearly wanting to do just that. “What is this?”

Mrs. Radcliffe smiled. “I know today is a big day for other reasons, but it is still your birthday. The first one I’ve been able to share with you for far too long. I wanted to give you something. I’ve been holding on to this particular gift for over a decade.”

Curiosity won out over trepidation. Letty took hold of the box and drew it to the edge of the table. Delight sparkling in her eyes, she pulled the bow loose and unwrapped the decorative paper surrounding a box that looked like it came from a jeweler.

A cramp hit Philip’s gut. Nothing he could give her would be able to compete with the jewels and finery her family could provide. Yet as she peeked up at him, including him in her excitement, he realized that he’d seen that same giddiness in her eyes when she’d discovered wild onions growing in the woods or a pair of moth-eaten trousers from a bunkhouse rag bin. It was the surprise and the knowledge that someone had thought of her that brought her joy, not the expense of the gift.

She pried open the clasped lid of the velvet box and sucked in her breath at the simple gold locket shining in the lamplight.

“Open it,” her mother urged, the look on her face nearly as giddy as that of her daughter.

Letty pried it open and found two photographs nestled inside. One, a younger version of her mother, and the other, a man who could only be Lowell Radcliffe.

Tears filled Letty’s eyes as she stroked the edge of the locket with her fingertip. “Daddy,” she whispered. In a blink she was out of her chair and wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck. Her mother laughed softly.

“I wanted a way for both of us to be with you all the time. I only wish I’d have thought of it before you left.”

Letty returned to the box and removed the locket from its velvet bed. “I love it! Put it on me?”

“Of course.” Leah Radcliffe dabbed at her eyes for a moment, then rose and gracefully crossed to where her daughter stood bouncing in anticipation.

Once the chain was fastened, Letty turned and gave her mother another hug. “Thank you, Mama.”

Mrs. Radcliffe reached for a thin chain she wore around her own neck, one that had been hidden by her high collar. She drew out a similar locket from inside her dress. “I’ve one to match.” She opened it. The same photo of Lowell Radcliffe sat on the left, but on the right was a face Philip would recognize anywhere. “Each time I received a photograph from your grandmother, I had a miniature made so that I could keep you close to my heart. Just like I promised.”

Now both women were dabbing their eyes. Shoot, even Philip’s were growing misty.