Chapter 22

22

Genevieve paced by the fireplace, unable to stop, even though Lenora had patted the spot on the settee beside her several times. Mr. Morgan reclined in one of the wingback chairs across from Lenora and had been speaking about legal issues for the past thirty minutes since his arrival.

The parlor was as brightly lit as always, with every lantern glowing and the drapes pulled back to allow the morning sunshine to stream in and highlight the opulence of the room. All Genevieve could think about was Ryder's simple cabin and how she'd felt more love and contentment there in a short month than she had in years in her own home.

Oh, how she missed him and Boone. Without them, especially without Ryder, she was restless and could hardly think of anything or anyone else.

"That's why the marriage can be annulled," Mr. Morgan said in his clipped tone. "Because, as your guardian, your stepmother didn't approve of the choice of your spouse."

Mr. Morgan paused and watched Genevieve, apparently expecting a comment, but she only halted her pacing and stared at the glowing coals in the stove built into the fireplace. What could she say to contradict Mr. Morgan? She'd known the lawyer and Lenora would confront her about her marriage to Ryder. She just hadn't expected it on her first full day home.

She suspected Mr. Morgan had somehow hoped to prove that her marriage to Ryder wasn't authentic. But he'd communicated with Reverend Livingston and learned that it was indeed a valid and official marriage in the state of Colorado. The only way to end it was by divorce or annulment.

"Genevieve, please sit down." Lenora's voice held a threatening note—one that had instilled fear into Genevieve in the past. But strangely, since arriving home late last night, Lenora's unspoken threats hadn't stirred the same worry as in the past.

Yes, she was afraid Lenora would find a way to harm Ryder's reputation and bring about his ruin. But during the weeklong trip back to New York City, she'd had plenty of time to think and had come to the conclusion that no matter what happened, Ryder wasn't weak and alone. He had family and friends.

If Lenora accused him of crimes and destroyed his reputation, he'd have many people to come to his defense and attest to what a strong and kind and honorable man he was. Besides, his family and friends had seen him make mistakes and had accepted and loved him anyway.

Perhaps Genevieve was also less daunted by Lenora's threats because she'd already defied her once and had survived on her own. Mr. Andridge's words had lingered in her head, resounding with more power every passing day: If you broke free once, I suspect you can find the strength to do it again .

She'd thought her adventure to the West had failed, but maybe she hadn't given herself enough credit for escaping from Lenora's power. She had done it and had grown as a result. She'd learned to make her own decisions, fend for her own needs, and take care of herself.

She truly had gained strength in everything she'd gone through. Now, in facing Lenora, she wasn't so na?ve and frightened anymore. And maybe Mr. Andridge was right. If she'd broken free already, why couldn't she do so again?

She had to at least try, didn't she?

Straightening her spine and drawing in a breath, she turned. "I do thank you for coming this morning, Mr. Morgan. But I am not ready to make any decisions yet."

"You must, Miss Hollis. It's of the utmost urgency." Mr. Morgan tugged folded papers out of his inside coat pocket. "I've taken the liberty of drawing up a document that would effectively annul your marriage to Ryder Oakley and make the whole mess disappear from your records."

She had explicitly trusted Mr. Morgan since her papa's death, had believed he was looking out for her. In fact, she'd trusted him more than Lenora, had always taken everything he'd said to be truthful and sincere.

But now? After how he'd negated her request for the best lawyer in Denver and had sought out the opposite to undermine her efforts? She had to be cautious with him as well as with Lenora.

Thankfully, Mr. Andridge had been honest enough to bring Mr. Morgan's faults to her attention. When she'd arrived home last night, she'd hoped to have a telegram from Mr. Andridge waiting for her—one announcing the outcome of the custody proceedings. But there hadn't been any correspondence.

She was growing impatient for the news and had decided that after the meeting with Lenora and Mr. Morgan, she would instruct Emmett to take her to the telegram office, and she wouldn't leave until she'd heard back from Mr. Andridge.

In fact, Emmett was waiting for her in the hallway, just outside the parlor door. During the whole train ride back from Colorado, he'd hardly left her side. Although he was gruff with others, he'd treated her with the utmost care and consideration at all times and had been much more personable with her than the other bodyguard.

After spending nearly every minute with him for the past week, she'd grown to appreciate him and even held a fondness for him. Last night when he'd delivered her home, she'd asked him if he'd like to stay on as a permanent member of the staff. Lenora had opposed it, but Genevieve had surprised herself by insisting. And she'd been even more surprised when Emmett had defied Lenora and accepted the position.

Genevieve wasn't sure exactly how long Emmett would be able to keep the position before Lenora forced him out, but for now, she felt as though she had at least one ally.

Regardless of his presence, it was still up to her to clarify to both Lenora and Mr. Morgan that her marriage to Ryder may have started as one of convenience, the answering of a newspaper advertisement, but it had turned into so much more.

The truth was that the distance from Ryder hadn't dimmed her feelings for him. Instead, it had only served to bring into better focus all the qualities she loved about him. At the top of the list was how he'd shouldered being a single father to Boone and had done so with patience and gentleness and sweetness.

His love for his child was enough to win her heart, but he'd won it in other ways too. He was resilient, strong, and determined which was the reason he'd survived all that he had in his life. And he treated the people he loved with such devotion and loyalty.

As if that weren't enough, he'd also taken the news of her deception calmly, much more so than any other man would have—especially a man who'd already been abandoned once by a wife. He'd listened to her explanations, humbled himself, and accepted his role in all that had transpired.

How could she walk away from a man like that and relinquish him forever? How could she even relinquish him for a short while?

She closed her eyes to fight the hopelessness that came with just thinking about giving him up. She couldn't do it. She knew deep in her soul she'd never find another man like Ryder Oakley, who loved her for who she was as a woman, faults and all. He wasn't enamored of her wealth or prestige and wasn't caught up trying to please her or tell her what she wanted to hear or impress her to win her affection. No, he was himself, and that was enough.

"If you'll sign here at the bottom of the second page..." Mr. Morgan said.

She opened her eyes to find him standing in front of her, the sheets unfolded, and a pen in one hand. Something in the strength of his stance and the firmness of his mouth told her he wouldn't be swayed.

Lenora was on her feet now too, her body rigid. "As I told you, Genevieve, if you comply, then I won't need to punish Ryder Oakley and his family for colluding together to swindle you out of your fortune."

At this newest threat—not just against Ryder, but now toward his whole family—a chill crept up Genevieve's spine. She wanted to lift her chin and shout at Lenora that the Oakleys were innocent, but it would do no good. None of her pleas had mattered when she'd tried to save Prescott and his father from ruin.

Lenora took the sheet from Mr. Morgan and thrust it in front of Genevieve. "As your guardian, I command you to sign the annulment."

Mr. Morgan held out the pen.

Genevieve kept both of her arms stiffly at her sides, fear battling with her love and need for Ryder. As she stared down at the paper, overwhelming protest swelled inside. She couldn't—wouldn't—end her marriage to Ryder, regardless of the consequences. Whatever happened, she would find new strength to overcome the obstacles.

"Mr. Morgan, Lenora." She took a step back. "I love my husband and am staying married to him."

The two exchanged a look—one that told Genevieve they'd conferred over the options and were prepared to continue to fight her and likely would issue more threats in an attempt to break her resolve.

She twisted the simple wedding band on her finger, which had become more precious to her than any other piece of jewelry she owned. She'd forgotten to give it back to Ryder when they'd parted ways. Or maybe, deep inside, she'd known all along that she wouldn't be able to end her marriage.

Lenora wrapped her fingers around Genevieve's arm and pinched hard. "You have no choice, Genevieve. If you don't sign the annulment, Mr. Morgan has lined up a judge who is willing to declare you mentally unstable, and I'll need to commit you to an asylum until you come to your senses."

Genevieve quavered. Their plan was dreadful. But she'd much rather have them attack her than Ryder. "I will not sign."

Lenora's eyes glittered with her anger. "I have sacrificed much to raise you, and I'll not have you take away what I deserve."

She held Lenora's gaze, hoping to prove that she wouldn't cower. "What do you deserve?"

"Your father left me nothing in his will."

"That's not true. He allocated enough for your needs."

"I deserve more, much more. And I intend to continue to take as much as I can until next year."

Had Lenora discovered a way to access the Hollis fortune already? How?

Mr. Morgan shook his head, as though warning Lenora not to say anything more.

Genevieve's chest tightened. Of course that was how. With Mr. Morgan's help.

Lenora wasn't watching Mr. Morgan, was standing too close to Genevieve to see the warning. "And I won't let your hasty marriage stop me from being your guardian—not when we still have a dozen sales pending."

"Sales pending?"

"Lenora." Mr. Morgan spoke sharply.

This time, Lenora pressed her lips together.

But it was too late. Even though Genevieve didn't understand everything, she could guess what Lenora was doing. She was selling off her papa's assets and businesses and was probably giving Mr. Morgan a share of the profits.

Genevieve didn't care about any of it—didn't care if they sold every home, every business, every yacht, and every jewel. "You know I don't care about my papa's fortune, and I would have given you more if you'd asked me."

"After all I've done for you, I do deserve more." Lenora's voice held a note of bitterness. "But your father only gave me a pittance."

"So you're finding ways to steal from me?" The words slipped out before Genevieve could filter them.

Lenora lifted a hand and swiftly slapped Genevieve's cheek.

The sound echoed in the silence, and the sting startled Genevieve. Lenora had only ever slapped her one other time—that day she'd tried to defend Prescott. The slap had frightened Genevieve then, but it only fueled determination inside her now.

"Don't touch Mrs. Oakley again," came Emmett's hard voice from near the doorway, followed by the heavy thud of his footsteps crossing the room. His expression was as grave as always, his eyes trained upon Lenora with a deadliness that was frightening.

Genevieve wrenched her arm free from Lenora. "I want you and Mr. Morgan to leave my house now."

Lenora reached for Genevieve again. "As your guardian, I'm legally in charge of this house and of you."

In the next instant, Emmett was stepping in front of Genevieve and using his large frame to blockade Lenora. "I think you'd better listen to Mrs. Oakley."

"I don't take orders from anyone." Lenora stiffened and gave Emmett her haughtiest glare. "Not from my stepdaughter, and certainly not from hired help."

Emmett crossed his arms over his chest, clearly not intimidated by Lenora. "When you hired me, you told me I needed to protect Mrs. Oakley from herself. But it's become clear she needs protection from you."

Mr. Morgan stood behind Lenora, now holding the annulment paper and the pen.

Lenora glared at Emmett. "Just you wait. I will destroy you."

He didn't budge.

"As soon as this meeting is adjourned, I shall be summoning the police department to arrest you for stealing from us."

"I'll be making a visit of my own to the police department to let them know about your underhanded dealings with Mrs. Oakley, like stealing her telegrams." Emmett slipped an envelope into Genevieve's hand. "This was delivered earlier this morning, but Mrs. Hollis instructed me not to give it to you and to destroy it."

Lenora tried to grab the envelope. "That's private information—"

"It was addressed to Mrs. Oakley." Emmett side-stepped, blocking Lenora again.

A telegram? The one she'd been waiting for from Mr. Andridge regarding Ryder and Boone?

In spite of the tenseness of the moment at hand, she needed to find out what had happened. The envelope had already been opened, and no doubt Lenora had intercepted the telegram and read it. Genevieve could only pray the message contained good news, otherwise, why would Lenora have wanted to prevent her from seeing it?

As Genevieve slipped the telegram out, her fingers shook. The message was from Mr. Andridge and was short and to the point: Sadie gave up rights. Ryder has permanent custody.

A rush of joy filled her, and tears clouded her eyes so that she could hardly read the rest of the telegram: Do not dissolve the marriage. It voids the guardianship.

She blinked and read the last line again, trying to comprehend Mr. Andridge's words. Was he telling her that because she was now married, her stepmother no longer had any authority over her? That the guardianship was no longer binding or legal?

Lenora and Mr. Morgan continued arguing with Emmett, their voices swirling around her, but she didn't listen to anything they were saying. The only thing going through her head was that Lenora had no power over her. She was free. Finally free.

No wonder they were trying so fervently to get her to sign the annulment papers. Because she was married, Lenora was done, no longer had a place in Genevieve's life or her home.

"I want you to leave." The words slipped out, and as soon as they did, everyone grew silent.

Emmett shifted to look at her. His expression remained severe, but his brows rose.

She could sense that he was asking her what he could do to help her. Relief swelled within her that she didn't have to battle Lenora and Mr. Morgan alone, that Emmett had no fear of Lenora and was coming to her defense.

"Mr. Morgan, I am firing you as my lawyer." She spoke louder this time, letting new strength rise within her. "I no longer need your services and will have my new lawyer contact you this morning." She hoped Mr. Andridge would take on the responsibility. But even if he didn't, she couldn't trust Mr. Morgan ever again.

"There's no need to be hasty about such a decision." Mr. Morgan had already folded the papers and was slipping them back into his pocket. "Think about what your father, your dear papa, would want you to do."

"He would want me to be strong enough to fight for myself. And that is what I am doing."

Mr. Morgan had the decency not to respond.

What had changed him from a friend to a foe? Maybe he never had truly been as trustworthy as either her papa or she had believed. Or maybe greed had darkened his heart. Whatever had happened, she never wanted to see him again.

Genevieve turned her attention upon her stepmother. "Lenora, you have one hour to pack your bags and leave my house. If you're not gone, Emmett will escort you out."

Emmett gave Genevieve a curt nod, his eyes holding approval for her decisions. And she knew then that she'd found the strength she needed to take back her life. Now she just needed to find the strength to reclaim Ryder and make a way for their marriage to work.

She wasn't sure how to bridge the distance or their differences, but she did know she had to try. Even if that meant traveling back to Colorado and living there until she could convince him that she wanted to make their marriage permanent.