Remembered by Tamera Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

call what I did for you real work. It was more like a vacation, what with the railroad comin’ clear into Denver now and the stagecoach runnin’ the rest of the way. I didn’t do any real guidin’—not like I used to. As I see it,” he added, throwing in a wink, “my main job was to make sure the menfolk left you alone. And I’ll admit, I had my hands full on that count.”
    Realizing she was fighting a losing battle, Véronique acquiesced and tucked the bills back inside her réticule . It had been awkward at first, traveling with a strange man in a foreign country. But she’d grown accustomed to Bertram Colby’s gentle manner and attentiveness, his always knowing what to do and where to go next. She would miss him.
    She’d been disappointed upon learning at their outset in New York City that he wouldn’t be able to continue in her employ beyond Willow Springs. From her brief glimpse of this small town, she gathered that finding a driver with a suitable carriage to take her to the neighboring mining communities would prove to be a more difficult task than she’d imagined.
    He tipped his hat. “The last weeks have been a pleasure, ma’am, and I hope you enjoy your stay here. Be sure and take in some of the hot springs if you have a chance. They’re mighty nice and have healing powers, some say. I hear there’s a fancy hotel openin’ soon in a town not too far from here just so folks can come, rest up, and soak for a while.”
    Seeing the exuberance in his expression nipped at Véronique’s conscience. She had not lied to Monsieur Colby, but neither had she been completely open with him about why she was in this country. He believed her to be on a pleasure trip and she hadn’t corrected the misassumption. “ Merci beaucoup . The hot springs. I will attempt to see that attraction during my stay.”
    Twice she’d been tempted to tell him her real reason, and twice she’d held back. She’d not confided in him, and apparently neither had her benefactors. She’d overheard Lord Descantes conversing with Monsieur Colby in New York City and had also been briefed on the letter penned by Lord Marchand to him. In short, the letter declared that someone of great personal import to Lord Marchand needed safe passage to the town of Willow Springs and that Monsieur Colby was to see to her every need in the course of travel. The amount Lord Marchand paid Colby was listed in the missive, and her former employer had compensated him well—demonstrating the same generous nature he’d shown her.
    “I don’t know what France is like, ma’am. But this is mighty pretty country out here. I think you’ll like it. The people in this town are good and honest . . . for the most part. You remember everything I told you, you hear?” His expression reflected concern. “ ’Specially about some of the men.”
    She smiled. “ Oui , I will do my best.” Though she knew it would be impossible for her to remember everything, given the way the dear man liked to talk.
    He’d often warned her about “scoundrels” as they’d traveled together, but apparently he was not familiar with the ways of French men. She could hardly imagine the men here being any bolder when it came to their advances on women. Growing up with Christophe as her closest friend had made her privilégiée to insights that might have otherwise remained hidden.
    He had been the first to disclose to her the pivotal nature of a man’s thoughts, revealing how varied they were from a woman’s. Through Christophe’s detailed discernments, she’d learned that the two sexes approached situations, as well as relationships, quite differently. That bit of knowledge had proven beneficial on more than one occasion.
    “A grown woman out here on her own is one thing, Miss Girard. But bein’ as young as you are . . . Well, miss, that’s another. You best watch yourself at every turn.”
    “I will do that. I promise,” she answered, knowing he considered her much