{"id":7904,"date":"2012-11-15T10:16:33","date_gmt":"2012-11-15T15:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7904"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:14:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:14:26","slug":"secrets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7904","title":{"rendered":"Secrets (by MonicaSJ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Ben extends a business trip in San Francisco when he meets a mature, polished younger woman who comes from a well-known, well-to-do family.\u00a0 Joe, Hoss and Adam believe they have each met this same young woman before under questionable circumstances and each kept those meetings to himself, but are all disturbed when their father introduces her as his fianc\u00e9.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Feedback<\/strong>:\u00a0 All, good or bad.\u00a0 If bad, constructive. \u00a0Reader Alert:<\/strong>\u00a0 Adult themes \u00a0Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0WC 22,000<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Secrets<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright arrived in San Francisco by himself.\u00a0 None of his sons accompanied him on this trip\u2026none of his sons were invited.\u00a0\u00a0 His stay in the city would serve as a vacation; a needed respite from that all-consuming mistress that had become his life\u2019s blood and that of his sons, the vast holdings of the Ponderosa.
\nThe day after he arrived, he dressed in a suit and made his way to his attorney\u2019s office. After reading and signing a contract that his oldest son had negotiated, the largest timber contract the Ponderosa had ever acquired, Ben exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Jacobs, the attorney who handled the contract and left to do what he pleased.<\/p>\n

The first stop he made was for lunch, choosing an expensive restaurant in the heart of the city. As he read the menu, a loud discussion at a table across from him turned into a row between the manager and a gentleman who had been addressing a woman seated at the table. The gentleman had been there for only a moment when the manager came out to send him away, and when the man didn\u2019t budge, the manager had him removed bodily.<\/p>\n

Seeing that the woman was alone, Ben stood and approached her table. \u201cExcuse me, Miss, but I couldn\u2019t help but overhear. Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Mr….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d he said, bowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia Templeton,\u201d she responded, offering her hand.<\/p>\n

Ben took her hand and nodded. \u201cAre you related to George Templeton?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes. He\u2019s my father. Do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might say that. \u00a0I\u2019m acquainted with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen please, Mr. Cartwright, join me. I\u2019m waiting for him now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced downward, trying to hide a slight smile. \u201cI\u2019m not sure that would be a good idea. You see, we\u2019ve been competing for the same timber contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cOh my, you\u2019re that Cartwright,\u201d she laughed. \u201cWell then, I insist. My father has cursed you for the last week, but it\u2019s time for him to get over it, especially since you won, and he didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that this would make for a very enjoyable luncheon, and I would hate for you to have to hear what goes on in timber negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re too kind and too late, Mr. Cartwright. My father brings his work home. It\u2019s been my function lately to calm him down. But, I\u2019m sure he\u2019d be delighted to see that he lost to such a courteous man.\u201d<\/p>\n

A man close to Ben\u2019s age entered the restaurant with such panache that everyone in the restaurant turned to watch. Unable to see her father with Ben standing in front of her, Lydia knew by the looks of the diners seated near her that her father had arrived. \u201cIt looks as if you\u2019re too late to object. He\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned around, and based on the furrowed brow of Mr. Templeton upon seeing him, he braced himself. \u201cCartwright, what are you doing to my daughter?\u201d huffed Templeton.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh relax, Father. \u00a0Mr. Cartwright came to my rescue. You should be thanking him. Be gracious in your loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Templeton eyed his daughter disapprovingly, but seeing her sweet smile, he relented. \u201cOf course you\u2019re right, my darling. I don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without you to brighten my day.\u201d He cleared his throat, looking mildly annoyed. \u201cCartwright, won\u2019t you join us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to interrupt, and I certainly don\u2019t want to make you uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense. Lydia is right. What\u2019s done is done. And I evidently owe you a debt of gratitude for offering your assistance to my daughter.\u201d Mr. Templeton held his hand out, and Ben shook it, both men smiling, then being seated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat trouble did you have, my dear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA man insisted that he knew me, but I had never seen him before. Then he proceeded to tell me how he knew me, and I\u00a0knew<\/em>\u00a0I\u2019d never seen him before.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s quite distasteful to think there\u2019s a woman of ill repute who favors me\u2026or I her\u2026in the city.\u201d Lydia shivered noticeably. \u00a0\u201cBut enough unpleasantness. \u00a0Mr. Cartwright, how often do you come to San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot as often as I\u2019d like. My son, Adam, has been handling most of our business here of late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my dear. It was Adam who actually outbid me on this timber contract. You have a rather crafty young man in that one, Cartwright; a very astute businessman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Templeton. I\u2019m quite proud of Adam, as well as my other two sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree sons? And what are the others\u2019 names?\u201d asked Lydia.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph and Eric. We call Eric \u2018Hoss.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a quaint name,\u201d replied Lydia, wrinkling her nose. \u201cAnd where might these sons be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they\u2019re back at home.\u201d Lydia raised her eyebrows. \u201cOur ranch near Virginia City, the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard my father speak often of the Ponderosa. \u00a0As I understand it, it\u2019s quite breathtaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re certainly proud of it,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

The trio decided on fried crab for lunch, each one offering their praises to the chef. Mr. Templeton made his apologies as he left for another business meeting. \u201cBut, please, continue with your conversation,\u201d he said, nodding to both Lydia and Ben. \u00a0He leaned over to Lydia, giving her a peck on her cheek. \u00a0\u201cI will see you this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any plans while you\u2019re here, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, call me Ben. \u00a0And no, I haven\u2019t made any plans at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen permit me to show you some of the finer pastimes the city has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to trouble you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia\u2019s smile showed in every feature of her elegantly shaped face; her perfect white teeth, the curve of her full lips, her delicately shaped nose, her high cheekbones and her eyes\u2026big, bright and stunningly light gray. Her smile was infectious, and the way she lowered her face and looked up gave her a slightly flirtatious air. \u201cIt would be my pleasure, Ben. \u00a0And please, call me Lydia.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lydia went through a whole list of sights, most of which Ben had never seen in all his trips to San Francisco. \u00a0Normally, he was busy with the newest deal, taking little time to explore\u2026until now, and as luck would have it, he had a beautiful, delightfully vivacious tour guide. \u00a0Their evening ended at a small caf\u00e9 at the top of a hill, where they sipped coffee while they watched the sun set over the city and the distant ocean. \u00a0Just as the last orange fire disappeared over the horizon, they left in Lydia\u2019s private carriage toward her home. Lydia asked her driver to wait to take Ben to his hotel after he saw her to her front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia, how can I ever thank you for such a wonderful day? You\u2019re an excellent tour guide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to thank me, Ben. It was my pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill, I\u2019d like to make it up to you. I\u2019ve been thinking about taking in the opera while I\u2019m here. \u00a0Would you like to join me?\u201d
\n\u201cThat would be lovely,\u201d she said with the smile that in only a day had captivated him. \u201cI have some business to attend to tomorrow, but I should be finished early, say around three? I\u2019d like to show you something else tomorrow that I think you might appreciate. \u00a0And we can take my carriage again. That way, we won\u2019t be kept waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you at three then,\u201d said Ben, bowing. \u201cGood evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting in his hotel room, he enjoyed a brandy before he retired. \u00a0He smiled. \u00a0He had, indeed, had a wonderful day with Lydia. She had been interesting, engaging, and charming. \u00a0Her laugh was contagious, and she certainly carried on a lively conversation about so many things. \u00a0She told him the history of the city. They discussed the qualities of different woods, politics and the advantages of statehood in Nevada, and ended the evening talking about horses. \u00a0Ben realized that he hadn\u2019t been that charmed since\u2026since Marie. He snorted and shook his head. \u00a0I\u2019m old enough to be her father.<\/em>\u00a0With that last thought, he went to bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lydia left through the kitchen door at first light, stealing through a back alley to a storage building that concealed a tunnel. Walking through the dank darkness with a lantern, she emerged at the back of a two story house where she entered through the kitchen.<\/p>\n

From the street view, the house was attractive and well-kept, painted in pale yellow and trimmed in white. The inside was lavishly decorated with blue velvet curtains and matching furniture adorned with elaborately carved wood. Tapestries and mirrors covered the walls. Provocative sculptures graced marble-topped tables and stands.<\/p>\n

\u201cEl?\u201d called Lydia as she removed her gloves. \u201cEl, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

A woman slowly descended the stairs, yawning, her robe open, revealing a silky gown barely covering her breasts. Her hair was tousled, and her face was unwashed with the last evening\u2019s makeup shadowing her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

El quickly blinked, trying to clear the cobwebs of sleep from her eyes. \u201cHe left around two this morning, another happy Victoria Verone customer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to talk to you. \u00a0Get cleaned up. \u00a0I\u2019ll prepare your breakfast.\u201d \u00a0El turned and went back up the stairs while Lydia went to the kitchen. When El entered the kitchen, she wore a conservative skirt and blouse. Her hair was brushed and neatly pinned up, and her makeup had been washed away. The dark shadows under her eyes were gone.<\/p>\n

The two women were the same age and same build, and had the same complexion and hair color. Though they weren\u2019t related, they looked remarkably alike. The only distinct difference was the color of their eyes. El\u2019s eyes were a light brown.<\/p>\n

Lydia placed a plate of food in front of El and poured both of them a cup of coffee. \u201cEl, I don\u2019t want to do this anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do? Live off your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I have other plans; plans that will take me away from this city and all its contemptible men. You can have the house, and you can have what\u2019s in the account. \u00a0I\u2019ll split the cash in the safe with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds fair enough. \u00a0But, I\u2019ll never find someone to help me. \u00a0I\u2019d wager there\u2019s not another woman in town who will do what you do to men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right. \u00a0But, El, did you really expect to keep doing this? You should consider quitting yourself. \u00a0We\u2019ve made enough money for you to be comfortable with the house paid for. \u00a0You can go on being the respectable Ellie Tillman and no one will be the wiser. \u00a0You could find someone\u2026get married\u2026have a normal life.\u201d<\/p>\n

El put both hands on the table and looked deeply into Lydia\u2019s eyes. \u201cI know it\u2019s never been about the money for you. \u00a0I know it\u2019s been all about control\u2026about controlling men. \u00a0What I want to know is if any of it made a difference. \u00a0Did you find what you needed to find?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I have. \u00a0But not here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben arrived at the Templeton mansion at three in the afternoon as promised. After Lydia said her goodbyes to her father, the two were off in the carriage toward Lydia\u2019s surprise for Ben. The carriage drove out of the city to the south where the land opened up into grass covered fields as far as one could see. When the carriage pulled into the fenced and manicured property of a large stable, Ben turned to Lydia. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to show you something\u2026someone\u2026who is very special to me.\u201d The carriage came to a stop in front of a small white barn. Lydia asked Ben to wait by the paddock fence and entered the barn, soon appearing with a tall, powerfully built chestnut stallion. Smiling up at Ben, she asked proudly, \u201cWhat do you think of him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben opened the gate, stepping into the paddock and looked over the horse. \u201cHe\u2019s magnificent. Is he yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he is. And he\u2019s a joy to ride. Would you like to try him out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cWell, I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m really dressed for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry. Please, take a turn around the paddock. You won\u2019t regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to resist her engaging smile, he said, \u201cOh, alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded for a waiting wrangler to saddle the horse, and soon Ben was up and riding in the large paddock. He took the stallion from a walk, to a trot and finally to the smoothest canter he could remember.<\/p>\n

Lydia watched as he expertly controlled the horse, sitting straight in the saddle, the picture of riding perfection. In her eyes, Ben was a formidable man, strong and sure with the stature that any woman would be proud to stand beside.\u00a0 He was the type of man who would find joy in taking care of the woman he loved. He was definite husband material. His wealth certainly wasn\u2019t a defining factor, Lydia being wealthy in her own right, but the fact that he was a self-made man offered assurances that she would be well taken care of and would live the life to which she was accustomed.<\/p>\n

When Ben halted the horse and stepped down, handing the reins to the wrangler, he approached an effervescently smiling Lydia. \u201cWhat do you think of Beau?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on the carriage of that horse, I would venture a guess to say his name is much nobler than Beau\u2026perhaps Beauregard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight you are,\u201d Lydia replied, laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMagnificent animal. I don\u2019t often get to ride such grand steeds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, in Heaven\u2019s name, not? You certainly have the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa is a working ranch. All of our horses earn their keep, and I\u2019m afraid Beau here would only be a distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, there\u2019s nothing wrong with being distracted occasionally, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

He took her hand, placing it on top of his arm, looking into her eyes. \u201cThe right kind of distraction? \u00a0Certainly not.\u201d Both stood quietly enjoying each other\u2019s eyes. \u201cWell, we should be getting back to the city. I have tickets for\u00a0La Traviata<\/em>, and then dinner reservations afterwards, if you have the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving him another vibrant smile, she replied, \u201cFor you, Ben Cartwright, I have all the time in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

At dinner, conversation rested on the opera. \u201cPoor Alfredo,\u201d said Lydia.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Violetta,\u201d countered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes love always win?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue love should.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you an Alfredo, Ben? In the end, it didn\u2019t matter to Alfredo what Violetta was. It only mattered that she loved him and would go with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen yes, I guess I would tend to be more like Alfredo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you really do believe that the past shouldn\u2019t matter when love is true?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben spent the morning writing a telegram to his sons. Normally, he\u2019d write to each individual son, but this telegram was addressed to all three with notes to each one. He didn\u2019t have that much to say, other than to inform them that he would be staying in San Francisco another week and to let him know by telegram if anything had come up that needed his immediate attention. He dropped the telegram at the front desk of his hotel with the appropriate fee, and then made his way to the Templeton mansion where he would be joined by Lydia to spend the day at the beach, ending with dinner at the Cliff House.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Adam was preoccupied with a telegram he had picked up in town as he walked into the Ponderosa house, bumping into Joe, who was on the way out. \u201cOlder Brother, you\u2019re old enough to know to watch where you\u2019re going,\u201d laughed Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s got you so distracted?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? What?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you should join us in the present. Would you care to share?\u201d asked Joe, nodding at the telegram in Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here waitin\u2019 on you to come home for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three seated themselves at the dining room table. \u201cPa says he\u2019s staying in San Francisco another week. That can only mean one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss helped himself to mashed potatoes. \u201cAnd what\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s met a woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Joe and Hoss stopped what they were doing and looked back at Adam. Joe shook his head. \u201cYou know, maybe he\u2019s just enjoying a little time away. The only time he ever gets away from the Ponderosa is on business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, our father is a creature of habit. He was going to take a week, and unless something came up that held him there, he wouldn\u2019t have extended it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, why does it have to be a woman?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause there\u2019s nothing else to do in San Francisco except gamble and see the opera. Pa doesn\u2019t take to gambling, and he doesn\u2019t care that much for opera. That only leaves one distraction for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if it is a woman, there\u2019s no point in getting upset right now,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019m not saying it is a woman, but you haven\u2019t even met her to know if you need to be disturbed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time he did this, Joe, he came home married.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave Adam an incensed look. \u201cAnd what was wrong with that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cut his eyes toward Joe, realizing he was treading on thin ice. \u201cNothing.\u201d He turned his attention to his plate.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ben spent the majority of the rest of his time in San Francisco with Lydia. He couldn\u2019t remember a recent time when he had enjoyed someone\u2019s company more, and Lydia, with her candid conversations and her intelligent insights enchanted him. \u201cLydia, if the opportunity presented itself to you to leave the city, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ben, that would depend\u2026on where I was going and who I was going with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you be happy away from a city\u2026say in a place where your nearest neighbor is twenty miles away? Where you\u2019d be the only woman among a houseful of men?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia looked up at Ben, gazing into his eyes with a stoic look Ben hadn\u2019t seen before. \u201cI\u2019m not very good at beating around the bush, Ben. Say what\u2019s on your mind, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a conversation with your father yesterday.\u201d She stiffened and cocked her head, looking at him nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout you,\u201d said Ben with eyebrows raised, a slight smile, and an affectionate gleam in his eyes. \u201cHe was concerned at first, and I can understand why. You\u2019re young, and you\u2019re his only daughter. But eventually he agreed that you\u2019re mature enough to make decisions on your own\u2026that you tend to know what you want.\u201d She had fixed a serious gaze on him and hadn\u2019t moved since he mentioned her father. \u201cLydia, I\u2019m a man who knows my own mind and heart fairly quickly.\u201d He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. \u201cAnd I know I want to offer you a life in my world\u2026on my ranch\u2026with me.\u201d She held her gaze on him and hadn\u2019t even blinked. \u201cWill you do me the honor of becoming my wife?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyebrows instantly arched. \u201cBen,\u201d she chuckled nervously, \u201cDo you have any idea how this could turn your life upside down simply because of my age? What will your sons think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sons will be cautious\u2026at first\u2026until they get to know you. Hoss will be the first to warm up to you. Then Joe. Adam will be the holdout. He\u2019ll question everything you\u2019ve ever done. He\u2019ll question your motives in marrying a man old enough to be your father. He\u2019ll put you through an inquisition, though he\u2019ll do it politely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her stoic stare was broken by a slight smile. \u201cAdam is seven years older than me. He has every right to his questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEventually it will all come down to one thing for them. Whether you make me happy, and Lydia,\u201d he said taking her arms, \u201cI believe we can be happy together.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up at him without raising her head, enchanting him once again with her delightfully charming smile. \u201cBen,\u201d she started in a mildly admonishing tone. \u201cYou haven\u2019t even properly kissed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her in his arms and kissed her quite thoroughly. \u201cIs that a \u2018yes\u2019?\u201d he asked while still holding her close.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once Lydia and her personal maid, Anna\u2019s, trunks were loaded and on their way to the steamer, Lydia said her goodbyes to her father. \u201cLydia, are you sure this is what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, you\u2019re going to miss me, aren\u2019t you?\u201d she asked teasingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen has left me with an open invitation, and I would never miss walking my only daughter down the aisle.\u00a0 I am sorry that you decided to wait to get married on the Ponderosa, but Ben explained that he wanted his sons to attend this wedding. \u201cHe leaned in to whisper in her ear. \u201cBut won\u2019t this be rather like marrying your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

An eyebrow went up. \u201cHardly,\u201d she said indignantly. \u201cBen never acted as stuffy as you,\u201d she said haughtily, then winked.
\n\u201cYou\u2019ll let me know the date as soon as you set it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned up to kiss him. \u201cOf course we will,\u201d she said smiling. Ben shook Mr. Templeton\u2019s hand, took Lydia\u2019s hand and turned to the carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, only the best for my daughter.\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u201d Ben waved.<\/p>\n

On the steamer, the two sat at a table, sipping coffee, enjoying their trip into the Sacramento River delta. \u201cBen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMm hm.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs it too early to discuss our wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d he said, taking her hands in his. \u201cI don\u2019t think we need to wait more than a few weeks. That\u2019ll give you time to have a dress made and make whatever arrangements you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArrangements?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFlowers, the reception\u2026getting your father to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need a large wedding, Ben. I won\u2019t be inviting anyone but Father. But, I\u2019m sure you have friends you\u2019ll want to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where will we have the ceremony?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have it at the house\u2026unless you\u2019d prefer to have it in the church in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the house is fine. I also have no need to go on a honeymoon. I imagine it will take awhile to get acquainted with the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting with their chairs side by side, looking out the window, Ben put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, losing herself in thought. She had finally managed to get away to make her way through the tunnel to the house where Ellie had taken up permanent residence. Except for short meetings, the two women were never there at the same time, making it easier to ensure their secret identity would never be associated with them. This is one reason they never saw the same man twice. Each was adept at her work, but Lydia was much more\u2026aggressive\u2026with her liaisons than Ellie. Ellie would never be able to perpetuate the illusion of one woman if she had to work as Lydia\u2019s version of Victoria. She didn\u2019t have the anger that Lydia carried within her to do the things she did.<\/p>\n

Still, she was worried, but not so much about being found out. She had already demonstrated in Ben\u2019s presence that a woman who favored her solicited men in the city. If she was ever sought out, they would find Ellie, who knew how to be a convincing Victoria. Ben would never question her morality. Hoss and Joe would be easy. But Adam\u2026Adam might be a problem. At the time of her liaison with Adam, she had had no intention of ever pursuing anything that might have to do with him\u2026until she met his father. She\u2019d have to be careful around Adam. \u201cBen, darling, I\u2019m a bit tired. Would you mind terribly if I went to my quarters for a rest?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. I\u2019ll walk with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not necessary. Anna will be with me. I\u2019ll be fine. You just stay here and enjoy the view.\u201d He kissed her hand and watched as she left the dining room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben had wired his sons when to expect him and his travelling companion, though he didn\u2019t tell them who his companion was. He only told them to meet the Friday noon stage with a buggy and a buckboard.<\/p>\n

When the stage arrived, Ben stepped off the coach and greeted all of them as they waited with outstretched hands. \u201cPa, welcome home,\u201d said Adam with a restrained smile and a look that said he knew his father was up to something. Next was Joe, followed by Hoss, who were both grinning widely.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys, I\u2019d like you to meet someone,\u201d Ben said as he turned and leaned into the coach. \u201cAre you ready for this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs ready as I\u2019ll ever be,\u201d said Lydia, smiling nervously.<\/p>\n

Ben helped her and Anna down out of the buggy, and when they turned, the smiles that had been waiting for them were suddenly gone. With creased eyebrows, Ben introduced her. \u201cBoys, I\u2019d like you all to meet Lydia Templeton\u2026\u201d He gave each son a stern look, then continued, \u201c\u2026my fianc\u00e9. \u00a0And this is Anna who will be staying here with Lydia. The boys turned to each other with subdued looks.<\/p>\n

Adam was the first to step forward and extend his hand. \u201cMiss Templeton\u2026you wouldn\u2019t happen to be related to George Templeton, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my father,\u201d she said, smiling confidently, giving him her hand. \u201cAnd you must be Adam, Ben\u2019s oldest. My father has great admiration of your business acumen.\u201d Adam raised her hand to his lips, looking at her with a slight smile and narrowed eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe stepped forward, forcing a smile. \u201cMa\u2019am, I\u2019m Joe,\u201d he said, taking her hand and nodding.<\/p>\n

Hoss removed his hat and stepped forward, unable to look her in the eye. \u201cAnd you must be Eric,\u201d said Lydia. \u201cNo, it\u2019s \u2018Hoss,\u2019 isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes Ma\u2019am, that\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys get Lydia and Anna\u2019s bags and trunks and load them onto the buckboard,\u201d said Ben, severely eyeing his sons. He turned and smiled at Lydia, holding his arm out to her. \u201cShall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting her hand on his arm, Lydia said, \u201cBen, I can\u2019t wait to see the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take you by the lake before we go to the house. It will take your breath away.\u201d Once Ben had Lydia comfortably seated in the buggy, he excused himself and went back to his boys. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong with you three, but it had better be corrected by the time we arrive at the house. Now, I\u2019m going to take Lydia and Anna by the lake. You three get back to the ranch and get their things in the two guest rooms at the end of the hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir,\u201d said Hoss, taking a breath and man-handling a trunk onto the back of the buckboard.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and said, \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood with his arms crossed, giving his father a somber look. Ben studied him, then put his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulder and walked him to the buckboard. \u201cAdam, I want you to give her a chance before you pass judgment. I think you\u2019ll find she can give you a run for your money on just about any subject.\u201d Ben patted his back and turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than you know,\u201d said Adam under his breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The three Cartwright sons were speechless on the trip back home, venturing an occasional embarrassed look at each other. While Adam drove, Hoss kept his eyes down and Joe had ducked in the back behind one of the trunks, avoiding his brothers altogether.<\/p>\n

When they arrived at the house, they each took bags up to the guest room, but had to help each other with the trunks. Still, they looked at each other, but didn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n

Adam was the first to come back down stairs, and he paced with his arms crossed in front of him.\u00a0Something\u2019s going on with those two. They\u2019re hiding something.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the way back down the hall, Joe whispered to Hoss. \u201cYou get the feeling Adam knows something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he does know her pa. Maybe it\u2019s got somethin\u2019 to do with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you so quiet?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026ah\u2026well\u2026I don\u2019t know, Joe. Don\u2019t she look a little young to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she does. She\u2019s probably not much older than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you? You weren\u2019t exactly talkative at the stagecoach or on the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d said Joe defensively. \u201cBe quiet. Adam might hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they came back downstairs, Adam was waiting for them with his hands on his hips, looking like he did when he knew he was going to have to cover for them because they had done something stupid. He looked back over his shoulder, making sure Hop Sing wasn\u2019t in the room, and then lit into them. \u201cWhat are you two hiding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHidin\u2019? I ain\u2019t hidin\u2019 nothing, Adam,\u201d said Hoss, kicking at nothing in the floor.<\/p>\n

Adam glared at Joe. \u201cMe either,\u201d Joe said indignantly. \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026well, Adam, that girl\u2019s gotta be younger than you. What\u2019s Pa thinking?\u201d Adam held his glare. \u201cAnd while we\u2019re at it, what\u2019s wrong with you? You\u2019ve been just as quiet as the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked away, taking a deep breath. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t feel right. Look,\u201d he said, turning back to his brothers, \u201cthey\u2019re gonna be here in a few minutes. Just act\u2026normal\u2026until I can figure this out.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three turned when they heard the buggy drive up to the front of the house. Adam walked toward the door, and then turned back around. \u201cWell, come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben helped Lydia and Anna out of the buggy, and as Lydia stepped down, she looked around her. \u201cBen, this is\u2026I\u2019m speechless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not exactly what you\u2019re used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s quite different, but\u2026this is a man\u2019s house,\u201d she said, smiling at Ben. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely you\u2026very masculine\u2026rugged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the Ponderosa, Miss Templeton,\u201d said Adam. Joe and Hoss stood behind him with smiles plastered to their faces.<\/p>\n

She looked at him as if she didn\u2019t know him at all. \u201cThank you, Adam. As I understand it, you had quite a lot to do with building it. And please, all of you, call me Lydia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her arm and guided her into the house with Anna and the boys following after them. Lydia unpinned her hat, bringing it down in front of her, and walked to the sitting area, turning completely around. \u201cIt\u2019s very open, yet it still feels\u2026cozy. What a magnificent fireplace.\u201d Turning back to Ben and giving him one of her delectable smiles, she said demurely, \u201cBen, I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can change whatever you like.\u201d Three pairs of eyes got big and round. She turned as if she hadn\u2019t noticed and walked to Ben, leaning into his chest, gazing up at him. \u201cIt\u2019s perfect just the way it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben enjoyed her smiling eyes for a moment. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019re tired. Would you like to rest before dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you ladies to your rooms then,\u201d said Ben as he guided them to the stairs and up into the hall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Ben returned, he found his sons standing in front of the fireplace, waiting. He poured himself a stiff drink, and then made his way to the leather chair further away from them, sitting and considering his sons. His first inclination was to dress them all down, but he had known all along this would be difficult for them\u2026especially Adam, who seemed to define himself as the family protector.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYessir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa\u2026.\u201d Ben raised his eyebrow. \u201cAin\u2019t she a little young?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what this is about? \u00a0Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s part of it. But, Pa, this happened sort of\u2026fast. What do you know about her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I know she\u2019s the daughter of George Templeton, I know she ran away from finishing school back East when her mother died, made her way on her own all the way to San Francisco, and proceeded to run the Templeton household at fourteen. I know she grew up in an elegant household. I know her father brought in tutors to educate her. I know their chef taught her how to cook. I know her father taught her about horses and just about everything about everything else she wanted to know\u2026which is quite a bit. She\u2019s bright, she\u2019s funny, she\u2019s gracious, she\u2019s compassionate, and\u2026I love her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow old\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0she, Pa?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that it\u2019s any of your business, young man, but she\u2019s twenty-five. And she\u2019s one of the most mature and polished women I\u2019ve ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat down on the coffee table. \u201cPa, she looks familiar to me. Are you sure there\u2019s no possibility that she could be keeping\u2026a secret\u2026from you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben tried to hide his amusement. \u201cWhat kind of secret are you talking about, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019ve seen her before. And it wasn\u2019t in a place that you\u2019d find a lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you have seen her before. Or maybe someone who looks like her.\u201d Adam rolled his eyes. He didn\u2019t dare tell his father about Victoria Verone because he\u2019d also have to tell him how he knew Victoria Verone, and he wasn\u2019t prepared to do that.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, while I was in San Francisco, Lydia was approached more than once by men who said they knew her in a\u2026scandalous way. Even in front of her father. George said there\u2019s a woman in San Francisco who favors her\u2026that she\u2019s constantly being mistaken for this woman. He also said that he hunted this woman down.\u201d Ben took a sip of his whiskey. \u201cHe said the resemblance was remarkable\u2026remove the face paint, change the hair and clothes\u2026he might mistake her for his own daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss looked at each other, surprised. A slow smile of relief crept over Hoss\u2019s face, but disappeared quickly. \u201cBut, Pa\u2026she\u2019s young enough to be your daughter. Dadburnit, she\u2019s younger \u2018n me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and placed a hand on Hoss\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHoss, give her a chance. It\u2019s not like you boys to judge someone like this. Do you honestly think I would take something like this lightly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I reckon not, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t you three have chores to finish up before dinner?\u201d The boys slowly made their way to the front door. \u201cOh, and boys\u2026dress for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Ten<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss worked in the barn by himself, staying as far away from Adam and Joe as possible. He had to work out what his father had said.\u00a0Maybe she wasn\u2019t the woman I met over a year ago in San Francisco. Maybe it was this other woman who looked like her. Makes sense. Why would a woman in her position\u2026part of a well-known family\u2026ever do something like that? But still, she’s awfully young. No, Pa wouldn\u2019t do something he hadn\u2019t thought through.<\/em>\u00a0He knew he was going to give her a chance, even if it was uncomfortable.
\n\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much hay you gonna feed that horse?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at the huge mound of hay he\u2019d piled in front of the horse. Aggravated, he swore, \u201cDadburnit,\u201d and started moving hay into the next stall over.<\/p>\n

Adam inhaled deeply, turning around to find Joe, who had been taking the used hay out to the back of the barn. When he didn\u2019t find him in the barn, he stepped outside to look. Joe was leaning against the handle of the pitch fork, looking off into the distance.<\/p>\n

He remembered that night in San Francisco vividly.\u00a0Everything started\u2026normally. But when she\u2026and then she\u2026and that look in her eyes.<\/em>\u00a0He shuddered.Never have I seen anything like that before. I don\u2019t even want to think about it. But could it have been this other woman that looked like Lydia? There were some differences\u2026the face paint, the hair. Lydia is much\u2026softer looking.<\/em>\u00a0He shook his head.\u00a0If Pa loves this woman, who am I to question it?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, the hay\u2019s not gonna move by itself.\u201d Adam caught Hoss out of the corner of his eye, walking around the side of the barn. \u201cWhat going on with you two?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Adam, we just got a lot on our minds,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia,\u201d said Adam. \u201cLook, the only thing we can do is be polite\u2026and give her a chance like Pa asked.\u201d That was what he told his brothers. He had already decided he was going to do some investigating on his own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Eleven<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben and the boys waited in the sitting room, each wearing a shirt and tie. Ben and Adam wore jackets. When Lydia appeared at the top of the stairs, the boys all looked at their father to see if he really looked like a man in love. He was\u2026beaming. Adam cut his eyes up toward Lydia and furrowed his brow. Was she\u2026glowing? He looked back to his father, then back to Lydia. Her eyes were fixed on his father\u2019s as if he were the only one in the room. And her smile was affectionately contented. Was this part of the game she was playing? Or had he been wrong about her?<\/p>\n

Ben went to the foot of the stairs and waited for her, giving her his arm and escorting her to the dinner table where she sat on his left. Tonight, Adam sat to his father\u2019s right, across from Lydia. Joe seated Anna next to Adam.<\/p>\n

As they passed serving dishes around the table, Adam asked, \u201cLydia, do you have any favorite pastimes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHorses. I love to\u2026ride,\u201d she said, gazing up at him without raising her head, catching his eyes. \u201cI also seek out the unusual; rarities, if you will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia showed me some very rare jade carvings while I was in San Francisco. Some bronze work that was quite beautiful also,\u201d said Ben, smiling.<\/p>\n

She smiled back. \u201cBooks, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, when we bring the rest of Lydia\u2019s things from San Francisco, you two can organize her library. It\u2019s quite extensive. We\u2019ll have to make room for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, will the horses be a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d he said, taking her hand, questioning with his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you said you only had working horses. Mine haven\u2019t done an honest day\u2019s work in their lives\u2026unless you count carrying me all over the countryside as work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cI also said the right kind of distraction is alright. We\u2019ll arrange for all that after the wedding. Right now, you need to concentrate on that\u2026without any distractions.\u201d She gave him that captivating smile of hers. Joe looked across at Hoss and cut his eyes toward the ceiling, but jumped when Adam, noticing the looks between the two, kicked him in the shin.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you alright?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am. Fine,\u201d he said, smiling sheepishly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, tell me about your days. I\u2019m sure all of you are quite busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe work ten to twelve hours a day, Lydia,\u201d said Adam. We\u2019ve never known anything but hard work on the Ponderosa. It took a lot of sweat to build it, and it takes just as much work to hold on to it,\u201d he finished, cutting his eyes back up at her.<\/p>\n

She smiled impenitently. \u201cReally? Do you have trouble with people trying to take it away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut, it\u2019s nothing you should worry about. The Ponderosa is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I don\u2019t know. Lydia doesn\u2019t know the area, and if she\u2019s never been out of the city, this will be a bit primitive for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe a good place to start is Virginia City. But it might take a few days before I can get you into town. I\u2019ve got some business to attend to tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be happy to take her into town tomorrow,\u201d volunteered Adam. \u201cI have to check the mail for those contracts we\u2019ve been expecting anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be perfect. I can go ahead and get my wedding dress started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are you two planning to get married?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as we can get everything prepared and the arrangements made,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam sat up straight. \u201cWhy the rush?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not really a rush, Adam. Lydia isn\u2019t inviting anyone, and I\u2019m only inviting a few people. We\u2019ll have a small wedding right here in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have much time,<\/em>\u00a0thought Adam, nodding and smiling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twelve<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Anna would be going with us,\u201d said Adam as he helped Lydia into the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnna had some things to do. She\u2019s quite timid and she feels\u2026out of place\u2026here. So, I left her to herself. Adam, I want to thank you for taking me to town this morning. I know you\u2019re not very comfortable with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cWhat makes you think that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe looks\u2026the remarks\u2026your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he told me all of you have some\u2026concerns. Adam, I have no illusions about being anything more to you or your brothers than your father\u2019s wife. I also have no intention of changing anything that you\u2019ve all grown up with. But your father makes me happy. And I make him happy. Is that so terrible?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all\u2026if that\u2019s all you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I don\u2019t need your father\u2019s money. And I have to admit that living this far from the city is a bit\u2026different\u2026for me. Even so, I find this Sierra of yours quite beautiful. What else is there to want besides his love?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cTell me about this woman who looks like you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know anything about her. My father found her, but he never spoke to me about it\u2026other than how much she looks like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes the name Vicki ring any bells?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at him as if she was thinking. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t believe so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019ve never heard of Victoria Verone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned back, looking annoyed. \u201cWould you please just say what\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bringing the horses to a halt, he tied the reins, pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. \u201cDoes that remind you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still feeling his breath on her face, she gave him an expressionless look and replied, \u201cActually, it does. You kiss remarkably like your father. I\u2019m sure he\u2019d appreciate how I know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, Lydia, that you knew that before I kissed you.\u201d Adam released her, his lips pinched into a tight line. \u00a0He untied the reins and continued toward Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you go making accusations you can\u2019t substantiate, I would suggest you consider your father\u2019s happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, Lydia, that\u2019s all I\u2019m thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how are you going repair the rift you create between you and your father once you find out you\u2019re wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not wrong. \u00a0And have you considered the rift you\u2019re already creating? I don\u2019t know what kind of game you\u2019re playing, but you are not going to make a fool of my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no intention of making a fool of your father. The only person who will be doing that is you\u2026or maybe of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived in Virginia City, Adam excused himself without helping her out of the buggy, leaving her to find what she needed on her own. Being a woman, she had a nose for these things and soon found her way to a dress shop that had several lovely gowns in the window. After taking Lydia\u2019s measurements and preferences for her gown, the dress shop owner directed her to a shop that could supply flowers and another where she could browse whatever accessories she would need for her wedding day. Since she and Ben were in agreement that the wedding would be a small, private affair, she made no mention of who the groom was, but simply asked for the dress as soon as feasible, giving that tentative date to the merchant who would be supplying the flowers. She hadn\u2019t worked out how the flowers would be delivered without the whole town finding out about the newest Mrs. Cartwright, but decided she would leave that detail to Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam picked up the mail fairly quickly, and spent the rest of his time writing a telegram to Hiram Jacobs, the Cartwright\u2019s attorney in San Francisco.\u00a0Need all information on Lydia Templeton and Victoria Verone and any connection. Urgent. AC<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0He wrote a second telegram to another man in San Francisco who owed him a favor.\u00a0Find Victoria Verone. Bring to Ponderosa. Urgent. Cartwright<\/em><\/p>\n

Handing the two pieces of paper to the telegraph clerk, Adam said, \u201cSend them now.\u201d He threw $10 on the desk in addition to the cost of the telegrams. \u201cAnd keep it to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man looked up at Adam, whose mouth was drawn in and whose eyes were cold and calculating. With wide, frightened eyes, the clerk replied, \u201cY\u2026yes sir, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Thirteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lydia sat on the front porch turning a cold cup of coffee round and round. Ben hadn\u2019t returned from wherever his business had taken him and all three sons were working elsewhere on the ranch.<\/p>\n

Adam. What is it about me that makes him so sure I\u2019m Victoria Verone\u2026that he wasn\u2019t with a woman who favors me? Somehow, I\u2019ve got to make him doubt what he knows. If I convince Ben to let him look\u2026let him find Ellie. Ellie will know what to do. She\u2019ll know how to be convincing\u2026the heavy makeup, the walk, the clothes, the voice\u2026enough to give him that doubt. As long as he has that doubt, he\u2019ll back down. And once he does that, all I have to do is convince him that I have his father\u2019s best interests at heart. That shouldn\u2019t be hard to do. Even if there is suspicion left, Ben\u2019s an Alfredo. He wouldn\u2019t pursue it. Adam\u2019s alternative would be to tell his father how he knows\u2026exactly what he participated in. He won\u2019t do that. No one in his right mind would ever do that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lydia was so distracted with her thoughts she didn\u2019t hear Ben ride up; she didn\u2019t see him tie Buck to the hitching rail, and she didn\u2019t hear him approach the porch. When he called her name, she jumped.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, you startled me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat next to her at the table and poured himself a cup of coffee. \u201cDarling, is something bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she asked, \u201cBen, is this happening too fast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you had a change of heart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not. I\u2019m not talking about you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grunted. \u201cMy sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Ben, don\u2019t be upset with your sons. We both knew this was going to be\u2026awkward\u2026 with you bringing home to your grown sons a woman who is half your age and younger than two of them. Joe and Hoss\u2026they\u2019ll eventually come around, but Adam\u2026\u201d She breathed deeply. \u201cYou did warn me about Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I don\u2019t want to be the cause of a fracture in your relationship with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close, then turned her face to his as she rested her head on his shoulder. \u201cLydia, did something happen today on the way to Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

She closed her eyes and sighed. \u201cI suspect that Adam\u2026this is hard to say\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDarling, you can say anything to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suspect that Adam has kept company with this\u2026woman\u2026in San Francisco who looks like me. He\u2019s convinced it was me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling his arm from around her and sitting up straight, he creased his brows and looked seriously at her. \u201cWhat did he say to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, it doesn\u2019t matter what he said. What matters is your relationship with your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho I choose to marry is none of his concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, my love, I don\u2019t agree. Maybe we need to postpone our wedding until Adam has satisfied his\u2026curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll do nothing of the kind,\u201d barked Ben, turning in his chair and crossing his legs.<\/p>\n

Lydia rubbed his hand, moving up his arm until he looked back at her and grudgingly smiled. \u201cWhat harm would it do for Adam to find out for himself? In fact, it might do a world of good once he finds I\u2019m not the monster he thinks I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Fourteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben kissed Lydia goodbye before she mounted the horse Ben had saddled for her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sending one of the hands with you.\u00a0 Please don\u2019t go far.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning into him and giving him the playful smile he had come to adore, she said sweetly, \u201cNow Ben, I\u2019ve been riding horses for years. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa is big place. You could easily get lost.\u201d He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him when she started to back away. \u201cI just wish I had time to go with you. Unfortunately, I have to get some paperwork finished tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re such a busy man. When will we ever have time for us?\u201d she asked, pouting teasingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe end of the summer is always busy. It\u2019ll slow down in a few weeks. And then, we\u2019ll have all winter. Now, you\u2019d better go if you\u2019re going to have any time to ride before dinner.\u201d He bent and kissed her. \u201cAnd remember; don\u2019t go far. Anna, I\u2019m counting on you to make sure she doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Ben watched as the two ladies rode out of the yard with a ranch hand following close behind.<\/p>\n

When they had gone beyond the barn, his smile faded into a frown. He walked back into the house, went to the desk, sitting and leaning back in the chair, and waited, growing angrier by the minute.<\/p>\n

It was another hour before his sons rode into the yard together. He listened for the ribbing and laughter he usually heard after the day\u2019s work was done, but today, he only heard the hooves of the horses stamping the ground as the boys pulled their saddles off and laid them over the corral fence. Next was the squeak of the corral gate opening to let the horses in, followed by a clunk as it was closed and latched. Their footsteps sounded on the wood of the porch followed by the familiar click of the door latch. No one said a word, but rather the three quietly removed their hats and gun belts, Joe and Hoss retreating upstairs while Adam sat in one of the red leather chairs.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath, steeling himself for the argument he knew was about to take place. \u201cAdam, come here, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father\u2019s voice was deep, almost a growl, and by that, Adam knew that Lydia had told him about their conversation on the way to Virginia City. He breathed deeply, hoisted himself out of the chair, trying to hold at bay the rage he was feeling, but he could hear it in the loudness of his heels on the wooden floor as he walked across to the front of the desk. He stood facing his father with his hands crossed in front of him, his head cocked to one side and an indignant scowl on his face.<\/p>\n

Ben studied his son for a moment, fighting the need to shout; to ask how he dared to interfere. He glowered at Adam, and then looked away, fighting his anger.\u00a0 \u201cWhat exactly did you say to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe told you about our conversation,\u201d said Adam, in a deep, unemotional, matter-of-fact tone of voice.<\/p>\n

Ben turned to glare at him, but kept his voice low and even. \u201cShe told me you had a conversation. She went on to say that she didn\u2019t want to come between you and me and that I should let you\u2026go find your answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at his father with raised brows. \u201cShe did?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t agree with her. You have no business trying to prove your ridiculous accusations,\u201d he said in a barely controlled, deep rumble. \u201cBut in the interest of keeping you from tearing this family apart, Lydia and I are postponing the wedding until you\u2026find whatever answers you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

After standing in the hallway at the top of the stairs and listening, Joe and Hoss emerged, making their way down the stairs. \u201cPa, me and Joe feel the same way as Adam,\u201d said Hoss, unable to look his father in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to ask you straight out, and I expect the truth,\u201d said Ben, his voice slowly elevating. \u201cDo all of three of you claim to know this woman?\u201d he thundered.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe and Hoss with his nostrils flared and his brows creased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met her about a year ago, Pa,\u201d admitted Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2026it was probably a little less than a year ago for me,\u201d said Joe, looking at the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you?\u201d shouted Ben, looking at Adam, his voice shaking the rafters of the house.<\/p>\n

Adam raised his head, looking at his father defiantly. \u201cFor Heaven\u2019s sake, Pa, we\u2019re grown men!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you all believe it was Lydia? This is preposterous!\u201d Ben turned away from them, unwilling to admit to himself that his sons had sought out that kind of distraction and that they all thought it was with Lydia. He exhaled.\u00a0Of course they have. They are, after all, grown men\u2026but Lydia.<\/em>\u00a0\u201cFine. Go. All of you. And when you find you were wrong, I expect all of you to apologize to Lydia. And I don\u2019t ever want to hear it discussed again. Not even among the three of you. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his father\u2019s back, understanding how hard it must be for him to let them go. \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben jerked his head back toward Adam, brows furrowed, with his mouth curved in a deep, angry frown. \u201cDon\u2019t thank me. I\u2019m not allowing this for you. This is for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be leaving for San Francisco then, first thing in the morning.\u201d Adam turned and went upstairs to his room. Joe and Hoss stayed still for a minute, then slowly turned and followed Adam up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Fifteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Lydia returned from her ride, Ben was waiting for her at the table on the front porch. It had been set for dinner for two, complete with candles. Ben rose and met her as she dismounted, smiling. \u201cDid you enjoy your ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found a lovely creek and sat for a while admiring the scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are plenty of places to admire on the Ponderosa. I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll ever run out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be so much more enjoyable with you, Ben,\u201d she said with a flirtatious smile.<\/p>\n

He guided her to the porch, where he motioned to the table. \u201cIt\u2019s such a pleasant evening, I thought we\u2019d have dinner outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, what a lovely thought. But I need to get cleaned up first. Would you excuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held her arm. \u201cLydia, before you go inside\u2026the boys\u2026they\u2019re not\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia let her arms fall to her sides, dropping her shoulders. \u201cAnna, go on in without me.\u201d When the front door closed behind Anna, Lydia turned back to Ben. \u201cDid you and Adam have an argument?\u201d When he raised his eyebrows, she bowed her head. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t you go blaming yourself. Adam had no business confronting you as he did. We did argue, but you were right. I need to let them find whatever answers they need to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThem? Joe and Hoss, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they\u2019re all leaving for San Francisco tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia inhaled deeply, held it and let it out slowly. \u201cWell, I guess the sooner this is over, the better.\u201d She leaned into him, looking up into his eyes. \u201cThen we can get on with our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam wandered down into the sitting area after quietly stepping down on the top stair, looking for Lydia and his father. He didn\u2019t want to deal with either one of them this evening and was hopeful he wouldn\u2019t have to before he left the next morning.<\/p>\n

On his way to the kitchen, he heard their low voices out on the porch; his father\u2019s low chuckle and Lydia\u2019s light laugh and giggle. Shaking his head, he walked quietly into the kitchen and found Hoss and Joe sitting at the kitchen table eating sandwiches.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wondered when you\u2019d finally answer your stomach, Older Brother,\u201d said Joe as he pulled out the chair next to him, pulling the platter of sandwiches Anna had made for them from the center of the table toward Adam\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s\u2026\u201d Adam asked, pointing toward the front porch.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa decided to have dinner on the front porch tonight,\u201d said Joe, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm,\u201d answered Adam, nodding.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, suppose we do find Victoria Verone in San Francisco?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cHow do you think we\u2019re going to find Victoria Verone in San Francisco when she\u2019s sitting out there on our front porch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how can you be absolutely sure? Me and Joe seen her, and neither one of us is absolutely sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m sure. I\u2019m just as sure about her as I was about Bill Enders killing Toby Barker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one problem then,\u201d mused Joe. \u201cIf she\u2019s here, what are we supposed to find in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe other woman. We find her, we confront her and get the truth out of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cWhat if we can\u2019t find her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m right, we won\u2019t have a problem finding her. All we need to do is go back to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s another problem. I don\u2019t know where the house is\u2026she took me there in a darkened coach and the same coach took me back where I started,\u201d said Joe, sourly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all got there and back the same way, Joe,\u201d answered Adam as he took a bite of his sandwich. He kept talking with his mouth full. \u201cBut I know how to find the house. It\u2019ll be easier than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss creased his eyebrows. \u201cIf she\u2019s here, what do you expect to find at the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snorted, looking down at his sandwich. \u201cThe other woman, Hoss. I\u2019m betting they know each other. All we\u2019ll have to do is talk to her\u2026tell her what we know. Lydia\u2019s story will fall apart.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Sixteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lydia lay awake, looking toward the moonlit window of her room, going through everything she had done to cover her steps. She knew she could count on Ellie, having gone into great detail about her evenings with each of the Cartwright boys. If they asked her questions, Ellie would be able to answer them, and even if she couldn\u2019t answer them all, Ellie would blame the number of men she had been with. How could they expect her to remember every little detail among so many details?
\nEven face to face, Ellie knew to deny she ever knew Lydia, and there was nothing on paper to connect them. It was never Lydia\u2019s intent to make money off of her dalliances, so everything that needed a name associated with it got Ellie\u2019s name. And because Ellie didn\u2019t come from a well-known family, no one would ever have a reason to dig into her past. No, Lydia had set Ellie up very comfortably, giving Ellie no reason to ever betray her. Ellie owed her too much.<\/p>\n

Ellie would admit to everything, giving the vital convincing details that only the woman who had been with them would know. Lydia closed her eyes, easily drifting off to sleep.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Everyone in the house was up early the next morning. It would appear that Adam\u2019s wish of not seeing his father or Lydia would be dashed.<\/p>\n

Ben stood next to the hitching rail as his three sons checked their saddles before they mounted up and left. \u201cBoys, when you come back, this is over. Do I make myself clear?\u201d Hoss and Joe nodded. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned to his father. \u201cOne way or another, Pa, this will be over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Adam mounted, Lydia came out of the house and stood by Ben\u2019s side, looking up at Adam. Her eyes were soft, her brow creased in concern. \u201cAdam, I do hope you find what you\u2019re looking for so we can get past this.\u201d Adam thought she could probably be as fine an actor as his friend, Edwin Booth, who was touted as the best Shakespearean actor of his time. But something about her bothered him\u2026maybe it was her confidence. She didn\u2019t appear to be concerned about being found out at all.<\/p>\n

He tipped his hat politely and mounted. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll be gone more than a couple of weeks, Pa. If we need more time, I\u2019ll send word.\u201d He turned and the three men rode away, leaving Ben and Lydia standing in the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia, perhaps you\u2019d prefer to stay in town while they\u2019re gone. I\u2019m going to be busier with all three of them away. I don\u2019t know when I\u2019ll be able to get you back to town, and there are still arrangements to be made.\u201d<\/p>\n

While walking back into the house arm in arm, Lydia answered, \u201cThere\u2019s no rush, Ben. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be making one or two trips into town. I can wait. I also didn\u2019t want to start rumors in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRumors?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, gossip really. I think the townspeople would take great interest in the possibility of another Mrs. Cartwright, and I thought we wanted a quiet, private wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wedding, yes. It doesn\u2019t need to be a spectacle. But why would you think I\u2019d want to hide my future wife? They\u2019re going to find out sooner or later. It really doesn\u2019t matter when, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped and turned, wrapping her arms around him. He responded in kind, smiling down at her, answering her bright-eyed grin. \u201cNot to me. I\u2019m very proud to be the future Mrs. Ben Cartwright,\u201d she said, tiptoeing, lifting her lips to his, inviting him into a kiss. Of course, he accepted the invitation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Seventeen<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the Cartwright boys arrived in Sacramento, Adam sent telegrams to Mr. Jacobs and his other associate in San Francisco, telling them he would be there and would talk to them personally. Once they arrived in San Francisco, Adam went to Mr. Jacobs\u2019 office while Hoss and Joe waited in their hotel room.
\nAfter shaking his hand, Adam sat in the chair at the front of Mr. Jacobs\u2019 desk. \u201cHiram, I understand you\u2019re busy, so I\u2019ll keep this short. Were you able to find any connection between Lydia Templeton and Victoria Verone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShort answer, no. None at all, other than they appear to look remarkably similar. I got that from George Templeton, who has seen the woman. Lydia Templeton appears to be a charitable young lady. She runs her father\u2019s household, she\u2019s the hostess at all his parties, and she represents the Templeton family at almost all the charitable functions around the city. Even her past is benign. She apparently was a willful child, and there was an incident when she was fifteen\u2026from the amount of time she convalesced, I would imagine a serious incident. Her father hired a nurse to stay at the house. But nothing that could be construed as suspicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe incident when she was fifteen\u2026you have no idea what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I haven\u2019t found anyone who might know, and I\u2019m not asking George Templeton. Adam, why are you so interested in Lydia Templeton?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe no longer runs her father\u2019s household. She\u2019s getting ready to run my father\u2019s household.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father brought her home as his fianc\u00e9 the last time he was here in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Jacobs raised an eyebrow and nodded. \u201cIs there anything else I can do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve taken up enough of your time.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stood and made his way to the door, stopping to shake Mr. Jacobs\u2019 hand again. \u201cI appreciate the information, Hiram.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Adam had disappeared through the outer door, Mr. Jacobs called his clerk into his office. He sat at his desk and wrote out a short note. \u201cGo to the telegraph office and send this to Ben Cartwright immediately.\u201d When his clerk left his office, he leaned back in his chair.\u00a0If Ben Cartwright wants to marry this woman, I think he\u2019d want to know that his oldest son is asking questions. After all, I work for Ben\u2026not Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam made his way to a gentlemen\u2019s club on Powell Street, walked to a table in a back alcove, sat and ordered whiskey. The bartender delivering the whiskey nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

In only a few minutes, a man in a black suit sat down at the table and poured himself a glass of whiskey. \u201cWhat have you found out?\u201d asked Adam, speaking in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing about Miss Templeton. She\u2019s squeaky clean. The only blot on her purity is something that happened when she was fifteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story goes that she was riding outside the city and got lost. She stumbled on a group of miners heading up into the gold country. Fifteen year old, pretty girl\u2026alone\u2026in the middle of nowhere. Use your imagination. When she was found, she didn\u2019t have a stitch of clothing on and wasn\u2019t talking. I understand it took some time for her to recover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Victoria Verone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, that woman is a legend among a crowd you don\u2019t want to be associated with. Actually, you are associated with most of them. They just don\u2019t want you to know they know Miss Verone. As I understand it, men don\u2019t go back to Miss Verone. They leave running. Now, this Miss Verone supposedly looks almost exactly like your Lydia Templeton. But she\u2019s not in business any longer. She quit. You won\u2019t find her anywhere unless you know who she really is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m paying you for.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man slid a piece of paper across the table. \u201cYou\u2019ll find her there. Her name is Elizabeth Tillman. Timid little thing. Quiet as a mouse. Her neighbors love her. She keeps her house neat, and she dresses quite conservatively. I hear she\u2019s just spent quite a bit of money renovating the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch the house. I want to know everywhere she goes\u2026everyone she sees.\u201d Adam stood and took his wallet out of his jacket pocket, leaving five hundred dollars on the table, and picking up the piece of paper. \u201cThere will be another five hundred when this is done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Eighteen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam walked through the door of the hotel room, closing it quietly behind him. \u201cHoss, Joe.\u201d Both men came out of their respective bedrooms dressed in white shirts and ties. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but what are we ready for?\u201d ask Joe.
\nAdam walked to his room and began to undress, changing into a suit as he spoke. \u201cWe are going to see Victoria Verone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I thought you said we wouldn\u2019t find Victoria Verone,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Adam said, \u201cHoss, just listen. There are two Victoria Verones. One is at the Ponderosa, and the other is still at the house where we were taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe leaned against the door frame. \u201cHow are we supposed to find the house? I don\u2019t know where it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat on the side of the bed. \u201cMe neither.\u201d Adam threw the piece of paper toward Hoss. \u201cThis is the house? How\u2019d you get this?\u201d Hoss handed the paper to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter how I got it. That\u2019s where the other Victoria Verone is, and that\u2019s where we\u2019re going this afternoon,\u201d said Adam as he tied his tie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we supposed to say when we get there?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cWe can\u2019t just bust in and accuse her of\u2026of whatever we\u2019re going to accuse her of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two just keep quiet. I\u2019ll do the talking. I figure if she sees the three of us, she\u2019ll be intimidated enough to tell us what we need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three men left the hotel, taking a carriage to the address that Adam obtained from his informant. They stood on the sidewalk, looking up at the house. \u201cI remember this house. I remember wondering how Miss Verone could possibly live in such an ordinary house,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam walked up the short walk to the front door with Joe and Hoss following. He knocked. In another minute, he knocked again. Soon, a young woman answered the door. The three men stood with their mouths open, gawking at the resemblance this woman bore to Lydia.<\/p>\n

She looked at all three, cocked her head in puzzlement and asked, \u201cIs there something I can do for you gentlemen?\u201d The woman was dressed in a slender burgundy skirt with a high-necked blouse. Her hair was pillowed on her head, and her face was\u2026fresh\u2026no makeup, soft, full lips, and kind, wide eyes.<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for Elizabeth Tillman.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled the same smile they had been seeing on the Ponderosa; the same smile that captivated their father. \u201cI\u2019m Ellie Tillman. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Tillman, would you mind if we come in?\u201d asked Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d like to talk to you about\u2026business.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Nineteen\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ellie Tillman\u2019s eyes narrowed and a disturbingly seductive smile spread across her lips. \u201cPlease…come in, gentlemen,\u201d she said as she opened the door wide and motioned them inside. Leading them into the parlor, she asked them all to take a seat. \u201cI don\u2019t get return business, gentlemen. And since it\u2019s the middle of the day, I assume you\u2019re here to\u2026talk.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019re here to discuss Victoria Verone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned her back to them and inspected the curtains. \u201cOf course you are. Why else would you be here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood and walked up behind her. \u201cI see you\u2019ve redecorated. As I understand it, you\u2019re no longer in business.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and found herself standing almost up against him. Unflinching, she cut her eyes up at his, and wearing the same provocative smile, she answered, \u201cYou are correct\u2026Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Though she had never seen them before, she recognized Lydia\u2019s description of the three brothers. The dark, polished one was Adam, the little one was Joe and the big one was Hoss. She ran her fingers over the lapel of Adam\u2019s jacket, holding his eyes with hers. \u201cIf you know that, I have to wonder why you\u2019re here. You took a big risk coming here in broad daylight.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she walked across the room, all three watched her. The sauntering walk was the same, the animated way she moved her arms the same, and the voice she just used, a departure from the voice she used when she answered the door, a voice now low and sultry, was the same as they all remembered from their individual visits.<\/p>\n

Adam tugged at his tie. \u201cMiss Tillman, we\u2019re here about Victoria Verone. The Victoria Verone who is staying at our ranch in near Virginia City.<\/p>\n

She threw her head back in laughter. \u201cReally, you are mad, aren\u2019t you? I\u2019ve never been to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other Victoria Verone is your friend, Lydia Templeton.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing again, she struggled to catch her breath. She bent slightly, folding her arm across her stomach, breathing deeply as she chuckled. \u201cOh my, that was a good one. I\u2019m afraid, Mr. Cartwright, the Miss Templeton that graces our streets wouldn\u2019t be caught anywhere near me. She\u2019d probably be fit to be tied that she lives in the same city, if she knew who I was, which I\u2019m sure she does not. You see, we really don\u2019t walk in the same circles.\u201d Hoss and Joe rose from the sofa and stood next to Adam, facing her. \u201cOh, this\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0delicious. Are you all going to have your way with me to get me to do whatever it is you want? You certainly are in the right place,\u201d she said as she continued to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d like you to come back to Nevada with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why would I want to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can pay handsomely for your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u201cYou\u2019re serious, aren\u2019t you?\u201d She approached him again, leaning in, pressing against Adam\u2019s chest and looking up with that smile again\u2026Victoria Verone\u2019s smile. \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFive thousand dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed heartily again, making Hoss and Joe begin to fidget nervously. \u201cYou\u2019d pay me five thousand dollars to travel with you to your ranch in Nevada\u2026to do what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lip curled into his own version of a seductive smile. He put his arm around her, holding her tightly against him. \u201cDoes it matter?\u201d Hoss and Joe looked at each other, keeping their expressions serious.<\/p>\n

She gave Adam a wide grin. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to take me all the way to Nevada, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d She whispered toward his ear. \u201cI can earn your money right here. But then, based on your last visit, you won\u2019t even have to pay me,\u201d she said, taking in his scent and brushing her lips against his cheek. He loosened his hold, and she backed away, moving into Hoss, \u201cMy dear Hoss, I shocked you, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Hoss looked down, unable to meet her eyes. She moved to Joe, putting her arm over his shoulder, and dragging a finger gently down his cheek. \u201cMy lovely, young Joe,\u201d she said, tracing his lips with her finger. \u201cYou would have been scrumptious.\u201d Joe moved her hand away from his face and her arm off his shoulder.<\/p>\n

She stepped back, facing all of them. \u201cWould you gentlemen like to share all the intimate little details with your brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe and Hoss looked away, obviously unwilling, Adam puckered his mouth and glared at her from under his brow. She had convinced Joe and Hoss. He looked at both of them and nodded toward the door. \u201cWait for me outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth to speak, but Adam gave him a look that made him stop. Both men left to wait on the front stoop.<\/p>\n

Standing with his hat in his hand, he faced Ellie again, wearing a confident, charming smile. \u201cI\u2019ll expect you to be ready to leave first thing in the morning. You\u2019ll need to pack for two weeks. It\u2019s a long trip to Virginia City and back.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took his arm and walked him to the door. \u201cReally, Mr. Cartwright, I don\u2019t believe I would like to go to Virginia City. I so dislike travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can always take out an advertisement in the newspaper, letting San Francisco know just who Victoria Verone is, and where she lives. I\u2019m afraid though, that you would lose your anonymity, and your attempt at retirement would be for naught.\u201d<\/p>\n

She crossed her arms, moving into a defensive posture, her face becoming stormy with anger. She stared at him for a moment, suddenly softening into an amused smile. \u201cVery well, Mr. Cartwright. But, I\u2019ll expect that five thousand dollars before I take my leave of you. And what would you have me do when we get there?\u201d<\/p>\n

With narrowed eyes, the corner of his mouth turned up. \u201cJust be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back at the hotel room, the three men were lost in their own thoughts. Hoss sat on the sofa, tapping his fingers repeatedly on the sofa arm, looking off into nothing.
\nJoe paced with his arms crossed, his hands holding on to the opposite arms as if he were waiting for some tragic news.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned against the door, watching the two.\u00a0It was a mistake to bring them along. But then I didn\u2019t count on Ellie being as proficient an actress as Lydia. I would have hoped she\u2019d be unsettled at the sight of all three of us. But, as both women seem to do so well, she unsettled them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked thoughtfully at his hand for a moment, and then stood up facing Adam. \u201cMaybe Lydia\u2019s telling the truth, Adam. That Ellie looks just like her\u2026dadburnit, she walks right and her voice is right. And she knows\u2026well, she knows things ain\u2019t anyone else gonna know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right. I can\u2019t tell you Ellie wasn\u2019t the woman I met. And she did seem to know things\u2026that\u2026well\u2026you had to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam puckered his mouth, drawing his brow into a furious scowl. Lydia had told Ellie about the three of them\u2026all the details. There was no point in telling either one of them how he knew. He\u2019d already lost them. Adam took a deep breath, closing his eyes. \u201cYou two ride out tomorrow, and take Sport with you. I\u2019ll take the steamer and stage with Ellie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, maybe you shouldn\u2019t take her back,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Adam,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s time to let this go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re willing to leave Lydia to Pa? He could lose everything he\u2019s worked for. She could take his self-respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf<\/em>\u00a0the woman we met is Lydia and not Ellie. From where I stand, that\u2019s a mighty big if,\u201d said Joe, angrily facing his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, by the time we get to the Ponderosa, I\u2019m hoping Ellie will be ready to tell the truth,” said Adam quietly, hoping to calm Joe down.<\/p>\n

Understanding Adam’s solemnity, Joe took Adam\u2019s arm as Adam moved toward his room. \u201cDo you realize what will happen if you\u2019re wrong? Pa may never forgive you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Joe,\u201d replied Adam grimly.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m not wrong.\u201d\u00a0 He walked into his room and closed the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometime in the middle of the night, there was a loud, insistent knock at the door. Adam slipped on his trousers, pulled his shirt over his shoulders and went to the door. \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmith,\u201d was the muffled response.
\nOpening the door a crack, Adam looked into the hall, then back over his shoulder. There was no reason for Hoss or Joe to know about Smith. He stepped into the hall, and when he came back in the room, he sat at the desk and wrote a note to his brothers, gathered his belongings and left.<\/p>\n

Smith told him that Ellie Tillman had left her house, carrying a bag. He followed her to the Fairmont Hotel where she rented a room\u2026Room 23. Adam paid the promised fee, five hundred dollars, after which Smith disappeared down the dark hall.<\/p>\n

When Adam arrived at the Fairmont, the desk clerk was sound asleep, making it easy to take a key for Room 23 from the key board and ascend the stairs unnoticed. He quietly let himself in, turning up the lamp so that it dimly lit the room. Ellie was sound asleep. Adam sat in the chair across from the bed and waited. He had no idea how he was going to convince Ellie to tell him the truth, but he had the rest of the night to figure it out.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe walked through the suite in his nightshirt, scratching his backside. He leaned into Hoss\u2019s room. \u201cYou up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am now,\u201d replied Hoss groggily.<\/p>\n

Continuing to Adam\u2019s room, Joe opened the door and leaned in. \u201cA\u2026Adam?\u201d he said, walking all the way in. \u201cHey, Hoss!\u201d he yelled, rushing out of the room.<\/p>\n

Hoss sleepily walked out of his room, wincing at the light of the lamp in the sitting room. \u201cYeah, what it is, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s gone.\u201d Instantly waking up, Hoss furrowed his brow. \u201cWhat do you mean he\u2019s gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, here\u2019s a note,\u201d said Joe. \u201cGot an early start. See you at home. Adam.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Joe frowned, looking down at the note in his hand. \u201cI sure hope he knows what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe usually does.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ellie stirred and slowly sat up, noticing that the room was brighter than it should be. Yawning, she said aloud, \u201cI must\u2019ve forgotten to turn down the lamp.\u201d She turned and jumped back against the headboard of the bed, seeing the shadowy figure of a man in the chair. \u00a0Squinting and blinking sleep from her eyes, she crossed her arms and huffed, \u201cHow did you get in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the key,\u201d Adam answered, holding up the key ring. “I hope you have enough clothes in your bag. We have tickets for the steamer to Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lydia sat in front of her dressing table, brushing her hair, looking at herself in the mirror. She stopped, holding the brush in her hands in her lap and staring at her reflection. Lowering her head, she looked up with one of her trademark smiles, and then closed her eyes, willing away the reflection of what she had been.\u00a0If only one day in my life had been different, I would have met Adam under completely different circumstances.\u00a0<\/em>She took a deep breath and puffed out her chest.\u00a0I can still have Ben. This will all be over in a few more days when Adam comes home empty-handed.<\/em>\u00a0Anna appeared behind her, taking the brush out of her hand. She finished brushing Lydia\u2019s hair, sweeping it up on her head and pinning it in place.
\n\u201cAre you all right this morning, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia smiled at Anna\u2019s reflection in the mirror. \u201cYes, of course I am. I\u2019m just lamenting having to do without you after the wedding. But, I promised I\u2019d pay your way back to New York, and I keep my promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later in the afternoon, Ben sat at his desk poring over a contract while Lydia busied herself arranging roses she cut from the garden Marie had planted on the west side of the house. He looked up from his papers, easing back in his chair, watching her. She was smiling, happy in her work. It was nice to have a woman\u2019s touch in the house again. It was nice to hear a lighter voice and gentler laughter. Adam and Hoss might have been too young to appreciate that side of Marie. And now they were too old to appreciate it coming from a woman who could be their younger sister. But he was sure they\u2019d come to appreciate her. Lydia was quite mature and refined for her age. Once they got to know her, they probably wouldn\u2019t even think of her as being younger. At least, he hoped. His smile turned into a frown, remembering where his sons were and why. Perhaps life could never be perfect, after all.<\/p>\n

He was jarred from his thoughts by a knock at the door. Lydia smiled when he passed her, and when he answered the door, she listened, but could only hear a muffled conversation. Ben had stepped out onto the porch, but quickly came back inside carrying an envelope.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm\u2026oh, yes. It\u2019s just a telegram. He opened the envelope, unfolding the paper and reading to himself, chuckling as he folded it back up. \u201cApparently, Adam asked my attorney in San Francisco to find out what information he could about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d giggled Lydia. \u201cI\u2019m afraid he\u2019ll be sorely disappointed,\u201d she said, stepping into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. \u201cBen, when Adam doesn\u2019t find anything, will he let this go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled down at her. \u201cHe agreed to. And he honors his agreements.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s your son. I wouldn\u2019t expect anything less.\u201d
\nChapter Twenty-Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ellie moved her dress from the back of a chair to the bed, laying it out and smoothing the wrinkles. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019ll get dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat back, crossing his legs. \u201cPropriety didn\u2019t seem to be a concern the last time we shared a room,\u201d he said, raising his brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself.\u201d She laid her robe on the bed, then let her gown drop in a puddle around her feet as she looked alluringly back over her shoulder at him. He was uncomfortable, having never seen this woman in all her naked glory\u2026and she certainly was glorious\u2026but he would never allow her to see his discomfort, especially if he was going to get her to talk. Once she donned her drawers and camisole, he made his move, springing from the chair, taking her by the waist and backing her into a wall.<\/p>\n

Leaning into her, he spoke to her as he hovered his lips over hers, breathing into his words, his voice deeper, quieter. \u201cEllie, I know you\u2019re not the woman I shared an evening with. Would you like to know how I know that?\u201d Her breaths became deep and fast as he lifted her by her waist up the wall until her eyes were even with his. \u201cThe woman I was with had cold, steel-gray eyes that I watched turn soft and warm.\u201d He raised an eyebrow and let her drop back to the floor. After pushing away from the wall, he sat back down in the chair.<\/p>\n

She studied him, and then sat on the side of the bed. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter Mr. Cartwright. I don\u2019t know what you plan to accomplish by forcing me to Virginia City, but I will never betray Lydia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re betraying her now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. You\u2019ll never be able to prove anything, and if you force me to go to Virginia City, you\u2019ll see the same performance you saw at the house. Lydia will be shocked and surprised and very hurt that you didn\u2019t believe her. And your father\u2026your father will be left with a choice. Considering you\u2019re the one making accusations without any hard evidence, who do you think he\u2019ll side with?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam exhaled loudly and scratched his ear. \u201cJust tell me why.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie stood and began to dress as she spoke. \u201cWhy I\u2019m doing this or why Lydia did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was a resident in one of the charity houses where Lydia volunteered. I was seventeen. Lydia was the same age, and when she got me cleaned up, we realized how much we favored each other. When Lydia told me how I could make money and make men pay for their\u2026cruelty\u2026I listened. I did it to get off the wharf\u2026to have a warm bed and three hot meals a day\u2026to live in a fine home. We studied each other, perfecting the walk, the mannerisms and the voice. Lydia worked out all the details so that our public and private lives would never cross paths. She did it as an outlet for her rage. And it worked out well until she met you. She all but stopped, except for your brothers. When she met your father, she told me she was done. She said the house was mine, the accounts were mine\u2026all she wanted was half the cash we had in the safe. She left me with enough to be comfortable for the rest of my life without having to do anything.\u201d Ellie finished dressing and sat on the bed. \u201cBefore she left with your father, she went over all the details about her evenings with each of you. We went over them again and again to make sure you wouldn\u2019t find a crack in our stories.\u201d She folded her hands and looked away. \u201cNeither of us imagined you would remember her eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Lydia?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not my place to tell you that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam crooked his jaw, looking toward the window. Ellie was right. Taking her to the Ponderosa to face Lydia was pointless. Both women would put on their rather convincing act and his father would believe them as would Hoss and Joe, already more than half convinced. Lydia had won. All he could do now was make sure she didn\u2019t do anything to hurt his pa. He had no idea how he would do that. He stood, picked up his bag and put on his hat. \u201cGoodbye Ellie,\u201d he said as he walked out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam was thankful he had sent Joe and Hoss home with the horses. It would give him time alone to figure out what he was going to do. Rather than heading to the steamer, he stopped in a saloon, one that he had never patronized, hoping no one would recognize him. He didn\u2019t want to waste his time on pleasantries. It wasn\u2019t likely anyone would know him; the bar was in a seedier side of town than he or any of his friends or business associates would ever frequent. He purchased a bottle of whiskey at the bar and sat in a dark corner\u2026his whiskey, his glass, his predicament and himself.
\nIf I tell Pa it would be my word against Lydia\u2019s. He\u2019d give her the benefit of the doubt, marry Lydia, and God knows what would happen. If I don\u2019t tell Pa and let it go, he\u2019ll marry Lydia and God knows what will happen. If I talk to Lydia\u2026tell her that Ellie told me everything\u2026give her a reason to believe that Ellie revealed herself\u2026the information about the charity house where Lydia found her, the wharf, the ownership of the house and the accounts, and the cash in the safe. That should be enough to convince Lydia that I know.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tell her about her eyes.<\/p>\n

And she\u2019ll marry Pa\u2026and God only knows.<\/p>\n

I want her to tell me how\u2026why. I want to know why she had almost stopped after me, except for Hoss and Joe, and why she stopped completely when she met Pa. She was counting on Pa falling for her. But why Pa? What was it about Pa? What does she want from him?<\/p>\n

Is it possible she really loves him?<\/p>\n

If she doesn\u2019t love him, there\u2019s nothing I can do. But, if she does love him, she would want what\u2019s best for him. She\u2019d put him before herself. She wouldn\u2019t want him to lose a son because of her.<\/p>\n

If I tell her I can\u2019t stay\u2026that I can\u2019t live there with her as my father\u2019s wife, knowing what we did\u2026knowing what she did with my brothers, would she choose Pa\u2019s family over herself?<\/p>\n

Adam leaned up to the table, laying his head in his hands. He felt lightheaded and looked up at the bottle of whiskey. It was half gone. Taking the bottle to the bar, he asked for a cork. \u201cDo you have a room here I can rent for the night?\u201d he asked the bartender.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith or without company?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ve had enough company for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRooms here come with a girl. There\u2019s a place across the street you can get a cold, lonely bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam thought as he walked across the street.\u00a0I have to tell her I can\u2019t stay. It\u2019s the only way. And that might not even work.<\/em>\u00a0He rented a room, set his bottle on the night table and his bag on the floor. Removing his gun belt, he laid it on the other side of the bed where he could reach his gun if necessary, then pulled off his boots, his trousers and shirt, lay back on the bed and fell quickly to sleep. The whiskey had done its work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss arrived home after dark and bedded down their horses, delaying as long as possible their entry into the house\u2026into Pa\u2019s sitting room\u2026with Lydia.
\nThey stood in the barn door and looked at each other, both frowning. \u201cCome on, Little Brother. We might as well git this over with,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up from his book when he heard boots on the wooden porch, and waited patiently for the click of the door latch. He watched Joe and Hoss enter, quietly laying their gun belts and hats on the cabinet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa,\u201d greeted Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys. Where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s taking the stagecoach,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Why didn\u2019t he come back with you two?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath before he answered. \u201cHe\u2019s bringing someone back with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the boys entered the house, Lydia laid her embroidery in her lap. Sitting in the blue chair, she looked across at Ben as if she were puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s he bringing back?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cA woman named Ellie Tillman,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cShe\u2019s the woman who looks like Lydia. She does, Pa. Me and Joe seen her. She\u2019s the spittin\u2019 image.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia raised her eyebrows, still looking at Ben. \u201cIt will be interesting to finally meet my twin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s late, Pa, and we pretty much rode straight through,\u201d said Joe, making his way to the stairs, pointing. \u201cI think I\u2019ll just turn in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you might as well turn in, too,\u201d suggested Ben. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019re both tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir, I am sorta tired. Night, Pa. Miss Lydia,\u201d he said, nodding and heading up the stairs behind Joe.<\/p>\n

Lydia glanced back toward the stairs. \u201cThose two look like they lost their best friend. I wonder if Adam is really alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia, that\u2019s the look of two young men who’ve made fools of themselves,\u201d said Ben, looking up the stairs. \u201cAdam may have stayed behind on purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam doesn\u2019t strike me as the kind of man who would be afraid to admit he\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not, but when he\u2019s got his mind made up about something, it\u2019s hard for him to let go. It\u2019s just his way. He\u2019s always needed more time with his thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam was awake before light, after sleeping more than eight hours straight. He dressed and headed toward the steamer. Rather than hiring a carriage, he walked to clear his mind, so he could go over his conclusions from last night one more time. He purchased a ticket for the steamer, then waited inside a caf\u00e9 until boarding time, having a biscuit with honey and coffee for breakfast.<\/p>\n

On the steamer, he took a seat near a window and thought as he watched the murky waters of the Sacramento River flow by. Every possibility he could come up with ended up with Pa marrying Lydia. The only one that might not lead to marriage, leaving the Ponderosa, wasn\u2019t a sure thing. Pa could still end up marrying her, but it was the only real choice he had. He just had to hope that Lydia loved his pa and would do the noble thing.<\/p>\n

When he arrived in Sacramento, he transferred to the stagecoach, leaving for home with only a short wait. He was relieved to find that he was the only passenger at the moment. Pushing his hat over his eyes, he leaned back into a corner next to the window and tried to nap, but it was no use. His mind was still trying to find an alternative.<\/p>\n

Then a thought dawned on him. What if Lydia really loved his father and would make him happy. He hadn\u2019t thought about his father\u2019s happiness\u2026only about protecting him from what he knew Lydia to be, a beautiful, voluptuous, manipulative woman with an appetite for controlling and humiliating men.<\/p>\n

What if she had changed? Thinking back to his night with her, he recalled that she had tried to set the stage for her game, but he caught on early enough to turn it around on her. When she realized that he wanted a shared experience with her rather than something one-sided\u2026something he was sure she was used to, she let her guard down. He saw her change from rigid and stony to tender and warm. She was genuinely surprised when he was still with her the next morning, and he was sure she was sad to see him leave. Ellie said Lydia all but stopped after her night with him. Had he somehow changed her view of men?<\/p>\n

But why would she lure Hoss and Joe in? Why would she specifically go after them? She was looking for something. Then before she could possibly know that his father would propose marriage, she quit completely, as if she had finally found that\u2026something.<\/p>\n

He knew he would definitely have to talk to Lydia, but before he tried to use her love for his father to send her away, he needed more answers. Could Lydia really just want his father\u2019s love and acceptance? Could she have found something with his father that she had lost\u2026maybe when she was just a fifteen-year-old girl?<\/p>\n

Could he live in the same house with his father and as his wife, a woman he\u2019d shared a night with? He knew the answer to that. If he respected her, he could let go of her past. By the time the stagecoach arrived in Virginia City, he knew he was going to give her a chance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam hadn\u2019t realized it, but he had missed his father, Lydia and Anna in town when he arrived on the stage. He\u2019d made a beeline to the livery to rent a horse, anxious to get back to the house and get his conversation with his father over so he could concentrate on Lydia.<\/p>\n

Arriving at the house, he pulled the handles of his bag off the saddle horn, making his way to the front door and pushing it open. \u201cHello! Anyone home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe came barreling down the stairs, but stumbled to a stop at the bottom when they realized Adam was alone. \u201cI thought you were bringing Ellie back,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a long talk with Ellie. There was no point in bringing her back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it,\u201d said Hoss, slapping Joe on the back so hard Joe stumbled forward. Before he could fall, Hoss grabbed him by the collar. \u201cSorry, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grimacing at the stinging he was still feeling on his back, Joe answered, \u201c\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are Pa and Lydia?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey went to town. Didn\u2019t you see \u2018em?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d Adam scratched his ear. \u201cLook, I\u2019d appreciate it if\u2026well, I\u2019d like to talk to Pa alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be a problem. We\u2019ve got chores to do,\u201d said Joe as he and Hoss took their guns and hats and made their way out the door. Turning back, Hoss said, \u201cGood luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took his bag upstairs, unpacked his clothes, then took a book back downstairs and read until he heard the buggy enter the yard. When Lydia opened the door, she didn\u2019t notice Adam standing in front of the fireplace, having turned back around to guide Ben through the door with his load of boxes and bags. Anna brought up the rear with more bags.<\/p>\n

After Lydia guided Ben to the coffee table, Adam stepped forward to take some of the boxes. \u201cAdam, you\u2019re back!\u201d said Lydia. \u201cI thought you were taking the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did we miss you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam peeked into one of the bags. \u201cI didn\u2019t do any shopping on the way home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnna, would you help me get some of these things upstairs? The vases and candles can stay down here.\u201d Anna started looking through bags, selecting those that had clothes and accessories in them. She and Lydia talked excitedly while they went up the stairs. As their voices faded down the hall, Ben and Adam stood quietly, looking at everything in the room but each other.<\/p>\n

Finally, Adam spoke. \u201cPa, before I tell you anything about San Francisco, I\u2019d like to talk to Lydia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to ask her a few questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t see how\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, if it clears all this up, what harm could it do?\u201d Lydia had come quietly back down the hall and stood at the top of the stairs without either man noticing her.<\/p>\n

As she made her way down the stairs, Ben answered. \u201cLydia, I allowed him to go to San Francisco. I see no point in dragging this unpleasantness out any further.\u201d By the time he had finished, she was by his side, looking up into his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d she said softly. \u201cIt\u2019s not over until it\u2019s over for all of us. That has to include Adam.\u201d
\nShe reached up and touched his cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s alright. I don\u2019t mind.\u201d Ben looked irritably at Adam, but nodded.<\/p>\n

Adam took Lydia\u2019s elbow and guided her out the door, helping her into the buggy and driving away. They rode awhile before either said anything. \u201cYou covered yourself well, Lydia.\u201d She turned and studied him. \u201cThere\u2019s a spot at the lake I go sometimes. \u00a0When I miss my mother.\u201d
\n\u201cI thought you never knew your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy birth mother? No, she died when I was born. When she died, my father followed his dream to come west. My second mother died when I was six. Hoss was just a baby, and she left me holding him in a corner out of danger while she fought Indians with Pa. She was killed by an arrow. That happened while we were still traveling west. Joe\u2019s mother died when I was seventeen\u2026in a riding accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam. I knew that you all had different mothers. I never thought how Hoss and Joe\u2019s mother\u2019s deaths might have affected you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled the reins, stopping the horses. \u201cLet\u2019s go for a walk,\u201d he said, taking her hand and helping her down. When they came upon Marie\u2019s grave, she stopped, looking down at her hands. \u201cPa still misses her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think your father misses them all. This is just the one he can still visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 You\u2019re father shared a part of his life with them.\u00a0 He remembers them fondly.\u00a0 Why would I want to take that away from him?\u201d \u00a0They walked past the grave to some rocks at the shore and sat down. \u00a0\u201cDid you find what you were looking for?\u201d asked Lydia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found Victoria Verone, if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snorted and closed her eyes. \u201cEllie. You found Ellie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t surprise you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the least.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, Ellie did her best to convince us. As a matter of fact, she did convince Hoss and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat, looking out at the lake. \u201cTwo down\u2026one to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia, the moment I saw Ellie, I knew. She does look remarkably like you, and the walk\u2026and that voice\u2026the same walk and voice I remember. But not the same\u2026\u201d he reached over and turned her face to his \u201c\u2026eyes. I might not have noticed if I hadn\u2019t spent some time looking into those eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cStill, Ellie wouldn\u2019t have said anything.\u201d Adam twisted his mouth and raised his eyebrows, causing Lydia to jump to her feet and face him. \u201cWhat did you do to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI made a point. The same point I just made to you. Of course, I can\u2019t prove anything. But somehow, I don\u2019t think I need to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia\u2019s expression suddenly saddened, and she turned and looked up at the sky. \u201cYou had some questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you do it? Why did you entice men into your home as Victoria Verone, and then send them running away?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She clasped her hands behind her back, looking down and cutting her eyes up at him. He had seen her look at his father this way, but that look was rather pleasant. This look…there was nothing pleasant about this look. It consisted of disgust and hate, and when she looked away again, he swore he saw\u2026shame?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was fifteen, I went riding\u2026like I always did\u2026through the countryside. My horse was spooked by a rattlesnake and bolted. By the time I got him under control again, I had no idea where I was. He had run through a wooded area that I was unfamiliar with. I picked a direction and rode for awhile, hoping to find a house or a farm where there might be someone who could tell me how to get back to the city. It was beginning to get dark, and I came upon a campfire. I asked for help, but by the time I realized it was a bad idea, one of them had already gotten close enough to grab my leg.\u201d She turned away from him, her voice becoming unsteady. \u201cThere were nine of them. I fought. I left scratches on one\u2019s face, so they tied my hands above my head. They all took turns while the others watched, and then they left me tied while they drank and slept. The next morning at first light, they\u2026\u201d By this time, Adam was standing behind her, holding her shoulders as she withered. \u201cWhen they were done with me, they left me tied to a tree so that whoever found me would know exactly what had been done to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping out of his hands, she continued. \u201cI created Victoria Verone when I was seventeen\u2026about the time I first stepped out of the house again. I met Ellie\u2026my age\u2026being passed from bed to bed to survive. I had the money to make it work, and she was a willing partner. For the next eight years, I took my revenge.\u201d As she spoke, her voice got steadily louder and angrier. \u201cI controlled\u00a0them<\/em>. I humiliated\u00a0them<\/em>. All of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her body had tensed as if she was ready for a fight, but suddenly, she slumped. \u201cAnd then, I found you dressed in your fine suit and your silk waistcoat, young, handsome, rich. Just like all the others; just like the men my father entertained. You all had money to pay a woman to submit to what you wanted until you were sated. You all treated women as something less than human\u2026a toy.\u201d She turned to face him again. \u201cBut you\u2026you weren\u2019t rough or vulgar. You didn\u2019t reek of alcohol and cigars. And when it came time to tie you, you slipped away\u2026you changed the game. You wanted\u2026companionship. And you stayed.\u201d She sat down on a rock next to him, looking older\u2026tired, as if she had just lost everything that mattered to her. At twenty-five, she felt like she had already lived a lifetime.\u00a0 She was emotionally spent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

She took another deep breath and continued. \u201cI saw you again with my father and another man. I think he was your attorney. I asked my father who you were, and he told me about you and your family. I wondered if you were just a quirk, or if there were actually other men in the world like you. So I listened and waited, and eventually your brothers came to San Francisco. Poor Hoss. \u00a0He had no idea what he\u2019d gotten himself into. I\u2019d never seen such a big man with such innocence. The kiss in the coach shocked him so much that when he got to the house, I couldn\u2019t get him past the parlor.\u201d \u00a0She giggled. \u201cAnd Joe. I swear, if there ever was a young Casanova\u2026. Joe was polite and courteous. He was just looking for fun, and when I got him up to the bedroom and\u2026well\u2026you know\u2026he hesitated. Joe has a line he won\u2019t cross.\u00a0 He was in such a hurry to get away\u2026\u201d She chuckled. \u201c\u2026that he almost broke his neck on the stairs. My coachman picked him up by the scruff of his neck at the end of the sidewalk and threw him into the coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled with her. \u201cYep, that\u2019s Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then your father came to town. I had no idea how I was going to arrange to meet him, but as it turned out, we had lunch in the same restaurant the day he signed that timber contract. \u00a0So I met him as Lydia Templeton instead of Victoria Verone. \u00a0And that day, Victoria Verone ceased to exist.\u201d She turned to him, looking into his eyes. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t know whether you can understand this or believe it, but the reason I sought out Hoss and Joe was because I wanted to know if you were really an oddity among men or if perchance, you were one in a family of honorable men. \u00a0And once I knew that about you and your brothers, I had to meet the man who raised you\u2026surely, he was an honorable man as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping into him, she raised her hands to his chest and looked up into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I could never have you.\u00a0 I knew you\u2019d figure it out.\u201d\u00a0 Adam gazed into the steel-gray eyes he remembered, now distraught at her plight.\u00a0 \u201cI knew you would never consider\u2026me\u2026knowing what you know about me.\u201d\u00a0 She turned back to the rock they had been sitting on.\u00a0 \u201cYour father was kind and attentive and charming and all those things you were\u2026just older. And I knew he could love me and that I could make him happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was Adam\u2019s turn to walk to the edge of the water and look out while Lydia silently waited on the rock. After a few quiet minutes, he turned to her and smiled. \u201cI believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia closed her eyes, and let out a deep breath. \u201cWhat will you tell your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing deeply before he spoke, he said, \u201cI\u2019ll tell him that I spoke to the other woman, and that she is Victoria Verone.\u201d He closed his eyes and shook his head, snorting. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t be lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia sadly looked at him. \u201cBut, you will be.\u201d Adam creased his brows, questioning. \u201cI think your father would say that lies of omission are just as wrong as outright lies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already know him pretty well. But Lydia, he doesn\u2019t have to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t want to start a life with your father keeping secrets from him. There have been too many secrets. I have to tell him. I have to be honest with him about my past and what I\u2019ve done\u2026about you.\u201d She looked down at her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you want to do this? You don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam. I do.\u00a0 I do love your father, but as difficult as it would be for you, knowing me the way you do, it would be even harder for me, having to face you every day, feeling the way I do about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Adam and Lydia walked back into the house, Ben was standing with one foot on the hearth, staring into the fire. He turned, watching and waiting as they walked into the sitting area. \u201cAdam, would you excuse us?\u201d asked Lydia. Adam took her hand, bringing it to his lips and smiled sympathetically before he went to the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d He turned back at the sound of his father\u2019s voice. \u201cDid you find what you were looking for?\u201d asked Ben quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa. I did,\u201d he answered, nodding and turning to ascend the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben faced Lydia, taking her hands in his. \u201cBen, I have some things to tell you, but first, I need to tell you that the sons you have raised have all turned out to be remarkable and honorable young men\u2026just like their father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben affectionately gazed at her with warm, loving eyes. \u201cBut there are some things you don\u2019t know about me that you should.\u201d Ben pulled her into him, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her so lovingly, so tenderly that when he finished, Lydia had tears in her eyes. \u201cLydia, I already know everything I need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He gently put his fingers to her lips. \u201cI know what happened to you when you were fifteen. I know how long it took you to walk out of the house again. \u00a0Your father told me that because of it you had some liaisons with a few men\u2026men whom he thought you would allow to take care of you\u2026but, you couldn\u2019t. You had lost all trust in men. I understand that. He told me he was surprised when you said yes, and hoped that this would work. And since we\u2019ve been back, Lydia, I\u2019m convinced it will work. I don\u2019t need to hear about your past. I don\u2019t need to know anything except what we have in the present, and what we will have in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d she said as tears escaped her eyes.\u00a0 \u201dI\u2019ve found something here I never thought possible.\u00a0 \u00a0But the change I would bring to your door could be devastating, and I could never do that to you or your sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSsh. Not another word. The past is the past. Neither of us belongs there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t belong there.\u00a0 And if I stay, you\u2019ll be put right in the middle of mine.\u201d\u00a0 She touched his face.\u00a0 \u201cI do love you, Ben, but I can\u2019t marry you.\u201d\u00a0 She turned toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cAnna and I will be packed within the hour.\u00a0 If you could have someone take us to town, we\u2019ll be on the next stage out.\u201d\u00a0 She didn\u2019t wait for an answer.\u00a0 She hurried up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben felt as if he couldn\u2019t breathe.\u00a0 He leaned over to steady himself on the arm of the chair and slowly dropped into the seat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Lydia and Anna came down the stairs they were dressed in their traveling clothes.\u00a0 Lydia wore a hat with a veil covering her face.\u00a0 Adam had already hitched the buckboard and the buggy and had begun moving their bags and trunks outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lydia looked at Ben still sitting in the chair, staring at the fireplace.\u00a0 \u201cGoodbye, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning, he looked up at her with a stunted smile, then rose and walked her out the door.\u00a0 He helped her up onto the front seat of the buggy, and then helped Anna up into the back.\u00a0 All he could manage was a smile.\u00a0 Lydia sniffed and smiled back through her tears, bringing her handkerchief up to her face.\u00a0 When Adam climbed into the buggy next to her, she quietly said, \u201cMaybe Hoss or Joe should drive us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled reassuringly.\u00a0 \u201cNeither of them is here,\u201d he said, squeezing her hand.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the stage office, Lydia purchased tickets while Adam and the ranch hand that had driven the buckboard moved their trunks to the sidewalk in front of the office.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll keep your trunks here until tomorrow\u2019s stage,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you to the International House.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they arrived, Adam checked them in and carried their bags to their suite.\u00a0 After Anna had retreated to her room, Lydia turned to Adam who was standing in the door.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I never meant to hurt your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be alright.\u00a0 But you could have stayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 Not that way.\u201d \u00a0She looked into his eyes, and when he saw the warmth and softness he had seen on the night they had shared, he knew she was right.\u00a0 All three of them living in the house would have eventually become too difficult for her; perhaps for him as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One year later\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom of his suite at a hotel in San Francisco, tying his tie.\u00a0 He was there to negotiate a cattle contract, and while he was there, he would be attending a formal dinner and dance where the San Francisco Businessman of the Year would be announced.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he walked to the door of the banquet room in the hotel where the dinner and dance was being held, he was introduced to the room, and a server immediately handed him a glass of champagne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tables placed around the perimeter of the room were each decorated with a vase of fresh flowers in the center and eight place settings of fine china, crystal and silver atop a white linen tablecloth.\u00a0 The center of the room was left open for dancing.\u00a0 Wandering around the room, nodding and sharing pleasantries with those he knew, his eyes never stopped searching, looking for that one person responsible for the dinner, decorations and music.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the music began, he spotted her, a delicate vision in a pale pink gown with rose-colored trim adorned with red rosettes.\u00a0 She floated from one cluster of guests to another, greeting them and laughing, wearing a captivatingly brilliant smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She froze at the sound of a familiar deep, mellifluous voice behind her.\u00a0 \u201cExcuse me.\u00a0 May I have this dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly turning, she lowered her face and cast her eyes up at him with a delightfully charming smile.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, how are you this evening?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam set his champagne flute on a passing tray and held his arm out to her.\u00a0 \u201cThe evening just became decidedly better,\u201d he said as he returned her smile and led her to the dance floor.<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alternate Ending<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was Adam\u2019s turn to walk to the edge of the water and look out while Lydia silently waited on the rock. After a few quiet minutes, he turned to her and smiled. \u201cI believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. \u201cWhat will you tell your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing deeply before he spoke, he said, \u201cI\u2019ll tell him that I spoke to the other woman, and that she is Victoria Verone.\u201d He closed his eyes and shook his head, snorting. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t be lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lydia sadly looked at him. \u201cBut, you will be.\u201d Adam creased his brows, questioning. \u201cI think your father would say that lies of omission are just as wrong as outright lies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already know him pretty well. But Lydia, he doesn\u2019t have to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t want to start a life with your father keeping secrets from him. There have been too many secrets. I have to tell him. I have to be honest with him about my past. If he sends me away\u2026\u201d she looked down at her hands \u201c\u2026it\u2019s no one\u2019s fault but my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you want to do this? You don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam. I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

When Adam and Lydia walked back into the house, Ben was standing with one foot on the hearth, staring into the fire. He turned, watching and waiting as they walked into the sitting area. \u201cAdam, would you excuse us?\u201d asked Lydia. Adam took her hand, bringing it to his lips and smiled sympathetically before he went to the stairs.
\n\u201cAdam?\u201d He turned back at the sound of his father\u2019s voice. \u201cDid you find what you were looking for?\u201d ask Ben quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa. I did,\u201d he answered, nodding, then turning to ascend the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben faced Lydia, taking her hands in his. \u201cBen, I have some things to tell you, but first, I need to tell you that the sons you have raised have all turned out to be remarkable and honorable young men\u2026just like their father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben affectionately gazed at her with warm, loving eyes. \u201cBut, there are some things you don\u2019t know about me that you should.\u201d Ben pulled her into him, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her so lovingly, so tenderly that when he finished, Lydia had tears in her eyes. \u00a0\u201cLydia, I already know everything I need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He gently put his fingers to her lips. \u201cYour father and I had a long conversation before we left San Francisco. I know what happened to you when you were fifteen. I know how long it took you to just walk out of the house again. \u00a0And your father told me that because of it you had some liaisons with a few men\u2026men whom he thought you would allow to take care of you\u2026but, you couldn\u2019t. You had lost all trust in men. I understand that. He told me he was surprised when you said yes, and hoped that this would work. And since we\u2019ve been back, Lydia, I\u2019m convinced it will work. I don\u2019t need to hear about your past. I don\u2019t need to know anything except what we have in the present, and what we will have in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSsh. Not another word. The past is the past. Neither of us belongs there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood at the top of the stairs just around the corner. He smiled, turned, and went to his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alternate Ending – Chapter Twenty-Nine by MonicaSJ<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty-Nine<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the next week, there was a flurry of activity at the Ponderosa; from ordering flowers, personally inviting Ben\u2019s closest friends, and speaking with the minister. Ben and Lydia decided that the traditional reception would be replaced with a dinner, and afterwards there would be entertainment and dancing.<\/p>\n

Lydia had talked Ben into staying home after the wedding rather than going elsewhere for a honeymoon. She recruited Adam to help keep Ben away from business that week, hoping they could spend the time seeing the thousand square miles of the Ponderosa, including the lake.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben had just walked in the front door after inspecting a new dam over the creek that provided water to the north pastures. As Ben removed his gun and hat, he looked over at Lydia who was sitting in the leather chair next to the fireplace with her head bowed and her hands resting in her lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cLydia?\u201d he inquired as he approached her. She looked up and gave him a forced smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, darling?\u201d asked Ben as he sat down on the coffee table in front of her, taking her hands. Adam wandered over to the desk, listening.<\/p>\n

Frowning apologetically, she answered, \u201cI just have to get used to being the newcomer to a man\u2019s household that\u2019s already established.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t answer my question.\u00a0 Out with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Hop Sing?\u201d
\n\u201cWell\u2026he doesn\u2019t seem to like me much. I\u2019ve never had an opportunity to really speak with him, but\u2026he frowns at me.\u201d She raised her chin, looking Ben in the eye, then cut her eyes away, twisting her mouth. \u201cI\u2019m afraid to go into the kitchen. I\u2019m afraid he\u2019ll fuss at me in Cantonese and run me out. But I\u2019d like to talk to him about our wedding dinner and refreshments afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither had been paying any attention to Adam, but he had turned and leaned back on the desk with his arms crossed. Both Ben and Lydia looked over at him when they heard a low laugh. Ben smiled, chuckled and turned back to Lydia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d she asked, pouting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought that the formidable Lydia Templeton, the woman who ran the Templeton household with a firm hand, who planned the meals, hosted the parties, arranged for guests would ever be afraid of my cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why you’d think that. I had a chef and kitchen help and Anna and decorators and caterers. I\u2019ve never really been on my own doing any of those things. Besides, I\u2019ve heard him. What if he\u2019s saying something awful?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben and Lydia spoke, Adam excused himself to the kitchen. \u201cHop Sing, can I talk to you for a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you want? Hop Sing get ready pluck chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Miss Lydia\u2026.\u201d Hop Sing continued to gather all he needed to clean and pluck the dinner birds. \u201cDo you have a problem with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe girl. \u00a0She too young to know how run kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned. \u201cNow Hop Sing. You don\u2019t even know her. She\u2019s not just a mere girl. In fact, she ran a household much bigger and busier than this, and she\u2019s been doing that since she\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0a mere girl. I don\u2019t think she wants to take over. But she\u2019d like to have some input\u2026and maybe help you cook once in a while.\u201d Hop Sing glanced back at Adam scowling, unconvinced. \u201cShe\u2019s been trained by one of the finest chefs in San Francisco. I\u2019m sure she\u2019d love to share recipes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiping his hands on his apron, Hop Sing turned to face Adam. \u201cWhat you want Hop Sing do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive her a chance. She won\u2019t bite, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like lady now? You not like lady before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting his hand on Hop Sing\u2019s back and turning him toward the kitchen doorway, Adam answered. \u201cYes, I like Miss Lydia now. I like her a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I call her before she marry Mr. Cartlight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lydia will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing and Adam walked into the sitting area together, Hop Sing looking angrily at Adam, but when he stopped in front of Ben and Lydia and turned, he had an instant smile. \u201cMissy Lydia. You come to kitchen. We talk,\u201d he said, nodding.<\/p>\n

Adam held his hand out to Lydia, and when she gave him hers, he pulled her up with Ben rising from the coffee table at the same time, surprised. \u201cYour kitchen awaits.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alternate Ending- Chapter Thirty by MonicaSJ<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty<\/strong><\/p>\n

The settee, sofa table, chairs, and coffee table had been removed from the sitting area. Garlands of flowers were hung over the fire place, and arrangements of white and pink Damask roses, peonies in pastel colors and forget-me-nots symbolizing true love graced the tables around the room. The dining room table had been extended and set opulently with Lydia\u2019s mother\u2019s Bavarian china, as well as crystal and silver which her father had brought with him from San Francisco as a wedding gift.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights were dressed in their finest suits, Adam and Ben wearing silk waistcoats. Lydia wore a gown of ivory satin overlaid in a sheer silk fabric, the base of skirt scalloped and gathered with pink flowers, green leaves and center pearls, and the bodice trimmed in lace and pearls. She wore no veil, but rather wore small white flowers spread throughout her hair.<\/p>\n

The wedding march was replaced with a gathering of family and close acquaintances. A string quartet played chamber music while the assemblage waited for the last few guests to arrive. Once everyone had gathered, the guests stood in front of the fireplace behind the bride and groom, Anna, Lydia\u2019s father, Ben\u2019s sons and the minister, who was facing the crowd. The prayers were said, the promises made, and finally a kiss sealed the union of Lydia Templeton to Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

After congratulations and kisses for the bride, the party enjoyed an elegant dinner served with fifty-year-old Bordeaux from Ben\u2019s wine cellar. The evening continued with dancing and discussions about the upcoming winter, the health of the herds, and the ever-rising price of lumber.<\/p>\n

As the evening grew late and guests made their way to their buggies, Ben and Lydia stood arm in arm on their front porch offering their thanks and wishing everyone a safe journey home.<\/p>\n

Adam, Joe and Hoss had moved the pieces of furniture back to their places in the sitting area and stood in front of the fire place with Lydia\u2019s father and Anna, holding glasses of wine, waiting for their father and Lydia to come back into the house. Adam stood smiling, making the last toast of the evening, raising his glass \u201cTo true love, long life, laughter and happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, here,\u201d said Joe and Hoss as they touched their glasses to the others and drank. Anna, the boys and Mr. Templeton said their goodnights and retired to their rooms, leaving Ben and Lydia sitting on the coffee table in front of the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou planned a lovely evening, my darling, but was it enough?\u201d asked Ben, holding Lydia against him as both gazed into the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was perfect, Ben\u2026just perfect. I don\u2019t need the finery of my father\u2019s mansion, the fancy dinners or the parties as long as I can spend my days\u2026\u201d she looked coyly up into his eyes \u201c\u2026and my nights with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alternate Ending – Chapter Thirty-One by MonicaSJ<\/p>\n

Chapter Thirty-One<\/strong><\/p>\n

One year later\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Lydia came out of the kitchen after helping Hop Sing prepare lunch for the hard-working men who would be riding into the yard at any moment, hot, sweaty and hungry. She gathered her knitting, slowly walking to the front porch with one hand on her back. She hadn\u2019t remembered ever having a sore back and right now, she was miserable. She sat down in the rocking chair that Ben had moved next to the table on the upper porch so she could put her knitting box within reach beside her.<\/p>\n

She had only managed one purl before the men rode noisily into the yard. Putting her knitting down on her lap, she sat back in the rocker and watched as the men discussed their morning, joking and bantering back and forth while tying their horses. They turned and made their way to the porch. Ben bent down and kissed Lydia while Hoss and Joe sat on the deck boards.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you?\u201d asked Ben, smiling down at his wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine. I just came out after helping Hop Sing prepare your lunch. I hope you\u2019re hungry. He fried an awfully big batch of chicken. I made the biscuits, and we both peeled potatoes for potato salad.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Ben on one side and Adam on the other, they took her arms and hands and lifted her carefully up and out of the rocking chair. Everyone turned and walked toward the door, and as they were going, Adam\u2019s last comment faded away as they all entered the house and closed the door. \u201cLydia, if you don\u2019t have that baby soon, you\u2019re gonna pop.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Ben extends a business trip in San Francisco when he meets a mature, polished younger woman who comes from a well-known, well-to-do family.\u00a0 Joe, Hoss and Adam believe they have each met this same young woman before under questionable circumstances and each kept those meetings to himself, but are all disturbed when their father introduces her as his fianc\u00e9.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Feedback:\u00a0 All, good or bad.\u00a0 If bad, constructive. \u00a0Reader Alert:\u00a0 Adult themes \u00a0Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0WC 22,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":217,"featured_media":1242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-7904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1474,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7359","url_meta":{"origin":7904,"position":0},"title":"The Invitation (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"July 8, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Pa is away and .... \u00a0A little comedy about fights, the mail, and an old friend. 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