Wildest Dreams - By Rosanne Bittner Page 0,271

glanced at Lettie, dumbfounded. She moved her own gaze to Nial and said, "I don't want this house, Nial. I much prefer the home we live in now. It isn't as big or ostentatious, but it's home."

A terrible sadness came into his eyes. "So, even if I had won you over, my stone castle would not have made you happy, would it?"

She stiffened, feeling a flush come to her cheeks. "I am not a woman impressed by such things."

"Oh, yes, how well I know." He set the cigar in an ashtray. "You have always talked about a museum in the area, Lettie. Why not use this house as one? Someday people will walk through here and learn about the wealthy English investors who got into the cattle industry in Montana. And there is plenty of room to bring in other historical mementos. Put some of Will and Henny's things in here. Set some old plows outside, whatever you want to do. Use this library to store the records of early settlers that your daughter started in Billings a few years ago. I am sure you will find good use for such a home." He looked at Luke. "As far as the land, it can be sold off in sections to farmers if you don't want to enlarge the Double L. Or maybe you can give it to that white Indian son of yours—Nathan. Maybe he's ready for a place of his own."

Luke shook his head. "Nathan would never want all of this; but it's true I could sell it off in sections. Actually, I'm trying to whittle down the Double L some. This past winter showed me that we've gotten too big to run the ranch economically."

Nial held his eyes. "Is it a deal then?"

Luke rubbed at his chin. "Give me a couple of days to think about it, talk about it with Ty and the rest of the family."

"I don't want anyone else to know why I'm doing this. It's bad enough having to admit to an old enemy my past mistakes. Tell them whatever you want, as long as it's not the truth. Leave me some honor, Luke."

Luke finished his coffee. "You don't deserve the courtesy, but I'll do it—only because I'm sorry about Chloris. I wouldn't want her family to be disgraced. And I'm sorry about you never getting the children you wanted. I mean that. Children mean everything."

"Yes. It's your own children that have held you two together through the worst of times." He looked at Lettie, and pain filled his eyes. "This has never been a happy home, even after I married Chloris. I did love her, but never the way that I loved you, Lettie." He glanced at Luke, saw the rage building in the man's eyes. "Please don't take offense, Luke. I need to say this. Surely you know I am not the only man who ever loved your wife from afar. I don't doubt that many of your own men have dreamed about her."

Lettie felt her face growing hot. "Please, Nial—"

"I am not trying to embarrass you, Lettie. I am just stating simple facts. Part of the reason I am making this deal with Luke is because of you. If anyone deserves to get in on such a good thing, it's the two of you. There are other men I could have turned to, but I can't think of anyone else I can trust to take care of Essex Manor properly, or trust to keep my secret." He looked at Luke. "I have not been the most honorable man, Luke, but when it came to Lettie, I always had trouble thinking straight. A few years ago I saw my one chance to have her, but her love for you was simply too powerful. She could never belong with any man but you, and with Chloris gone, I would rather go home than ever have to see Lettie again. I will never again interfere in your lives, and although you may not believe me, I wish you the best of luck in your run for governor."

Luke rose. "I don't know whether to thank you or hit you," he answered. "I never have known quite how to feel about you, Nial."

Nial also stood up, and Lettie quickly finished her tea and moved to stand beside Luke. "I hope you will take me up on my offer, Luke," Nial said. "It's a hell of a buy, for a hell of a man." He put out