provided ample time for planning her future.
When they arrived at Beau Falkner’s ranch, Hester Potter would declare herself as being the duchess of Gravenworth.
Hester smiled and resumed her pacing. While aboard ship, she had waited hand and foot on her seasick mistress to gain her confidence. The single piece of information that had started her thinking about switching places had been the discovery that Beau Falkner had never met his cousin. Bored, and with a minimal amount of coaxing, Her Grace had spent hours talking of her past and willingly answering questions. Hester now knew everything about the duchess, including her life at Seaborne.
Hester’s chest swelled with pride. She hadn’t been foolish enough to think that was enough to get her what she wanted. Speech and mannerisms were also important. So she had listened carefully to the way Her Grace talked. Then, when off by herself, she had practiced diligently until she could talk with the same sophistication as her mistress and move about with equal grace. Very soon, all her hard-earned efforts were going to put gold in her pocket.
Undoubtedly the duchess’s father or uncle had already sent a message to their nephew informing him of Ann’s arrival and that she was with child. Though they had different shades of hair, she and milady were both blondes. Yes, she praised herself, she had planned well and was quite prepared to make the transition.
Hester laughed, already anticipating playing the part of a duchess. Of course, she would have to make sure Antoinette Huntington never reached her cousin’s ranch.
Hester looked out the window. Snow was starting to fall, but it didn’t matter. Knowing she would soon be treated with dignity gave her the strength to tolerate anything. When money arrived from England, she’d be rich. Then she’d stick the brat in an orphanage and go her own way.
The door suddenly flew open and Ann waltzed in. The bellboys trailed behind, each with his arms loaded with boxes. The duchess had been shopping again. Hadn’t she already purchased enough clothes for a dozen women?
“Oh, Your Grace,” Hester said with mock sweetness as soon as the door had closed, “1 can’t wait to see what you’ve purchased.”
Ann removed her wool cloak. Her hat and veil followed. Rubbing her arms to rid the lingering cold, she smiled fondly at Hester. Poor woman, Ann thought. How could she move about with such agility while having so heavy a burden? She pointed at two of the boxes. “Those are for you.”
Hester tried to act excited about receiving the gifts. “Did you find a wet nurse?” she asked as she untied the ribbons. She pulled a hat from the box but didn’t bother putting it on.
Ann frowned. “No. In England it wouldn’t have presented a problem. They’re everywhere. America is so confoundedly uncivilized. Here women are actually expected to nurse their own children.”
Hester plopped ungracefully onto the small space left on the bed. “We’re no closer to your cousin’s estates, and now you tell me there is no one to suckle the child! You promised that a boat trip was all it would take to reach him.” She had to regain control of her temper.
Ann felt guilty. All these months couldn’t have been easy for Hester, yet she had never complained. “I’m certain I’ll find one soon.” The problem was when and where? Though Ann could never forget whose child Hester carried, she had grown quite fond of the maid. Hester had remained by her side when she was seasick and had offered an immeasurable amount of kindness and friendship.
Ann smoothed her hair back and pulled one of the heavy new gowns from its container. It was a lovely brown velvet affair with a long train. At least her new clothes allowed her some degree of satisfaction.
“Have you discovered where your cousin resides?”
“No,” Ann replied honestly. “I’ve inquired at all the fashionable stores, but no one has ever heard of him.”
“I believe I have a solution to our problem.”
Ann was pleased at hearing how Hester’s speech had changed. With such improvements, the abigail might make something of herself.
Hester lowered her lashes. “I understand that the duke’s son will belong to you. However, why couldn’t I be the child’s wet nurse?”
Ann’s green eyes momentarily glowed with interest, then faded. “It has been proven repeatedly that such matters work best when child and mother are parted at birth,” she said kindly. “It causes less hurt.”
Ann suddenly wondered what would happen if Hester should change her mind about giving up the child. How could she excuse forcefully taking the boy from her? Hadn’t enough wrongs already been committed?
Hester pressed on. “Even you have said Matthew’s men are certain to find us if we remain here much longer. I could nurse Richard, and no one would ever suspect that I gave him birth. And, most importantly, we could continue on to your cousin’s ranch.”
“We can’t leave. Richard has to be born before we reach the ranch or everyone will know he isn’t mine.”
Hester ground her teeth. The closer they were to the Arizona Territory when she had the child the easier it would be for her plan to work. “We can stop at a town on the way. Matthew would be less apt to find us.”
Ann pursed her lips. “It wouldn’t work. One day you would want to proclaim yourself as his real mother.”
“Who would believe my word over Your Grace. especially after the years pass? Milady, how could I, a mere servant, not want my son to become the duke of Gravenworth? I would be so proud.”
Ann made the mistake of looking into Hester’s blue, soulful eyes and couldn’t refuse the request. Besides, what Hester had said made sense. “We do need to be on our way.” She sighed. “All right, we’ll try it.”
When Ann left the suite, her stomach was churning. Every instinct was telling her that she had made a bad decision.
Ann stepped from the hired conveyance and surveyed the building before her. She had read in the London Times that Vanderbilt had spared no cost to build Grand Central Station. She had to agree that it was indeed a magnificent edifice.
Fifteen minutes later, Ann continued to stand steadfast in front of the beak-nosed booking clerk, absolutely refusing to move on. She had not yet received an answer that made any sense. She took two deep breaths and tried again. “As I have already stated, I want two tickets to Arizona Territory.”
“And as I said, lady, I cannot sell you tickets to there. I’ve looked at all the timetables and there is no train going to such a place. You can’t even tell me which direction you’re talking about.”
“I believe the lady wants to go west,” the man standing behind Ann said impatiently.
“West,” the booking clerk repeated. He studied his schedule again. “I can get you to Colorado on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Then.” He ran his finger down the row of numbers. “From there you can catch the Denver & Rio Grande to Pueblo where you can make a stage connection. They’ll know how to route you from that point.” He handed her the proper tickets. “Your train departs at 8:25 p.m. tomorrow.”
Ann’s head was swimming with names she had never heard
