Page 10 of Texas Glory
Soon he would own her, just as her father had owned her mother.
His brothers sat at the back of the room as though none of this arrangement concerned them, and yet, she was left with the distinct impression that they were poised to change their minds in the blink of an eye.
Boyd stood before the desk, Cameron and Duncan standing just a little behind him. She had always found her brothers a trifle intimidating. It looked as though Dallas Leigh only found them irritating.
Reverend Preston Tucker had kindly introduced himself before they’d entered the room. Appearing amused, he stood near the windows that lined the remaining wall.
Boyd withdrew a sheet of paper from inside his jacket. “Before Cordelia signs the marriage certificate, we want your signature on this contract we’ve had drawn up. It spells out the two conditions under which my father agreed to give you permission to marry his daughter. We’ve added a third condition.”
Dallas lifted an eyebrow, and she was reminded of a raven’s wing in flight. “And that condition would be?”
“If fate should be kind enough to make her a widow, she inherits all you possess on this day and all that you gain from this day forward.”
Cordelia watched Dallas’s jaw clench. She couldn’t say that she blamed him. Had her family lost their minds to think he’d agree—
“It goes without saying that if she’s my wife, all that I have goes to her upon my death.”
“You don’t think those two sitting back there would object?” Boyd asked.
“Not if I tell them not to.”
“Not good enough,” Boyd said. “We want it in writing and signed.”
“My word is good enough for the bank, good enough for the state, good enough for any man who has ever had to depend on it. It had damn well better be good enough for you.”
Cameron and Duncan cast furtive glances at each other. Boyd simply pulled his shoulders back. “Well, it’s not good enough. If you don’t sign the document, we go home, and Cordelia goes with us.”
Cordelia thought it would be difficult enough to build a marriage on a foundation of hatred, but to begin it knowing no trust existed … She eased forward in the chair. “Boyd, surely this isn’t necessary—”
“Shut your mouth, Cordelia,” Boyd growled.
Cordelia shrank against her chair as Dallas Leigh planted his hands on the desk and slowly came to his feet. Cameron and Duncan stepped back, and she thought given the choice, they’d gladly leave the room. She wanted to leave herself.
Dallas’s brown eyes darkened, and she imagined Satan would look like an angel standing next to this man when he was consumed with rage.
“Never use that tone of voice in my presence when you’re talking to a woman and, by God, never talk to the woman I’m going to marry in that manner.”
“You won’t be marrying her if you don’t sign the paper,” Boyd said.
Dallas narrowed his eyes until they resembled the sharp edge of a knife. She knew pride kept him from applying his signature to the document. Pride would keep her from becoming a wife today.
Cordelia heard the patter of tiny feet and saw the flash of a blue dress and blond curls as a little girl raced past her. Jostling the small kitten she held securely in her arms, she rushed toward the man standing behind the desk. The woman who walked behind her was obviously ignorant of the seething hatred and anger filling the room. Houston stood, but he seemed hesitant to interfere.
“Unca Dalls?” the little girl said as she tugged on Dallas’s trousers.
Cordelia slowly rose from her chair, fearful for the child’s well-being, uncertain as to what she could do to prevent Dallas from turning his rage on the child.
Then it was too late.
He glanced down, and the girl pointed her finger toward his nose. “Kitty bit me.”
The anger in Dallas’s eyes faded into concern. His brow furrowed. “He did?”
She bobbed her head, the blond curls bouncing with her enthusiasm.
“Where?”
She stretched up on her toes, taking her finger higher. “There.”
