A Socialite in Backwoods Wyoming

By Missi Moline

Denver banker Stephen Hamilton believes his pretty stepdaughter, Victoria Albrecht, can bring him to a higher financial and societal level through a good marriage.

Rancher Victor Albrecht believes his niece, Victoria, can be the heir that he needs if she can fulfill the requirements of his will.

Rancher Clint Dougherty is attracted to Victoria when she comes to Wyoming for the reading of her uncles will, but hes had a bad experience with a pretty socialite.

Can Victoria please all three and God too? And what is the mysterious undercurrent she senses?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512744118

Missi Moline

Missi Moline, born Mary, lives in Valencia, California, with her four-hundred-plus Christian fiction books. She credits her Lord and Savior with the idea for this book. During the long illness of her husband, Bert, she often received middle-of-the-night inspirations when sleep eluded her. Mary Connealy’s humor and snappy dialogue influenced her writing style. Her son, Eric, and daughter-in-law, Michele, and unparalleled grandchildren—Hunter, Alec, and Kirsten—live nearby and are constant sources of joy.

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Copyright © 2016 Missi Moline.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4412-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4413-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4411-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908648

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/08/2016

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Epilogue

There are many people who have been indispensable to me.

My friends Penny Murray and Melissa Aina have patiently listened to my ideas and given honest appraisals.

My daughter-in-law Michele Moline has spent hours helping me overcome my computer ineptitude.

Westbow employees have been helpful and informative, and I thank them.

Chapter 1

Denver, Colorado - Saturday, March 17, 1877

As soon as Victoria Albrect returned from shopping with her mother, she was summonsed to her stepfather’s study.

Victoria’s maid, Nancy, took her shawl, hat and gloves and whispered that a young man had paid a call to Mr. Hamilton while Victoria was out.

Immediately, a list of young men came to mind, six that Victoria recalled. They had each called on her once or twice and then on her stepfather. Although she felt nothing special for any of them, they were nice young men and she was disappointed when each one had failed to call again.

Now Victoria stood in the doorway wondering why she had received such a formal summons. Could one of them have asked to court her?

It was normally Stephen Nicholas Hamilton III, called Nicholas, that spent time in the study with his father. After all, he was being groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps as soon as his schooling was completed.

Although her stepfather was always well-mannered, especially when in the company of others, he often seemed to look right past her. She did not remember her own Papa, but she believed that Stephen Hamilton, Jr. never forgot that she was a stepdaughter.

She hesitated for only a moment, taking in the very masculine décor of dark wood and leather and the smell of cigars. Victoria hoped that her future husband did not smoke cigars.

Although women called Stephen handsome -- tall and slim with dark hair and eyes -- Victoria thought him a cold, self-centered person and wondered how he had won her mother’s heart. He epitomized rigid formality. There was a rule for everything, and everyone must abide by that rule.

The rule that Victoria hated the most was calling him Father. Surely there was a more descriptive name for stepfathers.

Victoria suddenly realized that Father had finished perusing the papers on his desk and had called her forward.

Looking a little hesitant, which was unlike him, he began by explaining that Mr. Nathan Summers had paid him a visit regarding his interest in courting Victoria. It seemed Mr. Summers had asked if Victoria was open to courting, stammered around a little and then plunged into what concerned him. He had heard that if his acquaintances had expressed interest in Victoria, but as far as he knew had never continued to call at Hamilton House.

Victoria had noticed the same thing. At the many Christmas and New Year’s parties and the Mid-winter Ball her dance card had filled within minutes after she arrived and each young man had seemed interested in getting to know her better. But after calling on her at home, having tea and discussing proper subjects, none had called more than twice.

Although Victoria had never been proud, neither did she question her outward appeal. She had been told many times that she was very pretty, her blond hair and blue eyes striking, and she had all the requisite curves. The Hamiltons were in the highest echelon of Denver society. She had the finest clothes, and education. She had top grades at Miss Perry’s Finishing School, so she felt she had not breached any rules of etiquette. So, what was the problem?

Suddenly Victoria noticed that Father had stopped talking and was evidently awaiting her answer, but she had no idea what the question was. Maybe she hadn’t paid close enough attention to Miss Perry’s lecture about keeping your mind on the subject being discussed. She apologized, I’m sorry Father, would you repeat the question, please?

Mr. Hamilton appeared slightly ill at ease, but repeated, Several young men have called here at least once since you returned from finishing school. Is there one of these young men that you particularly hold in esteem?

Victoria thought for a moment and then answered, All of them are fine young men, I’m sure, but I cannot say that I have special feelings for one of them. Why do you ask?

Now Mr. Hamilton seemed more than slightly ill at ease. After shuffling some papers and clearing his throat, he finally rushed into the bothersome subject.

When each of these would-be suitors talked to me about courtship, I felt it my duty to be completely open, so that there would not be questions if a courtship did not end with a marriage proposal.

Victoria’s thoughts flew all over the place, but she tried to corral them so that she would not be caught daydreaming again. She had a feeling this was important.

He cleared his throat again and continued, I have never discussed this matter with you, but I have explained it to your mother. I believe that you have the appearance, manners and education to make some young man an excellent wife – without the need to buy you a husband" with a large dowry.

"I must think of my son’s future and his monetary requirements when he weds.

"Each young man in our acquaintance comes from an affluent family and really has no need of a dowry from his intended. I will, of course, pay for a wedding and trousseau in accordance with our standing in society.

"If this is what has cooled the interest of your other callers, they are not worthy of your concern. When the right suitor appears, he will have your best interests at heart, rather than his bank account. I hope you understand.

Because I believe a close alliance with the Summers family would be beneficial to our whole family, I want you to encourage Mr. Summers’ suit. To that end, and for Mr. Summers only, I will set up a small dowry.

Mr. Hamilton now took a deep breath, and whooshed it out, dismissing Victoria with a forced smile.

*****

Victoria felt somewhat dazed and wished to contemplate all this alone, in her room. She asked Mrs. Baker, the housekeeper to send up tea and scones instead of taking luncheon in the dining room.

All manner of thoughts wrestled for precedence in her head. The strongest, and most unkind, was that the holdings of David Albrecht, her real father, very likely had great influence on Stephen Hamilton, Jr. when he chose to court Sarah Albrecht.

Victoria immediately felt this was not a Christian thought and silently asked God to forgive her and make her thoughts more Christlike. Not wanting to be corralled, her thoughts quickly returned to Stephen’s courtship of her mother. Again, she chastised herself and tried to move on to more proper thoughts. Living in Stephen’s house and being required to call him Father did not entitle her to a dowry.

Thomas Phillips, Raymond Redding, Willis Garfield, Lester Griggs, and Reginald Smythe had evidently all balked at courting a young lady with no dowry.

Well, she certainly didn’t want one of them. That kind of marriage would very likely resemble her mother’s current one, and Victoria had noticed a lack of genuine affection on Father’s part. Victoria thought they respected each other. She wanted respect – and more. She wanted love.

She also realized she wanted integrity. A man looking only for a large dowry would probably do the same in personal and business dealings. He would look out for himself above everything.

That brought to mind a particular chapel lesson taught by the minister at school. He called it the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone adhered to that?

It was then that another thought popped into her head. If she didn’t want a husband who was looking for a rich wife, then she should not be looking for a rich husband. She would try to remember that.

But it looked as though she wouldn’t have to worry about it, because neither rich nor poor seemed to want her to be their wife. This was a rather unsettling thought and made her think of her future.

Would she become a spinster and live out her life at Hamilton House, playing second fiddle to her step-siblings, Nicholas and Alicia?

*****

Dressing for dinner, Victoria thought she would have preferred to have dinner in her room also, but she knew that Father would be very displeased. He expected everyone to dress for dinner and be in the dining room when he arrived.

Often dinner was a very quiet meal, but this evening Father cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention and announced that he would be taking a trip to England. He had heard of new mining equipment that he believed would make it easier and quicker to tunnel and reinforce tunnels in the mines he owned.

He wanted to be the first in Colorado to utilize such equipment. With this machinery, he could buy more mines with low production and push them into high producers.

He would leave Denver on March 20, sail from New York on March 26, return to New York on April 22, and to Denver April 26.

Victoria noticed that her mother seemed surprised and she thought once again about the distance between her parents. Why hadn’t he discussed this with Mother and possibly even asked her to go with him?

Maybe while he was gone, she and Mother could have some long talks.

Even though Victoria’s finishing school was in the outskirts of Denver, she and her mother had drifted apart the last four years. Mother was busy with Nicholas and Alicia, consulting with the housekeeper and participating in all the committees that Father deemed necessary for a woman of their standing in society. (My, was she getting tired of that phrase.)

Chapter 2

The Summers Mansion - Sunday, March 18

On Sundays, the main meal at the Summers’ mansion was served when the family returned from the morning church service.

During the meal today, Oliver Summers could see that something was on his son Nathan’s mind. Since the young man did not bring it up, Oliver waited until they were leaving the dining room to ask, Son, you seem distracted. Is there anything you would like to discuss with me?

Nathan admitted that he did have something on his mind and asked if they could discuss it in the office.

As soon as the door was closed, Nathan took the chair across the desk from his father, and began, Father, you know that I’ve had my twenty-fourth birthday. I’ve been thinking that it is time I consider marrying.

Besides looking so much alike, Oliver and Nathan had always had a close relationship. He was rather taken aback that he hadn’t noticed this side of his son, and said, Son, I’ll admit, you’ve taken me by surprise. Is there a particular young woman that has turned your thoughts to matrimony, or is it the fact that several of your friends have recently married?

Nathan hesitated before acknowledging that it was probably a little bit of both. He then told about his visit to Stephen Hamilton. Thoughtfully, he added, Now that I think about it, I should probably have talked to you about this first, Father.

Oliver Summers had always encouraged his children to think for themselves. Even though he did wish that Nathan had consulted him, he wanted his son to know that he trusted his judgment, so he replied, Son, I have no doubt you will use good judgment in this matter, but I want you to know that I am here whenever you need to talk. Just tell me one thing; do you love this young woman?

Nathan thought for a moment before he said, "Thank you for your confidence, Father. And, to answer your question, no, I do not have strong feelings for Miss Albrect. But I do believe that it is possible I would come to love her if I got to know her better.

"I have danced with her at several balls and called on her once at Hamilton House. I’ve found her to be smart, warm, well-educated and, not that it is a top priority, she is very pretty. It is altogether possible if we got to know each other better that love would grow. I’d like to have a loving relationship like you and Mother.

As you may know, Miss Albrecht’s father died when she was very small and her mother later married Stephen Hamilton.

Nathan went on to describe his talk with Mr. Hamilton, and then he came to the part where he needed the most advice. "Mr. Hamilton says that he will pay for a fine wedding and trousseau and, for me only, a small dowry, should it come to that, but he is not willing to, as he put it, ‘buy her a groom by putting up a large dowry.’

I was rather taken aback that he thought he could ‘buy’ me, or ‘sell’ Miss Albrecht. I left totally confused, and now, here I am, seeking your advice.

Oliver Summers’ laugh rolled out before he could smother it.

He was not in the habit of telling tales out of school, but he believed his son should know a little about Stephen Hamilton, Jr. if there was a possibility that he might one day be Nathan’s father-in-law. The differences in the families could very well become problematic.

Keeping as close to facts-only as possible, he let Nathan know that within the last fifteen years, Mr. Hamilton had clawed his way up in Denver society. He couldn’t help adding, "By the holdings that his wife, Sarah, brought to the marriage.

"As I understand it, Mr. Hamilton’s father, was a wealthy businessman in Chicago. He and his wife were killed in a train wreck some twenty years ago. The business went downhill without his guidance and his two sons finally sold out. The oldest, Stephen, took his share of the money, moved to Denver and bought what he calls ‘Hamilton House.’ He also brought all the furnishing and as many of the servants as would relocate.

"Calling on an old friend of his father, he obtained a position with Denver Bank and Trust. But it did not pay well enough to keep up his household and desired style of living.

"He was aware of a pretty widow with a large sum deposited in the bank. He encouraged her to buy a failing silver mine and pay him to manage it. She insisted that he set it up so that her daughter would have fifty percent interest and he would manage it until she became of age or married. Although it was written up that way, I believe he now considers it his own.

"After further exploration, another vein was found, and the next tidings we heard were of their marriage. Of course, his fortunes and his standing in society began to climb.

As you know, your mother and I have never held rank in society as important. We have good friends whose company we enjoy, and your mother truly feels led to work for the downtrodden, but that is the extent of our place in society.

Mr. Summers continued, "So, Son, I would get to know Miss Albrecht very well before you make up your mind to ask for her hand. But if she is as you believe, your mother and I would love to meet her. Perhaps we could go to dinner and the opera one night soon.

I will add that your mother speaks very highly of Sarah Hamilton.

After thinking for a moment, he also suggested that they plan a casual meeting with Mr. Hamilton. I believe he usually takes his lunch at the club on Thursdays when the women are meeting for the Denver Orphans Awareness meeting. I will call on him this week and arrange to have lunch together.

That plan satisfied Nathan and the men went to the parlor to see what the rest of the family was doing.

*****

Wednesday, March 21

After dinner Wednesday night, Oliver called his son into the office and delivered the bad news – Stephen Hamilton had left on Tuesday for a trip to England. He would be gone for six weeks.

Chapter 3

Instead of long talks, Mother threw herself into a refurbishing rage, determined to have Father’s study completed before his return.

The bookcases, desk and wood floor needed to be refinished, chairs reupholstered, the walls papered and the ceiling painted. If it could be managed, she also wanted to replace the wooden entry floor with marble. Father had often noted that all the best homes had marble entries.

All week, Mother had rushed from one store to another and had appointments with workmen. Competent workmen were hard to find and had a backlog of jobs. Also, most supplies would have to be rush-ordered.

They had not once dressed for dinner, just eating a small meal in the kitchen. Alicia admonished that Father would be appalled.

*****

Sunday, March 25

Because no work or rushing around would be done on Sunday, Victoria hoped to have a chance to ask questions that were on her mind about her Papa. She had been so young when he died and by the time she was old enough to have questions, Mother had remarried and her new father was not happy when Mother talked about David Albrecht.

But now they had six weeks by themselves.

Of course Alicia would take up much of Mother’s time. At 13, she made it her business to snoop and would probably relay to Father everything she heard while he was gone.

Victoria waited until Alicia was asleep and then went to her mother’s sitting room and asked, Mother, if you aren’t too tired, could I ask some questions that have been on my mind?

Her mother seemed happy to talk and so Victoria forged ahead. Please tell me about our life before Papa died. I was so young that I don’t remember much and I’d really like to know.

Sarah hesitated and Victoria was afraid she would refuse to talk. But then her look softened and she began her story.

"I was spending the summer in Yellow Creek, near Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, with my Aunt Shirley. She had broken her arm and needed help with her seven stair-step children. They owned the mercantile and I sometimes helped there, too.

"I met your Papa at a barn-raising and dance. I was just eighteen years old, but knew right then that he was the man I wanted to marry. He was twenty-one and so handsome. I had seen him in church the week before, but had not been introduced.

"I found out that he was liked and respected by all the neighboring ranchers and townsfolk, including my aunt and uncle. He was hard-working, kind and oh, so handsome.

"Did I say that before? He had your coloring, hair like ripe wheat and deep blue eyes. He was over six foot tall, with broad shoulders, narrow hips and long legs.

"Don’t repeat that. Young women aren’t supposed to notice that sort of thing.

"Your papa and his younger brother Victor were working on a ranch between Cheyenne and Laramie, near the small town of Yellow Creek. Victor was a few inches shorter and a stockier build than David, but you could easily tell they were brothers.

"They loved ranching and your Papa was already the foreman.

"The ranch was owned by a crotchety old cowboy named Clyde Jones. All Mr. Jones’ family had died of cholera ten years before. When he was thrown from his horse and died, it was discovered that he had left the ranch to your Papa.

"Using an inheritance from his father, Victor bought an adjoining ranch.

"Your Grandpa Albrecht had found gold in the California Gold Rush, but died in a mine collapse not long before Clyde Jones’ accident, leaving his large bank account to his two sons.

"With a place to bring a bride and a way to support us, your papa asked me to marry him.

"I was the happiest girl in Wyoming. Almost two years later, you were born and then I was the happiest woman in all America.

"The ranch had grown so much your Papa hired a foreman named Marvin Tompkins. His wife, Millie, became our housekeeper/cook and my best friend. Although Marvin and Millie had no children, she had taken care of a passel of youngsters in the orphanage where she grew up.

Did I really say passel? Stephen would have a fit if he heard me return to cowboy talk!"

"Anyway, I made many good friends. Aunt Shirley and her family had moved farther west and I also became very good friends with the new mercantile owners, Quincy and Margaret Brown. They had a daughter just a couple of years older than you. And of course, there was our pastor and his wife, Jonas and Patsy Saunders. They had several children, and I believe one of the boys became the pastor when Jonas died.

"Millie was a real God-send. We lived in the same big house and she became like a favorite aunt. She had always wanted children and when you were born, she was thrilled. Having cared for so many children, she knew everything about taking care of a house and baby. She loved you dearly.

"You may remember that every Christmas I receive a letter from her, and I send one in return. I would like to correspond more, but Stephen is not comfortable with that.

"Your uncle Victor spent every Sunday afternoon at our house playing with you. You were certainly a well-loved baby. You were named Victoria to honor him.

"We went to the small church in Yellow Creek when the weather allowed and we visited with our neighbors, although the closest one was four miles away. It was a very happy time.

"Then when you were only three years old, a bull gored your Papa and he died instantly. It was hard for me to go on, but I had you to take care of.

"The ranch now seemed to be filled with memories and sadness. Your uncle Victor offered to marry me and take care of you like your Papa would have. But I didn’t have that kind of love for him and I needed to get away.

"I sold the ranch and moved to Denver. I was so alone, except for you. I wanted Millie so badly, but she did not want to leave Wyoming and Marvin would have been lost in the city. They moved to Victor’s ranch when I came here.

"A year or so later I met Stephen at the bank. He pursued me until I couldn’t say no any longer. I remembered how wonderful it was to have a husband to love me, and I wanted a father for you.

My biggest regret was letting his jealousy pull me away from your uncle Victor and the Tompkins.

Sarah finished with a deep sigh. So, now do you have any questions? But maybe we should wait until tomorrow if you do. I find I am very tired now. My head is heavy with a whole assortment of emotions.

Victoria also had many emotions flooding her thoughts. She kissed her mother goodnight and made her way to her bed, but not to sleep until the wee hours of the morning.

Chapter 4

Monday, March 26

The next morning, sun was streaming in through Victoria’s filmy pink curtains. She had been so tired last night she had forgotten to close the drapes.

With such a short night’s sleep, she was not ready to face the day. But the bright sunshine and memories of her conversation with Mother came back