Satan's Angel by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp [Camp, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, western, outlaw, Texas
Publisher: Clutch Books LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

When they reached Austin, Slater took Victoria to the Avenue Hotel, and they parted. Normally he would not have thought of leaving an unescorted young lady to fend for herself, but Victoria’s silence had been like a hair shirt, exacerbating his own sense of guilt and failure. She had hardly spoken to him since their argument. The air had been as chilly between them as if a blue norther had blown in.

Her attitude infuriated Slater. There was nothing more he could do. Victoria was asking for the impossible. She was spoiled, selfish and unreasonable. But he couldn’t keep from feeling that he had failed her, that he hadn’t been strong enough or smart enough to give her what she needed. He reminded himself that he owed Victoria nothing, that her cousin had gotten kidnapped through her own damn foolishness, and that if the two women hadn’t been there distracting him, he might have been able to stop Brody’s escape.

But nothing could make him forget that Brody had outfoxed him again or that Victoria’s trust in him had been smashed. He was able, though, to work up a healthy resentment of Victoria and her high-handed ways. By the time they reached Austin, he was eager to drop her in front of her hotel and hurry on to the Ranger headquarters.

Victoria was equally glad to be rid of Slater. Or so she told herself as she dismounted from her horse and tied it to the hitching post in front of the hotel. There was a lump of tears in her throat only because seeing the hotel reminded her of being here a week ago with Amy. And watching Slater ride away left her with a gaping hole inside her only because it made her realize how little hope she had of getting Amy back.

She climbed the shallow steps and went inside. Eyes turned toward her, both on the street and inside the lobby. Much as she wished she could deny it, the stares made her uneasy.

Victoria went up to the desk clerk. “I’d like a room, please.”

The clerk frowned. “I’m sorry, Miss, unescorted females aren’t allowed in this hotel. You’d better try a place in the First Ward.”

Victoria straightened, and her eyes flashed. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me, Miss, now move along.”

“My name is Victoria Stafford. My father is Edward Stafford. How dare you treat me like a—a common—”

The clerk glanced significantly at Victoria’s travel-stained clothes and windblown hair. Victoria knew that she hardly looked like a proper young lady. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to burst into tears. Why had Slater ridden off without taking her inside the hotel! Blast him, anyway!

She forced herself to swallow her ire and smile. This was obviously not a situation she would win with threats or anger. “I must look a mess. I’ve been traveling rather quickly. An emergency, you see. My father should be joining me soon. I would appreciate it if you could show me to a room now, as I’m rather tired.

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