THE BEGUILER

by Lily B.

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Nick sat at his desk reading the paper, his feet propped up on the corner as he leaned comfortably in the high backed, leather chair. It had been a long day as he and the boys mustered those wild mustangs, but they managed it expertly and corralled them in the temporary corral in the field, waiting for the army to pick them up in the morning. He smiled to himself as he turned the page and thought about the lucrative new deal. He had disregarded Jarrod’s warnings and patted himself on the back for his brilliant scheme.

Jarrod had warned his younger brother about dealing with Colonel Harper; he didn’t trust the man; not one little bit. Something had struck him about the Colonel the first time he’d met him while having dinner with his sister at the Cattleman’s. The man was a charmer, nearly knocking Audra off her feet right at the dinner table. Audra had fallen for the beguiler’s tongue from the moment he introduced himself with a large bow and had managed to secure a place at their table before the first course was on the table.

Nick had met the Colonel while out riding and the man had expressed an interest in securing new horses for his men; though no men appeared to be with him. Nick had been taken in by the Colonel’s full dress uniform and his respect for the office he claimed to hold. The Colonel spoke of battles won and lost during the Civil War and Nick, having served himself, felt a certain loyalty to a fellow Union soldier. Nick had assured the Colonel that not only could he provide fresh horses within 48hours but could provide more for the rest of his men, the following week.

As Nick sat at his desk, he marveled at how the first part of his plan had gone so smoothly, having corralled the first group of promised horses; he surmised that there should be no difficulty in obtaining a second group of mustangs for the Colonel.

Jarrod flung open the door and stomped upstairs to Nick’s bedroom; opening the door he found Nick sitting at his desk reading the paper. Jarrod leaned against the doorframe and lit a thick cigar, “What’s this I hear about you selling horses we don’t even own?” He spoke tersely as he looked at the smug expression on his younger brother’s face.

“Yet, Jarrod, that we don’t own yet!” Nick corrected. “Sides, we got half the horses for the Colonel already. Just a matter of time before we locate another herd of ‘em.”

“Nick, how can you promise mustangs to someone that we don’t even have! Besides which, who’s the Colonel buying them for?” Jarrod questioned his brother like a litigant in one of his trials.

“The rest of his men, they need some fresh horses. Hey, did you know he was at Shiloh?” Nick asked as he brought his legs down off the desk and put down the paper.

“No, Nick I hadn’t heard that. By the way, where are his men?”

“They’re up north, they’ll be here in a week or two.” Nick replied, eyeing his brother, he’d seen that look on Jarrod’s face before. “What’s on your mind, Pappy?”

“Nothing…Well it just seems strange to me that he’d come down here alone without any escort or scouts with him and why all the way here to purchase horses?”

“You’re being too lawyerly Jarrod. Maybe he’s just heard about the Barkley ranch and wanted to deal with us for his horses. Maybe he came alone because he wanted to! He is a Colonel you know.” Nick was getting slightly irritated at his overly suspicious brother. “Look Jarrod, I don’t know, why don’t you ask him your questions instead of me!”

“I might just do that little brother! Think I may just head over to the hotel myself and have a talk with him.” Jarrod turned to leave the room.

“You could stop by his hotel room, but he ain’t there! He’s taken Audra out to dinner.” Nick called after him.

Jarrod’s eyebrow raised at Nick’s remark, “He’s a bit old for her, isn’t he?” His protective instincts were in full swing; the Colonel was at least twenty years Audra’s senior.

“He’s only here for another week or two, Jarrod, what could possibly happen between the two of them.”

“We are talking about Audra, aren’t we?” Jarrod said plainly.

Nick rubbed his chin for a moment, “you may have a point Pappy. Listen, why don’t you have a little talk with her when she gets home.”

“Well, thanks Nick, think I might just take your advice.” Jarrod replied sarcastically as he left Nick’s room.

Colonel Eli Harper took Audra’s arm as they left the restaurant. He walked slowly with her to the carriage and helped her up. Audra found that she couldn’t take her eyes off this man, his slightly graying black hair and dark brown eyes had her completely entranced.

On their way back to the ranch, the Colonel stopped the carriage near the pond. The moon reflected on the water and he brought Audra down from the carriage to walk with him. He spoke to her of being a widower with no children and how it could be very lonely in the Army. He told her how much he enjoyed her company and how beautiful she was.

Then he turned to look at her and put his hand on her cheek, “May I?” He asked, his dark eyes boring right into her soul. Audra had simply nodded at him and he had pressed his lips to hers and embraced her in his strong grip. When their kiss had ended, he walked her back to the carriage and they returned to the ranch, holding hands.

At the front door, the Colonel took both her hands in his, “I should like to call on you again, dear Audra. Perhaps, tomorrow evening? I understand that there’s a dance in town.”

“I’d like that. Would seven be alright?” She asked sweetly, unable to take her gaze off of him.

“That would be fine, seven tomorrow then. I shall be waiting anxiously to see you.” The Colonel kissed her cheek and then bowed.

“Oh, but you’ll be here tomorrow morning to pick up the horses won’t you?” She asked.

“Of course, I’ve rigged up a temporary corral for them just outside of town. Perhaps tomorrow morning I will see you?”

“I’ll be waiting.” She smiled before she opened the door and went inside. Much to her consternation, when she closed the door, she found both Jarrod and Nick waiting for her. Heath was sitting in the parlor and staying out of it.

Nick was leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed, smirking. Her eldest brother, however, was obviously not happy. “Young lady, don’t you think the Colonel is a bit old for you to be spending time with?”

“No I don’t. Age has nothing to do with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m rather tired and I’m going to bed.” Audra had started for the stairs but Jarrod caught her arm and halted her retreat.

“Audra, he’s a full twenty years older than you. He’s only going to be here for a week or two.” Audra looked down at the arm Jarrod was holding and he released it, softening his angry expression. “Look honey, I just don’t want you to get hurt that’s all.”

“Jarrod, if he’s only going to be here a week or two, then what harm can there be in my spending a little time with him?”

“It’s just that I’m not so sure I trust the man, Audra. Just be on your guard, okay?”

“Be on my guard, Jarrod you don’t trust anyone I meet, not a single one of them!” Audra raised her voice to Jarrod, something that she didn’t do very often and it took Jarrod by surprise.

“Aw now Sis,” Nick added in, “Jarrod’s just trying to look out for you that’s all.” He smiled at her, but his smile drained away at her steely gaze.

“That’s all you ever do! Both of you! Stepping in with your opinions not allowing me to make my own choices. Well I’m telling both of you right now to stop it! Leave me alone, I’m not a little girl anymore!” Audra spoke angrily at both her brothers. The Colonel had made mention to her at dinner that he thought her brothers were very protective of her; perhaps overly so and now, she could see he was right.

“Now honey..” Jarrod started.

“No, both of you stay out of my life. I’m tired of it!” Audra headed upstairs and a few seconds later, the brothers heard her bedroom door slam shut.

Heath got up and stood next to Nick and Jarrod. “I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen her get so worked up about someone she just met.”

Nick looked up the stairs, “nope me either Heath.” Nick headed up the stairs for bed and as he got undressed he thought about his sister and the Colonel. Perhaps, he thought, he had taken things too lightly. He didn’t want to see Audra wind up with a broken heart when the Colonel left and he decided to have a talk with him in the morning.

Colonel Harper arrived first thing the following morning and this time he was not alone. A young, burly man was with him and the Colonel introduced him to Nick as one of his scouts. He explained that his scout had arrived late last night to help with retrieving the horses and taking them back to his men. Nick looked the young man over; he was in uniform, but it was worn and threadbare and the man didn’t speak a word to him and kept his eyes turned towards the ground.

The Colonel went over to the corral and looked over the five mustangs. He smiled admiringly at them, they were some of the finest he had ever seen, he told Nick. The Colonel then surprised Nick by producing a large wad of folded bills and handed them over to him. “Go ahead and count it my boy, you’ll find it’s all there!”

“Oh, I’m sure it is.” Nick looked at the large amount of cash in his hand and then stuffed it into his pocket. “Listen Colonel, can we have a moment alone?” Nick asked him.

“Of course Nick.” The Colonel instructed his man to go to the other side of the corral and get the mustangs ready to go. When the man had disappeared, he turned back to Nick. “What can I do for you my boy?”

“Well Sir, I’m a little worried about my sister, Audra. She seems to have taken quite a shine to you and I don’t wanna see her get hurt.” Nick leaned against the corral with his arms crossed.

“She’s a mighty fine young woman Nick and I have no intentions of hurting her.” The Colonel patted him on the back.

“Glad to hear it, so you won’t be seeing her anymore then?” He asked hopefully.

“On the contrary, Nick, I plan on taking her to the dance this evening! I said I have no intentions of hurting her, I didn’t say I wouldn’t continue to see her.”

“But Sir you’re only going to be here another week or two…”

“I realize that, but you see my boy, I’ve taken quite a shining to her as well and I may just take her with me when I go.”

Nick turned angry quickly, “now you wait just a minute there Colonel. You’re not taking my sister anywhere. She’s not suited for army life, not one bit and she’ll never be happy living out on the trail all the time!”

The Colonel smiled back at him and Nick suddenly found that he despised his toothy grin. “Now Nick, I do believe that is the lady’s decision and not yours!” The Colonel turned away from Nick just as he was about to speak.

“Good morning.” Audra said to the Colonel. She completely ignored her big brother. Colonel Harper took Audra by the arm and led her away from Nick. “Was he giving you any trouble, Eli?” She asked.

“No, just be overly protective as usual my dear. I’m afraid when I told him my feelings for you he became rather irate and threatened to flatten me!” The colonel lied and Audra started to turn back to say something to Nick but he shook his head, “not a wise idea to say anything to him when he’s this angry, I hear he does have quite the temper!”

“Yes but it was wrong for him to speak to you like that! How dare he!” Audra fumed.

“Now, now my sweet Audra. Don’t you worry about him.” He looked back and saw Nick approaching them. “Listen, meet me at the corral we have just outside of town at five this evening, I have something I want to ask you.”

“You do?” She gushed. “I’ll be there.” Audra kissed his cheek briefly then left his side and went to his brother. “Nick,” she said wanting to avoid a confrontation between the two men, “Nick, did he buy the horses from you?”

“Well yes, but Sis, I don’t want you to be around him anymore.” Nick talked to her but watched as the Colonel and his scout led the mustangs from the corral and began to head away from the ranch.

“Oh Nick, don’t worry about me, I’ll be just fine. You know I was thinking about what you said last night and perhaps you were right, maybe he is a little old for me.” Audra was all sweetness as she talked to her brother and gently led him back to the house.

“I was right?..Well of course I am, he’s just plain too old for you!” Nick said to her; he was glad to see that she was coming around to his side, but he had an edgy feeling in the pit of his stomach about the whole thing. “You sure Audra?”

“Why of course I’m sure silly!”

Nick and Heath went into town awhile later and proceeded to Jarrod’s office. Nick wanted the opportunity to gloat over the sale of the horses. He opened the door and strode inside, proud as a peacock, with Heath trailing behind him. Nick produced the wad of cash and tossed it on his brother’s desk.

“See that brother Jarrod! It’s a done deal, you were worried about nothing! Oh and I even managed to convince our little sister not to see the Colonel anymore. So there, done and handled without you having to throw one of your lily white hands into the deal! Ha!” Nick sat down in the large leather chair and put his feet up on Jarrod’s desk.

“Get your feet off my desk!” Jarrod exclaimed. He picked up the wad of bills and looked at them, “he paid you in cash?”

“Yeah, why?” Nick asked him.

“I’ve never seen the Army pay out this much money in cash. Haven’t we always taken a check or a bank draft?” Jarrod turned the bills over in his hands.

“Well, now that you mention it, yeah that’s how they’ve paid us in the past.” Nick took his feet down from the desk, that edgy feeling in his gut was getting stronger.

“Nick,” Heath joined in as he picked up one of the bills from Jarrod’s desk and looked at it, “I think we should get this to the bank right quick!”

“You don’t think…”

“Oh that’s exactly what I think little brother!” Jarrod was the first out the door of his office and had the wad of cash stuffed neatly into his jacket.

The three brothers walked into the bank and over to the bank’s president, Mr. Wilkins. Jarrod pulled the wad of cash from his jacket and handed it to him, “Tom, we’d like to deposit that into our account, if you don’t mind.” Jarrod looked over to his brothers and hoped he was wrong.

Tom Wilkins took the bills and started to write out a deposit slip for them; but then something caught his eye. He picked up one of the bills and looked at it closely, turning it several times. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a magnifying glass and looked over the bills again. “I don’t know how to tell you this boys, but these aren’t real. They’re counterfeit!”

“Counterfeit!” Nick bellowed loud enough for everyone in the bank to turn and look at them. “Are ya sure?” He took his voice down a decibel.

“Positive. Look at this, there’s no blue thread through here on this bill or any of these. They are most definitely counterfeit. I think you best get the sheriff, you’ve been swindled!”

“That son of a b..”

Jarrod interrupted his sentence, “Nick I’ll go get the Sheriff, where’d you say that corral was?”

“Just outside of town by the old Murray place. Heath and I are going there right now, you and the sheriff can meet us there.”

Jarrod headed to the sheriff’s office while Nick and Heath mounted their horses and headed to the old Murray place. Nick couldn’t wait to get his hands on the Colonel; not only had he stolen their horses with the counterfeit money but he was even more angry over how the Colonel had beguiled him and his baby sister. They rode hard to the old place and when they arrived, Nick and Heath found the corral empty and no sign of the Colonel or his man.

“Nick, look!” Heath called out.

Nick rode up alongside him and found their buggy parked behind the house. “He’s got Audra with him.” He sighed.

Jarrod rode up with the sheriff and two deputies. Nick told them the Colonel was gone and that Audra was probably with them. They were going to have to be very careful, he told them, it could easily be a hostage situation if it wasn’t already.

The tracks were easy enough to follow for them; but it would soon be nightfall and Nick worried if they didn’t find them soon, they could lose the trail. As the sun began to set, his worries increased and he silently chastised himself for having been taken in by the Colonel. As if he could hear his thoughts, Heath turned to look at him, “this isn’t your fault Nick, you had no way of knowing.”

“I’m sorry Jarrod. I shoulda listened to you right from the get go.” Nick sighed heavily.

“It’s alright Nick, will find her.” Pappy replied.

Nick spotted what looked like a campfire a ways ahead of them. He pointed it out silently and the other men soon saw it as well.

“Look Eli, I just think I should go home now. I was wrong to come with you. I do care about you but I’m just not ready to get married and especially not elope. I’m sorry.” Audra held the Colonel’s hand and tried to explain what she was feeling inside. When she had agreed to go with him, it was more from a want to rebel against her overprotective brothers, but as the day wore on she had started to regret that decision.

“Well now Audra, I’m sorry you feel that way. But I’m afraid that you can’t go anywhere.” Eli pushed her away from him and towards his man, “tie her up.”

“What? No, Eli what are you doing? I don’t understand!” Audra cried out.

“There’s nothing to understand Audra, you were just a player in the game that’s all. A very pretty one, but that’s all you were.” He loomed over her as his man tied Audra’s hands behind her back and sat her down. “You see, pretty soon your brothers are gonna figure out that the money I gave them was fake, counterfeit and they’re gonna come looking for me and when they do…well then, I’ve got a little insurance policy to make sure we get outta here live and well.” He stroked her hair and smiled down at her.

“You used me! That’s what this was all about, stealing those horses? You’re nothing but a common horse thief!” Audra spat angrily at him; but she could feel the tears on her cheeks.

The Colonel grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked hard on it, “I’m anything but common my dear and don’t you forget it.”

“Let her go!” Nick’s voice boomed from the tree line behind them.

The Colonel brought Audra to her feet and drew his gun, pointing it at her temple. “No way Barkley, now you’re gonna let us ride outta here or your sister’s not gonna be around to see the sunrise!”

“You’re surrounded Colonel, let her go!” Heath called to him.

“She’s not going anywhere and if you want her to live – you are all going to stand up where I can see you or I’ll pull this trigger!”

Audra felt more anger than she had ever felt before. She’d been taken in again and this time it could cost her brother’s their lives. She had to do something before one of them stood up and was gunned down by the Colonel or his man. Raising her knee up, she stomped down on the Colonel’s foot as hard as she could. The Colonel cried out and she threw herself onto the ground and away from him. The Colonel took a brief second to recover than pointed his gun towards her and cocked it.

A single shot rang out and Audra looked up to see a startled look on the Colonel’s face just as he fell onto the ground with a bullet in his chest. She turned to see Nick appear from behind the trees. Jarrod emerged from the bushes and yelled at the Colonel’s man to drop his gun; he was foolish enough not to drop his weapon and Jarrod dropped him to the ground with one shot. Nick ran over to his sister and kicked the gun away from the Colonel. Heath and Jarrod soon appeared next to her and put their arms around her as she sobbed.

Once the Colonel closed his eyes for the last time, Nick took Audra into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Are you alright?” He asked tenderly, with no sign of anger in his voice.

“Yes, Nick I’m so sorry.” She cried, leaning against his chest.

“It’s okay honey, everything’s going to be okay.” He whispered softly to her trying to calm her down.

She looked up at him with her sad doe eyes, “Oh Nick, why can’t I ever find someone like you? Well, a little quieter version of you.” Audra smiled sweetly at him through her tears.

Nick grinned back at her, “You will honey, you will.”

The End