An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) (4 page)

I smiled innocently. “What harm could a little cat cause?”

“Exactly, Ma!” Judy grinned, revealing missing front teeth. “I really like Mary. She’s good people in my book.”

Megan scowled. “You don’t know a thing about Mary, Judy. One shouldn’t judge anyone until they’ve shown their true colors.” She glared at me. “And this one’s heading for trouble.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I said lightly. “I won’t cause any trouble. I promise.”

Chapter Four

After Rosalind and Joshua went to sleep, I prepared for bed, brushing and braiding my hair. Then I washed my face and hands in a bowl of tepid water, while staring at my reflection in the mirror. The lamplight cast soft shadows across the room. I had never considered myself a beauty, and I had always envied Jane, who was truly lovely. My eyes were dark blue, surrounded by lengthy lashes, while a smattering of freckles fell across the bridge of my nose. My skin was milky white and blemish free, although I had suffered from them when I had been younger. I appeared acceptable enough I estimated, yet entirely unremarkable.

A knock on the door startled me. “Are you awake?” whispered a voice.

I glanced at Rosalind, worried that she had stirred. “I am.” I grasped the knob, peering out. “What is it?”

“I sometimes have a bedtime sherry,” said Megan. “Care to join me?”

“Um…all right, I suppose.” I had never imbibed spirits before, but what harm could come from a few sips? We were in the parlor, while the sounds of revelry abounded. “What’s all that noise?”

“The saloon.” She held a small crystal glass, taking a sip, while pulling the drapes back. “Look at ‘em, the vagabonds. My husband used to spend a great deal of time drinkin’. He’d bend an elbow nearly every night of the week. He’s probably drunk somewhere right now.” Bitterness laced her tone. “There’s your glass. It’s not bad, but it’s awfully strong.”

I held it up, examining the amber fluid. “I’ve never had wine before.”

“This is fortified wine, girl. It’s good. It’ll warm your belly.”

I took a tentative sip; the fluid burned a path all the way into my stomach. “Oh, my stars. It’s strong.” I came to stand next to her, staring out the window at the spectacle below. “So many of them.” The lights from the Criterion saloon blazed, as the establishment was filled to capacity with an assemblage of men. “Are they there all night?” I had another sip, feeling a delicious warmth spreading within me.

“Yeah, the wastrels. They’ve got nothin’ better to do than lose their time and money on drink and women.”

“Those are the saloon girls?” I pointed, although it wasn’t clear what I was pointing at. “They’re pretty.”

“If I looked better, I would’ve considered workin’ as a dancehall girl, but I didn’t get lucky enough on that score.” She downed the contents of her glass. “I think I need another. It’s tasty, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” I began to giggle. “Goodness. I feel funny.”

“But…” she stared out the window. “This is what I wanted you to see. I probably shouldn’t be drawing attention like this, but…tarnation, why not?”

“Pardon?”

“There. You see him there.” She pointed to a man walking down the boardwalk wearing a top hat. “Do you recognize him?”

I squinted. “Mr. Carlyle?”

“That’s him.”

“He’s a saloon customer?”

“No ma’am. This gets even better. Watch where he goes.” The man in question stepped from the boardwalk after having passed the saloon, crossing the street.

“Where is he going?” I pressed my forehead to the glass, feeling its coolness.

“You can’t see?”

“I…suppose I can.” He’d disappeared into an establishment. “Is that…The Tainted Rose?” It was a parlour house of ill repute.

“It sure is.”

I gasped. “He’s gone in there?”

“He went last night. I only started working here a day ago, so I’m thinkin’ he’s gonna visit them soiled doves every night.”

“I shouldn’t know this.” I struggled for a moment, not knowing what to make of this latest development. He was a bachelor, as his wife had passed away. “I shouldn’t judge him,” I murmured.

“What?”

“It’s not for us to judge how he spends his time.”

“I know that. I just find it amusing. He’s not the only rich fella who frequents that place. I’ve seen plenty of other—”

“Shush! I don’t want to know.” I sent up a silent prayer that none of the Hoffman sisters’ husbands were ever seen there. “Ignorance is blissful.” I drank the rest of the wine, feeling decidedly relaxed. “Should I have more?”

“Help yourself.”

“Is this allowed? I mean, won’t we be chastised for…drinking?”

“I’m done for the day.”

“But I still have Rosalind, if she wakes.” I hiccupped, surprising myself.

“She slept decently enough last night. She might wake in a few hours.”

“Oh.”

Megan closed the drapes, sashaying to the sofa, where she sat. A threadbare robe hid her nightgown. “This is the life. Here we are in a fine hotel room, with plenty of food and drink. I can’t say I’m not fortunate right now. It sure is better than where I was livin’ before.”

“Where was that?”

“In a flat with three other families over on McGaa Street. I saw the advertisement, and I applied as fast as I could.”

Pouring another sherry, I joined her, crossing one leg over the other, revealing a pair of thick socks. “Besides farm work, I’ve never earned a salary. It’s very exciting. I’m bursting with ideas of how I’ll spend the money. There’s a pretty blue silk evening gown at the mercantile I’ve got my eye on. A matching cape would be divine.”

“I’m just hopin’ to save enough for my own place. Clothing ain’t a concern. I don’t need to bother attracting a man, cause nobody would want me now anyway.”

“I’m sorry, Megan.” It had been thoughtless to talk about something as frivolous as shopping, when she had two mouths to feed and no husband. “I wouldn't rule out the possibility of finding a husband. There are plenty of men in Denver City who need wives. I’m sure someone will catch your eye.”

She snorted, laughing, “Easy for a pretty young thing to say.”

I bristled. “I’m hardly pretty.”

She shrugged, yawning. “It don’t matter anyhow. I’m off to bed. I might be up later for Rosalind.”

“Good night, Megan.”

“Don’t forget to turn the lamps down.”

“I won’t. I’ll go to bed soon too.” I had another sip of sherry, feeling agreeably numb. Even my nose was numb. I giggled, marveling at how strange I felt. Finishing the contents of the glass, I left it with the other, reaching for a nearby lamp. I extinguished it and then another, until the parlor was dimly lit. There was enough light to find my room, as I made my way towards the hallway. It was at that precise moment that the door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Mr. Carlyle. I gasped. “My stars, you scared me!” We had seen him entering the notorious parlour house, and I was certain he would not emerge for hours. This was an unexpected shock.

“I’m sorry about that.” His gaze roamed over me. “I had thought everyone would be asleep.”

“I was just going to my room, sir.” A hiccup escaped.

His gaze sharpened. “Who else is awake?” He towered over me, with his hat in his hands.

“Megan was, but not anymore. Did you have a good night, sir? We saw you from the window.” I closed my eyes, cursing myself for that slip.
Oh, dear…ugh
.

“Is that so?”

“It’s…it’s quite busy outside. Um…there are lots of drunks at the saloon…I mean, patrons.”

“Have you been drinking?”

Oh, double blasted cow!
I could hardly look at him. “I…had…some sherry.” I added desperately, “I’ve never had spirits before in my life! I swear! It won’t ever happen again, sir.” And now he would dismiss me. I’d have to pack my bags and hire a wagon for the ride to Fanny’s farm. How had I gotten myself into this muddle?

After placing the hat on the brass rack, he removed his coat. “I haven’t gone over any of the rules yet. This slight has been my fault.” He turned to face me.

There were tears in my eyes. “I’m dreadfully sorry.” After a noisy hiccup, I continued, “I…please don’t send me away. I’ve not even been on the job a full twenty-four hours yet. I…assumed the evenings might be my own. I only had two…er…three tiny glasses of sherry.”

It was odd, but I got the impression that it was a struggle for him not to smile. He swallowed visibly, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. “What exactly did you see from the window, Miss Hampton?”

“Drunken men.”

“You said you saw me.”

“I did. We did. You…were walking down the boardwalk.”

“Spying on your employer and drinking.”

I hiccupped. “I didn’t know you were out there, honest to God, sir. Megan was the one who drew the drapes aside.”

“Now you’re blaming someone else for your misdeeds. I suppose you’ll say it was Megan’s idea to have a drink.”

It was!
“Um…” My shoulders slumped. “Oh, drats. Jane will have the biggest laugh at my expense. I’ve gone and ruined it all.”

“Jane?”

“My older sister. It was her idea that I find a job, sir. She gave me the advertisement for the position. She wrote a recommendation as well. She’ll find this amusing,” I muttered unhappily.

“That you failed?”

“That I was let go after less than a day.”

“Do you believe your actions are worthy of such an outcome?”

“I can only assume.” Tears flooded, which was mortifying. “I do so enjoy Rosalind. She’s the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying quite a lot, because there are a great deal of babies in my family, sir. It would’ve been a lovely job to keep. I had so looked forward to bathing her and watching her learn to crawl and pull herself up on things. Now I’ll never know what her first words are.”

He exhaled visibly, his expression softening, yet he remained quiet.

“What is your decision? Am I being let go?” The weight of something unnamed hung between us, while he stared at me. I wanted desperately to read his mind.

“I’ll give you another chance.”

“You will?”

“I might regret this. I know I’ll regret this, but yes. You’ve another chance. Do try to behave yourself and mind your own business.”

“Yes, sir.” I hiccupped. “Sorry.”

“Good night, Miss Hampton.”

“Yes, sir. Good night. Thank you for not sending me home at this hour. I doubt I would’ve found a driver.”

“Don’t trouble yourself over it. Go to sleep.”

I slipped into the bedroom, eyeing Rosalind, who was resting on her side. Turning down the lamp, I knelt by my bed. “Dear Lord. Please forgive me for—” I hiccupped noisily, “for imbibing spirits. I won’t do it again. I’m ashamed I…I had a drink, Lord. It is possible that Megan is a bad influence. I’ll try harder not to be swayed by sin. Please watch over my family and my brothers and sisters. Keep everyone safe and healthy. Amen.” I was about to stand, when I had another thought. “And please watch over Mr. Carlyle. I’m entirely grateful that he seems to be a merciful man.” I mused, “He is rather handsome, isn’t he?” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, and I was mildly baffled with myself. “Oh, never mind about that last part. Amen.”

I crawled into bed a moment later, but I wasn’t asleep long before Rosalind fussed. She needed to be changed and fed, and I was obliged to wake Megan. She took it all in stride, attaching the baby to her breast, while Rosalind suckled hungrily. Afterwards, I placed her in the bassinette, where she proceeded to fuss more. Rubbing her back, I hoped this would do the trick. When she failed to stop crying, I picked her up again, holding her over my shoulder, where she was finally silent. Not knowing what else to do, I wandered around the parlor, walking back and forth, trying to sooth her to sleep. When she felt heavy against me, I placed her in the bassinette and crawled between the covers, finding respite within minutes.

A door slamming woke me the next morning, as I turned over in bed. “What?” Someone had left, and I assumed it was Mr. Carlyle. “Oh, gracious.” I rubbed my forehead, experiencing a dull, throbbing headache. “The sherry did this.” A knock startled me. “Yes?”

Allette glanced into the room. “Do you have washing that needs to be done, Miss Hampton?”

“Just a diaper.” I slid from the bed, padding across the room to the dresser. “What time is it?”

“Nearly nine.”

“So late?”

“Yes.”

“She kept me up a bit.”

“Babies will do that.”

I yawned. “Is there tea?”

“Yes, there is.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll be right out.” She closed the door behind her, while I slid the chamber pot out from beneath the bed. After I had gotten dressed and affixed my hair beneath a frilly cap, I ventured into the parlor, where Allette was dusting. A porcelain teapot sat on a silver tray with several dainty cups. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. I’ll make your bed.”

“Try not to wake Rosalind, please. It would be a dream to have a cup of tea first.”

“Yes, Miss Hampton.” A knock sounded at the door. “I’ll get that.”

I sat on the sofa, holding a cup in my hand, while my head pounded dreadfully. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I muttered. “I’ll never touch sherry again.”

“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” said a voice.

Glancing over my shoulder, Jane stood before me dressed in a pretty blue morning ensemble with bonnet and shawl. “I came to see how you’ve fared so far.” She gazed around the room. “It’s rather nice here, isn’t it?”

I groaned in reply.

Chapter Five

“You look a little peaked. Are you ill?”

“I had a taste of sherry last night.”

She removed her bonnet, tossing it on a chair. “What?”

“Megan, the wet nurse, and I had a…smidgeon of sherry.”

“Oh, the scandal!” she laughed. “Your first day of employment and you drink? For shame.”

She was far too jovial for my liking. “This was your brilliant idea. You forced me into it.”

Laughter filled the room. “Fine, blame me, but we know it’s your fault. You don’t seem any worse for wear. You haven’t lost the job…yet.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Where’s the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?”