An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) (9 page)

A knock on the door had my attention. “I’ll see to that.” I strolled down the hallway. “Coming.” Opening the door, a mob-capped servant handed me several letters. “Thank you.” Returning to the parlor, I gave them to Mr. Carlyle. “Mail, sir.”

“Thank you. I’d forgotten to go to the post office yesterday. Allette must’ve retrieved them.”

I sat and resumed eating, while he opened the first, reading the contents. He was quiet for a long time, and, after Rosalind began crying, I got to my feet to see to her. Changing her wet pants, I brought her to Megan, who was in her room with Judy and Joshua, who played on the bed with the cat. When I returned to the parlor, Mr. Carlyle was still reading. I poured another cup of tea, waiting for Rosalind to finish eating.

He lifted his head from the paper. “It seems I’m to be surrounded by women.”

“Pardon?”

“My sister and her friend are nearly here. This letter came from Fort Laramie.”

“I remember that place. That’s quite a drive.”

“The last week was the worst.”

“I hope we get a train soon, sir. We are in desperate need. It would do wonders for our city.”

“I know. Commerce would improve and traveling would be a thing to look forward to rather than dread.”

“No one would ever go by wagon again.”

“No, they wouldn’t.”

“I’m happy for you, sir. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time, once your sister and her friend arrive.”

“I’m to arrange accommodations, and I should speak to someone about that. There’s no room here.” He sat back in the chair. “What will I do with a gaggle of women?”

“Half of us are employees. Does that help?”

He smiled. “I suppose.”

“Megan and I are at your beck and call. We try not to cause too much trouble.”

A look of incredulity came over him. “I beg to differ. What do you call that ball of fluff in the other room? I found hair all over my jacket this morning. Grey hair.”

“You did? I’m sorry, sir. I’ll remove it at once.” I was about to get to my feet, but his hand shot across the table.

“I’m teasing, Mary. You needn’t do anything about it. I’ll leave it for Allette.”

“I don’t know how that happened. She wasn’t supposed to be in your room.”

“The door is easy to open, I’m afraid. It doesn’t shut properly. This hotel’s made of wood, and I think it’s settled improperly. Your door’s a bit sticky, and mine’s not sticky enough.”

“Hannah’s house has some strange angles too. Her first husband built it, and it’s a bit off.”

“It takes a true craftsman to construct a house properly.”

“Yes, I agree.”

“So then, what am I to do?” He’d changed the subject again. “She’s bringing Miss Clarissa Hamilton along, who I have met before, but what the devil? She’s determined to play matchmaker, but why go through all the trouble of traveling for three months to get here?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

He’d closed his eyes. “Am I expected to marry again so soon? I can afford a nanny and a wet nurse. Why do I need a wife?”

“For companionship and…other things.” I had spoken my mind, but I regretted it immediately, flushing with embarrassment.

His look was considering. “Those “other things” can be taken care of as well.”

“Yes, in…parlour houses.”

“You find them abhorrent.”

“Certainly. A happily married man shouldn’t have to…go there.”

“But they do in droves.”

“It’s speaks rather ill of your sex then, doesn’t it?” He blinked. “I shouldn’t have said that! I…do forgive me, sir. I spoke too bluntly.”

“What other things do you feel as passionately about, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Lots of things, sir, but I really should have kept that to myself.”

“Not the meek little wallflower you present yourself to be…interesting.”

“But…I’ve just insulted you and every other man on earth. I’m truly sorry. Women can be just as bad, I suppose, er…well…the soiled doves anyhow. But, then again, there are few options for widows or poor women. They’re forced to fend for themselves in any way they can. The church gives out food and clothing, but even that can’t house and feed all the needy.”

He scratched his chin, while eyeing me. There was something in his gaze that led me to believe he wasn’t angry in the least. There was a glimmer in his eye, peculiar and confusing, but I could only compare it to—admiration?

I got to my feet. “I should check on Rosalind. Then we had best get ready to go. Will you still join me for brunch, sir, or have I scared you off?”

“I’ll come. I’m curious now to know what your opinions are on other things.”

“Oh, please, no. If I open my mouth about everything, you’d hate me.”

He barked with laughter. “Go get your things, my impertinent one.”

“Even that’s an improvement over bland Mary.” I smiled in return, not being able to help myself.

He’d yet to stop grinning. “So it is.”

We left the hotel an hour later, an entourage of women and children, while our stalwart chaperone, Mr. Carlyle, held the door open for us, and assisted us into the carriage. To arrive at church in such fashion and style was a thrill, although the ride was short. Denver City was quiet at this time of day, as most of the saloon patrons were in bed still. There were dozens of wagons and carriages in front of the church and more parked in the empty field nearby. I recognized family members immediately, and, while I held Rosalind, I approached Hannah, who stood with Jane and her husband, Ryan.

“Good morning!” Hannah said. “What a darling baby!”

“She’s Mr. Carlyle’s.” I glanced over my shoulder, spying him speaking to the mayor and several businessmen. “There he is.”

“And a handsome man to boot,” murmured Hannah. “You seem well. The world of employment agrees with you.”

“I’m quite happily situated, especially since Jane forced me from her home. I do miss Gordon.” I touched her baby, feeling his soft face. “How has he been without me?”

“He’s as noisy as ever when he wants to be fed,” said Jane.

Susanna, my younger sister, approached. “Well, isn’t this fine? You leave without saying goodbye, and I don’t see you for a week. I shall never forgive you.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s really all Jane’s fault. She and Mrs. Hoffman sent me to town. If you want to blame someone, it’s them.”

Hannah laughed, “The situation seems to be working well. If nothing’s broken, why are we arguing? We should go inside. The service is about to start.”

Susanna glanced at Rosalind. “You always have a baby on you, and what a pretty girl she is.”

“She’s easy too. I must say, I adore my new job, and I’m happy Jane forced me out of the house.”

“Oh, I shall never live it down,” mumbled Jane.

We filed into the church, where I spied other family members. I waved to Fanny and Jack and they returned the favor. Louisa and Matthias took up an entire row of seats with their brood. Over the din of talking and laughter, I spied several painted ladies, who wore demure morning dresses with gloves and hats. Gwendolyn Phillips was present as well, along with the town doctor and his wife, and Sally Higgins and her husband, who owned the mercantile. When Pastor Bailey took to the pulpit, he gazed at us with smiling eyes, clearly appreciating the healthy turn out.

The reading was from Matthew 16:26, and, while I sat next to Megan and Judy, Mr. Carlyle was across the room, seated near Mrs. Phillips. I wasn’t particularly happy with this arrangement, but I hardly had a say in things, seeing that I was only an employee. I tried to pay attention to Pastor Bailey, but my mind drifted to the night before and the conversation by the fire. I had enjoyed my time with Brandon, and I hoped we would be able to speak often in the evenings, but I could hardly affect his life in that manner. He had touched my face…and I had hoped he might kiss me, but…I shook myself, determined not to think of such things at church.

But…the memories persisted, and, as the sermon went on…I couldn’t help thinking that he was one of the most charming men I had ever met. Dare I even hope that he could feel the same way about me?

Chapter Ten

After the service, we arrived at Paulina’s farm. If I had been worried that Mr. Carlyle and Megan would be ill-received, I shouldn’t have. They were greeted with open arms and welcomed as esteemed guests. We sat behind the house under several trees, talking and laughing, while the aroma of pork filled the air. With so many people, children, and babies, it was an exhausting afternoon, and, by the time we arrived at the Broadwell House, we were eager to take to our beds, not needing to eat supper, as we were fair to bursting from the buffet that went on all day.

“I want to thank you for inviting me to the family brunch, Mary.” Mr. Carlyle had stopped me in the hallway. He’d ordered a bath sent up, and we were all waiting for the knock on the door. “I enjoyed meeting your family.”

“I’m glad, sir.”

“My sister is about to grace us with her presence, and I would like to say that she is as open and welcoming, but…” he seemed to hesitate…“her mentality isn’t as gregarious. She’s firmly entrenched in certain ways of thinking, although why she would want to travel so far under appalling conditions is beyond me. You’ve been on a wagon train before. You know how challenging it is.”

“She must miss her brother, sir. That could be the only reason.”

“Or she’s determined to see me married to Clarissa.” His mouth had turned down.

The fact that he was confiding in me in such a manner was astonishing. I felt more and more like his friend, and I couldn’t help enjoying every moment of it. “You wouldn’t do anything you didn’t wish to, I’m sure. Or does your sister hold a threat over your head? Are you bullied by her?” I grinned, mostly because I was trying to get his goat.

“Afraid of my own sister?”

“Some men are weak when faced with the demands of their family. The same can be said of women, and this is unfortunately true for us. We must do as we’re told.”

“What are you saying exactly?” He’d crossed his arms over his chest.

“Nothing, sir.”

“You’re trying to say something. Out with it.”

“You don’t strike me as the sort of person who takes direction from others. That’s all.”

“You think I’d cower before my sister and her friend?” An eyebrow lifted.

“Not cower, just, perhaps, be easily swayed.”

“I see, although, you’ve formed this opinion based on nothing, since you don’t know me. You haven’t the slightest clue how I am with my family.”

“But you’re worried that your sister will tell you what to do. She does have some influence on you, sir, otherwise you wouldn’t have brought it up.”

“I should’ve kept it to myself.”

“I’m sorry,” I giggled. “I warned you about my mouth. I was teasing a little, sir. I know you’ll do whatever you wish, even with your sister here.”

He stared at me; from the look on his face, the wheels were turning in his mind. “But, you’ve read me too well. She’s as overbearing and manipulative as my mother was. I can’t believe I’m admitting this to you. Elizabeth’s going to hate Denver City. She’ll take one look at the prairie and see dust and distance, not the beauty of the vista. I know her too well.”

“Then you’re prepared for what will happen.”

“I don’t wish to argue with her.” He ran fingers through his hair. “You’re right about our relationship. She’s older than I am and I dare say a spinster now. She never did meet anyone she wanted to marry.”

“There are plenty of men who need wives here.”

He laughed, “Elizabeth would never consider such a thing. Her standards are impossibly high, but she has no qualms about telling me what to do with my life.”

“Surely you can say no, right, sir?”

“I will, but what a scene. I’ve enjoyed this week of peace. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to pursue this particular venture. Not only will the railroads be profitable, but it also took me away from her machinations. I don’t want to marry someone of her choosing. I’ll decide that myself. The last time…” his look darkened…“I did as I was told, and I married who they chose. I adored Georgette, but…” He was about to reveal a great deal or was he? “I…never mind.”

“I’m sure you’ll handle the situation with delicacy.”

He ignored that. “She must’ve left shortly after I arrived in St. Joseph. She can’t be that far behind.” This seemed to irritate him. “After Georgette passed away, she came to live with me. She took charge of Rosalind’s care, hiring a wet nurse and all of that. I was grateful for her efforts, but it wasn’t two months before women began to arrive at the house—all of them handpicked for my consideration. Can you imagine? My wife wasn’t even cold in her grave yet.” He closed his eyes. “Work was the perfect excuse to leave. I thought I could live here in peace and not worry about being auctioned off in the marriage market.”

Things had become clearer now. “I see.”

“Why can’t I live in happy widower-hood? Is it such a crime not to be attached? I vowed after Georgette that I’d only marry again if I was truly, deeply in love. These feelings can’t be manipulated by an outside source. Can you understand that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why am I telling you all of this?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you mind hearing it?”

“I like to hear about your life. I don’t mind at all. I just wish I could help you. Perhaps, you should go to Georgetown for the winter. The roads will be almost impassable soon. She can’t find you there.”

He smiled, his eyes crinkling. “That’s quite the idea.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“The only problem is, my work is here.”

I sighed. “Then I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“What if I were to marry again?”

My eyes widened. “But I thought that was what you were trying to avoid? You said you wouldn’t marry again unless you were hopelessly in love.”

“Men are never hopelessly in love.”

“You’ve lost me completely.”

“What if this marriage was slightly less than legal?”

“What?”

“What if, say, you and I were to pretend to be married for the duration of her stay?”

I gasped. “That wouldn’t work at all, sir. Firstly, everyone in town would hear about it, and my reputation would be ruined.”