Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series)

by Anna J. McIntyre

  William closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Perhaps this was for the best. Had Mary Ellen not been carrying Randall’s child, then he would have stayed and fought for the woman he loved. Yet, he knew in his deepest heart that a future with Mary Ellen was not his. It never had been. As it was, they had stolen this time together. Time he would forever cherish.

  • • • •

  Mary Ellen drifted in and out of sleep; resisting the pull of wakefulness, she moved restlessly in the bed. When the mattress dipped and then she felt a hand on her shoulder, she fluttered her eyes open, prepared to face the day. Letting out a little groan she rolled over, fully expecting to see William. Instead of William, it was her husband Randall looking down at her. She froze and looked up into his dark eyes.

  “Randall?” she said numbly. He smiled down at her.

  “I’m sorry about your mother, Mary Ellen. Truly.”

  Licking her lips nervously, Mary Ellen sat up in the bed, pulling the blankets up around her. Randall did not seem to notice or mind her show of modesty.

  “When did you arrive?”

  “About two hours ago. You’ve been sleeping the day away, and I thought perhaps it might be best if you get up, have something to eat.”

  “Where is William?” She didn’t consider if the question might be inappropriate. She had to know.

  “He’s on his way to Chicago, to finish the merger.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “William is a good friend, to both of us. He was continually reminding me my place was here with my wife, and offered to finish up in Chicago, so I could come home and be with you. I realized yesterday he was right. You’re carrying my child, Mary Ellen, and I’m sorry if I’ve neglected you. I’ll try to be a better husband in the future.”

  Mary Ellen sat speechless, her mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts. William was gone, gone! He had left her. What was even more devastating—knowing he had offered to go to Chicago so Randall could come home and be with her. Had last night meant anything to William?

  After placing a perfunctory kiss on her forehead, Randall instructed Mary Ellen to dress and come downstairs to get something to eat.

  “I’ll be waiting for you in the dining room,” he told her as he left the room. Mary Ellen wanted to cry, but she had no more tears. Reluctantly she pulled herself from bed.

  While dressing she remembered it was Sunday, and recalled what her father had said when she boarded the train to Philadelphia. Be a good and obedient wife, and attend church every Sunday. She imagined she would be a great disappointment to her father. A wife who made love to a husband’s best friend could hardly be termed good and obedient—and not once had she attended church on Sunday since arriving at her new home. Inside she felt sick, and wondered if she might actually vomit.

  Just because William had left her, didn’t make her want to prolong the loveless marriage. If anything, last night had showed her what she was missing.

  Securing the last button on her blouse, she looked into the mirror. I will tell Randall I want a divorce, she told herself. Then she froze, remembering the passions shared just hours earlier.

  What if I am pregnant with William’s child? No, absolutely not. That is impossible. After all, Randall came to me every night and I didn’t get with child. One night with William couldn’t possibly get me pregnant.

  Refusing to accept that scenario, Mary Ellen ran a brush through her hair and headed downstairs to meet her husband in the dining room.

  • • • •

  Mary Ellen’s quiet demureness over the following weeks was attributed to the loss of her mother. On his second night home, Randall presented Mary Ellen with a gift. It was a diamond encrusted wedding band. She sat quietly and submissively as he slipped it on her finger.

  It fit perfectly, yet was not especially comfortable. Bulky diamonds covered the entire band. Mary Ellen found herself looking at the ring numerous times during the day—every day, turning her hand to and fro, silently likening the ring to a noose around one’s neck and looking forward to the day she could return it to Randall.

  She had no choice but to wait until her period started before telling Randall she wanted to end the marriage. Mary Ellen had no idea how Randall would react, and she didn’t expect her father would take her back, especially considering his new bride. Perhaps Aunt Rachael would take her in. But if she was pregnant with William’s child, she would need to rethink her options.

  A few of Randall’s friends called, wanting to meet the new Mrs. Coulson, yet Randall explained his bride was in mourning. Mary Ellen tried to get used to this new Randall, who seemed far more attentive and courteous than he had initially been during their first weeks together. One thing she was grateful for—he remained unaffectionate and did not demand kisses or petting. In many ways, he reminded her of an attentive older brother.

  When he mentioned the baby, she wanted to scream, I am not carrying your child! Yet she held her tongue and now regretted not letting the household staff figure out she was having her monthly cycle. The news would have inevitably gotten to Randall, thereby ending this painful charade.

  In many ways, her routine did not change. Each day Randall left for the office, and she continued to spend hours in the garden with her books. Unfortunately, it was impossible to focus on reading, and she found herself whiling away the hours pining for William as she lounged in the hammock under the large shade tree in the garden.

  Instead of dining in the parlor, as she had with William, they went back to eating in the formal dining room. During supper, Randall initiated conversations with his wife, touching on a myriad of topics, such as war, politics, entertainment and even Coulson-Hunter Enterprises. Mary Ellen didn’t know if this new talkative version was due to the fact he didn’t have William as a dinner companion, or if it was part of his campaign to improve the state of their marriage.

  Mary Ellen did not hear from William, nor did she expect to. He never called her on the phone or sent letters. Discreetly she asked Randall how he was doing, an inquiry that didn’t seem to faze her husband. According to Randall, William was doing well, but keeping very busy. He mentioned a sister of one of their Chicago business associates, and speculated the woman was probably vying for William’s spare time, yet added his friend could do much better.

  The mention of William possibly seeing another woman provoked a painful twisting in Mary Ellen’s stomach. She did her best not to reveal her true feelings to her husband, afraid that would complicate matters when it came time to ask for a divorce.

  William was expected back in Philadelphia toward the end of the first week in August—around the same time Mary Ellen was due to start her period. The first week of August came and went, and neither William, nor her period arrived. According to Randall, there was a slight glitch in the merger, and William’s business trip would be extended. Remembering how her period had been late the previous month, Mary Ellen refused to believe she might be pregnant.

  • • • •

  It was well into the third week in August when Lily found Mary Ellen sitting on the bathroom floor, vomiting into the toilet bowl.

  “You poor dear,” Lily said, wiping Mary Ellen’s forehead with a wet cloth. “You’ve got a bad case of morning sickness.”

  “What are you talking about?” Mary Ellen looked up.

  “Morning sickness. You’ve been heaving into the toilet every day this week, first thing in the morning. I had a nasty case myself. But mine came earlier than yours. Started right away, but stopped after a couple months. Of course, I know of women who’ve struggled with it the entire pregnancy.”

  “No, I think I might have the influenza,” Mary Ellen insisted, still sitting on the floor.

  Lily briefly placed the palm of her hand on Mary Ellen’s forehead.

  “Nah, you haven’t a fever. And it’s a good thing you don’t have the influenza, would be dangerous for the baby. Now I’ll tell you a little secret. Eat a bit of crackers right when you go to bed at nigh
t, and first thing when you wake up. It’ll settle your tummy. I’ll make sure you have some by your bedside. Trust me on this. Will make you feel much better.”

  Mary Ellen sat numbly on the bathroom floor as Lily gently washed her face with a clean, wet cloth, and brushed her hair. For a brief moment Mary Ellen was reminded of her mother, who might have done the very same thing for a daughter who had spent the morning vomiting into the toilet bowl.

  When Lily was confident the heaving was over, she helped Mary Ellen to her feet and assisted in her dressing. Mary Ellen felt totally helpless and allowed the attention. It was impossible to focus on anything, even the mundane task of getting dressed, when one thought kept going through her head. I am pregnant with William Hunter’s baby.

  Mary Ellen closed her eyes for a brief moment and silently asked herself what she was going to do. If she were truly pregnant, how could she ask her husband for a divorce? Everyone assumed she was already pregnant with her husband’s child. What would happen if she could get her husband to believe the baby was not his, but William’s?

  Questions swirled around in Mary Ellen’s befuddled brain. There were no clear answers. A woman who had a child out of wedlock, or by a man who was not her husband was shunned by society. She had no money to support herself, and would William want her? Would such a revelation destroy him as well as her?

  Then she remembered. It was she who instigated the love making, not William. She entered his room uninvited and went willingly into his arms. Her brother Ed had often warned her of the weak character of men, and how it was her responsibility to guard her chastity.

  Shortly before Ed went off to war, he gave his little sister a firm warning and told her, Just remember Mary Ellen, a stiff prick has no conscience. At the time, she had no idea what he meant. Now she knew.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I’m glad I listened to you,” Randall told William when he picked him up at the train station.

  September was just days away and William had spent far longer in Chicago than either partner had initially anticipated. Unfortunately, one of the principles to the merger suffered a heart attack just days after William arrived in Chicago.

  “How so?” William didn’t know if he really cared what Randall had to say at this point—he was beyond exhausted. The only thing that had saved his sanity this past month was that he had to focus his entire attention on business or risk losing the deal. It helped take his mind off Mary Ellen. Yet even so, she was never far from his thoughts.

  “I took your advice, made an effort to get to know her—not just as the woman who will bear my children, but as the woman who will share my life. She is quite intelligent, that rather surprised me.”

  “Intelligent? Yes, she is. How’s she feeling, by the way?”

  “Still mourning the loss of her mother, which is to be expected. I suppose I should have allowed her to go to the funeral. Mrs. Parker believes that might have helped her get over the loss quicker. She is still quite ill from the pregnancy.”

  “Ill?”

  “Morning sickness. Throws up every morning.” The two men walked from the depot to Randall’s motor car. Henry was also at the station, picking up his employer’s luggage, which he would transport back to William’s estate in another vehicle.

  “Really? I don’t believe she was experiencing that before.”

  “Hopefully she won’t with all her pregnancies. Oh, and she now has a proper wedding ring. I would have shown it to you before you left for Chicago, but we really didn’t have time. Fits her perfectly and by the way, she’s constantly admiring it, I believe I made the perfect choice.”

  “So she’s happy?”

  “Why wouldn’t she be? Aside from dealing with her mother’s death, she’s doing very well. I’m still holding off on the wedding reception, and now with the morning sickness, I’m waiting for her to feel better. Of course, you can see for yourself. You’re having dinner with us.”

  “No Randall, not tonight. I’m really exhausted, and I just want to get home.”

  “Are you sure? I believe Mrs. Parker had the cook make all your favorites.”

  “Yes, I’m certain. I just want to go home and sleep for a week.”

  “Well, you deserve the rest. You did a brilliant job in Chicago, and especially since you came in at the last minute and then had to deal with Holt and the rest of it.”

  “Thanks for the dinner invitation, maybe some other time.”

  In truth, William was not emotionally prepared to see Mary Ellen again. It had been weeks since their tumultuous night together, and their separation was so abrupt, they never had an opportunity to say goodbye or discuss what had happened. Perhaps this is all for the best, he thought. Maybe this is how it is supposed to be.

  It gave him some comfort to know Randall was sincerely trying to be a better husband. He assumed that meant Mary Ellen was also in Randall’s bed. William preferred not to think of them that way. William Hunter loved both Mary Ellen and Randall. Randall as a brother and Mary Ellen as the woman he would give his life for.

  In order for the two people he loved the most in the world to find happiness in their marriage, he could no longer interfere. He needed to back away from his best friend’s wife.

  • • • •

  “He isn’t coming for dinner?” Mary Ellen asked when she walked into the dining room that evening and noticed only two place settings.

  “No. I’m afraid the Chicago trip wiped him out and he just wanted to get home and rest. Can’t say I really blame him.”

  Before sitting down at the table, he picked up Mary Ellen’s right hand, and gave the back of it a quick kiss. It was a nightly ritual he’d instigated a week earlier, and the extent of intimacy they shared. She’d never seen her father do that with her mother. Edward had typically kissed Sally’s cheek in the presence of their children. Mary Ellen wondered if her father kissed his new wife’s cheek.

  The memory of William kissing her breasts flashed in her mind, and she found herself growing warm with a blush. She could not imagine Randall ever doing such a thing.

  “Is everything all right, dear?” Randall asked. Her husband had also fallen into the habit of calling her dear, which she found slightly charming.

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “You look rather flushed. Is it too warm in here?”

  “I am a bit warm,” she lied.

  “It has been a hellish summer. I’ll be looking forward to fall.”

  “I agree, it will be much nicer in the fall,” Mary Ellen murmured. She sat quietly and watched as a maid set a platter of grilled meat on the table. Her mind wandered again and she thought of William, and how he had kissed her breasts, the way his hands eagerly explored every inch of her body. Never once did she feel the need for her aunt’s special cream.

  William’s lovemaking was very different from Randall’s. Comparing the two, the thought occurred to her that her husband did not particularly enjoy the act. There was no doubt in her mind that William thoroughly enjoyed their time together. With Randall, it was as if he was performing some necessary task, and simply wanted to get it over as quickly as possible. Initially she was relieved he had not lingered or explored, yet she now found the entire situation perplexing.

  “Would you be up to going to the theatre in a week or so?” Randall asked after he finished his dinner.

  “Theatre? Why yes, that would be nice.”

  “I was thinking, your illness seems to be confined to the early morning, so I don’t imagine you’ll have a problem at the theatre.”

  “I’m sure I would be fine. I’d love to go.”

  “Wonderful. Perhaps we can meet some friends there. I believe you’ve already met the Clarks and Vanderbooms. When you start showing, it’ll be best for you to stay close to home, so we might as well enjoy this time now, while we can. Perhaps by next week William will be well rested and can join us.”

  • • • •

  “Are you crying?” Lily asked Mary Ellen when s
he came into her room to help her get ready for the theatre.

  “Oh, isn’t that what pregnant women do?” Mary Ellen smiled, trying to conceal the real reason for the tears.

  She learned that afternoon William would be joining them at the theatre and bringing a date. It is time to face the reality of the situation, she told herself. When she discovered she was pregnant with William’s baby, she knew she would not be taking off Randall’s wedding ring. She had no other choice but to stay his wife and make the marriage work.

  In spite of that realization, there was a secret part of her that clung tightly to the fanciful notion that she and William would find a way to be together. William just needed to come home and when he saw her again, a solution would fall into place and everything would magically work out.

  It was obvious William had moved on, and whatever they shared was just a brief moment in their lives, something she needed to put behind her. Tonight I will begin moving forward.

  Lily brought Mary Ellen a wet cloth so she could wash her tear stained face. After Mary Ellen applied a discrete amount of cosmetics, the maid helped her into the gown before dressing her hair.

  “You still don’t look pregnant,” Lily noted while fastening the buttons on Mary Ellen’s dress.

  “My mother was the same way,” Mary Ellen lied.

  • • • •

  William managed to avoid seeing Mary Ellen for almost a week. He realized he needed to get the first meeting over with, or Randall would start asking questions. Meeting the couple at the theatre with other friends was probably the best option. While he preferred not facing Mary Ellen with a date on his arm, he felt it would be strange to show up at the theatre alone. He was also concerned other people might start questioning his relationship with Mary Ellen, if he didn’t bring a date.

  William noticed Mary Ellen the moment she walked in the theatre on her husband’s arm. It was the first time the couple was seen in public and already heads were turning to get a glimpse. The woman on William’s arm, Margaret Garner, was the daughter of a business associate. She was also a young widow and William found himself wishing he’d come alone to the theater or asked someone who didn’t wish to pursue a deeper relationship. It didn’t take him long to realize his attractive companion was shopping for husband number two.