Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series)

by Anna J. McIntyre

  Numb, she walked to his window and pulled back the curtain so she could look outside. She watched as he got into his car and raced off into the night.

  The only thing I will demand from you is your discretion—what does that even mean? she wondered.

  Hastily, she made her way back to her bedroom. The effects of alcohol were wearing off but she did not feel any less emboldened. Removing the robe, she got dressed again. Instead of wearing what she had worn for dinner, she selected a dress more suitable for an evening out on the town. She had no idea where she intended to go, but she needed to leave the house.

  Downstairs she found Mrs. Parker in the kitchen.

  “I’m going out for a while, and need you to check in on Harrison for me.”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Coulson. I thought I just heard Mr. Coulson leave.”

  “Yes, you did.” Mary Ellen offered no more explanation, turned, and headed outside to the driveway. Randall had given Mary Ellen a stylish coupe for her twenty-third birthday after teaching her to drive. She rarely drove at night, but tonight she would make an exception.

  After getting into the coupe, Mary Ellen sat there a moment, yet did not start the car. Now what? she asked herself. The first thought that popped into her head—William. Perhaps Randall has gone to William’s for some reason. No, he would have told me that. But—I wonder, what is William doing tonight? Did he go home? Is he with another woman?

  She didn’t question why the thought of William being with another woman made her feel sick inside – while thinking of Randall with one pricked her ego, yet inflicted no injury to her heart. Without thought she started her car, steered it down the drive, then onto the road, and headed to William’s estate.

  When she pulled into William’s drive, she didn’t notice any cars in the driveway. Lights were on in the main house, and she wondered if he was home. After parking the vehicle and turning off the engine, she sat there a moment, wondering what she would say—or if she would simply start her car and return home.

  She really did not want to go home, so she got out of the vehicle and marched to the front door.

  “Mrs. Coulson, come in,” the butler greeted a few minutes later when he opened the door.

  “I wondered, is Mr. Hunter in?” Mary Ellen asked as she walked into the entry.

  “Mary Ellen, what are you doing here?” William had just stepped out of his library and was walking down the hall when he heard his butler answering the door. Curious to see who was calling at such a late hour, he hastily made his way to the entry hall.

  The butler was just helping Mary Ellen off with her light jacket when she heard William call out. Now that he asked the question, she found herself trying to come up with a plausible answer.

  “I was hoping to borrow a book,” she explained with forced cheerfulness. William’s gaze swept over Mary Ellen and her mode of dress.

  After the butler was out of hearing range, he said in a teasing tone, “Aren’t you a bit overdressed for a visit to the library?”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I guess I really didn’t come for a book,” Mary Ellen admitted. She looked a bit sheepish and William regretted making her feel uncomfortable with his flip comment.

  “Isn’t Randall with you?”

  “No. I…I just needed someone to talk to.”

  “Come,” William told her, gently placing one hand in the center of her back and guiding her to the library. As they entered the hallway, William called out to the butler who was walking in their direction.

  “Please bring Mrs. Coulson and me some tea in the library. She’s picking out a few books.” The butler nodded and turned around, making his way to the kitchen.

  Once they entered the library, William showed her to the small leather couch and asked her to sit down. He sat next to her.

  “What is this about, Mary Ellen?”

  “I guess about me and Randall.” Unable to look William in the eyes, she sat primly on the edge of the couch, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she looked down.

  “Does Randall know you’re here?”

  She looked up at him. “No.”

  “You mean he’s at home, and doesn’t know you left the house?”

  “He went out this evening.”

  “Oh.” William was silent for a moment. Finally he said, “I was under the impression you two were getting along very well.”

  “I suppose we do get along. In most ways, he treats me well. I can’t really complain.”

  “But?”

  “He…oh, how do I say this?” Mary Ellen blushed then took a deep breath and collected her thoughts before continuing.

  “He did change after—well you know. After he returned from Chicago when we were first married. He made an effort to get to know me, and so much happened with the influenza, my surgery. We became close, like two good friends.”

  “But?”

  “Friends, William. Just friends.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

  “He doesn’t want me that way—not since he returned from Chicago that first time.”

  “Never?”

  “As best as I can determine, since I can no longer bear children, he sees no need.”

  “Is he seeing someone else?” William asked the question without thinking. It was more a thought than something he intended to ask out loud.

  “I would assume you would know that better than me.” Mary Ellen studied William who was gazing ahead as if trying to deduct the situation.

  “No, he’s never said anything.”

  “According to Randall, he hasn’t been with another woman since we were together. He swore it.”

  William looked back at Mary Ellen; his face wore an odd expression.

  “But the truth, I’ve never wanted to be with Randall that way. So I suppose, even if he is lying a part of me really doesn’t care. While he doesn’t want that aspect of a marriage, he told me he’d never give me a divorce.” And he would take our son away.

  “Why are you telling me this Mary Ellen? Why did you come here?”

  Mary Ellen stood up abruptly.

  “I’m sorry, you’re right. You don’t need to hear this. You’re Randall’s friend, his business partner.”

  “No Mary Ellen, wait.” He reached out and took hold of her wrist and pulled her back to the couch. “I just need to know why you came here.”

  “I don’t know. When he left tonight, I had to get out of that house. I got in the car, and well, just ended up here. You’ve always been the one person I could talk to.”

  The butler entered the room with the tray of tea. He sat it on the table near the couch and poured them each a cup before leaving them alone.

  “Randall said something peculiar tonight,” she said after they were alone again.

  “What was that?”

  “I can’t recall the exact words…but after he expressed his disinterest, he said something about understanding I might need more, then said the only thing he would demand of me was discretion. Does he imagine I’m going to be telling all our friends he doesn’t want me, is that what he means by discretion? He wants me to keep the state of our marriage between us? Although if that is the case, I suppose, coming here goes completely against his demand.”

  “No, Mary Ellen. I don’t believe that’s what he meant. And I suspect in your heart, you already know that,” he whispered.

  Mary Ellen closed her eyes. “I’m still in love with you, William.”

  “Oh, Mary Ellen,” he said sadly. Putting his arm around her, he pulled her closer. She leaned against him as they sat quietly on the couch together.

  “I’ve always wanted you as my wife, not my mistress. I’ve long since accepted the fact you’re Randall’s wife—and with a child between you I know he would never agree to a divorce. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t obtain one, but the chances of you getting custody of Harrison is slim, and I suspect you would not want to subject the boy to that, considering he adores his father.”<
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  “You still love me?”

  “Isn’t that what I was just saying?”

  “I’m not really sure what you’re saying.”

  “Watching you two together over the years I came to believe that what we shared was a moment in time for you—when you were vulnerable and alone. You’d just lost your mother and were married to a stranger who didn’t particularly treat you very well. But later—when I left and returned—Randall was treating you better, the two of you had seemed to come to some understanding, there was a child on the way and then I got so ill…”

  “And he saved your life,” Mary Ellen whispered.

  “Yes. We’d been friends for so long. Had you not appeared happy with him, had he continued to treat you as he originally had, even with a child, I’m not sure what I would have done under those circumstances.”

  They sat together on the couch, William holding Mary Ellen closely, no longer talking but each contemplating their situation.

  “I probably shouldn’t have come here,” Mary Ellen said at last.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “The last thing you need is a married woman crying on your shoulder. I have to assume you’ll eventually marry and start your own family.”

  “Asking a woman to be my bride, while I’m in love with another woman, never seemed right to me.”

  Mary Ellen pulled out of his embrace and turned to look at him. She loved William, but she wanted what was best for him, even if that meant marrying another woman.

  “You can’t mean you never intend to marry. Even if I was free of Randall, I couldn’t give you children.” Although I have given you a son.

  Silently William’s gaze swept over Mary Ellen’s face. Reaching out with one hand he brushed his fingertips along the side of her face ever so lightly.

  “I told you once that I intended to marry for love. But what I failed to add—if I can’t marry for love, I won’t marry at all.”

  The hand caressing her face slipped behind her neck and pulled her toward him. Mary Ellen opened her mouth slightly, about to say something when his lips seized hers. Instinctively her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as she accepted the kiss.

  Fueled by her fervent acquiescence, he was fully prepared to push her down on the sofa and pull up her skirt, seeking respite from the frustration he’d suppressed for so many years. Then he imagined the image of the butler—or some less trustworthy member of the household staff—barging in and finding the scene too titillating to ignore, which would mean by sun-up their tumultuous tryst would become fodder for the gossip mills.

  With concerted effort, William eased Mary Ellen from him, ending the kiss. She looked back at him with glassy dazed eyes. Her bruised lips gave testimony to the brief passion they’d shared.

  “Anyone could walk in,” he whispered, slightly out of breath.

  “I think I should go home,” she stammered.

  “That would probably be best. We need to carefully consider everything …before …”

  Instead of finishing his sentence, he got to his feet and helped Mary Ellen from the couch. After retrieving her jacket, he walked Mary Ellen to her car.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, at Harrison’s birthday party.”

  Mary Ellen nodded at his statement and got into the sporty coupe.

  “I want you to know, I love you Mary Ellen. But I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially you.”

  • • • •

  When Mary Ellen pulled into the drive at Coulson Estate, she didn’t see Randall’s car where he normally parked. He was still out. The house was quiet when she went inside. Emotionally exhausted, she went upstairs to get ready for bed.

  Several hours elapsed and she still could not sleep. She knew Randall hadn’t returned home and wondered where he was. Restless, she got from the bed, slipped on her robe then went downstairs, after peeking in Harrison’s room. Her son slept soundly.

  In the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of milk and wandered out onto the back porch. It was a little chilly outside, but not too cold for an evening stroll. Thinking of the day’s events was keeping her up and she wondered if a little walk around the grounds would help her sleep. Stepping down the porch steps, she held her glass of milk in one hand while clutching the handrail.

  She was just walking around the corner of the house when she heard a car coming up the drive. It must be Randall, she thought. Standing in the shadow of the building, she wasn’t far from the drive. Assuming it was her husband, she stood there waiting. To her surprise, a car she didn’t recognize pulled up, driving a bit too fast before slamming on the breaks and turning off the engine.

  The car door on the passenger side of the vehicle opened, and she heard her husband’s laugh. Randall stumbled from the car, obviously inebriated. The driver’s door then opened and out stepped a tall man. From where she was standing, she couldn’t recognize him.

  With a drunkard’s swagger, Randall made his way around the car to the driver’s side of the vehicle. She was about to call out to him when the two men embraced and began to kiss. Stunned, she forgot about her milk and it fell to the ground, landing on a soft patch of lawn. While the glass did not break, the milk soaked her slippers.

  Backing up, she abandoned the glass and quickly ran from the scene and slipped back into the house before she was discovered. When she made it upstairs to the bedroom, she looked out the window and saw the car race off, while Randall clumsily made his way to the house.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Where is your car, Randall?” Mary Ellen asked the next morning. Sitting at the dining room table, she spooned a dollop of strawberry preserve onto her biscuit.

  “Had a little car trouble. I’m having a driver bring it over later.” He reached across the table and picked up a pitcher of cream.

  “Did you have a nice time?” She took a bite of the biscuit and looked across the table at her husband.

  “Played a little poker. Lost a little money.”

  “Oh, did William join you?”

  “William?” He glanced up and looked at his wife. “No, William doesn’t care for poker. I thought you knew that.” Mary Ellen shrugged and continued to nibble on her biscuit.

  “Funny thing though, coming in last night I tripped over a glass on the back lawn. Lucky I didn’t break it. Have you any idea why one of our beverage glasses would be outside on the ground?”

  Mary Ellen stopped eating for a moment and looked at her husband. She didn’t want to get someone from the household staff in trouble. While Randall had gentled in the treatment of her, he could be an unforgiving employer. Her mind raced for a plausible explanation.

  “Oh, that’s right! I forgot all about it! During my morning walk yesterday, I took a glass of milk with me. When I finished the milk, I set the glass down. I didn’t want to take an empty glass on my walk. I intended to bring it back in the house when I returned, but I simply forgot. I’m so glad it didn’t break. That was careless of me.”

  “Yes…careless. Odd though…”

  “What?” Mary Ellen forced a cheerful smile.

  “The glass appeared to still have some milk in it.”

  Mary Ellen said nothing.

  After a moment Randall said, “Oh well, it was probably evening moisture.”

  Mary Ellen looked at her husband and noticed the peculiar way his shrewd eyes studied her. They were interrupted a moment later when Harrison rushed into the room, late for breakfast.

  • • • •

  “It looks as if the birthday party was a success,” William announced. He stood on the front porch of the Coulson Estate with Mary Ellen, watching the cars pull away. Randall was standing in the drive with Harrison while talking with a few of the party guests who were just getting into their car. Because of the distance, William could not hear what Randall or the departing guests were saying.

  “I told Randall it was far too extravagant for a six year old.” She leaned against one of the porch pillars, as she loo
ked over to the last car preparing to leave.

  “Harrison seemed to enjoy it.”

  “What child wouldn’t? But there is no moderation in Randall’s parenting. He indulges the boy, and then is unduly harsh. I tell him it’s confusing for Harrison but he won’t listen to me.”

  “You have to understand, his father was brutal. The only thing that man gave Randall was disapproval and severe beatings.”

  “I suppose. But I want Harrison to become a kind and thoughtful man.” Like his father.

  At that moment, Harrison ran toward his mother, excited over something.

  “I get to stay at Timmy’s and see the puppies!” He dashed past his mother, who was clearly perplexed. He ran into the house to pack an overnight bag. Confused, Mary Ellen looked to Randall who was laughing and walking her way.

  “What is he talking about?” Mary Ellen asked when Randall reached the porch.

  “They’ve invited him to spend the night. Their bitch just had a litter.”

  “But Randall, tomorrow is Monday, he has school in the morning.”

  “I know what day it is. George said he’d take the boys to school in the morning.”

  Mary Ellen wasn’t happy, but she understood there was no arguing with Randall. Whenever she questioned his parenting, she received the standard reply: I am the boy’s father.

  Jane opened the front door and looked out on the porch, searching for Mrs. Coulson.

  “Ma’am, he says he needs a bag packed?” Jane asked.

  “Yes, Jane. Harrison will be staying at Timmy’s tonight. They’ll be taking him to school in the morning so he’ll need his school clothes.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Jane went back inside and closed the front door.

  • • • •

  After Harrison drove off with Timmy’s parents, Randall invited William to join them for dinner. William accepted the invitation. Two hours later the three sat in the parlor enjoying an after dinner drink. While prohibition was still in effect, it did not stop Americans from drinking alcohol.