A Promised Heart

by Kate Marie Clark

  She poured to cups of tea and took them to the table.

  Her father’s shoulders had relaxed, and he thanked her for the tea. “I appreciate the tea. I only wish you had brought me something stronger. I could use some brandy to calm my nerves. Hattie girl, you’ve nearly given me a heart attack.”

  Hattie sat across from him and took a drink of her tea. “I suppose I did, and for that I am sorry. In hindsight, my decision to leave you with little more than a note was not ideal.”

  “Ideal?” His brows lifted.

  Hattie buried her face in her hands.

  A chuckle rippled across the silence. “No, not ideal. Anything but ideal.”

  Hattie’s hands fell to her lap, and her mouth parted in surprise.

  “In fact, you most likely created a paranoid parent. I shall not leave your side for years to come, not until you are married and with child and I am sure you are to stay put.” He took another long drink of tea, emptying the cup. He set it back to the saucer, tinkling in tandem with the wind outside. “Now, will you tell me everything?”

  Hattie crinkled her nose. “You aren’t going to yell at me or scold me like a small child?”

  Mr. Montgomery laughed once more. “What use would it serve? You are not a small child; I have no effect upon you anymore. I only want to know why.”

  A lone tear fell to her cheek. Her father was never one to surrender, never one to react so carefully. There was only one explanation; Hattie had hurt him dreadfully. She wiped the tear with her scarf. “I acted much like a small child. I was scared, and I ran.”

  “Honesty—continue.”

  She sighed, leaning against the back of the chair. “You have always spoken of my betrothal with finality, but what woman wishes to be married to a stranger? Surely not any, and certainly not me. After Aunt May died, I was sure you would call me home for the funeral. I hoped to speak with you then about my wishes. But, your telegram urged me onward, and I felt trapped. Like a cornered animal, I did the only thing I could think of.”

  “Running to Topeka, Kansas to work in a hotel, even one as grand as this one, seems a strange choice. Why not stay with Miss Ackerman or another friend? Why here?” His brown eyes glistened, and Hattie sensed the scale of her mistake.

  “I knew my own weakness. If I stayed with Lilly, you would have found me and likely convinced me to meet Mr. Ellison again.” The explanation sounded hollow to her own ears. She shook her head. “And I wanted to leave; I wanted an adventure of my own. For so long, I sat in your shadow. You asked, I answered. For once, I wanted to see to my own asking and answering. Topeka seemed as good of place as any. You did not expect as much?”

  “No, I underestimated you.” His voice came as a whisper. “I worried for your safety to no end, but I can see you were diligent in taking care. Thank God.”

  Hattie set her cup to the table, tapping her hands against the surface. “I made a mistake.”

  “Yes.”

  She attempted once more. “I hurt you.”

  Her father cleared his throat. “Irrefutably.”

  Hattie’s head lowered. What good would an apology serve? Her father was the very pillar of strength and importance. His trading company made him highly respected in Philadelphia society and beyond—New York, Baltimore, clear to the West coast. Hattie was ashamed her behavior had broken him.

  “But I think I see what you mean.”

  Hattie nearly choked on her own saliva. “Father?”

  Mr. Montgomery offered the smallest of smiles. “Expectations can make or break a person. In betrothing you to Mr. Ellison, I hoped to pay you a favor. You see, Hattie, marriage is not what modern society tells you. The new romance novels make marriage out to be bliss, but experience has shown me otherwise. Yes, marriage may start out that way, but time changes people and situations. In my experience, marriage is about mutual tolerance and friendship.”

  “Were you unhappy with Mother?” Hattie hardly remembered how they acted around one another. In fact, she rarely saw them together.

  He shook his head. “I loved your mother very much. We got on nicely, and when challenges arose, we dealt with them together.”

  “Then…” Hattie bit her lip. “Why?”

  “My marriage was arranged by my parents.”

  “What?” Hattie stood. She paced the length of the table. “Neither of you spoke of a betrothal.”

  Mr. Montgomery nodded. “No, we did not. The elder Mr. Ellison is a dear friend. We are like minded; we care about the same type of things; we see the world similarly. My hope was that the younger Mr. Ellison would be as good a fit for you as you would be for him. A marriage of similarity does best.” He let out a slow breath. “But I would not have forced you into it.”

  “No?” Hattie folded her arms. “Do you remember horseback riding—how I protested and begged and pled to be done?”

  Mr. Montgomery’s expression resumed its usual scowl. “But you needed to learn to master the horse, Hattie. Look at how you enjoy riding now.”

  “My schooling?” she asked, lifting a brow.

  “You cannot change schools because of an instructor, my girl. Those things must be endured and dealt with.” His deep laughter followed. “The idea!”

  Hattie nodded. “And my taking the trip to San Francisco?”

  He opened his mouth to speak but paused. His eyes widened. “I see where you are going with this. Marriage is quite another thing, Hattie.”

  “And you would not have objected to my refusing Mr. Ellison?” Hattie’s lips puckered.

  Her father did not answer; they both already knew the answer.

  “Running away was childish,” Hattie began, “but I did feel cornered. You must own that you can be difficult, forceful even. You refused to listen to my reasons, and leaving for Topeka was the first time I made you listen. I regret the pain I have caused, the mess I have made, but I cannot say I would choose differently. At the time, I felt running was my only option.”

  “And now you know better. You have grown.” He swallowed. “As have I.”

  Hattie smiled. “Will you forgive me?”

  He winced. “I will try. Will you forgive me?”

  This time, Hattie smiled. “I already have.”

  Charlie strode the length of the walkway once more. One moment he was lively and close to bearing his entire heart to Miss Carlson, and the next, he found out the woman he wished to court was actually his runaway fiancé…

  Shock was a funny thing. His heart had beat faster than horse hooves. After three cups of punch and a chilled walk back to the hotel, Charlie was beginning to feel himself again. Surprised still, but himself.

  Hindsight was infuriating. Looking back, Charlie could see all the signs. From his first meeting with Miss Carlson, his Miss Montgomery, the resemblance had struck him. Then there was her speech. No normal hotel waitress spoke so refined. Then the letter, addressed to an acquaintance in Philadelphia. Why, the woman had tried to tell him more than a few times who she really was.

  Why hadn’t Charlie studied the photograph again since his arrival? Why hadn’t he asked about her family in more detail? Why hadn’t he wondered at her statement to purchase another brooch? Why hadn’t he asked about the letter to Miss Ackerman? No wonder he’d never found her in high society; she’d been hiding in a much different situation.

  Hindsight.

  Charlie threw his head back and laughed. Landing in Topeka had felt random, but the odds said otherwise. Providence had played a role, one much larger than Charlie was accustomed to recognizing. But there was no other alternative; God had directed him.

  Charlie opened the front door of the hotel. If God had led him here, and if Charlie had truly fallen in love with Miss Montgomery, Charlie was determined to push away his humiliation. He would not return to San Francisco without Miss Montgomery. Honor no longer held him. Something far greater urged him forward.

  The hotel front was empty, and Charlie walked the hall in silence. Feeling returned to his fingers a
nd nose, and he hoped his shock would continue to thaw. He doubted it; such a story was one that would forever surprise him.

  A single lantern shone from the dining room, and Charlie followed it to find Mr. Montgomery and his daughter.

  “Mr. Montgomery, we have not been formally introduced,” Charlie said, holding out his hand. “Mr. Anthony Charles Ellison at your service, but you may call me Charlie.”

  Mr. Montgomery startled. “I thought it strange you were in Topeka whilst my daughter was parading about as a waitress. Don’t tell me you have already met her?”

  Charlie turned to face her. She stared at the ground, and, even in the darkness, her cheeks turned red. She appeared as humiliated as he was—perhaps even more. Charlie smiled and bowed. “Not formally. Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Montgomery.”

  Her eyes darted to his, and she stood. “Please, you do not need to pretend. You are free, just as you hoped.”

  Charlies heart sunk to his stomach. He tried to swallow. “Pardon?”

  She turned to her father. “I am well acquainted with Mr. Ellison, Father. He has only honored the engagement to satisfy his honor. And now I release him. If you will excuse me, I will retire for the evening. Goodnight, Father. Goodnight, Mr. Ellison. Please accept my apologies.”

  “Wait,” Charlie said, following after her.

  She walked at surprising speed, forging out the dining room and toward the staircase. “As I said, goodnight, Mr. Ellison.”

  He pulled at her hand. “Please. Don’t leave like this. How can you say what you said after our—”

  “Kiss?” Her eyes were no longer brown but dangerous flames. “How could you kiss me if you were truly engaged? There is no honor in that, Mr. Ellison. We both made mistakes.”

  Frustration rippled across his chest. She was being ridiculous. “Hattie.”

  She halted. “What did you call me?”

  Charlie pulled her closer. “I have been calling you Miss Carlson for the past week but doing so seemed wrong. I tried to call you Adele tonight, but that also felt wrong. Miss Montgomery seems much too formal after all we have weathered. But Hattie? I wish to call you that.”

  She pulled away, shaking her head. “Goodnight, Mr. Ellison.”

  Charlie trailed behind her, climbing up the stairs. She was a step above him, making his head level with hers. He placed his hand over hers atop the banister and she halted once more. Charlie caught his breath and whispered in her ear. “You have run away from me once. My heart was safe then. I did not know you. Please do not run again. I fear my heart will break.”

  She turned to look at him. Tears balanced on her lower lashes, and she gasped for breath. “You should be angry with me. You have a train to catch, Mr. Ellison, and I have a disastrous muddle to attend to. Do not entangle yourself.”

  And then she left, running up the stairs.

  Charlie collapsed against the banister. How could she leave him there, when they were both hurting so badly, and an easy solution was to be had? They were in love; Charlie knew it.

  “You know, she is acting like the stubborn little girl she has always been.”

  Charlie startled, whizzing around.

  Mr. Montgomery stood only ten feet away. He folded his arms and smiled up at Charlie. “Running away seems to be her preferred way of solving problems. I hoped this whole experience would have cured her of that, but alas…”

  “What can I do?” Charlie asked.

  Mr. Montgomery’s brows lifted. “Do? Perhaps you should stop her from running. She will regret doing so.”

  “You think?”

  The older man laughed. “I know so by the way she just acted. Hattie will love you for stopping her. She already does. I promise you that.”

  Chapter 11

  The morning bell sounded, and dread reverberated against Hattie’s skull. Morning had come, despite her pleadings.

  Mrs. Elizabeth Brody stood at the foot of Hattie’s bed. “Miss Montgomery?”

  Would Hattie not be spared a moment to collect herself? She turned away from Elizabeth. “I am sorry I did not tell you my name.”

  The mattress creaked as Elizabeth sat. “I understand. A name does not change our friendship, or…your employment. Now, you will change and be down in the lobby in twenty-five minutes. I have a customer in need of service.”

  Hattie sat up. “Elizabeth?”

  Her friend smiled and took Hattie’s hand in her own. She winked. “A hotel does not run itself. Twenty-five minutes, understand?”

  “But I must return to Philadelphia with my father. He has come for me, and I cannot stay.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “I agree, but will you do this last task for me?”

  Hattie could not deny Elizabeth anything—not after her kindness and friendship and easy forgiveness. Hattie washed her face and changed quickly. Her hair was still curled from the previous night, and styling it was easier than usual.

  She met Elizabeth at the front desk. “You asked for my assistance?”

  “A button.” Elizabeth stared at the ledger in front of her, but the corner of her lips ticked.

  Hattie’s breath hitched. “Pardon?”

  Her employer set the book on the desk and stood. “I have a customer that needs assistance. It seems a button has popped off his cuff, and he needs a steady hand to mend it before his train arrives. He is waiting in the parlor with a needle and thread.”

  Hattie rubbed a finger against her own cuff, where Charlie had sewn her button. After all that had happened, she was beginning to believe coincidences did not exist. By Elizabeth’s smile alone, Hattie had a hunch who sat behind those doors. “Elizabeth, I cannot.”

  “Cannot?” Elizabeth ‘tsked’. “You must face him one last time. That is my last request.”

  Anxious tears threatened. Elizabeth was right; there was no doubt of that. Furthermore, Hattie felt horrible about the way she had left Mr. Ellison the previous night. Hattie ran a hand down the front of her apron. “As you say, Mrs. Brody.”

  Hattie inched into the parlor, hoping the sound of her heart was only audible to her ears. She shut the door behind her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Mr. Ellison rise to his feet. “You have a button you need mending?”

  “Yes, please.” He walked toward her and placed the button in her hand. “Just off this cuff,” he said, lifting a hand in the air.

  Her heart, unruly at best, continued to beat sporadically, stealing her breath and ability to think. She took the needle and thread from his other hand and began sewing.

  Mr. Ellison said nothing, but Hattie felt the heat from his gaze for the entirety of her efforts. At last, she clumsily looped the string in the back and pulled off the needle. “There you are, Mr. Ellison. I have made a tangle of the threads, but your button will hold.”

  “You tend to tangle more than thread.”

  She gasped, dropping the needle to the floor. She was already keenly aware of her weaknesses, but Mr. Ellison had always been so kind. His words took her back. “My apologies. I will endeavor to make things right. I promise you.”

  Charlie placed a steady hand at her waist. “But like this thread, you cannot untangle my heart. It is already knotted in yours, irreversibly.”

  Her heart stopped momentarily, and Hattie looked him in the eye. “Irreversibly?”

  “Quite.”

  His glance was soft and careful; he was nothing like she expected. From their first meeting, Charlie had surprised her. Warmth enveloped her, and a small laugh, perhaps relief, climbed her throat. “But do you wish to be so entangled?”

  He smiled, the effect of which sent her head buzzing. “I have never wanted anything more.”

  Hattie’s heart threatened to explode. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She had never felt more eager for the future than in that moment.

  Charlie looped his arms around her waist, returning her fervency with his own. There was strength in his touch, countered only by tenderness. He leaned his head against hers. “My D
ear Miss Montgomery, I must ask you an important question.”

  Hattie smiled. The taste of kiss still lingered on her lips. “Yes?”

  “Will you marry me?”

  “And then what?” Hattie asked, placing her hands atop his at her waist.

  Charlie laughed. “And then you may continue your tangling or whatever it is you would like to do.”

  She swatted his chest but surrendered when he kissed her again.

  “Well?” he asked when they were finished. “Will you marry me? I cannot stand to lose you again.”

  Happy tears pricked Hattie’s eyes. She laughed. “Certainly.”

  Charlie watched as the last trunk was lifted to the train. Mr. Montgomery had returned to Philadelphia straight away to settle his affairs before the wedding. He was reluctant to send Hattie anywhere without him, but Charlie convinced him that Hattie needed to see San Francisco before she chose where they should live.

  Hattie clutched Charlie’s arm, glancing back at the hotel across the street.

  “Will you miss the Brody Hotel?” Charlie asked.

  She shook her head. “No, but I will always remember my time there with fondness, especially that of recent days.”

  Charlie nodded. He felt much the same. There was something about that place. The hotel stood at a crossroads for trains, but also people. Both he and Hattie needed to meet there, under the circumstances that they did.

  Hattie pulled at his arm. “Shall we board?”

  Charlie smiled. The time for crossroads had passed, and never had Charlie felt so hopeful for the future. “Yes, I think it’s time.”

  Hattie moved to her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I suppose it is.”

  THE END

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