The living quarters had been enough for a bachelor. But with Minnie here, it felt like anything but.
She paused at the bed. He’d built it himself, allowing extra room for his height. The few people he’d allowed in here had always expressed surprise at how large it was, but Minnie was looking at it as though it, too, failed to meet her expectations.
Should he tell her he’d made it himself? Or would that lead to more of her disdain?
Fortunately, she didn’t comment as she turned around, bringing her attention to the table and two chairs that dominated the other side.
“I see there are two chairs,” she said.
“I made a second one as soon as I knew a wife was coming. I hope it’s to your liking.”
Minnie nodded. “I appreciate all the thought you’ve put into my arrival. Did you make all the furniture in this room? And the other?”
There didn’t seem to be any disdain in her voice, only curiosity. Had he been too quick to judge her?
As she ran her fingers along the shelves he’d built for storage, she looked at him. “It’s very fine work.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I did build most of it. With my height, it’s important to me to have furniture to match.”
He looked at her, noticing once again how very small she seemed. Was she strong enough for this life? He’d hoped that being a maid, she’d be more… sturdy.
“But don’t worry,” he added. “I have a stool I built for you to stand on so you can reach everything. And if there are other ways I can provide for your comfort, I will do my best. With so many of my evenings spent alone, I’ve had plenty of time to build things.”
The furrow in her brow told him he’d once again said something to displease her.
“But your visits to…” Minnie hesitated. “The place I’m staying?”
This woman was such a troublesome creature. Most chose to ignore the existence of such places, or that men occasionally had cause to visit.
Her expectant expression told him he wasn’t going to get away with not answering.
“If I’m up to socializing, I spend most of that time in the saloon. I’m not as familiar with La Maison as you seem to think.”
“But… that girl? Angelique?”
Hadn’t he already told Minnie he planned on being faithful to her? Though he’d admit if the rest of his marriage was as lacking in excitement as these past few hours with her, he’d need to spend time talking with Angelique, if only to have something to ease the boredom.
“She’s a friend.”
He’d been hasty in suggesting Minnie become friends with her, considering that even in a rough mining town, those two classes didn’t intersect. But Angelique was a good person, as were a number of Madame’s girls, and it was a shame more of the people in this town didn’t see that. True, there were others he could do without, but that was the way of any town.
“I tried,” Minnie said, her voice almost like that of a child’s. “But she wouldn’t even answer me when I said hello when I saw her later. It was extremely awkward.”
So, no one had clued her in on Angelique’s condition. “Angelique is mute. She can’t speak.”
“How am I supposed to be friends with someone who can’t speak?”
He shrugged. “You talk to her like a regular person. She can listen just fine, and if you watch her body language and give her the opportunity to communicate in other ways, you’d be surprised at how much both of you get out of the conversation.”
At least Minnie appeared to be considering his words. “All right then. I’ll do my best. I’m not very good at socializing. With my work, there was never time.”
She turned her attention to the cookstove in the corner, but rather than seeming pleased at the fine model, she looked almost terrified.
“You can’t cook, can you?” he asked the question, even though he knew her answer.
Minnie let out a long sigh. “It wasn’t part of my duties. But I’m willing to learn. I know you are disappointed by me, but I will do my best to become the woman you need. I only hope you’re willing to be patient and kind in the process.”
Had he been so harsh with her that she already feared him? Or was her fear more about the past she was running from?
“I suppose I am not the man you expected, either. Let us both be patient with one another as we build our new life together.”
His words didn’t ease the lines on her face. He hadn’t thought much about what would induce her to marry a complete stranger. Hopefully, she would soon learn he was not the sort to mistreat a woman.
He started to gesture to the tiny loft above his living quarters that he used for storage, but he heard the door to his shop open. Hugh hoped it was Charlie, with news about the mine. So far, it didn't look promising that his friend would find a larger vein of gold. But it would be nice for Hugh to be wrong. Some men had too much pride to admit their faults. But not Hugh. If he were wrong in this, he would gladly say so.
However, when he entered the other room, the woman standing in his workshop was a far bigger blow than if it had been Charlie telling him the gold was gone.
"Arabella. What are you doing here?"
His brother's wife took off her hat and gloves in the same manner Minnie had done, only Hugh couldn't help noticing how much finer Arabella's things were. The fur-lined cape might be better suited to the weather than Minnie’s tattered cloak, but the finery seemed out of place.
"That's hardly an appropriate greeting for family," she said, handing him her belongings. "Now have your servant fetch me some tea so we can talk. I've had a long journey, and you can't imagine the difficulty I've had in reaching this godforsaken place."
Minnie entered the room. "Visitors. And she mentioned something about family? Am I to meet your family? This is very good news indeed."
No, this was not good news. This was the worst news of all.
"Again, I ask you, what are you doing here?" He was being rude, and he hated to do so in front of the bride he was already struggling to get to know. But there was no way he was going to allow Arabella to stay any longer than he had to.
"You wound me. But at least you have called for your maid." She turned to Minnie. "Now go fetch my tea. And some refreshment. Whatever you have on hand is fine. I'm famished after the terrible food I've suffered on my travels."
Minnie looked absolutely terrified by the request.
He glared at Arabella. "As always, you fail to know your place. You might outrank the both of us, but Minnie is no servant. She is my fiancée. And you will treat her with respect."
He looked over at Minnie to reassure her, to let her know that he would not tolerate such disrespect in his home. Besides, they were in America now, and not obligated under the stuffy rules of inheritance and precedence.
"And you forget your place," she said. "As the wife of a duke, I outrank the son of one. Or I should say, the late duke."
Hugh had known of his father’s death, of course. He still had friends who wrote him with news. He was glad his mother had been gone for some time now, as she would turn over in her grave to see Arabella as the new duchess. He'd always thought his mother's death had been brought on by despair of his brother’s engagement to this woman.
"What do you mean, a duke's son?" Minnie asked.
Arabella gave a nasty little laugh. At one time he'd thought it charming, until he realized that the expression only came as a result of her finding herself in a position to be particularly nasty. He glared at Arabella before turning to Minnie.
"I came to America to start a new life, but it is true. My father was a duke. But as the third son, I have no chance at inheriting, and my brother John, her husband, has inherited my father's title and lands."
But where was John? For the first time, it struck him as being odd that he was not present.
"Where's my brother?” he asked.
"You have not heard?" Arabella sounded bored, like he'd asked her a ridiculous question.
&nbs
p; "He is dead. Hunting accident. I'm surprised no one has told you, but I’m glad I could notify you in person."
John. Dead. Hugh took a step back, and if he were a woman, he might have needed a gentleman’s assistance to sit in a more comfortable place. Minnie came beside him and put her arm around him.
"I am so sorry for your loss," she said.
Dear, sweet Minnie. The woman he barely knew offered him comfort in such a genuine way. It was a stark contrast to the emotionless expression on his sister-in-law's face. He knew, of course, that Arabella had loved John no more than Hugh loved Minnie. In many ways, it was a similar arrangement. She had married for the security of money and a title. John, however, had thought himself in love. And oh, how he had loved her. Unfortunately, his wife had never returned his affection. At least from the emotionless way she stood before Hugh now, he could assume she hadn’t.
Perhaps Hugh had misjudged Minnie. Perhaps she would be a suitable mate after all.
Hugh could still remember the day Arabella told him she would be marrying John. Hugh had been the one courting her. He’d brought her home for a weekend to meet the family. It had never occurred to him that her ambitions lay more with the opportunity to spend time with his brother, who was a known recluse, preferring the company of his hounds and horses at the estate. But in the course of her visit, she had made it clear that her real target was John. And Hugh had been left in the cold.
After the wedding, Arabella had slipped into Hugh's room, confessing that he was the one she truly loved, that as a younger son he could not secure her future, so she’d been forced to marry John. He’d tried convincing her to make her marriage with John work. However, Arabella continued her pursuit of Hugh, so he left, pursuing his dream of coming to America.
He put his arm around Minnie. “Thank you for your consideration. It comforts me greatly to have you by my side during this time. John and I were quite close as boys, and I can hardly comprehend the tragedy.”
He turned his gaze on Arabella. “How could this have happened? John was an excellent hunter. I can’t imagine any sort of accident befalling him.”
She gave a casual shrug as if it were a trivial thing, the death of her husband, and Hugh’s brother.
“I cannot say. I know nothing of such matters. All I know is that I’m finally free. We are finally free. All these years of longing and wishing to be together. Hugh, our time is now.”
Minnie made a choking noise and he pulled her closer to him. “You’re too late. Minnie and I are to be married, and I’m quite certain we will suit well together.”
“Suit well together?” Arabella gave a toss of her head. “That is what I said about marrying John. And look where that got me. A widow in my prime, with two young sons. But at least now, you can come home and take your rightful place at the estate.”
That would never happen. In his time in America, he’d discovered that he quite enjoyed being here. He liked not having people scrape and bow. He hated the artifice and the way being a lord seemed to sway people’s opinion of him. And then, of course, soon as they found out that he was the third son, dismissed him. He would never inherit, not without tragedy befalling the family, and that was something he’d always fervently prayed against. He did not wish his brothers ill, even when Arabella had chosen John. As far as he was concerned, he was well rid of a woman whose affections were more about the size of a man’s estate than the size of a man’s heart.
“I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time. I have no intention of returning to England. There is nothing left there to entice me.” Then he smiled down at Minnie. “My life is here with my business and my future bride.”
Minnie made a noise, like she didn’t quite agree with his words. It must be a shock to her, finding out about his background in this way. He’d always intended telling her at some point, but he hadn’t figured out when or how. No one in Noelle knew he was a lord. And he hadn’t wanted them to. He liked that they all knew him as merely a man. A man with a reputation for being honest and, he hoped, a good person.
“But you must. You can inherit now.”
The earnest look on Arabella’s face made him sick. He didn’t want to inherit. He had spent his entire life knowing that there was not a single chance that he would ever become the duke. And frankly, he’d rather enjoyed it. It had allowed him to study his passions and learn about metallurgy. He’d built his own workshop on the estate, where he’d been able to study various metals and materials to find out what they were made of. It had been fascinating to him and, although he hadn’t known it at the time, it had given him the opportunity to learn a valuable trade that provided him a very good living in America.
“As I have told you, I have no intention of ever returning to England. As for becoming duke, you have two sons, and then there is Gerald, my middle brother. One of them shall inherit.”
Rather than acknowledging the simple logic he had just presented to her, Arabella looked furious.
“Young John is a sickly boy. I can’t imagine he will grow up to take on the duke’s responsibilities, even though he technically holds the title. Charles is still a baby, and as you know, things happen to children. As for Gerald, he is a complete idiot. He doesn’t deserve to inherit. He can’t run an estate, manage finances, or do anything a duke would.”
The sickening feeling gnawing at Hugh’s stomach made it almost impossible to stand. But he squared his shoulders and glared at Arabella.
“I’m sorry to hear that your boys are unwell. Perhaps, rather than trying to find substitutes for them, you should be with them, mothering them, enjoying what time you have, and, dare I say it, finding ways of improving their health. As for Gerald, he is a good man, and I’ve always thought he would make an excellent duke.”
Her face glowed hotter than his furnace when he was working metal. “Do you not understand? This is your opportunity.”
Had she been so callous and cold when he’d first fallen in love with her? He couldn’t imagine having ever loved a woman like this. He looked at Minnie, who stood silently beside him, taking in all this information. What must she think of the family she was marrying into?
“I have never wanted to be duke. I don’t know how you ever got that idea in your head. I will not inherit, and I will not return to England. Focus your attention on molding your sons into men who can lead with kindness, goodness, and justice. That is what the world needs. That is what the estate and its people need.”
None of those values were high on Arabella’s list, but given the almost murderous way she looked at him, he wasn’t going to give her any encouragement. Why she thought he would be willing to go along with whatever ridiculous scheme she’d concocted, he didn’t know. But he was grateful to have Minnie by his side to strengthen him.
Though he’d begun the day with doubts about her, Hugh’s only regret was that they weren’t already married. At least then he could send Arabella on her way and end her meddling once and for all. Now, he needed to find a way to get her to leave, and soon.
Chapter 3
The Second Day of Christmas
December 26, 1876
Because there were no hotels in Noelle, they had been forced to house Arabella with the other ladies at La Maison. Hugh had point blank told her that there was no place for her in his home, and for that, Minnie was glad. What an unexpected twist to be running from one titled marriage into another one. The difference was, with Hugh, there’d be no balls, no fancy carriages, and no expectation for Minnie to be a woman of society. Hugh had even asked both her and Arabella to remain quiet about his true identity. Something that eased Margaret’s guilt about who she really was. If only she didn’t have to share a room with the insufferable Arabella. Minnie had done her best to avoid the other woman.
But now, as they finished breakfast and were now retreating to the parlor, Minnie couldn’t help feeling like none of this was going to be as easy as she hoped.
And she was right.
Arabella entered the room, looki
ng as disdainful and bored as she had when she arrived the day before.
“Waiting for Hugh?” she asked, sounding smug. “It’s not uncommon for a man to have second thoughts on his wedding day. Men like him need a certain type of wife, and a woman like you cannot possibly understand his needs.”
She gave a hideous laugh. Granted, Minnie was no lady, but Margaret did come from one of the wealthiest families in America. Maybe not all of America, but when her father spoke, people listened.
When the ladies were seated with their tea, Arabella pulled out her bag and removed out a very nice sampler that she’d been working on. Of course, the other woman would have it with her. No lady traveled without.
“Minnie,” she said. “do go and find me a stand upon which I can finish my work. I realize there most likely isn’t proper equipment, but surely you can find something. It’s a task you must have often done for your mistress.”
She tried not to groan. Arabella was so intent on keeping her in her place, even though Hugh had made it clear he would be marrying her today. But at least, once the ceremony had been completed she would be able to go to his house and stay there.
“There isn’t anything, I’m afraid. I, too, enjoy embroidery. But alas, there are no supplies. What you have with you will have to do.”
Arabella looked at her as though she were a complete idiot, like she hadn’t expected an answer. Which was silly, considering Minnie and Margaret had often done embroidery together. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, especially when none of the people her mother deemed suitable were available for entertainment.
“Really? Your employer must’ve been extremely indulgent,” she said, looking thoughtful. “The family you worked for must’ve been of some means, allowing you such a pastime. I find most servants are simply too busy to indulge in such diversions.”
Minnie let out a long sigh. She’d forgotten that the other woman didn’t know the story she’d told everybody upon arrival. “I worked for a wealthy family in Denver as a companion to the daughter. Her mother was most particular about the company she kept, and I acted as a chaperone. She appreciated passing the time with someone who shared her hobbies and skills. Therefore, I learned along with her. I enjoyed many of the entertainments of a young lady.”
The Lord: The Tenth Day (The 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides Book 10) Page 3
