by GG Shalton
Andrew took her gloved hand and kissed it. “You look lovely this evening.”
He leaned near her, smelling of sandalwood and brandy. She felt so small in comparison to his immense frame. She tried to settle her nerves and found it difficult to make eye contact. She lowered her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, Mr. Baird.”
He leaned closer. “We are to be married tomorrow, Amelia. Please call me Andrew.”
The closeness of his warm breath near her ear made her tremble. She didn’t think she could go through with it. Her knees were about to buckle at the realization that she feared her fiancé. She grimaced at the memory of his rage at her father and not to mention his reputation that Rachel had told her about. How would he treat her when they were alone? Would he ravish her and then beat her into submission? She tried not to swoon. Her voice cracked as she spoke: “As you wish.”
Her father and stepmother were speaking with his associates as the butlers served them drinks. Andrew pulled her to the side. “I stopped by the Earl of Breconshire’s today. You can imagine my surprise when he informed me his sister was unaware of our nuptials tomorrow.”
Amelia tensed her shoulders as her heart pumped faster. He changed his voice to a patronizing tone. “I told him you were probably so busy preparing for the ceremony that it must have slipped your mind.” He took a drink of his brandy as he studied her face for a reaction. She gave none and looked away. He continued, “I remedied it and invited them both. You told me she was an old and dear friend. You can thank me later.”
He smiled with a half-grin trying to gauge her. She remained silent as he narrowed his eyes then changed back to a normal tone. “I also have some friends that will be attending. My brother is out of the country or I would have invited him. My staff has prepared a wedding breakfast and the vicar has agreed to marry us. The special license came through. All is set.”
It was too much. She felt numb and placed her glass down on the table beside her. She took a seat on the new settee they had recently purchased with his generosity. He took a seat next to her touching her hand. “Now, Amelia, you must take it easy. Tomorrow will be a big day for you. I hope you have bought the perfect dress. My man said you refused my money.” His jaw flexed holding back his displeasure of her refusal.
The strain in his voice made her throat tighten. She took a deep breath. “I did purchase a dress for tomorrow. I didn’t feel right taking your money, so I bought it myself.”
He held his head back and laughed. “Indeed? You didn’t feel right taking my money. Not a family trait I gather.”
She looked away, pulling her hand from him, feigning wiping her brow. She placed her hand back in her lap avoiding his glare. Their conversation was interrupted by the butler announcing supper. He stood and assisted her up, putting her hand in the crook of his arm. They walked into the dining room.
Amelia’s family exchanged pleasantries with their guests. Her appetite had vanished and she was unable to eat. She chose to stare at her food, only nodding if addressed in the conversation. After dinner, she tried to make her escape, but Andrew insisted on a walk before she retired. Her family agreed and left her alone to fend for herself.
The night air was brisk and she was thankful to have her cloak. Andrew took her arm and walked around their small garden in silence. Several minutes passed before he stopped and turned toward her.
“Amelia?” He tried to capture her attention.
Amelia did not want to look at him. Her heart went into her stomach and she felt ill. She looked at her feet. “Yes?”
He touched her chin forcing her to look at him. “I want you to be happy, Amelia.” He took his hand from her chin and cupped her face. He bent down and softly pressed his lips against hers.
Amelia’s whole body tensed. His gentleness surprised her, but she did not trust him. He was like a wolf playing with his prey before the kill. She was embarrassed to look at him after the kiss. Unable to speak, she took a deep breath and stepped away from him.
She whispered trying not to show her fear, “I have yet to know you, Mr. Baird. This wedding has come quickly. I am not prepared.”
He stepped forward and took her hand. Trying to ease her anxiety, he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “We have our whole lives to get to know each other. My wish is to take care of you and be a good husband.”
Amelia felt trapped by his sly words. He was a criminal and used his words to lie, cheat, steal, and manipulate. She would not fall for his charms although she could not refuse him. There would be dire consequences if she did not go through with the marriage. She looked at him trying to feel confident. “Please be patient with me, Mr. Baird. I require time to accept my circumstances.”
He smiled taking his time to answer her. “As you wish, my dear. Let’s get you back inside. You have a big day tomorrow.”
He escorted her back inside and gathered his men for their departure. He kissed her one more time on the hand. The next time they met would be in front of the vicar.
Amelia stood in the room waiting for the announcement that they were ready for her. She arrived at Andrew’s home a few hours earlier and was welcomed by his staff. It didn’t feel like her wedding day. Her dress was not impressive, her gloves were old. The housekeeper helped her put some flowers in her hair as she wore a braid pinned up in a bun on top of her head. Her life would change after this morning and her childhood would be a memory. This is not the life she had envisioned and the tears threatened to fall. She closed her eyes trying to stop them as she gathered strength to get through the day.
A knock on the door broke her out of her woolgathering. She took a deep breath before answering. Relief filled her seeing Rachel’s smiling face. “Amelia, you look beautiful. Mr. Baird allowed me to come up as the guests are arriving. Is there anything I can assist with?” Rachel stepped farther into the room closing the door behind her.
“Rachel, thank you for coming.” She walked to the bed and took a seat.
“Amelia, you should have told me. I am not cross with you, just concerned. Johnathan explained your predicament to me. I know you have no choice.” She sat on the bed beside her.
“I hardly know what to do.” Amelia could no longer pretend to be strong and let out a sob.
Rachel touched her arm. “Oh, Amelia. I feel so guilty. If you would not have been at my home that day, he would not have seen you.” She hugged Amelia and held her.
“I don’t blame you. It’s not your fault. This is the burden of being a woman.” She leaned back wiping her face.
Rachel squeezed her hand. “A burden of a beautiful woman.” She smiled standing up from the bed. “Come let us stop crying and wipe your face with a cold cloth. We can’t have you crying on your wedding day.”
Amelia gave a slight smile to her friend. “It’s not the day I am worried about. It’s the night.”
Rachel widened her eyes. “Blast! I had not thought about that. I would be frightened too. He is such a big man. A bit dangerous looking.”
She watched Amelia’s face fall. “Forgive me, I mean I am sure you will be fine. I heard it can be somewhat unpleasant for a woman the first time, but they say it’s better after that. Some even enjoy it. Perhaps you will.”
Amelia felt like she would vomit and held her stomach. “Oh, Rachel. I can’t do it.”
Rachel kneeled in front of her taking both of her hands and looked into her face. “Yes, you can. You are one of the strongest women I know. In school, I knew you would always find a way to help us if we were in trouble. Your family owes you a huge debt. You need to make the most out of this situation and find your place. Johnathan told me he travels a lot and has many estates. Perhaps you won’t see him much. You can create your own life and be happy. I will try to visit you if he allows it.”
Amelia took a deep breath. “Perhaps you are right. I will�
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A knock at the door interrupted the girls. Rachel stood and gave Amelia one last hug. “I will wait for you downstairs.”
Rachel opened the door and let Amelia’s father in as she left. “They will be ready in a few moments.” He put out his elbow and she took his arm.
Amelia’s brothers approached her as she came down the stairs and some of the guests welcomed her. The vicar stood close to the mantle and asked the guests to take a seat. Andrew smiled when he saw her and a few of his men stood beside him. The wedding was short and Amelia concentrated on her words. She accepted Andrew to be her husband agreeing to commit herself to him. The rest of the ceremony was a blur, and she did not come out of her stupor until she heard the vicar pronounce them husband and wife.
Andrew bent down and softly kissed her on the mouth. The well-wishers stood and congratulated the couple, and the wedding breakfast was served shortly afterward. Amelia barely tasted her food and kept quiet during the feast. Andrew bent down. “You need to eat something, Amelia. The staff went to a lot of trouble to prepare this for you. Please don’t be rude.”
Amelia did not like his tone with her. She did not answer him but forced herself to take a bite of the food. He gave her a satisfied look and turned his attention to a business associate.
Rachel and Johnathan approached her afterward and said their goodbyes. Rachel whispered her a promise that she would send letters soon. Amelia stood up to walk her guests to the door. Andrew stared at her, but didn’t speak.
Amelia’s father had some private words with Andrew after the breakfast and approached his daughter before his departure. “It’s all set with the contract, and you will go to Scotland tomorrow. I wish you well, Daughter.” That was it. She supposed he could have said some term of endearment, but wishing her well was more than he usually said to her. Her stepmother ignored her. taking her father’s elbow and walking to the front door. Her brothers hugged her. Amelia’s heart hurt, but she kept her composure. She bid farewell to the other guests until only a few remained—mainly Andrew’s guards who lived at the residence with him. Amelia fidgeted with her gloves unsure of what was expected of her. Andrew finished his conversation with one of his men and came toward her.
“My wife, I like the sound of that. We will stay here tonight and leave early in the morning. It will take us five to six days to arrive in Edinburgh.” He took her hand. “You will stay in my chamber tonight. The servants have moved your trunk in there. This home came with a small library, so feel free to make use of it. I need to leave to close some business and will return for dinner this evening. You have had an eventful day. I told the servants to prepare a bath, and you may rest if you wish.”
Amelia nodded her head, and Andrew bent down and kissed her on the cheek. She walked toward the stairs and followed a servant to his chambers.
Brian, one of Andrew’s men and closest friends, slapped him on the back. “I can’t believe you’re leg-shackled. I can handle Pruitt if you want to spend the afternoon with your new wife. It is your wedding day after all.”
Andrew smirked looking over at Brian. He was a large man with red hair and a matching mustache. The big lug was more like his brother than an employee. “Our years on the street have come full circle. I am married when I told you I would never take a wife.”
Brian snorted. “Better you than me. Reminds me of when we made a bet who would have a son first.”
Andrew gripped his glass. “I always thought it would be you. Your family life was a lot better than mine. Based on my experience, I should run for the hills.”
Andrew took a drink, thinking about the difference in their families. He had known Brian since they were young. Brian’s family lived on the same street as Andrew’s, and they were both poor. Yet their lives were completely different. Brian’s mother worked in a factory and took in the laundry on the weekends. She would often feed Andrew and his little brother when his mother didn’t come home. Brian’s father was killed at sea. They had his memorabilia and awards throughout their home displaying all of his father’s accomplishments. In contrast, Andrew’s father was in an Irish prison the last he had heard. His parents were married only for a few months before he was locked up. He had a younger brother from a different father that passed away shortly after he was born.
“My family life was not perfect, Andrew.” Brian chuckled. “But I guess it was better than yours.”
Andrew laughed thinking about his mother. His uncle talked his mother into accompanying his family to Glasgow, Scotland to what was supposed to be a better life. The Irish were treated harshly and living conditions were cramped. His uncle died a year later from cholera leaving his mom to fend for herself with her two children. His uncle’s wife moved to Edinburgh with his cousins shortly afterwards to live with her aunt. There was no room for Andrew’s family, so his mother tried to support them with various jobs in the beginning.
Andrew took a seat in the chair and Brian sat in the chair across from him. He ran his finger over the rim of the glass staring into the fireplace. He glanced at Brian. “Yes, I guess I was a bad influence. If your grandmother only knew how much we capitalized on her lessons.”
Andrew had no rules growing up and learned to work the streets at a very early age. Brian’s grandmother taught them both to read and understand mathematics, an important skill in the life of crime. Growing up on the streets fending for himself taught him to trust no one. His mother eventually turned to other ways to make money. She ended up working nights in a popular gambling establishment often not coming home for a few days at a time. She told her children she was a serving wench, but rumors told a different story. Men would frequent their home often paying various bills and buying food. His mother told him they were friends that helped her out. One of her regular friends took Andrew under his wing and taught him the art of picking a pocket. He became very good at it. After a few years of mastering the art, his growing size led him to other ways to make money. After reaching a towering height at only fifteen years old, his mentor had him collect money throughout the neighborhood and spy on rival gangs. Andrew knew how to keep a secret and caught on quickly to the underworld.
Brian took out two pipes and handed one to Andrew. “Grandmother was a wise woman, and we were diligent students. Now, should I take the men with me alone? It’s time you got to know you wife.”
Andrew lit the pipe. “Nonsense. My new wife needs some time alone. I will be back soon and don’t plan to miss my wedding night.”
Brian laughed. “As you wish.”
Chapter 6
They gathered the men and took two carriages to the Wild Boar private gambling establishment—one of three he owned in the city. The back of the building was a bit unsavory yet provided a bit of privacy for their entrance. The manager Harry Donavan welcomed them to the club, and a few other men stood behind him greeting the group.
“Mr. Baird, may I first say congratulations on your nuptials today.” His toothless grin showed his years of hard living. Harry was a loyal employee and was always aiming to please his boss.
“Thank you, Harry. I appreciate your felicitations.” He accepted some brandy by a scantily dressed female who brought drinks as soon as they saw his carriage arrive. He winked at her and looked at Harry.
Harry puffed out his chest proudly. “Tonight’s business is breaking our previous records. The safe is overflowing.”
Andrew grinned and looked at Brian who nodded and whispered to one of the money keepers. He took a few of the men to the private office upstairs to collect. Harry gestured toward a storage room, and a few of the men followed while the rest stood guard. They closed the door behind them, and Harry lit a lantern.
Andrew’s good humor faded. “I received your message earlier. You can imagine my annoyance that Pruitt would steal from me. Brian said he checked the docks and a sack full of the jewels from the safe on Front Street was
missing. One of the necklaces was found by you. Those jewels were collateral and belong to me. How did you find them?”
Harry’s hands slightly shook, watching the anger rise on Andrew’s face. “It was quite by accident, Boss. I remembered the piece you showed me with the anchor engraved in the gold stone. I ran into Pruitt’s wife at a party and noticed she wore the same necklace. I asked her where she received it and she said Pruitt had it for a surprise for her hidden in her closet. She said she found it and he had no choice but to give it to her as an early birthday present. Pruitt looked nervous when she told me and began to stutter.”
Harry let out a breath. “Some of the jewels are still missing. I had one of my men rip it from her neck when they left to go home. He ran off and feigned a robbery. Pruitt would never let me near his home because he knows I know. I gave Brian the necklace, but I don’t know about the other jewelry.”
Andrew kicked the chair and Harry jumped back. “Where is Pruitt?”
Harry’s eyes widened. “He is in the storage room down the hall and tied up. We were waiting for you.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Good. I believe I will have a chat with him.”
The guards moved to the side to let Andrew enter. He came in the door with a smile on his face. Two of the guards accompanied him into the room while the others stood outside of the door.
