Marcus and Tobias looked at each other, neither wanting to be the first to look away.
“See that?” Their mother’s voice broke the standoff. “It’s getting to the point that one day you’ll kill each other.”
“I’d never kill my brother,” Marcus protested. “I’m sure he wouldn’t kill me.”
“Don’t be too sure,” Tobias replied with a smirk. He sobered immediately and looked to their mother. “I’m joking, Ma. I wouldn’t.”
Eleanor cleared her throat. “Ma and I placed ads for the both of you in the Matrimonial Gazette back east. For mail order brides.”
The room stilled as everyone went silent. Tobias and Marcus exchanged looks then each turned to stare at their sister as if to make sure they heard correctly.
A moment later, Jacob Hamilton chuckled and slapped his knee. “Well I’ll be, that is a fantastic idea. The boys do need to be settled and married. That’ll take care of all that energy.” Their father laughed and everyone, except for Marcus and Tobias, joined in.
Tobias’ round eyes pinned his sister. “What do you mean? Some woman’s comin’ here to marry me?”
“Once a letter arrives with one willing to, yes.”
Unsure what to say, Marcus leaned back in the chair and considered the ramifications of what had just been announced. “Where are these women going to live?”
“With you,” their mother answered primly. “So the both of you need to start building a house. It will be at least four months before the first bride gets here. By then, you should both be finished or close to it, anyway.”
“Yes ma’am,” Tobias mumbled. He stood and left toward his bedroom while Marcus remained sitting, his mind awhirl.
What exactly had just happened?
A wife? A new house? This had to be some sort of cruel joke.
Chapter Three
Lucille, Aurora’s friendly maid, opened the door when Wilhelmina arrived at the Middletons’ home. It struck her as strange when she was shown to a formal sitting room and instructed to wait while the maid went to inform Aurora she’d arrived. Usually, her friend would hurry down the stairs to greet her, forgoing any formalities.
The usually talkative and bubbly Lucille gave her a worried look and hurried away before Wilhelmina could draw her into conversation.
The sitting room was elaborately decorated as Aurora’s mother had a penchant for porcelain figurines and floral fabrics. Long draperies framed the tall windows overlooking the matriarch’s pride and joy, her rose garden. Currently, a winter variety of blooms in pink and red barely caught Wilhelmina’s attention as she paced the length of the room, anxious for her friend to appear.
Winter roses were her favorite and, on most days, she would have admired the view with more deliberation. But not this day. Today was different, everything had changed.
“Hello, Wilhelmina,” Matilda Middleton stood at the entryway, in a high-collared beige dress. She held in her hand what looked to be a parasol.
The lack of warmth in the usually friendly woman brought immediate dread. “Hello, Mrs. Middleton. How are you?”
“Very well,” the woman replied without smiling. “I am on my way out. Aurora should be down to see you momentarily.” She swept out the door as a carriage pulled up.
“How curious,” Wilhelmina whispered, looking out the window as a footman appeared and assisted Aurora’s mother into the carriage. “Whatever is wrong with everyone today?” Surely, neither Mrs. Middleton nor Aurora believed the outlandish lies told by Ernest Jameson the night before.
The clock in the hallway chimed, echoing through the empty rooms. “This is ridiculous.” Wilhelmina went to the doorway, intent on climbing the stairs to Aurora’s room, when her friend appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Willy, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t dressed.” A very pale Aurora descended the stairs and greeted her with hug. “I have so much to tell you.” She pulled Wilhelmina back into the sitting room just as the same maid reappeared.
“Lucille, please bring some tea,” Aurora instructed, giving the maid a soft smile. “Some of your delicious short bread would be nice as well.”
“Very well.” Lucille bobbed her head and left.
It was evident Aurora either didn’t feel well or had been crying. However, Wilhelmina didn’t want to push her too much. “Are you unwell?”
After a long sigh, Aurora closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were shiny with unshed tears. “No I am not. I have to marry Milford Jameson.”
“What?” Wilhelmina couldn’t help raising her voice. “What do you mean you have to?” she asked, emphasizing the word “have”. “Is he like his brother and made improper advances?”
Aurora shook her head. “No, I don’t think he is as bad. He is, however, arrogant and judgmental.”
“You didn’t look happy to see him at the party. It seemed curious when he guided you directly to the dance floor without allowing time for you to even circulate once.”
Aurora nodded. “I know. I am most unhappy about this.” She squeezed Wilhelmina’s hand. “What happened last night between you and Ernest?”
It was her turn to hold back tears. Wilhelmina let out a long sigh. “Your mannerisms, and even how your mother acted upon your entrance, it all struck me as strange. I needed to find out what happened. I sought to find Michael to ask about it. That is when that brute, Ernest, accosted me in the gardens.”
“They accused you of improper behavior. I knew you did nothing of the sort and told them so. Of course, it did no good as Ernest remained true to course, insisting you were the one to accost him.”
“Scoundrel.” Wilhelmina shuddered at the turn of events in her life. “My father is sending me to Virginia. Because of this, my reputation is in shreds.” A tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away. “Neither Stepmother nor Gilda have spoken to me since.”
Aurora swallowed, her eyes shifting to the doorway as Lucille walked in with a tray. After tea was poured, she allowed for each to sip before speaking. “Mother doesn’t want me to entertain you after today.” She put the teacup down with so much force tea splashed over the side. “I am so sorry, Willy. I don’t know what to do. Milford’s mother insists that any communication with you is forbidden.”
“Don’t marry him, Aurora. Leave with me. Let’s demand our dowry money and purchase a townhouse. We can hire maids and…”
When her friend jumped to her feet and rushed to the doorway, Wilhelmina stopped speaking. Aurora came back after assuring there was no one about. “My family is in ruins. All our money is gone. Father lost millions on a business endeavor with a railroad company. You see, the reason I’m marrying Milford is because of their money.”
“Do they know your family is without financial recourse?” Wilhelmina’s stomach dropped at the dire situation. “This is horrible.”
“Yes, they know. Father is indebted to Mr. Jameson, who bailed him out of utter ruin. It was Pearl Jameson’s idea that I marry Milford, as this will give their son a title being that father is an earl.” Aurora’s words dripped with bitterness.
Upset by her friend’s plight, Wilhelmina forgot her own for the moment. “What can I do to help? There must be something. Perhaps your father to can speak to mine…”
“It’s done,” Aurora said, hunching her shoulders. “The engagement party invitations have been sent. Gilda is invited. I asked that they include her.”
That she would not attend her childhood friend’s engagement party or wedding cut Wilhelmina deeply and she grimaced at the physical pain in her chest.
“We’ve planned our weddings since we were little girls and now you’re about to marry and I am excluded.” She couldn’t help the sob that escaped at knowing her childhood friend would marry a man she didn’t love. Her tears were also for her own reputation, in such horrible tatters that she would never be invited to Aurora’s home.
Wilhelmina could barely breathe, her chest constricting with pain and disappointment. “Perhaps it’s a go
od thing that I am about to be sent away. The distance will help…I think.”
Aurora cupped Wilhelmina’s face with both hands. “This is horrible, how everything turned out for us. I don’t want to be at my own wedding.” When she began to cry, Wilhelmina did as well. Fate, it seemed, had dealt them both a bitter blow.
It was just days before they were both to turn nineteen years of age since they shared the same birthday.
Now they also shared another commonality.
Their futures held only bleakness.
Drained and not wanting to go home and face her stepmother and Gilda, who gloated with glee at her being sent away, Wilhelmina walked down the street. She peered into shop windows, not really seeing anything.
Her mind raced from scenario to scenario as she tried to establish what the best course of action was. How to avoid being sent to her aunt’s farm in Virginia was the main focus on her mind as she walked. Anything, even servitude, was better than living with the bitter woman.
Now that it was clear she couldn’t count on Aurora to leave with her, she had to decide who, if anyone, would offer some sort of idea or assistance. She needed to find help to get out of going to Virginia where she’d be hidden away in a remote ranch with no one for company but a cranky, miserly woman.
A park bench beckoned. Wilhelmina made her way to sit in the shadows of a leafless tree, its beautiful branches stretched over the bench allowing sunrays to filter through.
Once seated, she let out a breath and closed her eyes. For a moment, she’d not think of her situation. Instead, she’d enjoy the cool breeze and fresh air.
“How are you today?” A musical voice startled her. A pretty woman’s sparkling green eyes met hers. Eugenia Price, a local celebrity of sorts, smiled widely. “Can I join you?”
“Yes, of course,” Wilhelmina motioned to the empty seat space. “How are you Lady Price?”
Eugenia Price, American by birth, had spent her childhood in Europe and married a British Lord. They’d moved from England when both were in their twenties and taken local society by storm.
The handsome couple’s parties were the place to be seen and where many an assignation both business and personal took place. The palatial home where they’d lived was both breathtaking and welcoming.
Then suddenly, Lord Price fell ill. No matter the many doctors summoned and the countless procedures performed, the forty-five year old man passed away in his prime.
Afterwards, Lady Price became a recluse. For over a year, she neither entertained, nor did she attend any gatherings. It was only during the last few months that she’d made appearances at ladies’ teas and soirees.
Eugenia Price was still young and vibrant. Wilhelmina guessed her to be late thirties, perhaps. The woman let out a sigh. “I am better every day. Interesting isn’t it, how those things we take for granted can disappear in a blink of an eye.”
Was she speaking of her reputation? Surely, Lady Price had already heard the dreadful rumors. Wilhelmina met the woman’s warm gaze. “True. I love this city. I cannot see myself living anywhere else. Yet it seems I will have to leave.”
“I cannot believe how shallow our society has become. When a man is caught doing dreadful things, it’s passed off with a mere shrug. But how dare a woman step out onto the wrong balcony. Suddenly, her entire life is turned upside down.” She patted Wilhelmina’s hand. “I am so very sorry, dear.”
It was hard not to cry. Wilhelmina let out a sigh. “Thank you. You are kind.”
“So what, pray tell, is your family going to do? Sending you off to a nunnery to repent?” At the woman’s statement, Wilhelmina managed a smile.
“No. They are placing me with an aunt who I’ve not seen in years. She lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere.”
Lady Price let out an exasperated huff. “Dreadful. It is that young man who should be shipped off. A couple years in the military would do him good.”
“They’d just buy him a commission and have him working at a desk job with plush accommodations, I’m sure,” Wilhelmina said, enjoying the woman’s company.
“True,” Lady Price said, nodding. She cocked her head to the side and assessed Wilhelmina. “I do have an idea. I, actually, was going to visit and inquire about you. I was hoping to get a few moments of privacy. That you are here is a happy coincidence. Perhaps, what I have to say will interest you enough to consider it.” Lady Price looked to the distance, seeming to consider her next statement. “With a friend who lives out west, I’ve started a publication.” She pulled a paper out of her handbag and unfolded it.
It was a newspaper of sorts. Across the top, in dark letters, spelled out “Matrimonial Gazette”. Wilhelmina leaned forward to see a series of short snippets with pictures of different men posted.
“What is it?” Without thinking, she reached for the paper and remained transfixed, looking over the different descriptions and requests by men looking for wives. It was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. Lady Price remained quiet as Wilhelmina turned the page and opened the newspaper to two more pages filled with different mail order bride advertisements.
“How very interesting,” she finally said. She was barely able to pry her eyes from the paper to meet Eugenia Price’s. “So many men.”
“Exactly,” Lady Price exclaimed. “This endeavor has given me a reason to get out of bed every morning. Helping these brave men who have gone west to start new lives is my cause. Each and every one of them is thoroughly investigated by my friend and her sister out west to ensure they are honorable and good-natured men before they are allowed to post an ad. As you can see, it would not be a good thing to send off a young woman only for her to meet with regrettable circumstances.”
Wilhelmina, once again, scanned the pictures, her gaze going to the same one over and over. His name was Marcus Hamilton. The serious expression did not deter from his attractiveness. She wondered how a handsome man like that was not married at almost thirty.
“Why are there so many men looking for wives?” She looked to her companion. Lady Price pursed her lips.
“Men went out west to tame the territory. Most traveled in search of riches, land or adventure. Many went alone or with their family. Although there are women, those that went west mostly went with husbands. Rarely did single women go out west without good reason. So you see, Wilhelmina, there aren’t enough women available.”
“So your friend…how is it she lives out there? Where does she live?”
“My friend, Dahlia, more like a sister to me, and her husband, who is a banker, went west to establish a new bank. They live in Billings, Montana. She wrote me and asked if I would consider helping her in this endeavor where, for a minimal fee, men could advertise for brides.”
Lady Price continued her explanation. “The young men often own land, have livestock and or earn an honest living. But they do not have a family to share their lives with.”
The more she heard, the higher her interest and Wilhelmina felt it deep in her bones. Her life was about to take a sharp turn.
Chapter Four
“She seems nice,” his sister said as she peered over his shoulder at the picture. “Very pretty wouldn’t you agree?”
Marcus held the letter and picture, not sure how to proceed. A part of him liked the idea of a wife. Heck, to be honest, a woman in his life made him want to grin. That he’d received a letter before Tobias was an added bonus. However, another part of him rebelled at the idea.
“Yeah. Must be something wrong.” His mumbled reply was met with a glare.
“It’s the second letter you’ve received. The first one you decided to write back to tell her you were not interested without giving Mama or me a chance to even discuss it with you. This time you won’t get away with it Marcus Hamilton, I’ll tell Mama.”
He put the letter and photograph aside. “What about Tobias? Why don’t you go pester him?”
“No letter yet. But we didn’t put the ad in at the same time. We specifically requ
ested they wait several weeks between them. First yours, then his.”
That took the thrill out of the challenge. Now, he couldn’t gloat to his brother he’d received a reply first.
“I’ll reply to this woman…Wilhelmina and tell her I’m interested. She won’t be able to come for a while yet. By the time she gets this letter and is able to reply, it will be too cold to travel.”
He’d just bought himself another two or three months.
Satisfied with his reply of accepting, Eleanor nodded. “Very well. Give me your reply when it’s written. I’ll post it when I go to town in the morning.”
Darn it. He’d planned to put it off for at least a week or two to buy himself even more time. Marcus was hopeful that by the time the woman got his reply and explanation of how it would not be possible to travel due to weather conditions, the woman, Wilhelmina Wilkins, would change her mind.
It was still a possibility.
After his sister walked out of the room, Marcus studied the blank paper. He glanced at the scenery outside the window and considered going for a long walk.
However, Eleanor would not leave him be until the letter was written. If he put her off, she’d then worry their mother with the issue. It was best to do as asked. It was time for him to take the first step towards settling.
Not sure how to start, he considered asking Tobias, but changed his mind. Finally, after a long sigh, he began writing.
Eight weeks later, the weather had become much colder. Marcus didn’t bother with a heavy coat on that particular day. With so much work to do, there was barely a need for it. The arduous activity of chopping wood kept him rather warm.
Each downfall of the ax echoed through the trees in a rhythmic percussion.
The cabin was finally completed. All that was needed now were a few finishing touches to the doorway and windows.
Thanks to help by a group of local men, the house was built in record time. Every activity after Marcus cleared the land had miraculously gone forth without a hitch.
Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 1) Page 3
