The Hired Husband

by Judith Stacy

  Noah’s face paled. “No…I…”

  All along Mitch had known the real reason Noah never left the house. It had nothing to do with not wanting to see his friends anymore, or shame that he’d lost his arm and was a cripple now.

  It was fear. Plain and simple. Fear that he’d be a target or easy prey for a bully or thief. He couldn’t fight back with any hope of winning. He couldn’t protect himself or defend anyone with him.

  Mitch planted himself in front of Noah. In the past he’d used his size to intimidate the boy into doing what he wanted. Maybe Noah would see that his intentions were different this time.

  “You don’t want to be here with all those women, do you?” Mitch asked.

  Noah shook his head. “I haven’t—”

  A squeal of delight—Rachel’s squeal—echoed through the house, interrupting him. Noah glanced out the window.

  “Chelsey’s home,” he said, looking relieved by the distraction.

  Mitch watched her climb down from the hansom cab. A bright smile bloomed on her face as she rushed toward the house. He guessed Rachel was waiting at the door.

  Noah headed toward the foyer. Mitch followed. He found Rachel and Chelsey hugging and laughing.

  Chelsey broke away and gave Noah a hug, then saw Mitch.

  “My new brother-in-law!” She threw her arms around Mitch and gave him a big hug, smiling broadly.

  Mitch smiled back. How could he not? Her happiness was infectious. And he couldn’t remember when he’d ever received such a warm welcome.

  “Miss me?” Chelsey asked playfully, stepping back.

  “It’s been quiet around here with you gone,” Mitch admitted. “You’re here for the luncheon?”

  “Of course.” Chelsey’s smile turned devilish. “If not, why, what would people say?”

  This brought a laugh from all of them—even Rachel. She linked her arm through her sister’s.

  “Everything is going smoothly so far,” Rachel reported. “But I still need your help.”

  Behind them the front door swung open and the hansom driver set Chelsey’s satchel inside. Mitch paid the fare along with a generous tip, and sent the man on his way.

  “I want to get a peek at the luncheon tables first, see what you’ve done different this year.” Chelsey headed toward the wing of the house that held the ballroom, the only location big enough to accommodate the event.

  “Wait until you see the new linens,” Rachel declared, following.

  “Noah and I are going out,” Mitch called.

  Rachel whipped around. “You’re…you’re what?”

  “I need a haircut,” Mitch said. “We both do.”

  Worry and concern darkened Rachel’s features. “Noah, I can cut your hair—”

  “Men go to the barbershop, Rachel,” Mitch told her.

  She looked panicked now. “But the barbershop is blocks away and—”

  “I know, I know. I don’t know my way around the city very well yet.” Mitch dropped his hand onto Noah’s shoulder. “Noah won’t let me get lost. I’ll stay right beside him every step of the way. We’ll be inseparable.”

  They both turned to Noah, waiting, but he didn’t answer. Mitch saw the fear in his eyes and the struggle to cover it.

  “I won’t wander off,” Mitch said. “You won’t have to come looking for me all over town.”

  Noah gulped and looked up at Mitch, a glimmer of trust and faith playing about his features, understanding that Mitch was really saying that Noah would never be left alone.

  “Well, okay…” he said.

  Mitch found Hayden and had him retrieve Noah’s things from his room. As he stood in front of the mirror in the foyer fixing his necktie—surprisingly well, with one hand—Rachel drew Mitch aside.

  “He’ll be fine,” Mitch said, anticipating her words.

  “But he hasn’t been out in months.” She cast a worried look at her brother. “And he only has one arm, Mitch, what if something—”

  “Do you feel safe when you’re out with me?” he asked.

  She looked startled. “Of course.”

  “He will, too.” Mitch touched her arm. “I’ll take good care of him.”

  “And what about next time?” Rachel proposed. “You can’t escort him around town forever.”

  “Stop fussing over him,” Mitch told her. “This is hard enough for him without you questioning his decision.”

  Rachel pressed her lips together as Noah walked over. She drew a breath and stepped back while Hayden helped both Noah and Mitch into their jackets and they put on their bowlers.

  “You look very handsome,” she declared, straightening Noah’s necktie. She did the same to Mitch. “And so do you.”

  Hayden opened the door.

  “When will you be back?” Rachel asked, worry still in her voice.

  “Not until late,” Mitch said, easing Noah out ahead of him. “There’s a girlie show down at the wharfs that goes all night so we’ll—”

  “Mitch! Don’t you dare take him there!”

  “Enjoy your luncheon,” he called, as he pulled the door closed behind them.

  The luncheon for the Ladies Association of Los Angeles had been an unqualified success. Rachel beamed with pride, enjoying the quiet moment, as the servants moved around the ballroom, clearing everything away.

  “Beautiful,” Chelsey declared, standing next to her. “Everything was perfect.”

  For the occasion Rachel had chosen a Spode fine china pattern of cornflower blue and ivory with gold trim that her mother purchased on a whim in England but never warmed to. Rachel had finished each table dressing with an ivory cloth that carried a hint of blue, all of it sparkling with candlelight and brightened with fresh flowers.

  “Did you see the look on Aurora Chalmer’s face when she walked in?” Chelsey asked, smiling.

  “Her and just about everyone else,” Rachel added.

  The critical looks on the faces of some of her guests had not gone unnoticed when they’d arrived. Would the luncheon measure up to those her mother had done? their expressions seemed to ask. Had Rachel’s mother done a proper job of training her daughter so that she could carry on the tradition?

  From the oohs and aahs Rachel heard, those questions had been answered brilliantly. Even Mrs. Chalmers had offered her congratulations before leaving.

  Having Chelsey here was a pleasure, too, Rachel thought. She’d been a pillar of support throughout the afternoon, easily assuming her hostessing duties, as they’d both been taught. Chelsey had bubbled over with excitement and news from school, too. Rachel knew she was happy there and that she’d done the right thing by letting her return to her classes.

  Thanks to Mitch.

  With the final tablecloth carried away, the servants disappeared leaving Rachel and Chelsey alone in the room. The large windows let in what remained of the afternoon sunlight, allowing a gloom to settle over the room.

  Chelsey drew in a breath. “This luncheon’s done. What about next year’s?”

  A whole year from now. Rachel hadn’t considered it. She thought ahead to the occasion. What would her life be like then?

  An odd feeling crept over Rachel, anxiety, excitement—and a little fear? She wasn’t sure, except of one thing: the coming year would take its time in getting here.

  Claudia came into her thoughts. Her best friend poised for her engagement party and her wedding next spring. For her the year would be filled with wonderful events, excitement, parties, then culminate in a perfect marriage. And after that? Wedded bliss, a home of her own and a family.

  Envy tainted Rachel’s thoughts again. Since they were girls, the two of them had fantasized about their future weddings, their husbands, their homes and children. They’d decided on colors and flowers, neighborhoods to live in, even names for their babies.

  But she and Claudia couldn’t be on more separate paths now. Rachel’s life had taken a turn she’d never anticipated.

  “Will you repeat this theme at next ye
ar’s luncheon?” Chelsey asked. “Or do something different? And, will you be able to top yourself?”

  “I guess we’ll have to see what next year brings.”

  Chelsey nodded, her thoughts turning back to the present when she asked, “What was wrong with Claudia today? She seemed upset.”

  “Wedding jitters, I guess,” Rachel said, though she knew exactly what had upset her friend. When Claudia arrived, Rachel had noticed her distress immediately. Reluctantly, Claudia confided that Graham was upset with her over more of the details of the engagement party.

  “Trudy asked me to come over this afternoon,” Chelsey said. “I’d like to stay for supper if her mother asks.”

  “Have fun,” Rachel said, as her sister hurried out of the room.

  Rachel moved to the window and gazed outside. In the distance she saw her neighbor’s lawn and house. Noah and Mitch came into her mind again—they’d fluttered in and out all afternoon—and she wondered when they would return home. Logically, she knew there was no need to worry about her brother, not with Mitch at his side. Still, she couldn’t keep the concern from her thoughts.

  She wished they’d come back soon. Aside from easing her anxiety about her brother, she wanted to tell Mitch all about her triumphant luncheon. He’d given her the courage to make changes—even gone shopping with her to pick out the linens.

  Suddenly the thought of next year’s luncheon soured in her mind again.

  Next year, Mitch would be gone.

  Yet the luncheon would go on. Next year, the year after, the year after that. She’d be hosting the ladies association—forever.

  Did she want that?

  The notion took Rachel by surprise. Her mother had treasured this occasion, this opportunity, and Rachel had, too. Until now.

  Perhaps she needed a different future for herself. Rachel smiled, as her mind cast about for just such a possibility.

  At the furthest reach of her imagination, Rachel pictured herself taking a completely different path. Never marrying again?

  She indulged herself in the idea. Perhaps she’d buy the ceramic factory, after all. Despite what everyone would say, she’d run it herself. She’d learn the business. She would make sure she knew how to do it all, so that no one could ever sabotage its operation and leave her penniless and at the mercy of someone else.

  Rachel gasped aloud at her own thought and the mental image of Mitch that followed. Isn’t that what he wanted, too? To do something distinctive with his life? Build his own wealth—and power—so that no one could take it from him?

  A warmth grew around Rachel’s heart. Perhaps she and Mitch weren’t so different after all.

  Hayden interrupted her revelation.

  “Excuse me, madam. You have a visitor in the study.”

  She couldn’t imagine who would come by. Nearly everyone she knew had just left.

  Claudia, she realized. She’d probably lingered in her carriage until the other ladies left so she could return and talk privately with Rachel about Graham’s latest complaint.

  But an unwelcome thought occurred to Rachel as she made her way down the hallway. Perhaps her day hadn’t been an unqualified success after all. Had Mrs. Chalmers or one of the other ladies come back to offer some helpful suggestions?

  A darker prospect came to her. Was it news of her father? The doctor had kept her informed of his progress and she’d telephoned the convalescent home herself on many occasions. By all accounts he was doing well. But what if…?

  Rachel steeled herself as she walked into the study, then stopped still in the doorway.

  Georgie.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Georgie?”

  Rachel didn’t know whether to shout at her brother or burst into tears. Whether to hug him, or hit him. All those emotions swept through her as the two of them stood face-to-face in the study.

  “Christ, Rachel! What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded.

  She’d settled on a hug, but now she drew back a little.

  “What were you thinking?” She threw the words back at him. “I’ve been sick with worry over you—so has the rest of the family. Where have you been? Do you have any idea what we’ve been through worrying over you? How could you just disappear? Now, of all times?”

  His anger faded. “If not now, then when?” he asked.

  Rachel shook her head, not understanding. Her brother looked as he always did, impeccably dressed, tall, dark haired, vaguely resembling their mother. Yet something was very different about him. It frightened her.

  He drew in a breath, as if he, too, was frightened by what he’d come here to say.

  “You know how things have been with the family for over a year now. Everything going from bad to worse,” George said. “There was never going to be a good time to leave.”

  Rachel could hardly believe her ears. At times she’d worried that he’d met with foul play. She’d suspected, too, that he’d left of his own accord. But hearing the words stunned her just the same.

  “You disappeared…intentionally?” she asked.

  “I didn’t disappear,” he told her. “I moved on with my life.”

  Rachel touched her fingers to her forehead. “What are you talking about? Your life is here. In your home. With your family.”

  He uttered a bitter laugh. “This has never been my home, my family. It sure as hell was never a life I wanted—or even a life I could call my own.”

  “How can you say that?” Rachel asked, not understanding. “Father gave you everything.”

  “He did,” Georgie agreed. “But why would you think I wanted those things?”

  “How could you not want them? We had a wonderful life. All of us,” Rachel insisted.

  Georgie shook his head. “It wasn’t so wonderful, Rachel. Not even before the train accident. And if you’d take a close look at everything, you’d realize that’s true.”

  “I’m just glad Mother isn’t around to hear you say those things.”

  “If she were, maybe she’d finally give up trying to have something that would never be hers,” George said. “Maybe she’d find the sort of life that would make her happy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You knew what it was like for her,” Georgie said. “Everyone who ‘mattered’ looked down on her. She never quite measured up. She wasn’t good enough. No matter how hard she tried, she never overcame that. She was never going to. And neither was I.”

  “No one looked down on you—”

  “Of course they did. I wasn’t a real Branford. I’d been born with a different name, from a different father. Born to a woman with a tainted pedigree. Open your eyes and look around,” he told her. “You’ll see the truth.”

  Maybe she had seen it over the years. But she simply didn’t want to face it. Until now.

  Yet it made perfect sense. She’d known firsthand the slights her mother faced. It wasn’t much of a stretch to believe that they extended to her son.

  Sadness gripped Rachel. “Oh, Georgie, I never knew. I always thought Father’s support of you was enough. He gave you his confidence, put you in charge of the business. I never thought—”

  “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.” George waved away her concern, and from his expression, she realized he truly meant it. “I’ve found someone.”

  “You have?” she asked, unable to hide her surprise. She’d no idea. “Who is she?”

  “You don’t know her, Rachel. She’s not from your circle. I love her and I’m going to ask her to marry me. If she agrees, I want us to leave the city, start over someplace new.”

  Her anger came back at the thought of losing her brother once more.

  “You’re walking out? Again?”

  “You’re smart, Rachel. Smart like Father. I knew when I left that, with Stuart Parker’s help, you’d figure out how to handle everything.” Georgie shook his head, looking genuinely troubled for the first time this evening. “But Christ, Rachel, I never thought you’d get married.”


  She didn’t know how he’d found out, but the news was hardly a secret.

  “You took our money,” she reminded him.

  “I took my share, what I was entitled to. And believe me, I earned every cent of it.” He gazed at her, sorrow in his eyes. “I never meant to hurt you. I never expected you to sell yourself in marriage to save the family.”

  “Why come back now? To unburden your conscience?”

  “I wouldn’t have come back at all, if not for that husband of yours. He fired the Edgars Detective Agency—”

  “Mitch wouldn’t have done that. Not without talking to me first.”

  “The Edgars Agency found me weeks ago but kept quiet about it, for a price. I should have known something was up when the agent stopped coming around for his money,” Georgie said. “When a detective from the new firm your husband hired located me, I tried the same tactic but he refused. Seems your husband had offered a bonus if I was found quickly.”

  “Mitch knows they found you?” she asked, truly stunned now.

  “No. I asked the detective to hold off telling him until I could see you first. That’s why I’m here. You have your husband to thank for this meeting.”

  “So this is it? And you’re leaving again?”

  “That depends on you, Rachel.”

  The months of not venturing out of the Branford house showed by late afternoon. Noah’s steps slowed and his energy waned but Mitch didn’t consider returning home until the boy reluctantly suggested it himself.

  At first, Noah had squinted at the bright sunlight, then gazed wide-eyed at the neighborhood seen only through the windows for so long now. Throughout the afternoon, he’d stuck close to Mitch, never ventured more than a few feet away.

  Now, as they walked into the foyer, Mitch knew that Noah was exhausted but he still wouldn’t stop talking. As they’d strolled the streets of the West Adams District, gotten lunch and visited the barbershop, Noah had chatted about everyone and everything in the neighborhood. Who had recently married, who had a mistress, whose business was in trouble, who was expecting a new addition to the family. Mitch supposed Noah got most of his news from Madeline, but suspected he’d overheard other things from his own family or their servants.