Wildfire Love

by Rue Allyn

  “Nonetheless,” continued James’s sister, “you need a husband to protect you from that disastrous will. You’ve already had fortune hunters on your doorstep, brutes attempting to kidnap you and gunmen shooting at you. Unless you are much more careful than you have been, you risk worse.”

  “James has bodyguards attending me wherever I go.”

  “One of whom has already been shot in your defense. Nothing could prove my case better.”

  “Which is why I did not object to the bodyguards.” Much.

  “They would be completely unnecessary if you married James. Then no reason would exist that might cause you danger.”

  Mae’s shoulders slumped. “I know.”

  “Then why not wed my brother? I know he’ll do the right thing and gladly.”

  Wanting to be certain that Lalie understood, Mae raised her head and locked gazes with her friend. “He proposed weeks ago. I refused to consider the idea because I won’t be married simply to breed and gain a fortune. I doubt he will ask again.”

  Lalie’s surprise showed in her dropped jaw and the clatter of her mug onto the table. “Then why was he…? That idiot. He hasn’t said he loved you or repeated his proposal, and you allow him to touch you like…?”

  Mae shrugged, unable and unwilling to explain the loss of sense and self she experienced in James’s arms. “Before you came in, he did say something about having to marry, but I won’t do it, Lalie. I won’t be forced to marry by any person or circumstance. You married for love. Surely you understand.”

  Lalie’s mouth closed with a snap, and her face paled. She struggled visibly before saying, “I cannot bear to discuss my relationship with my late husband.”

  Mae reached across the table to take Lalie’s hand. “I’m sorry. I have no wish to bring you pain. Perhaps it would be best if we agreed not to discuss men at all.”

  Lalie gave a weak smile and squeezed Mae’s hand. “Perhaps. For now, that is what we shall do. However, should you change your mind and wish to speak of James to me, I am happy to listen.”

  • • •

  In the other room, his fists clenched and jaw set, James faced Kerry, who leaned casually against a window frame, hands thrust into his trouser pockets. A shaft of sunlight shone on the doctor’s auburn hair and formed a gleaming halo. James badly wanted to punch him. The man was no angel. He couldn’t be, and have Lalie smiling at him as if he were a god.

  At the thought, James’s shoulders slumped. Lalie would never behave improperly. She had too much self-respect. What did that say of Mae? She may have consented, but he could not consider her at fault. He let passion override good sense and, carried away by the moment, took advantage without thought to her reputation.

  “You intend to propose to Mae?”

  He straightened, and facing Kerry side on as if about to duel, he let the doctor see every ounce of fury at the invasive question. “My intentions toward Mae are none of your business.”

  “I’m making them my business. She has no one to protect her, save you, and from all I can see, you’re as dangerous to her as any thug.”

  The man was right. Curse him. James had acted like the worst sort of roué. He shifted to face Kerry.

  “I can’t.”

  “What?”

  “I can’t ask Mae to marry me. I’ve already proposed twice and been refused both times. Moments ago I told her we must wed, and still she refused.”

  Kerry threw back his head and laughed. “You’re joking.”

  James gritted his teeth. He saw nothing humorous in being turned down by a woman who by all rights should be rushing to the altar. “I wish I was.”

  Grinning, Kerry studied him. “I’ll bet you never told her you loved her.”

  “I don’t lie.”

  “If you think you aren’t in love with Mae Alden, you are lying to yourself as well as her.”

  “You presume too much.” The words hissed through tightly clenched teeth .

  “I’d relax that jaw if I were you. It could break with all the tension you’re holding back. Then you’d fall victim to the jawbone of an ass.”

  James’s mouth dropped open, and he stared at the man. “Are you comparing me to Samson or calling me an ass?”

  “A little of both. Samson was something of an ass himself. What man with any brains allows a woman to unman him and make him defenseless? I don’t believe for a minute that it was his hair Delilah removed.”

  “You make no sense. Mae has not unmanned me. Nor has she made me defenseless. She certainly hasn’t removed my…er…she hasn’t removed anything.” James resumed clenching his teeth.

  “No, she has not unmanned you in any literal sense, but figuratively she’s got you roped, tied and ready for branding, as I believe a western cowpoke would phrase it.”

  “Doctor, your penchant for metaphor is lamentable, to say nothing of inappropriate.”

  Kerry smiled, straightened, removed his hands from his pockets and held one out to James. “Peace, my friend. I believe we both have Mae Alden’s best interests at heart.”

  “I gather you will keep quiet about what you think you saw today?”

  “I saw nothing worth remarking on.”

  “Good enough.” James took the offered hand and shook on it.

  “Before we rejoin the ladies, I’ve one more comment to make. Since we’re now friends, I can say this without fear of finding your fist in my face.” He moved toward the door into the hallway.

  James walked with him. “We aren’t good enough friends to keep me from smashing your nose if I feel you need it.”

  Kerry nodded. “That’s fair.”

  “What is it you wanted to say?”

  “I won’t force you to confess your feelings to me, Mae or anyone. You’re obviously not ready to do so. I will advise you that you’ll never get Mae to the altar without telling her how you feel. Women are notoriously soft-hearted for a man in love.”

  Whether Kerry was right or not hardly mattered. James refused to deceive Mae when patience might gain him what he wanted. She had told him to ask once his executor’s duties were at an end. Waiting close to two years before proposing was not his first choice, but he’d do it if it made Mae happy. He would continue to try to hurry things along, and short of outright force or deception, he would still use every means available to him to change her mind.

  The thought gave him pause. Had he been doing that today, trying to impose his will on her? Had he used passion to undermine her resistance and destroy her determination to do the right thing despite that awful will? If so, could he claim to be any better than her grandfather? Sex or threats, the difference was small when used to subject a woman to a man’s authority. The thought appalled. She’d been an enthralling lover, giving everything to the moment, opening herself to him, humbling him with the beauty of her desire. He couldn’t regret making love to Mae, but he could regret the greedy impulse to compel her cooperation. He still believed that marriage to him was the best solution to all of Mae’s troubles. But perhaps he should trust her to arrive at that conclusion herself.

  Kerry behind, James crossed the hall and opened the door to the room where they left the women. Mae’s face was red, and Lalie bent at the waist. The two were giggling like loons, their mugs neglected on the table.

  “Maybe we should leave them be for a bit,” Kerry said.

  James nodded, and backing from the room, pulled the door gently closed. “We can collect them later. I’ll have Alvin and Jenks—the new man I hired—keep watch on the building. I’ve some business to take care of at the manufactory. Carver’s been arrested for embezzlement; unfortunately, he’s already posted bail and been released.”

  “Hmmm,” mused the doctor, strolling in the direction of the street and the dispensary on the other side. “You don’t seem surprised.” James matched his pace.

  “About the embezzlement? No. The man wasn’t exactly careful about spending his money. If I ever intended to embezzle, I’d be certain not to advertise m
y activities with suits and furnishings well beyond the means of my usual salary. That someone paid his bail, however, does surprise me.”

  “Carver’s obvious excesses are precisely what caused me to wonder if he might be stealing from his employer. That and his suspiciously uncooperative nature. He never followed an order without objecting first.”

  “Since the man obviously isn’t very bright, I have to wonder if he wasn’t working for someone else.”

  James stilled. “What kind of person would pay a stupid man to betray his employer?”

  “Someone to whom the embezzled money was not important.”

  “I can’t imagine anyone encouraging a crime and not expecting to benefit.”

  “Neither can I,” Kerry said. “Although, the benefit to this supposed third party might not be as direct and obvious as money.”

  “That bears careful thinking. Meanwhile, Alden Cloth Works must continue to operate.”

  “Who will you put in Carver’s place?”

  “Fitzwalter, until I can find a capable man whom I know is trustworthy.”

  “I may know of someone. He’s qualified, though he may not be to your tastes. I’ll send a note round to him now.”

  “Excellent, I’ll check with you before I leave to discover if you’ve had a response. Then while we walk back to the school to get the women, you can tell me about him.”

  “Very good, join me in the dispensary when you are ready to leave.”

  • • •

  “So when the estate manager refused to install modern equipment to increase the yield of MacKai ale—we had oversupplies of hops and barley—I had the brewmaster teach me how ale is made,” said Lalie “I then set up a small, modern brewery in an empty barn. I served the first batch to the family without telling them the source. I invited the manager to join us as a gesture of peace, for we’d been at loggerheads, since I had—as he said it—tried to interfere with his business. When the compliments started flowing along with ale-induced good humor, I confessed my deception. The manager nearly choked on the mouthful he’d just taken. He barely swallowed without spewing. Then he commenced to laughing so hard he fell from his chair. He looked like a squawking goose, he flopped around so much—too drunk to get on his feet.”

  “You had to have great courage to oppose the people your husband put in places of authority.” Mae took a handkerchief and swiped tears from her eyes before blowing her nose.

  Lalie nodded, though a distant sadness entered her gaze. “The risk of their disapproval was worth it to see the look on the estate manager’s face.”

  “I hope I can be half as courageous as you when the confrontation finally comes with Mr. Carver.”

  “Carver?”

  “He’s the manager of Alden Cloth Works, and the most callous man I’ve ever met. You remember him from the day we toured the manufactory.

  “Oh yes. He hires children, pays them less than a pitiful wage and chains them in place to work.”

  “That is why I’m determined to start this school.”

  “Very admirable. I did something similar with the crofters’ children, though opposition came more from their parents than the estate manager. They wanted their children at home to help with the farm work. We reached a compromise that allowed the children to finish their work before coming to school.”

  “Very sensible. I wish I could hire you to run this school. I’ve too much to do already with the dispensary and trying to educate the business owners about the need to improve working conditions.”

  “Ladies, we’ve come to escort you home,” James interrupted.”

  Mae had been so involved in Lalie’s story she hadn’t heard the door open, nor Hugh and James enter.

  Lalie examined the watch she wore as a brooch suspended from some military ribbon. “Heavens, it’s nearly dinner time. I’ve been enjoying myself so much, I’m terribly late. What will Aunt Lydia think if I come to dinner dressed for tea?”

  James smiled. “She’ll think you’ve been enjoying yourself.”

  Immediately Lalie’s expression became troubled. “I have, haven’t I?” she said quietly.

  “You cannot blame yourself for feeling joyful. It is, after all, one of God’s greatest gifts,” Hugh murmured.

  Lalie sniffed. “Much you would know about joy.”

  Mae watched the by-play and wondered what Lalie could possibly mean.

  Lips turned downward, he continued. “Sometime in the future, you’ll have to explain why you think I would be ignorant of joy, Lalie. Right now we must get you and Mae to the coach. Mae, will you allow me to carry you? You are still resting, yes?”

  Fortunately the light was dimming with the closing day, so Mae didn’t think either Hugh or James saw her face heat.

  “I am heartily sick of resting,” she shot back.

  “Nonetheless, I’ll brook no disobedience to my orders. Head injuries can be very dangerous. If you’ve suffered no ill effects by tomorrow morning, I shall allow you to resume your normal activities.”

  “Go ahead with Lalie to the carriage, Kerry. I’ll bring Mae,” offered James.

  Oh, this was worse. At least if Hugh carried her, Mae could be certain her body wouldn’t betray her. She liked the doctor very much, but his touch inspired nothing warmer than thoughts of kind gentleness. James, on the other hand, was likely to…

  Before she could finish the thought and form a protest, the lap rug settled on her shoulders, and James scooped her into his arms. He moved so quickly, she was forced to cling to his neck, which brought her face dangerously close to his. She looked up.

  He smiled down at her, his hazel eyes alight with daring. He could have been a pirate from the last century capturing a damsel for his pleasure.

  “Oh…”

  He kissed her to silence, then strode out the door and down to the carriage while she tried to gather her scattered wits.

  He settled Mae in the forward-facing seat beside Lalie. Then, after giving orders to the driver to hitch Hugh’s horse to the back of the carriage, he seated himself next to the doctor.

  “Hugh was just telling me,” Lalie said to Mae, “the man you mentioned earlier, Carver, has been arrested for embezzlement and replaced by someone named Fitzwalter.”

  Surprised, Mae turned to James. “When did this happen?”

  “This morning.”

  “Will Fitzwalter be a good replacement?” she asked.

  “We won’t have a chance to find out. My cousin John intends to offer the man a position as a personal secretary, and I want someone I know I can trust in his place. Hugh has provided me with one reference.”

  “Does the manager have to be a man?” she spoke quietly.

  Both men stared at her, wide-eyed.

  “That’s an excellent question,” Lalie said firmly.

  James swallowed and ran his index finger along the inside of his collar as if it had suddenly grown too tight. “Did you have someone in mind, Mae?”

  “Eulalie would be an excellent choice.”

  “No,” interjected Hugh.

  “It’s not your decision to make,” chided Lalie.

  “What do you know of the cloth-making industry?” James asked the question with quiet calm, as if he were taking the idea into serious consideration.

  “Nothing directly. I know the difference between quality and shoddy goods. I understand spinning, weaving and stretching, though I’ve never observed machine spindles or looms. I know more about the storage of cloth goods than any man will ever know—most women do. More importantly, I understand workers and how to motivate them. Especially female workers.” She grinned, then sighed. “However, Mae has forgotten she invited me to run the school which I would very much like to do.”

  “Oh dear,” Mae exclaimed. “You certainly cannot do both.”

  “No, and of the two I’d prefer the school.”

  “I am relieved you’ll be running the school, sister,” James said. “The honest truth is, you lack experience in the cloth ind
ustry and even female employees might refuse to work for another female.”

  Lalie settled back into the carriage cushions, then stared out the window. “Agreed. At least the school will keep me busy. I doubt I could tolerate much more idle pleasure in Aunt Lydia’s home.”

  “You never told me you were unhappy there,” said James. He extended a comforting hand to his sister’s knee.

  “Oh please don’t misunderstand. Aunt Lydia is everything that is kind, and John is very entertaining, although I find the Damatos giddy to the point of irritation. They don’t act much like people grieving for a dead wife and beloved sister-in-law.”

  “Then why do you feel you must tolerate being there?” asked Mae.

  “You’ve met Victoria. She’s quite lively, and Aunt Lydia wishes to find her a husband. Thus, most of the entertainments are designed to introduce young women to potential spouses and foster opportunities for supervised courtship. I find myself less patient than perhaps I should be with the frivolity and shallowness of these activities. I long for more sophisticated fare.”

  “Then you should come to live with me.” Mae looked defiantly at James. The invitation wasn’t completely unselfish. Thanks to Lydia, Boston society smiled on the idea of the kind of quiet reception Mae could and would offer to foster her charitable efforts. Lalie’s presence would further legitimize those events and provide company in a house grown too empty.

  “I couldn’t.”

  “Why not?” inquired Hugh.

  “I think it’s an excellent idea,” James said.

  “You do?” Two pair of feminine eyes widened in surprise.

  “Yes, I do. I think Lydia will miss you but in truth may be glad she can focus completely on Vickie. Our aunt has been worried about your lack of enthusiasm for her events and will be relieved to discover you are not pining for your lost love but merely for more mature activities. You could move in tonight, with Mae’s permission, of course.”

  At James’s thoughtful words, happiness fairly burst in Mae. Until the moment she invited Lalie to stay at the manse, she hadn’t realized how tired she was of rattling around alone in the huge house. The servants were kind but could not be considered companions. Most of them would have been scandalized if she attempted to share her innermost thoughts and feelings. She missed her sisters, and she got along very well with Lalie, so her friend might fill some of that void.