Train Through Time Series Boxed Set Books 1-3

by Bess McBride

  “Oh,...uh...soon...that is...um...when I return.”

  “I see,” Stephen murmured. “I must extend my congratulations. How fortunate for you.”

  “Yes, very fortunate indeed.” Robert chimed in with a narrowed gaze at Stephen.

  “And what does your affianced do, Ellie?” Stephen ignored Robert. Ellie swallowed hard.

  “He’s a-an...investment banker.”

  “A banker?” Robert snapped. At his harsh tone, Ellie jerked her head in his direction.

  “How interesting.” He eyed her with a curious glint.

  “What exactly does an investment banker do, Ellie?” Malcolm had no idea how much further he dug Ellie’s hole by pursuing the subject.

  “He manages investments for clients. You know, stocks and bonds?” She couldn’t remember. Did stocks and bonds exist at this time? Surely they did. The stock market crash would occur in thirty years.

  “Ahh,” Malcolm nodded. “Yes, of course. I was not familiar with that term.”

  Ellie discovered she could tilt her head slightly and dip her hat in Robert’s direction to block him from her line of sight, and she promptly did so. She looked over at Constance, who pressed her twitching lips together and raised a linen napkin to her mouth. By tipping her hat, Ellie exposed herself to Stephen more, but he didn’t seem to be a problem.

  Stephen gave her a regretful smile. There was nothing she could do, short of jumping up and announcing she was a fraud but return his smile and resume eating.

  “And how long has your betrothed been an investment banker, Ellie?” Robert asked.

  Ellie acquiesced to good manners and turned her head slightly to allow him to see her face. He looked irritated with her ploy to avoid him, and she bit back a smile.

  “About five years, I think.” She tilted her hat once again.

  “I see. I must say, Ellie, that is quite a fetching hat you are wearing. It certainly shades your face well...from the sun.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured on a gurgle, with a raised eyebrow in Constance’s direction. “I just bought it yesterday.”

  “Yes, you will remember I saw you and Constance shopping. Is this part of your trousseau?” he needled.

  The man was impossible! Trousseau, indeed! Was she living in some gothic novel?

  “Yes,” she said shortly.

  Stephen leaned in to speak in a low voice. “Well, it is lovely, Ellie. It matches your eyes perfectly. Your future husband is a very lucky man.”

  Ellie blushed. “Thank you, Stephen.”

  A small commotion occurred on her right, and she turned ever so slightly to see Robert pick up his chair and move it to his right, toward Constance. All eyes turned to him, and he smiled pleasantly at the group and sat back down. She watched a muscle in his jaw working and wondered how pleasant he really felt at the moment. He’d moved into Ellie’s line of sight, and she could no longer avoid meeting his eyes short of laying her head flat on the table.

  “The sun...was in my eyes,” Robert looked skyward.

  No one commented on the fact that the day had grown cloudy as Pacific Northwest days often did.

  He turned bright green eyes on Ellie who dropped her own gaze to her plate.

  “And will we have the good fortune to meet your fiancé, Ellie? Will he visit Seattle in the near future?”

  Ellie’s head shot up. She couldn’t remember where she was in her sequence of lies, so she took a chance.

  “No,” she replied evenly, fed up with the harassing line of questioning. “He will remain in Chicago. I’ll be returning shortly.”

  “No, Ellie! When?” Constance’s mournful note tugged at Ellie’s heart. She was echoed by an equally saddened Stephen and Malcolm who joined in the chorus of “no.” But it seemed Robert was finally silenced! His tightened lips and angry glare gave Ellie a small measure of satisfaction...or so she thought. She swallowed a lump in her throat the size of an apple.

  She had to continue. “Soon, I’m afraid. I’m not sure exactly when, but it will be soon. My parents should send word any day now.”

  “I hoped you would stay longer,” Constance murmured. Ellie watched Malcolm reach over to pat Constance’s hand. “How can you face that long train trip again so soon, Ellie? Are you sure you cannot stay for a while?”

  Ellie avoided Robert’s eyes.

  “Well, as you know, I lost all my things on the train, so I am just waiting for my parents to send money for my fare.” Did that sound plausible, she wondered? “I must return to Chicago, where my fiancé is waiting for me.”

  Ellie’s uneasy eyes passed over Robert’s face. His jaw relaxed and his eyes softened. A gentle smile played on his lips.

  “I am afraid this is the first I am hearing of this. Did you lose your luggage on the train?” Stephen turned to her with interest.

  “I did not hear, either, Ellie. What happened?” Malcolm asked.

  Ellie panicked for a moment. She couldn’t remember what happened exactly. Involuntarily, she turned to Robert.

  He came to the rescue. “Ellie’s tickets, money and luggage were misplaced on the train, and I—my family and I, that is—had the good fortune to take her into our home until she could secure funds and other accommodations.” He blithely ignored Ellie and Constance’s startled looks.

  “Ellie, how awful for you,” Stephen said sympathetically. “Have they found your things yet?”

  Ellie tore her eyes away from a complacent Robert and shook her head.

  “No, I am afraid not.”

  “And how are you managing...that is...do you need...?” Stephen hesitated delicately. “May I offer some financial assistance in your time of trouble?”

  “Well, of course...goes without saying.” Malcolm cleared his throat. “Certainly, Ellie, if you need anything, I would be more than happy to help.”

  Ellie’s face burned. She felt like a homeless beggar stomping her feet over a heated grate with a cup held out to passersby.

  “No, I’m fine. I-I...uh...sold something, and I have enough money to cover my needs. I’m fine, thank you.” She didn’t miss the sharp look Robert gave her, but she kept her eyes on Malcolm and Stephen. Stephen nodded understanding and discreetly returned to his food. Constance looked mortified for Ellie.

  “And what brought you to Seattle, Ellie? I am afraid I did not hear?” Malcolm seemed to have no idea that Ellie wished the earth would swallow her up.

  She coughed on a sip of water and put her napkin to her lips before scanning the seemingly hundreds of eyes turned in her direction. Had she said?

  “Umm...I...uh...” Ellie drew a blank. Was it possible for her to stand up and just start screaming? She would feel much, much better, though she wasn’t certain where she would end up. Bedlam? Where was Bedlam, anyway? Probably England.

  “Apparently, Ellie was on her way to Wenatchee to visit a favorite aunt. She fainted just as she descended the train. Unaware Wenatchee was her destination, we brought her back to our carriage, resulting in an unintentional kidnapping as we dragged her to Seattle...thereby stranding her here.” Robert shook his head with a glance at Constance. “Isn’t that correct, Constance?”

  Constance nodded slowly, her brow furrowed, confusion clouding her lovely eyes. “Yes, I do believe that is what transpired, though I did not know Wenatchee was her final destination. Is that so, Ellie?”

  Ellie bit her lip and nodded, refusing to look at Robert. Although he’d rescued her once again, she thought his talent and ease with lying far surpassed her own abilities.

  “Yes, that’s about it.” She pressed her napkin to her lips once again. “Well, Malcolm, I must say this has been a very pleasant meal. Thank you.”

  Ellie successfully moved the conversation away from herself, and Constance picked up the thread and moved into talk of the mundane.

  The picnic ended within the hour, and Malcolm, Constance and Ellie said goodbye to Robert and Stephen as they made their way to Malcolm’s carriage. Ellie remained silent on the ride home
, exhausted from being under the interrogatory spotlight so long at lunch. She was fairly sure she’d managed to cross a few lies, though she couldn’t remember which, and she hoped no one had noticed.

  ****

  “Robert, surely you are not serious!”

  Robert stared out the window of the parlor with his hands clasped behind his back.

  “Oh, I most certainly am, Grandmother.”

  “But why this woman? There are so many others who are more...suitable.”

  Robert glanced at his grandmother over his shoulder for a brief second with a wry smile. Then he turned away again to continue scanning the city below. It was as if he viewed it with new eyes.

  “Suitable. Yes, what a word! I used that term myself once.” His shoulders shook at the memory. “I sounded quite foolish.”

  “Well, I think it is an admirable word,” Mrs. Chamberlain said in a huff.

  Robert turned away from his survey of the city with a sigh. What was Ellie doing now, at this moment? He looked at his watch. He really needed to go in to the office. He’d been far too lax about his duties over the past few days. Robert sat on a green velvet chair and faced his grandmother.

  “I am sure the word has its uses, Grandmother, but I cannot think of a single one right now.”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes.

  “The woman ran away from you, from this house.”

  Robert smiled with a faraway look in his eyes. “Yes, she did, didn’t she?”

  “Robert, stop that daydreaming and pay attention.”

  “Yes, Grandmother?” He continued to smile, finding it extremely hard to draw his face into an attentive, grave expression.

  “It seems quite likely she does not want to marry you, or she would not have left. And at any rate, there is no point to these romantic notions of yours. She is engaged to someone else.” Mrs. Chamberlain sniffed and regarded her grandson with a raised brow.

  “Yes, she does say so, does she not?” Robert flicked an imaginary speck of dust from his dark blue trousers. When he raised his head, he continued to smile.

  Mrs. Chamberlain leaned forward. “Robert, did you hear me? Engaged! She is to marry another. Surely, you would not interfere in the betrothal promises of a woman, would you?”

  Robert met her eyes but didn’t really seem to see her.

  “Certainly not, Grandmother.”

  “Well then?” she pressed with exasperation.

  “I think Ellie overstated the case. I feel certain she is not as betrothed as she describes.”

  “Not as betrothed as she describes? What foolish nonsense is that? Either one is engaged or one is not, young man!”

  “Yes, I see what you mean. It does sound strange,” he murmured with a bemused smile and another glance at his watch. Robert rose and bent over his grandmother to place a kiss on her cheek. “I must go in to the office today.”

  Mrs. Chamberlain clutched his hand and stared up at him.

  “Robert, I don’t wish to be unkind, but she is too...old...especially to begin a family.”

  Robert’s smile broadened into a grin. He patted his grandmother reassuringly on the shoulder. “Old!” he repeated with a chuckle. “You have no idea, Grandmother. You have no idea.” With shaking shoulders and a muffled laugh, he turned to leave the room.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ellie had just finished a small lunch with Mrs. McGuire when a knock on the door of the boarding house announced the arrival of Melinda and Mrs. Chamberlain. Melinda fell into Ellie’s arms.

  “Oh, Ellie, I am so glad to see you. Robert finally told us where you were last night. I was certain he knew where you were, but he said you needed time to yourself and that we must not badger you.”

  “I’m so glad to see you, Melinda! And Mrs. Chamberlain, how are you?”

  “I would be better if I could sit down, my dear. Is there a parlor? Could I have a cup of tea?” She surveyed the foyer with an air of vague disapproval.

  Mrs. McGuire, who’d been hovering in the background, rushed forward. “Yes, of course, right this way.” She led the way into the parlor and settled Mrs. Chamberlain and Melinda on the sofa. Ellie followed with a sense of dread. For Melinda to visit her was one thing, a pleasant surprise, but Mrs. Chamberlain’s presence seemed ominous.

  “I’ll just run and get some tea,” Mrs. McGuire murmured as she plumped a throw pillow and set it on the sofa next to the older woman.

  Ellie threw her a grateful glance.

  “I have never been to a rooming house before. It is quite lovely.” Melinda studied the sunny room with interest. Her light blue velvet hat and matching wool suit brought out the morning glory blue of her eyes. Mrs. Chamberlain wore her usual conservative dark colors and hat.

  “It is, isn’t it? I’ve never stayed in a boarding house before, either. It’s a lot of fun. There are three other young women staying here. Dinner is always lively.”

  Melinda sighed. “It sounds wonderful...lively dinners that is. Our house is quiet.”

  “There is nothing wrong with a dignified house, Melinda.” Mrs. Chamberlain tapped her granddaughter’s hand.

  Melinda raised her eyes toward the ceiling for a moment, out of her grandmother’s line of sight, and Ellie chewed on her lips.

  “That is an unattractive habit, Ellie. Do not mutilate your lips so. They will thin and vanish soon enough. Perhaps sooner in your case.”

  Ellie’s eyes widened to match Melinda’s. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Chamberlain? Are you referring to my age?” She wasn’t sure whether to laugh and cry.

  Mrs. Chamberlain raised an eyebrow in Ellie’s direction. “Of course I am. Youth and beauty are fleeting. You have very little of one and plenty of the other, but you must take care to preserve your complexion. Stay out of the sun, moisturize your face frequently, and do not make excessive facial expressions which will cause wrinkles. Smiling brings many lines to the mouth and eyes. You should attempt a more serene tilt of the lips rather than the toothy grin such as you favor us with at the moment.”

  Against her will and better judgment, Ellie burst out laughing.

  “Oh, my goodness, Mrs. Chamberlain, I thought you were serious for a moment.”

  Melinda watched the exchange between them with confusion. She smiled hesitantly at first, but sobered as soon as her grandmother spoke.

  “I am serious, Miss Standish. My grandson is determined to ask you to marry him, and I cannot have my grandson’s new wife looking older than half the ladies in town.”

  Ellie gasped and stared at the older woman. Melinda echoed the gasp, and her shocked eyes flew from her grandmother’s stern face to Ellie’s surprised one.

  Just then the door opened and Mrs. McGuire sailed in with the tea. Ellie looked at her for a second and snapped her mouth shut. She thought she would kill for a drink at the moment, a nice stiff concoction of some mind-numbing liquor. Or maybe just an effervescent, mouth-tingling, brain-freezing, carbonated soda pop. Anything but tea, which always seemed to bring insanity in its wake.

  Mrs. McGuire poured and passed out cups and saucers. Ellie received her tea with a shaking hand.

  “Well, I will leave you to visit, then. I have dinner to see to.” The door shut behind Mrs. McGuire, and the noise began.

  “Look, Mrs. Chamberlain—”

  “But, Grandmother, she is already engaged to—”

  “I hardly know Rob—”

  “They only met a few—”

  “I have no intention—”

  “Grandmama, how do you know—”

  “Enough, girls!” Mrs. Chamberlain held up a hand.

  Ellie stared open-mouthed, but Melinda knew to clamp her lips shut.

  “Now, just a min—” Ellie began hotly.

  “Miss Standish. Please drink your tea and let me finish.”

  Ellie’s eyes took in both women, and she obediently raised her tea to her lips and stared at Mrs. Chamberlain over the edge of the cup.

  The older woman sighed. “I h
ave talked to my grandson until I am blue in the face, and the boy seems set on his course. That you ran from his house in secrecy with a trifling excuse has done nothing to deter him. I have told him that you would not have hidden from him if you returned his love, but he will not listen. Melinda told me of your engagement, and I rallied with that information, but it seems he already knew of your betrothal and feels it lacks substance. The young man I once knew as a sensible, honorable gentleman seems to have vanished before my eyes, and I have you to blame, Miss Standish. The least you could do for me is stop that unbecoming biting of your lips as you again do now.”

  Ellie pressed her lips together and took another unladylike gulp of tea. Mrs. Chamberlain, two bright spots of red on her cheeks, did likewise. Melinda opened her mouth to speak and closed it. She reached for her tea and drank. The women eyed each other with mixed emotions.

  Ellie lowered her cup and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about Robert, Mrs. Chamberlain. I think he is infatuated with a stranger. I personally do not believe he could have fallen in love in just a few days. I left the house because I knew I would be returning to Chicago fairly soon, and I could see that he was...”

  “Falling in love?” Melinda offered helpfully.

  Ellie shook her head, her cheeks burned. “For lack of a better term, yes. I thought it would help. I didn’t mean to disappear like I did. Well, I did mean to, but I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to you or hurtful to Melinda. I just didn’t have the courage to face Robert.” She bowed her head. “I am a coward.”

  “And the engagement?” Mrs. Chamberlain asked.

  Ellie hesitated, no longer clear on her thoughts. “The engagement is cancelled.”

  Mrs. Chamberlain let out a hiss. Melinda put down her tea and clapped her hands with delight.

  “Does Robert know?” she breathed.

  Ellie shook her head. “I do not want him to know. I think it best he still believe I am engaged.”

  “But why?” Melinda’s voice rose an octave.

  “Because I still have to return to Chicago...to my life back there. I cannot stay here.”