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 have 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 h
ave 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.”
“Are you certain? Why can’t you stay in Seattle?”
Melinda asked with a dejected slump of her shoulders.
“Yes, I’m sure. I have responsibilities back there...my parents.”
Melinda opened her mouth, but Mrs. Chamberlain interceded. “That is enough, Melinda. Do not press her any further. Ellie has explained herself sufficiently on the matter. It really is none of our concern.”
Ellie shot the older woman a grateful look, but the older woman refused to meet her eyes and looked away toward the cold fireplace.
“Well, you must do as you think best, Ellie. I am sure my grandson will recover. As you say, it has only been a few days since you met.”
“Exactly,” Ellie murmured with a lump in her throat.
“Although time has little meaning in matters of the heart. It may surprise you to know that Mr. Chamberlain asked me to marry him the first night we met, and I said yes.” Robert’s grandmother met Ellie’s startled eyes with her own bright blue gaze.
“Grandmama, I did not know that!” Melinda turned an appraising stare on her grandmother.
Ellie blinked. Was the older woman trying to tell her something? Didn’t Mrs. Chamberlain want her to leave? To leave Robert?
“How wonderful for you!” Ellie murmured.
Mrs. Chamberlain’s cheeks turned pink. “Yes, it was quite romantic really.” Ellie watched her quick and unexpected smile droop. “I confess to being quite crotchety since he passed away ten years ago. I miss him a great deal.”
“Oh, Grandmama.” Melinda slid over next to her grandmother and kissed her cheek. “I am sorry.”
“Yes, well, no need to crowd me on the sofa, child.” She shooed Melinda, who moved over a few inches again, no small feat in her long skirts and corset.
“Well, then.” Mrs. Chamberlain cleared her throat. “You will not reconsider having my grandson, is that correct, Ellie?”
Ellie couldn’t bear the finality of the statement. Of course, she would consider him. She was head over heels in love with the man. And who wouldn’t die to have such a handsome man pursue her so relentlessly? Or pursue the fantasy of a science fiction character, that is.
Ellie gave her head a slight shake.
“You have nothing to worry about from me, Mrs. Chamberlain.”
“Oh, Ellie,” Melinda mourned. Tears sprang to Ellie’s eyes, and she gritted her teeth and stared straight ahead.
Mrs. Chamberlain rose. “I am not worried about you, Ellie, though if you do change your mind and marry Robert, you had better waste no time in having children.”
“Grandmother!” Melinda giggled. “I cannot believe you—”
Ellie dashed the back of her hand to her eyes. “I’m not that old, Mrs. Chamberlain.”
The older woman snorted and headed for the door. Melinda stopped to give Ellie a brief hug before following her grandmother out of the parlor. Mrs. McGuire bustled out from the kitchen to bid the guests farewell and then returned to her baking after ascertaining that Ellie planned to take a walk through the neighborhood.
Ellie climbed the stairs to her room and grabbed her jacket and hat. She jammed it on her head, wondering if the burning spots on her cheeks would ever fade back to their normal color. This adventure of hers kept her in a heightened emotional state of perpetual embarrassment, it seemed. She needed to get outside in the fresh air to think about things and make some plans.
Ellie stepped out of the house and looked up and down the street in every sense of the expression. The street was on an incline, as most things in hilly Seattle seemed to be. In need of a good workout, Ellie turned to the right to climb up the steep road.
As she walked and studied the “old” Victorian houses in their new condition, she wondered how best to extricate herself from the current problems. Though she had plenty of money for the moment, it would not last forever. Should she find a job teaching? Could she move to another town where Robert would never find her? Both possibilities seemed daunting in this particular day and age. One thing she’d noticed was a lack of the anonymity she knew in her own time. Everybody knew everyone’s business here. She lifted her skirts over muddy patches on the walk and smiled. The modern expression seemed out of place.
The image of a train popped unbidden into her head, and she swore she could almost feel the rocking motion and hear the whistles blowing. Was that a message? Should she get back on a train for Chicago? Would that somehow return her to where she needed to be, where she was supposed to be? If Robert was right, and she had traveled through time, would that take her back to her own century? Did she want to return to her lonely existence?
Kyle was gone. That seemed clear. And if he wasn’t gone, he would have to go, because she could never have fallen in love with Robert so readily, so completely, if she and Kyle had ever had a hope of a successful relationship.
What if by some miracle she stayed? Could she survive in the early 1900s with virtually no women’s rights, no financial means of her own, no airplanes, no television, no modern medicine? Did she even have the choice to stay?
Ellie looked up from the sidewalk to nod at a couple who strolled by. A carriage rolled down the street, while she could hear the horses’ hooves of another carriage or wagon laboring up the hill behind her.
She shook her head. Ellie felt sure she couldn’t stay. Be it a dream or some odd shift in a space-time continuum, she was going to wake up in her own bed soon, and all this would be gone. She sighed and paused to survey her surroundings with the colorful Victorian houses, lush gardens and tall evergreen trees. Turning around to capture the vista of the city which spread out below, she shrieked as she bumped directly into Robert’s chest. She thrust her hands against him.
“Good gravy, what are you doing here? You scared me half to death.”
Robert reached out to steady her, immaculate as always in a well-fitting gray suit and charcoal blue-gray vest.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you. I meant to call out when I neared, but you turned so suddenly.”
She eyed him narrowly and looked past him to see his carriage standing by, Jimmy staring discreetly off into the distance. “Why aren’t you at work? Don’t you ever go to work? I heard you were a workaholic.”
He reared back and stiffened. “A workaholic? You mean drinking? I do not overindulge. Well, except for the other night.”
Ellie giggled. “No, workaholic...someone who works all the time. Dorothy told me you work all the time.”
“Dorothy, eh? I had forgotten she resides at Mrs. McGuire’s boarding house. Yes, I have been known to work a great many hours. It has been my habit of many years.”
“Why are you here, Robert? Your grandmother came to see me this morning.”
He sighed. “Yes, I know. I was afraid of that, and I wondered how you managed.”
“I managed very well, thank you.” Ellie fiddled with her skirt. “She had some interesting information for me.”
Robert tightened his lips and turned away momentarily. “I hoped she would not mention our talk. She told you, then?”
“Told me what, Robert?” Ellie closed her eyes for a moment. Would he actually say the words?
“That I intended to ask you to marry me,” Robert murmured in a tender voice.
Ellie opened her eyes and looked into his sparkling green eyes, hating to extinguish the light. “I am engaged, Robert.”
“No, you are not, Ellie.”
Color flooded Ellie’s face. “I most certainly am,” she retorted. He couldn’t possibly have seen his grandmother or Melinda in the last few minutes, could he? How could she have expected them to keep a secret?
“Then what is this?” Robert held her engagement ring in the palm of his hand.
Ellie gasped and fell back a step. “Where did you get that?”
“The pawn shop on Second Avenue, near the teashop where I saw you and Constance. It did not take much to deduce you had...ah...sold your something there.” He looked down at the ring. “This is your engagement ring, isn’t? What sort of betrothed woman sells her ring?”
“The sort who needs money,” she snapped. “Did you pay the jeweler for that? I must owe you a fortune.”
“You do not owe me anything. I will take it out in trade when we are married.” His eyes danced merrily, and Ellie had all she could do not to fall into his arms.
“Your grandmother thinks I am too old,” she muttered self-consciously.
“I love older women,” he murmured, a seductive note creeping into his voice. He reached for her hand, but she snatched it away.
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