by Joanna Shupe
“Follow me.” He held out his hand, his eyes daring her to refuse. It was a look she’d seen often from him during their early battles, as if he knew she couldn’t resist a challenge.
She clasped his forearm instead. A small, but necessary, compromise. “I cannot be gone long so let’s get this over with.”
He said nothing. Silently, they made their way up a flight of stairs. The office building was in better shape than she’d initially thought. Brass handrails adorned the marble stairs and crown molding hugged the ceilings. The details were there, they just needed a bit of shine.
At the second floor, he stopped and faced her. “Close your eyes.”
“Frank, this is ridiculous—”
“Please, Mamie,” he said, his deep voice full of uncertainty and hope. She couldn’t refuse that tone, one she hadn’t heard him use before. After she closed her eyes, he helped her forward. “Just a few more feet. Keep going.”
Then he moved behind her. “Now, open them.”
Dim light from an overhead bulb illuminated a glass door with big block letters.
LOWER EAST SIDE LEGAL AID SOCIETY
Frank M. Tripp, Attorney
Mamie blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“Come inside.” He turned the knob and led her into a large reception area. Several doors surrounded them, all leading to smaller offices.
“What is this place?”
“My new idea. What do you think?” He propped a shoulder against the wall and folded his arms.
She searched his face. “I don’t know what to think. I’m not certain what this is about.”
“I am starting a legal firm to represent those without the means to afford an attorney.”
“But you already have a firm.”
“We’ve parted ways. They would never allow me to represent more clients like Mrs. Porter. Those kinds of cases hardly draw praise at the Union Club.”
“So, how will this work? Because I don’t think clients like Mrs. Porter can afford your rates.”
He shook his head. “I won’t charge them anything. We’ll get funding to cover our costs, donations from uptown swells. That way, no one must pick any more pockets. Illegally anyway.”
“Charity work. I’m astounded. You are starting a philanthropic organization.” It boggled her mind. This man, who’d been so passionate about money and status not that long ago . . . now a philanthropist?
“Yes, I am. And I hope you’ll help me.”
“Me?”
He moved closer, slowly, as if concerned about spooking her, until he was within arm’s reach. “Yes, you. I need someone to help secure funding. I need someone on the streets, to help refer clients. I need someone here to hold my clients’ hands and reassure them.” He stared down at her with his brilliant blue gaze, with no hint of deception or insanity. Just plain honesty and longing. “I need you by my side, Mamie. I don’t want to do this without you.”
“Frank, this is . . . a lot to take in. And you don’t need me specifically. Anyone would be happy to help in such a worthwhile cause.”
“I don’t want anyone. I want you.”
“Why?”
The edges of his lips turned up as if he were sharing a secret. “Because I love you. I love how you show no fear when it comes to the causes in which you believe. I love how you treat everyone the same, no matter their background or status. I love how you care for those in your life, whether they are family or someone you just met. You are passionate and strong, kind and steadfast. You’re the only woman I ever want to partner with, and no matter how long I have remaining on this earth I want to spend it at your side. Making a difference, building a future together.”
Her throat tightened, emotion building like tiny boulders in her chest. Swallowing, she forced out, “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this new man in front of me.”
“I’m still the old man, just enlightened. You have changed me for the better. I thought I lost everything, but I haven’t. I’ve gained a whole new perspective, not to mention my family. The only thing I don’t have is you and I’ll fight like hell to win you back. For the rest of my life, every case I win, every person I help, is in your honor, in the hopes of making you proud. I’ll understand if you walk out of here and never want to see me again. I’m damn sorry I ever lied to you. Yes, I should’ve told you the truth about me. But even if you leave, I’ll never give up. I can’t. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.”
It was all too much. The legal aid society, the apology and the profession of his feelings . . . She couldn’t walk away from him, not now. Her life was not complete without him in it. She threw herself against his chest, her arms squeezing him tight. He caught her, as he always had, this man who’d chased her around every part of the city to keep her safe. Only she didn’t need rescuing.
She never had.
He’d been the one in need of saving all along.
“Stop talking,” she choked into his silk vest. “Just stop. I will help you. I’d be honored to stand by your side, both in this philanthropy and in your life. I’ve never been prouder of someone than at this moment. You are the very best man I’ve ever met, Frank Tripp.”
“Frank Murphy Tripp,” he corrected and placed a kiss to the top of her head. “And I will never let you down again, I swear it.”
“I believe you. You may be a silver-tongued devil, but you’re my silver-tongued devil. And I’ll never give you up.”
He leaned in and placed his mouth near the shell of her ear. “I knew you really loved me for my tongue . . .”
Liquid fire raced through her as relief and desire cascaded like a thousand stars inside her chest. She breathed him in, the spice and heat, deep into her lungs. Glorious, sinful man. “You know, I may have forgotten your talents in that area. Perhaps you should remind me?”
“Follow me. I have just the desk in mind.”
Epilogue
“You are one lucky bastard.”
His gaze never leaving his beautiful bride, Frank grinned at the familiar voice of his best friend and best man. “I am, aren’t I?”
Julius Hatcher rested against the wall next to Frank. They were standing at the edge of the huge Greene ballroom, hours after Mamie and Frank had married.
Married. The word had a nice sound to it. In fact, he doubted he’d ever tire of saying it.
Julius handed Frank a glass of beer. “Your brother has a gift,” he remarked. “I’ve already invested to help take his brewery national.”
Frank sipped the crisp pilsner. “You may have to fight Mulligan for the privilege.”
Julius made a scoffing sound. “I can handle Jack Mulligan. By the way, that little favor you asked of me, the one for the Livingstons?”
Frank perked up at that. He and Julius had discussed various ways of retribution for Chauncey and his father. The one they’d settled on was sure to be the most humiliating. “Yes?”
“It’s finished. The house, the stocks, it’s all gone. They’re broke.”
Frank couldn’t dredge up one ounce of sympathy for that family. “Good. Perhaps I’ll offer Chauncey a job at the legal aid society.”
“Word is he’s left for Paris. Probably swiped the family silver to live off before he sailed.”
At least Chauncey would never harm Mamie again, even if Frank didn’t wish for the man to escape the scandal. “Thank you for that. I don’t have the influence I once did when it comes to ruining lives.”
“Never thought I’d see the day. Frank Tripp, a do-gooder.”
“Believe it. Besides, my wife prefers me this way. And I much prefer her gratitude over yours.”
Julius chuckled. “As you should.”
The crowd in the ballroom swallowed up Frank’s view of Mamie. Damn. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. For a brief moment, he’d considered eloping with her. However, he hadn’t wished to further scandalize her. That meant a huge wedding in front of all New York society—and Frank’s family. Of course
, there was nothing society loved more than a huge party and the Greenes had outdone themselves today. Not wanting to miss out, the blue-blooded families had attended en masse. Everyone except the Livingstons.
Also here were some of Frank’s clients, both new and old. It turned out not everyone above Forty-Second Street had a problem with his background. This had come as a pleasant surprise, even though Frank no longer handled the wealthiest citizens of the city. The legal aid society was up and running, with more cases than they could possibly handle. Just this week Frank had hired three additional attorneys and six legal assistants to handle the caseload.
He’d never been happier.
He and Mamie worked side by side nearly all day. She was a natural, both for raising funds to keep the legal aid society running and convincing those in need to trust Frank. She cared about people. Genuinely liked them.
He couldn’t wait to spend every night with her as well.
Catherine and Duncan Greene suddenly appeared with Frank’s mother in tow. Julius excused himself with the promise to see Frank later.
“There you are,” Catherine said to Frank. “Did you know your mother has never traveled outside the city? We must take her with us to Newport for the summer.”
His mother’s expression was hesitant, as if she was uncertain how Frank would take this news. He smiled at both women. “I would like that. Ma, do you feel up to traveling?”
“I’m perfectly healthy,” she told him. “Stop listening to your brother. One bout of pneumonia and he thinks I’m on death’s door.”
Frank wasn’t so certain, but she certainly seemed to have enough energy lately. “Then you must come with us. Patrick, Rebecca and the girls, too.”
“Excellent, then it’s settled,” Catherine said. “I know it’s months away, but the ocean breeze will do you wonders, Genie.”
They wandered off, and Frank marveled over Mamie’s mother calling his mother by a nickname. Genie. He’d always thought of his mother as Eugenia. Strange, the turn his life had taken in the last six months.
“I apologize,” Duncan muttered. “My wife is like a bull when she gets something in her head.”
“And here I thought Mamie took after you.”
Duncan’s mouth hitched slightly. He and Frank had made peace of a sort, for Mamie’s sake. They would never be close but had learned to let the past go in the last few months. “Welcome to the family, Frank. I didn’t for once imagine it, but I can honestly say I’ve never seen her so filled with joy.”
“And I’ll spend my life trying to keep her that way. I love her, Duncan.”
“I know you do. I’m damn sorry I ever tried to force her to wed Chauncey. It’s hard to think you know what’s best for your kids and be proven disastrously wrong.”
Frank hated to point out that Mamie never let anything get in her way when she wanted something—not even her father. “I didn’t plan on falling for her. At first, I followed her around to keep her out of trouble for your sake.”
“Probably my fault.” He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “I’ve indulged all three of my daughters far too much. Florence, especially.”
Frank couldn’t argue with that. Mamie had shared some truly astonishing stories about her younger sister.
“Oh,” Duncan said, spotting someone in the crowd. “There’s Teddy. I want to speak to him about some of this corruption you and Mamie have faced with the police department. I think he’s just the man to take on Byrnes and his ilk.”
Duncan excused himself and Frank silently wished him luck. The city’s police force was rife with corruption. He didn’t think anyone could ever set them straight, not even the well-connected and well-meaning Teddy Roosevelt.
Searching the crowd, he finally found her. She wore a cream satin gown that showed off the perfection of her skin. The gown’s train had been removed for the reception, and Frank anticipated removing even more fabric from his lovely wife’s person. Perhaps now.
As if she sensed his stare, she found his eyes with hers. She was laughing at something the man next to her was saying, her gaze sparkling with mirth, and the sight of her happiness settled into his chest with all the subtlety of a hammer. God above, she was beautiful. It was more than her clothes and appearance, however. Her appeal was wrapped in a thousand tiny things, like the way she stood up for those less fortunate. The ability to always make him laugh, no matter how grim his mood. How she accepted his family with open arms. And not the least of which was her ability to drive him wild with the smallest touch.
She moved toward him, gliding through the well-wishers and relatives with grace, a secret smile on her face. He loved that smile, the one she wore just for him.
Tonight, she’s mine. Forever and eternity.
Fuck, the idea of it had blood pulsing in his groin. He tried a few deep breaths to calm himself. An erection would prove incredibly inconvenient at the moment. He’d been waiting for months for her to move into his Fifth Avenue home. Finally, this evening, she would live with him. His.
“Mr. Tripp,” she said as she stopped before him. Her skirts rustled ever so slightly, reminding him of what lay beneath all those layers.
“Mrs. Tripp. How stunning you are today.”
“Sweet talker. Are you enjoying the reception?”
“Not particularly. However, I am enjoying watching you enjoy the reception.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Is that why you’ve hardly taken your eyes off me since we arrived?”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps it’s because you spent all those months trying to get away from me and I’m afraid you’ll disappear.”
“I was never trying to get away,” she purred, sliding closer. “Maybe I was trying to lead you on a merry chase to catch your interest.”
He clasped her hand. “Well, I’ve caught you now, my crafty little wife. What shall I do with you?”
“Would it be too bold if I answered, ‘Anything you like’?”
“Are you trying to get me to embarrass myself at our wedding reception?”
“No,” she said, her fingers rubbing his wrist. “I am trying to get you to leave our wedding reception.”
Lust wrapped around the inside of his thighs and traveled up his back. “Just say the word and I’ll take you home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that.”
“You do, do you?” He took her arm and tugged her out of the ballroom. “I much prefer other sounds, sounds I hope to hear quite soon. For example, your moans in our bed . . .”
“You’d best cease or I shall melt into a puddle of desire long before we reach home.”
“No need to worry. I brought a closed carriage.”
“You did?”
“Of course. I’ve waited my entire life for you. I don’t plan on waiting one second longer than absolutely necessary to please my wife.”
And, the instant the carriage door closed, he proceeded to show her exactly what he meant.
Acknowledgments
I’m not going to lie. This book was a blast to write. But it likely never would’ve been written at all if not for the multitude of emails and messages I received about how much you adored Frank Tripp and asking when was he getting his own HEA. I hope you liked Frank and Mamie’s story!
The fun part about researching history is that I learn something different for each book. For this one, I learned about Otto Raphael, a prominent Jewish police officer in New York City who became friends with Teddy Roosevelt. Then there’s Paul Kelly, the gangland kingpin who ran the New Brighton Athletic Club, and Thomas Byrnes, who was the head of the NYC police detective bureau. Also, the House with the Bronze Door was a real Gilded Age casino for the city’s elites. I think it’s obvious which places and characters these have inspired.
Now, I’m neither a lawyer nor have I played one on TV, so there were plenty of folks who helped with Frank’s legal abilities. My deepest thanks to Hon. Leo M. Gordon, Daniel Campbell, Tina Gabrielle, Christina Ponsa-Kraus, Sarah A. Seo, Claire Marti, Felicia Grossman,
Cecilia London, Lin Gavin and Erin from the Heaving Bosoms podcast (give them a listen!). All errors are my own, and forgive me for applying some modern sensibilities in some places.
Thanks to writing pals Michele Mannon, Diana Quincy and JB Schroeder for their spot-on comments and never-ending support. I also must thank the amazing Sarah MacLean and Sophie Jordan, who were so helpful with titles, blurbs, covers and all around support on this project (and the authoring biz in general)!
My deepest gratitude goes to editor extraordinaire Tessa Woodward for helping to make this story (and all my stories) infinitely better. Thanks to everyone at Avon Books and HarperCollins—most especially Elle Keck, Pamela Jaffe, Kayleigh Webb and Angela Craft—for all their work on my books. And thanks to Laura Bradford, who always looks out for me.
A shout-out to the Gilded Lilies on Facebook! Thank you for sharing my enthusiasm for this time period and loving my crazy stories.
As always, thank you to my family for all their love and support.
Finally, the Legal Aid Society of New York City is the oldest and largest legal aid society in the United States. Founded in 1876, the Legal Aid Society continues to serve as “the voice for those who suffer in silence, face oppression, and struggle to access justice because of poverty.” To make a donation, visit www.legalaidnyc.org.
The Four Hundred Series
Don’t miss all of Joanna Shupe’s captivating romances in her Four Hundred series! Available now from Avon Books!
A DARING ARRANGEMENT
Lady Honora Parker must get engaged as soon as possible, and only a particular type of man will do. Nora seeks a mate so abhorrent, so completely unacceptable, that her father will reject the match—leaving her free to marry the artist she loves. Who then is the most appalling man in Manhattan? The wealthy, devilishly handsome financier, Julius Hatcher, of course . . .
Julius is intrigued by Nora’s ruse and decides to play along. But to Nora’s horror, Julius transforms himself into the perfect fiancé, charming the very people she hoped he would offend. It seems Julius has a secret plan all his own—one that will solve a dark mystery from his past, and perhaps turn him into the kind of man Nora could truly love.
