Angeline (Bride Brigade Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  Angeline

  By

  Caroline Clemmons

  Angeline

  Caroline Clemmons

  Copyright 2016 Caroline Clemmons

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Table Of Contents

  Table Of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader,

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  St. Louis, Missouri

  April, 1873

  Could she jump? Angeline Chandler set down her two cases and stared at the railroad tracks below the station platform. She gauged the approaching train’s speed to determine how much time she had to decide. Tears running down her face, she considered the alternatives.

  Turned out of her own home, sent away with only twenty dollars to her name and that now dwindled, what chance did she have to survive? How could she provide for the child growing inside her? Would she even survive on her own until time for the baby’s birth?

  A quick end seemed a preferable alternative to starvation. Suicide went against all she believed. She especially couldn’t kill her own baby. Surely another situation would present itself, but she had no idea what it would be. But what? When?

  A firm hand grabbed her arm. Angeline startled and looked into the face of a beautiful, dark-haired woman not much older than herself.

  The other woman’s lovely gray eyes filled with compassion. “If you don’t have other plans, perhaps you’d care to accompany my friend, six young women, and myself to Texas. Why don’t we step over to that bench and I’ll explain.” Without releasing her grip, she picked up one of Angeline’s cases with her free hand.

  Numb, Angeline carried the other suitcase and let herself be led like a child to the bench where a middle-aged woman joined them. The three sat down with her two cases by their feet. Angeline pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve and blotted her tears.

  The lovely woman smiled. “My name is Lydia Harrison and this is my friend, Sophie Gaston. We’re returning to our home in Tarnation, Texas a few hours southwest of Fort Worth. I’ve recruited six young women to come with us because there are no marriage-age women in our small town. Young men are moving to cities so they can find a wife and have a family.”

  The one called Sophie nodded. “My own son is one of those talking about leaving. I prevailed on Lydia to do something to keep the young men in Tarnation.” With a wry smile, she sent Lydia a glance. “To repay me, she insisted I travel with her.”

  Lydia took Angeline’s hand. “Perhaps you’d like to come with us, at my expense, of course. I have a large home where all the girls will stay until they’ve found the man they wish to marry. With so many men looking for wives, I don’t expect they’ll be with me long, but they’re welcome to remain as long as they wish.”

  Angeline couldn’t believe her ears. “Y-You’re inviting me to come with you?” Was this too good to be true? She didn’t want to end up in a brothel.

  “Yes. The other six girls have gone walking around but I’m sure you’ll like them. We’re traveling in a private car because we began in Richmond and are going to Fort Worth.”

  Lydia gave a slight grimace. “I’m afraid from there we’ll be forced to ride the stage, so the final part of the trip will not be easy or pleasant. Arriving home will be worthwhile, though. I love our little town.”

  “I doubt anyone will want to marry me.” Who’d want to marry a woman carrying another man’s child? Should she confess or keep her own counsel lest she ruin her opportunity?

  Lydia waved at someone. “Here are the other girls now. I know it’s a hurried decision, but we leave very soon and must board our car now.”

  Angeline hardly needed to contemplate. She’d prayed for a solution—surely this must be Divine intervention. “If you’re sure, I’d love to accompany you to…what was the place in Texas?”

  “Tarnation. A term my late husband used frequently, which inadvertently caused the town’s name. I’ll tell you all about the place during our trip.” She made brief introductions and they boarded.

  Angeline had traveled with her family to elaborate locales, but even her parents considered the new Pullman car luxurious. She had no idea such sumptuous private train service as this was available. The walnut paneling and crystal light fixtures were as impressive as any opulent hotel she’d visited.

  Small silver and crystal vases attached between windows held fresh flowers. Thick white damask covered each of two dining tables at one side. The same side held thickly padded armchairs. On the other, eight bunks lined the wall—four on top and four on bottom. Oh dear, she wondered where she would sleep. No matter, she was lucky to be alive and would sleep on the thickly carpeted floor if necessary.

  Lydia spoke to the porter, who soon returned with fresh linens and a pillow and showed them how to turn a chair into a bed. Since evening was near, he made up the bed for her. She sank onto it gratefully.

  Lydia rubbed her hands together and swayed as the train moved. “Now we’re all set. The porter will bring our supper in a few minutes. Angeline, I’m sure you’re familiar with train travel and know the facilities are in the tiny room at the end of the car.”

  “I’ve ridden the train many times, but never in a private car. This is definitely a magnificent way to travel.”

  No one questioned why she’d joined them. Throughout their meal, the other girls chattered and appeared welcoming without prying. For a while, Angeline drifted on the relief of having a place to sleep and the first food she’d eaten in more than a day. She allowed herself to relax. No matter what happened later, for now she was fed and safe.

  ***

  Angeline stepped off the stage and peered around. She wasn’t sure what she anticipated, but this small, dusty town didn’t fulfill her expectations. Businesses Lydia had described were there, but they had wooden fronts instead of brick. For now, she was too tired from the journey to care about them. Or to think about the group of masculine specimens who’d met the stage.

  “Ladies, this way.” Lydia led them like a pied piper, with a line of men following carrying their luggage.

  Rachel said, “Imagine a home like that here in the middle of nowhere. Why, it looks like it belongs on a Virginia plantation.”

  Cassandra carried a valise. “Doesn’t it? Except there it would likely be painted white instead of gray. But isn’t the appearance appealing with the wine shutters and door and white trim?”

  Once they were inside, Lydia sweetly thanked the men for their efforts and shooed them outside with a promise, “You’ll all receive an invitation to our Friday reception.”

  Angeline could hardly wait to lie down. The stage ride had almost defeated her. Only the girl named Ophelia appeared more affected by the trip than she was, but
Ophelia’s friend Josephine helped her. Angeline had no one.

  She drew Cassandra as her roommate and they were shown to a room next to that of Ophelia and Josephine on the second floor.

  Cassandra prowled their quarters investigating every nook and drawer. “This is a surprising house for the location, don’t you agree?”

  “I’m so tired I can’t properly appreciate our surroundings.” She unfastened her shoes and slipped from her travel suit. “I’m sure I’m carrying several pounds of dust, but I just want to lie down.”

  “Me, too. Lydia said we have time for a nap before supper.”

  “Every bone and muscle in my body aches. I could sleep for at least a week but even an hour or two will help.” She turned back the cover and crawled into bed. Within seconds she was asleep.

  Someone gently tugged at her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see Cassandra standing beside the bed.

  “Angeline, wake up. We’re supposed to go down for supper in thirty minutes.”

  She burrowed into her pillow. “Not hungry. Just want to sleep.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell Lydia. I doubt you’ll be the only no-show for the meal. I’ll try to bring you something in case you’re hungry later.”

  “Thanks.” At least that’s what she thought. She wasn’t certain she actually spoke the words.

  When she woke the next morning, she believed she could at least survive the day. She dressed in fresh clothes. “Cassandra, thank you for your thoughtfulness last night.”

  The other girl ate the cheese she’d brought from supper and tossed the roll into the waste bin. “You slept so soundly you never even moved.”

  “I imagine we were all tired. Riding on that middle seat was horrid, wasn’t it? I’m glad we rotated so no one had to sit there all the way.”

  Cassandra gazed into the mirror and fluffed her hair. “Except Ophelia. Something must be wrong with her back because she doesn’t wear a corset and never leans against anything.”

  “Not me, I leaned on anything handy. If it weren’t for this dratted corset, I’d have dissolved by now.”

  Laughing, they went down for breakfast. Afterwards, Lydia called her into another room. Scared out of her wits, Angeline followed. Was she being tossed out? Did Lydia suspect?

  Inside a masculine office, Lydia sat beside a massive desk and invited her to take a seat nearby. The room was decorated with military memorabilia. A portrait of a handsome older man had pride of place on the wall behind the desk.

  Lydia gestured toward the portrait. “My late husband, William.”

  “He’s a handsome man, but older than you.” She shouldn’t have mentioned that. Her nervousness made her blurt out inappropriate things.

  “Twenty years, but the difference in our ages didn’t matter to me. He was so strong and dynamic that he seemed larger than life. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over losing him.”

  “My condolences.” Angeline couldn’t think of what else to say.

  “I didn’t see you at supper last night so I wanted to reassure myself that you’re going to be all right. Are you feeling better this morning?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Before Angeline could think, she blurted, “You knew I planned to jump, didn’t you?”

  “I thought that was your intent, but plainly you didn’t want to and I don’t believe you would have. Dear, I’ve wondered what possessed as intelligent and beautiful a woman as you to contemplate killing yourself.”

  Angeline sighed heavily and lowered her head. She couldn’t bring herself to meet her hostess’ eyes but she sneaked a glance through her eyelashes. “Y-You can guess, can’t you?”

  Lydia nodded. “But I wondered if you would tell me.”

  “I’m grateful for your help and I don’t want you to think I’m a bad person.” She raised her head to meet Lydia’s gaze. “I-I was unofficially engaged to a man…Horace’s father and mine were friends and my father approved the alliance. We hadn’t announced our engagement but Horace told me we’d soon be married and where we’d live. We’d made lots of plans.”

  She clasped her hands to stop them trembling. How she hated talking about her stupidity. “One afternoon we went for a carriage ride in the countryside. He parked in some trees and forced himself on me... it was horrible. Afterward, he apologized but said all engaged couples had intimate relations.”

  Lydia’s eyes held no hint of judgment. “How awful for you.”

  Angeline pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve cuff in a nervous gesture. “The next time we met was at a party and he was cool. He had the nerve to tell me he was finished with me and could never marry a woman who wasn’t a virgin. I was shocked and horrified—and angry. The only reason I wasn’t a virgin was because he’d assaulted me.”

  “What happened when you learned you were pregnant?”

  The humiliation was almost too much to bear and again she couldn’t face her hostess. “I sent him a note. He replied he owed me nothing and never wanted to see me again. He said if I made a claim against him, he had friends who would swear they’d had relations with me too.”

  Lydia gasped. “What a heartless cad. I’m glad you didn’t marry a man of that caliber.”

  Twisting the handkerchief in her hands, she explained, “I learned from a friend that he left for Europe that very day for his two-year grand tour.”

  “But then you had to tell your parents alone.”

  Angeline nodded. “When…when I told my parents, my father grew livid. He threw twenty dollars at me and yelled as he told me to pack what things I could carry and get out. My mother sat crying and didn’t even look at me.”

  “I’m so sorry they weren’t more understanding. How long was that before I met you?”

  She raised her head and met Lydia’s gaze. “You mean before you saved me? Only four days. I’d come from Hannibal to see if my aunt would help me. Just like her brother, she sent me on my way. I’d been wandering around the station for thirty-six hours.”

  “My dear, you didn’t even have a place to sleep? You must have been exhausted.”

  “I didn’t know where to go or what to do. None of my friends would have been allowed to help me even if they’d known. Their parents would have shared my father’s opinion. I had no other relatives to turn to. Until you rescued me, I was on my own.”

  Lydia leaned over to squeeze her hand. “I’m so sorry, dear. How far along are you?”

  Tears pooled in Angeline’s eyes and she dabbed with the handkerchief. “Three months. I promise I would never marry a man without telling him, but who will want another’s baby?”

  “Stop worrying, dear, and believe things will work out. You seem to me to be a kind and loving woman. I’m glad you have no intention of deceiving a serious admirer. I asked you in here to reassure you that you can stay with me as long as you need to.”

  Hot tears flowed down her cheeks and she sobbed her relief. When she could finally speak again, she said, “I was afraid you were going to ask me to leave. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. When you helped me, you saved two lives.”

  “Don’t feel I’m singling you out. I’ll speak privately with each of you girls. I’ve been thinking of which men might interest a particular girl. Can you cook?”

  “Yes, I’d learned because I thought I was to be married. I learned many things from our family’s cook but I also took a cooking course from a chef. I don’t know much about cleaning, but I can learn.”

  “Cooking will go a long way toward making your home a happy one. That’s why I’ll ask you and the others to help around the house. I have a cleaning lady, but you need homemaking skills.”

  “Thank you, Lydia. I’ll try hard to learn everything I can so I can take care of my home, wherever it is.”

  Lydia stood and held out her hand. “Dry your eyes now and smile for me. Let’s join the others, shall we?”

  Chapter Two

  Lydia welcomed Adam to her study. He was such a good friend and confidante and she relied on his moral s
upport more than she should.

  “Come in, Adam, and have your usual seat. I’ll ring for Mrs. Murphy.”

  He held up a hand. “No need. I just stopped by to see how things are going with your Bride Brigade. You seem…I don’t know, maybe confused or upset. What’s wrong?”

  She waved aside his concern but before long she’d shared Angeline’s dilemma. When she’d finished, she placed a hand at her throat. “What’s come over me, Adam? You know I usually keep any secret to myself.”

  “This won’t be secret long. If she wants to marry, she’d better choose soon. How about Elias at the saloon? Maybe he wouldn’t mind a fallen woman since he has a couple of questionable doves working for him.”

  “Angeline hardly compares to saloon girls.” She held up her hand. “I know, those girls probably have a similar story, but I can’t worry about them until I find husbands for those staying here.”

  “I hope you’re not going to make them a project too.” He held up a hand and closed his eyes. “Aww, don’t even tell me if you are. What are you doing about this Angeline?”

  Lydia tapped her forefinger against her chin. She knew who would be perfect for the girl, but didn’t yet know if the two would mesh. Nature would have to take over.

  “She’s very pretty, don’t you agree?”

  “They all are, but I’m not sure which one she is.”

  “Dark blond hair, about six inches over five feet, and her eyes are gray.”

  He smiled. “I’m partial to gray eyes but guess I didn’t pay close attention to them. Who’re you matching her with?”

  “I’m thinking.”

  Looking assured, he nodded. “Elias, right?”

  She smiled at him. “We’ll see. Now tell me how you’ve been, dear friend, and all that’s happened while I was away.”

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, nausea attacked Angeline in force and she barely made the chamber pot before the heaves began.

  Cassandra poured water from the ewer into the bowl then wrung a cloth in the cool water. “Wash your face and hands with this then lay the cloth on your throat.”