Rachel: Bride of New Hampshire (American Mail-Order Brides 9)

by Diane Darcy

  I miss you and all the girls. Even the cramped room we shared. Is it odd to be homesick for all that? I’ll be writing to Darby next, and the twins as well. I hope to hear from you all.

  Sir Lancelot has fared well here, too. He’s very spoiled. I hope all goes well with you, but will feel much better if you inform me of all that has happened.

  Your loving friend,

  Rachel West

  ~~~

  The next afternoon, Rachel and Cassie both wore large aprons as they stood in the sunshine, calling to the cat.

  “Sir Lancelot?” Cassie called out, her voice shrill.

  “Here, kitty, kitty.” Rachel tried to entice the cat with a lower tone.

  Cassie placed her hands on her hips. “He was here just a moment ago.”

  “He seems to have a sixth sense about these things. Perhaps you’d better go get a piece of meat from Mrs. Polanski?”

  As soon as Cassie rushed up the stairs and into the kitchen, Sir Lancelot rounded the corner. “Oh, there you are.” Rachel picked up the little gray fuzzball.

  Moments later, Cassie returned. “You found him.”

  “Yes. But give him a small sliver of that chicken and he might behave if he hopes for more.”

  Cassie tore off a small piece of the meat, held it out to the cat, and smiled as Sir Lancelot ate the offering, his paws holding Cassie’s fingers as he finished the morsel. She giggled. “He’s so funny.”

  “We’ll see if you still think so in a few minutes.”

  They took the cat to the small tub they’d filled with warm, soapy water and Rachel sank to her knees, gently lowering the cat.

  Sir Lancelot wiggled and squirmed in her grasp, trying to escape the water, but Rachel was ready for him. “Oh, no you don’t. Cassie, block the other side of the tub so he can’t get out.”

  Cassie laughed as she sank to her knees and held her skirts up on both sides so he couldn’t see a way to escape.

  Once she had Sir Lancelot settled in four inches of water, she gently soaped him as he sat resignedly, with only the occasional growl.

  Mrs. Buchanan joined them outside, sitting on an iron clad chair under the big oak tree, looking bright-eyed and lucid. “Cats do not like water.”

  Rachel laughed as Lancelot growled again. “I think you’re right.” She bent down to coo at the kitty. “Who’s the most handsome cat? Who’s the most loyal, wonderful cat in the whole wide world?”

  Sir Lancelot released another growl, making the three of them laugh.

  “Dogs are loyal, not cats,” Cassie proclaimed.

  “Sir Lancelot must be part dog then.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I told you how I met him. How he chased that dog away?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, after that—” As Rachel gently scrubbed round Lancelot’s neck, she glimpsed movement out of the corner of her eye. Thomas stood by the rose bushes, just around the corner of the house, watching them.

  How long had he been there?

  For a moment, she worried he was irritated by the noise, or the mess they were making, but he smiled as he walked over to get a better look. “Poor guy.”

  Sir Lancelot growled louder and they all laughed again, including Thomas.

  “Why is he loyal?” Cassie prompted.

  “If you haven’t noticed, sometimes, when he’s very happy, his tongue will hang out.”

  “It’s repulsive.”

  Rachel chuckled. “It’s just Sir Lancelot.”

  Thomas still stood there, silent and unmoving, watching. Truth to tell, he was sort of making her nervous.

  “Well, I couldn’t keep him inside as we weren’t allowed pets. There were boys in the neighborhood who picked on him, thinking he was ugly. They'd throw rocks, call him names, threaten to cut off his tongue. Once they trapped him underneath a pile of garbage. Anyway, he never left me, no matter that I couldn’t be with him for most of the day. He’d be waiting there at night, up on the roof. I’d sneak him inside and give him monthly baths—”

  “He doesn’t like baths.”

  “And I don’t like dirty cats on my bed.”

  Cassie giggled.

  “And I’d set him outside my bedroom window upon the roof every morning. The first time, he made his way down and disappeared, and I thought that was the end of it. I worked such long hours, so I didn’t think I’d see him again. But when I got home the next night, there he was, waiting outside the window. He’s a quiet little thing, so it was easy enough to hide him, and when I couldn’t take care of him, I just set him outside. I admired his independence. His temperament has always been loyal and loving. Once you get to know him, you can’t help but love him back.”

  Cassie suddenly had tears in her eyes. “Do you think I’m mean to him? Does he hate me?”

  Rachel smiled. “Oh, sweetie, no. You’re just getting to know each other, right? Here, help me rinse him with the clean water.”

  She tried not to look at Thomas again, but her gaze was drawn in his direction as Rachel helped pour warm water over the cat, then helped wrap him in an old towel. “Do you want to dry him off? Perhaps give him the rest of the chicken?”

  Cassie carefully took the animal in her arms and gently, and somewhat ineptly, rubbed him with the towel.

  “Sit on the back porch with him in your lap. It’ll make it easier.”

  She finally turned to look at Thomas. “May I help you with something, Mr. Buchanan?”

  His eyes were warm and friendly. She still wasn’t used to that, and her own gaze skittered away.

  “Miss West, I was wondering if you would go with me to the church social?”

  Her gaze snapped back to him. She felt her insides start to quake. The way he looked at her, his gaze warm, friendly, but with a touch of darker intent—she suddenly couldn’t catch her breath.

  “Of course she’s coming with us,” Cassie’s voice dripped with the scorn young girls used so easily. “Who else would she go with? The Gentrys? They’re old.”

  “Cassie, I don’t like you saying such things about the Gentrys. They aren’t old and they are wonderful people.”

  “Sorry.”

  Thomas was still watching her, waiting for an answer. This wasn’t a good idea. She couldn’t believe he asked her in front of Cassie. Rachel knew good and well he was asking to court her, even if Cassie didn’t.

  One of his eyebrows arched, and he dared her with his gaze.

  “You’re coming, aren’t you, Miss West?” Cassie sounded worried now.

  Drat the man.

  “Why, yes, Mr. Buchanan. I’d be happy to go with you and your family.” She stressed the last part.

  He smiled. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  ~~~

  Thomas walked with Cassie to the Gentrys'. They knocked on the door and Rachel quickly answered, almost as if she’d been waiting for them. Cassie grinned in obvious excitement. “Are you ready?”

  “I’m ready.”

  He took in Rachel’s lovely red hair, pulled up in a loose bun, her beautiful, vibrant face and trim figure. She wore a new muslin dress with blue stripes. “You look beautiful.”

  He watched as heat bloomed becomingly on her cheeks.

  “Thank you. Mrs. Gentry found me some material, and I’ve been sewing most nights.”

  Deep satisfaction rose within Thomas. He knew all about it. Mrs. Gentry had informed him that Rachel rejected the premade clothing he’d purchased, worried other women in town would notice and think she wore their castoffs. He hadn’t thought of that. He’d been quick to buy a bolt of material when Mrs. Gentry suggested it. No doubt he’d buy another one soon. He liked seeing her in clothing he’d provided.

  Perhaps he could think of a way for her to accept a new shawl? Perhaps one of his mother’s?

  Cassie could not stand still beside him, shifting from one foot to another. “Mrs. Polanski cooked us a basket of food. She stayed behind with grandma, so they aren’t going to the social. Show he
r, Father.”

  Thomas obligingly held up the basket. He was sure Rachel knew all of this already as she’d only left the house an hour before. But Cassie was excited, and he didn’t want to dampen that.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but we decided to walk. There will be a lot of buggies around the church, and I thought it might be better if we didn’t have to fight the crowd.”

  “Not at all. I prefer to walk. With this great weather, and the leaves changing colors, I quite enjoy taking it all in.”

  The way she looked at him, searching, warm, gave him hope she’d softened toward him. As they headed toward the church, he offered his arm. Rachel seemed to think about it for a moment, then slowly reached to take it. Again, satisfaction roared through him.

  “I’m excited to meet some of the ladies. I’ve met a few at church, of course, but this will be different.”

  He wanted her to meet the ladies, as well. He wanted her to feel at home, especially with him. The gentlemen, however, could go away. “They will like you very much.”

  “I hope so. As I’m with you, I may make a few enemies. Any young lady who’s been making you casseroles might especially take exception. Perhaps I should keep my distance once we arrive.”

  He could hear the teasing in her tone. “That is not going to happen. I refuse to stay away. Anyway, I’ll have my hands full chasing away gentlemen.”

  She laughed. “In that case, I’d better stay close.”

  He grinned at her. “I like the sound of that just fine.”

  As they chatted, he was very aware of the heat of her hand where it curled around his arm. Of her nearness. He no longer wanted to keep his distance. She was lovely, lively, and he felt alive, himself, when he was around her. What had he been thinking when she’d arrived? She could belong to him already, his claim on her clear and unmistakable.

  Cassie ran into the middle of the road.

  “Cassie, come back now.” Rachel didn’t raise her voice, and the girl obeyed. It all seemed to happen unconsciously on her part.

  She wasn’t anything like his first wife, a fact that pleased him very much.

  She got along with his ailing mother and never complained. She quickly brought Cassie around, which he considered a miracle by itself. Why had she turned down his proposal? What did she want? If it was security, he obviously had money. From her mannerisms, she’d grown up with it before going into service, so she knew the difference.

  What else did a young lady need to be content? Love? Friends? Children? Excitement? He tried to reason out what she wanted, but knew he’d need to get to know her better if he wanted to understand her.

  When they arrived, Thomas saw he’d been correct. The church was indeed surrounded by horse buggies, carriages, and a couple of wagons.

  Thomas led Rachel inside the church, and Mrs. Gentry immediately crossed the large room to intercept them. “Rachel, I have a gentleman I’d like to introduce you to.”

  Over his dead body. “Sorry, Mrs. Gentry, but Rachel is promised to me for the evening.”

  The older lady looked delighted as she glanced between them. “Oh. In that case, is it all right if she comes with me so I can introduce her to some of the ladies?”

  He didn’t want to give her up, but didn’t want to seem possessive, either. Reluctantly, he agreed. “Of course.”

  As she was led away, he ended up standing with a few gentlemen, as always, discussing guns, politics, and women. The usual.

  “What is with the new governess?”

  This was as good a place as any to let everyone know he was staking a claim. “She came here to marry me. We’re getting to know one another a little better first, and I’m planning to make her my wife.”

  That spurred laughter and teasing. Cal Jensen slapped him on the back. “I never thought you’d take that step again.”

  “That’s what you get for thinking.”

  When he thought Rachel had been introduced to enough people, he went to claim her. She stood in the hallway next to the children’s Sunday school, chatting with someone, though he couldn't see who.

  As he moved forward, he could hear the voice of Tina McKay. He knew her voice, because, though he’d tried to discourage her, she’d brought him a casserole at least once a week. “He used to beat his wife, you know. Trust me when I tell you this isn’t idle gossip. I heard it directly from Muriel.”

  He stopped, and unreasonable or not, was suddenly angry with Rachel. He turned away, but before he could leave, Rachel laughed, causing him to stop in his tracks.

  “You can’t be serious.” Her tone was slightly scornful. “There are men that will beat a woman, especially a wife, but they are easy enough to spot. If Mr. Buchanan touched a hair on his wife’s head, I’d eat my hat.”

  Thomas’s heart seemed to clench even as warmth rushed through him.

  “But then you don’t know him as well as we do.” He couldn’t see the girl, but again recognized Tina’s friend Nancy, never far away from the other girl.

  Rachel made a scoffing noise. “I’ve seen Thomas with his mother and daughter, and he treats them both with kindness, patience, and love. I’m sure that’s exactly the way he treated his wife. I don’t even know the woman, and she strikes me as a fibber.”

  “Well!”

  “We were simply giving you a friendly warning.”

  Rachel wasn’t wrong. His ex-wife had spread the rumors. Any sort of drama drew her in like a vulture to a feast. If she couldn’t find anything to disparage, she made something up. It had been a relief when she’d left him for another man.

  “I don’t doubt you believed the tales, but you’re young and will learn to make your own judgements.”

  Pleasure and that ridiculous warmth made him smile. Walking several feet away, he pretended he hadn’t overheard as he studied the pies laid out on a table. He tried to stuff his emotions back inside.

  Without so much as asking if the old gossip were true, Rachel took his side.

  He certainly wasn’t used to that kind of behavior from the fairer sex.

  He was definitely going to marry the lady.

  Chapter Ten

  Rachel was fuming mad. She went back inside the chapel where all of the benches had been pushed aside and found Thomas studying the pies.

  She tried to act natural, hoping he hadn’t overheard those young women and their venomous words. Thomas seemed tough, but that kind of gossip would be hard for anyone to take. When he appeared relaxed and normal, she relaxed. “Are you a pumpkin pie kind of man? Or do you prefer apple, or perhaps lemon?”

  As he was about to answer, they were interrupted. “Excuse me, Miss West.”

  Rachel turned to see Mr. Edward Klein, her future employer, smiling down at her.

  “I just thought I’d come over to say hello.”

  “Mr. Klein.” She smiled, feeling warmly toward the gentleman. She’d searched for so many jobs in Massachusetts and then he’d so easily given her one. “Thank you. That was very thoughtful.” Besides, speaking to the man for a moment would give her a chance to calm down after being waylaid by those girls.

  Thomas scowled. “Edward. What can we do for you?”

  “I just thought I’d stop by and talk to the prettiest lady here.”

  Rachel grinned. “Mr. Klein. I wouldn’t have taken you for such a flatterer.”

  “It’s not flattery when it’s true.”

  Rachel groaned, but she was smiling too. It seemed the man truly was interested in her. She’d thought so the other day, but he hadn’t been this blatant. “As if I haven’t heard that line a hundred times before.”

  Edward laughed. “And here I thought I was being suave and debonair.”

  “You are neither,” Thomas informed him. “And you are also one gentleman too many. So get lost.”

  Rachel’s mouth dropped open.

  The other man laughed, tipped his hat, and bowed slightly. “Miss West.”

  “Mr. Klein.”

  She couldn’t believe Tho
mas had been so rude to Edward. She looked up into his hard features, and had a sudden realization.

  He was jealous.

  And, embarrassingly, she actually liked that fact. Which was ridiculous. She wasn’t planning to marry the man anymore. What right did she have to be pleased?

  Did she actually have feelings for Thomas? She wasn’t sure. Maybe it was just that he’d rejected her, so it was nice to have him witness that another man might actually want her, even if Thomas didn’t.

  Or maybe she did like him.

  She wondered what, if anything, she was going to do about all this.

  ~~~

  Some chose to eat inside, balancing plates on laps, and others went outside to picnic on spread blankets, though it was getting chilly. A fire burned in a pit off to the side and many gathered around it as others took turns on a hay ride.

  Extreme jealousy gripped Thomas by the guts.

  He had no one but himself to blame. She could have been his wife right now and Edward wouldn’t be sniffing around. He’d been hasty in rejecting her, he admitted it, though he’d had his reasons at the time.

  His wife had been such a harridan. A backstabbing shrew with a smile. She was never happy unless she was digging her claws into someone and he was her favorite target.

  He decided to just get the subject out of the way. Now that she knew, he wanted her to hear his side so she wouldn’t have any doubts. “My wife used to tell people I beat her.”

  “Oh, dear. You overheard?”

  He nodded.

  Rachel smiled, an unexpected reaction.

  “That’s funny?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to picture you striking a woman for any reason. I’m not seeing it.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  “That’s true. It’s just that I’ve known several men who do beat on women. Others who use their position of authority to try and force women into immoral acts.”

  His face hardened. “Who? Give me a name.”