An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series)

by White, Carré

  “I’m sorry.” I scanned his face to ascertain how badly I had angered him, but his countenance wasn’t displeased.

  He’d approached, kneeling beside us, while reaching for the baby. “I think I shall borrow this for a moment.” He picked her up, taking her to the sofa. “You’re quite happy with Miss Hampton, aren’t you?”

  While I worked to untangle my hair, enjoying the heat of the fire, Mr. Carlyle sat with Rosalind, holding her over his shoulder while rubbing her back. My movements seemed to have his undivided attention.

  “Do you plan on doing this every night?”

  “Certainly not.” I smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Megan thinks I’ve taken advantage of you. I apologize, sir. I…maybe I have.”

  He looked as if he would say something, but whatever it was died on his lips, as a knock on the door disrupted the conversation. “That would be dinner.” He got to his feet, heading for the door, while I went to Megan’s room.

  “Are you hungry?” She was on her bed with Joshua, while Judy played with a cloth doll.

  “I think I’ll eat in my room tonight. If you could bring the plate to me, I’d be much obliged.”

  “Are you certain? Mr. Carlyle will be joining us.”

  Her mouth widened. “Well, that was faster than I thought. I doubt it’s my company he seeks.”

  “Oh, stop that! I won’t ever bathe here again, since it’s caused so much trouble. I’m an employee just as you are. I haven’t forgotten that.”

  Her look was doubtful. “I’ll just keep to myself tonight. I’ve some sherry left over.”

  “I’ll bring your food once it arrives.”

  Moments later, the servants brought in three plates, hidden under metal covers, and a smaller plate for Judy. “I’ll take her, sir.” We were in the hallway. “I can put her in the bassinette for a while, until she fusses. That way we can eat in peace.”

  “All right.”

  Rosalind was in my arms. “I’ll be right back.” Placing the baby in the bed, she kicked and squirmed, uttering gurgles that made little sense. “If you could be quiet for ten minutes, I’d be very happy.” I handed her a small stuffed animal. “Here’s a horse for you to play with.” When I returned to the parlor, Mr. Carlyle was already seated at the table with a napkin in his lap. I noted the third plate. “I should bring this to Megan and Judy. It smells delicious. What are we having?”

  “Sage hen with raspberry ice for dessert.”

  “I better hurry. I wouldn’t want my dessert to melt.”

  He grinned. “No, of course not. Would you like some wine?” He held a bottle.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “Because of last night?”

  “Well, yes, sir. I…hardly behaved myself.”

  “I don’t see the harm in one glass.”

  “Oh, plenty,” I blurted without thinking. “I mean, I’m not used to liquor. It’s not something I do, sir.”

  “I’ll pour you a glass. Go bring Megan her plate, and hurry back.”

  “Yes, sir.” Without knocking, I entered Megan’s room, finding her with Joshua at her breast. “Here’s your food.”

  “Just leave it on the bed.”

  “Are you certain you don't want to join us? Eating on a bed is horribly inconvenient.”

  “I’m fine.” She placed the baby over her shoulder. “It smells nice.”

  “There’s raspberry ice for dessert.”

  “Oh!” exclaimed Judy. “Can I eat that first?”

  “I’d best go before my food turns cold.” I joined Mr. Carlyle at the table, placing the white napkin in my lap. “Everyone’s fed now.” I met his gaze. “Do you normally eat here?”

  “Not often.” He’d waited for me, leaving the metal cover on the plate. Now he lifted it, exposing a baked hen, surrounded by greens and potatoes. “I usually have meetings in the evenings, but tonight was cancelled.”

  “You’re procuring money for the railroad?”

  “Yes. I find it surprising that I have to convince businessmen that it would be a benefit to have the line extend to Denver City. They don’t want to pay for it. Whatever is invested will be recouped within a short period of time. Why this is so difficult to grasp is beyond me.”

  “Times have been hard. Businesses have been hit with fire and flood. Most of the city burned to the ground a few years ago. Then people left to go back east. We went through a grasshopper infestation also about two years ago.”

  “I heard about that.” He speared a small piece of meat, bringing it to his lips.

  “Two farms of family members were devastated. We tried to get rid of grasshoppers, but it was useless.”

  “You said you came here from Ohio.”

  “Yes, with my brothers and sisters.”

  “Your parents died.”

  “Yes, first pa and then my mother. She was sick for a while. Then the infection finished her off. My older sister Jane took care of us.”

  “And you have younger brothers.”

  “And a younger sister, Susanna.”

  “How do you like Denver City?”

  “I’m not all that acquainted with it. I’ve been to Friday socials at the town hall, but, other than that, I only came for school and church or shopping.” I glanced around the room. “I must say; it’s rather nice being here, sir. I do feel spoiled. Seeing to Rosalind’s welfare is rather easy. On Fanny’s farm, we’re required to wake by six. Then there’s the cow to milk, and water to fetch for cooking. She doesn’t have domestic help.” He had been politely listening, eating and sipping wine. He didn’t seem to mind that I babbled on. “This is like a holiday for me. I don’t mind getting up in the middle of the night. I can sleep all morning, if I wish.” Had I said too much? “I mean, it’s hard work, sir, but…not that hard.”

  “I understand.”

  “Then I’ll get wages on top of everything.”

  He scratched the side of his neck. “I’m glad you’re settling in.”

  “I do hope you’re in town for some time, sir.” I hadn’t meant to sound quite so enthusiastic.

  “How’s the hen?”

  I’d been too busy talking to mind my dinner. “Oh, goodness. I really should eat before the dessert melts completely.”

  “Maybe you should eat it first?”

  “That would be…scandalous.”

  “To eat dessert first? Is that all it would take?”

  I giggled, while driving the spoon into the frozen concoction. “I’ll eat it first, but don’t tell anyone.”

  “It will be our secret.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Once we had eaten, a maid came to take the plates away, while I went to retrieve Rosalind, who had begun to fuss. Since she was hungry, I brought her to Megan, who nursed her, while Joshua lay in his bassinette. My presence wasn’t required, so I returned to the parlor, although Judy joined me, and we sat before the fire, while I untangled her hair. Mine was still damp and in need of combing, but I focused on Judy’s pretty blonde hair, separating the strands gently and combing through the tangles. She didn’t seem to mind the attention in the least, staring at the fire while I worked. I often sat before the fire at Fanny’s house, while they shared a book, each person reading aloud. This felt entirely comfortable and familiar. While we were thus occupied, Mr. Carlyle sat on the sofa with a ledger in his lap, although he didn’t seem to pay it much attention, staring at us instead.

  “How many investors do you have now?” I asked.

  “Forty, but I need more.”

  “Are you a banker?”

  “Not exactly. More like a private investor, but I do work closely with banks.”

  “Has a deal ever gone badly?”

  “Oh, plenty,” he laughed. “With Reconstruction, the entire industry’s a disaster. We’ll be lucky to get this off the ground, but I really do believe the city would benefit greatly with a direct line. How could it not? Why is it so difficult to convince people of the benefits? It boggles the mind.”

  �
��Like I said, money is an issue now. So many have so little.”

  “Yes. If I can’t get the capital I need, I might consider adding more myself, but then I’m truly, deeply invested. I really can’t do that unless I’m going to be near those investments.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I might…and I mean might…have to stay here longer. I hadn’t planned on that. I’ve family back east who are expecting my return, sooner than later. They know I’ll be in California, perhaps, as the line extends west, but…” he seemed torn, his expression resting on me, “I don’t know. I hadn’t anticipated it would be this difficult. I knew it would take time…and that’s why I brought Rosalind. I didn’t want to leave her behind. She’s all I have left of Georgette.”

  “That was your wife?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. I’m sorry she’s not here.”

  Judy turned to me. “Will you braid my hair now?”

  “Yes, then when you wake, you’ll have lovely kinks in it.”

  “I like kinks.”

  “I’m sure you do.”

  “You’re very good with children.”

  I glanced at Mr. Carlyle. “Thank you. I adore them. There are quite a few in the Hoffman family. Everyone’s having them…just not me.”

  “There are plenty of unattached men in Denver City.”

  I would not look at him, instead, focusing on Judy’s hair, which was deftly being maneuvered through my fingers into a long, thick braid. “Yes, there are, I suppose.” You’re one of them! Oh, goodness.

  “What goes on at these Friday night socials?”

  “Dancing and talking, sir. It’s the only place other than church and the schoolroom to meet your neighbors.”

  “Are you often in church?”

  “Yes, every Sunday.” I glanced at him. “I have brunch with my family afterwards. I’m sure they’d invite you, sir, if you want to join us.” Would I even be able to leave to attend brunch? I wanted to ask him, but I hesitated.

  “I had planned on church. Last Sunday’s service was held in a tent on the prairie.”

  “We’ve never discussed this, but will I have a few hours to see my family on Sunday?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you, sir.” That was a relief. “Did you know Pastor Bailey’s married to my stepmother, Fanny?”

  “Is there anyone in town you’re not related to?” Humor lit his eyes.

  I grinned. “Yes, of course. We know nearly everyone.”

  “I’m sure you do.”

  Judy patted her head. “Are you finished?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  She sprang to her feet. “I need a mirror!”

  “The braid starts on top of your head. It’s the French style.”

  “I love it!” she enthused. “It would be a shame to undo it tomorrow. Maybe I’ll wear it like this all day.”

  “It’s your hair. You may do exactly as you wish with it.”

  She started for the hallway. “I have to show ma!”

  “She’s precious,” I said, after she had gone.

  “Yes.” His gaze was on me.

  “I’ve a tangled mess of my own, I’m afraid.” I ran a comb through the damp strands. “This will take quite a while.”

  “I find you strangely entertaining.”

  I glanced at him over my shoulder. “You do?”

  “Megan prefers to hide in her room, yet you seem to enjoy speaking to me.”

  “I’m used to company, sir. I never have a moment to myself at Fanny’s house. I’ve been in the same bedroom with my sisters for years. It’s only now, with Jane gone and married, that I’m alone. Susanna was with me, but she’s in the other room.”

  “I see.”

  “I’d be lonely without company.”

  He took a sip of wine. “Yes, it’s better to have someone to talk to.”

  “How do you like Denver City? Do you hate it? Are we very barbaric, sir?”

  “Barbaric?”

  “We’re too close to the saloon, with the drunks and thieves. There have been shootings and duels and hangings here.”

  “I imagine.”

  “It’s truly the Wild West.”

  “I’d be disappointed, if it wasn’t.”

  “Don't you worry about your welfare? Innocent people get shot often, sir, and all they’ve done is cross the street.”

  “No more so than in any other city.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Do you feel unsafe?”

  “No, sir. Not here. We’re on the second floor. I doubt a bullet will come in.”

  He chuckled, “True.”

  I grinned as well, finding him charming. “I enjoy talking to you. I worried that you might be too stodgy, but you’re quite sociable.” I’d spoken off-the-cuff, regretting not checking myself.

  This seemed to amuse him. “I see. I’m glad I’m not…stodgy.”

  “I shouldn’t have said that.” I got to my feet, feeling twinges of embarrassment. “It’s late. Good night, sir.”

  The gleam in his eye was considering, as he lifted the wineglass to his lips, murmuring, “Good night, Mary.”

  Chapter Seven

  I’d managed to work through nearly the entire week without another embarrassing incident, which was a minor miracle. Having settled in at the Broadwell House, a routine had been established, where Rosalind and I typically slept in every morning. I wouldn’t feel badly about this because she tended to wake at least twice in the night.

  It was Saturday, and I planned on taking her out in a buggy for a stroll through town. Once Rosalind and I were dressed, both of us sporting frilly bonnets, I called for Allette, who arranged for the buggy to be brought to the front door of the hotel. I needn’t have bothered with a shawl, as it was brilliantly warm outside, with the sky a nearly turquoise blue in all its early fall glory. In another month, there would be snow.

  The buggy was made of wicker and perched on four enormous wheels. I’d folded a thick blanket beneath Rosalind, who lay within, her face encircled by a pretty white bonnet. She was indeed fetching in a matching white dress, her feet encased in leather shoes. It was the first time I would be seen in public in such a manner, pushing the expensive-looking contraption up and down the boardwalk. Once outside, the bustle of Larimer Street greeted me, as everyone seemed to be in town today, the avenue filled with wagons, carriages, and horses. An assemblage of well dressed ladies and gentlemen strolled by, while I pushed Rosalind along, enjoying being outside, although the lack of rain had made the thoroughfare dusty, and it was windy, bringing up gusts of dirt. Shoeshiners were out in force before the barbershop, and the saloon teemed with men. The sound of piano music could be heard amidst the din of laughter and talking.

  I would walk with Rosalind, until she fussed, wanting to stretch my legs and breathe fresh air, although it was sometimes foul, as the horses had left their mark in the street.

  “Get your News here!” shouted a man, who stood by a wooden crate, which brimmed with the latest editions of the paper. “Richmond bank robbery leaves three dead! Read all about it!”

  I’d made my way down the boardwalk, past the mercantile and a men’s emporium, while crossing a street. Once I’d gone as far down Larimer as I wished, I turned around and headed back. Rosalind was quiet, the entire walk, not uttering a peep. Not having seen anyone I recognized, I continued on, enjoying being outdoors, although it was prettier on the prairie. I had the thought to ask Mr. Carlyle if I could bring Rosalind home, but then Megan would have to travel with me, as the baby would need to eat.

  The newspaperman continued to yell the headlines, while a team of freight wagons passed, heading for the warehouses behind the shops. I neared the Broadwell House, finding a grouping of men out front, who loitered, talking. Once inside, the woman behind the desk rang a bell.

  “Someone will be with you in a moment, Miss Hampton.”

  “Thank you.” I lifted Rosalind from the carriage, gazing at her. “You did
very well today. Not one peep from you.”

  “You can leave the carriage there, if you want,” said the woman. “We can manage it.”

  “I will.”

  I didn’t need to wait now, heading for the hallway and passing the dining room, which was filled with men. I stopped, eyeing the tables, finding Mr. Carlyle towards the back, seated amongst six people, but he must have sensed my appraisal, as he lifted his head to gaze at the doorway where I stood. Recognition lit his eyes, and he excused himself, striding towards us.

  “Good morning.”

  “We went for a walk, sir.”

  He glanced over his shoulder, then he ushered me away from the doorway. “Let me see my angel.” He reached for Rosalind, holding her up for appraisal. “Hello, sweetheart.” Then he kissed her cheek several times, until she kicked her feet in response, making happy grunting noises. “I should finish up my business early today and spend some time with her. These meetings go on forever. Whoever thought securing subscriptions would be so difficult. I’m determined we’ll be the first to obtain the contracts.” He kissed Rosalind again. “We won’t stop till we get them, will we?” His tone had softened, as he spoke to his daughter.

  “I hope it all works out favorably, sir.”

  He held Rosalind close, staring at me. “It will, if I have anything to do with it. Now I must go, although I don’t want to.”

  “She’ll be hungry soon.”

  “Very well.” He smiled at her, holding her up. “You’ve been an excellent girl, my dear. You’re as calm and steady as your mother. I can see her in you more and more.”

  He rarely spoke of his wife, and, whenever he mentioned her, I was reluctant to ask him more, because I worried it might upset him. “She’s the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen.”

  “You would say that, since I’m your employer and she’s my daughter.”

  “No, sir. I’ve seen many babies, believe me, but this one is truly lovely. She looks like a doll. Her mother must’ve been beautiful.” Then I bit my tongue, realizing I had broken my own rule.

  He handed Rosalind to me. “I’ll try to break from this meeting as soon as possible. I’ve said all I can for now, and, if they continue to fight me on the matter, I’ll meet with the governor again.”