When he released her, Violet felt as if she had been ravaged. Her lips burned, her body ached, her skin felt on fire -- her hair was coming down. Before either of them could collect their thoughts enough to speak, she saw Harvey McKee coming along the street.
Suddenly Violet felt less brazen. She couldn't face having to explain her conduct to Harvey. "I've got to go in," she said, trying to sound as composed as possible. "Even witches have to give their brooms a rest now and then. If I don't, I'm liable to get a very different name."
"Let anyone say a word against you and I'll--"
She smiled. He might be angry, but he was still ready to protect her. That was something to remember. "There you go again, trying to defend me. Didn't you decide I was more than capable of protecting myself?"
Harvey was crossing the street. He would reach the flagstone path to the school soon.
"Men like to feel women need protection. Take that away, and what use are we?"
Violet couldn't help but feel sad Jeff should think his appeal so limited. "Ask me again when I've got time to answer that question. Now I must go."
"Not before I have the last word." He kissed her quickly, turned, and walked away.
Violet watched Jeff leave, completely bewildered at this unexpected turn of events. If he were about to fall in love with her -- and she knew he wasn't -- she would have expected some tenderness, not banter.
If he were merely irritated with her, she didn't understand the kiss. More importantly, it proved beyond all doubt she had fallen in love with Jeff. There was no reason for it. It defied logic, laughed in the face of common sense, but she had fallen in love anyway.
And she wasn't even sure she liked the man!
She admired him, lusted after him, and thought about him constantly. It wasn't enough for love, but it was too much to ignore. Far too much to forget.
But she must try. Jeff had no intention of falling in love with a Yankee. She didn't think he was constitutionally capable, no matter how attractive he found her. And if he did love her, he would fight it for the rest of his life. Anyway you looked at it, it would be a miserable existence for both of them. The only sensible thing to do was put him out of her mind.
She watched as Jeff and Harvey meet on the walkway. Even at this distance she could see Jeff's frown, Harvey's raised eyebrow. They glanced in her direction, then back at each other. She smiled to herself. It was nice to be snarled over by two tom cats. It had never happened to her before. She found it quite bracing.
The two men separated. She almost broke out laughing when Jeff looked back twice. It would serve him right if he suffered a few pangs of jealousy over her. He had caused her enough already. She was certain he would cause her more before she finally got him out of her system.
She watched as Harvey approached. He smiled broadly as he grew closer. It wasn't going to happen with Harvey. He was a wonderful man, would be a fine husband, but for some other woman. She enjoyed his company, but unfortunately she had a liking for ornery men.
* * * * *
The twins climbed out of the carriage and followed Violet up the walk, their heads hanging, their expressions solemn. Miss Settle had dismissed them from the Wolfe School, and Violet was taking them to stay with their Aunt Fern until their parents arrived. Her first thought had been to tell Jeff, but it was impossible for the girls to stay with him. Even if he had the time, he wouldn't know what to do with them.
"Papa's going to be upset," Aurelia said.
"Mama's going to be mad," Juliette added.
"Probably," Violet agreed. "I'm sure she had hoped you'd do well in school."
"We told her we wouldn't," Aurelia said.
"No Randolph likes school except William Henry," Juliette stated.
Violet rang the door bell.
"I know it must be hard being cooped up all the time, but the school can't afford to let you keep running away. Something might happen."
"Nothing ever happens to us," Aurelia said.
"Papa says we lead charmed lives," Juliette added.
"Maybe, but you weren't very charming to Miss Settle."
A maid opened the door and led them to a small parlor. "I'll tell Mr. Randolph you're here," she said and disappeared.
"I don't want to see Uncle Madison," Aurelia said.
"He doesn't like girls," Juliette explained.
"He must like children," Violet said.
"He likes boys," Aurelia said.
"He says you don't have to worry about boys," Juliette explained. "He says they bring themselves up."
"His boys could have been girls," Violet said.
Aurelia shook her head. "He said he'd have given them away."
Before Violet had time to wonder whether the twins had made part or all of this up, a tall, dark, handsome man entered the parlor. She could see some similarities with Jeff, but he seemed to be the opposite in others. He glared at the twins. They cringed before his him.
"So you finally kicked the little monsters out. That's the first sensible thing you've done. Shouldn't have accepted them in the first place. I told George he ought to break them to harness himself."
Violet stared at Madison Randolph in disbelief. He sounded exactly like Jeff.
"These girls are not horses," she said, rather too severely she feared, "to be whipped and tethered."
"It would probably do them good," Madison said. He turned away from the girls and approached Violet. "I'm Madison Randolph. Fern will be down in a minute. You girls go find the boys. I'm sure Miss Goodwin has seen enough of you. I know I have. Don't worry," he said to Violet when she looked undecided. "I've warned everyone. They'll be treated like prisoners until George and Rose arrive."
"When will that be?" Violet said, unsure of what to say to this man who seemed even more disinterested in his nieces than Jeff. She wondered if the Randolphs disliked all children or if, as the twins said, their disinterest extended merely to female children.
"Tomorrow," Madison said. "I got a telegram this morning."
Violet had barely managed to get used to the idea that a person could travel from Texas to Colorado in two days. She couldn't get used to the concept of a telegraph. She had heard some people in Denver had bought the new craze, the telephone. She was anxious to see one. How could anybody talk into a little box and be heard miles away? She glanced at the gas lamps that lit the parlor. So many things had changed in the last few years, but her father hadn't had the money to take advantage of them. Obviously the Randolphs had.
"I'm sorry about their dismissal," Violet said. "They're really good girls. They just don't follow rules well."
Fern entered the room in time to hear that last remark. "They never have," she said. "I don't think Rose thought they would last very long."
Violet was shocked. Fern seemed worse than when she'd seen here only a week ago. Violet had to repress an impulse to help her to a chair, but it was unnecessary. Madison was on his feet the moment his wife entered the room. He might not be interested in little girls, but Violet could tell he adored his wife. She waited until Fern was seated and Madison was satisfied she was as comfortable as he could make her.
"I'm sorry to put you to the trouble of delivering the twins, but you can see I couldn't go after them myself."
She looked up at her husband, her eyes brimming with love, and Violet wondered if she'd ever feel like that about any man, even Jeff Randolph if he would let her.
"And now that Madison is back, I don't mean to let him leave my side until this child is born."
"Miss Settle agreed I should deliver the girls in person."
"Then if we should lose them, it's no fault of yours," Madison said.
That was exactly what Miss Settle had said, but Violet had no intention of saying so.
"I was just about to tell your husband the girls are fine students, bright and willing, but they could never accustom themselves to living within the rules. That doesn't make them bad, but you can see that it would be impossible for the school
to keep them under the circumstances."
"I always did suspect Rose put them in school just to give herself a rest," Madison said.
"Shame on you. You know if anybody can control those girls, it's Rose."
"Well I don't believe anybody can. God help the men who marry them."
Violet thought that an unfair evaluation. The same behavior in a boy would have been characterized as high spirited. If he were blessed with a similar amount of money and good looks, every female of marrying age would be after him. But Violet had learned the folly of struggling against prejudices that couldn't be changed.
"Miss Settle did say if they girls became more settled in a year or two, she would be willing to consider their re-enrollment."
"How much did Jeff pay her to say that?"
"He doesn't know they've been dismissed," Violet said. "I thought you might want to tell him yourself."
"I doubt he'll care," Madison said.
"He was very helpful while you were away," Fern said. She laughed suddenly. "I would have given a lot to see him while he was quarantined with you."
Violet smiled in response. "He wasn't happy about it. But for a man of his nature, he handled it remarkably well."
She was the one who hadn't been able to handle it. She had succumbed to an emotion that was as foolish as it was futile.
"For a man of his nature, I don't know why you didn't take a gun to him," Madison said.
Violet bit her tongue. She had met three of Jeff's brothers, all of them brutally unkind to him. She knew he was difficult at times -- she could vouch for that from her own experience -- but they were his brothers. If anybody should be able to understand him, they should.
"He had a lot to put up with," Violet said.
Fern eyed her closely, seeing more than Violet wanted anybody to see.
"I think Miss Goodwin believes Jeff's family is too rough on him."
Violet had no desire to be the object of so much attention, but neither could she listen to Jeff being maligned and not defend him. At the same time, they must know him better than she did. How could she presume to tell them how they should treat their own brother?
"I feel responsible since I failed to tell him about the quarantine."
"If you are really from Massachusetts, and I can tell from your accent you are," Madison said, "the fact he's speaking to you is a marvel. I don't mean to be insulting, but none of us can figure out how you did it."
"Jeff's not really that troublesome. He just likes to seem difficult. You spoil him. You let him do and say what he wants, no matter how ridiculous."
Madison and Fern stared at Violet in amazement. She felt herself flush. She hadn't meant to say so much. She certainly hadn't meant to criticize anyone.
"You should ignore him when he starts in on one of his pet subjects, or show him how absurd he's being. He's really quite intelligent and doesn't like being made to look a fool."
"You and Rose will get along famously," Madison said.
"Not they won't," Fern contradicted.
"They've come to the same conclusion," Madison said.
"But from entirely different directions," Fern said.
Clearly Madison didn't understand his wife's statement. And just as clearly he intended to demand an explanation. Violet didn't think she could endure that. She stood.
"I'd better be getting back to the school. They always tell you not to worry about things while you're gone, but if I have to fix something, I'd rather be there when it goes wrong."
"You're an intelligent woman," Madison said. "Why don't you ask Jeff about a job in his bank?"
"I don't think his opinion of my abilities is as great as yours." She wasn't about to tell them she could never control her feelings enough to work that close to Jeff.
"Thank you, but I'm perfectly suited with my present position. I--"
She broke off. Fern had tried to stand up but was unable to get out of the chair.
"I'm all right," Fern insisted when both Violet and Madison attempted to go to her aid. "Sometimes I just don't have any strength. I'll be all right."
"I don't think so," Violet stated. "I've had some experience with women in your condition, and something is wrong. I don't care what your doctor says," Violet said when Fern started to protest. "Did you feel like this any of the other times?"
"No," Fern said, clearly relieved to finally be able to admit her own fears.
"I've had every doctor in Denver to see her," Madison said. "They all say there's nothing wrong."
Violet knew how useless it was for a nurse to put her opinion up against a doctor's -- for a woman to contradict a man -- but she felt certain Fern was in danger.
"You both know something's wrong," she said.
They didn't need to answer. Their looks told Violet they knew.
"There's a doctor in Boston who's absolutely wonderful in situations like this. You could see him."
"She's too weak," Madison said.
"There are trains."
Fern and Madison looked at each other.
"What's his name?" Madison asked.
"Dr. Frederick Ulmstead. If you have a piece of paper, I can give you his address."
Madison produced pen and paper from his coat pocket. Violet quickly wrote down the necessary information.
"Tell him I asked you to contact him. He'll remember me. He was a colleague of my father." Violet realized having a doctor for a father gave her opinion added weight. "He's very busy, but I'm sure he will find time to see you."
She left the house worried about the twins, Fern, Jeff, and herself. She forgot to worry about her silver mine.
Rose entered Fern's bedroom like a small whirlwind. "Madison says you're not well," she said, giving her sister-in-law a brisk hug. "Tell me exactly how you're feeling."
"Weak," Fern said, "but otherwise I'm fine."
"You don't have any strange pains?"
"Only once in a while, and then not very bad."
Rose didn't look relieved.
"Hello, George," Fern said, welcoming the tall handsome man who stood quietly behind his wife. Seeing George always gave her a start. He looked so much like Madison.
"Madison says he's taking you to Boston to see a specialist," George said.
Rose whirled to face her husband and Madison. "She's not stirring one foot out of this house," she declared. "You telegraph that doctor back and tell him to get on the first train to Denver. Where is he?"
"Boston."
"How soon can he be here if he leaves today?"
"He's not leaving, Rose. He expects us to meet him in Boston."
Rose turned back to Fern. The understanding between the two women was instantaneous and absolutely clear.
"She's too weak to travel to Boston, even in one of your special cars. What do the local doctors say?"
"That she's weak."
"Any fool can see that. Who told you about this Boston doctor?"
"Miss Goodwin. She's the housemother at Wolfe school."
Rose's brow puckered. "I'll see her tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think. Now I need to see the twins before we return to the hotel."
She turned back to Fern, her brow puckered again. "I don't think I want to stay in a hotel. I'm too old for that kind of thing. Besides, Monty's there. I'll fall out with him before the day's over. Do you mind if George and I stay here? You've got so much room, you'll hardly know we're here. I can look after the boys so Madison can devote all his time to you. I promise not to meddle."
Fern smiled, relieved. She knew Rose was asking for permission to take over running the household for her. She was grateful Rose could see and understand so much so quickly.
"It's probably best. The twins are here."
"That's something else," Rose said, looking less worried. "George, see about our luggage. I think it's time I talked to our daughters."
Chapter Eighteen
The twins hesitated for a moment when their mother entered their room. But seeing her welcoming smil
e, they threw themselves into her arms. Rose held them both close, covering the tops of their heads with kisses. They didn't see the tears that sprang into her eyes. If they had, they wouldn't have understood.
She was glad to see them. She had missed them terribly. She had had misgivings about sending them to Denver. They were so young. She had only done it because they were twins. Together than could face the world.
And they had proved her right.
But it was the second reason for her tears they wouldn't understand. They were the children of her body, dear to her heart, and she knew they were unhappy. They wouldn't have behaved so badly otherwise. But they had to learn to live in this world. They couldn't remake it to suit themselves. She cried for the heartache they would encounter in the future. She cried now because she could. Later she would have to be strong.
"Let me look at you," she said, stepping back from them.
"Why are you crying?" Juliette asked.
"Because I haven't seen you in a long time and I missed you."
Juliette gave her mother another big hug. Rose hugged her back, then set her at a distance from her. "You're just as much alike as always. Do you still pass yourselves off as each other?"
"Nobody can tell us apart except Miss Goodwin," Juliette said.
"You're prettier than ever. Your father's going to be so proud of you he'll probably forget you're in disgrace." Rose dried her eyes with a lace handkerchief she had tucked in her sleeve. She picked up the chair by the door, placed it between the beds, and sat down. "Now we're going to have to talk about your behavior."
The twins subsided, each on her bed, their smiles gone.
"You realize you've made your father very unhappy."
The twins hung their heads.
"He's got such a strong sense of responsibility, he simply doesn't understand how you can behave as you have."
That wasn't quite true. They're exactly like my father George had told her, a deep sadness in his voice. Even if they wanted to behave, they couldn't. There's something inside that drives them toward their own destruction. Rose wasn't about to argue with George about his father, but she had made up her mind her daughters weren't going to destroy themselves, not as long as she was around to do something about it.
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