by Joanna Shupe
She bit her lip and looked at her feet. He could not see her lips. “Deaf, remember? Who performed the demonstration?”
She lifted her head and her expression turned sheepish. “I did.”
“Good.” He leaned in to kiss her, but her hand braced his shoulder, stopping him.
“Wait,” she said. “Are you not even a bit surprised that I was able to do it?”
“Am I surprised you secured my freedom with an undoubtedly brilliant application of my invention?” When she nodded, he dragged the back of his knuckles along her cheek. “Absolutely not. I am quite certain you impressed the hell out of every single man in the room.”
“How could you possibly be so certain?”
“Because I know you are stronger than you believe. You merely need the opportunities to prove it to yourself. Now, kiss me. I have eight days to catch up on.”
She angled away and placed a finger to his lips. “Wait a moment. Are you certain you feel better? I do not wish to hurt you.”
He leaned in to rub his nose alongside hers, nuzzling her. “Not kissing you is killing me at the moment. Please, rescue me, dear wife.”
And so they rescued each other all the way home.
Epilogue
One year later . . .
Christina accepted a glass of champagne from her husband, admiring the way his green eyes sparkled in the gaslight. Intermission had started at the Metropolitan Opera House’s Friday evening performance of Faust. Oliver had taken a box this season in the fancy “Diamond Horseshoe” row, right between J.P. Morgan and one of the Vanderbilts. Christina had come to love the opera and the two of them used the box often, more so when Sarah visited from school. The box allowed her to feel part of the audience while providing a private space in the back to escape for a moment or two.
However, she was growing more comfortable with crowds, especially with Oliver by her side. True to his promise when released from the asylum, he had escorted her on adventures around the city. Now that her parents had returned to London, she was enjoying the discovery of who she was as Christina Hawkes.
At least Milton no longer plagued them. Oliver’s cousin had left New York right after Oliver’s release, choosing to disappear instead of face bribery charges. Oliver had hired a Pinkerton to find his cousin with no success thus far. At least wherever Milton had gone, he no longer had access to any of the Hawkes fortune.
She settled on the sofa in the small salon at the back of the box. She placed her glass on the table and signed, “You appear happy tonight.”
Oliver, along with Dr. Jacobs, had been teaching Christina sign language. She now tried to communicate exclusively with him by signing but there were times when she needed to ask for help.
The side of his mouth hitched as he lowered himself in the chair across from her. “I just had a very interesting conversation,” he signed. “An associate of Mr. Bell approached me in the smoking room. He would like me to come work in Washington D.C. at Bell’s new Volta Bureau.”
She blinked. Oliver spoke when he signed to her so she was able to understand all these words easily. Still, she was confused. “Who is Mr. Bell? And what is a Volta Bureau?”
He patiently waited for her to finger spell the names. “Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor. He did some work at a Boston school for deaf children. His bureau researches ways to improve the life of the deaf.”
“You mentioned wanting to help deaf children, now that the hearing aid project has been sold.”
He took a sip from his glass and then placed it on the table. “Bell believes the deaf should speak, not sign. We had quite a lively debate over it a few years back at a lecture.”
“I thought some deaf people find speaking difficult.”
“They do, which I explained to Bell. He still maintains the deaf must assimilate by speaking.”
“Oh, dear.”
His brow furrowed. “I hate the idea of deaf children growing up and being told there is only one right way to communicate. More teaching of sign language is not a bad thing. It should be encouraged.”
“So what will you do?”
He stroked his jaw. She sipped her champagne and waited for him to sort his thoughts. Oliver was much more willing to hear outside opinions since his release, no longer always convinced he was right. They had grown closer, with him listening and taking her desires into consideration. She was happier than she had ever dreamed.
Society had been surprisingly welcoming to them. Everyone treated Oliver with respect, perhaps because his invention had made quite the stir—not to mention his trip to the asylum. He had written up the entire ordeal for a newspaper, which had been the talk of New York for several months as reforms were pushed through the state legislature. Christina liked to tease him that he was now a bona fide celebrity.
Moreover, the society women who had been mean to her before were cordial, if not downright friendly, now that she had married a famous millionaire. Though she tried to remain polite to everyone, her true friends were Patricia, Anne, and Kathleen. The four of them had grown quite close.
“I have an idea,” Oliver signed, “but I want to know what you think.” She nodded, and he continued. “What would you say to moving out and using the house as a school for deaf children?”
Her mouth fell open. She had not expected him to suggest moving. “That was your childhood home. What about your parents, your memories? Sarah?”
He lifted a shoulder. “My parents would have loved the idea of turning the house into a school. And I shall always have my memories. Moving will not take them away.”
“Where would we live?”
“Wherever you want. We may move to London, if you wish to be closer to your—”
“Be serious, Oliver,” she signed, fighting a smile at his teasing. “Would we stay in New York?”
“If you like. Are there any other cities where you wish to live instead?”
They had not spent much time outside New York, except for Newport. The seaside town in Rhode Island was the stuff of fantasy, with big houses right on the water. Sunshine and fresh air. She loved walking by the surf whenever they visited. “What about Newport?”
“I had a feeling that would be your answer. Shall I build you a big gorgeous cottage right on the water?”
“Are you able to do that?” The Cliff Walk was already crowded with existing properties. Where could they build?
“Not me personally,” he signed. “Though I am quite handy with a hammer, I would prefer to hire a team to oversee it.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know that is not what I meant,” she signed. “Newport is crowded. Could we find property near the water?”
“My dear, anything is possible if one has enough money.”
“What about Sarah?” Christina had come to adore Oliver’s sister. She did not wish to make a decision like this without considering the young girl.
“Newport is closer to her school. We would probably see more of her there than here in the city. I am happy to discuss it with her if it makes you feel better.”
“Yes, it would. But moving there sounds lovely.”
“Then I will do so tomorrow.” His gaze turned speculative. “How invested are you in staying for tonight’s performance?”
“Why? Are you not enjoying it?”
“I am. However, I am able to think of several things I might enjoy far more than the opera.”
His gaze turned heated and a tingle spread throughout her limbs. Still, she could not resist teasing him. She bit her lip and signed, “Such as?”
“Come home with me and I will happily demonstrate them.”
“All of them?”
He gave her a brisk nod. “Every last one.”
Excitement fluttered in her chest. “And what if I wish to demonstrate as well?”
“Then I shall fall at your feet in gratitude. What do you say? Shall we leave early?”
She rose and started for the door, pausing to sign, “I thought you would never ask.”
Author’s Note
The Gilded Age was a fascinating period in the Deaf community. Whether to teach manual (sign) language or oral language was debated at the time, with most experts and deaf educators (including Alexander Graham Bell) insisting only oralism be taught in schools. American Sign Language did not gain a strong foothold until the late 1950s.
Also, technological advances of the day allowed inventors to begin working on electronic devices to assist those with hearing loss. It should be noted that Miller Reese Hutchinson (not Oliver) is credited with inventing the first working electronic hearing aid in 1898.
For Oliver’s dry-cell battery, I used details from the work of German scientist Dr. Carl Gassner, who is credited with the invention in 1888.
For the asylum, Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House was an invaluable resource. This was an account of the reporter’s time spent as a patient in the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island in 1887.
All errors are my own.
Acknowledgments
This book was made better through the work of so many. First, I must thank my mother-in-law, Cindy, for her invaluable input on Oliver’s character. An ASL interpreter and the child of two Deaf parents, she was instrumental in teaching me about Deaf culture. Also thanks to my husband who patiently answered many questions about his grandparents.
Thank you to Elliott Dunstan and Jen Welsh for their tremendous input and guidance on both Oliver and the story. You have both taught me so much.
My gratitude to Ainsley Wynter, Eliza Knight, Sarah Webber, Anne Kenny, Sonali Dev, Lin Gavin, and Jenni Villegas Wilson for helping with plot points and character development. Ladies, you rock. Also thanks to my critique peeps, Michele Mannon, Diana Quincy, and JB Schroeder. Your input was spot-on, as usual.
Many thanks to editor extraordinaire Tessa Woodward for helping me streamline this baby. Maybe I’ll use some of those other forty plot points in future novels. ☺ Thanks to everyone at Avon Books—most especially Elle Keck, Pamela Jaffe, Caroline Perny, Angela Craft, Kayleigh Webb, and Guido Caroti—for all their work on my books and being lovers of all things romance.
A huge shout out to the Gilded Lilies on Facebook. You are all amazing! Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm for this time period.
As always, thank you to my family for all their love and support. It means the world.
The Four Hundred Series
Be sure to check out the rest of Joanna Shupe’s thrilling Four Hundred series and explore Gilded Age New York!
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.
A SCANDALOUS DEAL
They call her Lady Unlucky . . .
With three dead fiancés, Lady Eva Hyde has positively no luck when it comes to love. She sets sail for New York City, determined that nothing will deter her dream of becoming an architect, certainly not an unexpected passionate shipboard encounter with a mysterious stranger. But Eva’s misfortune strikes once more when she discovers the stranger who swept her off her feet is none other than her new employer.
Or is it Lady Irresistible?
Phillip Mansfield reluctantly agrees to let the fiery Lady Eva oversee his luxury hotel project while vowing to keep their relationship strictly professional. Yet Eva is more capable—and more alluring—than Phillip first thought, and he cannot keep from drawing up a plan of his own to seduce her.
When a series of onsite “accidents” make it clear someone wants Lady Unlucky to earn her nickname, Phillip discovers he’s willing to do anything to protect her—even if it requires a scandalous deal . . .
Available Now from Avon Books!
About the Author
JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical novels. In 2013, she won Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart® Award for Best Historical. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband. To connect with Joanna, visit JoannaShupe.com.
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By Joanna Shupe
The Four Hundred series
A Notorious Vow
A Scandalous Deal
A Daring Arrangement
The Knickerbocker Club series
Magnate
Baron
Mogul
Tycoon
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
a notorious vow. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Shupe. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins Publishers. For information, address HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.
Digital Edition SEPTEMBER 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-267892-8
Print Edition ISBN: 978-0-06-267894-2
Cover illustration by Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design
Design and art direction by Guido Caroti
Avon, Avon & logo, and Avon Books & logo are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
HarperCollins is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
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