Rose shrugged her shoulders. “No idea.”
“I’m twenty-seven. When you were Iris’s age, I was sixteen. Do you know what I did when I was sixteen?” she asked carefully.
“No.”
“I got married when I was sixteen. The man I married wasn’t a good man. I’ll go so far as to say I picked a very bad man to marry the first time.” She paused, studying her niece. “I don’t want to see the same thing happen to you. In my extra eleven years of life, I’ve come to the conclusion that no one should ever marry at sixteen. I think a girl needs to be at least eighteen to marry, and then she should have help choosing the man she marries. She should have someone who will look at the man and tell her if he’s good or bad.”
Rose made a face. “You mean like let my mother and father pick out my husband for me?”
Harriett shook her head. “Oh, of course not! Here’s what I’m thinking. I have a lot of experience matching the right man with the right woman because of the mail order bride agency I used to run. When you are within two months of turning eighteen, and I don’t think you should have suitors before you’re eighteen, I think you should give your parents a list of the men you like the best. Up to ten names. I’ll take that list and go through the men, talking to them and investigating them. I’ll pick the best three of the men on your list. If there are only two good ones, I’ll add another man. You can then spend time with those three men and pick out the one who you like best. Whoever you pick, as long as he is one of the three, will be your husband.” She paused. “Provided the man feels the same way about you, of course.”
Rose seemed to think about it for a moment. “Do you really think all that’s necessary?”
Harriett nodded. “There are some very bad men out there. Let me find out whether or not they want to marry you just because you’re young, pretty and rich. I want to make sure they care about you and will take care of you the way they should.” She watched Rose’s face carefully, hoping she’d presented everything in a way that would make Rose listen to her.
Rose hesitated and then nodded. “I’ll start working on my list now.” She leaned over and hugged Harriett. “Thanks, Aunt Harriett. I know you just want what’s best for me.” She jumped up and ran from the room, looking like the excited girl she was.
Mary looked at Harriett. “That was wonderful.” She shook her head, shocked. “How did you do that?”
Harriett shrugged. “I think she knew I was sincere. That helps.”
“I was sincere too!” Mary sighed. “My girls respond to you better than they do to me. I’m glad you’re on my side.”
Harriett grinned over her teacup. “We’ll settle down and make a plan for them when they’re ready.” She set her cup down. “I have an idea for how to make them more aware if you’re willing. I think the girls should all do some volunteer work in the homeless shelter as they get older. Probably only Rose and Lily are old enough now, but the others are still much too young. As they sit and talk to the women, they’ll learn that some men aren’t afraid to hit the women they are supposed to love. It’ll be good for them.”
Mary seemed to think about it for a moment. “You don’t think it will shock them too much?”
Harriett sighed. “I wish someone had thought to shock me that way when I was that young. Girls need to understand what the world is like.”
“I’ll talk to their father about it.” Mary was hesitant, yet not totally against the idea.
Lily bounded into the room, wearing blue pants that day instead of her normal black ones. “Hi, Aunt Harriett.”
Harriett smiled. “Hi, Lily. Are those new pants?”
Lily looked down. “They are! Do you like them?”
Harriett nodded. “They look very comfortable. I wish I had the courage to wear pants. They’re so much more practical than skirts.” She didn’t think Max would like other men looking at her backside in pants, though. Lily’s figure was just starting to show, and within a few months, the girl would look positively indecent.
“Don’t encourage her!” Mary said with a frown.
Harriett laughed. “I have to encourage her. She’s Max’s favorite niece.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Along with Rose, Amaryllis, Daisy, Jasmine, Hyacinth, Violet, and Iris. The man can’t make up his mind about who he likes best. But I’ll be your favorite, Aunt Harriett.”
“You can be my favorite!” Along with the other seven of course.
“For as long as I’m the only one in the room with you?” Lily asked knowingly.
“I think I’ll plead the fifth amendment on that one.” Harriett grinned.
“What’s the fifth amendment?”
Harriett took another sip of her tea. “The fifth amendment says that you don’t have to say anything that could be incriminating against yourself.”
Lily sighed. “It’s just as I thought. Tomorrow Iris will be your favorite.” She rolled her eyes.
Harriett turned to Mary, struggling to find a topic she could switch to without hurting Lily’s feelings. “I heard that hoop skirts are becoming all the rage in the East again.”
Mary grinned, hiding her smile behind her teacup. “Oh, I certainly hope not. They’re so difficult to wear.”
As soon as the two women began talking about fashion, Lily jumped up and left the room as quickly as she could. She didn’t want them finding her ignorance of fashion lacking, and she knew they would.
Harriett stood up with a smile. “I need to get home. I want to be there when Max gets home tonight.” She struggled to her feet.
Mary stood hugging the taller woman. “Is your leg up to the walk today, or should I have someone drive you home?”
“The walk is good for me. I need to be as active as possible.” Harriett headed for the front door, opening it and started the walk to their home. It was on the other side of town from where Mary lived with her children, but Harriett didn’t mind. She enjoyed walking as long as it wasn’t raining.
She pulled her coat more tightly around her, the cold November breeze chilling her more than she would have liked. She realized about halfway home that she should have accepted the ride, but by then there was no point in going back, so she plodded on.
When she arrived home, one of the maids was waiting in the entryway and took her coat from her. “You look chilled to the bone, Mrs. Farmer. I’ll get you some hot tea. Why don’t you go wait in your parlor for it?”
Harriett nodded gratefully, going into the parlor and picking up a book she’d been reading. She couldn’t wait for Max to get home and hear the news she’d been all but bursting with all day. The maid brought the tea and she heard the front door open just after that. Harriett called out for Max to join her for some hot tea.
He walked into the parlor and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek like he always did. “Your cheeks are red. Were you out in the cold today?” He had been concerned that she was spending too much time at the battered women’s house.
“I spent the afternoon with your sister and nieces. Mary has asked me to help her find suitable husbands for the girls when the time comes.” Harriett rubbed her leg unconsciously.
“It’s not time yet? I thought Rose was ready to marry next week.” Max slipped his arm around her shoulders and leaned against the back of the couch.
“I convinced her that it’s better if she waits until she’s eighteen. She’s going to present me with a list of her ten favorite men. I’ll sort through them and give her three choices. She’ll choose from those three.”
Max smiled at the simple solution. “That sounds good to me. She’d make a terrible choice if left to her own devices.”
Harriett nodded, agreeing with him. She turned to face him on the couch, a secret smile playing at her lips. “I have news.” She knew she should prepare him better, but she was all but bursting with excitement.
Max looked at her with a smile. “What kind of news?” It was obvious that whatever it was, she was pleased with it.
“You’re going
to be a father,” she whispered.
Max’s smile slowly spread until it had overtaken his face. “You’re certain?” he asked.
“I saw a doctor this morning.” Harriet was thrilled to know she was pregnant. She had worried that the damage done to her body in her fall would keep her from being able to have a child. “And I haven’t told Higgins yet.”
He hugged her tightly. “I couldn’t be happier.”
She smiled up at him. “Neither could I. I want at least four children.”
Max smiled, stroking her cheek. “Four is fine, but I feel like I’m surrounded by girls. Would you try to have at least one boy in the mix?”
“I don’t know how much control I have over that, but I’d be thrilled to have a little boy.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder, feeling more secure and protected than she had since she was a child. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?” She knew she’d never said the words, but she finally felt like she’d burst if she didn’t.
Max went totally still for a moment, staring down at her. “I didn’t think you’d ever say that to me.”
“I just couldn’t before now. I’m not sure why, but every time I tried the words just stuck in my throat like a giant chunk of cookie.” She reached up to stroke a strand of hair out of his eyes. “I’ve felt it for a long time, though. Since before I ever left Massachusetts.”
“I could see it in your eyes, but it makes me feel so much better to hear you say it.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “I love you, too. More than I ever dreamed I could love anyone.” He studied her for a moment. “Are you going to keep working at the battered women’s house?”
She nodded. “I’ll cut back the hours I’m there, though. I talked to your sister about letting Rose and Lily volunteer some time there today. I think they would learn a lot, but also do a lot to help the residents there.”
“I think that’s a really good idea. I don’t want you doing too much.”
Harriett laughed. “You’re not going to be one of those husbands who thinks their wife needs to be wrapped in cotton while they’re pregnant, are you?” She hoped not, because she would go insane with boredom.
Max shrugged sheepishly. “I didn’t think I would, but now that the time has arrived, I might just have to be.”
Harriett shook her head with a laugh. “I’ll be fine.”
“What about your leg?”
Harriett frowned. “What about my leg? The baby isn’t growing in my leg, you know.” She shrugged, certain her leg would be fine.
“I’m worried it will make it harder for you to walk. Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be just fine. I promise.”
“Did you talk to the doctor about it?”
She couldn’t keep the smile from crossing her lips. “Yes, I talked to the doctor about it. He said there was nothing to worry about unless I gain a great deal of weight.”
“Good. I don’t want to have to carry you everywhere for the next nine months, but I’ll do it if I have to.” He winked at her, letting her know he’d really do it happily.
She laughed out loud. “I think you would.” She stroked his face, staring into his eyes. “I really do love you, Max.”
He hugged her close. “I love you, too. I’m so happy we’re having a baby.”
She grinned. “Me too!” Secretly she hoped this baby would be a little boy who looked just like Max. She could think of nothing she wanted more in life than a child with the man she loved more than life itself.
Epilogue
Harriett leaned back on the couch and went through the pile of papers Higgins had brought her. It was just one month before Rose’s birthday, and she was getting more than a little impatient as she waited for Harriett to give her the three men she had to choose from.
She sorted the papers in the order she thought they should go in. Five of the boys had been thrown out immediately, because Higgins had found problems. One had a drinking problem, another had killed a man in a fist fight, yet another had a gambling problem. The other two were obviously after the money Rose’s parents had offered as a dowry.
Harriett looked through the remaining five. She’d have to sit down with each of them and discuss their interest in Rose and see if it seemed genuine. Her niece wasn’t going to marry any man who only wanted her for her money.
Anna, her son’s nurse, walked into the room carrying little Simon. She took him from his nurse’s arms and held him close, absently unbuttoning the front of her dress so she could nurse him. The doctor had told her that morning to stop nursing soon, because she was already carrying again. She didn’t want to give up her closeness with Simon, but she’d do just about anything for his younger brother or sister. She smiled at the thought of how Max’s face would look when she told him.
She heard the door slam open and looked up to see Rose rush into her parlor. “Aunt Harriett. I found another man. He’s perfect for me. We have to add him to the list!” She held up a sheet of paper with a single name on it.
Harriett sighed. “This is the last addition. I’ve already gotten back all the information on the others, and was about to narrow it down to the best three.”
Rose looked sheepish. “I’m sorry, but I was walking in the park today, and I saw him. He’s beautiful and has the nicest teeth.” Rose had a dreamy look on her face that reminded Harriett of how Hyacinth often looked.
Harriett blinked. “Teeth?”
“They’re the most beautiful shade of white. He’s a dentist. Not a barber, but a dentist! Do you believe?” She sank down onto the sofa beside Harriett. “He can fix my teeth anytime.”
Harriett laughed softly. “I’ll have Higgins check him out, Rose. I’m not making any promises, though. And are you sure he’s interested in you?” Rose was so used to every man she met falling at her feet, that she would be surprised if a man wasn’t interested in her.
“All the boys are interested in me.” Rose sat up straight and gave her aunt a scathing look. “You know they’re all interested. Even this one!”
Harriett just shrugged. “I’ll do what I can, Rose.” And she would. She’d do her best to find the best man for Rose no matter what it took.
Rose stood and walked toward the front door. “You’re on Mama’s side. You don’t ever want me to marry.” She slammed the door behind her.
Harriett sighed, looking down at the name on the paper that Rose had given her. Higgins would be happy to check out one more man for Rose, but he was busy these days. The house was full to capacity, and Alex was about to graduate and was trying to find just the right university. Everyone was busy. Didn’t Rose see that?
Max came in a few minutes later. “What’s with Rose? She just rushed past me and told me that all adults in her life are out to get her and never want her to be happy.”
Harriett laughed. “She added a new man to her list. He’s a dentist. He can work on her teeth anytime.”
Max sat beside her on the sofa, chuckling. “That certainly sounds like Rose.” His finger went out to stroke Simon’s cheek before kissing hers. “How are my favorite people doing today?”
“We’re good.” She played with a curl of Simon’s hair as she nursed him. “Higgins finished his investigations of the possible suitors for Rose. I had to discard five of them, and then as soon as I’d done that she came in with another. I’ll have to have Higgins check him out tomorrow.”
“Anything else exciting happen around here?”
“Simon got his first tooth, and the doctor told me we’re having another baby.” She said the words as calmly as she could, hoping he would be shocked to the core.
Max smiled at Simon for a moment, “A tooth! That’s great, Simon.” He turned to look at her stunned. “Wait. You’re pregnant again already?”
She nodded, her eyes lit up with excitement. “I want a girl this time, who I can raise to be independent and not have to marry the first man who makes eyes at her.”
Max shook his head. “No girls yet. I want to have three boys bef
ore we have a girl. I need someone to help me fight off the boys. We need big sticks!”
Harriett just laughed. “I don’t think you have a lot of say in the matter, Max. It’s up to God.” She looked down at Simon as she wondered if he would be a man to fight for his sisters alongside his father. It seemed so far away.
She finished nursing Simon and put him to her shoulder, patting his back gently to try to get a burp from him. Max held out his hands and expertly took the little boy and put him to his own shoulder. Harriett loved to watch Max with Simon because he was such a good father. He was as gentle as he needed to be.
Max looked down at his son. “If you get a sister this time, you’re going to have to be ready to help me. Do you think you can do that?” he asked.
Simon turned his head to look at Max, seeming to understand every word, and then he let out a loud burp. Max met Harriett’s eyes. “Do you think that was a yes or a no?”
Harriett shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve long since given up trying to understand baby belches.”
Max sighed. “I wish I could give up on it. It plagues my every thought.”
Harriett giggled softly. “You’re crazy, you know.”
He nodded. “I do know. And I’m going to be a father again. Have I told you yet how much I love you?”
“Not in the last few hours.”
“Maybe I should remedy that.” His lips settled against hers, content with the woman he’d waited so long to marry.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from the first book in the Suitors of Seattle series, featuring Rose now available.
Chapter One
Walking sedately through the park, almost eighteen year old Rose Sullivan stopped for a moment to help a small child to his feet. The little boy, the son of a friend of hers, toddled off happily toward his mother. When she stood back up, her gray eyes met the eyes of a tall handsome man. He was just like the princes in the fairy tales she’d read as a child. Immediately, her heart starting pounding in her chest as she stared at him.
Mail Order Match Maker Page 13
