Nessa (Derelicts and Debutantes Book 1)

by Sara Jolene

  “You’re a very strong woman, Nessa Dobbs.” Henry looked down at her and smiled. He leaned forward to kiss her softly. The moment their lips touched, it was clear that Nessa wasn’t interested in soft. She took charge, her soft lips demanding and firm in that moment.

  Gasping while his heart hammered against his chest, he pulled back and away. Nessa smiled up at him, her cheeks pink and her lips swollen from their kiss. He knew then that no matter the hardships along the way, and he knew there would be many of them, that he had to be with her. So with all rational thought gone from his mind, he just stared at her, enjoying the moment because he knew it had to end.

  “Nessa, will you marry me?” he whispered before leaning down and kissing her softly on her still plump lips.

  Nessa laughed and nodded. “I asked you first.”

  Nessa snuck back into the house quietly, dressed in her night shift and lay in bed staring at the ceiling, thinking of the life that she and Henry would have together. She wanted to stay in the house she’d grown up in and hoped he’d be agreeable. She thought about all the work she had to do with Mr. Straus, but all of that kept getting swept back by thoughts of what her dress should look like and what flowers she should carry. She wondered how many people they should invite to the wedding and if Kara would come or not. Her thoughts soon turned sullen when she thought of her sister. She really wanted her to be there but knew the journey was long. Thinking of Kara led her to thinking of her father.

  His death was fresh in her mind. More raw even since she’d returned to New York. He’d had so many secrets, and it hurt knowing that she didn’t know him as well as she’d thought. It also hurt knowing he wasn’t there to walk her down the aisle. That was a father’s job, and he wouldn’t be there to perform it. The more she thought about it, the more unlikely it would have been anyway. Her father never would have approved of Henry. It was one of the reasons she’d agreed to leave New York with Kara.

  Her father had arranged for her to marry Dutch, one of his business associates. She couldn’t tell him she was in love with another. That she didn’t want to marry the man her father had carefully chosen for her because she wanted to be with the man that groomed their horses and drove their carriage. He would have never allowed it. Running from the City had given her an easy out. She hadn’t realized at the time the true dangers they were escaping; all she could think about was putting distance between not only her and her betrothed but between her and Henry. Maybe if she was on the other side of the country, she wouldn’t think of him as much.

  Then when Dutch had shown up in Creede, she’d first thought it was fate. That he was the man she was meant to be with because he’d found her. It didn’t take long to figure out that he wasn’t there for her the way she’d thought. That he’d been ordered to come. He’d always been kind to her, and she’d tolerated him, but when he’d gotten hurt and she’d thought about having to care for him forever, it made her stomach hurt. Then he’d met Rachel. She was sweet and pretty. She’d seen it from the moment Rachel had come into the room. He’d fallen in love with her instantly, and she with him. It was beautiful to watch, and though Nessa thought the pains in her belly would subside, they didn’t. Not until she’d made the decision to return to New York.

  Nessa had learned a lot about life and about herself from her time away from her home, and watching the relationship between Rachel and Dutch develop and blossom had taught her that love wasn’t to be taken for granted. She knew then that she had to return, that she had to try. There was nothing left standing in their way. Kara had given her blessing before she boarded the train in Creede, and their parents…she knew they’d be happy for her, even though they couldn’t be there, because she knew they valued love.

  Thinking of her wedding and playing out different scenarios in her mind, Nessa finally drifted off to sleep, only to be startled awake by a frantic Lillian. “Girl, you must get up! Mr. Straus is here. Up. Get up.”

  Nessa rubbed her eyes and sat up, well, moreso was pulled up. “Did he say what he wants?”

  Lillian shook her head frantically. “I didn’t ask! He requested to speak with you. I’m not one to ask such a man questions.”

  Lillian helped Nessa out of her shift and into a day dress. It was pretty, soft pinks and purples on white linen. Lillian started to let her hair down while she splashed water on her face. Once presentable, Lillian grabbed her by the hand and ran toward the stairs. Nessa took a deep breath and exhaled in relief when the older woman slowed down at the top of the stairs. There they took calming breaths together so they could descend the stairs poised and ready for whatever it was Mr. Straus had to throw at her.

  He was waiting at the bottom of the long staircase. “Good morning, Miss Dobbs. You look absolutely lovely.” He took her hand as she released the railing, bringing it to his lips and brushing the back of it with a kiss.

  Nessa looked back. “Lillian, could you bring tea to Father’s, ummmm…to the study, please.”

  With her hand in his and his eyes staring at her, Nessa suddenly had an urge to claim her space. She needed to show Mr. Straus she could be the businesswoman she needed to be. She pulled her hand lightly, enough to remove it but not hard enough to be rude. “This way, Mr. Straus. We’ll be more comfortable in here.”

  Nessa shut the big double doors behind him and circled around to sit behind the big oak desk her father used to sit at, the room itself flooding her with memories. She remembered when she was little, she’d come running into the room with Lillian chasing her, talking about not disturbing him at his work. But what Lillian didn’t know was that she never disturbed him. He would scoop her up and set her on his lap and work with her there until she’d start to fidget. She loved being with him. She’d felt safe and looked after.

  Sitting behind his desk as an adult gave her a much different perspective. The room was stately, and the windows that were at her back provided enough light that none of the lamps were necessary during the day. There were shelves and shelves of books and a few trinkets. She wished she knew the stories behind them all.

  “I have a proposition for you, Miss Dobbs.”

  Nessa pulled herself from the walk down memory lane her mind had taken her on.

  “What’s that, Mr. Straus?”

  “Please, dear. We’re partners now; call me Nathan.”

  Nessa was a little uneasy about it and it felt odd, but she nodded. “All right then, Nathan.” She smiled. “What’s your proposition?”

  Nathan set a stack of papers on the desk and slid them toward her. “These you’ll have to sign. It’ll transfer all of your fathers holdings,” he looked up and around, “including this house over to you.”

  Nessa nodded and took the papers. She began to flip through them, finding that everything looked as if it was in order. “I’ll handle this this afternoon. But none of this is related to what you wanted to talk about.” She narrowed her eyes and shifted her smile. “Is it?”

  Nathan smiled back. “You’re very good at this, dear. I’m looking forward to watching you work.”

  Nessa tried not to allow the rush of happiness his words caused to flood through her, not wanting it to stain her cheeks with red. She bit the inside of her cheek and watched him watch her. “I’m eager to learn, sir.”

  His smiled broadened. “That is what I’m here to discuss. I would like to propose another arrangement that I think would allow you to learn a great deal. It certainly would allow the company to prosper and even grow.”

  Nessa didn’t know a lot about practical application of business, but she knew a little and had honed her instincts enough to know she wasn’t going to like what he was trying to spin. “And what might that be, Nathan?” This time she said his name with a bit of force, after all, they were partners. She wasn’t his underling.

  He stood. Towering over her, making her look up at him as he said, “I’d like for you to marry my son.”

  Chapter Eight

  The words rolled off his tongue and hung in
the air between them before rattling around inside Nessa’s head. She wasn’t sure what to say. She and Oscar had already discussed the possibility, and because of Henry, she not only couldn’t but wouldn’t. Her mind started to wander as her thoughts turned to him. Their reunion yesterday evening had been the highlight in many long months of uncertainty and turmoil. She thought again about what their wedding would look like, which brought her back to the present, her mind shifting from Henry to Oscar. “Sir. Your son is a wonderful man, and I’m sure that he’s going to make a very lucky girl a wonderful husband.” She stood so that she didn’t have to continue to look up at him. “But I’m not that girl.”

  Nessa watched Mr. Straus, his expression never changing, his mouth remaining soft and straight. His eyes were clear and bright. “Well, that is too bad. We’ll have to figure out another plan, then, won’t we?” He returned to his seat. Nessa followed his lead and retook hers as well.

  “Plan? Why do we need a plan, sir?”

  This time his face did change. There was something in his eyes she couldn’t name. It almost looked like sympathy. “Because.” He shook his head. “Even though I realize you’re very intelligent and capable, not every businessman will think so.” He leaned forward. “I think it best that we find you a husband so that when those things happen, when you have to meet with those men, your husband can be the face of your half of our companies.”

  Nessa had never been more insulted. She knew it wasn’t his fault though. Growing up having Genevieve around, she knew how some men thought of women. Genevieve’s father treated her like she was up for bid. The stories she had heard about the way he’d treated her, the things he’d asked of her. The way his eyes had lit up when it looked as if Genevieve and Oscar were getting along the night before… Nessa understood where Nathan’s concern was stemming from.

  “As unfortunate as that is, I already have a solution. Just last night I got engaged, so I will have a husband very soon. I’ll discuss with him your proposition.”

  A true smile, one that Nessa had never seen before, appeared on the man’s face. “This is fabulous news. Very good. Very good. When will we get to meet the young man?”

  Nessa was taken back for a second. She hadn’t thought about how their worlds would connect. Henry had always been part of her life. He was almost her whole life at one point, but there was always a division because of how different their stations were. Could she take him to meet Nathan Straus? Should she? Would Henry even want to? Would he agree to this business deal? Worry overcame her, and she slumped a little in her chair. “I hadn’t thought much about it.”

  Nathan stood. “How about dinner tomorrow night, then? You can bring him to the house. We’ll make it a quiet thing. Just the five of us.”

  Nessa thought about it. She had an idea. “Could we make it six? I have someone else I’d like you to meet as well.”

  Nathan looked at her inquisitively. “Of course, my dear. Six it is. Come around at seven. I’m greatly looking forward to this.”

  Nessa nodded. “So am I,” she told him, even though every nerve in her body was screaming at her. This would be the true test. She loved Henry more than anything, and she knew she had no problem with where he came from. She wanted to be with him no matter where either of them came from or ended up, but Oscar’s experience with women had taught her that couples aren’t always in agreement on such things. All she could do was hope that Henry loved her enough to transcend all that was coming at them.

  Nessa wasted no time after Nathan left. She hollered to Lillian about where she was headed. Stuffing the papers that he’d brought into a bag, she covered herself in a shawl and headed out the door. She rode to Genevieve’s, weaving through the people and carriages on the street. The air was crisp, and she was thankful for the time to think. She worried about Henry’s response. She knew from the many long talks they’d had in the past that he loved his job. He loved being outdoors and working with the horses. She wasn’t sure it was fair for her to ask him to give that up.

  The house stretched high into the sky, as big as the city that surrounded it. The McCarthys spared no expense to showcase their wealth. But as stately and beautiful as it was on the outside, it didn’t compare to the inside. Nessa smiled to herself as she dismounted and thought about how closely that described Genevieve. She was beautiful on the outside but even more so on the inside. She’d been her closest friend and confidant most of her life. She handed the reigns to the stable boy and stalked up the steps, carrying her bag. Surprisingly, Genevieve pulled the door open before she was able to ring.

  “Father’s out, and I heard you ride up.” She moved to sweep Nessa into the grand foyer. “Why aren’t you riding in the carriage?”

  Nessa shook her head. “No stable boy. The only help that has stayed through our absence was Lillian.”

  Genevieve smiled and nodded. “I should have known. There was no way Henry would have left you if he’d had a choice.”

  “We just didn’t know. Everything happened so fast.”

  Nessa followed Genevieve to the sitting room. They passed the dark corner where she’d reunited with Henry the day before. A warm tingle ran up her spine and settled at the nape of her neck. “I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye and even more sorry that I haven’t written.”

  Genevieve turned to her. Her eyes were watery. She nodded with pursed lips. “I know. I was really angry at first, but the more details came out, the more I realized you didn’t have a choice. Then the investigators called on me, and I’d never been more grateful that you hadn’t written.” Genevieve sat on the sofa, inviting Nessa to share the space with her. “I’m not sure I could have kept anything from them. They were very forceful. Tricky.”

  Nessa’s thoughts were in a snarl. Even Lillian hadn’t mentioned investigators. “Wait…who did these men say they were?”

  “There were three of them. They weren’t in uniforms or anything. They asked if they could ask a few questions about your family. That they were trying to find your father’s killer.” She looked thoughtful for a moment while Nessa’s stomach tied itself into knots.

  “I’m not sure they ever actually said.”

  Nessa reached over and brought her friend in for a hug. “I’m so sorry we put you in harm’s way. That never should have happened.”

  “What do you mean in harm’s way? They just asked questions. I mean they weren’t very polite, but they weren’t violent.”

  Nessa loved that her friend retained some naivety. “Those weren’t investigators. It’s more likely they were part of the gang that murdered my father. They came here looking for information in order to find Kara and me.”

  Genevieve looked horrified. “But I don’t understand. What would they want with you? You didn’t know about his business?”

  The fact that she’d asked the last question instead of stating it made Nessa’s heart hurt. She shook her head. “I didn’t. I had no clue. Kara was a little more informed than I was. She had guessed some things. But no, I didn’t know until we were already halfway across the country. Even now, I’m just starting to put the pieces together.”

  “Are those pieces why you came today? Or did you just come to see me?”

  Nessa smiled and laughed softly. “I hope it’s all right that it’s a little of both.”

  Genevieve laughed with her. “I’m assuming Henry should be a part of this conversation as well.”

  Nessa smiled again and felt herself blush. “Yes. If it wouldn’t remove him from an important task.”

  Genevieve got up and pulled the chain by the fireplace. “Task! Pft…seeing you is much more important.”

  The door to the sitting room creaked open. “Yes, miss?”

  “Edwin, could you please find Henry and send him here. We’d like to speak with him.”

  Nessa watched as Edwin stared at her, deciding if he should answer her command. He was obviously weighing the idea of letting back of the house help into the front of the house as well as allowing them to
be alone in the sitting room. She could see the moment he decided he’d fetch him. She wondered what reasoning he’d landed on.

  “Very well, miss.” And Edwin disappeared, shutting the door behind him.

  Nessa sat fidgeting. She was about to see her Henry. Genevieve took the seat next to her. “Oscar was lovely. Do you think he fell for my act?”

  “I don’t know him very well yet, but from the little I do, I doubt it.” She went on as her friend’s face fell. “However, I do think the attempt intrigued him.” She winked. “He’s used to beautiful debutantes fawning over him, so having someone that wouldn’t do that to spend the evening with was probably very refreshing for him.”

  Genevieve nodded. “I hope so.”

  Nessa had planned to wait until Henry agreed but thought this might be the perfect solution. “How would you like to see him again?”

  Genevieve practically jumped out of her seat.

  “I gather that’s a yes?”

  Genevieve didn’t have time to answer before the door opened and Henry walked in shyly, with his head down. Nessa immediately went to him, her presence causing him to lift his head and take note of who was in the room. Once he realized they were alone, he reached for her. Nessa went willingly into his arms.

  “You two.” Genevieve mocked them as they held each other close.

  Nessa looked back at her friend. “We have news, but first…” She focused her attention on Henry, his pale blue eyes boring into hers. Her heart was beating too fast, thumping against her chest. “We need to discuss something before we finalize what we talked about last night.”

  The shadows were back behind his eyes. They cut through Nessa like a rusty blade. “I’m sorry, my love.” Her whole body screamed for her to say it. For her to tell him that she didn’t want this. That she wanted him to have whatever life he wanted as long as she got to share it with him. She tried to come up with some sort of compromise, a way that they’d both be able to have the lives they wanted and live them together. She’d fretted about it on the ride over and while sitting waiting for him, but nothing had come to her.