by Sara Jolene
“Nathan Straus came to visit me this morning.” She looked back and forth between Henry and Genevieve. This plan affected all of them. They each remained standing, their eyes flitting back and forth between them. “I don’t have specific details yet.” She pulled the papers from the bag she’d brought. “But Nathan and I have come to an understanding. I’m going to be leaving my work at the bank and running my father’s portion of the businesses that he shared with Straus.”
Nessa watched each of her friends carefully. Neither of them seemed bothered by this news. They did however seem confused. “My father was trying to get out from under the Whyos’ thumbs. He and Nathan had been life-long friends. Kara and I never knew. When I returned home, I found some documents that lead me to their family. Nathan was named guardian over Kara and me, and our father had never told us.”
Some of the lines on their faces had cleared, but she could see that the information she was giving them was upsetting Henry more than Genevieve. She made sure to focus on Henry for this part. He was what mattered most. “Nathan was my father’s business partner. My father was always a silent partner; he was preparing to leave the Whyos and go public with Straus, as the new pasteurization methods have been increasing. I now have no doubt they killed him because of it. The reason I tell you all of this because Nathan came to me with a plan this morning. He says he’s confident in my abilities, but he’s worried some of the other investors and other businessmen I’ll have to deal with won’t be.” Nessa paused to breathe. She needed to steady herself for what was about to happen. She knew her friend had fallen for Oscar at dinner. He was the prince of New York City, and she’d only ever been treated as a princess. They truly were a perfect match. Genevieve would be upset thinking that she might lose him to Nessa. And Henry. Henry had agreed to marry her. He’d even turned around and asked her again just to be sure. She wanted to marry him more than anything.
“What does he want?” It was almost as if Genevieve already knew. Maybe she did. Maybe she’d guessed. It wasn’t like she wasn’t around men like that all the time. She was very smart. Smart enough to take over her father’s companies, but because she was female he wouldn’t allow it and treated her like cattle.
“He wants me to marry Oscar.” Nessa said it softly thinking that it would soften the blow. But when the tension in the room expanded and no one spoke, she knew she needed to do more. She took Henry by the hand and turned to face her friend. “But that isn’t going to happen. Henry and I agreed to marry each other last night. I love him, and I want to be with him and no one else.”
Henry’s hand was sweaty in hers, but his grip was tight so she focused on Genevieve. “In fact, he wants us all to come to dinner tonight.”
Genevieve smiled, her perfectly straight, shiny white teeth gleaming, making the rest of her face seem to sparkle. Henry pulled on her hand and spun her around to face him. “But how?” he asked her quietly.
Nessa took a breath and relaxed all of her features. “That’s why I’m here. We have some things to do and some more to talk about before we go.”
Henry nodded in response. Nessa wasn’t sure if she’d told him enough yet for him to make a decision, but she hoped that Gen would give them a moment alone. Almost as if her friend was reading her mind, she perked up and headed for the door. “I’ll have a carriage readied. Henry, you can drive us so that we don’t draw too much suspicion.”
Both Henry and Nessa nodded and melted into each other’s arms as Genevieve left them in the sitting room alone.
“What else?” he asked as soon as her footsteps had ceased.
Nessa buried her head in his chest, inhaling the smell of his soap. She exhaled slowly. “He thinks my husband will need to be the face of my half of the company.” She lifted her head and started to prattle on. Rambling. “You don’t have to decide now. Let’s just meet him tonight and see what he thinks. We’ll get you some clothes. You’ll like Oscar. He and Gen are perfect for each other. Nathan isn’t a bad man, he’s just old fashioned. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to…” She wasn’t able to finished. Henry, with a huge grin on his face, leaned in and slanted his mouth over hers, silencing her with a deep kiss.
Chapter Nine
The ride to the Strauses’ was tension filled. Henry drove slowly, listening to Nessa explain everything to Genevieve on the way. They’d spent the day shopping with both of the women treating him as if he was a doll. They’d picked him out a suit that wasn’t the type a driver would wear. Only someone inside a carriage would wear a suit as fine as the one he had on now. He’d been slightly embarrassed to have the females fussing over him but not nearly as much as he was when it came time to pay. He didn’t make much as a stable hand, but he’d never lacked for anything. But there was no way he could afford the suit. Nessa had bought it for him, telling him it was an engagement gift. That he’d need a smart suit for when they had to have dinners like the one they were headed to.
Thinking about engagement presents got him thinking about how he hadn’t gotten her a ring. They weren’t things that everyone had, but someone like Nessa, was she to marry someone like Oscar, would definitely have one. He’d have to find a way to get her one. She deserved it.
He was nervous to meet Nathan and Oscar. He’d spent the last few months trying to protect Genevieve from predatory men and those that wanted her simply for her wealth and status, but as they came upon the house, he knew that wouldn’t be of concern this evening. The Straus mansion made the McCarthys’ look like a shack. His hands started to sweat, and his grip on the reigns loosened. The carriage slowed. Henry forced himself to think positively and remember that Nessa had had many opportunities to choose a different man. She’d chosen him.
Arriving just in front of the stairs, two footmen met them, helping the women from their seats. Usually Henry would follow their lead and put the carriage where they asked while he had supper with the rest of the stable help, but tonight he climbed down from his post and offered a hand up to one of the footmen. They both looked at him quizzically as he straightened the lapels on his jacket. He nodded and tried to smile, but he knew they were thinking the same thing that the Strauses would be thinking, Why is a stable boy sitting down to dinner with the wealthiest man in New York City?
Henry sighed as Nessa walked over to him and took his arm. “You belong here, Henry.” He looked into her eyes. “Both in this house and on my arm. I love you.”
Henry wanted to lean forward and capture his future wife in a long kiss but stopped himself. Public displays of affection weren’t something that happened in the front of the house. He patted her hand where it rested in the crook of his arm. “I love you too.”
Nathan and Oscar Straus were obviously father and son. Their looks were very similar; they even wore their hair the same way. Both were dressed in dashing suits, and Henry couldn’t help but notice the way that Oscar looked at Genevieve when she came in. Henry took note of the fact that he didn’t immediately feel the need to step in front of her to protect her from his greedy gaze. That reassured him a bit.
“Mr. Straus, this is my friend Miss Genevieve McCarthy, and this here is my fiancé, Mr. Henry Collins.”
Mr. Straus stuck a hand out for Henry to take after kissing Gen on each cheek. He didn’t miss the look Oscar had given Nessa when she’d introduced him as her fiancé. Henry took the older man’s hand firmly and shook it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for inviting us to your home.”
Nathan’s focus turned toward Nessa. “I care very much for Nessa, even though I’ve spent most of my time in her life in the shadows. It was what worked for us at the time. I’m glad to see her happy.”
Henry wasn’t sure what to say, so he nodded, and after a moment where their eyes connected and they seemed to come to an agreement, he dropped his hand and offered it to Oscar.
“I hope you treat her well, my new friend. This one…” He wiggled his eyebrows at Nessa. “She quite the catch.” Oscar’s smile was broa
d, and he winked at Nessa as he and Henry shook hands and laughed.
“I couldn’t agree more, friend.”
Henry was starting to feel more at ease until they found themselves in the sitting room. He’d never found himself a guest in one before. Even at the McCarthys’, he’d never had to sit and have tea, carry on a conversation with anyone. He’d occasionally fetch something, or like earlier he’d talk with Gen, but she was different. She was his friend. These people weren’t. They needed to be impressed.
“I’m afraid I must apologize. I was hoping my wife would be well enough to join us this evening and meet all of you, but alas that doesn’t seem to be the case.” Nathan looked solemnly around the room while everyone watched him. “Please sit. Drinks will be served momentarily.”
Henry saw when Oscar’s expression changed. He wondered what the real reason was for Nathan’s wife’s absence, because the look on Oscar’s face told him it had nothing to do with illness.
“So, Henry, my son. Has our lovely Nessa filled you in on the details of our arrangement?”
“She has.” He smiled at her as he helped her sit and handed her a drink from one of the footmen.
“Can I trust that you’re on board and willing, then? That you’ll do what Nessa cannot? You’ll do what we all need you to do?”
Henry’s chest felt tight. He hadn’t really had time to think about it. She’d given him all the details on the way over. They’d spent so much time today worrying about how he’d look that they hadn’t prepared for this. Nessa had actually thought that Nathan would wait until the end of the evening to talk business. She’d obviously been wrong.
“Though I understand your concerns, sir, I know Nessa. I’m sure once your fellow businessmen meet her and see what she can do, none of this will be necessary.”
Nathan sat back against the leather wingback chair. It was stately and spoke volumes about the type of man he was. He smiled. “I wish I could agree on more than Nessa’s abilities.” He offered her a smiled. “Nessa is a bright, beautiful girl. I’m afraid that some of the men she’ll be dealing with wont’ be able to see past the beauty part.”
Henry nodded. Though he didn’t agree. He couldn’t fully understand how someone, anyone, male or female, could not see that intelligence that Nessa carried with her. Her poise and grace in how she carried herself. Her father had done his very best to raise both her and Kara as proper ladies, and though that didn’t turn out exactly as he’d planned, his efforts were not for naught. He’d raised two kind, strong, independent, and loving women that could handle themselves in any situation. Henry sat there quietly, thinking about what they would be talking about right now if Mr. Dobbs had lived. Would he and Nessa be allowed to marry? Would she be sitting next to Oscar instead of him?
Nessa wished she could help Henry. Nathan was giving him a hard time, and she felt horrid for it. It was all her fault for bringing him before he’d had a chance to let everything she’d talked with him about settle and let him make a decision. Now he was having to work it through with an audience. Thankfully, a footman entered and announced that dinner was ready, so her tactic of moving the conversation over to Genevieve and Oscar wasn’t needed. She’d save it for dinner.
Dinner was served plate after plate of delicious offerings, some of which she had no idea what they were or their names. Others were more obvious, like the vegetables. She ate slowly, listening to Nathan, Oscar, and Henry talk about the state of things in the City. She was beaming with pride at Henry’s offerings. She wasn’t sure if anyone else had noticed, but she knew that though he sounded as if he was one of the elite, well-informed, and educated, the fact was that he was living the very type of life they were discussing. He had so much to offer. He questioned everything and only ever offered solutions if they seemed a perfect fit. The men monopolized the conversation so that Nessa and Genevieve sat silently watching them. Nessa was enjoying herself and could tell her friend was as well. She’d never seen Gen so smitten.
Mr. Straus seemed impressed with Henry, and as desert was being served, he told Nessa as much. “Your young man is very impressive, Nessa. I approve.”
Nessa smiled and reached across the table, putting her hand over Henry’s. “He impresses me more and more each day.”
Nessa truly had never been as proud of Henry, and not because he was finding a way to fit into her world, though she loved him even more for that. She was impressed and proud because of the man he was. He’d grown up with goals and had achieved them. He’d worked hard and made a place for himself in the world. As proud as it made her of him, it made her feel small and insignificant. She’d never made a difference, ever. She had been pampered and sheltered her whole life, living with her father and having her sister and Lillian do everything for her. It made her realize she wanted more. That working for the bank and now making things happen and taking over her father’s share of Straus’ business wasn’t just about money. It wasn’t just about surviving and being able to afford things. It was about becoming someone.
Nessa finished her desert and wanted nothing as much as she wanted to get up from the table. She wanted to leave, to have Henry take her and they could ride out and away from the City. Go somewhere where it could just be the two of them, where they could work out between them how they would proceed with Nathan and his plan. She hoped after everything that Henry would still want to marry her. She realized even more now how important it was that he remain the man he wanted to be. If he took this on, if he came and worked with her, it had to be because he wanted to not because she needed him to. He had to want it as much as she did.
The evening was pleasant enough, and Nessa was happy that Mr. Straus approved of Henry. She’d always known how special he was but had always worried that certain people wouldn’t be able to look past where he’d come from. It was why she’d never told her father. If it hadn’t been for Rachel and Dutch, she would probably still think the same way. As she stood by the door waiting for Nathan and Henry to finish their conversation and for Genevieve and Oscar to sneak back into the sightline of his father, she tried not to be sad. She didn’t have many regrets, but not telling her father about Henry was one of them. She wished she’d been honest. She wished he’d be at her wedding. And just like that, her sadness started to transform into anger.
He should have been honest. He should have told her and Kara about the Strauses. He could have told them about his dealings with the Whyos, but he didn’t and now he was gone. He wouldn’t be there to walk her down the aisle, but most importantly, he wasn’t there to see the person she was becoming.
Henry took her hand, startling her back to the present. “Thank you, Mr. Straus. Dinner was lovely.”
“Those papers?” He lifted his eyebrows at her.
“First thing in the morning.” She nodded.
Nessa was silent as they rode back to the McCarthys’. Luckily, Genevieve was so keyed up that no one else needed to say anything. Nessa had been right about the two of them. Oscar and Genevieve worked well together, and at least one of them was completely smitten over the other, so much so she was bouncing in her seat causing the carriage to rock. Nessa tried to smile for her friend and nod and respond appropriately when needed, but she couldn’t focus. She was too overwhelmed with anger and frustration. Her father had left her and Kara in a mess, and though she was proud of how they’d handled it, she was wondering what life would have been like had they not had to at all. She tried to focus on the fact that she wouldn’t have Henry but even that was difficult, because as happy as she was about marrying him, she also felt terribly guilty for it.
Henry was a good man who had worked hard. He enjoyed his life, and Nessa was trying to take it all away from him. She was trying to change him. Have him fit into her world. That wasn’t fair. She needed to figure out a way to have both. She wanted to be Henry’s wife more than almost anything, the one thing being Henry’s happiness. She wanted him happy more than she wanted anything else. If he would be happier without her, th
en maybe she should let him go.
The thought of never seeing him, not talking to him, not having his arms around her cut through her like a knife. So painful was the idea that she felt as if she was dripping blood into the carriage as they bumped over rocks and other debris in the street. They arrived at the McCarthy mansion, and Genevieve put a soft hand over Nessa’s. For the first time since they’d left the Strauses’, she looked up.
“I’m not sure what’s going through your head, but whatever it is, let it go. I can tell by the way you look that it’s no good for you.” Genevieve gave her a tentative smile. “Choose happiness, my friend.”
Nessa put her free hand onto her friend’s and stared into her eyes, desperate for help. “But whose?”
Nessa watched as Gen’s eyes flitted to the front of the carriage where Henry was sitting before answering her. “Yours, love. Because if you’re happy then everything around you will follow.”
The carriage door opened, and a gloved hand reached out, offering assistance. Genevieve turned away from Nessa and took the offered hand. “You deserve it, Nes. I know you don’t think so, and I know you’re trying to make up for how you think things used to be, but your judgment is clouded. You won’t be able to see the past clearly until you’ve pushed ahead into the future. The longer you live there, the more muddied it’ll get.”
She peaked her head back into the dark carriage. Nessa could only just see the outline of her face because of the light from the house behind her. “We all love you, friend. Let us.”
Genevieve’s words hung heavy in the air as she shut the door to the carriage, and after a moment it started to move again. She wasn’t sure if she had it right or if her friend did, but in truth, neither mattered. She needed to live in the moment, and at the moment she was alone in a carriage driven by the love of her life.
