The American Heiress Brides Collection

by Carter, Lisa; Davis, Mary; Dietze, Susanne

  “Oh, Violet,” gasped Mother. “That’s too generous of you. It’s simply exquisite.”

  “It is not, not when family is concerned.” Mrs. Blankenship beamed as she stared at the glass with Maggie.

  “We should go downstairs,” Father said. “Frank is waiting for us, as is your husband, Mrs. Blankenship.”

  “Has James arrived?” she heard herself say aloud. Or had she merely thought it?

  “He is delayed. He received a phone call from his employer in the city.” Mrs. Blankenship shook her head. “So sweet, you inquire about your future brother-in-law.”

  Father shot her a quizzical look that also held a knowing expression. She felt her cheeks color, and she glanced down in the direction of her silken summer boots that matched her dress’s shade of lilac.

  Mrs. Blankenship appeared disappointed that their big announcement would be lost, with the six of them being announced at the same time. Mother kept staring at the necklace, as if mesmerized by it. Maggie practically felt the facets sparkling in the light of the gas lamps as she descended the stairs.

  There was Frank Blankenship, waiting for her along with his father. What should she say? Should she say anything?

  “Miss Margaret.” Frank extended his arm as she managed the bottom step. She didn’t stumble or trip with the last stair, although her heart skittered uncomfortably.

  It shouldn’t be like this.

  “Good evening, Mr. Blankenship.” She offered him the best smile she could manage at the moment. The necklace might as well be a neck shackle. She wanted to wrest it from her neck herself and save any thief the trouble.

  With a flourish of music from the twelve-piece orchestra, Mr. Webster flung open the doors to the ballroom so they could pass through, with Maggie’s parents entering first, followed by the Blankenships, then she and Frank last of all.

  She could scarcely hear the applause, their announcements, followed by the announcement of the engagement. All eyes were on her, the necklace, the dress. Maggie kept her hand clamped around Frank’s arm to still it from shaking.

  No one seated themselves until Maggie and her family had found their seats and taken them. As Maggie did so, she scanned the long table. No James. A few empty seats at the end of the table. Maybe he had arranged to arrive after supper. She hadn’t asked, because James had said he would be here.

  Frank said nothing to her during the meal. Surely a man would speak to a woman to whom he would soon be engaged. As he wasn’t inclined to conversation, despite her remarks about the meal and the current state of the weather, she chose to mentally assess those she knew at the table.

  No fewer than twenty for this early supper, but when the dancing began later, the numbers would swell to more than one hundred. How could they know who might act? Maybe the thief wasn’t among them tonight. Maybe they were wrong and the thief was long gone.

  The pheasant was cooked to perfection, as was the rest of the meal, but Maggie could barely swallow. The idea of her engagement, soon to be officially announced, had her numb and her palate dry.

  Toward the end of the meal, James stepped into the dining room and took the last empty seat at the table. As he’d already sent word he would be delayed, his arrival wasn’t quite a faux pas. A few of the older ladies present frowned, but what else could one expect from the man who had deserted his family and spurned his legacy?

  He gave Maggie a nod, and she swiftly ate the last bite of her supper. She tried not to touch the necklace, but she couldn’t help but think of it again, and the fact that James sat at the table.

  At last, supper was cleared away and the group of them trickled into the ballroom. Maggie knew the plan. During the third song, not long after the announcement, the lights would be shut off in the ballroom—long enough for the thief, if present, to act.

  If Mother knew of this plot, she would surely be against it, especially due to the fact it would mar what she had hoped to be an elegant evening.

  “May we speak, in the hallway, before the dance and the big announcement?”

  The male voice jolted her from her musing. Frank Blankenship had found his voice, at last.

  “Oh, yes, of course.” He held open the door and they slipped into the hallway, vacant except for a few of the kitchen staff hired for the evening who were still clearing away the supper table.

  She clasped her gloved hands together and regarded him. He wore a finely tailored suit and his brow glowed with sweat. Not perspiration, but sweat. Frank mopped the river that streamed down his forehead.

  “I suppose this is the most awkward position in which I’ve found myself in my entire life.” He blotted his neck with the handkerchief next.

  “I can assure you this was a complete shock to me.”

  He raised the hand holding the handkerchief. “We shall get through this as best we can, for the sake of our families.”

  “Perhaps we could call off the engagement, at another time, before we go much farther?” she had to ask.

  He looked at her in horror. “This is part of the deal, the merging of my company with your father’s company. That you are married to me as well. Canceling our engagement violates the terms of the deal and will rend the entire thing void.”

  “I don’t love you.” Maggie choked out the words.

  “This marriage will not be based on love. I assure you I will not approach you to obtain any of the duties of marriage. We shall have separate rooms and separate lives. You will not be allowed to travel alone, however, but must be accompanied at all times. I’ve been told of your desire to travel. I do hope you will keep yourself occupied during our marriage as I will be too busy for anything but my work.”

  Maggie nodded slowly. A marriage, void of love, years of loneliness. And all the money in the world. She wanted nothing more than to pull the necklace off, run from the house, and disappear somewhere, anywhere.

  James glanced about the ballroom, which glowed in Italianesque splendor with vivid reds and golds. Brightly colored ball gowns provided a contrast throughout the room. He didn’t see one in the shade of lilac that Maggie wore. Where had she—and his brother—gone?

  Frank was self-absorbed and so focused on business he likely didn’t know what to do with a woman to run his future household. Poor Maggie. He tried not to have selfish thoughts as he strode into the hallway.

  There they were, standing outside the other set of doors to the ballroom. They were engaged in conversation, Frank looking intent and Maggie looking perplexed. She fidgeted with the strand of glittering diamonds at her neck.

  Mother’s necklace became her, but even without it, Maggie sparkled. And Frank had no clue. Why, if he were the one in Frank’s position, he would be telling Maggie of everything he hoped for their future home. That he would not insist on his rights as a husband, but they would take their time, getting to know one another better. He would ask her where she wanted to travel first, and they would make plans to visit Paris and as many other sights as she would want to see.

  Stop. James schooled his features and approached the two of them.

  “May I offer you my congratulations, brother?” He extended his hand to Frank, who shook it in response.

  “Thank you.” Frank assessed him with disinterest. “So why are you here this evening? Father said you have been on a special assignment from your editor?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Yet you came to this supper. May I inquire as to why?”

  He looked at Frank narrowly. “I am here for our family.”

  “You have never concerned yourself with business affairs before.”

  “I am also here for Miss Margaret.” He inclined his head to her, at which she glanced between him and Frank.

  James wanted to tell her what he’d just learned from his editor. There had been an arrest made in connection with the robbery at the Morris residence in New York. An employee who had been caught trying to sell the jewelry he’d stolen. This confirmed the truth behind the anonymous note Maggie had receiv
ed that the robberies were unrelated to each other. The remainder of the jewelry had turned up in the family’s Newport home unexpectedly.

  He’d already drafted the story of the robbery and promised to deliver it to the newspaper first thing in the morning when the press opened.

  This meant, though, that the second robber was still unaccounted for, something he hoped would be remedied this evening.

  The strains of the first song began, and with that, Frank pulled Maggie into the ballroom without another look at James. He heard the sounds of a stringed fanfare, of sorts, then the deep timbre of Mr. Livingston’s voice making the big announcement.

  James ignored the pang of regret. What if he had stayed with his family all this time? Would he be the one standing beside Maggie as the announcement was made? He wouldn’t head down that path of thought. It would do no good.

  He entered the ballroom to see smiling faces looking at the newly engaged couple. His mother was telling everyone—yet again—of the fact that Maggie would become the daughter she never had, and that Maggie had accepted her gift of diamonds as a welcome to the family.

  Nods and smiles. Maggie’s smile was thin. She didn’t look his way, and it confirmed what he had both hoped and dreaded—she felt something for him. He didn’t mistake that, especially not in the hallway moments ago.

  Enough musing, he told himself. If they found the real thief, then Maggie might at least be able to hire her Gertrude back once again.

  Chapter 9

  The minutes dragged on as they waltzed across the dance floor. At least Frank was a good partner in this matter, equally as fumbling as she was. No, a bit more so. Maggie was not fond of the waltz but knew the questions would fly if they did not take a few turns around the floor.

  Was it the third song? Or only the second?

  Maggie couldn’t recall if she’d missed a song, or not.

  “You might smile a bit more, Margaret,” Frank chided. “You should be happy that your family is attached to ours. From what I understand, your father’s interests are slipping and this was saving him from inevitable ruin.”

  “You may end up with me as your wife due to a business agreement, but I am not, nor will I ever be, your employee, and you may not command me as such.”

  He laughed, a loud boisterous sound that caused some to stare their way. “I was warned about you, with good reason I see. You will obey me.”

  She bit her lip when he squeezed her hand a bit harder than necessary. Dear God, please, help me. She saw no way out of this.

  The strains of the waltz ended and drifted away. The wall of floor-to-ceiling windows was open on the ocean side of the ballroom, letting in the cooler night air. How Maggie longed for the beach walk at the moment. Instead, she was stuck here in the stuffy ballroom.

  She pulled—gently—away from Frank and headed to the ocean-side doors. “I need a breath of air.”

  “I, for one, am ready to wait out the next song, myself.” Frank glanced toward the ballroom doors. “I see your father has not retreated to his study as of yet.”

  “No, he will not. Not for a while, anyway. Father will likely retire there as soon as it is polite to do so.” That, and see if anything came of her displaying the necklace.

  “Don’t be but a minute.”

  “I shan’t be long.” Maggie recalled her instructions and paused at the doorway. Would anyone else follow her, particularly if Frank were nearby? She stepped out onto the veranda and inhaled. Another song began inside. She closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to remain here for the rest of the evening and let Frank do what he might. It sounded as though he planned to do that after the wedding, so she might as well train herself to be accustomed to that.

  “There you are. I’ve been trying to speak with you since supper.” Mother stood in the doorway, framed by the golden light behind her. “I’m afraid we’ve had some bad news regarding your friend Elizabeth.”

  Maggie nodded. “She admitted to me that she’d taken the jewelry so she and Henry Blankenship could run away together. And she’s very sorry.”

  “Well, I for one am glad of this discovery. Associating with her would only be bad for your reputation, at this point.”

  “Oh, Mother.” Maggie turned her attention to the dark surf beyond the house. Her heart hurt for Elizabeth, that she’d chosen to do what she’d done. It remained to be seen what would happen to her friend, but the scandal alone was bringing embarrassment to her family.

  I almost don’t blame her.

  She faced the ballroom once again. Mother was speaking to another of her friends, Mrs. Agatha Something—Maggie couldn’t recall. She slipped past her and headed across the dance floor. In a few moments, the third dance would begin. Yes, she would sit this one out.

  Where should she stand?

  Another well-wisher gave her their congratulations, which she accepted with thanks and a smile. It felt like lying, and she did not like it a bit.

  “You nearly ready?” a familiar voice said at her elbow.

  “Nearly.” She couldn’t help her wide smile at James. Here came Mother again, still chatting with her friend. “Elizabeth admitted to the theft.”

  “Yes, but there is also another thief. They were caught trying to sell what they’d stolen, while, as you told me, Elizabeth had hidden her part of the jewels away. When the robbery was discovered, she kept silent, believing she would not be discovered. Except, for you.”

  “I hope she and Henry will still get to be together.”

  “I’m not sure.” His downcast tone made her glance at him again. “We don’t always get the ending we hope for.”

  “Oh, James—”

  “Could you please fetch me a cup of punch, and one for yourself?” Frank asked, stopping at her other side.

  “I’ll get you both some punch,” James offered, and then he was gone.

  The third waltz began for real this time, and Maggie stayed frozen where she was. There went Mother and Father, taking their turn on the floor. The music played on, and couples swept by them as she and Frank stood by the wall. No one else was close to her where she stood about two paces from the ballroom door to the hallway.

  The ballroom was plunged into darkness. Although she’d been half expecting the darkness, she still found her pulse racing. Murmurs filled the room as the players fell silent. A few nervous chuckles sounded. Some moved about the room, calling for a light.

  Seconds dragged on, and swift movements and rustling fabric in the dark grabbed Maggie’s attention. She could scarcely make out shadows backlit by the sliver of moonlight outside.

  A hand grabbed at her neck—a woman’s hand. Maggie reached for the hand, and another pushed her back to the wall while the first hand snatched at the necklace.

  Pain shot through the back of her neck, and she tried not to scream.

  “I say, what is going on?” a voice called out nearby.

  More fumbles as the murmurs and call for a light grew louder.

  Maggie’s neck ached, but she followed the person—whoever they were—and stumbled into the hallway herself. She snatched at air in the darkness.

  The lights came on in time for Maggie to see her mother skitter and fall onto the marble floor, the necklace sliding away from her.

  “Mother!”

  James wasn’t quite sure who they would discover, if anyone. He certainly hadn’t thought of Mrs. Livingston lying prone on the floor, stammering something about trying to keep the necklace safe.

  She had no explanation for why she fought Maggie and ripped the necklace from her neck in the darkness. At Mr. Livingston’s direction, the orchestra continued to play while Maggie, her parents, and he discussed things in the hallway.

  Mrs. Livingston’s shoulders sagged. “I admit it. Things are bad, far worse than my husband lets on to everyone. We needed the money and soon. I was starting with the jewelry. I was afraid if I said nothing about the jewelry missing, I’d be questioned about it before long.”

  His father fro
wned. “This is simply unbecoming behavior. If this is how you conduct yourselves, I am a bit skeptical about entering into an agreement with the lot of you.”

  Maggie cleared her throat. “Mr. Blankenship, sir, my father is a good man. He has worked very hard to achieve everything that he has. Please, if you have an agreement, it is with him and not with my mother.”

  James admired her all the more just then, defending the agreement his father had with hers, despite what it meant for her personally. Frank entered the hallway.

  “Ah, there you are.” He glanced at each of them. “Have I missed something?”

  Father studied James’s face then Frank’s. “I will fill you in later, much later. Please, dance with your fiancée, and I will go find your mother.” He strode into the ballroom.

  Frank took in the sight as Maggie picked up the diamond necklace from the floor. She rubbed the back of her neck, and her mother’s shoulders drooped lower, if that were possible.

  “Mother. You used to tell me that God would take care of us, that He always takes care of us, no matter what.”

  “I did. But now, I’m not so sure, the way business is going for your father. I feel as if God has forgotten us.”

  “Mother, it will be all right. If God is God, and He is taking care of us, then whatever state we find ourselves in, we are in His care.” She said the words aloud, almost as if she were convincing herself that it was true. Was this something she had forgotten herself lately?

  “Come, Margaret.” Frank nudged her arm. “We must make at least one more turn on the dance floor.”

  “Very well,” Maggie said. She flung an almost pleading look at James, who knew he could do nothing for either of them at the moment.

  When they were gone, Mrs. Livingston headed away from the party, leaving James and Mr. Livingston alone.

  “So, what are you going to print about this, young man?” Mr. Livingston regarded him with a stern gaze.

  “It is good that this theft was prevented. And you have your answer for the missing jewelry.” He wasn’t 100 percent certain his boss would let him off the hook for not inserting this into the follow-up about the arrest made for the Morris robbery, but this incident occurred in Newport, not the city. By the time he spoke to him again, the next big thing would be coming along.