MILITARY ROMANCE: The War Within Himself (Alpha Bad Boy Marine Army Seal) (Contemporary Military Suspense & Thriller Romance)

by Claire Branson

  “Did I ask about that young lady on the ship who was coming here alone? No. Did I ask about the boy I talked to on the ship who was coming here with people he barely knew? No. That girl is different, Da. She’s not afraid to answer questions. She’s not afraid to work. She’s not afraid to be in a boarding house. She deserves to be in a happy home—just like Mum did when she was twelve and alone.”

  Patrick shook his head. “You don’t know that girl, Bridget.”

  “If I get to know her, could we at least ask Uncle Ian?”

  “All right, but you must get to know her first. I won’t make a final decision until we know if it’s safe to let her into our home. We’ll find her before we leave for Ian’s house.”

  Satisfied, Bridget scanned the area for Elise. When twenty-year-old Michael was finished talking to the immigration officer, he offered to take Bridget around the area looking for her. Since Bridget was still a minor in the eyes of immigration, her parents needed to report her, anyway.

  “We’ll meet you at the door we came in,” Michael told his parents before he and Bridget wandered off.

  “Thanks for taking me, Mikey,” Bridget said.

  “My pleasure, Bridge,” he replied. “I’m surprised Da agreed so easily, so I thought I should at least offer to help you out. Besides, she’s kind of cute, so maybe I’ll have a friend, too, if Da lets her stay with us.”

  “Don’t you take her away from me,” Bridget warned playfully.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  The sea of people began to dissipate as immigrants from different countries and all walks of life checked into America, and Bridget and Michael had an easier time navigating the enormous room. After many minutes of searching, Michael spotted Elise and directed Bridget toward her by the elbow.

  “Elise!” he called out as they approached her.

  Turning toward them, Elise smiled. “Did everything go smoothly?”

  “It did, thank you,” Michael replied, stopping before her.

  “Da sent us in search of you,” Bridget announced.

  Elise’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Why? What did I do?”

  “Nothing. He said that I could get to know you better and told me to go find you.”

  “I came along to keep her out of trouble,” Michael inserted with a wink at his sister.

  Bridget stuck her tongue out at him. “He did not. He came along because he thinks you’re cute.”

  “Bridget!” he exclaimed. “Don’t listen to her, Elise. She’s always been too talkative. We can’t seem to get her to stop.”

  With a frown, Elise nodded. “I always wanted siblings with whom I could banter. Unfortunately, God didn’t grant me that wish.”

  “That’s why we came to find you,” Bridget said. “My da’s cousin took Mum in as a foster child. I thought we could do the same for you.”

  Elise offered her a brief smile. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m a bit old to be a foster child.”

  “Da said no, anyway, at least for now. He said I need to get to know you first. Mikey wants to be a writer someday, so he always has paper and a pencil with him. Why don’t you tell him your address?”

  Reaching into her dress pocket, Elise pulled out a pocket watch and opened it before she said, “I have a better idea. I’ve actually been done with work for a while now, and I live nearby. Why don’t you walk me home so you can find the place when you’re ready to visit?”

  “I can also write down the address, Bridge,” Michael offered, “and maybe some directions.”

  “Thanks, Mike. Let’s go find Mum and Da.”

  After introducing the rest of her family, Bridget linked her elbow with Elise’s while carrying one of her bags in the other hand. Then they all trudged to an awaiting carriage, where they introduced Ian to Elise.

  “Don’t be silly,” Ian said when Elise offered to give Michael her address and let them follow her home only if they wanted. “We’ll give you a ride. Climb in.”

  “There’s no room for me,” she insisted, “and I’ll be fine walking.”

  “You can sit on my lap,” Bridget said. “I’m little, but I’m stronger than I look. Besides, you said it wasn’t far from here.”

  “That’s right,” Mary O’Riley said. “You’ll ride with us.”

  Outnumbered, Elise climbed into the carriage with Michael, Mary and Bridget. Patrick and Timothy sat on the driver’s bench to give Elise room in the passenger compartment with the baggage. When they reached their destination in a dirty part of town, Michael wrote down her address, and Elise got out of the carriage. Bridget vowed that she would return the next evening so they could start getting to know each other.

  True to her word, Bridget appeared at the boarding house with Michael the next evening—and nearly every evening after for about a month. One day, instead of Michael driving Bridget, Patrick brought her.

  “We have our own house now,” Bridget said enthusiastically. “I’m so glad we don’t have to share rooms with cousins anymore.”

  Elise smiled. “I imagine that wouldn’t be very nice if you’re used to having your own room.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind sharing. In fact, I like it. I have a really big room now, too big for just me.”

  “That’s right,” Patrick inserted. “We would like you to live with us.”

  “Really?” Elise asked in amazement. “Me? Why? No, I couldn’t impose on you like that.”

  “It’s no imposition. Besides, this is not a good part of town for a young woman alone. We would like you to live with us. You’ve been to dinners at Ian’s house, so you are already starting to know the family. Michael you already know.”

  “That’s very kind of you, sir, but …”

  Patrick raised his hand in a halting motion, palm out toward Elise. “No buts about it. You two go to your room and pack your belongings. I’ll settle any bill you have for your room here. Go on, now. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Yes, sir,” Elise agreed, obviously not knowing how else to respond to such generosity.

  “And my name is Patrick, not sir.”

  Filled with excitement at having the sister she’d always wanted, Bridget followed Elise to her room at the boarding house. Together they packed Elise’s clothes and the few mementos she had from her parents—her father’s family Bible, which contained births and deaths according to Elise, a few pieces of jewelry, and a locket her mother had given Elise before her death.

  Bridget already knew about these things because Elise had told her during their many talks. Now it was time for Elise to move on, though.

  Bridget couldn’t wait for Elise to see where she would be living. The house her parents had purchased was a two-story Victorian in a ritzy part of town. There were four large bedrooms, one of which she and Elise would share. The “boys” each had their own rooms, and of course, their parents shared one.

  Downstairs, there was a smaller parlor for visiting, a formal living room, and a dining room that would be big enough for extended family and friends to sit comfortably at two tables. A large kitchen and pantry sat at the back of the house to keep the heat from the stoves away from the rest of the house during the summer. Every room had its own fireplace. Elise, Bridget declared, was going to love the house.

  After Elise’s large and small carpetbags were packed, the young women headed downstairs to rejoin Patrick.

  “You’re really very kind to do this for me,” Elise told Patrick, “but I don’t know how I’ll repay you.”

  “We don’t expect you to. You can help with chores and cooking if you want, but since you’re working such long hours, we won’t require it. We want you to be able to save your money so you can purchase things, like new clothes, whenever you want.” He paused for effect. “And possibly a few new pairs of shoes. Don’t think we haven’t noticed how worn yours are.”

  “You can be sure that I will help out, too,” Elise said. “My father told me take every opportunity I was given, though, and that’s the only r
eason I’m not staying here.”

  “Your father was right, too. My family and I wouldn’t be here now if it hadn’t been for an opportunity I took.”

  Shortly before Christmas, Bridget convinced Elise that she should join Michael at a party to which he’d invited her. Bridget was going, too, with a young man she’d met; and Bridget was sure that the four of them would have a grand time.

  “This is what being sisters is about,” Bridget said enthusiastically, “going to parties together, sharing secrets, talking about suitors. We’ll have a wonderful time.”

  “You realize,” Elise said, “that I’ll have to buy an appropriate dress for the event—and shoes and a handbag. That’s all going to cost money.”

  Bridget laughed. “What else do you spend money on? You help out around the house all the time, every day, even when you work. You save every cent you earn.”

  “I buy things,” Elise corrected.

  “That you need. Not fun things.” Bridget paused. “Do you know what else sisters do? They go shopping. The next day you don’t have to work, we’re going to do just that.”

  Eventually, Bridget convinced Elise to spend a little money and go to the Christmas party, which turned out to be more of a gala. There Bridget’s escort, Herbert Clement, introduced her to his cousin Matthew Clement.

  She gasped when he took her hand and kissed it gently. This dark-haired man with brown eyes captured her love in that moment. Unfortunately, she was seeing Herb, so she couldn’t in good conscience see Matthew, as well.

  Her heart ached at the thought that she would never be able to see what kind of man Matthew was. She was eighteen now, and she could marry if she wanted to. Her parents had always told her that they would never object to a man she chose, as long as he didn’t hurt her. But how would she know if she never got to let Matthew court her? How would she get him to court her?

  After two months and several conversations with her mother, she still couldn’t decide. She’d seen Matthew at other parties, and he’d watched her from afar. She knew that because she’d watched him, too. It was time, she decided, to talk to her “sister” instead. Granted, Elise had no real experience with men other than Michael and Timothy, who asked her to join them if they didn’t have another woman to escort.

  That night, Bridget closed the dressing partition that they kept between their beds in case they wanted privacy and sat cross-legged on her bed. Elise sat with her back against her headboard with a book in her hand. She dog-eared the page and set the book on her nightstand when Bridget pushed aside the partition.

  “What is it?” Elise asked. “I know something’s been bothering you lately, but I didn’t want to intrude.”

  “Something has,” Bridget replied. “I want Matthew Clement to court me.”

  “Herb’s cousin?”

  “He watches me when we’re at the same parties, just like I watch him. So I think he’s interested. But Herb is courting me. How do I get Matthew to ask me to a party or something?”

  “You’re asking me?” Elise asked in shock. “I don’t know anything about men and courting. You should ask your mother.”

  “I did, but she doesn’t know that much about men and courting, either. Da was the only suitor she ever had. They fell in love shortly after she moved in with his uncle. Neither one of them ever had another companion.”

  “Do you want to know what I would do?” Elise asked.

  “What?”

  “I would tell Herb that it isn’t going to work out for you, that you aren’t really interested in him. Once you two are no longer together, maybe Matthew will ask you to parties.”

  “I’ll try that.”

  Bridget was surprised by how well Elise’s advice worked. Within two months of telling Herb that she didn’t want to see him anymore, Matthew called on her and invited her to a party. Thrilled, Bridget accepted the invitation.

  From that moment on, she and Matthew were nearly inseparable. He visited her every night at the house; they went to parties together; he even took her to dinner at restaurants.

  A year and a half passed before Elise shattered Bridget’s happiness. Elise had met a wealthy Swedish family who wanted to take her to Illinois as a private interpreter and teacher. It was another opportunity that Elise couldn’t turn down, just like she couldn’t turn down the opportunity to live with Bridget and her family.

  Bridget wept unashamedly as Elise packed her bags. After Elise said good-bye and thanked the rest of the family, she and Bridget hugged tightly at the front door, promising to write every other week. When Elise pulled away, Bridget saw that she, too, was crying.

  “I’ll never forget you, Bridget,” Elise told her. “You’re the only sister I’ve ever had—and the only one I ever want. I love you and your family.” She turned to gaze over at Mary and Patrick. “You gave me a family when I really needed one, and I can never repay you for that. If you ever need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to write and tell me.”

  When Bridget could no longer see the hansom cab that took Elise away, she raced to her room and lay on Elise’s bed. She sobbed into the pillow until she fell asleep.

  The next time Matthew took her to a party at their friend’s home, he pulled her off to a secluded spot and asked, “What’s bothering you, Bridget? You’re not your normally cheerful self.”

  “Elise left,” Bridget announced.

  “I heard.”

  “I miss her. I’m afraid I’ll never see her again.”

  He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I’m here, sweetheart, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  Snuggling into his arms, she wrapped hers around him. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” She turned her gaze on his handsome face. “But you’re not a girl. It’s not the same.”

  “Would it help even more if I said that I love you?”

  Bridget’s eyes widened. “You love me?”

  “Yes.” He kissed her forehead then her cheek. “Very much. I never want to lose you.”

  “I love you, too, Matthew.”

  His lips met hers for a sweet kiss as they had many times before. Then everything changed. His lips bore down on hers, sending waves of excitement through her. She collapsed even closer against him, letting her body lean fully against his.

  They moved together, Matthew pushing her backward until her legs hit something solid. The settee in the sitting room they occupied. She went weak when he lifted her and lay her down on it. He came down upon her. His pelvis ground against her, and he grasped her covered breast tenderly.

  Breathing hard, she didn’t complain when his hand slipped into her low-cut bodice to fondle her naked mound. She inhaled deeply when his finger touched her nipple.

  The feelings were incredible! She wanted to feel more of him. He moved as though he’d read her mind, and his leg slipped between hers. The new position expanded the sensations in her body. She couldn’t hold her body still as she writhed beneath him.

  His fingers moved and unbuttoned her bodice. He pushed the material out of his way and finally broke the kiss. Staring down at her naked torso, he said, “My God, Bridget! You have the most perfect breasts I’ve ever seen.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, not knowing what else to say.

  His lips kissed one breast then he moved to the other, where he sucked for just a few moments. Now her body ached for him. She could feel his maleness against her thigh. He kissed his way back up to her lips and gave them a quick peck.

  “I want you, Bridget,” he said softly. “I want to show you how much I love you.”

  Bridget knew what that meant! Her brothers had always warned her about men wanting it before marriage.

  With all her strength, she pushed Matthew off her and pulled her bodice together. As she refastened her buttons, she said, “Not now, Matthew. We just declared our love. It’s too soon.”

  “What if I ask to marry you? Then can we?”

  “Are you proposing marriage?” she asked in shock.

&
nbsp; “I’m saying that I want to marry you. First, I need to ask your parents for their blessing. But that day will come, Bridget, and it will come soon.”

  Unsure how to respond, Bridget said nothing. She loved Matthew, yes, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to accept a marriage proposal. Of course, she wasn’t ready to turn one down, either.

  “Let’s just go back to the party,” she finally suggested.

  Later that night, Bridget wrote her first letter to Elise, explaining everything that happened at the party. She didn’t know an address so she just addressed the envelope to Elise Anderson at Bishop Hill, Illinois. Elise had told her it wasn’t a big town, so somebody there should know who she was.

  On Christmas day, Matthew got down on one knee and asked Bridget for her hand in marriage. Since he hadn’t tried anything untoward since the party, she accepted without hesitation. It was then that Bridget finally wrote the words in big bold letters.

  “I’M GETTING MARRIED, Elise. Would you come to the wedding and be my maid of honor?”

  But before the wedding, her life took an embarrassing turn.

  Stina

  Stina Lennartsdotter hated the idea of moving to America. She didn’t want to leave her friends in Sweden, but her parents wanted to follow their religious friends to Bishop Hill, Illinois. That was where Erik Jannson and many of his Janssonist followers fled for religious freedom.

  Her mother, Anna Hansdotter, had told her that the religious group had disbanded in 1861, but she still had friends there and wanted to join them. Her husband, Lennart Bengtsson, never turned down her wishes.

  Now the entire family of seven stood at the ship rail watching the round building grow larger as they approached it.

  Tall, balding Lennart laid a hand on his daughter’s shoulder and spoke in Swedish. “Our life will be better in Bishop Hill, Stina.”

  She replied in the same language since they had yet to learn English. “But we don’t know English, Pappa. How will life be better?”

  “I plan to find someone to teach us. Besides, there are many Swedes in Bishop Hill. You will be able to talk to them, I’m sure.”