“Would you mind repeating that last part?”
She cleared her throat. “She plans to stay here with us?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?” He questioned.
“Is that all right?”
“Suppose you give me a bit more information before I answer that.” He shifted her on his lap, and slid his arms around her waist. “If I remember correctly, she’s the woman who gave you no choice about traveling across country, by yourself, to marry a stranger. She left you so she could make a comfortable home for herself with her sister in Virginia, and she’s here expecting to be welcomed with open arms?”
“I know.” Angel ducked her head again. “From what Sylvia told me, the war came to their front door, and they were forced from their house by the Yankees. She and her sister relocated to Richmond to stay with friends, and while staying there her sister contracted scarlet fever and died. Not having anywhere else to go, she came here.”
“To her beloved stepdaughter.” Nate smirked.
“Please, she’s really in a bad way. For Sylvia to come to my doorstep, with all her belongings, I know things had to be terrible for her. Even though she has her faults, I can’t turn my back on her. She’s my papa’s widow.”
“Darlin’, you are too soft hearted, but then I guess that’s why I love you.” He said softly.
Angel looked up abruptly, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “You love me?”
He watched her carefully. Did she return his feelings? Should he have waited before speaking? He ran his knuckles across her cheek. “Oh, yes. You have turned my life upside down, and taken over my heart.”
Angel’s eyes filled with tears, and she swallowed. “Good.” She leaned her forehead on his, and lowered her voice. “Because I love you, too, and I didn’t want to be alone in my feelings.”
He pulled her close and took possession of her mouth in a hungry kiss. A wave of happiness washed over him. This wonderful woman returned his feelings.
Nate reluctantly released her sweet mouth. “Honey, this is your home, too. If you want to let her stay, then it’s fine with me. Where is she, anyway?”
“Um, that’s the other thing. She’s resting upstairs on our bed.”
“Our bed!”
“Shush,” Angel said. “She was distraught when she arrived, and had a headache, so I offered her our room to rest for a while. You do remember the shape I was in when I reached Oregon City?” She winced. “I must admit, she looked much better than I did, though.”
Julia-Rose picked that moment to bang on the floor with one of her brother’s wooden soldiers. “Mama! Up.”
Angel rescued the child from her play area and returned to the kitchen.
Nate took the baby from her, and stretched his arms up so Julia-Rose dangled over his head. “Hello, my sweetie. Have you been a good girl today?”
Julia-Rose smiled as a line of drool fell from her mouth to his nose. “Thanks, honey. Now I won’t need to wash before supper.” He studied her forehead as he handed her off to Angel before he washed his hands and face. “What happened to her head this time?”
“She fell down the stairs.”
Nate blew out a breath. “Where are we going to put Sylvia?” He rubbed his face with a cloth.
“I thought maybe the bedroom downstairs?”
“You mean my library?” He raised one eyebrow.
“We can move the bookcases into the parlor, and pretend that’s a library.” She considered him with hope in her eyes.
“That’s fine, we can do that. We’ll have to buy another bed, and move things around. I won’t be able to do that until Saturday. Where will she sleep in the meantime?”
Angel peeked at him under thick, dark eyelashes.
“No.” He rested his hands on his hips. “I’m back on the settee, again?”
* * *
Sylvia had requested a tray in her room instead of eating with the family. Angel fixed a plate of the chicken and buttered a slice of fresh bread. She added a tall glass of cold milk, and had Matt bring it up. He returned a few minutes later. “Angel’s mama wants to know where her tea is.”
“Tell her I’ll send it to her when supper’s finished.” Angel spoke over her shoulder as she tied Julia-Rose into her chair.
Matt came back down, wide-eyed. “Angel’s mama wants her tea now.”
Nate looked up from filling Julia-Rose’s bowl. “Tell Angel’s mama that Angel’s husband said she’ll get her tea when supper’s over.”
When Matt returned this time, he didn’t say a word, but slid into his seat and grabbed his fork.
Nate’s eyes flashed. “I won’t have that woman turning you into a maid.”
“I wonder, what did happen to her maid?” Angel thoughtfully chewed on a piece of bread. “It just now occurred to me. She accompanied Sylvia to Virginia.”
“She probably begged the enemy to take her with them.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “As long as she doesn’t think you’re her maid now.”
* * *
Angel sent Mark to get Sylvia’s tray, and she and Nate cleaned the kitchen. The usual confusion reigned as the boys settled at the table to do homework. Angel spent time helping Luke and John copy their letters on a slate, and then devoted a half hour to Mark’s reading, before the boy grew restless.
Nate got Julia-Rose ready for bed, and since the baby couldn’t keep her eyes open, he carried her upstairs with her rag doll clutched firmly in her chubby hands.
It was well past supper time when Angel arranged the tea things, and carried the tray to Sylvia herself.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Sylvia smiled brightly at Angel.
“I’m sorry it took so long, but I had to help the boys with homework.”
“Dear, I think you work much too hard. Why doesn’t Nathan hire some help?”
“Nate’s not in a position to hire servants, Sylvia.” Angel placed the tray on the bed and poured tea for both of them. She’d added a small plate of sugar cookies from the bakery.
“It looks as though your marriage is working out well.” Sylvia took the steaming cup from her hand.
Thoughts of nights in their dark bedroom in Nate’s arms made heat rise in her face. “I would say it’s worked out quite well, actually.”
Sylvia closed her eyes as she savored the tea. “So, you’re not angry with me anymore?”
Angel shook her head. “I still think you played a dirty trick on Nate. He expected someone who knew how to run a home, with everything that entails. Instead he got me, who knew absolutely nothing about running a household.”
Sylvia covered Angel’s hand with her own. “Was it very hard?”
“You should have seen my first breakfast.” She smiled at the memory, and both women laughed.
“I can imagine. But it all worked out, and I can see you’re very happy. My faith in your ability to succeed was not misplaced.” Sylvia squeezed Angel’s hand.
They drank their tea in comfortable silence until a slight knock on the door caught their attention. Nate stood in the doorway for a moment, studying them.
“I assume you’re Mr. Hale?” Sylvia simpered, putting forth her best smile. She held out her hand as if Nate would come forth and kiss it. Instead, he walked slowly into the room, and shook it.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Please, have a seat.” She seemed oblivious to the fact that this was Nate’s house, his bedroom, and his bed.
Raising his eyebrows, he took the chair from the fireplace, carried it next to the bed, and turning it around, straddled it, leaning his arms on the back.
“So tell me, Sylvia, what brings you all the way out here?”
“I don’t know how much Angel told you, but the situation with my sister disappointed me.” She shifted slightly and glanced at Angel. “Not long after I arrived, that nasty war started, and it didn’t take long for our house to be seized by the enemy. And I explained to them that I was not a southern woman. Needless to say, that was most distre
ssing.” She fumbled in the blankets for a handkerchief, which she used to dab her eyes.
“Louise and I were forced to remove ourselves to Richmond where she had friends.” She stopped to delicately blow her nose.
“Continue,” Nate said, not unkindly.
“My dear sister caught the scarlet fever, and within days she was gone.” She grasped Angel’s hand. “She was never a strong person.” She sighed, obviously upset with her sister for dying and leaving her in dire straits.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Indeed,” Sylvia sniffed. “Anyway, I knew the only one I could turn to in my time of need was my dear stepdaughter.” She inhaled deeply and flashed a brave smile.
Nate hesitated. “You mean the same stepdaughter you sent on a train to travel thousands of miles by herself to marry a complete stranger?” He pushed himself away from the back of the chair and stood up, hands on his hips, regarding her in stony silence.
“But,” Sylvia flushed as she looked from him to Angel, and twisted her handkerchief, “It all seems to have worked out. Angel tells me she’s happy.”
He grinned and ran his fingers through his hair. “Truthfully, I can’t thank you enough for sending my wife to me. And yes, I believe she’s happy, as am I. However, that doesn’t excuse what you did to her. After the shenanigans you pulled, I’m all for putting you on the next stage out of town.”
At her startled look, he softened. “But it seems my wife has a tender heart, so I’ve agreed to let you stay. But I want to make it clear that Angel is not a maid. You’ll do your share of the chores, and make no extra work for her. Is that clear?”
“Of course.” Wide-eyed, her hands fluttered to her throat.
“You are free to use this room for your purposes, but I’ll be readying a room downstairs for you that will be available shortly.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Hale.”
“It’s Nate. And you’re welcome, ma’am. Have a good evening.” Nodding at the older woman, he winked at Angel and left the room, closing the door softly.
“My, he is certainly a handsome man, Angelina. And so forceful. I imagine you must be very happy.” Heat rose to Sylvia’s cheeks.
“Yes he is, but his handsomeness is as much inside as out.”
Sylvia squeezed Angel’s hand. “You must believe me when I tell you I am so glad things have worked out for you. In the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you look so happy and content.”
“I’m glad it worked out, too. I couldn’t have picked a better man. But now I need to make sure the boys get washed and into bed. Finish your tea, and I’ll get the tray in the morning.” Bending over, she gave Sylvia a kiss on her forehead.
“All things considered,” Angel said as she reached the door, “it’s good to see you again.”
15
Sylvia finished her tea, and lay down after extinguishing the lamp alongside the bed. She placed her palm against her thumping heart, and relaxed for the first time in months. Her coolness had been all bluff, based on abject terror.
Even though Gerald had been sick for two years, it had still shocked her when the doctor pronounced him dead. Terrified at being alone in the world, she turned to his solicitors for guidance, only to discover she was penniless. A shiver ran through her when she recalled that dark time after the solicitor’s visit.
She’d walked the floors all night, wringing her hands. Not only did she have herself to worry about, but Angelina had been pampered and spoiled her whole life, and with the scandal about to break, there would most likely be no suitable match for her.
She’d had to get them both out of New York, and fast. The Bride Agency seemed a godsend after her sister, Louise, told her under no circumstances was she to bring her stepdaughter with her. Curse the woman. The only way Sylvia was able to present the plan to Angelina, without breaking down herself, was with a stiff backbone.
The trip from New York to Virginia had been bleak, and she’d cried most of the way, feeling as though she’d failed her husband’s daughter.
As terrifying as that ordeal had been, the Yankees taking over Louise’s house, the hurried trip to Richmond, and her sister’s death shortly after their arrival had almost stolen her sanity. The friends who had taken them in made it known in no uncertain terms that Sylvia’s presence was no longer welcomed.
She sold the last of her jewelry to buy a train ticket west. She had little to eat from the time she left home, hoarding the small amount of money left from the purchase of the train ticket for the stagecoach ride that would take her from the train’s last stop, to Oregon City. If Angelina had not been home to pay the driver who brought her and her luggage from town, she would most likely be sitting in jail right now.
Nathan would allow her to stay. A great weight lifted from her shoulders. Thinking about Angel’s family, and all those children, she knew things would be hard here, but she was more than ready to help if at all possible. Never again did she want to feel the horror of being alone in the world with nowhere to go, and no one who cared what happened to her.
Turning over, she bunched the pillow into shape, and enjoyed the best night’s sleep she’d had in over four months.
* * *
Nate lowered the newspaper he’d been reading as Angel came into the room. He set the paper on the table next to him, and crooked his finger. “Come here.”
She walked to him, crawled on his lap, and laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her temple, and rubbed circles on her back.
“Was I too hard on her?” He studied her face.
“No, she was fine when you left.” She sat up, with a glint in her eyes. “She seemed to be more interested in commenting on your looks.”
“Really?” Nate grinned. “And exactly what did she say?”
“Oh, she thinks you’re handsome.”
“And do you agree with her opinion?” He smiled lazily, played with the loose ends of her hair.
“Well, I would say you’re not exactly hard on the eyes.”
Nate cupped the back of her neck. Lowering his mouth, he whispered against her lips, “But I’m incredibly hard somewhere else.” He brushed his lips back and forth over hers. “Open for me, honey.”
The kiss grew from easy and gentle to desperate as their tongues tangled. Nate slanted her head to deepen the kiss. He scattered her hairpins, and ran his hands through the silky strands of her glorious hair.
“Open your dress,” he murmured. Angel fumbled with the buttons, but finally got them undone. Nate gripped her shoulders, and slid the dress and chemise down her slim arms to bare her breasts. Her nipples were erect, aching to be suckled.
“You’re so beautiful.” He gently took her breasts in his hands. Reverently, he kissed and then teased the pert nipples.
“Nate.” Angel gasped. “We have no bed.”
He groaned and rested his forehead on hers. “I forgot.” Nate half-heartedly closed the dress and buttoned it. Then he pulled her head to his chest.
The lack of a private place to lay his wife down and make love to her irritated him. He loved the way she responded to his touch. He only had to kiss her, or in some cases, look at her a certain way, and she seemed to melt. Familiar with the type of wife who only tolerated her husband’s attentions, he blessed his lucky stars for Angel. He loved watching her, so prim and proper in church, knowing in the privacy of their bedroom, it didn’t take much for him to turn her into a passionate and responsive lover.
* * *
Angel glanced out the window over the sink as she washed the breakfast dishes. Halfway from the house to the barn, Sylvia attempted to hang the family’s newly washed laundry. As she hung one piece, another fell to the ground. Angel covered her mouth and giggled.
True to her word, Sylvia tried hard to not be a burden to Angel. That she wasn’t successful didn’t deter her from trying. When she attempted to change Julia-Rose’s diaper, she gagged so much Angel had to take over and send the poor woman out the back door to the fresh ai
r.
Sylvia offered to pack school lunches for the boys, but they raced for the pantry when they came home, exclaiming they were starving after eating only those tiny jam sandwiches for lunch. To add to the drama, Luke and John rolled on the floor, holding their stomachs, moaning. Watching the display of misery, Sylvia merely sniffed and said she had no idea little boys ate so much.
The laundry itched like crazy from un-rinsed soap, and a whole day’s worth of eggs landed on the floor when Sylvia took the basket from Luke, only to drop it when a bug crawled out from between two eggs.
Angel sent her to town to buy bread, and she came back with a lovely scrap of a hat, and no bread. She apologized profusely, and was adamant that she would sell a piece of jewelry that Angel’s papa had given her so she could repay her for the hat. Later, in a burst of guilt, she admitted she’d already sold the last of her jewelry.
She dropped dishes while washing and drying them, and stumbled out the back door screaming when she came face to face with Matt’s pet mouse.
* * *
Nate came into the bedroom and sat alongside Angel. “Darlin’, if your stepmother doesn’t stop helping us, we’ll go broke.”
Angel sighed. “I know, but she’s trying. She’s so out of her element. But it’s actually nice having another woman to talk to when you are all gone during the day.”
“Do me a favor and keep her away from my clothes. The shirt I wore today caused the worst rash from dried soap.”
“Oh, poor man, can I help with your rash?” Angel said with mischief in her eyes.
“As a matter of fact,” he said as he pulled his undershirt over his head, “you can kiss all the parts that are red.” His fingers lowered to unbuckle his pants.
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