They left the shop, having decided on the garden behind Alice’s lodgings as their destination. It was a pleasant, private spot. As they walked, Douglas told her what he’d uncovered at work. She was furious at Archie’s subterfuge and yet filled with awe at the way Douglas had unraveled it.
“You really did clear my name,” she said, marveling.
“Henley truly regrets what happened, how he was tricked by Archie and coerced by his wife to do what he did. Over the objections of Mrs. Henley, he sacked Archie immediately. We had to scramble to find a replacement. I’ve also been helping out, but we still need someone to fill the other position.”
Alice pulled up short. “Are you implying that I ought to reapply?”
“Let’s hold that thought for a bit, shall we?” he said.
By now they had reached Alice’s lodgings. As they made their way to the garden, Alice thought over what Douglas had said. The idea of returning to work at Henley and Company was gratifying, but she wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. Not after all that had happened there. And certainly not if Douglas planned to— No, surely he didn’t. Not after the way he’d signed that telegram.
“Are you still courting Miss Rolland?” she demanded, pausing just as they passed through the garden gate.
“No. She gave me the cut direct.”
“She did?”
Douglas smiled. “I see you are rightfully horrified. However, you shouldn’t feel bad for me. Miss Rolland and I agreed on it ahead of time. It was all staged, in order to preserve her vaunted reputation and give her the upper hand.”
“You wanted to be insulted? But why?”
“That’s a long story, too. Will you indulge me?” He motioned toward the nearby bench.
Alice nodded. At this point, she wasn’t about to refuse.
Douglas began by describing his conversation with Mr. Carnegie. Alice listened, riveted, as he went on to tell her about his family. With every word, she understood him better: where he had come from and how it had molded him. By the time he shared the good news from his recent visit to Glasgow, she was rejoicing right along with him. Everything confirmed what she’d always felt must be true about his character, despite how it had looked at times. He was a good man. As Miss Templeton had said, such men weren’t easy to find. But Alice was pretty sure she had done it.
“And that is how I ended up getting the cut direct from Miss Rolland,” Douglas concluded. “But of all the things that have happened to me, that matters the least. I hope to win the hand of someone much more admirable.”
Douglas took her hand again, and Alice’s heart began to flutter in that way that had been totally unfamiliar to her until she’d met him.
He looked into her eyes. “My dear Miss McNeil, dare I hope that you turned down that offer of marriage from the cargo master?”
The question was so unexpected that she had to swallow a laugh. “Yes. I did.”
“Does that mean you are determined to remain a spinster?”
She gave him the same wobbly smile that had once worked so well on Fred, only this time she meant it. “I don’t think that plan is going to work out so well, either.”
His hand tightened on hers. “Isn’t it funny how plans can change? As our great Scottish poet once said, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
“So what do we do?”
“Make new plans, of course! If, as the poem says, our little nest has been turned out, we shall seek other pastures. What would you say about accompanying me to Argentina, for starters? You’d be going in an unofficial capacity, as my wife, but—”
“Your wife!”
“Well, naturally. I thought that was understood—”
She stopped his words with a kiss. It was an unusual proposal, but she didn’t mind. She’d never had any interest in courtship by the book.
Much later, when they’d had time to catch their breath and she was enjoying the solid comfort of leaning against his chest, Alice murmured, “What were you saying about Argentina?”
She felt his chest move as he chuckled. “I didn’t finish that statement, did I?”
She snuggled in closer, savoring the warmth of his touch. She’d had no idea how satisfying it could be. “So I’ll be going along as your wife,” she prompted.
“That’s right. But I’ll need your help with our telegraphed communications back to the company. There is a new codebook, with a whole new set of coding to learn. Shipping beef involves quite a few details that aren’t relevant to cotton or grain.”
“How long do you suppose we’ll be gone?”
“About four months, I expect. Long enough for us to become versed in a bit of Spanish, perhaps. But you’re likely to feel at home much of the time. I’m told that Buenos Aires is quite the cosmopolitan city, with whole sections made up of people from England, Germany, France, and Spain.”
“It sounds wonderful.”
“Am I to interpret that as a yes?”
She pulled away from him just enough to gaze into his eyes—those warm brown eyes that had captivated her from the beginning, even if she’d been unwilling to admit it.
His smile broadened as he understood exactly what she was telegraphing with her gaze. Then he kissed her again.
After a time, Alice said, “I don’t believe I’ll want to go back to Henley and Company after our return. What would you say to the idea of my starting a commercial telegraphy school? There is a high demand for those skills.”
“You would encourage women to join such a profession after the experiences you’ve had?”
“It led me to you, didn’t it?”
He grinned. “I can’t argue with that.”
“I might even expand it into a more general business school. I could teach typewriting, as well, and shorthand for taking dictation. We could even find sponsors to offer scholarships for those in need.”
“Yes!” said Douglas eagerly. “I like that part especially. I can help you draw up the financial plans—”
She placed a hand to his lips. “Perhaps we should start by planning our wedding?”
He kissed her fingers. “That’s an excellent idea.”
“I envision a large wedding with lots of people and an elaborate wedding breakfast,” Alice said. “We ought also to have dancing, of course.”
At her mention of dancing, Douglas grimaced. “It’s too bad we can no longer run off to Gretna Green and be married by the blacksmith.”
“True. But I’ve no objection to going to Scotland for our honeymoon trip.”
“Och, you will love the Highlands, lassie. They are beautiful this time of year. Or so I’ve heard.”
She saw a hint of pain behind the laughter in his eyes. He was Scottish, yes, but he knew nothing of Scotland beyond the industrial city where he’d been raised. Alice had never been to Scotland at all, even though her grandparents had been born in Inverness. “Yes, I believe it is high time we both saw it.”
“It’s a good plan, wouldn’t you agree?”
Something on the brick wall opposite them caught Alice’s eye. It was Miss T, who had come out to sun herself. She was looking down on them with a placid gaze, as if she approved.
“Yes,” Alice said. “It is the very best plan.”
He kissed her again, and that was the end of their conversation for quite a long while indeed.
Epilogue
That must have been the finest display of professional restraint ever shown by a telegraph operator,” Mr. Bennington said, laughing as Douglas and Rose each gave their version of what had happened on the day when Douglas sent the now-famous telegram to Alice.
Her wedding was just ten days away. Even now, as she watched the man she loved smile as he chatted with their friends, Alice could hardly believe it was true. Her heart felt as light as the butterflies flitting over the rosebushes on this sunny afternoon.
They were gathered by an elegant stone fountain that was the centerpiece of Lucy’s garden. Lucy had arranged a luncheon to cele
brate the upcoming wedding. Douglas’s friends Stuart and Hal had been invited, along with Emma and Rose. Lucy was inside, overseeing the final preparations, while everyone else enjoyed a stroll in the garden.
Lucy had finally become reconciled to the fact that Alice was going to marry Douglas instead of Fred. Her change of heart had been helped along by Fred himself—who, as it turned out, already had another marital prospect. While still in limbo after his proposal to Alice, he’d attended a party at the home of his ship’s captain. There, he’d met the captain’s daughter and had become immediately smitten. According to Lucy, the young lady returned Fred’s interest, which was why he’d been so unruffled when Alice officially turned him down. As with so many things, she could thank Miss Templeton’s wise counsel for that. By not delaying her talk with Fred, things were now infinitely better for everyone.
Even Lucy’s husband, Mr. Bennington, was having a good time today. He generally approved only of parties that fit his social status, but today he seemed inclined to overlook the unusual nature of the guest list. Alice thought he might have another reason for agreeing to this party besides his willingness to accommodate his wife’s wishes. He was clearly impressed with Douglas. Her fiancé’s growing reputation in the business world was something the successful stockbroker could understand and admire.
He was also having a good laugh over the Telegram Incident. It had quickly become the stuff of legend, especially as Douglas had nearly keeled over from shock the day Alice introduced him to Rose.
Mr. Bennington said, “Clearly, Mrs. Finlay, you deserve an award for meritorious service.”
“I’d be thrilled to receive such a recognition from the postmaster general,” Rose answered with a wry smile. “Especially if it were to come with a pay raise.”
“I still can’t believe you managed to keep the secret for so long—even from me!” Emma exclaimed. Rose hadn’t breathed a word of her involvement in that telegram to anyone until the moment she and Douglas were officially introduced by Alice.
Rose nodded. “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was desperate to say something and so anxious for Alice—how would she react to that message? Not to mention, here was my opportunity to examine the man who had turned her head.”
Once upon a time, Alice would have vigorously denied that any man could turn her head. It was too late now, however, so she gave a happy, if slightly embarrassed, smile.
“I could see you had plenty of questions,” Douglas said to Rose. “You stared at me like I was some sort of mythical creature.”
“I halfway believe you are!” Rose joked. “Such honorable gentlemen are as rare as unicorns!”
This cheeky remark brought chuckles from everyone.
But then Rose sobered and added, “However, it wasn’t so much that I wanted to pepper you with questions. There was really only one thing that I wanted to say to you.”
He eyed her with interest. “What was that?”
She stepped closer to him and stretched as tall as she could in order to look him in the eye. “You had better do right by Alice and treat her well, Mr. Shaw. Today and always. This is the finest woman in the world, and she deserves nothing less.”
Her words brought tears to Alice’s eyes. They were a high compliment, and they also showed how fiercely protective Rose was of her friends. There was an edge to them, though. Scars from Rose’s past sometimes surfaced in this way. Alice guessed that she was voicing her own pain.
Emma touched Rose’s arm. “You needn’t be so worried. He’s not going to hurt Alice—he’s in love with her!”
This naïve view of love would normally have no power to persuade someone like Rose. Nevertheless, she stepped back from Douglas, and her posture softened. “I didn’t mean to imply you would intentionally hurt her. I didn’t mean to cause offense.”
“None taken.” Douglas gave Rose one of his impossibly charming smiles. “You are a good friend to Alice. I hope I shall prove myself deserving of your confidence.”
His heartfelt response must have been exactly what Rose needed to hear. Expelling a breath, she gave an approving nod, and the atmosphere lightened again.
As everyone else moved into other conversations, Emma took Alice aside. “I’ve already got all your cards addressed, ready to post after your wedding.”
Emma had eagerly offered to take on several bridesmaid’s duties, including sending out the announcements after the wedding. The cards would go to friends and extended family members and would include the new couple’s address. Because Alice and Douglas planned to leave in a few months for an extended trip to Argentina, they’d decided to set up their first home in furnished lodgings. It was a spacious set of rooms located not far from where Alice lived.
“We like the neighborhood,” Douglas had cheerfully explained to their friends. “There’s a bookshop nearby that we are partial to visiting.” By then, Alice had told Douglas about how she’d overheard him and his friends discussing the spinster book. They’d all had a good laugh over that, too.
“Just imagine, one day you’ll have your own home!” Emma said dreamily. Her gaze was taking in Lucy’s house and garden, probably imagining Alice and Douglas owning such a place. “In the meantime, I can help you decorate your new lodgings, if you like. Even though it is furnished, you’ll want to add your own touches. And some plants, too!”
Alice nodded. “It has a large, sunny parlor. I’m sure we could put some plants in there.”
“Yes! That will make it feel like it’s truly your home.” Emma put loving emphasis on the word. She hugged Alice tightly. “I’m so happy for you! I wish I could attend your wedding. You must tell me every detail when you return.”
“Agreed,” Alice said. “I know you and Rose will be with me in spirit.”
Despite her teasing of Douglas on the day they’d become engaged, their wedding was going to be a simple affair. Alice’s mother had insisted it take place in Ancaster because the bride’s parents had a duty to provide the wedding breakfast. Her mother had once been resigned to Alice’s spinsterhood, but the moment she’d learned Alice was to be married after all, everything had changed. Now she was the doting mother of the bride, filled with plans for the wedding. In her view, having the wedding breakfast at the bride’s home was the only acceptable thing to do. Never mind that Alice hadn’t lived there for nearly ten years. Alice had agreed primarily because her mother was not strong enough to travel to London. Alice felt that made her too frail to host the breakfast, too, but that argument had not prevailed. Her mother had been adamant, and Annie, Minnie, and Jane had insisted they’d be helping her at every step.
Most of Alice’s and Douglas’s friends would not be able to get away from work to attend the wedding in Ancaster, which was the reason for having this celebratory luncheon together instead.
“Let’s rejoin the others,” Alice suggested to Emma, noticing Lucy coming out of the house and heading toward the garden. “I believe it’s nearly time to go in.”
Douglas and Mr. Bennington must have been chatting about business, because as Alice and Emma walked up to them, Lucy’s husband told Alice, “You certainly have done well for yourself in marrying this gentleman.”
“My thanks to you for the compliment,” Douglas said, “but the truth is, I am the one who is marrying up.” He took Alice’s arm, love evident in his eyes as he looked at her. She never had been able to shake the breathtaking feeling that came over her at such times. Nowadays, though, she didn’t mind at all.
“You are indeed the lucky one,” Lucy told him, arriving in time to hear his comment. She tried to look stern as she said it, but a smile got the better of her. Now that she was no longer stuck on the idea of her brother marrying Alice, she was warming up to Douglas. It helped that her husband, whose opinions she held in high regard, liked him as well.
Alice was glad the Benningtons, at least, would be able to attend the wedding. Her friendship with Lucy had been comfortably restored. Alice had a newfound respect
for her friend, particularly when she recalled Miss Templeton’s words about how Lucy had done so well because she understood her self-worth.
Lucy’s talent for fashion was also proving to be a boon. “Tomorrow we go to the dressmaker’s to see how that new traveling dress looks on you!” she remarked to Alice as the luncheon party walked toward the house. The traveling dress was her wedding gift to Alice. Lucy’s sartorial flair had never been more evident, nor more appreciated, as when they’d chosen the material and decided on the design of the dress.
“I’m excited to see it, too,” Alice said, even though she knew the admission would stoke Lucy’s visions of future shopping trips. Apart from her wedding gown, the traveling dress would be the first outfit she wore as Mrs. Shaw. She loved that it would be the gift of a longtime friend—a friend who had always been convinced Alice would marry someday. What came after the wedding might not unfold as Lucy imagined, but then, their plans for travel, business, and the telegraphy school were dreams belonging uniquely to Alice and Douglas. It was a new phase of her life that Alice couldn’t wait to begin.
During the luncheon, the upcoming honeymoon trip was a big topic of conversation. Alice and Douglas explained that after being married in Ancaster, they would spend a few days in the Lake District and then go to Glasgow to visit Douglas’s parents. In Glasgow, they would be honored at a party organized by the Shaws and the Johnstones before going on to spend the bulk of their trip in the Highlands.
“The Scots are lively folk,” Hal pointed out, affecting a very bad Scottish brogue. “I expect there will be dancin’ at that party.”
Alice looked at Douglas, worried this remark would bring panic to his face, or at the very least, a grimace of pain. Something flickered in his eyes that might have been those things, or maybe just a grim determination to face the worst. But then something interesting happened. He took Alice’s hand, and his eyes smiled into hers.
“In that case,” he said, “I’ll just have to get plenty of private lessons beforehand.”
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