by West, Everly
"No," she cried. "I'd make a horrible nun."
"Oh Lord, you can say that again," her father said.
"Then you'll marry Mr. Wardell," her mother said. "A summer wedding."
"No," she wailed.
"You have a choice," her mother said. "Marry Mr. Wardell or go to the convent."
Jennie slumped in the seat, knowing the decision had been made and nothing she said would change their minds. But before she tied the knot, she was determined to finish her list. Maybe her desire to experience life was trivial, but she didn't care. Before she became a wife and instant mother, she wanted to try these things.
"Please let this courtship go on for at least six more months," she said pleading. "I'll promise no more nighttime trips."
"Three at the most," her mother said. "Like I said, a summer wedding."
How would she cope with losing her freedom and being forced to marry a man she liked, but didn't love? Could they fall in love and be happy?
* * *
Two weeks later, Jennie stood in her bedroom in her wedding dress. Everything happened so fast. Once Milton came and spoke to her father, his only condition to the marriage was that it happen right away. While she hoped for several months to become adjusted to the idea, Milton insisted on a small ceremony in the next few weeks.
And, of course, her mother delivered.
She never dreamed of a large wedding, but then again, she wasn't ready to be a wife and mother.
The ceremony would be held outdoors in front of the house. The sound of people gathering in the warm sunshine drifted up through the open window.
Her mother came into the room along with Hattie, who was standing up beside her. Milton had chosen his boys to stand up with him, so they appeared one big happy family. Or at least it seemed that way, while on the inside, Jennie had the urge to run.
"People are gathering outside," her mother said. "Oh Jennie, you look so pretty. I'm so glad you are wearing my wedding dress."
She didn't choose the dress to please her mother, but rather, because she liked the gown.
"Honey, I know you don't think this is what you want but trust me. Being Milton's wife, you'll have security and money, and he appears to be a nice man who will take care of you."
Growing up in poverty greatly affected her mother and until she was grown, she never understood the depth she would go to, to make certain her daughters never experienced being without.
"What about love, Mother? Did you ever think I wanted to love the man I married?"
"That will come in time. One day you'll wake up and realize you love him."
Was it magic? One thing she understood about Milton, he didn't appear a romantic. They had barely seen each other in the last two weeks, and he had very little input on the wedding.
"What if he doesn't love me? I've always wanted a man crazy in love with me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Why do I fear he's marrying me to be the babysitter for his boys, who are going to be a challenge."
The twins, a new husband, a new life, all because she went gambling one night. Once again, the rules were to cage women in, and she was tired of being locked up.
Her mother patted her on the arm, like that would solve everything and calm her down. "As you'll soon learn, men need us. Tonight your husband will take your virginity. Lay there and let him. You will only hurt for a brief moment."
Behind her mother, Hattie rolled her eyes and it was all Jennie could do to keep from busting out laughing even after she expressed all her fears about today. The way her mother explained the marriage bed was hilarious.
"Is this what I hear you and Papa doing in your bedroom?"
Hattie covered her mouth and whirled around, though her snickers could still be heard. For some reason, Jennie wanted to make her mother as uncomfortable as she was making her. At the sight of her mother's blush, she knew she had succeeded.
"Jennie, do not speak of such things. You'll soon have children listening outside your door. What goes on behind a closed door is none of your business," her mother said.
"Yes, ma'am," she replied.
Fear spiraled through Jennie and the urge to crawl out the window and run as far as she could all but overwhelmed her. But that would only give her access to Saint Catherine's convent. Today, she would become Milton's wife, for better or worse, and she hoped and prayed the marriage was for the better.
"I'm going downstairs, and in a few minutes, when your father appears, you and he will join us. Please, Jennie, be a good daughter and make us proud," her mother said as she gave her a hug. "One day you'll be grateful I found Milton for you."
With a sigh, Jennie watched her mother walk out the door and turned to Hattie. "You know what this means."
"No, what?"
"You're the last remaining O'Brian girl to be married. She's probably already searching for you a husband."
Hattie smiled. "Unlike you, I can't wait."
Jennie shook her head. Why was she always the odd one out? Why did she always have to be different from everyone else? And why did Hattie always prove to be the favored one? Just once she'd like to see her do something their mother didn't approve of. "Well, good for you."
A knock sounded and her father opened the door. "It's time, Jennie girl. Are you ready?"
One last gaze at her old room, knowing this would no longer be her safe haven before she turned to her father. "Doesn't appear I have much choice, now, does it?"
"No," her father said. "He's a fine man, and he'll make you a wonderful husband."
With a sigh, she took her father's arm. "Let's get this over with."
* * *
As much as she hated to admit it, the wedding had been fun. After the ceremony, they ate on long tables set up in the yard and even danced on a makeshift dance floor. Her husband had been attentive, the twins behaved like perfect little gentlemen and when they began to fuss, Milton said it was time to go home.
Now here they were in his mansion, which she had never been in. Two blocks from downtown, she would learn to live as a city girl instead of the ranch she'd grown up on.
She helped him put the boys to bed, who promptly fell asleep.
Then she turned to Milton, not knowing what to expect. He took her hand as they walked downstairs to the living area. The six-bedroom home was opulent with its rich tapestries and upholstered furniture adorning a parlor, a great room, and rooms she had yet to see.
They sat on the couch. "I'm sure you're tired," he said.
"Yes," she replied, thinking what an odd statement.
"The stable boy took your trunk upstairs to the guestroom. I thought you'd be more comfortable there," he said not looking at her.
Her parents shared a bedroom. Sure, she heard of married couples having separate bedrooms, but never imagined sleeping apart from her husband.
"All right," she said, not knowing his intentions. Did this mean they would consummate their marriage in her bed?
"Let me show you to your room," he said. "It's going to take some time for us to adjust to living together. For the boys to know that you're their new mother."
"Of course," she said, realizing the next few months would be filled with change. Hopefully change she would welcome.
"You will be in full control of running the house," he said. "Planning the meals, the servants, and making sure everything goes smoothly. You'll be given an allowance and that money is yours to use however you want."
Why did this seem like more of a job than an actual marriage? Like she would be paid a salary to maintain his home.
"In the morning before I leave for the office, I'll tell the boys they are to mind you explicitly."
"You're not taking tomorrow off? This is our honeymoon," she said quietly as they climbed the stairs. Where was the dashing man who helped her experience drinking whiskey? Where was the man whose kisses she enjoyed?
"Oh no," he said. "Too much is going on at the mine for me to miss more than a day. Working only a half day today will put me
way behind. A couple nights a week, I work late."
Was that when he went to the gambling hall? What happened to the man who kissed her passionately? What happened to the man who intrigued her, and she thought eventually she would want to be his wife? Why did this feel so cold?
"Here we are," he said, standing in front of her door. "If you need anything at all, tell Mrs. Daniel, she's the housekeeper, and she will help you."
She nodded at a loss for words, somehow getting the feeling this night would not go as planned.
He reached out and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, Jennie. Sleep well."
With a whirl, he hurried down the stairs, abandoning her. What the hell just happened? That wasn't the man she married. No, they weren't in love, but he was leaving her alone on their wedding night?
As she opened the door to her new room, she glanced around at her new gilded cage. Why did it appear all her misgivings about marriage were coming to fruition?
Tears welled up in her eyes and her chest ached with the pain of betrayal. Tonight was not the wedding night she dreamed of.
Chapter Five
The next morning, Milton watched his wife descend the stairs. A troubled frown appeared on her face and she looked tired. Last night had been so difficult to keep his resolution.
Walking away from her had been the hardest thing he'd ever done. Sooner or later, she would realize he would never consummate their marriage.
Then how would she react?
"Good morning," he said. "I'm getting ready to leave for the office."
"A moment of your time, please," she said, standing in front of him blocking his path.
"All right," he said. "What do you need?"
She gave him an incredulous glance. "Last night was our wedding night. Why didn't we consummate our marriage?"
One thing with Jennie, there was no subtlety. She got right to the point. "We were both exhausted and we're still getting to know each other. I thought it would be better to wait."
No way would he tell her their marriage would be a loveless one, because he knew she would walk and he didn't want that. In fact, not sleeping with Jennie would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, but he must try. An attractive, vibrant young woman who he wanted to grab and kiss until they woke up beside each other satisfied.
The memory of Myra and the horror of her death was more than he could handle. He couldn't sleep with Jennie, but would she accept their marriage in name only?
Yes, he was a selfish bastard, accustomed to getting his way. And now guilt gripped him. He married Jennie for his own self-centered purposes.
"So tonight?"
"Let's wait and let things happen naturally between us," he said, noticing the frown on her face. "I'll probably work late trying to catch up."
"Oh, so it will be just me and the boys for supper?"
The look of disbelief on her face had his gut wrenching. What man left his bride alone? What man turned down sex with his wife? With his beautiful bride?
The man who didn't want to lose a second woman to childbirth.
"Yes," he said, and the blood seemed to drain from her face. Her sapphire eyes flashed with anger, her body became rigid and she very carefully contemplated her words. He needed to leave and now, before things got ugly. "I've got to go. The boys should be getting up soon."
He turned and bolted out the door, knowing from the expression on her face an explosion could happen at any moment and it wouldn't be pretty. What was he doing? Was he right in keeping himself distant from her?
Maybe he should never have married her.
* * *
Stunned, Jennie watched the door close behind Milton as she stood in the entry hall of the great house. Had she traded one gilded cage for another? Was this how her life would be from here on? A cold, emotionless husband and two children that were the devil's spawns.
Tears welled up in her eyes and the urge to sit and cry overwhelmed her. All her life, she'd been different and why did it seem like people took advantage of her? Now what did she do?
With a sigh, she sank down into the nearest chair and stared out into the lush backyard. If Milton thought she would accept him this way, he'd breathed way too much mining dust. Still a virgin, an annulment could be obtained, if that was what she wanted.
The memory of her husband kissing her in front of the preacher, saying their vows and how he lifted her veil, his emerald eyes shining with happiness. What happened between the ceremony and last night?
No, she didn't want this marriage to end. But she refused to let their happily wedded bliss continue on its current path. Maybe her husband needed to be reminded of who he married. Known as the wild child, the time for a reminder of how she achieved that name might be in order.
Only Jennie had the power to create the kind of life she wanted and needed. And if Milton wanted to be her husband, then she needed to change his thinking. Either for better or worse.
Rising from the couch, she didn't know how, just yet. But she would start with his children.
* * *
At six o'clock, Milton sat at his desk. All day long the image of his wife appeared before his eyes, and he felt bad about the way things were when he left this morning. What the hell was he doing? This was not how to start a marriage.
Once again, he glanced down at the numbers, and they only seemed to blur. The sound of the door opening and the pitter patter of children running caught his attention.
"Papa," George said as he ran into his office, followed closely by Paul.
What were they doing here? It was past their dinnertime, and she was supposed to be taking care of the boys.
As she walked in with a picnic basket in her arms, a smile on her face, which surprised him and made him a little uneasy. Not known for being subtle, but rather devious, what was his wife up to?
"What's going on?" he asked.
Walking to his side, she kissed him on the lips, as her breasts rubbed against his arm. "Mrs. Wardell has a new rule. Supper time is family time and if you don't come home, then we will bring your dinner here to the office."
"But..." What could he say?
"This is your sons’ time to spend with their father and tell him how their day went. And it's our time to hear how your day went," she said as she pulled out a tablecloth and napkins.
"Boys, can you spread the tablecloth on your father's desk," she said.
"No," he said, standing quickly thinking of the mess they would make of his organized desk. "Let's go into the back area where there is a table and chairs."
"Great," she said, taking him by the arm. Once again, her breast brushed his arm and a groan filled his throat. Was she deliberately teasing him?
They walked down the hall toward the back. "So, dear, how was your day?"
A trickle of unease spiraled through him. No one ever asked him about his day. After this morning, he was shocked she still spoke to him.
"I've been checking the numbers on how much coal and silver we've mined. Also, looked at some new prospecting reports on where to mine next."
"Explain what that means so the boys will understand," she said.
What was she doing? His sons were so small; they couldn't begin to understand mining. Quickly, he gave them a brief explanation.
"Papa, do you go down where they dig the coal out of the mountain?" George asked.
"Sometimes," he said, thinking that was not something he enjoyed, but made them money.
"I wanna go," the boy said. "Will it be scary?"
While he wanted his sons interested in the business, he wasn't ready to take them into a mine filled with coal dust. "When you're ten, we'll talk about going down in the mine again."
George glared at his father and crossed his arms, face pouting, then looked at Jennie. "I told you so."
With a tilt of her head, she sent Milton a look that showed she sided with George. "Maybe your papa can you show you everything except for going down in the mine. It's a dangerous business and your fathe
r doesn't want you to get hurt."
The boy considered her comments and turned to him. "Can I see the rest of your business?"
How could he deny his son? Yet, they had never shown any interest in what he did before.
"Yes, son, one day soon the three of us will go out to the mine and I'll show you the business."
"Me too, Papa," Paul said.
Jennie gave him a smile and leaned against him, her body touching his. "Thank you. We've spent the morning talking about family. And they asked me when I would give them a brother or sister."
Tension gripped him, and he gazed into her sapphire eyes, knowing how he reacted could end their marriage. "What did you tell them?"
A calculating smile crossed her face, and she leaned in and whispered. "That only you and God knew when that would happen."
He swallowed hard. How could he respond?
The boys finished putting the table cloth on, and she began to hand out the plates and silverware.
After just one day with Jennie, his twins behaved better. Yes, the marriage was a good thing, but he couldn't lose another wife.
When they were all seated, she glanced at him waiting. The boys sat quietly. Everyone stared at him. "What?"
"Jennie says we're supposed to say grace before we eat. Are you going to pray, Papa, so we can eat?"
What had he done? In just one day, his wife managed to upend his household and even the twins appeared to be responding to her guidance. In less than a day, she'd gotten more control over the boys than any nanny he'd ever hired.
"Of course," he said and bowed his head to say the blessing.
As soon as they said amen, George reached for the dessert. "George, what did I tell you at lunch?"
The boy sighed.
"You're going to get us in trouble," Paul said. "You must clean your plate before you can have dessert."
"Do I have to eat green beans?"
"A few," Jennie told the boy. "Eat four green beans and you're done."