by Ana Leigh
The door on the attached car opened, and Vincent Calhoun stepped out onto the platform. His surprise upon seeing her appeared to be as great as hers.
“Why, Miss Collins, what an unexpected pleasure. May I join you?”
Without waiting for her reply, he stepped across the coupling that linked the two cars together. “I trust I find you in good health.”
“Yes, indeed, Mr. Calhoun. No thanks to you.”
Threats or no threats, she refused to cower in front of this man.
“I’m not certain I understand what you’re referring to, Miss Collins.”
“Please drop the false courtesy, Mr. Calhoun. It’s ludicrous, considering your threat to me and my family. Tell me, sir, does it give you a sense of power to terrify an eight-year-old child?”
“Business is business, Miss Collins. The price for being successful, I suppose.” He sighed with false contrition. “A man must do what a man must do. Nothing personal, of course.”
“I suppose that’s true when that man is a cheap embezzler like you. Nothing personal, of course.”
His mouth slashed into a thin line of fury. She turned to leave, and he grabbed her arm. “Who do you think you’re talking to, you little whore? Give your father a message for me: he’ll be lucky if he has a shirt on his back when he leaves Napa. If he’s still alive.”
Caroline had had enough of it all: the threats, the sneers from Calhoun and Slatter, the ultimatums from Jed. She had had it with men trying to coerce her and wouldn’t tolerate another minute of it.
She hauled off and slapped Calhoun across the face.
“You bitch!” he cursed and raised his arm to strike her just as the door opened.
“What in hell!” Jed exclaimed and made a move toward them, but stopped when Caroline yanked her arm from Calhoun’s grasp.
“Nothing to be alarmed about, Mr. Fraser. Mr. Calhoun has just been amusing me with his delusions of grandeur.” She brushed past Jed and went back inside.
Calhoun stepped back onto the other car.
“What’s going on?” Jed demanded.
The lawyer turned around and shook a pointed finger at him. “Tell her she crossed the line. And she’ll pay for it.” He went back inside.
Dammit! It wasn’t safe to close his eyes for a minute, Jed fumed. When he had awakened, Nathan and Garrett were asleep, but Caroline’s seat was empty and he’d assumed she’d gone to the water closet. But when she hadn’t returned after a reasonable time, he’d begun to feel uneasy and went looking for her. And sure as hell, he found her, all right. Smack-dab in the middle of a fight, if he ever saw one.
At least the air felt good out here. It was a reminder of how much he hated trains. Aside from being hot and stuffy, their open windows were an invitation to every speck of blowing dust. The seats were hard and narrow, and if that wasn’t enough to bear, the constant clatter of the wheels was deafening when the windows were opened.
He yearned for the feel of a deck underfoot, for the cool ocean breeze carrying the fresh smell and spray of the sea. What the hell was he doing on a damn train?
He lit a cigarillo and thought of the scene he’d just interrupted between Caroline and Calhoun. What could she have said to cause that bastard to shout open threats with no attempt at subtlety? The situation was rapidly reaching a boiling point. If Leland Stanford refused to see them, he’d have to cart them all off to Clay’s.
He dropped the cigarillo into the provided pail of sand and went back inside.
The sun had set by the time they reached the city. Jed registered them into a hotel that offered connecting rooms, with Caroline and Garrett in one room and he and Nathan in the other. Even though he felt certain Calhoun wouldn’t try any of his hanky-panky in the city, Jed wasn’t letting anyone out of his sight. He reached for the hotel key.
“Are you serious?” Caroline complained when he unlocked the door between their two rooms.
“Remember, I said there would be no locked doors between us, Caroline.”
“We aren’t married yet, Mr. Fraser,” she said, and slammed the door in his face.
Nathan chuckled and shook his head. “That’s my girl! I’m going downstairs to the bar and have me a tall glass of cold beer.”
“I’d rather you wait until we all go down together, sir.”
“Jed, my boy, you aren’t trying to tell me what to do, are you?”
“Wouldn’t think of it, sir. I just feel there’s safety in numbers. After the incident between Calhoun and Caroline, you don’t know what that bastard will try next.”
Nathan nodded. “You’re right. I should have known better. But I know my daughter, Jed; she won’t consent to allow my grandson near a barroom.”
“I’m sure you can order a glass of beer in the dining room, sir.”
Nathan sighed. “It just never tastes quite as good as when you belly up to the bar with your foot on the rail.”
Caroline stood by the door and listened to the male voices from the next room. She smiled when she heard the sound of her father’s laughter. In her own loneliness, she’d forgotten about the possibility of her father’s. He enjoyed Jed’s company so much. But was it Jed he enjoyed, or was it the memories Jed helped him to recall?
I guess we’re both wishing for something we can’t have.
She walked over and opened her suitcase, then sat on the bed in annoyance.
“What’s wrong, Mama?” Garrett asked.
“Oh, I just packed the wrong dress.” She pulled out a pale-blue satin gown from her luggage. “I intended to wear a fresh gown tomorrow when we meet with Mr. Stanford, but certainly not this one. My mind sure wasn’t on my packing this morning.”
“You look pretty in that dress, Mama.”
“Thank you, honey, but it’s a party gown. Too fancy for our business meeting tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I guess I’ll have to wear the gown tonight and freshen and hang up the one I have on now. At least it will be more appropriate to wear tomorrow.”
“Mama, what did you mean when you said to Jed that you aren’t married yet?”
Caroline patted the bed beside her. “Come over here, honey.”
Once he was seated, she slipped her arm around his shoulders and hugged him to her side. “Do you like Jed, Garrett?”
“I sure do. He’s ’bout the best man, I know ’cepting Granddad. Granddad’s the best.”
She gave him an extra little squeeze for that.
“What would you think of Jed and me getting married?”
Garrett looked perplexed. “Isn’t there a rule you have to love each other to get married? Like Granddad and Grandma did. Don’t seem like you and Jed love each other, Mama; you’re always fighting.”
“Sometimes people marry because it’s the best thing to do. And we think the best thing for us to do is get married.”
“Why is that the best thing to do?”
“Well, Jed likes you just as much as you like him, and he wants to take care of you.”
“But you, Granddad, and Buffer take good care of me, so why would Jed want to?”
Caroline took a deep breath. This was the hardest part to explain. “Honey, your father was killed in the war, and Jed is his brother. That’s why he wants to take care of you.”
“You mean, I’d have to go away from you and Granddad?” he said in panic.
“No, no, no. Jed would live with us —when he isn’t at sea. You know he’s a sailor, and he’s gone most of the time.”
“That’s okay, then. If you marry him, does that mean you’ll stop fighting with each other?”
She laughed and kissed him on the forehead. “I can’t promise you that. But I promise I’ll try. But no matter what Jed and I feel about each other, we both love you dearly just the same.”
Well, that was the final nail in her coffin. Since Garrett had no objections, she’d go ahead and marry Jed.
Caroline stood up. “I better get dressed. You know how grump
y your grandfather gets when he’s hungry. After our meeting with Mr. Stanford tomorrow, we’ll go back home, pack some clothes, and then all go to meet Jed’s family in Calistoga. That’s where the wedding will be. You’ll be meeting many uncles, aunts, and cousins you’ve never known. Isn’t that exciting?”
“Yeah, but can Buffer come with us, too?” Garrett asked.
She laughed. “We’ll ask Jed what he thinks.”
CHAPTER
10
Jed had changed into his white naval uniform for dinner. Deeply tanned from his voyages at sea, his skin and dark hair were a devastating contrast against the white of his uniform. Caroline noticed the female stares that followed him as they were shown to their table. Apparently women were unable to ignore the tall, dark handsomeness of the Fraser men. Pity the poor women who had married his brothers.
“Mr. Fraser,” a voice called out as they passed one of the tables.
“Captain Beningham,” Jed acknowledged with a slight bow.
“Whatever are you doing in Sacramento?” Beningham asked.
“We’re here on business, sir. You remember Captain Collins, of course. And this is his daughter, Caroline Collins, and his grandson, Garrett.”
Beningham stood up. “Good evening, Miss Collins. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The same to you, young man,” he told Garrett. “And Nathan, how good to see you again. We must have a brandy together later and talk over those good times we had running Yankee blockades.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Nathan said.
“And my lovely dinner partner is my wife, Elizabeth.”
After he finished the introductions, Beningham said to his wife, “If you recall, my dear, Mr. Fraser is the mate on my ship.”
“I do remember, Benjamin; you speak of him so often. My husband is very impressed with you, Mr. Fraser.”
“That’s very kind of him, ma’am,” Jed said.
“I certainly can agree with your husband’s opinion, madam,” Nathan said. “Mr. Fraser served on my ship during the war.”
She laughed lightly. “Then you will indeed have much to talk about, Captain Collins.”
Clearly uncomfortable, Jed quickly said, “We won’t disturb your dinner any longer. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Beningham.” He put a hand on the small of Caroline’s back and gently steered her to their table.
“My, what a handsome couple they are,” Elizabeth Beningham remarked.
“Yes, and I don’t like it,” Beningham said.
“Benjamin, why would you object?”
“He’s the best first mate I’ve ever had, and I hate to lose him to a woman.”
“Oh, you old walrus,” she teased. “You’ve got salt water in your veins.” She stole another glance at Jed as he assisted in seating Caroline. “Oh, how I envy her.”
“Good Lord, Beth, he’s half your age.”
“Not that.” She squeezed his hand. “Don’t you remember how exciting it was to be young and in love?”
“Yes, I remember only too well.” Beningham sighed as he looked at the couple across the room. “I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.”
As they dined, an orchestra began playing, and Caroline listened with pleasure to the lilt of a Viennese waltz. Soon dancers began to swirl by.
As much as she loved music, she had never attended a formal ball. While her mother was alive, she’d play the piano and watch with a smile when her mother and father waltzed together around the room. Then her mother would play the piano while her father taught her the steps.
Caroline still spent long hours at the piano, one of the few pastimes, other than reading, that gave her great pleasure.
When they finished their meal, she sat swaying her head to the rhythm of the music. Her fingers seemed to itch for the feel of a keyboard.
“Granddad, why don’t you and Mama dance together like you used to?” Garrett asked.
“You were so young then; how can you even remember, Garrett?” Nathan asked.
“I was six years old then. Grandma would play the piano, and you and Mama would dance. But the part I liked the best was when you and Grandma danced together. You always kissed her hand when you were through, and she’d always have that special smile when you did.”
Nathan stood with a smile. “Would you do me the pleasure of having this waltz with me, honey?”
Caroline’s eyes were misty. “I’d love to, Father.”
Jed’s gaze followed the couple as Nathan waltzed Caroline around the floor. He had never seen her look so happy; her eyes glowed with warmth as she smiled up at her father. She has a beautiful smile when her heart’s in it. Unlike the forced ones that she usually offered to him.
And she had done something different with her hair. It was swept up to the crown of her head, with two gardenias pinned near the nape of her neck.
Her blue gown enhanced her eyes even more, and her shoulders and arms were bare and smooth. He didn’t fail to notice the roundness of her breasts, slim waist, and curve of her hips, either.
“My mother sure is pretty, don’t you think?” Garrett asked.
“Yes, she is,” Jed said.
“Bet she’s ’bout the beautifulest lady here. Don’t you think?”
“I’ve never seen her look lovelier.”
“Bet there’s a lot of men here who would sure like to marry her.”
“Probably are, Garrett.”
“Bet they’d love her like Granddad and me do.”
“I don’t doubt you’re right.” You little conniver, Jed thought affectionately.
“You figure you could love my mama, Jed?”
The waltz ended, saving him from answering, and when Caroline and Nathan returned to the table, Jed stood up and pulled out Caroline’s chair for her.
“Aren’t you gonna ask Mama to dance same as Granddad did?” Garrett asked.
“Yes, Jed, aren’t you?” she asked playfully.
Jed bowed politely. “Miss Caroline, may I have the pleasure of this waltz?”
She dipped in a curtsy. “I’d be honored, sir.”
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. His fingers tingled from the contact of his hand on her bare back. It felt warm…and disturbing.
“You dance well, Jed. Must have been all those cotillions you attended before the war.”
“And you play the belle equally well, Caroline. What are you up to now?”
She laughed merrily as he twirled her around, her eyes glowing as brightly as the crystal chandeliers overhead.
“I’m enjoying myself. Why would you think otherwise?”
“It must be because those same gorgeous sapphire eyes that were slicing me to ribbons about twelve hours ago are now blinding me with their glow. Is this a new tactic to weaken my defenses?”
“Why, Jed Fraser, I’m wounded. I’ve never had the opportunity to waltz with a real orchestra in a ballroom, and I intend to enjoy every moment of it. Tonight I am Cinderella at the ball.”
“And I will be delighted to be your prince. So hold on to your slippers, Cinderella.”
She smiled with pleasure as they glided around the floor. Caroline waved at Garrett and her father as they whirled past their table, and Garrett waved back happily.
“Mama sure looks happy, doesn’t she, Granddad? You think someday Jed’ll love Mama like you loved Grandma?”
Nathan patted his hand. “I think there’s a pretty good chance that will happen, son.”
Caroline’s face had softened in a tender smile when she saw her son’s face as he watched them. Jed had seen it, too, and he drew her closer.
“Do you mind if we step outside for a few minutes?” she asked.
“Not at all.” He waltzed her through the open door onto the terrace. “But I want to be able to keep Nathan and Garrett in sight. So what’s on your mind, Cinderella?”
“I told Garrett we were considering getting married.”
“I figured as much, from his conversation while you were dancing with
your father.” He chuckled. “The little fox is devious. Did you tell him about Andy?”
“Only that his father was your brother who was killed in the war, and we’re marrying because you want to take care of him.” Then she frowned.
“What is it, Caroline?”
“I should tell you that I know I don’t have to go through with this marriage. Father told me this morning he would not be a party to forcing me into an unwanted marriage. He also believes when the time comes, you won’t, either.”
“So are you telling me you have no intention of marrying me?”
“No. At first the thought was abhorrent to me, but I thought about it throughout last night and realized that I was wrong. I was selfishly considering my needs above Garrett’s. You and I may disagree about the method we’ve chosen, but one thing is clear to both of us: Garrett’s need for a father’s guidance is greater than any of our personal preferences.”
“And you really do want to marry? You don’t feel you are being coerced into doing it?”
“Yes, I really do want to marry. Obviously we’ll have to work out an arrangement where we don’t keep up this bickering. Garrett’s concerned about that, and it wouldn’t be good for him.”
“You’re willing to give up the happy ‘home and hearth’ you yearn for and marry a man who’ll be at sea for ten or eleven months each year?”
“I intend to do whatever is best for Garrett, and if you do the same, I see no reason why a marriage between us won’t work.”
“Well, I’ve been doing some thinking about this situation, too. We could simply legalize Garrett as a Fraser without marrying.”
“And how would that benefit Garrett? We both agree he needs a father’s guidance. I think we’re up to the challenge.”
“Caroline, living in the same household for just one week appears to be a monumental challenge to us.” Jed grinned. “My life hasn’t been this lively since the war ended.”
The remark brought a smile to Caroline’s face.
“And what about that edict about the marriage bed?” he asked.
She blushed profusely. “I release you of your promise. But I would be grateful if you’d give me a little time to adjust to…to becoming a wife to you.”