A Bride for Alastair

by Wendy May Andrews

  The first time had been about money. It was their first morning on the train. It had become obvious that she was putting off leaving their room, but he couldn’t imagine why. Fred, himself, was becoming ravenously hungry, and still she was putting off leaving. That frown had become more deeply embedded in her forehead.

  Finally, with a touch of exasperation, he had asked her point blank. “Is there a reason you wish to remain in this small room?”

  Color had ebbed and flowed on her face, but she had finally faced him. “I don’t have any money.”

  Fred had blinked at her in surprise, unsure what to make of her statement. “What do you mean?” he had thought to ask, hoping she would explain her thoughts more clearly.

  “I gave all my earnings to Phoebe when I arrived in Trader’s Bluff and continued to do so after my arrival. She said she was keeping it safe for me. But when she kicked me out, she said I had forfeited it. She gave over a little bit to Carter when he went to speak to Phoebe’s husband, but I spent that on my ticket.”

  As tears welled in her eyes, Fred’s heart clenched. He hated to feel attracted to her sadness, but she looked beautiful as she gazed up at him as though beseeching him. Distracted by her beauty, it took his brain a few beats to catch up to what she was saying.

  “Do you want me to give you some money? Are you feeling uncomfortable without your own funds?”

  “No, I don’t want you to give me money. Money needs to be earned. I just don’t have any, so I cannot buy anything.”

  Again, Fred was left blinking at her without comprehension. “You are my wife. What’s mine is yours. That is how this works. Would you begrudge me your money, if you had it?”

  Her frown was back, but it appeared to be one of puzzlement rather than worry. “No, I wouldn’t begrudge you anything.” Her breathy tone was once again a distraction, but Fred tried to maintain his focus to get to the bottom of his wife’s concerns.

  “So, you will allow me to buy you some breakfast, right?”

  She opened her mouth as though to object, but then she met his gaze and her face creased into a small smile. “Thank you, Alastair, I would enjoy sharing breakfast with you.”

  Fred felt his chest puffing up, again, over her use of his formal name as well as her gentle smile. He felt like a king as he had solved one small problem for his pretty, young wife. As they made their way to the dining car, he couldn’t help patting her hand where it lay on his elbow, even though it was awkward walking together in the tight quarters. He couldn’t bear to be separated from her. Which did not bode well for his return to work upon their arrival in Boston, he thought with a slight jolt.

  “Have you given any more thought to what you would like to do with your time once we get home?” Fred asked after they had placed their orders.

  It wasn’t the right question, as it brought a small frown back to her face, but she didn’t appear as though she were overly upset. It did take her a while to answer his question, though, but the wait was worth it.

  “I would like to be occupied. It isn’t likely that we’ll have children to be concerned with for at least a year, so I should find something noble to do with my time. I liked your suggestion of doing some charitable works. I know there are many young women who find themselves in unwelcome circumstances through no fault of their own. If they don’t have family to turn to and illness or injury prevents them from working, they can pretty quickly get in a bad way. I’m sure there must be something that can be done for them, even if it is as simple as providing a meal or some clean clothes.”

  “That sounds like a worthy cause. I’m sure the wives of some of my friends or business associates might also like to join you. Or perhaps they already have something in place that you could help with.”

  Her smile that had been so brilliant when he praised her idea had dimmed a little when he mentioned his acquaintances, but Fred didn’t allow that to discourage him. He was glad she had actually thought about the matter. He knew she was used to working and didn’t want her to be bored while he was tied up with business. He was also gratified that she mentioned children. He would enjoy seeing her round with his child one day. Again, he could feel his chest swelling. Fred stifled his amusement. He was going to become a strutting peacock before long.

  And so, the days passed. Fred wouldn’t have been able to say what all he learned about his wife in specific detail, but he certainly could say that his heart beat faster whenever his eyes landed on her pretty face. If she could ever bring herself to start a conversation with him, he nearly became lightheaded. Which was truly ridiculous, he chided himself. She was just a young woman. He needn’t turn into a ninny over her. But she was his wife, so he supposed it wasn’t so very farfetched that he ought to develop feelings for her. He just hoped she was doing the same for him. He didn’t want to ask, but he knew it would be dreadful if these feelings were not reciprocated.

  ~~~

  Stepping down onto the platform, Jane knew it was her sister-in-law waiting for them, even before she heard Alastair calling out for her.

  “Sybil, my dear, I didn’t expect to find you waiting for us,” he exclaimed as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

  Jane tried not to be jealous. The other woman was his sister. Jane ought to be happy to see her husband comfortably displaying his affection. Perhaps one day, he would do the same for her. But she wholeheartedly wished he would do so now. Besides the fact that she had absolutely no desire to face her new sister-in-law. But she bolstered her courage and pasted as realistic a smile as she could muster upon her face as she stepped forward to be introduced to her husband’s only relative. Searching the other woman’s face, Jane was thrilled not to see a drop of recognition. This led her smile to grow in warmth.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sybil. Your brother has told me so much about you.”

  “He has, has he?” Sybil asked with a light laugh. “Don’t believe everything he tells you. I wasn’t nearly so dreadful as he likes to describe.”

  Jane laughed, too, and it almost sounded genuine to her ears. “He hasn’t said anything dreadful, I promise. It’s obvious to me the two of you are very close.”

  Sybil smiled softly. “I owe him everything.”

  Now Fred looked uncomfortable. “The good and the bad,” he added.

  Jane wanted to question what he meant, but the look the siblings exchanged made her feel that she would be intruding if she asked any questions. So, she merely smiled at them and waited for Alastair to take the lead.

  “I didn’t think you would be here. You didn’t have to come. We could have dropped by your house later.”

  Sybil swatted her brother’s arm playfully. “I know you, my darling brother. You will be off to your office before your wife has even looked around your house. I didn’t think you would be able to bear to come for a visit after two weeks away.”

  Alastair cast her a guilty face but didn’t deny her words.

  “See what I mean,” Sybil said to Jane as she put her arm through her elbow. Jane was acutely uncomfortable but couldn’t reject the friendly overture. “I’ve been wanting a sister since I was old enough to understand what that meant. Unfortunately, our mother died before she could fulfill my wish. I’m thrilled that Fred has, once again, given me exactly what I wanted. So, no, Fred darling, I couldn’t sit at home in the hopes that you would drop by. I have been haunting the train station to get updates on arrivals. I will not be denied my new sister for another minute.”

  Jane quelled the guilty feelings that were threatening. Surely, the woman wouldn’t be nearly so vivacious if she had been leading a dreadful life, she assured herself. Turning to meet her husband’s gaze, she couldn’t interpret the thoughts crossing his face.

  “I had thought to have my wife to myself as I showed her our home, Sybil.” His tone was mild, but Jane felt heat climbing her cheeks at what he was implying. Thankfully, his sister didn’t seem to care.

  “No, you didn’t, Fred, and don’t you try to bamboozle
me. You’re thrilled I’m here. You can’t tell me you’ve changed into a new person in two weeks, even if you have acquired a wife. And I dare say, you don’t even know where your linen closets are or anything useful about your house, since I helped you pick it out. I’ll show Jane her new home, and you can run and make sure your office is still where you left it, then we can all be perfectly comfortable.”

  “Horace won’t mind?” Alastair’s gentle question caused a flicker of disquiet to cross her face, making Jane’s heart sink, but Sybil quickly rallied.

  “He might not even notice, to be honest. I promise not to overstay, but you cannot begrudge me this. You have been gone for two weeks. I need some sibling time.” She did a little dance as they walked toward a row of carriages that appeared to be for hire. “I’m just that excited to now have two siblings.”

  Jane couldn’t help but join in the other woman’s enthusiasm. She had never been on the receiving end of such an exuberant welcome and couldn’t find it in herself to quell her sister-in-law’s excitement. It seemed Alastair couldn’t deny his sister either.

  “Very well, minx, perhaps you are right. You’ll be better suited to show Jane the house than I would be.”

  Jane refused to allow herself to be disappointed. She did want to be friends with Sybil. And since she and Alastair were still getting to know one another, it might be less awkward to be with someone else when they first entered their house. The silence of two people in a house might be deafening. Not that they had been having trouble with conversation.

  That was one of the things she had most enjoyed about their time on the train. They had hours to talk and visit with one another. She rather thought she knew everything there was to know about him. Fact-wise, anyhow. Jane was still certain her husband was holding something back from her, but she hadn’t a clue what it could possibly be. Perhaps he, too, had a secret about her or a family member. Wouldn’t that be delicious irony?

  Alastair arranged for a hired carriage to drive them home and stowed their luggage all the while Sybil was chattering about Boston happenings.

  “And there’s to be a fund-raising ball at the end of the week, surely you must present, Jane, Fred.” Sybil turned to Jane with typical enthusiasm. “You will love Mrs. Truman’s balls, Jane. She always has the most organized fund raisers.”

  “Which cause is she supporting now?” Alastair’s tone was bored, much to Jane’s surprise.

  Her thought must have been written upon her face. She was surprised that he noticed.

  He explained himself quietly. “Mrs. Truman loves to be the center of attention. Her balls and fund raising efforts, while of course, for good causes, are, in my opinion, just a reason for her to throw some sort of grand affair that her husband will not object to.”

  Jane blinked. “Why would she do that?”

  “So we all think she is worthy and noble.”

  “Perhaps she is worthy and noble,” Jane pointed out, puzzled.

  “You’ll see,” was all Alastair would say.

  “Never mind him, Jane, he doesn’t really like the Trumans. But her balls are divine. Will your luggage arrive in time? If you don’t have a proper ball gown, we could go shopping tomorrow or you could borrow something of mine. You don’t look too much taller than me and while you’re thinner, that’s easy enough to adjust.”

  Jane didn’t know how to react to Sybil’s comments and didn’t want to commit herself to anything until she had a chance to discuss it with her husband. She had no real desire to socialize at a fund raiser, and it didn’t seem like he wanted to go, besides the fact that she had no intention of asking her husband to buy her a ball gown. If they did attend, she would be happy enough to borrow something, even if she were uncomfortable about being beholden to her new sister-in-law. Or even more beholden, she thought to herself with a grimace she tried to hide.

  She must not have hidden it, or her husband was keeping an eagle’s eye on her. He asked her if all was well.

  “Perfectly fine, thank you. I’ll just be happy to not be in constant motion.” She managed to come up with her reply quickly.

  “Was it perfectly dreadful? Ella didn’t say too much about the train ride when she went west.” Sybil’s tone was solicitous.

  “I wouldn’t say dreadful,” Jane began. “But the constant motion does get trying after a while. I would have to have a very pressing reason to be willing to get back on a train any time too soon. But I think it’s much better than the oxen-drawn wagons that people used to have to take to get that far west. I do believe that’s how Carter travelled west.”

  Sybil produced an exaggerated shudder, bringing a giggle from Jane. “I barely remember Carter,” Sybil said. “But from what I recall, he was always up for a lark. He probably thought it was a grand adventure.”

  “I’m sure he did. He was a young man, on his own. It probably was a grand adventure. And it has certainly paid off for him. He and Ella are well settled and very happy.”

  “But I do wish they would visit sometime,” Sybil complained.

  “Perhaps they will. The train seems to be becoming more and more reliable. We didn’t have any trouble at all. Perhaps it will even become faster, although I can barely imagine that.”

  “Oh, I do hope they will visit.”

  “Don’t expect it to be too soon, though,” Jane cautioned. “You do know Ella is expecting, don’t you?”

  Another funny expression crossed Sybil’s face. “Yes, I received a letter about that recently. She does seem to be excited about it.”

  “Of course,” Jane said. “But I don’t expect they would want to travel with a baby, at least not right away.”

  Sybil pulled a face. “Perhaps I will just have to pluck up my courage and go see them, in that case.”

  “Ella would be thrilled to receive you,” Jane answered promptly.

  “Isn’t it so funny that I’ve never met you, but you’re friends with my best friend?” Sybil remarked as her eyes examined Jane’s face. “I must say, though, now that the first excitement is past, you do look familiar. Have we met? Did we perhaps go to school together? You are from Boston, aren’t you? There’s a good chance our paths have crossed at some point.”

  “Oh, no, I don’t think so. Surely, we were from other sides of town from one another.” Jane’s heart sank at the thought of everything coming out when she had just arrived. She had just begun to feel comfortable with Alastair, and she desperately wanted him and his sister to grow fond of her. Surely, if they cared for her, they’d be willing to forgive her past mistakes.

  Sybil was still gazing at her with a frown. “It’ll probably come to me in the middle of the night one of these nights,” she said. “Don’t you just hate it when you can’t think of what you’re trying to remember?”

  Jane knew her smile was thin, but she tried to make it genuine. She sincerely hoped her new sister would never remember Jane’s real smile or why her face looked familiar. Jane reassured herself that her resemblance to Phoebe was minimal. Sybil never had to know.

  Chapter Ten

  Fred couldn’t believe how smoothly his wife seemed to be adjusting to his life. She was a lovely girl. Woman, really. He didn’t know how to refer to her even in his own head. But she was lovely. And he was relieved to see that she was taking Sybil in her stride. Fred hadn’t expected his sister to be at the train station, although he probably should have. He had wired to tell her which train they were on, just so she wouldn’t be worried about him. But he should have realized she would take that as an invitation to welcome them home.

  They had always been close. He should be grateful she seemed so happy to meet his wife. She could have decided to be jealous. Even though she was married, she had maintained her close bond with her brother, and she could begrudge the obvious need he will have to divert his own attention toward his wife. But it didn’t seem like that was happening. Not that he would expect his sister to be the jealous type, but he knew females could be contrary creatures at times. Even his
new wife could take it into her head not to appreciate his sister’s presence. But Jane didn’t seem to mind, even if she appeared to be a little dazed by Sybil’s energetic flitting about.

  Once they had arrived at his house, Sybil had completely taken over. Perhaps Fred should have insisted that she not be there for his wife’s first introduction to his house. He wanted her to feel at home there. Having Sybil show it to her might make it feel like it’s another woman’s home. Fred watched closely to monitor what his wife might be thinking.

  Perhaps she was too tired. Jane seemed to be keeping a tight grip on her feelings. Fred couldn’t really tell what was going through her mind. But Sybil had been right. He did want to go in to work. It was like an itch. But he also longed to spend more time with his wife. One would think he'd had enough of her after six days of constant togetherness. But it seemed like the more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted to spend with her. Perhaps he could interest Jane in his office, he thought before rejecting the idea, at least for the time being. He didn’t want Sybil at his office. She was great, but her exuberance would only slow down productivity rather than help it. And it didn’t seem as though they’d be able to rid themselves of Sybil any time soon. Fred felt guilty for the disloyal thought.

  “Will you two be all right without me if I just run over to the office for an hour or two?”

  Jane’s smile looked a little strained to Fred’s untrained eye, but she nodded along with Sybil. “We shall be fine, don’t worry about us. Your sister seems excited to show me all the domestic sides of the house, which might be more interesting for me than for you.”

  “I do love this house. I wouldn’t mind showing those things to you.”

  Jane tilted her head as though examining him. “Would you like us to wait for you then?”

  Fred shook his head; he was being foolish. But a part of him worried that if he left his wife behind, that somehow the comfortable amicability he and Jane had established would somehow disappear.

  “No, no, you are probably right to exclude me. If you’re certain you won’t feel abandoned if I leave for a bit, I’ll try to return as quickly as possible.”