"Would you like to see your room?" He offered his arm.
She took it as she heard gravel crunch in the driveway. The others had arrived.
Later, Fayth sat on the edge of her bed brushing her hair, alone on her wedding night in the cozy room that was now hers. Next to her on the nightstand stood a bowl of fragrant, freshly cut old-fashioned roses. Yellow—the color of friendship. Did he really mean to be her friend? Whatever he meant, he touched a deep chord of tenderness in her.
Friend or no, the Captain had given her the wedding day every bride deserved. He'd taken the wedding party to dinner, been properly reticent and embarrassed when Captain Bailey toasted their nuptials, and had engaged in pleasant, amusing conversation with Sterling and Elizabeth well into the evening. When he noticed she was tiring, he made the proper excuses to allow them their departure and even endured the knowing, sly, though misplaced, looks given to any newly married couple on their wedding day.
When they had arrived back at the cottage, he was a perfect gentleman. He pleaded his own fatigue, escorted her to her room, and then retired to his own to look over plans for his new warehouse.
She set the brush down and lay back waiting for the sweet breeze from the open window to lull her to sleep. She had married a good man. Tonight her dreams would be peaceful.
Con propped himself up against his pillows as he sat in bed with plans for his warehouse strewn around him, clever decoys for his real thoughts. His shirt was open, his tie loose, and his boots toppled on the floor. Across the hall and two doors down was a woman as lush and beautiful as any he'd encountered. And she was his. And not his at all.
Hell! He squirmed and tugged at his pants, rearranging himself as he grew hard. He had to stop this line of thought. It was blasted uncomfortable and unproductive. Of course, most men relieved themselves differently on their wedding night. Man alive! He was no steer; what in heaven was he doing? Somehow, he never pictured himself sleeping alone.
He sighed. He'd give her these two days until he sailed, and then the length of the voyage. He had to wait until she trusted him. Once she had her loan and her anxieties about her business quieted, he would seduce her. How could he resist?
What a liar she'd made of him! He never told so many in his life. Yes, Fayth, we will live like brother and sister, like strict business partners for the rest of our lives. She was too naive. Good thing he'd gotten her before some other liar had. Liar—he hated the word, hated the meaning. His own dishonesty was the only thing that egged his conscience in this affair. No use dwelling on it. It had been necessary. She was the woman for him. He wouldn't lose her.
He turned back to the drawings, trying to divert his thoughts. He sure wasn't sleeping tonight.
Fayth was up early the next morning and puttered around the kitchen, trying to make some kind of breakfast. The kitchen was well stocked and she wondered again how the Captain had been able to accomplish so much in only two days. Had he set his whole crew to the task? The thought gave her a smile. She heard footsteps in the hall and turned to find the Captain standing in the doorway.
"You're up early," he said.
"I woke with the sun. Until then my slumber was perfect. Yours?"
"Reasonable." His tone led her to believe otherwise. There was a wry twinkle in his eyes and undeniable happiness in his countenance; she thought she saw anticipation there and something she couldn't quite name, but it sent her heart flip-flopping just the same.
"Are you ready to face the bankers?"
"I am." He grinned.
"Won't Mr. Finn be surprised to see us show up in his office this morning with all of his objections put to rest? He can't deny us now!"
His smile was infectious. "He might still deny you. There isn't a woman in town who looks less like she needs a loan. Look at that new gown! You're beautiful this morning."
She glanced down at her bright-yellow dress. "I have you to thank for that."
He tensed suddenly, if nearly imperceptibly, and a serious glint overtook the humor in his eyes. She felt the change and wondered at the cause.
"You saved this material from the fire."
He relaxed, and even though he hadn't lost his smile, she sensed his disappointment. She'd said something wrong again.
"I have good taste." His light humor seemed restored.
She smiled. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Let's stop for something and celebrate after we've gotten our loans. If we hurry we can get a good spot in line. Every man in town, and at least one woman I know, wants Finn to loan them money. Let's be the first to get some today."
She took his arm. "You're a man after my own heart, husband."
Fayth barely contained her happiness as she waited for the Captain outside Jacob Finn's office. Captain O'Neill insisted each of them conduct their business interviews separately. They had married to improve their business success, not lose their autonomy. He was gentlemanly enough to allow her to go first. So now she waited with bank draft in hand, dreaming of buying a tent to conduct business in until her building was completed. Dreaming of architects and contractors. Imagining sharing her triumph with her partner, Con O'Neill.
Mr. Finn made only one stipulation; that she continue sewing for Miss Gramm. He claimed the Board would frown on her turning down paying customers, no matter who they were. Lou certainly knew how to wield power in this town. Fayth had an appointment with her later in the morning and had been hoping to tell her that she would no longer sew for her. As far as Fayth knew, the Captain knew nothing of her association with Lou or Coral. She would have to confess about Coral sooner or later. Originally she hoped to avoid telling him that she worked for a madam. She couldn't imagine he would be anything but unhappy about it. Now she had to tell him. Later. She ran her fingers over the edge of her draft again, wanting nothing to dim the happiness of the moment.
"I told you I couldn't loan you the money you'd need if you hooked up with her, Con. The Board would have my head. My full congratulations, by the way. She's quite an impressive little woman."
Con ignored his well wishes. Business was forefront on his mind. "I'm not asking for the full amount. I've refigured my finances. I can get by with three-quarters of what I was asking for before. Surely my wife's debt is no more than a quarter of mine. The total has to be the same."
Jacob shook his head. "Miss Sheridan, I mean, Mrs. O'Neill's business is a much riskier venture than yours, Con. I have faith that you'll succeed, and personally I'd lay odds on her as well. She certainly has pluck, but the Board won't see it that way. If it weren't that I can use the Aurnia to secure her debt, I'd have to answer to them for loaning to her at all."
"Come on, Jacob, how can you use my assets to back her loan? She's got her land to secure her debt. I know she offered it up as security. She'd never presume to offer mine."
"She didn't. I did. Her land is too near The Line. Not worth half what I lent her."
Con drummed his fingers on the desk in front of him. "Then lend me whatever you can."
Jacob shook his head firmly and reached for his pen and a piece of paper.
"Nothing? You can't lend me anything?"
"I warned you, Con."
"Jake, we've been friends for too long. Don't tell me you're in cahoots with the big shipping conglomerates? Surely you're not going to tell me to sell my waterfront property."
Jacob was scribbling furiously on the paper in front of him. "Con, I thought you understood. I gave you my tacit pledge that I'd take care of you. The bank can't give you a loan, but my endorsement on this piece of paper to a business associate of mine is all you need to get the money." He turned the paper around so Con could read it.
"Lou Gramm?"
"I'm afraid you have no alternative, my friend. But, believe me, she is a fair-minded businesswoman. She'll deal with you honestly. And, at my urging, give you a fair rate."
Fayth chattered giddily as she and the Captain walked out of the bank's temporary headquarters and down the street
. She ignored the serious glint in his eyes and his cool, thoughtful silence, not wanting anything to lessen her joy. She convinced herself that it was his way of showing excitement. She hadn't seen his composure crack under strain and pressure, why should it break with excitement?
"And I'm going to buy a tent, or at least rent one, and put it on my property right away. What do you think? Will you help me erect it?"
The corner of his mouth curled up slightly. "I should think I'd have to help you. Have you seen the size of those things? In fact, I'll need the help of a few of my men."
"Billy?"
"I said, my men."
She laughed.
"I suppose you'll want your machine moved there?"
"Oh, no." She shook her head. "The dust will ruin it. I'm going to take orders, do fittings, and take measurements in the tent. Hand sew what I need to there. I'll use the machine at home. But for the most part, I need the tent so the men can find me."
He cocked a brow. "Men? I was hoping you'd give up measuring crotches once we married and start sewing for the fairer sex. The ladies need your talent more than ever now. Have you noticed the drab clothes they've been wearing lately? Most of their dresses went through the fire and look it."
She laughed again and decided to tease him, just a bit. And string him along before it was necessary to reveal that she was already sewing for women. "I have noticed them. But you shouldn't. You're married now."
He shrugged. "I made my observations yesterday, before the ceremony." And then he winked at her.
She shook her head again. "You think quickly. Too quickly sometimes. Will I ever get the best of you?"
"I hope not." He sounded serious.
She studied him. She hated to remind him, but she had to make sure he knew his place. "You're not thinking you can dictate what I do with my business now, are you?"
"No. Absolutely not." He sounded sincere, but his eyes twinkled. "That was the agreement, wasn't it? I'm merely suggesting a profitable line of business to you."
"And I appreciate your advice." She paused. "I just realized. I didn't see you come out of Mr. Finn's office with a draft. Did you get your money?" She kept her tone light and teasing. She would have liked a look at his note, just to see how much Mr. Finn loaned him.
"I did." But he didn't offer to show it to her.
"Good." She took up his arm. "Would you like that breakfast now? It took so long at the bank that it'll have to be quick. I have an appointment at eleven."
"Let's celebrate later. When we have time to linger and enjoy it. I have an errand to run myself. Where are you off to? Do you need the carriage?"
She paused, debating whether to tell him about Lou. No, not now. Why ruin the happy mood? That revelation could wait until another day. Instead, she threw him off by camouflaging her true business in a way that should make him happy. She grinned at him. "I'm fitting a woman for a gown up in the north of town."
"Why, Fayth! Sewing for women, why didn't you say so in the first place?" His eyes lit up. He was undeniably pleased.
She shrugged. "Just on a case by case basis for now." She didn't want to lead him on too far. "To see how it goes." She hesitated. She wanted a ride to Lou's. It was too far to walk. But she didn't want to rob the Captain of his transportation. And then she hit upon a solution. She'd have him drop her off at a house near the madam's and pretend it was her client's. "If you give me a lift to my client's house, I'll have her driver drop me home and you can have the carriage."
"My pleasure," he said as they walked to the carriage. "What's the address?"
"The address?" She took a deep breath. "No idea. But I know how to get there."
"There! That's the house. I knew I'd recognize it once I saw it." Fayth had given the Captain instructions to the street, but gotten all turned around in the process. She panicked when she realized they were getting too close to Lou's and pointed at the first respectable house she could find. She forced a smile, hoping she looked calm.
The Captain reined the horses to a stop. "I'll walk you in." He climbed out and helped her down.
She would have bounded out unaided if it hadn't been for the dress she wore. Fashion was not made for jumping out of carriages. "No, no need."
"It's no trouble." He took her arm as she glanced wildly over her shoulder at the house.
"No! You'll scare old Mrs. Brown. She's very private and shy."
He hesitated and frowned.
"Please. She's an excellent client. I can't afford to lose her." Her begging tone must have convinced him.
"I'll see you at home later, then." He gave her a suspicious look and climbed back up into the carriage.
"Yes, later. And we'll celebrate." She waved at him as he rode off, slumping in relief when he was finally out of sight. Her relief lasted exactly two seconds. Then she realized her mistake. She'd panicked too early. She was farther away from Lou's than she'd originally thought. Curses! Why didn't she have a better sense of direction?
Walking at a brisk pace, it took her nearly twenty minutes to reach Lou's temporary home. By that time, her feet hurt and some of her earlier good mood had dissipated. She spotted Lou's house from half a block away, just in time to see a jaunty male figure bounce down the steps. The sun lit his hair. Red highlights shone bright. The Captain.
She froze and watched him walk in the opposite direction, away from her, with an obviously happy spring to his walk. For one awful moment the sight before her made her feel as if she had had the wind knocked out of her. She simply couldn't get her breath. Why would the Captain be leaving Lou's? Other than the obvious.
Chapter 9
Fayth froze, finally willing herself to breathe deeply. By the time the Captain disappeared from sight, she convinced herself it couldn't have been him. There had to be hundreds of tall men with red highlights in their hair. From the distance, she couldn't make out any other detail. She couldn't even remember if the man had a beard. Drew had made her skittish and distrustful. She hated him for it.
But the awful image lingered with her through the fittings. Through Coral's surprise and delight at her marriage. Through the teasing the other girls gave her. She lost her patience and threatened to design dresses so hideous the girls would be laughed out of Seattle. It lasted through the silent ride home in the carriage with Lou's driver. It persisted still as she paced the kitchen. She must have more faith in him. She couldn't let Drew's actions color her opinions of every man, least of all the Captain.
He was very late coming home. It was nearly dark. She came back from Lou's expecting a celebration and ended up dining alone. Where could he be? She took another deep breath to calm herself. Since the death of her parents she couldn't tolerate lateness, always fearing the worst. Everything had been normal that last evening she waited for them to come home from the shop. But they never had.
Drew later accused her of being obsessed with promptness. Said it was stifling him. He shouldn't have to account for every minute away from her. But he should have, the unfaithful bastard. She never said the word aloud, but she didn't feel guilty thinking it. There was no other way to describe Drew. And she preferred anger to the weepy guilt that had consumed her after he left. She still saw the steely set of his jaw as he accused her of driving him away. Only recently she realized he had chosen to leave. But the Captain was not Drew, and he owed her no explanations.
The front door, swollen in its frame from the heat of the day, shuddered open. Fayth jumped and raced into the entry. The Captain's smile melted her fear and anger away at first glance.
"I'm sorry I'm so late." His eyes were full of devilment and delight. "I had to spend all day doing it and scour the city in the process, but I got us a contractor, and you a tent."
"What?" Could he be serious? The wonderful man! She nearly hugged him.
"I know you talked about getting the tent yourself, but I wanted to surprise you. They're going to put it up for you first thing tomorrow morning. We're back in business!" He had a box of candy tucked u
nder one arm and a newspaper under the other. He held the chocolates out to her. "To us and sweet success."
"That's wonderful. Yes! To us!" She clapped, delighted.
He set the paper down, picked her up and twirled her around as they both laughed. His arms felt good around her.
"You, sir, are amazing!" Her eyes swept over him. How could she even think that this man had been at Lou's? What an idiot she was! She let her relief out.
"Hey, you were worried?" He set her down too soon.
"Just thought you might have decided to stay on the Aurnia."
"What? Desert my bride? Not a chance." His words were light, his tone serious. "I've got a reputation to maintain. What do you think my crew would think? That I can't, you know. Or that we've had our first spat. Not on your life. You're stuck with me, lady."
She couldn't have imagined his words would make her heart dance as it did.
She followed him as he walked into the kitchen and spread the newspaper open to point out an article.
"Love ignites in the ashes," she read aloud. "Yesterday afternoon Captain Con O'Neill and Miss Fayth Sheridan were joined in matrimony before the Reverend Wilson—"
"Thought you might want it for your scrapbook."
"Elizabeth! It has to be her!"
"Now you see the need for pretenses. The lonely fellows of our fine city will be keeping an eye out to see if this thing sticks." He lifted the lid off the chocolates. "Shall we?"
She woke with a start, her heart hammering in her ears. She sat up and tried to calm herself. Olive usually comforted her when she woke from a nightmare, but she was still at Elizabeth's.
Fayth shuddered. Why did this dream frighten her so deeply? She didn't understand where it came from, or why. Like most dreams, it wasn’t the content as much as the ethereal emotions she experienced in its grip that scared her. Though she couldn’t describe them in words, they were terrifying. She needed a calming drink of cool water or she’d never get back to sleep.
The Last Honest Seamstress Page 14