Lily frowned at the request and dug her hand into her apron pocket, retrieving her set of keys. It took her just a moment to locate the desired one and remove it from the ring.
“Is anything wrong?” Lily asked nervously as she handed the key to Mrs. Parker.
“I don’t think so,” Mrs. Parker took the key, stood up and then placed both keys on the table by Mary Ellen’s plate. Lily silently watched.
“Thank you,” Mary Ellen said sweetly, then snatched up both keys.
• • • •
“What was that all about? Why did she want the keys?” Lily asked Mrs. Parker later that morning, when the two women were alone.
“I don’t think Mrs. Coulson trusts us. Yesterday she made it clear she doesn’t want anyone going into her room uninvited, and today she asks for all the keys to her room.” Mrs. Parker then narrowed her eyes and studied Lily’s face. The younger woman looked guilty of something.
“What did you do, Lily?” Mrs. Parker demanded.
Lily gulped nervously before answering. “I thought she was asleep.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This morning. I was just curious. I wanted to see how her room looked.”
“You went in there uninvited, while she was sleeping?”
“Well, I thought she was sleeping. She didn’t say anything. I didn’t disturb anything, I promise. I just had a look around. Oh, and you know, she actually put everything away. The room looks good.”
“Oh Lily, what a ninny you are! That could cost you your job! What were you thinking?”
“I just wanted to see. Oh, do you think she’s going to let me go? Oh no…” Lily looked as if she was about to get ill.
“No, I don’t think she is. Had she wanted me to let you go, I think she would have said something this morning. She never mentioned you. In fact, she has never said anything about you—nothing. Not even when she was clearly upset with how you and Jane got too pushy with her that first morning. The only reason I know about that—you told me.
“If you think about it, Mrs. Coulson has been very nice about her displeasure with you. She hasn’t come to me or to her husband about any complaints. Had she gone to Mr. Coulson, he would have come to me. You’ve been very fortunate, Lily. But you are pushing it, girl. The next time you do something this foolish, she may be asking for more than room keys.”
An hour later Mary Ellen sat at the small desk in her bedchamber, penning a letter to her Aunt Rachael when a knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Mary Ellen called out as she looked up toward the bedroom door. It opened slowly and in walked a very nervous Lily.
“Ma’am, may I have a moment of your time?” the maid timidly asked.
“Certainly, come it.” Mary Ellen set the pen on the desk atop her stationery and turned around in the chair to face the maid. Lily gave a little nod and then stepped closer, nervously fidgeting with the edge of her apron.
“I’ve come to apologize, Mrs. Coulson.”
“Apologize, what for?” Several reasons for an apology sprung to Mary Ellen’s mind.
“I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking this past hour.”
“And?”
“When you first arrived…well….I guess I was pretty pushy.”
“Pushy?” Mary Ellen raised one brow.
“Yes, when you arrived I…well….I treated you like I might my younger sister. That was inappropriate.”
Mary Ellen was about to respond when Lily continued on.
“This morning, well, I came into your room uninvited. I imagine you already know that. That’s probably why you asked for the keys, because you felt you couldn’t trust the staff. But please Mrs. Coulson, don’t judge the other girls by my behavior. I know Jane or Mrs. Parker would never come into your room uninvited, not after you told them not to.”
“So why did you do it?” Mary Ellen asked softly.
“I…I guess I was curious. I didn’t think you could really put this room back in order.” Suddenly realizing what she just said, Lily stopped talking for a moment and closed her eyes. Her complexion turned bright red.
“I didn’t mean that like it sounded…” Lily started, then paused a moment and said, “Oh pooh, yes I did mean that. I didn’t think you could get this room back in order, and figured you would eventually come to us for help. But you did a great job. I don’t know what is wrong with me, Mrs. Coulson. I’m not usually so mean.”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears and Mary Ellen couldn’t help but feel sorry for the girl.
“Lily, how old are you?”
Lily took a deep breath, wiped unshed tears from her eyes with the back of one sleeve and proceeded to answer the question.
“Twenty-five, ma’am.”
“Are you married?” Mary Ellen was curious to find out more about Lily, who seemed far less irritating now, compared to their first meeting.
“I was. My George was in the army. He was killed this past fall.” A tear slid down Lily’s face. She wiped it away and took a deep breath, calming herself.
“Oh, I am so sorry, Lily. I lost an older brother in this horrible war. Have you any children?”
“Yes, two little girls.”
“And who watches them when you’re at work?”
“My mother and George’s mother. They take turns.”
“That’s nice you have family to rely on.”
Lily nodded, feeling less vulnerable.
“Lily, why don’t we start over? I know I was rather sharp to you and Jane that first morning—but I was very nervous about my new life. And you, well, you did overwhelm me.”
“I understand, Mrs. Coulson. And I am very sorry for that.”
“Yes, I believe you are. And please don’t take it personally, my desire for total privacy. Unlike you, I haven’t the support of a family to help me through challenging times. So I choose to create a sanctuary of sorts—here in this room.”
“Yes, ma’am, I understand.” Lily didn’t really understand. Yet if Mrs. Coulson wanted her privacy, Lily would honor her employer’s wishes.
Chapter Nine
“Does my husband celebrate any holidays?” Mary Ellen asked William that night at dinner. Instead of eating in the large, formal dining room, Mary Ellen had instructed Mrs. Parker to have the staff start serving the evening meals in the parlor. The two were alone at a small oak table in the cozy room.
“Holidays? I’m not sure what you mean.” William took a sip of his wine and watched as Mary Ellen delicately cut her pork chop into tiny little pieces.
“Last week July fourth was like any other day around this house. Randall never suggested doing something special for Independence Day, and I wondered if he was as indifferent with Christmas.”
“I think this one slipped by, with the wedding and all, and planning for the Chicago trip. Did you say anything to him?”
“No, I’d feel foolish bringing it up.” Mary Ellen shook her head and then popped a bite of pork into her mouth.
“Foolish, why? Mary Ellen, when Randall comes home you need to start speaking up, and letting him know what’s important to you. He’s an old friend, but if you let him walk all over you, he will.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“July fourth was also my birthday. And asking if we were doing anything different that day might seem as if I am hinting for something special for my birthday.”
“Your birthday? I had no idea. Are you sure Randall knew?”
“I assumed he must.”
“I had no idea, Mary Ellen. As much as my dear friend can be insensitive, I’m certain he wouldn’t ignore your birthday. But I feel horrible, we must do something special!”
“No!” Mary Ellen set her fork on the linen tablecloth and looked over her plate at William. “That’s the very reason I didn’t ask Randall. I really was not hinting to do something special for my birthday. Goodness, I would not expect that. After all, my parents never took much sto
ck in celebrating birthdays—mine or my brothers’. But on the fourth, we always had a family picnic and watched fireworks. It felt strange just staying home on a day that was always so special. But it wasn’t special because it was my birthday.”
“I’m sorry, Mary Ellen, truly. I wish I had known.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” She shrugged and took another bite.
“Your birthday—that means you’re eighteen now.”
“Yes.”
“Happy belated birthday. Maybe your parents never celebrated it, but I promise, that will change on your nineteenth one!”
She smiled and continued to eat her dinner.
William wondered if Randall had overlooked the birthday or if he ever knew it was in July. When he chastised his friend for marrying a girl so young, never once did Randall mention the bride to be would be turning eighteen a month after the wedding.
“So, are we still on for the movies this week? I was thinking a Saturday matinee.”
“Tarzan of the Apes? Oh, I’d love that.”
“Afterwards I’ll take you to an early supper. Make sure and tell Mrs. Parker you won’t be here for Saturday night.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Sure I do, a belated birthday dinner.”
Mary Ellen looked up into William’s clear blue eyes. By his determined expression, it was obvious he would be taking her out for a dinner and show on Saturday.
“Okay, I’ll go,” she finally acquiesced. “But do you think it will be okay with Randall, is it even proper?”
“I’ll run it by him. But I don’t see a problem.”
“Just let him know it’s your idea.”
William laughed at her insistence. “I promise.” He gave her a wink then took another bite of his dinner. “So tell me, why are we eating in here tonight?”
“Don’t you like it?” Mary Ellen stopped eating for a moment and glanced around the room.
“Actually, it’s rather comfortable in here. I always wondered why Randall insisted on eating in the formal dining room every night.”
“Have you always eaten your dinners here?”
William laughed and then said, “My, you must think I’m a grand freeloader!”
“No, not at all.” Mary Ellen blushed.
“I suppose it started out of convenience—always something to discuss after a day at the office. Then it became habit. A few times, I tried to break the habit but Randall insisted it was foolish for me to hire a cook when his was preparing dinner anyway. I guess I’m lazy.”
“Well, I’m happy to have the company.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure you’ll be able to convince Randall to start taking the evening meal in the parlor when he returns.”
“Oh, I really don’t expect to.” Not sure I would want to, Mary Ellen thought. She preferred the more formal and distant environment of the dining room when with her husband.
“When he returns, I should probably think about hiring a cook—to allow you newlyweds some privacy. Then perhaps he’ll warm up to a quiet supper with his bride in the parlor.”
“Please, don’t feel you have to do that.”
• • • •
“Did you know it was her birthday on July fourth?” William asked Randall later that evening, after calling him up on the telephone. He’d returned home an hour earlier and decided to call his business partner before going to bed. Knowing Randall, William was fairly confident the other man would still be awake.
“Her birthday? Now that you mention it, I do recall her birthday was in July.”
“She’s your wife, Randall. Things like birthdays are important to women.”
“I suppose you’re right. Fine, I’ll pick up something at the jewelers and have it sent to her. I still need to get her a wedding band, but I’ve been so busy.”
“Have you even called her since you’ve been gone?”
“Why? You’re keeping a good eye on her and tell me everything I need to know.”
“But don’t you want to talk to her? Hear her voice?”
“Good lord, man, this is a marriage, not some grand love affair. I told you I’ll buy her something nice.”
“Randall, I just don’t understand you sometimes.”
“So tell me William, what do you have planned for my lovely bride to make up for my birthday oversight?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you William. You’ve always been compelled to repair hurt feelings. You have something special planned, admit it.”
“Well,” William grumbled, “I’m taking her out to dinner after the matinee on Saturday.”
Randall gave a hearty laugh. “I knew it!”
“Oh, shut up.”
“It’s one of the things I appreciate about you. Dependable, kindhearted William. That’s why we make a great team. I can be the cold hearted bastard I’ve always been, and you can soothe the hurt feelings.”
“I hate it when you talk about yourself that way.”
“You know it’s true. You’re a better person than me, William. You always have been. I’ve accepted that fact. I rely on it. I can come here and do what needs to be done, and have every confidence you’re taking care of things there—at the office and with my wife. Of course, it would be a hell of a lot easier if you would simply get married and then our wives could help look after each other and you could come with me to Chicago.”
“And who would keep an eye on the business here?”
“You have a point. I suppose I won’t badger you to find a wife. Not yet.”
“I still think you should call her.”
“Why, has she said anything to you? Does she want me to call her?”
“Not exactly. Actually, she seems to accept the fact you won’t call. It’s as if she expects it.”
“See, there you have it. No reason to call.”
“Randall, I want this marriage to work for you. Mary Ellen is a lovely young woman.”
“I thought you said she was just a girl.”
“I suppose she’s not as young as I initially imagined. But don’t you want a marriage where your wife is …is more than just a woman to bear your children?”
“Let’s be blunt, William. For me, a wife serves just one purpose—to give me sons. To carry on my name. What’s the point of living if there isn’t a part of me to carry on my legacy when I’m gone?”
“If that’s all a wife is to you, you should have just adopted boys.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I want sons that are a part of me, not some orphaned brats.”
“So she is nothing to you but a brood mare?”
“Don’t be crude William, it isn’t like you. However, I suppose you’re right, in that a wife has other purposes besides giving her husband sons. Society expects a successful man to have a beautiful woman on his arm, and Mary Ellen is quite lovely. Having her as a wife also means I no longer must endure the tedious company of young socialites foisted on me by their parents.”
“Our business consumes you Randall. When escorting lovely young ladies becomes a chore, perhaps it’s time to step back and reevaluate your life.”
“But I’m a married man now, and I don’t imagine you’re suggesting I continue escorting young ladies when I’ve a wife at home?” Randall laughed.
“Of course not. But marriage should not be an excuse to ignore the woman you’ve married.”
“Enough, you’re getting as tedious as those simple minded little socialites.”
“Then let me ask you one question, and I’ll let it drop—for now.”
“Ask.”
“What happens if the baby is a girl?” There was no immediate response.
Finally, Randall answered the question. “Then I shall get my wife with child again, which is what I intend to do if she has a boy. Therefore, nothing would really change.”
“But how would you feel about a daughter?”
“A daughter? Honestly, I’ve never given it much thought. I’m not really sure what
purpose a daughter serves, aside from forming alliances through marriage.”
“Good lord man, this isn’t the middle ages where you sell your daughter off for some political alliance or a herd of goats.”
“Interesting. The price for my wife was one house.”
“Are you going to stay on that phone all night?” William heard a male voice ask. Apparently Randall was not alone in his hotel suite. Everything went silent for a moment, as if Randall had covered the mouthpiece with his hand.
“Who is that?” William asked.
“Just someone I met. I need to go now, I’m holding up the poker game.”
“You’re playing poker this late?”
“Enough William, you sound more like a wife than Mary Ellen. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night.”
Chapter Ten
Mary Ellen was just buttoning up the front of her dress when a knock came at the bedroom door. Glancing from the mirror to the door, and back to the mirror, her nimble fingers fastened the last button, bringing together the garment’s wide lace collar.
“Come in!” she called out.
Lily opened the door, then picked up the tray she’d just set on the table in the hallway outside Mary Ellen’s room. She brought the lunch tray into the bedroom while watching Mary Ellen, who stood before the floor length mirror, pivoting from side to side while inspecting her appearance. Mary Ellen’s hands slid down the sides of her body, smoothing the fabric over her slim hips.
“That dress looks lovely on you. It’s a shame it won’t fit for long.” Lily cringed at her own words then set the tray on the small table in the center of the bedroom. “Sorry, ma’am. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Mary Ellen understood Lily was referring to the pregnancy. While Mary Ellen had been taught it was not proper to discuss such matters, it was obvious her husband shared his erroneous belief with someone on the household staff. She doubted he told Lily, yet suspected it was Mrs. Parker who passed on the misinformation. She chose not to comment.
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