Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series)

by Anna J. McIntyre

  William almost asked Randall why he hadn’t told him about Mary Ellen’s mother, so he would be prepared if something like this were to happen. Yet, the truth was, he was somewhat relieved that he hadn’t known, and hadn’t concealed the information from her.

  “I have a favor to ask you,” Randall said.

  “What?”

  “I don’t want to leave her alone, considering her emotional state and the baby. Can you please stay overnight at the house, so you can periodically check in on her?”

  “Don’t you think it would be better if Mrs. Parker or Lily stay with her through the night?”

  “Already Mary Ellen has asked them to leave her room, so I doubt she’d welcome the intrusion. I know you two have spent some time together, I imagine she has grown comfortable with you.

  “I notice this incident has rattled Mrs. Parker, and if my wife gets worse, she’ll just end up calling you anyway. You can stay in my room. I’ll have Mrs. Parker prepare it. Here, let me talk to her.” William wanted to argue with Randall, but he didn’t want to abandon Mary Ellen. Silently he motioned for the housekeeper to take the phone.

  When she finished speaking to her employer, she let William take the phone back. He said his goodbyes and hung up.

  “Mr. William, if you make a list of some things you need for the night, I’ll have Franklin run over to your place and pick them up.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Parker. Is Lily up with Mary Ellen?”

  “Yes, she’s outside the door. Mrs. Coulson said she wanted to be alone. Lily is just standing in the hallway listening, in case Mrs. Coulson needs anything.”

  “Good. I tell you what, go have Franklin head over to my place, and I’ll call Henry and have him fix a bag for me. After I call Henry, I’ll go upstairs and check on Mrs. Coulson.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Parker.”

  William headed upstairs after he called Henry. He reached the second floor landing, glanced left down the hallway, and noticed Mrs. Parker entering Randall’s room with a stack of fresh towels. She was obviously preparing the room for his stay.

  Outside of Mary Ellen’s room, Lily sat on the floor, her chin resting on her knees. Lost in thought, Lily failed to notice William approach.

  “Lily?”

  Startled, she jumped to her feet and faced William.

  “Yes sir?” she asked nervously.

  “Have you checked on Mrs. Coulson recently?”

  “I peeked in about five minutes ago. Poor dear is still sobbing. I wish I could help her, but she wants to be alone.”

  “I’m going in to speak to her. I would like you to go downstairs and prepare a tray of food. Something that can sit out for a while, because I don’t imagine she’ll eat anything right away, but she’ll need something eventually, to keep up her strength.”

  “Yes sir.” Lily turned, heading downstairs.

  “And Lily…” William called out.

  Lily stopped and turned to face William.

  “When you bring back the tray, set it on the table outside her room. And then you can go back to your normal chores.”

  “Are you sure, sir?”

  “Yes. We’ll be fine. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”

  “Yes sir.” Lily dashed down the stairs and headed to the kitchen.

  Alone in the hallway, William took a deep breath and approached Mary Ellen’s bedroom. Standing before her door he knocked on it, then called out Mary Ellen. There was no answer, so he slowly opened the door and walked in.

  He found her lying on her bed, curled up in a fetal position, her back to him. There was no sound, but by the way her body trembled, it was obvious that she was shedding silent tears. Approaching the bed, he whispered her name.

  “Mary Ellen, it’s William.” When he got to the side of the bed, she rolled over onto her back, sat up and looked up at him as she wiped the tears from her face. Awkwardly she tugged at her skirt and repositioned herself to cover her bare ankles and feet.

  “William…you know,” she whispered.

  “Yes, I read the letter. I hope you don’t mind, but everyone was so worried about you. May I sit down?”

  She gave him a nod and he sat on the edge of her bed. Not for a moment did he consider the impropriety of the situation.

  “I’m very sorry for your mother.” He reached out and took her hand, giving it a slight squeeze, continuing to hold it. Her tear filled eyes looked up into his face and once again the silent tears slid down her cheeks.

  It happened so quick. One moment they were sitting at arm’s length, William holding her hand—and the next he was sitting on her bed, holding Mary Ellen in his arms as she bitterly cried, her tears dampening his shirt. Silently he stroked her hair and whispered words of comfort.

  Lily brought the tray of food a few minutes later and sat it on the table outside Mary Ellen’s bedroom. The door was ajar so she peeked in the room. When she saw William holding Mrs. Coulson, she pulled the door completely closed, giving the pair privacy.

  “How is Mrs. Coulson, is she eating anything?” Mrs. Parker asked when Lily entered the kitchen a few minutes later.

  “The poor thing is still crying, but Mr. Hunter is watching over her. She’s in good hands. I think it best if we give Mrs. Coulson some privacy now. I remember how I felt when I lost George.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The moon cast a golden glow over the silent bedchamber. Restless in her sleep, Mary Ellen woke and slipped from her bed to use the bathroom. Unable to clearly see the clock on her dresser, she did not know the time. The house was still.

  The previous afternoon William held her in his arms for several hours as she sobbed, until finally, there were no more tears to shed. He eventually convinced her to eat some of the food Lily had brought, and then he sat with her until she fell asleep.

  When evening arrived, Lily came into her room with another tray of food, and helped prepare Mary Ellen a bath. Under normal circumstances, Mary Ellen would have resisted the assistance, yet she had little strength to resist or bathe herself.

  Knowing William was staying down the hallway in Randall’s room if she needed him, Mary Ellen convinced Lily to go home that evening. She knew Lily had two young children at home, and they needed their mother. She knew how precious mothers were.

  Convinced Mary Ellen would sleep soundly throughout the night, considering the emotionally exhausting day, Mrs. Parker stayed in her own room on the lower floor.

  After using the bathroom, Mary Ellen wandered over to her bedroom window and looked out on the grounds. The full moon cast an eerie light on the surrounding landscape. Lace curtains fluttered toward her, as the evening’s summer breeze made its way in the open window. It almost felt chilly. Loneliness washed over her.

  In actuality, she’d lost her mother months earlier, along with her eldest brother. Yet her mother’s death brought a finality that Mary Ellen was not prepared to face. She’d never been close to her father, who had little use for a daughter, and her relationship with the younger brothers was that of adult and child. Of all her older brothers, it was Ed whom she was closest to. Since marrying Randall, she hadn’t received a single letter from her brothers or father.

  She supposed she was close to Aunt Rachel, in a limited way. Yet she’d never feel comfortable confiding in Rachael, not in the way she might have done with her mother at one time. There had never been an opportunity to develop close relationships with other girls or young women. She was far too busy helping take care of her younger brothers. Instead of friends, she found solace in the books she read.

  It was in that moment she realized there was one person in the world she shared a special bond with, William. With him, she felt safe, accepted and loved. Loved. He never said he loved her, but she felt his love. It wrapped around her like a comforting blanket capable of keeping all sorts of evil at bay. When he held her and she cried over the loss of her mother, he wasn’t able to take her pain away, but he showed her she would get through t
he pain.

  So weary of the loneliness, and intuitively knowing whatever bond she shared with William would vanish when Randall returned, Mary Ellen found herself walking toward her bedroom door, into the hallway and toward her husband’s bedroom.

  She didn’t knock when she reached Randall’s bedroom door, but gently turned its doorknob and pushed open the door. William wasn’t in the bed. He was standing at the bedroom window, looking out over the grounds, as she had been doing moments earlier. Hearing her enter the room, he silently turned and faced her.

  William said nothing, but watched as Mary Ellen moved silently toward him; her white cotton nightgown outlined her feminine form, its floor length skirt fluttered slightly as she moved in his direction.

  Instinctively William opened his arms, welcoming Mary Ellen into his embrace. She went willingly, her hands reaching for his face, which she held between her soft palms as she stood on tiptoes. Not for a moment did William question the kiss; it was inevitable. Nor did he realize it was Mary Ellen’s first kiss.

  Sliding his hands over the base of her spine, he could feel her body beneath the thin fabric of the nightgown. Frantic, unskilled kisses stoked the fire of their passion. Without thought or consideration, William eased her toward the bed, never once breaking from the kiss. Moments later, Mary Ellen found her body sprawled atop the mattress as she looked up toward the ceiling. No longer were they kissing. Instead William hastily unfastened the buttons along the front of the nightgown. Mary Ellen attempted to steady her breathing and gave her body completely into William’s care.

  She felt his moist mouth on her breast, gently sucking one nipple into his mouth as his hands kneaded the soft, plump mounds. Randall had never touched her there and she arched her back, wanting more.

  Later she would wonder why Aunt Rachel’s special cream wasn’t needed to ease William into her body. His hard shaft found its way in with little effort and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, welcoming each thrust.

  There was no pain, no discomfort, just an agonizingly exquisite, anxious sensation pushing her toward some unknown conclusion, and when she reached it, it took her breath away for she had no idea it could be like this.

  Afterwards they lay in each other’s arms for several hours, while William gently stroked Mary Ellen’s bare shoulder and kissed the top of her head. Her nightgown had come off, as had his pajamas, and both were totally nude under the cool silk sheets. Mary Ellen snuggled into his warm embrace and fell asleep, feeling no guilt.

  • • • •

  William lay quietly in the bed, holding his best friend’s wife in his arms. Had Randall been in love with Mary Ellen, he might be feeling more guilt—or not. If Mary Ellen was not carrying Randall’s child then perhaps he and Mary Ellen could have a future together. It would be difficult, but not impossible. Unfortunately, a child changed everything. There was no way Randall would willingly divorce his wife and give up a child, especially if it was a son. William would never ask Mary Ellen to give up a child.

  While he and Randall had always been close, William did not for a moment imagine this breach would not destroy that friendship if Randall found out. William knew if given the choice, a life with Mary Ellen at his side or his friendship with Randall, he would choose Mary Ellen. Unfortunately, he did not have that choice. There were too many complications. The baby changed everything.

  Mary Ellen slept soundly, and it took a little maneuvering for William to slip the nightgown back onto her nude body. She is lovely, he thought. Before re-buttoning the front of the garment, he ran his hand over her belly, thinking briefly of the child growing in her womb. His hand moved lower touching the silky down between the juncture of her thighs. He couldn’t resist the temptation to press his fingers into the moist opening.

  Like a flower opening to the sun, Mary Ellen, still half asleep, spread her thighs wider apart, giving William a silent invitation, which he accepted. When she awoke fully, he was deep inside her. Again her legs wrapped around his body, pulling him deeper, wanting more.

  After they made love the second time, William suggested Mary Ellen go back to her own room. He didn’t want to risk Mrs. Parker finding her gone should they fall asleep in Randall’s bed.

  William didn’t send her back to the room alone, but accompanied her. Not prepared to leave each other, they both climbed into her bed and made love two more times. When the sun rose that morning, he slipped out of the room, just minutes before Mrs. Parker started her way up the stairs to check on her mistress.

  Mrs. Parker gently opened the door to Mary Ellen’s room. The young woman appeared to be sleeping soundly on her bed, under the quilt. The housekeeper shut the door, and headed back downstairs.

  A distinct, musty odor permeated the air in Randall’s bedchamber—sex. William threw open the windows to let in the fresh morning air. The sweet scent of feminine colognes and toiletries masked whatever carnal scents lingered in Mary Ellen’s room.

  Throwing back the quilt, he didn’t see any signs of bodily fluids on the bed sheets, and suspected that was because he’d deposited them all in Mary Ellen’s body. The thought made him hard again, and he wasn’t sure how he could possibly be around Mary Ellen and not touch her again. His life had gotten far too complicated.

  William straightened the bed, not wanting the housekeeping staff to speculate as to why he was such a rough sleeper. He quickly dressed in the fresh clothes Henry had sent over, and then walked down the hallway to check on Mary Ellen.

  Looking into her room, he watched her for a moment. By her steady and rhythmic breathing, he could tell she was in a deep slumber. Gently, he closed the door and let her sleep. She needed it; he’d kept her up all night making love. William couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t remember ever having such stamina.

  Downstairs he found Mrs. Parker with the cook in the kitchen. She poured him a cup of coffee and suggested he go into the parlor and she’d bring him some breakfast. He took his mug of coffee with him and when he entered the cozy room, he sat down at the small table where he and Mary Ellen had shared their dinners. Looking out the opened window, he surmised it would be another warm day.

  “I’m sure Lily and I can handle Mrs. Coulson,” Mrs. Parker told him when she brought his breakfast. “I imagine you have things you need to do. Please don’t feel you must stay here.” Mrs. Parker set the tray of food on the table then took a moment to remove the dishes from the tray and arrange them on the table for William.

  “I promised Randall I’d stay around. I wasn’t planning to go into the office today, anyway. It being Sunday and all.”

  “Whatever you decide, Mr. William. I just wanted you to know that if you need to go, I’m sure Lily and I can handle things.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Parker. I appreciate that. And breakfast looks very good, by the way. Thank you.”

  “Can I get you anything else?”

  “No, this looks wonderful. Thank you.” William sat down at the place the housekeeper had just set for him. She smiled at William, took the empty tray and left the room.

  Lily entered the room a few minutes after William finished breakfast, and started to clear the dirty dishes.

  “Lily, do you always work on Sundays?” he asked.

  “Not every Sunday. But Mrs. Parker thought it would be a good idea if I came in today, in case Mrs. Coulson needs me.”

  “I see. By any chance have you checked on her?”

  “A few minutes ago, sir. She’s still sleeping soundly. Poor thing, she must have had a rough night. Did she keep you up much, sir?”

  Yes, she kept me blissfully up all night.

  “A little. In fact, I think I’ll grab a nap, I’m a little sleepy.”

  “Mrs. Parker just stripped the sheets off the bed you slept in. If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll take some clean sheets up and get the bed made.”

  “No, that’s okay. I think I’ll try out that hammock Mrs. Coulson told me about, the one in the garden. Will you get me when she
wakes up?”

  “Certainly, Mr. Hunter.”

  William gave Lily a nod, then made his way to the back door off the kitchen. From there he walked down to the garden area. He wondered if a nap might help clear his mind and help him sort out the complications of his current situation.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You certainly look comfortable,” Randall said cheerfully. William bolted upright, causing the hammock to swing violently. Randall laughed and steadied the hammock so William wouldn’t fall.

  “Sorry, did I scare you? You were sleeping so soundly, I almost feel guilty waking you.”

  “Where the hell did you come from?” William asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he got from the hammock and stood next to Randall in the garden.

  “My train arrived an hour ago. I confess, you got to me William.”

  “What are you talking about?” William glanced nervously toward the house and wondered if Mary Ellen was still sleeping.

  “I really don’t want you to think I’m completely heartless. The woman I married is carrying my child, she just lost her mother, and you are right. My place is here, supporting her. I’m taking your suggestion. I took the liberty to call Henry, and he packed a bag for you.”

  “I don’t understand?”

  “You need to hurry man. I have a car waiting to take you to the train station. You’re going to Chicago and finish the deal. I’ll call you later and we can discuss the details, but you need to get moving, or you’ll miss the train.”

  “What about Mary Ellen?”

  “I just checked on her. She’s still sleeping. But don’t worry about her, she’s my responsibility now.”

  • • • •

  William felt sick inside. It was not due to the gentle swaying of the train car as it plodded down the track, but knowing he’d unwittingly abandoned the woman he loved. Everything moved so fast, he didn’t have time to come up with a plausible reason to stay in Philadelphia or to at least wake Mary Ellen so he could say goodbye. But even that would not have worked out, considering Randall would have been there, watching.