A Shadowed Groom For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 6)

by Marisa Masterson

  An aroma of pine and candlewax filled Kitty’s senses as she carefully made her way down the stairs. The skirts of her mother’s wedding dress were fuller than she was used to and had a hoop she struggled to maneuver. She really should have thought ahead and had the skirts altered to conform to the current style. The plentiful fabric that covered the hoop could have been gathered in the back or used to cover a bustle since those were all the rage this year. Kitty had simply been so pleased that the light pink dress fit she hadn’t considered redoing it.

  With Mrs. Marlowe’s help, she made it down the stairs, holding onto the balustrade that was wrapped in bright red and silver ribbons and trimmed with holly. Kit had urged her to leave off her veil and she could clearly make out the lovely decorations which decorators had brought in that day.

  The entry to the library, where the ceremony would be held, was draped with pine swags graced with the same ribbons as the stairs. Through the doorway, Kitty caught a glimpse of a tree in a corner by the bay window. It reached almost to the ceiling and had glittering glass ornaments as well as small candles perched on the branches. Her family had never had a Christmas tree and she looked forward to admiring the ornaments close up later.

  Earlier in the day, she’d kept to her room while a team decorated for both the holiday and the wedding. As a result, her first glimpse of the decorations made the wedding seem magical. In addition to the holiday decorations, standing candelabras had been brought in, something Kitty had often seen at weddings she’d attended. She was glad someone had added them.

  Since her father was deceased, she chose to walk alone across the room to join her groom in front of the fireplace. As she did so, Kitty noticed a few people filled chairs and a settee that had been turned to face the hearth. A white-haired woman seated in a high-backed chair caught Kitty’s eye and smiled wistfully at her while dabbing at her eyes. On the settee, a couple sat close together and whispered. The woman glared before pointing at Kitty and laughing behind her fan, making Kitty quickly break eye contact and focus instead on Kit.

  Though she shouldn’t be surprised, he wore the same black hood. She had cherished a small hope that, since he’d urged her not to hide her face, he might allow her to watch his face as he made his vows to her. They’d had so little time to speak with one another. Soon she would ask him why he chose to use a hood rather than simply covering part of his features with one of the specially designed masks that were available.

  Reaching his side, she hoped that under the hood Kit was smiling. She looked into his eyes. With his gaze solemn, he reached out for her hand. Kitty handed the small bouquet of white roses she carried to Mrs. Marlowe and placed her right hand in his left. Though he fixed his attention on the man wearing the clerical collar and dark suit, he gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

  During the ceremony, the couple repeated their vows in low, somber whispers. She did so because of nerves. Kitty suspected that for Kit the cause wasn’t nerves but rather the hood he wore. As he said his vows, she learned his name was actually Christopher. Since she preferred the name Kitty for herself, perhaps he would allow her to call him Chris rather than Kit. It was something to consider asking him. The similarity in names was destined to cause confusion otherwise.

  When asked by the reverend about a ring, Kit shook his head. Kitty looked up at him in surprise. After all, he’d known she expected to marry soon after she arrived. Why hadn’t he purchased one?

  Her mind mulled over the mystery so that she almost missed the reverend declaring them man and wife. Since he certainly couldn’t kiss her, Kit raised her hand to the holes that formed his mouth and touched the silk of his hood to the back of her hand.

  Moving her hand to his arm, her husband led her over to the older woman. The woman stood and hugged Kitty. “I never thought I’d see my son marry.” The woman took a step back and resumed her seat. “You are lovely dear.”

  A snort from the direction of the settee interrupted her new mother-in-law, and Kitty’s husband turned his hooded head in that direction, the arm under her hand going rigid. Though she couldn’t be sure, Kitty believed he directed an angry gaze in the couple’s direction. When Kitty looked at them, both had their faces turned downward. Perhaps they, too, had sensed his anger.

  Ignoring them, the older woman spoke again. “Please call me Anna rather than mother. Because of circumstances I can’t explain right now, I prefer that to being called mother.” Anna patted her sweetly on Kitty’s unmarred cheek and then congratulated Kit. She didn’t hug him. This surprised Kitty. Why didn’t the woman want to hug her son on his wedding day?

  Kit drew her over to the sofa to introduce the couple seated there. Already nervous, her stomach knotted at their obvious antipathy toward her. Her husband introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Forrest.

  Mrs. Forrest put on a good show, though she refused to look directly at either the bride or the groom. She chimed in a sweet and high-pitched voice that sounded just a bit like baby talk, “I wish you both happy. What a special night to choose for a wedding. Oh, and what a daring woman you are Mrs. Randolph to wear such an outdated dress. I do say, I’d be mortified to appear in it.”

  Taken aback by the combined congratulations and insult, Kitty stood speechless. Her husband, however, barked, “Thank you, but I wonder if you know you just insulted my bride.”

  Sensing trouble, Mr. Forrest gripped his wife’s elbow and advised, “Dear, I do think an apology is in order.”

  “Why, how could little me ever hurt this woman’s feelings? She must be used to…well…comments, you know.” The woman unfurled a fan and fluttered it. Then she continued with her childish lisp, “Still, I do so want to be friends with you so I am sorry.”

  Kitty nodded, “Thank you both. Are you related to my husband?”

  Mr. Forrest answered for them. “No, I am your husband’s partner. I oversee the books as well as all of our businesses. Hopefully, I’m the one person he couldn’t do without.”

  Before either she or her husband could answer, Mrs. Forrest chirped in her little girl voice, “Of course you are darling. How would dear Mr. Randolph manage without you since he simply, simply cannot be expected to leave this house?” The woman looked to Kit then for his response and, shuddering, looked away again quickly.

  For a brief moment, no one commented. Kitty’s mind had gone blank and she struggled for a topic of conversation. Her husband finally broke the silence. “I wonder what I would find if I should leave this house and visit those businesses.” Mr. Forrest paled for some reason and Kitty wondered if he truly was a person her husband minded doing without. Did Mr. Forrest also hear the implied threat?

  The fidgeting Mr. Forrest cleared his throat and asked, “I’m wondering, Kit, why you’ve started wearing that hood? You didn’t before this last illness.”

  Kit waited a moment before answering. “My mouth has frozen into a sort of grimace. It might frighten even someone as brash as you if you saw it. Shall I show you?” He raised his hand as if he intended to untie the hood and lift it off.

  Forrest backed up and held his hands up as if motioning for him to stop. He hurriedly said, “Please, don’t bother. My wife and I are sorry that happened to you.”

  “Are you? How nice of you to say that. The illness was quite odd. Came on me quickly after that last dinner party I had here,” Kit said. Then his voice took on a sort of growl and his gloved hands fisted. “If I didn’t trust each and every person around my table that night, I would suspect that one of them tried to poison me.”

  Mrs. Forrest gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. “Say it isn’t so dear, dear Mr. Randolph. Too, too terrible!” Her husband patted her hand and urged her to sit before she fainted, telling the others they would be bereft if anything happened to Kit.

  All of this added to the mystery surrounding Kit Randolph. A trustworthy partner who didn’t seem at all sincere. A mother who wouldn’t hug him. A scarred hand that wasn’t scarred. And now she’d discovered that he’d only r
ecently begun wearing the hood.

  With a hand under her elbow, Kit steered her away from the couple and approached his desk. The minister stood next to it and waited for them. Picking up a fountain pen, Kitty allowed the steel point to dance across the page as she wrote her name on the marriage certificate. She handed the pen to Kit who hunched over the desk as he signed it, obscuring her view. As soon as he’d signed at the bottom of the certificate, he opened a desk drawer and whisked the document away.

  Addressing the minister, her husband quietly said, “You will fill out the marriage license the way I asked?”

  The man nodded but didn’t look too happy. “Of course, though I don’t like putting this off I understand and won’t betray what you’ve told me.”

  The conversation just added another mysterious dimension to her husband. He definitely had secrets. When would he trust her with them?

  Turning from the minister, her husband raised her hand to his covered mouth and kissed it. “I will leave you now. Please enjoy your wedding meal, but I beg you to only eat what Mrs. Marlowe gives you.”

  Once more, Kitty felt like she was caught in the pages of one of her novels. What an odd thing for him to say? And how very rude it seemed for him to abandon her at their wedding dinner. She stood among strangers with her typically hidden face exposed and he abandoned her!

  Before she could sputter her outrage, he left her side and then moved out of the room. She looked to the minister but he quickly glanced away, obviously uncomfortable with Kit’s behavior or with the situation.

  Hoping to restore her composure Kitty’s mind began a repetition of the verse, “They looked unto him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” Letting that promise fill her mind, Kitty was able to smile at the minister and begin a conversation about the church where he ministered.

  Shortly before a maid announced dinner, a brief pounding on the front door halted all conversation in the room. Soon after, a well-dressed and tall man with wavy chestnut hair entered the library. He immediately made his way to the older Mrs. Randolph. After a brief exchange, the woman brought him to Kitty.

  “My dear, let me make known to you my nephew, Phineas Randolph, who is shamefully late to the wedding. Phineas, this lovely young woman is Katherine Randolph, but she prefers to be called Kitty by her friends. Perhaps one day she will allow you that privilege.”

  The man brought Kitty’s hand to his lips. There was something uncomfortably familiar about his touch as if they were already acquainted. An unwelcomed zip of excitement filled her at his touch. What was wrong with her!

  Phineas looked up from her hand and met her eyes. While Kitty appreciated that he seemed to ignore the stained skin that marred her face and instead easily met her gaze, she was startled by his eyes. They were the same shade as her husband’s, an unusual ice blue.

  “Are you sure you aren’t my husband’s brother? Your eyes and height are so similar.” Kitty tried to say the words as a lighthearted banter, but suspicion edged her voice. Mystery heaped upon mystery in this house.

  Phineas released her hand and chuckled, “No, though we did pretend to be brothers often. I valued Kit like a brother. Now, no more about me. Come and sit beside me on the settee while we become acquainted.”

  Though he tried to distract her, Kitty had noticed that he spoke of Kit in the past tense. Or was it just that his relationship with Kit had changed so he no longer valued him? No that didn’t seem at all right from the warm way his aunt had greeted Phineas.

  Before they could settle on the sofa, a maid let her know that dinner was being served. Resting her hand on his arm, Kitty and Phineas led the guests into the dining room. Though she didn’t know it at the time, this would begin her husband’s disturbing pattern of absence.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning Kitty woke to sunlight as the curtains in her room were opened. Expecting to see a maid, Kitty was surprised to see Mrs. Marlowe standing at the window.

  “It’s a lovely day after that dreadful fog. Happy Christmas to you!” The woman seemed so happy this morning. Though typically very kind and thoughtful, she usually maintained a serene and controlled façade. Kitty decided Christmas joy caused the change in the woman.

  Sitting up and stretching, Kitty returned the greeting and wished her companion Christmas greetings. The woman walked to the bed and held up a robe for Kitty. “Now, Mr. Kit has left something under the tree that needs you very soon. So, let us make our way downstairs so you can see his Christmas surprise.”

  Shoving her feet into her house shoes, Kitty wrapped the robe around herself. Even with the robe, she shivered. Mrs. Marlowe picked up a shawl from the bedroom chair and draped it over the younger woman’s shoulders. “There now. You’ll be needing different clothes for winter in Wisconsin. I expect South Carolina’s weather was a might different from what you’ll be experiencing in the next few months.”

  Together, the two planned a shopping trip as they made their way down to the library. She found her husband bent over next to the tree, making a shushing noise.

  She smiled at him shyly and joined him in front of the tree. Surprisingly, he hadn’t come to her bedroom last night. Kitty had waited alone in the darkened bedroom for him but he chose not to take advantage of his rights. Perhaps she’d get a chance to ask him about that later today.

  For now, she greeted him with a “Merry Christmas,” and then looked around for what was making an odd whining noise. Looking down at her husband’s feet, Kitty spotted the wicker picnic hamper tied with a lovely red ribbon. “Is that for me?”

  Kit nodded and urged, “Yes, and please hurry. I’m not sure how long it will stay in there.”

  Sinking to her knees, Kitty untied the ribbon. As she pulled on the handles of the hamper, a small gray head burst from the basket. A wiggling body followed the head and hurled itself at Kitty. She caught it in her arms and a little pink tongue attacked her face.

  Laughing at the antics, Kitty looked up at her husband. “I’ve never seen a dog like this. What breed is he?”

  The amused man laughed along with her at the furiously licking puppy. “He’s a Dutch Keeshond. Some people call them bespectacled dogs since they look like they’re wearing a pince-nez. A farmer outside of town owns the ma and pa. They’re great companion dogs. Odd to see though. If you ride by the farm, they are always on the top of the manure pile watching for visitors.”

  The puppy had stopped frantically licking her and instead settled down in her lap. She stroked his thick fur and admired the tail curled tightly over his back. “His tail reminds me of my little Spitz.” She smiled at the memory of her beloved dog.

  “I remembered you writing about him in one of your letters so I looked for one for you. This dog is a type of Spitz, so I hoped you’d like him.” There was an edge of anxiety to his voice, letting her know how much her joy in the gift meant to him.

  “How could I not? Oh, what should I name him?” She tapped a finger to her lips as she looked at the puppy.

  He cleared his throat and suggested, “The farmer’s young son was mighty fond of the pup and called him Arthur. Maybe you’d like to keep the name he knows.”

  At the mention of the name, the pup’s ears lifted and he looked at Kit. That decided it for her. “I think I’ll shorten it though. Scratching the dog’s head, she asked, “How about Art or Arti? I like that one.” Putting one finger to the dog’s head as if it was a pretend sword she declared in a formal voice, “I christen you Arti.”

  The rest of the morning was spent together in the library. They shared an informal breakfast on a small table placed in front of the fireplace. After dressing for the day, Kitty once again joined her husband there. Just before noon, she watched as children caroled outside the bay window. Urging Kit to join her, he refused with a sad tone to his voice. “I don’t want to frighten them with this hood.”

  She laughed and said, “But you didn’t care about meeting me looking that way on a foggy night!”

 
He ducked his head and she suspected by the movement that he might be embarrassed. Clearing his throat nervously he apologized, “Yes, well, that wasn’t gentlemanly of me. I shouldn’t have tried to scare you.”

  “Why did you?” she asked, hoping to probe some of his secrets. Her husband merely shook his head and suggested they enjoy the carolers.

  Soon after that Kit excused himself, asking her to forgive his absence. “I have been alone a great deal in the last months and find I need time by myself yet. Please, don’t look for me. If there is a problem, take it to Mrs. Marlowe.”

  Kitty’s face reddened at his words as if he had struck her. He purposefully wanted distance between them. All she could do was agree with a frosty tone to her voice and pick up the puppy from its basket to hug it comfortingly to herself.

  Not long afterward, Phineas Randolph joined her in the library. The previous evening he’d told her that he planned to return to visit with his cousin so seeing him didn’t surprise her. Greeting her with his typically cheery voice he said, “Hope you don’t mind company on Christmas. I’d hoped to see my cousin. Since he won’t leave the house, I know he must be here.” He looked expectantly at her and then his gazed shifted and his expression grew warm.

  Kitty had been playing tug with the puppy on the floor. Following Phineas’ gaze, she blushed to see that her skirts had risen, revealing quite a bit of silk-stocking clad leg. Quickly she jumped up while pushing her hem down. Embarrassed, she refused to meet the man’s eyes while she mumbled an answer, “I’m sorry Mr. Randolph, but my husband has asked that no one disturb him. I am sorry that you’ve made a fruitless visit.”

  Phineas crossed the remaining distance to her and put a hand under her chin. He raised her face to look at him. “I am delighted with the company I’ve found here. No sad face on Christmas, please.” Dropping his hand, he asked, “Would you give me a Christmas gift?