by Ingis, Gail
Rork grinned. “So, wife, do I at least get a kiss?”
She laughed and sagged onto the bed. “You’re incorrigible.” He settled his hand on her hip. She jumped up. “Please Rork, stop that.” Even through the voluminous skirt and petticoats, she felt the heat of his touch, and her belly flipped. “What happened, Rork? Did Hank shoot you?”
“Yes, but he was so intoxicated, I doubt he knew what he was doing.”
“Which is why you didn’t press charges?”
He nodded.
Her admiration for Rork blossomed. “It makes you the better man.”
He laughed. “I only did that because I didn’t want you to live with the shame.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Propped up on cushions, Rork looked out the hotel window at dark clouds spoiling for another storm. The door opened, and he feigned sleep, watching Leila through half-closed eyes. She came in with a tray of food. Light caught the metallic bronze highlights in her hair and outlined her exquisite profile. Desire for her consumed him.
She set down the tray. Her eyes skittered from his body outlined under the blanket to his face. A blush crept over her cheeks. “You cad, you aren’t asleep at all, and clearly feeling much better.”
He chortled and grabbed her hand. “I’m in a great deal of pain here and need tender loving care.” He pulled her down onto the bed. “Kiss me, Leila,” he whispered, drawing her close. He opened his mouth and captured hers, teasing her lips apart with his tongue. “I want you. It’s a constant ache.” She clasped her cool hands around his neck. Heat coursed through his veins. “I need you.” Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, he flipped the loops off the buttons running down the front of her dress.
Her breath caught, but she didn’t pull away.
“God, you are beautiful.” His mouth moved to her ears. He nibbled her lobe until she trembled. “Let me make love to you.”
With a tortured cry, she pushed against his chest. “I can’t, Rork. I want to, but I can’t.”
He lifted one eyebrow. “Why not? Hank has disappeared with Sissy, and you’re filing for divorce.”
She sat with her hip against his and fumbled with a button, doing it up. “I-I haven’t told you everything.”
His heart seized. “What haven’t you told me?”
She lurched to her feet and paced, wringing her hands. “My marriage was never consummated,” she blurted.
He blinked. That’s last thing he had expected. “How is that possible?” A primal thrill ran through him. She was his and his alone.
She shrugged. “I suppose he was always too inebriated and hallucinating—or so I thought.” She turned and stared through the window. “It was a shock to find him entwined with Sissy.”
“Come here, Leila. Let’s entwine,” he said gently, holding out his good arm.
She laughed and turned to face him. “There is another thing. A week ago I sent a message to my father. Despite his initial opposition to our marriage, he’s insisting that I make an effort to mend the rift. He said it isn’t uncommon for husbands to take a mistress.”
“I would never do that to you. When you’re divorced, marry me.”
“You don’t need the stigma of marrying a divorced woman. It would ruin your career, your standing in society.”
He laughed. “Do you really think I care about that?” He canted his head. “So will you do as your father commands?”
“No, but th-this thing between us won’t work. Not while I’m married.”
“It can, and it will.” He reached out and grasped her hand.
She shook her head and ran from the room. “I have to get away from New York.”
“Leila, wait!” The door closed with a click of finality, and his head sagged. “I’ll follow you wherever you go,” he whispered.
Chapter 15
Certain of her course, Leila filed for divorce and wrote Hank the required letter to inform him. Hesitating, she wrote another letter informing her parents of her intention and dropped wax on the missive, sealing it.
“Can’t imagine this news will be accepted,” she sighed, picking up her pelisse and reticule on her way out. Her first stop was the letter carrier station. Hands trembling, she handed the postmaster a letter to her parents.
He slipped it into a pigeonhole. “Should arrive in about a week.”
Nodding, Leila walked out. Well, that’s it. The carriage ride to her next stop was too short. She alighted, took a deep breath, and tried to compose herself. She walked into Allan Pinkerton’s office.
A scrawny youth at a desk looked up. “Please take a seat, madam.” He rose and hurried out on spindly legs.
Sitting stiffly on a black leather couch, she twisted the reticule cord.
Before long, an employee ushered her into a simply furnished office.
A small, bearded man bowed. “Please sit, Mrs. Dempsey.” He sat and folded his hands on a neat desk. “How may Pinkerton help you?”
She put an envelope on his desk. “I wish to have this letter of divorce delivered to my husband, Hank Dempsey. All I managed to glean is that he caught a train to St. Louis and then St. Joseph. From there he intended to take a ferry to Atchison. He’s ultimately heading west.”
“We’ll find him and deliver the letter.”
She waited for incriminations or an admonition on the scandalous act of a woman filing for divorce, but he said, “You have submitted your required divorce request to Harper’s Weekly, have you not?”
“Yes sir, I have. I’d like you to ensure he signs the document and then you must deliver it to the high court here in New York.”
He inclined his head. “Of course.”
She pushed another envelope across the desk. “Your fees, as per request.”
He took the envelope without opening it and slipped it into a drawer. “Pleasure doing business with you, madam.”
Standing, Leila dropped a brief curtsey and walked out of Pinkerton, heaving a sigh. I’ve done it. She increased her pace and entered a hired hack. “New York Station, please.” Hopefully, Cornelia managed to get to the station. Leila opened her reticule and pulled out a letter, crumpled from repeated reading. She smoothed it and read it again. You cannot escape me, my love. As soon as I’m healed, I will find you. Yours for all eternity, R. She sighed and pressed the letter to her heart and stared out the small window.
Leila hurried along the platform, clutching her pelisse tightly as drizzle, driven by a gusty wind, fell. Drops collected on her bonnet and dripped down the back of her neck. She caught sight of a tall woman with blond hair. “There she is, thank goodness.” Leila took the woman’s arm. “Cornelia, I thought you . . .” She put a gloved hand to her mouth. “I do apologize. I thought you were my friend.”
She turned and wiped moisture from her face. She scanned the crowd milling on the platform. “I’ll have to go without her. I can’t afford to miss this train. The next one is a week away.” Disappointment assailed her. Shoulders slumped, she switched the valise to her other hand and trudged to the passenger carriages.
“Leila!”
Leila spun and smiled. “Cornelia, thank goodness.”
Cornelia waved, picked up her skirts, and ran to Leila, embracing her. Breathless, she held her at arm’s length. “I’ve been here for an age and thought you weren’t coming.”
“And I thought you weren’t coming.” Leila looked around. “This place is such a crush. It’s good to see you. I have so much to tell you.”
“I can imagine. We got word at the orphanage that Rork was shot.”
“Yes, but the bullet went through his shoulder without too much damage. He’s recuperating at the hotel.”
“What about . . .?” She waved her hand. “Oh, never mind, let’s talk on the train.”
> Leila pulled the pelisse tighter around her. “Hurry, let’s get out of this smoke and soot. We’ll have tea in the dining carriage.”
“I have much to tell you.” Cornelia followed her onto the train.
Leila slid into a seat and ordered. “Two teas, please.” She studied the menu. “Also the crumpets with fruit. And you, too, Cornelia?”
She nodded. “What I was going to ask is why doesn’t Rork go to his Tenth Street studio rather than the hotel?”
Leila fiddled with the cutlery. “He needs to be looked after. He isn’t well enough to cope on his own.”
“Oh, of course.” She slanted her head and reached out to Leila with her opened palm. “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”
Leila nodded.
A piercing train whistle cut the air. A final whistle sounded. Iron grated on iron as the wheels turned. The train jerked with a groan of wood and metal and picked up speed, finding its rhythm. They headed for the open country.
Leila stared at buildings as the train gained momentum. Smoke billowed past the window and dissipated into space. “You must be excited about nursing, Cornelia.”
“I almost wish I was going farther west with you, but my first priority is to get my training and work with our soldiers.” Tea arrived, and Cornelia poured two cups of the dark brew. “Why did you leave Rork to fend for himself?”
“I hardly left him to fend for himself. The hotel staff and a physician will see to him.” Leila sighed. She felt a hollowness open in her stomach as she explained what had happened. She spread her hands. “After Hank betrayed me, he shot Rork. Then I filed for divorce.”
“Where is Hank?”
Leila shrugged. “On his way to the West, I guess.”
“Why did you leave Rork without waiting until he recuperated?”
“I had to get away,” Leila mumbled.
Cornelia put cream in their teas and pushed a cup to Leila. “I think you have feelings for Rork and don’t know how to deal with them.”
Leila laughed and stirred her tea. “You know me well. I don’t know if I can ever trust a man again. Even Sophia Vanderbilt accused him of being a charmer.”
“Don’t assume all men are the same, and charming doesn’t equal ‘womanizer.’ Apart from the obvious flaws in Hank, why didn’t your marriage work? You were so in love with him when we were at school.”
Biting her lip, Leila glanced at Cornelia. Leila took a long lingering breath and confessed . . . “My marriage was never consummated.”
Cornelia blinked with the teacup halfway to her lips. “What?” She shook her head. The cup descended, landing on the saucer with a clatter. “How is that possible, or rather, why?”
Leila shrugged. “I suppose I didn’t appeal to his tastes like Sissy does.”
Cornelia blew a raspberry. “Hogwash, it’s those nasty habits of his he claims are for medicinal purposes that inhibit his ability to, ah, perform.”
Leila giggled. “How is it you know so much about sex?”
“I read and have learned a great deal from medical books.”
“Anyway, he obviously is capable. I saw him with Sissy.”
Cornelia waved her hand flippantly. “Just because you saw them in a compromising position doesn’t mean he was actually achieving anything.”
“Goodness, you are knowledgeable on the subject.”
Cornelia sighed. “I would love to be a doctor, but few women can aspire to that.”
“Why shouldn’t you do just that? Goodness me, Clemence Lozier became a doctor against all odds.” Leila leaned forward. “Why, last year in November, she opened a college for female doctors in New York. We should have gone there to find out what you need to do to enroll.”
“Lozier had the support of her husband and family. Without my family, I’m totally strapped for cash. You know they don’t even approve of me nursing.”
Leila’s mouth tightened. “This notion that women are idiots and incapable of the things men do infuriates me. It’s about time we stood up for women’s rights.”
Cornelia smiled. “I agree, but I’m actually happy to embark on a career as a nurse. If I were ever to marry and have daughters, I’d teach them to be independent.” Her eyes clouded, and she stared at her hands.
“You still miss Michael, don’t you?” She leaned over and clasped Cornelia’s hand.
“Yes, and part of the reason I want to nurse our troops is to honor his memory. Hopefully, I can save a few women’s husbands, sons, or fathers.”
“My dear friend, your concern and ambition are admirable.”
Cornelia squeezed Leila’s hand. “Go back to Rork. When he’s well enough, go out west with him. You could help him by recording all the events around his paintings. Do what Hank was going to do.”
Leila’s eyes widened. “Lord, Cornelia, I’m not good enough to write like Hank.”
She tossed her golden curls. “Oh, rubbish. Of course you are. You write beautifully.” She tugged Leila’s hand. “Why did you really run away from Rork?”
“I-I told you. Anyway, I can’t think about being with him while I’m still married to Hank.”
Cornelia rolled her eyes. “Now who is haltered by the silly constraints of society? You’ve already pushed the boundaries by filing for divorce. Why not go all the way and take Rork as your lover?”
“You say the most outrageous things.” Heat burned her cheeks, and a giggle escaped. A tap on Leila’s shoulder brought her around. “Billy. What are you doing here?”
Grinning, he slid onto the seat and ordered coffee from the hovering waiter. “The same as you, dear cousin. Going to St. Louis.” He smiled. “Greetings, Cornelia.”
“Hello, Billy.”
Leila pecked his cheek. “How did you get away from Eleanor? I thought she had a strangle hold on you.”
“It wasn’t easy, I assure you, but that wife of mine loves her creature comforts, and roughing it in the wild is not her idea of fun. Is Hank around?”
“Ah, no.” She wet her lips. “I’ve filed for divorce.”
He raised his pale eyebrows and looked at her over his wire-rimmed spectacles. “Well, I’ll be damned. Good for you. Care to tell me what finally provoked such a radical step?” He held up one finger. “No, don’t tell. I’ll guess. He ran off with that tart, Sissy?”
“That about sums it up.”
“Don’t say anything to that wife of mine. You know what a damn gossip she is. Not that you could, with her still at the Catskills.” He chuckled and sipped his coffee. “Where is Rork Millburn?”
Leila shrugged. It didn’t do to tell Billy too much either. “In New York.”
“Heard he was shot.”
Eager to steer Billy in another direction, Leila stared intently at her cousin. She smiled a smile that reached her eyes. “Can you believe Cornelia is embarking on a career as a nurse?”
“Well, I’ll be. Good for you. How are you, gal? Haven’t seen you since Leila and Hanks’ wedding.” He leaned forward. “When did you two meet up again?”
Cornelia sipped her tea. “We met on the train to New York and had quite an adventure in the city. Did you hear about the draft riots?”
“I did, read about it in the newspaper. Did you get caught up in it?”
Leila sighed. “It’s a long story. We have a couple of days to talk before we arrive at St. Louis. How about we meet for lunch?”
“I’m with a crew going west to Tis-sa-ack. I need to check in with them, so that won’t work for me. Maybe supper or something.” He rose briskly. “I must be off.” He landed a peck on Leila’s cheek and blew Cornelia a kiss.
Leila followed his uneven departure as he negotiated the passage between tables on the swaying train. “Now my impending divorce will be common knowledge.”
/> “It couldn’t stay secret forever. Promise me you’ll at least consider having Rork in your life. You deserve to be happy.”
Leila arched one eyebrow. “And you don’t? How many years has it been since you lost Michael?”
“Almost three.”
“You need someone in your life, too.”
“No, I want to nurse, and that won’t leave much time for men.”
“I suppose.” They both stared out the window.
Leila gaped at the man in the booking office in St. Louis. “The pier burned down?”
“Yes, ma’am, and the ferry was damaged. It will be at least three weeks before they finish repairs.”
“Is there any other way to Atchison?”
“Horseback, I guess, but ya cain’t go alone, mighty dangerous out there. Ya could fall foul of Rebs, an’ no tellin’ what them slavers will do to a fine lady like yerself.”
She nodded and walked out. Cornelia touched her arm. “Volunteer to nurse with me. It will keep you occupied.”
Leila shuddered. “I don’t think I’m equipped to treat injured or dying men.”
“You don’t have to, but it could be useful out west. Just do it for a few weeks.”
Leila nodded. “I suppose you’re right. It could be useful. And at least I’ll feel as if I’m doing my bit for the war effort.”
Cornelia grinned. “Exactly.” She took Leila’s arm. “I’m off to Benton Barracks now. They have a hospital there. Come with me.”
“Very well.” Leila’s thoughts settled on Rork as they climbed into their hired carriage and headed for the fort.