“I am not going anywhere. I am not going to live with this woman just because you tricked me into a proxy marriage.”
“I am giving you six months Jim.” Andreadora rose from her place and said threateningly. She stood at her full height at 5’3’’ and still managed to intimidate her more than six-feet-tall grandson. If you are successful in making this marriage work and giving me an heir in that time, I will hand over the company to you and retire. If you fail to do so, I will sell it. “
Did you consummate the marriage by proxy as well? Because unless you have, it's humanly not possible to give you an heir in six months.” Jim said rising and towering above her.
“I meant, Alexandra becoming pregnant,” she said menacingly.
“You really are sick,” Jim said with such abject dejection it broke Andreadora’s heart as she started to leave the room.
“Don’t worry, I am out of your life in six months.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I am relocating to England. I will visit my family, travel, get married maybe. I will do things I have not been able to do these past years because of the responsibilities I had responsibilities.”
Thunder rattled the window as a heavy downpour began outside. Jim was dumbfounded by what his grandmother was saying. She had her life to the fullest because she had to look after him. It was like a slap in his face. He looked at her as if he had seen a ghost.
“Is that how you are going to play this when nothing else works on me? Emotional blackmail? Fine, I will do it. Because whatever you do or say, there is one thing I can never deny. You have made sacrifices for my happiness. And if me marrying this girl from New York and having a child with her is going to be payback for you I certainly shall do it. I have too much of regard for what you have done for me. But remember, after I give you what you want, my debt shall be paid.
Chapter Three
Carefully Alexandra held the bars on either side of the bogie door and peeked out at the deserted little Silver Valley railway station. It was nothing more than a shed, beyond which the slopes of the Cascades mountains rose high to kiss the clouds, like a woman rising on tiptoes to kiss her lover, the hues of lush green, jade, olive, yellow and gold all blending together to form the resplendent magnificence of the land.
Then she saw him, standing there, a lone figure, tall and handsome, his hands clasped behind his back, a frown of disapproval etched into his face. He looked at her out of mesmerizing blue eyes. The smoke from the engine had not yet cleared and engulfed him like a trick of Merlin.
The moment of impact when their eyes met, was something, Jim Sullivan, the most eligible and sought after bachelor of the, blessed with the female company in abundance, had never experienced before. Their coy eagerness took his breath away as he strode off in her direction.
“Alexandra Sullivan?” he asked offering his hand. She placed her gloved one into his, stepped down and made a perfect little curtsy. Once again Jim was caught up in the beauty of her eyes. They were the color of molten gold, and their warmth was slowly spreading through his insides like the first sip of the finest malt whiskey.
When they reached the waiting carriage, Alexandra turned to her husband suddenly.
“Can I drive?”
Jim Sullivan was not a snob; neither was he a sexist. He believed in women having a chance at education, vocation, and distractions. His grandmother was an example of a strong and independent woman. But none of this could have prepared him for that question.
“I beg your pardon?” He asked stunned. Uncomfortable under his gaze Alex hastened to explain.
“It’s been a long journey. I still feel wobbly, as if the ground under my feet is not steady. I think some fresh air will help clear my head.
Jim nodded in understanding while he was still reeling with shock inside and turned to speak to his valet.
“Johnson, would you mind riding in the back seat, please?”
“Not in the least, Mister Sullivan Sir.” the man muttered and went to stand on the wheel behind the carriage. Jim offered his hand to his bride, and Alexandra eyed him with disgust then ignoring his hand she clambered onto the wooden bench.
She was slight and had an attractive figure, a lovely face and fine, delicate features. Her hair, covered in a frilly white bonnet, was tied into a neat bun at the nape of her neck and wayward curls of light brown escaped through it. The slender column of her neck gave an unrestricted view of opulent, creamy skin, and Jim had an overwhelming desire to put his lips there.
The rise and fall of her slight shoulders and small bosom captured his attention next, and he watched for ions before finally, his eyes slid down to her lap and long legs covered by her drab gown. Her long, lean arms and bony fingers maneuvered the reigns deftly.
“Ogle away. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable in the least,” she said still not taking her eyes away from the road ahead, but her frown had deepened. That made him chuckle.
“You are my wife, and I am entitled to more than just ogle.”
The minute he said that he felt her stiffen. She would surely have moved away from him had there been enough space on the bench for that. Nothing much changed in her countenance, though, but he could feel that the magic of the moment, of their harmless light banter, had disappeared.
“The ad said the selected candidate would be expected to produce an heir.”
“Did it?”
“Don’t you remember? You posted it.”
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t. My grandmother did.”
“Without consulting with you?” Jim nodded.
“Are you going to tell me next that you did not choose me as your bride?” Alexandra asked, and Jim winced inwardly. Having to tell her that she was neither wanted nor chosen by him, suddenly seemed cruel.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t choose you either.” She said before he spoke.
“You didn’t?”
“Why does it surprise you? Did you think I was a gold digger come to marry a rich westerner? Or does it simply deflate your ego to know that you were actually not chosen by a girl.”
“A little of both I guess. So what’s your story?” Jim asked
“I worked at the convent as a librarian and school teacher. Recently it was declared that the convent would be shifted to Jacksonville. I was not chosen to go. I was a liability. So I got the boot.”
“They threw you out? Just like that?”
“Not really. The Mother Superior gave me a bunch of ads that she thought were suitable for me. They were all ads for young teachers or governess. I was not interested in them. While I was looking through the ads Mother Bernardine had given me, I found yours on the back of another add.”
“And I became your ticket to freedom?
“You are not my ticket to anywhere. You are my destination. At first, I applied just to spite Mother Bernardine. To challenge her notions of propriety. When I actually got selected I realized the magnanimity of what I had done. But by then it was too late. Once I had applied, it implied I was interested. I could not go back on a promise.”
Jim looked at her then, his eyes full of knowledge. How much of what her promise entailed did she actually understand, he wondered. Suddenly he covered her hands with his over the reins and brought the carriage to an abrupt stop.
“Alexandra if you are not sure about this, I will turn the carriage and take you back to the station, buy your passage to wherever you would want to go or find you a suitable position here in town. As far as the marriage by proxy is concerned, we can get an annulment.”
“I am not a coward Jim Sullivan. I refuse to run away. Besides, I simply have nowhere else to go.” Alexandra said sitting ramrod straight, looking him straight in the eye and facing him with a daring look.
Jim nodded then got down from the carriage. He came around to her side and offered his hand. Puzzled, she took his hand and got down.
That fence you see over there marks the boundary of the Sullivan estate. If you agree to cro
ss that boundary with me today and become a Sullivan, you will be bound to certain responsibilities. I am by nature not a vicious man, and I believe in a woman having an opinion. But first and foremost I expect from my wife compliance. You will as a part of your duties, obey my command, look after my household and a part of the estate workings, manage the household staff and abide by your wifely duties.”
For a second there was a sparkle in her eyes, like the lighting of a match that Jim associated with rebellion and fury. Then it died down and was replaced by cold resolve as she declared.
“I agree.”
Chapter Four
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the Villa Sullivan, Alexandra looked out at the huge mansion, and her heart sank down to her toes. After she had agreed to take up the position as Jim’s wife, they had ridden in the carriage for the rest of the way.
“You will ride in the carriage and not drive it like any Sullivan woman ought to do” he had said.
“And you are allowed to drive the carriage if you so desire?” She had asked taking his hand and getting in.
“Yes,” he had said getting in behind her as James started the carriage.
“Because you are a man?”
“Yes.” He had said with arrogance. Alex had nodded looking out of the window. She had understood that she would have to take her orders from her husband henceforth, only because he was a man. Looking out and not having to look at the audacious man who was her husband helped her to calm down and come to terms with the unfairness of the situation. So she had enjoyed the scenery for the rest of the way home.
Now as they prepared to get down, an old man, short and stout, bald with gray hair circling the base of his skull and over his ears, came running down the stairs huffing and puffing, waving his hat at the new arrivals.
“Welcome home, Jim.” He said as Jim helped his bride out of the carriage.
“Welcome, home Miss Alexandra.” He said smiling amiably at the young girl.
“This is our physician and a very good friend of the family, Dr. Murphy. Scot, meet my wife, Alexandra.”
Scot Murphy had a moony face, and he wore round wire-rimmed glasses. He was the sweetest most agreeable man Alex had ever seen in her life, and she returned his big reassuring smile.
“How do you do Dr. Murphy? Jim showed me your clinic while we were passing through the village. Most of the sisters at the convent where I grew up were trained as nurses. I have very high regard for the medical profession.” Scot Murphy beamed like a seventeen-year-old getting his first compliment from the schoolmistress whom he had a crush on and Jim laughed out loud.
“Doc, don’t get a crush on my wife. I will have to kill you.” Then turning to his wife he continued “Doc is known to have a crush on all the Sullivan brides.” Scot turned beet red as he offered his arm to Alexandra.
“Our Jim is a gem. Obviously, he has the sensitivity of a rock. Having said that I would be a fool if I say I am immune to the charms of this lovely lady. Come, my dear, the entire family is here. They are all waiting to meet you.”
“You are very kind sir,” Alexandra said taking his arm and walking up the short flight of steps with her husband on her other side.
“Speaking of the Sullivan brides, Jim, your mother is here.” There was a warning in his tone, and Alexandra felt Jim stiffen next to her. But before anyone could say anything a tall, thin blond with eyes the same shade of blue as Jim’s came out of the porch door and threw her hands around his neck. Jim caught her, the collision hardly moving him from his place, kissed her on both her cheeks, then turning to Alex he said.
“Alex meet Ara. She is actually my Aunt Ara. But we were born in the same year.”
“Hello, Alexandra. Welcome to the family. And you can call Archie and me, that’s my twin, by our names, just like your husband does.”
“Thank you.” Alex took the offered hand smilingly and in the next second Ara was hugging her and kissing her on the cheek.
“Now that feels more like family.” She said walking between Alex and Jim and looping her arms with theirs. As the trio entered the drawing room, Ara helped Alex out of her traveling cloak and handed it to the doc who had already taken Jim’s hat and coat and was on his way to the closet to hang them.
“Everyone is in the kitchen,” Ara said her huge smile still in place as she took Alex’s hand and pulled her along like a little girl. Her happiness and sunny behavior were contagious, and it was hard to keep a straight face when Ara was so obviously delighted at showing her around. But Alex did manage to keep a mild serene smile on her face, lest, she thought with ire, Jim might find anything more expressive as unsuitable for his wife.
“Yoohoo, everyone. The new bride is here. Come say your hellos.”
All eyes turned to them at once. The doc had walked in behind them, and Ara was moving around unable to contain her excitement. The moment seemed too overwhelming, and instinctively Alex turned back to look for Jim. He was standing there in the doorway of the huge kitchen. Resting his hips against the door frame, his legs crossed at the ankles and his hands folded over his chest, his face devoid of expression. When he saw Alex turn back with wide eyes, he slightly nodded his head to reassure.
“Alexandra.” An old lady with soft gray eyes who had been sitting at the kitchen table got to her feet. There were another woman and a young man of Jim’s age sitting at the table. Two women were working at the kitchen counters busy making supper. A wonderful aroma of fresh bread and herbs added to the warmth of the room.
“At last you are here. I am so happy to see you. I am Andreadora Sullivan. Jim’s grandmother. And this is my eldest daughter Morgan.” she said indicating one of the two women making supper.
“And these are my younger twins, Archelaus and Samara, she said pointing out the man sitting at the table and Ara.”
“And this is my daughter in law Eileen. She is my eldest son Andrew’s widow and Jim’s mother,” she said turning to the lady sitting next to Archie. And you have already met Scot who is as much a member of the family. And there is Rosa our Housekeeper and our lifeline.” Alex dropped a perfect curtsy as Morgan, Eileen, and Archi each, in turn, gave her a peck on the cheek.
Then it was Jim’s turn. He first enfolded Morgan into a bear hug and the love between them was obvious as he asked about her husband and children. Then he gave a quick but affectionate peck on the cheek to Rosa as the woman beamed and congratulated him. Then he shook hands with Archi, and they had a quick hug and slapping of the back, and there again the love was apparent. He then kissed his grandmother. Then completely ignored his mother.
“Eileen, why don’t you help Alex get settled? While Morgan and Rose take care of the supper.” Andreadora said into the awkward silence that ensued. Eileen smiled and said to Alex.
“Come I will show you to our room. We are to share a room…”
“No. Ara take Alex’s things to my bedroom. She is my wife, not a guest to share the guest room. Besides, we are on a deadline here. Come Alex.” And saying that he took his wife by the wrist and pulled her out of there leaving the entire family looking stunned.
Chapter Five
“Jim, is there a reason you were so disrespectful to your mother?” she asked as Jim pushed open the door of his first-floor bedroom and stepped in.
“Yes,” he said as he let go of her hand at last. But he did not look at her. He closed the bedroom door shut then went straight to the window and made a big ado out of closing the shutters and drawing the curtains.
She felt that he rested his head on the window sill for a second. But it was just for a moment before he turned to her. A few tendrils of soft brown hair curled on his forehead and at the nape of his neck over the collar of his shirt. His eyes brimmed with hurt that he was trying to hide behind vehemence. Alex had an overpowering desire to pull his head down to her bosom and stroke it tenderly. She felt a strange tightness in her womb, and the novelty of that sensation surprised her.
“Would you tell me why?”
Alex asked kindly, and that kindness riled at his nerves.
“She left me, and my father, when I was three. He took to drinking. He drank so much his heart gave in a couple of years later, and he died. They say it’s not possible to die of heartbreak. My father did.”
She wanted to go to him then. Fling herself at him. Sooth away the old wound. But his stance told her any sympathy would not be welcome. She was still a stranger and was not allowed to get too near to him.
“Why did she do that?”
“She came from the east.” He said now looking into her eyes daringly as if that explained everything. It was like a slap in her face, but Alex said nothing. She waited him out.
“She was raised with certain notions of propriety, urban education, and grace. My father was a westerner. He believed more in a day of hard labor, leaving the day to day working of the household to his wife.”
“But your family has money. I am sure she would not have had to toil like a ranch hand’s wife.”
“No. Rosa and her two nieces have been with us for years. And my father handled the family business really well and earned good profits. But it was not so much about the work or the money. For her, it was about the outlook. She had no say in anything in the house, the major decisions were taken by her husband, and though he loved her very much, the only entertainment in their life was a harvest party or a country dance. He expected her to obey his every command. There was no refined lifestyle like she was used to in her father’s house. There was no adventure.” He said once again giving her that daring look, and she knew he was thinking about her wanting to drive the carriage earlier. Slowly she turned her eyes to look at her toes.
“You must be tired Alex,” he said with a sudden gentleness and went to her. He rubbed the back of his knuckles over her face, and she had to make a Herculean effort to draw a breath. It shuddered out of her nostrils, and her shoulders shook slightly.
“There’s a hot bath ready for you. I will help you,” he said absently.
He wound one long wayward curl of her hair around his finger and gave it a soft tug before he drew out his finger and let the spring fall. She looked up at him sharply then, and there was something akin to fear in her eyes.
The Campus Jock: A College Bad Boy Romance Page 78