A Victorian New York Romance

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by Celeste Rane


  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow,” he said.

  Then we parted ways. He stood there watching until I went inside and then he disappeared.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  At seven o’clock sharp, the doorman rang up. Bailey was downstairs waiting for me. I breathed out a sigh of relief. I grabbed my coat and went down.

  Bailey stood in lobby and I was shocked at how I immediately felt hypnotized by him as soon as I locked eyes with him. He stood there, his tall figure towering in the brightly lit lobby. He wore an elegant black suit and his black wool pea coat. He topped it off with a red silk scarf around his neck, a perfect compliment to my dress.

  His eyes were wide as he looked at me up and down.

  “Margaret, you are stunning,” he said as he hugged me hello.

  The doorman stood next to me and held his hand out to my coat offering to help me put it on.

  “Allow me,” Bailey said.

  “Yes, of course Sir,” the doorman said.

  Bailey slid my coat on and then planted a sweet light kiss on my cheek. “Shall we,” he said as he offered me his arm. I looped my arm in his and he led me outside.

  A carriage was waiting for us. I was confused as I thought we would surely be walking. What a surprise.

  He opened the door and I got in. The carriage drove away. We had light banter in the back seat, talking about what we did with our day. However, it was small talk because we mostly sat in silence staring into each other’s eyes. We weren’t in the car long and arrived a few minutes later at our destination, The Plaza Hotel.

  CHAPTER SIX

  I stepped out of the car and nearly gasped out loud at the beauty of this hotel. Dinner at the Plaza is a treat for anyone, but during Christmas is was astounding. The entire entrance was decorated in holiday décor and lights. It was intricate and elegant, and had that Victorian feel I so longed for.

  Bailey put his arm around me and said, “You mentioned you longed for a Victorian Christmas feel. This was built only last year in 1907.”

  I looked up at him. He was the sweetest man that ever lived. This was maybe the most perfect moment I could ever have. He looked down at me and grinned that brilliant grin. He put his hand on the small of my back and led me inside.

  The lobby was alive with Christmas cheer. There were several Christmas trees elegantly decorated. There was a table with a toy train, of the vintage kind, surrounded by vintage toys. The lobby was buzzing with people enjoying the holidays. The restaurant is this way. He said leading the way.

  I was in complete awe of the place.

  Then I stopped as we approached a large table. There my aunt sat with all our relations and Bailey’s. They all yelled, “Congratulations!”

  “You’re engaged! So happy for you!” another yelled.

  I could not believe it. It was a surprise engagement party. I was so relieved, this made it feel official. Now I could relax. It surely would happen now. Bailey would not go through all this trouble and have a party announcing our engagement only to not marry me.

  We had the most festive dinner in the Christmas tradition. We had roast and vegetables and brandy. It was quite refined and elegant. For dessert we had Christmas pudding and a cup of nutmeg.

  After dinner we stood in the lobby surrounded by all the Christmas décor and festive cheer. Even in heels he still towered over me. He looked down at me, and in one fast motion he kissed me. There in the magic of The Plaza surrounded by all things Christmas, he gave me a magical New York kiss. It was a magical moment. He pulled away suddenly.

  “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Forgive me,” he said in all politeness.

  I didn’t want him to stop, and though I loved his politeness and how much of a gentleman he was toward me in public, I wanted to keep kissing him.

  It was absolutely perfect. I had forgot all about my ex-fiance and my mistrust of Bailey. It had all vanished with this one magical night. Walking around New York exploring a new place was exactly the kind of thing I needed to get a different perspective of how my life could be. This man, in a matter of weeks had changed my life. I was finally allowing myself to feel with out any doubt. It felt great and it felt relieving. Now I was going to be his wife and have his child. I had to let go of that doubt that had been instilled in me because of my last engagement.

  At the end of the night we said our goodbyes at the door. It was exactly the way old-fashioned courting should be.

  The next day I went for daytime walk through Central Park with a new female acquaintance. I was in the best mood and I smiled and said “Hello” to every passer. When I got to the middle of the park I saw the museum. I remembered the pretzel stand and thought I would grab one. I crossed the street to the museum and immediately saw Bailey sitting on the steps, with an attractive female.

  I stopped in my tracks. Was this what he did all day? Was this his pick up spot? I was furious. Even worse, my heart broke a little. I watched as they talked to each other. They seemed comfortable with each other and smiled a lot. I debated in my head whether I should go up to him or not. Confront him, or should I just let it go and leave and never talk to him again. After a few minutes of staring and not knowing what to do I watched as they both stood up. It was unbelievable! They were going inside! I was so upset I nearly burst into tears. This was his thing. This is what he did.

  My sadness turned into extreme anger and I stomped off in their direction. I stood at the bottom of the stairs as I watched them walk up together. They were laughing and talking loudly. I willed him to turn around and see me. Just then he turned.

  He locked eyes with me and smiled. I could see him mouth my name. My eyes darted to the woman and back at him. He saw my discomfort and the smile disappeared from his face. My eyes narrowed and I stormed out. I ran down the steps and back into the park. I wanted to disappear as soon as I could incase he was coming after me. I didn’t want to hear his excuses.

  I ran all the way home. I was in shambles. Everything suddenly felt sad to me. The once cheery Christmas tree in the living room, felt sad.

  I headed downstairs to the lobby where the doorman stopped me.

  “Margaret,” he said. “You have several messages from a Mr. Bailey.” He handed me a few small envelopes.

  “Thank you,” I said as I grabbed them as soon as I saw a trash bin, I tossed them. I didn’t open them. I didn’t need too.

  I sat down. I thought of Bailey. I wanted to cry in that moment. I was only kidding myself with all these distractions. It wasn’t working. It was then, in that moment of thinking about him that I heard a familiar voice say,

  “May I?”

  I looked up to see Bailey towering over me. He was gesturing at the empty space beside me. I didn’t say anything. He sat anyway.

  “Margaret, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day. The doorman wouldn’t let me up no matter how much I pleaded with him. I tried for an hour at least,” he said.

  I just looked at him and my eyes watered over. He was beautiful to look at and his sincere way of talking to me was enough to make me feel overwhelming sadness. I wanted things to be as they were before. But they couldn’t, I did not trust this man. I don’t think I trusted any man at this point.

  “Why did you run out of the museum?” he asked.

  “I watched you, on the steps. Talking to that woman and then I watched you take her up the stairs,” it was a familiar scene. Is that what you do to pick up women? It works. It worked on me, I was stupid enough to fall for it, as the woman today was.”

  I could barely get the words out. My voice was shaking and I began to sob. Bailey’s eyes were wide. At first I thought they were wide at having been caught, but I later learned why.

  “Margaret, that’s not what that was,” he said. “I’m sorry if that hurt you. That’s the last thing I would ever want to do, but if you would just let me explain.”

  “I don’t see the point in an explanation. I could never tell if you were lying.”

  “That is tru
e,” he said. “Would you like to meet her then?”

  “Meet who?” I asked.

  “The woman you saw me sitting with earlier, Rebecca. That’s the only way you’ll know that she’s not a romantic interest and that I’m not lying about it. She’s at my place now,” he said. “She’s my sister,” he said.

  My heart sank. I felt like a complete idiot. I was kicking myself for acting so rash earlier.

  “I’m so sorry. I feel dumb,” I said.

  “It’s okay. Don’t be. Actually I’m kind of glad it happened,” he said.

  “You are? But why?” I asked.

  “Because I wasn’t sure if you felt anything for me. When we look at each other I can feel a deep connection, but you haven’t said anything to me about love. Do you love me because I love you?”

  “Oh Bailey! I do. I know that now, after seeing you with another woman. I know I love you.”

  “I felt the same after watching you dance with another. I was so jealous. You had to be mine forever, therefore I’m glad I got you pregnant, now you are mine.”

  A week later we were married and had many children. What started as a bout with a scoundrel ended with a happy marriage and happy family.

  If you enjoyed this book by Celeste Rane, please take the time to experience other romance novels in the catalog. Please remember to leave reviews on the store. Your opinion matters, this helps to put out the best books possible. Thank you.

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