Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 1)

by Hildie McQueen

  “You didn’t.” Eleanor seemed unsure how to proceed next. “What happened?”

  “To be honest, I’m not quite sure.” Wilhelmina ran her hands down her face. “Now, I’m too upset to sleep and want to cry. I am not sure how your brother and I will ever manage.”

  Eleanor took her by the elbow and guided her to the bed just as tears spilled. “There now, don’t fret. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.”

  “He would not listen to me at all.” Wilhelmina let out a shaky breath. “I’m so embarrassed I raised my voice at him. I’ve not screamed at someone in very a long time.”

  Her sister-in-law chuckled. “If anyone will bring out a temper in people, it’s Marcus. I agree he is impatient and quick to anger, but he will never disrespect you or mistreat you. That, I can assure you.”

  Not knowing her husband well, Wilhelmina didn’t comment on Eleanor’s statement.

  Her sister-in-law squeezed her arm. “I should let you get some rest. In the morning, things will be better, I’m sure.”

  “Yes, of course. Again, I apologize.” Although she agreed, Wilhelmina did not think for a moment the disagreement would be any different by the next day. The challenge in Marcus’ expression had unsettled her. Did he expect her to bow to his every whim without some sort of discussion?

  It would not do at all. She’d once heard a woman state that at the beginning of a marriage is when roles are set. Wilhelmina decided she’d not back down. Whether or not she won the argument didn’t matter. What did matter was that Marcus understood she would not be ignored when it came to decisions affecting them and their future family.

  They would battle to see where the other stood. He was testing her and had tried to assert himself in their relationship.

  There was going to be a very important lesson in it for both of them. She’d not back down on her belief that major decision would be discussed nor would she allow him to mow over her as if she were a puppet of some sort.

  Mind made up, she fell into a fretful sleep. She knew the next day, she’d face her husband for another bout.

  One she would not lose.

  Marcus paced from one end of the room to the other, stockinged feet thumping on the wooden floor with each step.

  In a chair with a book on his lap, Evan read, ignoring him. He knew Marcus enough to wait. Marcus looked to his friend. “Why do woman have to be so contrary?”

  Evan lifted a shoulder. “I think they have to stand their ground sometimes. Other times, they just like to argue.”

  Although they’d been friends for years, Marcus had never spoken to Evan about women. Since Tobias was nowhere to be seen and probably still angry with him, and his father was already in bed, he didn’t have anyone to confide in.

  “I told Wilhelmina we would remain here until spring since Mother is not well and she argued about it.”

  After a few moments, Evan lifted his gaze from the book. “What did she say?”

  “Something about my face being disagreeable and how she’d not been included in the decision.”

  “Hmm,” Evan said and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why didn’t you ask her opinion?”

  “Whatever for?” Marcus sat down and shook his head. “What would she have said that would make me change my mind? It makes no sense.”

  “Don’t ask me. My last relationship ended rather abruptly by her stating I had the most dreadful idea of what courtship consisted of.”

  Marcus frowned. “That makes no sense. What did you do?”

  “Apparently, not enough.” Evan seemed unperturbed. He returned to his reading, leaving Marcus to brew over the argument with his new wife. In the morning, he’d not bring up the argument. If anything, he’d eat early and leave before she appeared. It was best to wait until later and then see if she was over whatever it was that angered her.

  Marcus walked down the hallway to his parents’ bedroom. The door was cracked, so he pushed it open just a bit more and looked in. On the bed, his mother lay fast asleep. Almost unrecognizable with pale drawn skin and hollowed eyes, her thin chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm.

  Clutching her hand, his father slept sprawled in a chair, his long legs stretched out onto a footstool. He looked most uncomfortable. Someone, probably Eleanor, had covered him with a blanket.

  The room smelled of a mixture of herbs and illness, stale and damp almost. He didn’t step inside, but remained at the door. The woman he loved and depended on struggled to live and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  Marcus could not stop the tear that trailed down his cheek. The tightening in his chest made it almost impossible to breathe. Rage and sadness strangled the air out of him. Nothing or no one would pull him away from spending what limited time there was with his mother.

  She was much too young to die. There had to be something Evan or someone could do to save her.

  Why didn’t Wilhelmina understand?

  Perhaps, her family wasn’t close-knit. She’d mentioned a stepmother and stepsister as well as a father. If her own mother had died while she was very young, it could be the reason she did not understand how he felt.

  Could her lack of warmth from family be the reason Wilhelmina fought him on this issue? What had she said exactly?

  He was so confused, too overcome by grief to think clearly. Not entirely sure where to sleep, he went to a cabinet in the hallway and yanked out a blanket.

  With it wrapped around him, he lay on the rug in front of the fireplace.

  “Is there anything to be done for Ma? You need to save her Evan.” He didn’t look to his friend. Instead, he kept his gaze on the fire.

  Evan let out a long breath. “I’ve researched it. Went to see Emmett in Billings. He once studied under a specialist. I’m sorry, Marcus. I don’t think there is much more I can do except ensure she is comfortable.”

  Unable to speak, Marcus considered Emmett Jones, Evan’s older brother. He was a prominent physician in Billings. Hope dimmed. “Thank you for what you are doing.”

  “No need to thank me.” There was rustling as Evan settled on the sofa.

  Just as he was falling asleep, Evan chuckled. “Doesn’t look promising that with a new wife, you’re sleeping on the floor in here. Maybe I’ll hold off on matrimony.”

  “Go to sleep, Evan,” Marcus snapped.

  Chapter Eleven

  The sunny day did not affect her disposition the next morning. Wilhelmina walked past the dining table with a curt good morning and directly into the kitchen where Eleanor was already preparing breakfast.

  “Good morning, Sister,” Eleanor greeted cheerfully. “I hope you slept well.”

  “I did, thank you.” She began cracking eggs into a bowl. “I must manage to get up earlier and help you with gathering eggs and such.”

  “James does it for me. He’s an early riser and doesn’t want me out and about in the cold.”

  There was warmth in Eleanor’s smile at speaking of her husband and Wilhelmina smiled in return. “You are very lucky to have such a good man to share your life with.”

  “Oh, I am. I never stop thanking the Lord for him.” Eleanor sighed. “You have a good husband, as well, Wilhelmina. Just needs to settle a bit and get used to the idea he’s married now.”

  It was the perfect opportunity to ask for advice. “When you decided to move here to help with your mother, how did you approach James about it? Did he agree right away?”

  “It was not easy. I was unsure how to ask him. Finally, one day over dinner, I told him I was tired of maintaining two households. I asked his opinion on what I could do to make things easier. We finally decided to move here temporarily and bring our cattle and livestock over as well.” She shook her head. “It was hard to leave our home. I go there at least every other week to dust and check on things. If I don’t have time, James goes.”

  Wilhelmina admired Eleanor’s strength and willingness to sacrifice so much for her ailing mother. “That is all I ask for. That Marcus discusses t
hings with me. I am not against remaining here to help. I understand him wanting to be nearby for his mother. I’d do the same. What angered me was the way he presented it, as if I had no say in the matter. Please don’t think poorly of me.”

  Eleanor laughed. “If anything, I’m glad you stood up to him. He needs to learn.”

  Feeling better, Wilhelmina helped place the food on the table and poured coffee into empty cups. When she looked to where Marcus sat, the chair was empty. She let out a breath.

  Learn, indeed.

  “Don’t take out your anger on the cow,” Tobias hollered. “If it kicks you, I’ll congratulate it.”

  Marcus tried, once again, to steer the stubborn animal back to the herd. “If you’re so good, then why are two on your side back there?” He motioned to behind Tobias where a pair of cows grazed lazily.

  “They are taking a meal break. Can’t blame them. My stomach is growling.”

  Instead of a retort, he could only agree. His own was stomach was hollow with hunger since he’d skipped breakfast. One day, his temperament would be the end of him.

  Instead of dwelling, he spurred the horse to nudge the wayward cow back to the herd. It would be another while before the herd would be in the pasture set aside for them.

  His father came up alongside. “The ranch hands will be working on hay bales for the next few days. We’ll need to see about fortifying the shelter for the cattle.”

  “It’s going to be a bitter winter,” Marcus agreed. “You should be home with Ma.”

  Jacob pulled his collar up. “She kicked me out of the room. Said I was annoying her by hovering.” His lips curved. “In a mood today.”

  It was good to hear his mother was well enough to be annoyed. “We’ve never had to wonder what she is thinking.”

  “Sounds like your wife is much like that.” His father pressed his lips together to keep from grinning.

  Marcus nodded. “True. I don’t understand why she got so mad. I told her we were staying at the house through spring and she said we should have discussed it.”

  “She’s right,” he father said and rode off.

  First Eleanor, now his father was against him. Did no one agree with him? Marcus looked to where Tobias guided the wayward cows back toward the herd. Definitely couldn’t count on his brother, the man would agree with Wilhelmina just to spite him.

  Unable to stop, Marcus chuckled at recalling the flare of his wife’s nostrils and the fire in her eyes when she’d admonished him the night before. There was no arguing with the fact she was a beautiful woman. It was admirable that, although out of her element, Wilhelmina tried to learn what she could from Eleanor. He’d not heard her complain once. The lifestyle change had to be abrupt. Not just the weather and location, but the lack of amenities and such.

  He’d watched as she’d studied everything his sister did, mimicking her movements when doing chores most would consider rudimentary. Her brow wrinkled in concentration, she’d cut a pie, pausing ever so slowly to ensure she did it correctly.

  Wilhelmina was a high born lady. He’d expected her to balk and demand to return home upon learning she was expected to do household tasks. Instead, she’d immediately taken to shadowing Eleanor and learning.

  It occurred to him it would be a good idea to take her to town. That way, she could purchase anything needed to make it through the winter. Perhaps, if he did something for her, she’d not be so angry at him for choosing to remain at the family home.

  The horse bucked and he was almost unseated. Tobias laughed and shook his head. “You lost a couple.”

  His brother rode off and Marcus chased after him. “I’ll get them. Go back to whatever you were doing! Tobias, I’m not in the mood for you today.”

  Behind him, he heard his father call out to them. “If you two get in a fight, I’m going to rope you together and drag you home.”

  “Don’t give in. Stand your ground,” Elaine Hamilton said. The frail woman had insisted on sitting in the front room. Wilhelmina and Eleanor bundled her up with warm blankets by the front window so she could look outside.

  On chair next to her mother-in-law, Wilhelmina looked up from her mending. “I am so sorry if we disturbed you last night.”

  “Eleanor told me what the disagreement was about and I happen to agree with you. Marcus has always been such a headstrong boy. The only way for him to learn is for there to be consequences to his actions.” A warm smile curved the ill woman’s face. “The stories I could tell you.”

  Mortified, Wilhelmina hurried to assure her. “It’s not that I don’t agree with remaining here in the house to ensure he is near you. What angered me was that he made a decision with discussing it with me and then informed me as if I were nothing more than a puppet.”

  “Jacob and I had a few rows in our first weeks of marriage. In the beginning, most couples have to get to know each other all over again. It’s very different to court than to live together. In your case, there wasn’t even courting time.”

  Outside the window, the wind blew, sending what few leaves remained on trees fluttering to the ground. Wilhelmina had to admit, it was a beautiful view. “I must admit that I miss Philadelphia. Not just the city, but my father as well. How did you adjust to coming here?”

  For a long moment, Elaine looked out the window, a pensive expression and soft smile on her face. “It was hard. Things were so different back then. The town was barely being established. I came here with my parents after my father accepted a position with the railroad.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Twelve. I was devastated at leaving my friends and cousins behind in Virginia. I remember my mother crying at night as well. It was a trying and very difficult time. My poor father had his hands full with three women. My sister, Mary, was a bit older than me and proved to be the most hysterical of us.”

  “Oh, are your parents still alive?”

  “My mother is, yes. She lives with Mary near Billings. You’ll meet her. She usually visits twice a month.” Elaine’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “Prepare yourself. She is a force to be reckoned with.”

  “Oh goodness.” Wilhelmina laughed.

  They sat in companionable silence until Eleanor came into the room from the back of the house. She looked refreshed and rested. Wilhelmina had insisted she go and relax while she cleaned up breakfast and watched over Elaine.

  “I’m going to make tea if anyone wants some,” Eleanor announced. “I think we should discuss winter preparations and what we need in the way of supplies so we can go to the mercantile this week.”

  “Good idea,” Elaine replied. “It will give Wilhelmina a chance to see Laurel and meet the Johnstons.” She looked to Wilhelmina. “They own the mercantile. Very nice people.”

  “I’d love to go.” Wilhelmina was excited at the prospect of shopping. She needed fabric to make more serviceable dresses. If they were to be homebound for the winter, it would be the perfect time to do so. She looked to Eleanor. “Can you teach me to make dresses? I’m afraid the only things I’ve ever made are embroidered handkerchiefs and such.”

  “Of course,” Eleanor replied quickly. “It’s easy. And it will give us something to do during the long winter.”

  After tea, Eleanor and Wilhelmina went to the kitchen to begin preparations for supper. They left Elaine to sleep in the chair.

  “She has coloring today, seems to be feeling better,” Wilhelmina told her sister-in-law.

  The long sigh from Eleanor was followed by a sniffle. “Thanks to the tea you brewed and whatever Evan prescribed, yes. However, she grows weaker by the day. Although she tries to put up a strong front, I can see her pain. I am so scared of losing her. Don’t know what I’ll do. If only the medicine made her better.” Eleanor’s voice hitched.

  “Don’t lose hope. You never know.”

  Eleanor closed her eyes. “Mother was always so full of energy. I overheard her speak of Grandmother. They are…were very much alike. Both are feisty women who do not mince wor
ds. Many times, the ranch hands would hide when they saw Mama coming.”

  “Oh goodness,” Wilhelmina said with a chuckle. “I can’t wait to meet your grandmother.”

  Her mind went back to when her own mother died. Being so young, she’d been more confused than anything. As a matter of fact, for a long time, she’d not accepted it, refused to talk about it. Her mother’s death was devastating, crippling her ability to deal with emotions for many years. She existed in a state of ambivalence for a long time. It wasn’t until well into her teens that, finally, her personality reemerged.

  “What do you think?” Eleanor brought her out of her musings, holding up a huge potato. “Doesn’t this look like a cloud?”

  “Very much so,” Eleanor said, studying the huge spud.

  The closer it got to the men returning from work, the more nervous she became. If what her mother-in-law said was true and Marcus was stubborn, then, no doubt, he’d continue to be angry with her.

  It didn’t matter whether he was mad or not. She’d sit down with him and discuss her views on how decisions in a marriage should be handled.

  Surely the man would see her point of view.

  Footsteps, deep voices and the door opening and closing sounded and Eleanor shook her head. “They are noisier than a herd of cattle.” She looked over her shoulder and shouted, “Make sure you wash up before coming in here. I can smell you!”

  There were grumblings, more footsteps and the door opening and closing again. Wilhelmina smiled at her sister-in-law. “What do you think they’re doing now?”

  “If I know them, Tobias and Marcus are out at the rain barrel scooping water and washing up. James went to our bedroom to change clothes and clean his face. And Father has gone back to check on Mother.”

  When Wilhelmina went to the dining table to set it, both Tobias and Marcus walked through the front door. Both had wet hair and clean faces. They hung jackets on the pegs by the door and looked expectedly toward the table.