Into the Flames

by Multi-Author

  The door to his office opened without a knock and Diana sailed in. She dropped a handful of shopping bags on one chair then slid into the other. “You’ve got a problem, big brother.”

  “Now what?” He ran his hand across his hair, which he kept in a military cut, since that was safest around a fire. “Nettie’s all right?”

  “Nettie’s the cat’s pajamas—and I really like her. That’s not your problem.” She tapped her dark red fingernails on Eli’s desk. “Somebody talked. I doubt it was Doc, and I know it wasn’t either of us, but maybe one of the VanCleves? Anyway, word is out around town—and I mean all over town, that Nettie is living here with you. I’ve made a point of insisting that she’s really staying with me, but somehow that little nugget isn’t circulating as fast. Furthermore, her old man hasn’t been seen much, but when he does show up, usually for his ‘medicine’, he’s been cursing your name and hers, up one side and down the other.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Eli rested his elbows on the desk and let his head fall into his hands. “I heard about it at the fire station too. Unfortunately, I still haven’t figured out what to do.”

  Diana snorted. “That’s because you’re a man, and therefore an idiot.” She gestured around the room and at Eli’s law school diploma. “Oh, you’re smart, that’s not it, but you don’t comprehend women and you don’t have a clue about gossip. Folks are saying that maybe Nettie is as trashy as her father, only it didn’t show up until now. If you want her to have any kind of reputation, brother mine, you’re going to have to step up and do the honorable thing.”

  “And what’s that?” Though in his sinking stomach, he thought he knew.

  “Put a ring on her finger.” Diana’s expression was calm and flat, the opposite of her normal, volatile cheerfulness. “You’re going to have to marry her—or send her somewhere no one’s ever heard of either of you.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut. “Damn it, when did you get so smart. You think that’s going to be as easy as it sounds? Nettie is a proud woman—and I like her too much to make up pretty lies.”

  “Good.” Nettie stood in the doorway, a book in her good hand. “I don’t like lies. Not even pretty ones.”

  Eli buried his face in his hands. “Jesus, Nettie. Trying to give me a heart attack?” He saw the hurt in her wide eyes and mentally cursed. “How much of that conversation did you hear?”

  “Just the end. I came in on Di telling you to put a ring on my finger or send me away. I assume there’s been a little bit of talk?” Nettie set the book down and eased into his office. She slid into the second guest chair and studied his face.

  “More than a little,” Diana interjected. “It’s all over town, I’m afraid, and it doesn’t cast either of you in a very positive light.”

  Nettie nodded. What little bruising was left on her face was softened by the powder she’d begun to use. “So now my father is still the town drunk, and I’m the town whore.”

  “Don’t say that—”

  Diana held up a hand cutting off her brother and held Nettie’s gaze. “Pretty much.”

  “And a gold-digger, of course.” Nettie sighed. “I told Eli this would never work. I have a great-aunt in Boston. Maybe, if I can borrow bus fare, I could stay with her until I get a job up there. At least I know the Websters will give me a good reference.”

  “You don’t need to borrow anything,” Diana said. “I can give you bus fare, or even train f—”

  “Stop.” Eli turned on his sternest lawyer voice and let it thunder through the room. “Nobody’s going anywhere. Nettie, do you even know this great aunt? Have her address?”

  “Well, it’s back at the house. I think I met her once when I was little. She sends a Christmas card every year, so I know she’s still alive, or at least she was in December.”

  She twisted her good hand in the pleats of her dress—another present from Diana, it had no sleeves to interfere with the cast. So far, Eli had seen three of them, but this one, in soft blue gauze, was his favorite. The boat-style neckline showed her delicate collarbones and the soft fabric clung to her curves. She still wore her hair in a braid down to her waist, rather than putting it up as she always did for the store, and Eli had discovered he liked being the only man who regularly saw her hair down. “Nettie, you’re rambling. You do that when you’re nervous.”

  She nodded. “I know. It’s just…I should have left town years ago, but I promised Ma I’d take care of him. And I tried, I really did, but you can’t take care of someone who doesn’t want it, can you? So now I have to leave, and it’s a little daunting, especially with only one wing.”

  “You’re not leaving.” Eli kept his voice calm this time. “Di, make yourself scarce. And tell the secretary and clerk to go home for the day.”

  “Aye, sir!” With a laugh, Diana saluted her brother, winked at Nettie, and left through the door into the waiting room.

  “Look, Eli, I heard what Diana said, and it’s ridiculous.” Nettie straightened her spine and gave him a stern look. “I will not be married to stop some silly gossip, and I wouldn’t let such a thing happen to you. This isn’t the Victorian era, after all. I’ll do fine outside of Carstairs. It will be an adventure.”

  “Be reasonable.” It felt wrong to say that to Nettie. She was usually one of the most rational people Eli had ever met. “I have an idea. Can you be quiet for a minute and listen without getting upset?”

  “That depends on what you have to say.” Her lip quirked into a half smile and Eli relaxed a little. She was still sensible, sane Nettie, even under the lipstick and new clothes.

  “Well, here it is. We pretend to be engaged.” He leaned over and clasped her hand, noting the pink nail polish Diana must have talked her into. “We make a big announcement, the whole deal, only we don’t set a date. Then you’ll have time to make arrangements wherever you’d like. I have contacts in Chicago and Grand Rapids—some back east too, from law school. You’d make a topnotch secretary. I can also go out to your father’s place and bring back anything you need—like your aunt’s address. Meanwhile, we let the town think we’re planning the wedding of the year.”

  “And?” Nettie left her hand in his, which he took as a positive sign.

  “And then, once your arm is healed, if—when you find a job, somewhere to go, you jilt me and I put you on a train out of town.” He laced his finger through hers. “It’s a perfect plan.” Except for the part where she left. That he wasn’t so sure about.

  “You’re willing to let the entire town—including your family—think you’re marrying a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks. Who’s going to believe that, Eli?” Her face flushed and her eyelids dropped to their joined hands. “I heard what you said to Diana. I like you too, Eli. I like you a lot. You’re the kind of man every girl dreams about. But we both know I’m not the highlight of any man’s fantasy. I can’t let you become a laughingstock to save my pride.”

  “Nettie, will you stop running yourself down?” He couldn’t stand it when she did that. “You’re a sweet, beautiful, brilliant woman. You’re a little quiet, and you haven’t had the easiest start in life, but those reflect on your father, not on you. Any man would be lucky and proud to have a partner like you by his side.” Oddly, he found he was telling the truth.

  “Right—until I used the wrong fork for fish. You’re very kind, Eli, but I’m not in your league. Can you really imagine me sitting down to dinner at your mother’s table? Drinking tea with the mayor’s wife before a city council meeting? Don’t be absurd.”

  “Oddly enough, I can, though ten minutes ago, I might have said mo. But you’re too smart to play dumb. Yes, you’d have some catching up to do. Read an etiquette book if it makes you happy. There’s bound to be one in there.” With his free hand, Eli gestured toward the library. “Yes, you’ll need a few more clothes. Di will be delighted to take you shopping once you’re allowed out. Maybe even into Grand Rapids for a day.”

  She ground her
teeth. “Quit talking nonsense. I already owe both you and your sister more money than I’ll ever be able to repay. I can’t possibly allow her to buy me any more clothing. I suppose you’ll want me to bob my hair as well, so I can keep up appearances.”

  “No. Your hair is perfect the way it is.” The fervor with which that statement came out startled Eli as much as it appeared to startle Nettie. She took advantage of the moment to snatch her hand away from his.

  “Thanks, I suppose,” she said. “But you know this idea of yours simply cannot work. For one thing, I’m not that good an actress.”

  He pondered that, and then nodded. She didn’t have it in her to lie. Then an idea struck, and it was so damn simple and so damn perfect, he couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it before. He spoke slowly, choosing his words as carefully as if this were a courtroom. “Yes, I think I’ve come to see that. So I have another proposition. One I think will be far better for both of us in the long run.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What?”

  “Simply this.” He stood up and strode around the desk. When he reached her, he dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Annette Price, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  She yanked her hand away. “What? Don’t be silly. I know this isn’t for real. Remember?”

  “That was before.” He took her hand again, more firmly and gazed right into his eyes. “This time I’m serious. We like each other. We can talk about almost anything. I’ve never had that kind of friendship, that meeting as equals, with a woman before. When I’ve gone out with a girl, it’s all been about fluff and flattery. You’re the real deal, Nettie. Honest. Trustworthy. Bright. We’d be happy together. And you know as well as I do that there’s no lack of physical attraction. I think that side of marriage would go swimmingly.” He kissed her hand.

  “You didn’t say a word about love,” she said in a voice so low it was almost a whisper. “Isn’t that what marriage is supposed to be about? Loving someone with all your heart?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen much of that sort of love—I’m not sure it’s even real. Diana and Randolph care for one another, of course, but he travels so much—and I’m not sure he’s faithful to my sister when he’s away.”

  “No! And you haven’t beaten him senseless?” He could see her begin to quiver with outrage on Diana’s behalf as he shook his head. He’d been tempted, but had respected their privacy. “Does she know?”

  “I think so. It’s not something we’ve ever discussed. You won’t have to worry about that with me, Nettie. When I make a promise, I keep it. There will be no other women in my life—not as long as we both shall live.”

  She tipped her head. “I believe you. You’re too honorable to cheat.”

  He felt that compliment warm in his chest. She trusted him. That was something. “Then you can look at my parents. They barely speak.” He took a deep breath, unexpectedly desperate to convince her. “I truly believe that the combination of a deep friendship and strong physical attraction is a much more rational basis for marriage than some idealized notion of romantic love.”

  “My parents loved each other.” Nettie said. “That’s why she asked me to take care of him and that’s why he took to drink when she died.”

  “I think you’ll find your father was a drinker even before your mother’s death.” Not a sterling example, in Eli’s opinion. He stroked her cheek with his free hand. “And perhaps your mother did love him—but from what I’ve heard, he never treated her well. That’s something I can promise you, my dear. For the rest of my life, there will be someone looking out for you, not the other way around.”

  “I think it’s supposed to be mutual.” Her quirky smile made a brief return. “I don’t think I’d like being pampered all the time. And what about children? Do you want them someday? How do you think that would work in this friendly marriage you envision?”

  “I do want children.” He squeezed her hand. “And I find that I cannot think of a better candidate to be the mother of any potential offspring. I trust you to help raise them and love and protect them like no one else I’ve ever met—even if something should happen to me.” He leaned closer and kissed her lips, softly at first, but then deepening, his hand in her silky hair. By the time he pulled away, he was ready to take her there on his office floor.

  Based on her rapid breathing and flushed skin, she might have let him.

  “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble in that department.” He kissed her cheeks and her forehead. “Do you?”

  She wet her lips and drew in a deep breath. “No. It seems we won’t—I mean we wouldn’t. If.”

  “Will you marry me, Net? I’m dead serious here. I even think the wedding should be soon.” He gulped in a few deep breaths of his own.

  “I’ll—I’ll think about it.”

  “Think quickly. I find I don’t want to wait very long.” Even for a litigator, that was a massive understatement. He didn’t want to wait at all. All he could think about was carrying her up to his bed and stripping that modest little dress…

  The fire bell rang.

  Chapter Seven

  Nettie was in such a state of shock that at first she didn’t hear the bell over the pounding of her heart. When Eli said he had to go, she nodded absently and spent a moment sorting out what had happened. He paused at the door. Looking even more heart-shatteringly handsome than usual.

  “Tell me yes, Nettie. I don’t want to go while this is hanging in the air.”

  Time to grow up and be a big girl, Net. She walked over to him at the door and kissed him hard on the lips. “Yes. Now stay safe so we don’t have to postpone the wedding.”

  “Thank God.” He kissed her back, then turned and ran.

  Nettie sank back in her chair. Dear lord, had she really accepted a proposal of marriage? From Eli? She touched her kiss-swollen lips. It seemed she had.

  Part of her wanted to whoop with joy, and another part was terrified. Eli didn’t believe in love. Nettie did. Worse yet, it seemed she’d fallen in love with him. Would she be able to stand that for the rest of her life, knowing her love was unrequited?

  Bah. It didn’t matter. She could go to Africa or Australia or the North Pole and still love him. At least here, she’d be able to see him, talk with him, hold him and…the idea of having children with him made her melt inside. Yes. She could manage. And if she was going to be Eli Lawson’s wife, she was going to be the best wife she could possibly be. She moved into the library to find that etiquette book he’d mentioned. Time to memorize the blasted thing.

  Instead she found Diana, casually pretending to read a magazine. “You don’t garden,” Nettie reminded her. “Nice try though. Did you hear everything?”

  Diana made a face and tossed the magazine aside. “Not much. So tell me—did you accept?”

  As Nettie drew closer, Diana’s eyes grew wide. “You did. You kissed him—or rather he kissed you. You’re engaged.” She squealed the last bit and stood, flinging herself at Diana and squeezing her tightly. “We’re going to be sisters.”

  “I guess we are.” Nettie eased Diana back into her chair then slumped into the one across from it, still dazed. “I always wanted a sister.”

  “I knew it. I knew from the day he brought you home that you were someone special to Eli. He was crazy about you, and you’ve been crazy about him. This is wonderful.” Diana rooted through the pile of magazines and came up with a fashion one. “I think there might be some wedding gowns in here.”

  “Whoa. I don’t think I’m ready for that, yet.” Nettie held up her hand. “How about we ask Mrs. V to get us some tea for starters?”

  “Tea.” Diana smiled. “And cookies. That’s one advantage of being in the family way. For once in my life, I can eat all the sweets I like.” Eli was too courteous to his servants to have bell-pulls, so Diana ducked out into the kitchen to ask the housekeeper for tea.

  Nettie took advantage o
f the moment to catch her breath. That turned out to be a mistake, because it gave her time to realize Eli was at a fire. She was marrying a man who literally risked his life on a regular basis. She couldn’t ask him to stop, though. If she made him change, he wouldn’t be the man she loved. Nettie resigned herself to a lot of time spent at home, worrying.

  Maybe she could form a firemen’s wives’ auxiliary. The could collect food and clothing for any family whose home was destroyed, maybe raise money to rent rooms until the families rebuilt or found a new home. It would be a way for her to contribute to the cause Eli was so passionate about. And when the bell rang, perhaps the wives could get together at the firehouse to provide coffee and sandwiches when the men returned. Mostly, they could worry together.

  That was a far better notion to think about than whether she wanted beading or lace on her wedding dress.

  They had a quiet supper without Eli. Nettie was adamant that Diana not tell the VanCleves about the engagement, feeling that was Eli’s prerogative. Having not found an etiquette book, she borrowed several of Diana’s magazines to study. Based on the articles she read, there was much more to being a wealthy housewife than she would have believed.

  Diana had gone to bed when Eli returned, covered in soot, with one hand bandaged. Nettie ran to him and wrapped her good arm around his waist, hugging him tightly. “How badly are you hurt?”

  “Just a graze from a broken window,” he assured her, using both hands to hold her close. “Doc already took a look at it. No stitches, only iodine and a bandage for a few days.”

  “Thank God.” She instinctively tilted her head up for his kiss. He obliged, taking her mouth in a fierce, possessive way he hadn’t that afternoon. Nettie couldn’t get enough. She even tried sliding her own tongue along his, tasting and feeling the texture of his mouth. Even flavored with smoke and strong coffee, she loved it.

  Later, he sat on the stone hearth, with her perched on his knee, his head bent against hers.