“Is it because in two more days you will be Madam Jordon?” Ophelia teased.
“That might have something to do with it, or it might be because my parents are arriving today,” Effie replied.
“Oui, Madam has had the flowers replaced in their room three times already,” Ophelia laughed. “She wants everything to be perfect.”
“She should not worry so. My parents are not fussy people. Now if Grace’s parents were coming, she would need a team of six white horses just to bring them from the wharf,” she said with a laugh as she patted her hair. “It’s lovely, Ophelia, perfect. Thank you.” Rising she squeezed the maid’s hand in gratitude.
“It is my pleasure to assist you, Mademoiselle Effie. You should hurry now. I think Madam is waiting breakfast for you and Monsieur Samuel is in a foul mood this morning.”
Effie giggled as she left the room. Reaching the stairs she peeked into the foyer below before straddling the banister and sliding all the way down. Taking a moment to straighten her skirts, she sailed into the dining room plopping down next to Sam who was holding his head as he leaned forward, elbows on the table.
“Good morning,” she said brightly as she shook out her napkin. “Ophelia tells me you aren’t feeling well. You poor dear, is there anything I can do?” she cooed sympathetically.
“Not unless you can turn back the clock,” he moaned.
“Unfortunately, that I cannot do,” she sighed, pouring him a cup of coffee and sliding it in front of him. “Are you perhaps still worried I will not say yes tomorrow in front of the reverend?” she asked, patting his hand when he sat up. “Rest assured, I will say a most emphatic yes. After all, I would not want to disappoint my mother who has traveled all this way to see her only daughter wed,” she teased.
“Effie, do not tease Samuel so,” Tempest scolded with a wink. “It is not wise to poke a bear. I believe my son had too much to drink last evening.”
“Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself, my love,” Effie said sweetly, “because once we are married I shall frown on that sort of thing. In fact Amelia, Grace and I will be starting a Ladies Aid Society and the temperance movement will be a large part of that.”
“Grace, is that true?” Jonah asked, straightening up and paying attention for the first time.
Grace looked around the table, a bit surprised, at the stares she was receiving. Some accusatory, some doubtful and some challenging as the one from her husband appeared to be.
“If Effie says it’s so, then yes, it’s true,” she replied firmly.
“What’s true?” Amelia asked, entering the room with Hugh right behind her. Going to her mother-in-law she kissed her cheek before taking a seat at the table.
“I was telling Sam that you, Grace and I are going to start the Seattle Ladies Aid Society and we will be taking a strong position on drinking.”
Hugh laughed. “I hardly think the three of you will be able to make much of a difference,” Hugh said kindly, clearly placating his wife as she poured their coffee.
“Oh it’s not just us,” Amelia said. Smiling she took a sip of her drink. “Clara is interested in joining, as well as Martha. I’m sure we can count on Jane and the others too. I think the ladies of the community will want to participate. After all, Washington Territory will be a state soon and it’s never too early to start planning our strategy to win the right to vote.”
“And just when were you going to discuss this with me?” Hugh demanded.
“I wasn’t. You knew before you sent for me that I believed in the emancipation of women.”
“Yes I did, but I didn’t think you were going to come out here and stir up a hornets nest.”
“Hugh, I have a splitting headache,” Sam growled. “Yell one more time and I’m going to have to deck you.”
“Come on then. There won’t come a day when you can kick my ass, brother,” Hugh responded.
“Mon Dieu,” Tempest cried. “Have you not outgrown this nonsense? Leave the table at once!”
“Sorry, Mother,” Hugh apologized.
“Apologize to your brother. Can you not see he had too much to drink last night? Have mercy.”
“Forgive me, Sam. I got a little carried away. I thought my wife understood that I don’t like surprises. She can count on a little reminder when we get home,” he promised sternly.
“That’s a shame and I don’t think so,” Amelia drawled, setting her cup down carefully.
“Pardon me?” Hugh asked shocked.
“It’s a shame that you don’t like surprises,” she sighed, “because I have another.”
“Bigger than the club thing,” he asked nervously, waving his hand in an awkward circle.
“Much bigger.”
“Well you might as well spit it out. Obviously the only secrets in this family are the ones you ladies keep. What is it?”
“We’re going to have a child,” she said. Blushing, she held her hands clasped in her lap.
“What?”
“A child, Hugh, a baby.”
For a moment there was complete silence and then the entire room erupted. Tempest squealed and jumped from her chair, pushing Hugh aside to hug Amelia tightly. Grace and Effie both started crying as they hurried to Amelia’s other side and before it was over Hugh was shoved out of his chair.
Sam got up, helped Hugh to his feet and pounded him on the back in congratulations, even as he held his other hand to his head.
“This calls for a drink,” Duncan decreed, rising. “Let us adjourn to the study,” he suggested.
“With pleasure,” Sam said, “but I believe I’ll bring my coffee.”
“Congratulations, Hugh,” Jonah said, shaking Hugh’s hand. “That was fast work.”
“I guess it was,” Hugh said with a wry grin. “I’ll join you in a moment. I want a word with my wife. All right ladies, my turn,” he said, making his way to Amelia’s side. “Come into the morning room with me, sweetheart.” Taking her arm, he escorted her from the dining room.
As soon as the door closed behind them, he took her gently into his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered into her hair.
“I did, just now,” she giggled.
“You know what I mean. I can see you’re going to give me trouble, aren’t you?” he sighed.
“Only a bit,” she replied, cupping his cheek and looking up into his eyes. “I wanted to be sure before I said anything.”
“So you’ve seen Dr. Martin?”
“No, Jane. She’s a midwife and I felt better about seeing her.”
“All right, but if we run into any problems, you’re going to see the doctor and that’s final,” Hugh insisted. “Are you feeling well? Is there anything we should be doing, or not doing?” he asked with concern.
“Well, I don’t think you should be spanking me anymore,” she suggested with a grin.
“You’re probably right,” Hugh said, putting a hand to his heart. “Oh God, I spanked you last night,” he remembered in near panic. “Are you all right? Do you think I hurt the baby? Maybe you should go home and lie down.”
Amelia laughed. “I’m fine, Hugh. Last night wasn’t a real spanking, it was a fun one,” she continued with a blush staining her cheeks.
“Well, no more fun stuff,” he scolded. “We can’t take any chances.”
“Hugh,” she whined, stomping her foot. “You know I like those kind.”
“I know, but you’re not getting your way about this. Give me any trouble and I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” she teased with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“Oh God, you are going to give me trouble. Lots of trouble and there’s not a damned thing I can do about it,” he added thoughtfully. “It’s going to be a long… how long exactly are we talking about?”
“Six months, I must have gotten pregnant right away,” she cooed, snuggling up close to him.
“Oh, we’ll have to be careful in the future. You could conceivably have a baby every year.”
“No Darling, Jane told me as long as I’m nursing I’m protected, at least for a while.”
“You mean I’m going to have to give these up?” he asked cupping her breasts.
“I’m afraid so,” she sighed with a pretty pout. “At the very least you’ll have to share.”
“I can share when the time comes, if I must,” he said with a wicked grin. “But for the next six months they’re all mine.” Reaching into her bodice he tweaked her nipple. “We’re going to have to stay very busy to make up for the time we’ll lose,” he warned.
“Busy is good,” she breathed as she tipped her lips up for his kiss.
Chapter Fourteen
Effie was just going up to her room for a short rest before going to meet The Mystic Maiden and retrieve her parents when a knock sounded on the door. Coming back down the stairs she opened it to reveal a young boy of about ten, standing on the porch.
Nervously he shifted from one foot to the other as he twisted his hat in his hands.
“Can I help you?” she asked with a smile.
“Yes, ma’am, I need to see Mr. Jordon,” the boy replied with a squeak in his voice.
“Which one, there are several?”
“I don’t rightly know,” he replied, scratching his head. “The one what’s getting married tomorrow, I think.”
“That would be Mr. Samuel. I’ll go and get him. You wait right there.” Closing the door, she went upstairs and knocked softly on Sam’s door.
“What is it?” he hollered from inside.
“There’s someone here to see you.”
“Who?” he demanded yanking open the door and glaring at her.
“I don’t know, but if you don’t stop being such a bear, I won’t marry you tomorrow,” she avowed, stomping away. “He’s on the porch,” she yelled over her shoulder before entering her room and slamming the door.
“Hell,” Sam sighed, running a hand through his hair. Grabbing his jacket, he slipped it on and left his room. At Effie’s door he paused for a moment and came to a decision. Opening her door, he stuck his head in.
“I’m sorry,” he snapped.
“Piss off,” she replied not bothering to turn around and look at him.
“What?”
“Piss off.”
“Where did you hear that kind of talk?” he asked, shaking his head.
“On the ship and I quite like it so, Piss off, asshole,” she repeated, turning from the window to glare at him.
“We’ll deal with this later,” he said, stunned.
“Right,” she mocked, saluting him crisply. “You bloody turd!”
Apparently he couldn’t even get her name out, for she watched him try several times as his jaw dropped open and then clamped shut, open, shut, open, shut. Finally he closed her door and walked away.
She smiled in satisfaction.
“Euphemia!”
Effie put down her book and went to the window, watching as the boy walked down the drive.
“Euphemia!”
Good Lord, what did he want now?
Leaving her room, she walked to the top of the stairs and looked down.
“What?” she yelled back.
“Get ready, we have to go to town.”
“I know, but the ship won’t be in for another couple of hours,” she said as though she were speaking to an idiot.
“That was Johnny Wilks. He came with a message from Cole. He wants to see both of us in his office as soon as possible. It’s got something to do with Remington. Get ready,” he ordered in a clipped voice.
“What about my parents?”
“I’ll ask Jonah and Grace to go meet them in case we’re late. At least they know Grace.”
“I wanted to meet them,” she cried.
“I know,” he said, clearly frustrated. “However, sometimes we don’t get what we want. Get ready; I’ll go get the carriage.”
“Fine.”
Stomping back to her room, she wondered if she’d have to shoot Sam before the wedding even took place. Then she worried about why Cole wanted to see them. It had to have something to do with Horace. With that thought in mind, she climbed onto her bed and reached into the ruffles at the top of her curtains. Hanging from a string was her derringer.
Taking down a huge hat box from the top of her armoire she plucked the hat from the tissue paper and took it to the bed. It really was hideously ugly with flowers in every color of the rainbow along with berries and birds, but needs must be met she assured herself. It was the only hat she owned that had both a high crown and a veil. After making a few adjustments she slapped it on her head and tied the wide ribbons.
Sam was waiting for her out front and she couldn’t help but notice his repulsed expression as he helped her into the carriage.
“Where did you get that horrible thing?” he asked with a shudder as he climbed in beside her and watched her lower the sheer black veil.
“I don’t recall,” she drawled.
“Well it was made by either the most malicious milliner in the world or a voodoo priestess.”
“Shut up. I like it and it has its uses,” she sniffed. “Well, are you going to sit here all day and make me late to get my parents on purpose?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied cracking the reins sharply and sending her back against the seat. “I’m sure they’ll be proud to see you in that monstrosity.”
“If you don’t hurry, I shall tell them it was a gift from you and you picked it out yourself.”
Sam shuddered and snapped the reins with a vengeance.
As soon as they passed the fork in the road, Effie noticed the riders. For a while they stayed back, but it wasn’t long before the three men moved closer, one on each side of the carriage and one behind them. She recognized them immediately as the men with Horace at the telegraph office in San Francisco.
“Sam,” she whispered, “we’ve got trouble.”
“I see them,” he growled as he slowed the wagon and came to a stop. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
“You sure can, you can keep right on a movin’ down this road until we tell you otherwise. Miss Lane, you sure pissed Remington off when you blew a hole in his side. He’s not feeling too kindly toward you.”
“He deserved it, he tried to strangle me,” she sniffed, her glaring eyes hidden beneath the veil.
“I’m afraid that’s not how he sees it. Now get movin’. I don’t hold much with hurting women and I’d like to get this over with, collect my money and move on.”
“What happened to the other man with you?”
“Dalton? He and the boss man parted ways. It seems even a wanted man has his limits. Now move mister. My finger gets itchy when I’m nervous. I hear you’re a big man in these parts and I wouldn’t want to run into any of your friends.”
Sam clicked the reins and got the horses moving.
“Jonah and Grace should be along soon,” he whispered under his breath.
“Not for another hour, at least,” she replied softly, looking down.
“Effie, I’m not armed,” Sam said in disgust. “I might be able to take two of them if the situation presented itself, but I don’t want to risk you getting hurt.”
“Sam, I expect Horace is going to kill us both anyway. Me, because he hates me, and you because you’d be a witness. There’s a club under the seat, I’ll put it to good use.”
“How do you know there’s a club under the seat?”
“Because I put it there,” she hissed.
“Why?”
“You took my gun, Sam. I’m not used to being unable to defend myself.”
“Well, that’s something, I guess. I don’t suppose you’re armed?” he asked hopefully.
“Sam, you know you ordered me never to handle a gun or you’d make me sorry,” she murmured, sarcasm clearly evident in her tone.
“I know what I said. Since when do you ever listen to me? Now do you have a gun?”
“Maybe,” she admitted.
>
“Give it to me,” he ordered.
“No.”
“Effie, be reasonable for once in your life,” he hissed. “I’m stronger and a better shot. With a gun I might be able to get us out of this mess, or at least buy us some time.”
“For one thing it’s not where I could get to it without drawing attention and for another, don’t underestimate me, Sam.”
“Fine.”
“Turn here,” a gruff voice ordered, indicating a narrow track.
Sam turned after looking over his shoulder and seeing the rifle pointed directly at his back.
“Where does this go?” Effie whispered.
“There’s an abandoned barn back here that was used to store logging equipment at one time. It’s nearly collapsed now.”
“Wonderful, so no one ever comes back here?”
“Some kids do now and then. There’s a swimming hole beyond it, but you wouldn’t know it was there unless you were local.”
They traveled in silence for a spell, until they crested a small hill and moved onto a flat piece of ground. The dilapidated barn was only a short way ahead. Pulling the carriage to a stop, Sam waited for further instruction from their captors as he worked his boot under the seat, moving the club closer to the front.
Johnny Wilks watched from the weeds surrounding the small clearing, dripping wet. He saw one of the men pull a gun and point it at Mr. Jordon while another man yanked the pretty lady in the ugly hat out of the wagon, none too gently. Turning, he grabbed his clothes and ran hell bent for election through the trees until he was out of sight, then he moved onto the track, tugging on his breeches as best he could. It was only by chance he’d stopped at the swimming hole on his way back to town to cool off. Now he realized the man who asked him to deliver the message was no friend of the Jordons. Running as fast as he could, he never slowed when he reached the main road. He didn’t even see the wagon coming and Jonah didn’t see him until it was nearly too late.
“Jonah,” Grace screamed as she saw the boy get struck by the brake handle and spin before falling to the ground.
Stopping the team as fast as he could, Jonah raced to the boy.
“Is he all right?” Grace cried as she struggled down, jumping to the ground.
Effie Page 13