His Mail-Order Valentine (Holiday Mail Order Brides Book 10)

by Kit Morgan

Julian gave her a hint of a smile and drew her into the corner. His eyes glanced around before locking on hers again. “There are a lot of books back here.”

  She gazed at him and nodded. The corner was warm and cozy and oh so romantic! She swallowed hard. “Yes.”

  He glanced around again. “Funny thing, though – I don’t seem to be able to read any of the titles. Isn’t that odd?”

  She nodded at him, then let her eyes wander around the space before gazing up at him again. She couldn’t read them either. What language were they in? And why would the Professor direct them to books in a language they didn’t know? Unless … she swallowed hard and tried to tear her gaze from Julian’s, but couldn’t.

  She slowly shook her head as he closed the distance between them. “Ellie,” he said softly, “I’d like to get you something.”

  “What?” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Get me something?”

  “Is there a book you’d like? I’d like to get it for you as a gift.”

  “Gift?” she breathed as her voice – and her knees – went weak.

  He put an arm around her and pulled her into his chest. Her head tilted back from the action and she began to go limp in his arms.

  One of his hands came up behind her head to hold it up. “Yes,” he insisted. “Let me get you something, anything you want.”

  “Julian…” she managed, but only barely. He was having to support her now.

  “Ellie…” His head bent lower, and her heart thundered in her chest. Good God! He was going to kiss her! She couldn’t, she shouldn’t! She …

  “What are you two doing here?”

  Ellie jumped and yelped at the intrusion. She turned her head to see Bernice Caulder staring at them, her mouth twisted in a grimace. Oh dear … “I-I … I became faint … all of a sudden,” she said in an attempt to cover for her weakness.

  “Are you all right now?” Julian asked.

  “What’s going on?” Bernice inquired.

  Julian kept his focus on Ellie. “Are you sure you’re all right? Any lightheadedness?” He raised one eyebrow at her.

  Ellie blushed and realized what he was doing. Yes, he was trying to cover up that they were about to kiss. She put a hand to her temple. “I … think I’ll be all right,” she said, feeling flushed. But she knew she wouldn’t - she’d never be all right again. For Heaven’s sake, he’d almost kissed her! And she’d wanted him to!

  “Maybe a drink of cold water will help?” suggested Bernice.

  “Good idea,” Julian said. “Why don’t you go see if the Professor has some?”

  Bernice shrugged. “Okay,” she said and trotted off to fetch the water.

  Julian quickly turned to Ellie. “My most humble apologies, Ellie. I… was acting less than a gentleman.”

  Ellie closed her eyes and nodded, not sure of what to say.

  “Forgive me?”

  She opened her eyes. “Apology accepted.” In a panic, she darted from the corner to the front counter, gathered her packages and fled the bookshop.

  But not fast enough. “Ellie!” Julian called after her as she hurried down the boardwalk. “Stop!”

  Instinctively she did, and immediately knew it might be a mistake. Her lower lip trembled as tears threatened to escape. Good grief, what was happening to her? Other than the tragically obvious …

  She listened to his booted feet approach from behind and stop. “Ellie,” he said as he put his hands on her shoulders. “Please don’t run away from me like that.” He walked around in front of her, tucked a finger under her chin and forced her head up to look at him. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”

  She swallowed hard, realizing that she very much wanted it to happen again! “I understand.”

  He stood silent for a moment, then smiled. “You understand that I wanted to kiss you?”

  She swallowed hard and realized she couldn’t feel her toes. “Oh yes …”

  His voice was tender. “And if you must know, I still do. If it weren’t for Bernice …”

  Speaking of Bernice, Ellie looked over her shoulder at the bookshop. Sure enough, Bernice was standing next to the door, watching them. Ellie sighed heavily. “I think she’s waiting for you.”

  Julian looked over at Bernice, then back to Ellie. “Well, she can wait. This isn’t about her, this is about you. I’d … I’d like to spend more time with you. I know there’s no one for me to ask, you haven’t a father or mother here, so you’re the only one ...”

  “What?”

  “… that I can ask.”

  She shook her head in confusion. “Ask me what?”

  He pressed his lips together a moment, then smiled. “Ellie Sampson, would you do me the honor of allowing me to court you?”

  Ellie’s knees wobbled, and she locked them to keep from repeating her earlier swoon. Julian wanted to court her?! “But … but what about …” Ellie looked back again at Bernice, who still stood on the boardwalk watching them. “… isn’t she more suited…”

  “You mean to me?”

  Ellie nodded.

  “No, she’s not. You are.”

  Ellie gulped. He wanted her, wanted to court her! It was why she was here! But there was no sense allowing him to pursue her. The minute she mentioned Davey, he’d turn tail and run. “Mr. Smythe, I can’t.”

  “Why not? Because of your job?”

  She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “You could say that.”

  His eyes darted about and she could almost hear his mind race. “Then I’ll speak to the Vanders and the Brocks. I’ll make sure you don’t lose your positions.”

  “It’s not that …”

  “Then what is it? Please tell me, Ellie.”

  She shuddered. She couldn’t tell him. She didn’t have the heart, or the courage, to face his disappointment yet. She just wanted to look at him and see the desire that shone in his eyes for her, memorize it before he told her he’d have nothing more to do with her.

  Ten

  In front of the bookshop, Bernice watched Julian speak with the Vanders’ new maid. She gasped when Julian put his finger under the girl’s chin to make her turn to look at him. What were they talking about? Should she interrupt him? Would Julian get mad?

  “Ahem …”

  Bernice turned to find Professor Hamilton standing behind her. “Oh! Hello, Professor.”

  “And pray tell, what has you standing out here in the cold, eyes riveted with interest?”

  She glanced back at Julian and the Sampson girl. They were parting ways – and Julian, for one, didn’t look very happy as he jumped off the boardwalk and stormed across the street. She couldn’t tell if Ellie Sampson was angry or upset – her back was to her. “Oh … nothing.”

  “Hmmm,” the Professor mused. “Come inside, Miss Caulder. I want to talk to you.”

  Bernice turned and stared at him. “What about?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She followed him into the bookshop and watched as he went around the counter and sat. “I have a few books here that might be of interest to you,” he said as he dug through a stack. He pulled out several and set them on the counter.

  Bernice peered at the titles. “Etiquette and decorum?” she asked with a sigh.

  “They’re not just that,” the Professor stated and stood. “Beauty, charm, grace. Rare treasures in a lady, all traits a husband desires.”

  Bernice’s head shot up at that. “Husband?”

  “Of course, my dear. You can’t expect to land a husband… well …” He grimaced. “If I may be frank, Miss Caulder, I’ve noticed that of late, you … er … haven’t been presenting yourself in your best light, shall we say.”

  Bernice’s face went crimson. She knew what he was referring to. It was the same thing Miss Brubauk had chastised her about over and over and over again. Do something with your hair, wear some decent clothes, for Heaven’s sakes girl wash your face! Since Morgan Tindle married, Bernice hadn’t been caring for her appearance as much. And app
arently people had noticed …

  “Don’t you want to be a bride one day, Bernice?” the Professor asked.

  She lowered her head. “Of course, yes.”

  “Well, then why don’t you let me help you see it done?”

  “What?”

  The Professor straightened and tried to take on an air of authority. “Marriage, young lady. I can help you get married. Or at least have a fighting chance.”

  “But Professor, there aren’t any gentleman in town … except for maybe …”

  “Oh, certainly there’s Mr. Smythe, but he is hardly the only eligible bachelor in the world! Never set your cap for just one when there are others from which to choose.”

  Bernice looked at him, her face screwed up in confusion. “What others?”

  “Beat the brush long enough and you’ll flush them out.”

  “Huh?” No, that didn’t sound ladylike at all – even she could tell that. “What do you mean?”

  The Professor shook his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Never mind that for now – back to the task at hand. Let’s have a look at you.” He came out from behind the counter and walked to the other side of her. “Come here, my dear, toward me.”

  She stepped away from the counter and looked at him, with the same confounded expression on her face. “Now what?”

  Professor Hamilton walked a circle around her, and had no sooner gone back to where he’d begun than the door chime rang. “Ah, Cecil – you’re just in time!”

  Cecil looked between the two. “Ah, so I see. Good afternoon, Miss Caulder.”

  “Good afternoon,” she said, still not comprehending what was going on.

  “Miss Caulder and I were just discussing her chances of … matrimony,” the Professor informed him.

  “Ah,” Cecil replied. “And?”

  “And we need to get started right away.”

  “Where should we start?”

  “Start what?” Bernice asked, totally confused.

  “Your transformation, my dear,” the Professor said. “By the time we’re done with you, you’ll be the belle of the ball!”

  “What ball?” Bernice asked.

  The Professor and Cecil exchanged a quick look. “The Valentine’s dance, of course,” offered Cecil.

  “Oh, yes, the dance,” she said. “But …”

  “I just came from the Vanders’,” Cecil said. “Mrs. Vander told me they’ve set the date. Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day – and that doesn’t give us much time.”

  “For what?” Bernice asked as she backed up a step or two.

  The Professor put his face in one hand and stifled a groan. “To prepare you, of course.”

  Bernice looked between the two as comprehension dawned. “Oh…” was all she managed.

  Cecil now walked around her, stopped, scratched his head. “Hmmm, this might be harder than we first thought.”

  “What?!” Bernice blurted, flustered at this point. “Just what are you going to do to me?”

  The Professor smiled. “Miss Caulder, we are going to make you into a lady.”

  * * *

  Ellie had grabbed her purchases from Julian and hurried back to the Brocks’. She felt horrible running from him like that – twice! – but what else was she to do? She couldn’t tell him about Davey, at least not yet.

  But the more she thought about it, the worse she felt. She was being selfish and she knew it. She wanted Julian to keep looking at her the way he had in the bookshop. His eyes were full of … adoration? Desire? Whatever it was, it made her feel giddy from head to toe. And she didn’t want the feeling to stop. But look what she’d done about it – run off without a word, without an explanation. Now what would he think of her? She might not have to worry about telling him about Davey at this point – from now on he’d probably avoid her.

  She reached the Brocks’ home, went inside, and found Martha Tindle and Maude Smythe speaking with Mrs. Brock. “There you are,” Mrs. Brock said. “You’re just in time.”

  Ellie stopped and stared at the trio. “In time for what?”

  “It’s been decided,” Martha said. “We are to have our first-ever Valentine’s dance! This means we’ll have lots to do!”

  “Yes,” added Maude. “And we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

  “Which means,” Mrs. Brock finished, “that you’re about to become a very busy girl.”

  “Busy?” Ellie said, trying not to cringe.

  “Mercy has put each of us in charge of something different,” Martha informed her. “I’m in charge of decorations.”

  “I’m taking care of the announcements and the location,” Maude said.

  “And I’m in charge of organizing the refreshments,” Mrs. Brock said.

  Ellie sighed. “How can I help?”

  “You can help me with the decorations,” Martha said.

  “And later with the food,” Mrs. Brock chimed in.

  “In the meantime, I’ll go round up a few other folks to lend a hand,” Martha added as she headed for the door.

  “And I’ll go speak with Mr. Edmonson,” Maude announced.

  “Who is Mr. Edmonson?” Ellie asked. The name sounded familiar …

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ve heard one of us mention the Edmonsons,” Mrs. Brock said. “They live just outside of town and have a huge barn. It’s the perfect place to hold the dance. Plus, they can probably use the money.”

  “I see. What do you want me to do?”

  “If you’d like,” Maude offered, “you can ride out to the Edmonsons’ with me tomorrow and we’ll make the arrangements.”

  “I don’t see how I’d be a help in that.”

  “Trust me,” Martha said, “you’ll be a great help. They have a lot of children. You can keep them occupied while Maude speaks with Mr. and Mrs. Edmonson.”

  “I see,” Ellie said.

  “You do like children, don’t you?” asked Mrs. Brock.

  Ellie blanched. “Of course, I love children. I’d be glad to help.”

  “Good, it’s settled then,” Mrs. Brock said. “You and Maude will speak with the Edmonsons while the rest of us get to work gathering volunteers.”

  “We’re going to need lots of help,” Martha said. “I can’t wait to tell Morgan and Daisy, they’ll be so excited!”

  “News’ll spread fast!” added Maude.

  “Too bad Eva isn’t here,” bemoaned Mrs. Brock. “This is just the sort of thing she likes to get involved with.”

  “Yes, it’s too bad.” Martha said, not sounding all that convinced. “But I’m sure she’ll come visit in the spring.”

  “I hope so,” Mrs. Brock said.

  “Well then,” Maude said. “Let’s all get to work. Ellie, I’ll come by after breakfast tomorrow to fetch you, is that all right?”

  Ellie nodded, not knowing what else to say. At least if she kept busy helping the matrons with the Valentine’s dance, not to mention her regular duties, she’d be too busy to think about Julian and the fact that he’d almost kissed her … almost. At the moment, that was probably for the best.

  * * *

  Julian sat on a bench in front of the bank and pondered his recent conversation with Ellie. What had he done wrong? Okay, perhaps attempting to kiss her in the bookshop was a mistake. She probably thought him less than a gentleman now, but he couldn’t help himself. She was so beautiful, pure, desirable … and in the moment, at least, she hadn’t exactly tried to stop him. Maybe he ought to thank Bernice for interrupting him before he’d gone through with it. If he had, Ellie might not speak to him ever again. Of course, she might not anyway.

  But now how to proceed? If he was lucky, he’d only frightened her. If that were the case, he’d make it a point to be very gentle with her from here on out, so as not to scare her again. Surely he could find an excuse to spend more time with her …

  “Julian, what are you doing sitting there?”

  Julian’s head snapped up. His mother was staring down at
him with disapproval. “Nothing – just wool-gathering, I guess.”

  “Well, stop it and come home so you can help me.”

  “Help with what?”

  “The Valentine’s dance, of course.”

  “Oh, so there is going to be a dance, eh?”

  “Of course there is – Mercy has it all figured out. I’m going to need you to drive me and Ellie Sampson out to the Edmonson farm tomorrow so we can talk to Mr. Edmonson about using his barn.”

  “The Edmonsons’ barn?” He stood. “I never would’ve thought of that.” He also never would’ve thought he’d get to spend time with Ellie again so soon.

  “It’s the perfect place,” said his mother. “It’s huge!”

  “Yes, but it’s also cluttered,” he pointed out. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get it ready for the dance.”

  “I know. I also know Mr. Edmonson will be happy with the rent we’ll pay, and Mrs. Edmonson will be happy to have her barn cleaned out. You know how stretched they are with all those children.”

  “Yes, very,” he mused. “You’re going to need lots of help…”

  “I’ve already got it,” she said with a smile and a wink. “At least as far as the children go.”

  “Who?”

  “Kiss your mother now,” she said with a smile.

  He eyed her suspiciously. “What have you done?”

  “I mentioned Miss Sampson was coming, didn’t I? She’ll mind the children along with you while I speak to the Edmonsons about their barn.”

  Julian smiled. “Really?”

  “Admit it – you find the girl fetching, don’t you?”

  Julian chewed on his bottom lip and looked in the direction of home.

  “I thought so!”

  “She’s pretty, yes, anyone can see that,” he said as he turned back to her.

  “Do you fancy the girl?”

  Julian shrugged as his heart thundered in his chest. “It … might be nice to get to know her better ...”

  “Oh, come now, Julian,” his mother chided. “You should get to know her better. She’s a pretty, kind young woman. And let’s face it, there aren’t many of those around here.”

  Just then, Bernice came out of the bookshop, stopped and stared at them from across the street. “I see your point,” Julian said. “I hadn’t really considered marriage until recently, Ma. I didn’t think it would be such a tough decision, but it is. And now that I’ve made up my mind …”