She wouldn't be an asset to a banker as she couldn't be trusted not to scandalize the wealthy clients the business depended on. Life wouldn't be as dull as ditchwater with her around.
He poked the fire, wondering why he was so on edge. He had fought hard to get to manage the Denver office but now that he was here, the challenge had gone. Was that what Emer was? A fresh target for him to conquer. All his life he had played second fiddle to his father first and then his older brother. He wanted to show his father he was the right man for this job, but was the job the right match for him?
"Lawrence, do you have to spend time with that girl? It is going to reflect badly on you, not to mention the whole family."
"Why, Mother? I thought your ladies would be impressed by our act of charity."
"Our customers are impressed when we hand over cold hard cash. They do not expect us to mingle with ruffians. Imagine the scandal if our friends were to find out that... that girl showed off her body in public."
"Only her ankles, Mother, and very pretty ones at that."
His mother’s nostrils flared as she turned the full force of her anger in his direction.
"Stop behaving like a boor, Lawrence. Our reputation means everything. You have seen what Denver is doing to Mr. Talbot. The poor man."
"I'm surprised, Mother. I thought you would take Mrs. Talbot’s side, the first Mrs. Talbot, that is. Public sympathy is very much behind her."
Lawrence concealed a grin as his mother digested this piece of news. He would bet his last dollar his precious mother would be calling on Augusta Talbot very soon. That was the thing about his parents. You knew exactly what they were going to do next. They would do anything to increase the bank profits or the family reputation, preferably both. He couldn't resist teasing his mother.
"Aren't you going to ask how the young boy is?"
"What young boy?" Mrs. Shipley looked at Lawrence closely. "Are you jesting with me, Lawrence?"
"Would I?" Before she could answer, he stood to kiss her cheek. "Goodnight, Mother. I have a date with some cards and a fine cigar."
Chapter 20
Lawrence didn’t take the buggy. Instead, he walked. He wanted to call into Denver General to check on the boy. He admired Doctor Watkins but he wouldn't put it past Doctor Brown to throw the boy out on the street. He was determined the child would get the best of care. Emer would be happy. That’s not the only reason, is it?
Arriving at the hospital, he was pleasantly surprised to find the boy awake. He didn’t seem too bad considering the ordeal he'd been through. His parents were by his bedside. They seemed uncomfortable in his presence. The father tipped his cap to Lawrence before his wife pushed him forward. "The wife and me, we'd like to thank ya for your kindness. Our boy is all we have left." The man looked away but not before Lawrence saw his eyes glistening with emotion.
"Your son will be fine. He is to stay in the hospital for a few days but he will get the best of care"
"Thank ya kindly, Sir. But, well, the wife and me don’t have money for the hospital bills. Doctor Watkins, he was kind and said we could stay but then Doctor Brown said we must move him immediately."
A red mist descended. "We'll see about that." Lawrence’s tone caused the couple to shrink back from him. The child didn’t move but stared up at him, his face as pale as the sheets on the bed. "Please do not leave. I will be back."
Lawrence marched through the ward until he spotted a nurse. "Nurse, get me whomever is in charge of this hospital."
"But Sir, its late."
"I said now." The nurse scurried away, he assumed to do his biding. He paced back and forth, his temper rising with every second he waited. How dare Brown contradict his express orders!
Finally, a rather disheveled man appeared back with the nurse.
"You asked to see me, Sir?" The man's irony was not lost on Lawrence. Neither was the stern look on his face. "I have left a patient. This better be important and not the actions of some youngster who likes to throw his father's money around."
Lawrence would have smiled but for his temper. He stared at the older man but it had no effect. He simply stared back.
"Today, I told one of your doctors to treat a patient. Tonight, I find he has disobeyed me and told the parents to remove the patient from this hospital."
"Are you a physician?"
Lawrence shook his head.
"Then by what right do you have to tell my doctors how to behave? Their professional opinion is all that matters. Good evening. I have patients to attend to.”
"Wait. If he was a professional, I would have no argument. But this ...doctor initially refused to treat the patient, despite him being in danger of bleeding to death on a street corner."
"Mister…" The man waited
"Shipley of Shipley Bank"
"I am aware of your family, Sir. I can assure you our doctors do not behave in the manner you have outlined. There must be a mistake.”
"Brown is the man's name. He deemed the child unworthy of treatment as there was some question over his ability to meet the bill.”
The physician had the grace to look embarrassed. "That is unfortunate. Our hospital must prioritize those that can pay their debts. I must back Doctor Brown on his decision.
"I will meet all costs. The child will remain here until he is fit enough to return home. While here, he is to have the best of everything, including the medical staff caring for him. Do I make myself clear?”
"Yes, Sir."
"For the record, if you claim to know my family, you will also know my parents make regular donations to the upkeep of this hospital. They wouldn't like to hear about what happened this evening.”
"Of course not, Sir."
Lawrence marched back down the corridor to where he had left the boy's parents. He didn’t like bullying anyone but sometimes having money, power and position came in useful!
The next day, Emer returned to the café. “I am so sorry I forgot to pay my bill yesterday.”
“It has already been settled, Miss. Your gentleman friend paid it last evening. Left a generous tip, too.” The café owner’s smile grew wider. “Would you like to see today’s menu?”
“No, thank you. I have another appointment.” Emer walked quickly out of the café before the owner persuaded her to sit and eat. Lawrence had come to her rescue. Again.
She went back to the hospital to visit the young boy. Doctor Brown, or the quack as Lawrence had called him, was nowhere to be seen. Relieved to find the child awake, Emer took a seat by the bed. Some time later, the boy’s parents came in to visit him. “Ma, Pa, this is the lady who saved me yesterday.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Embarrassed, Emer rose to her feet. Before she could do anything, she was drawn into a hug by the boy’s mother. “We lost our other babies on the way here. We only stopped in Denver so Craig, my husband, could make some money. Thank you for saving our boy.”
Seeing the love this small family had for one another, Emer couldn’t help but wish her background had been similar. She sniffed, trying but failing to stop the tears leaking from her eyes. Unable to say anything, she returned the woman’s hug and shook the man’s hand.
“Please say thank you to Mr. Shipley. If he hadn’t paid the doctor, we wouldn’t be here.”
Stunned, Emer stared at the mother. Lawrence had come to see the boy. He was totally different from his mother.
Emer took her leave of the small family and headed back to the Shipley mansion. She couldn’t wait to thank Lawrence in person.
Chapter 21
“Miss Matthews, will you please at least try to behave like a lady”
Lawrence hesitated as he put his hand on the doorknob. The door was open but he didn’t enter. He knew that tone. His mother was beyond angry. He grimaced as she continued.
“I know you’re an orphan. I have tried to be patient. Goodness knows how hard I’ve tried. I have a reputation to consider. Not just mine, but that of Shipley bank.”
L
awrence had heard enough. He was about to enter the room when he heard Emer answer, her tone matching his mothers.
“Mrs. Shipley, I am not an orphan. I have a ma. Thank you for taking me to Denver. I am leaving now.”
Lawrence wanted to applaud the young girl who was taking on his mother. Lord knows she deserved it after the way she had behaved over the years. He pushed the door open, eager to witness the confrontation in person.
“Why, of all the ungrateful…”
Emer saw the door open and watched as Lawrence slipped into the room. His mother was too wound up to notice. She couldn’t stay here, not with him watching. She wasn’t some sideshow in a circus set up for his amusement. Or maybe that was exactly how he saw her.
Shaking, she stood up so quickly the chair she had been sitting on fell backwards. Emer didn’t even look at it. Instead, she glared at the woman who had made her life miserable over the last few days. “Listen, lady, you only helped me because it made you look good in front of Father Molloy. I am not some cause. I don’t need charity.”
Remembering at the last second she wasn’t wearing pants, Emer picked up her skirts and ran. She kept running until she reached the garden. She had to get away from Mrs. Shipley or she may do the woman an injury. She wasn’t an orphan, although it might have been better if she was. She stopped running, trying to get her breath back.
Walking more slowly, she made her way over to the swing she had spotted earlier. It was a lovely day, despite being a bit chilly. She sat on the swing, moving backward and forward slightly. What was she going to do now? Did she have enough money to get to Clover Springs? What would she do when she got there? Maybe she could go back to Denver General, find kind Dr. Watkins and work as a nurse for a while until she had the money to travel on. No, she had to get out of Denver. Lawrence was here and she couldn’t risk bumping into him. He had no place in her world.
Lawrence worked hard keeping a straight face as his mother ranted over the events of the afternoon. Finally, she’d worked herself into such a state, he insisted she lie down.
Emer. Where was she now? The servants said she had run toward the garden but that had been some time ago. Taking his jacket, he set out to find her.
Walking through the gardens, he heard the unmistakable sounds of sobbing. He stopped, wondering whether he should leave her alone. She wouldn’t thank him for seeing her crying, but then, he was too much of a gentleman to ignore a lady in distress.
He moved toward her, deliberately walking heavily to alert her to his presence. It didn’t work. She was so caught up in her heartbreak, she didn’t seem aware of him.
The late sun glinted off her hair, making the blonde streaks look whiter. Her lush lips looked brighter against the pallor of her skin. How he longed to crush her against him and kiss her. She’d probably hit me.
“Lawrence, what are you doing here?” she sniffed before wiping her nose in her sleeve. He grinned, thinking of his mother’s reaction to such unladylike behavior. Handing her his hanky, he said softly, “I think you won the argument. My mother has taken to her bed.”
Emer sniffed.
“Emer, you really shouldn’t listen to her. She has some old fashioned ideas about how things should work. It’s hard to believe she wasn’t born wearing a bustle.”
Emer smiled at the clothing reference but unlike so many girls of her age, she didn’t blush or admonish him for rudeness.
“My darling mother was the daughter of a miner.” That had got her attention. “She may look and act like a lady but Grandpa Joe wasn’t a gentleman. He headed to California back in the 1840s. He was lucky. He found some gold but quickly realized the real way to make money was to sell stuff to other miners. He used his gold to set up his first store and then another and another. Minnie, the lady you mentioned on the train, reminded me of him.”
He saw her eyes widen at the fact he remembered her friend’s name.
“Grandpa married well. My grandmother was a lady but her family were impoverished.” At her confused look, he explained. “Dirt poor due to her father’s gambling problem.”
Emer drew in a sharp breath.
“Don’t look so shocked. Most of the wealthy families in Boston and other areas made their money in similar ways. Mother likes to believe different and she makes everyone else pretend, too. But the reality is, she is the daughter of a miner turned storekeeper. Grandpa Joe, he was a real character.” He stopped talking to swallow the lump of loss he got when thinking of his Grandpa. The man had died shortly after Lawrence had completed this two years at the bank. Lawrence clenched his hands at the thought of what his parents had stolen from him. Contrary to what his father had said, Grandpa Joe hadn’t agreed with his parents’ decision to make him pursue a career in banking. He had wanted Lawrence to join him but didn’t want to come between his daughter and grandson. How he wished he had. He would give anything to have more time with his Grandpa.
“You would have liked him, I think. Anyway, he loved his wife, Lily, and to please her he sent his girls East to be educated. Mother and her sisters attended finishing school where they learned how to land rich husbands. She met my father and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“Your mother seems so—well, so …”
“Dignified and ladylike. Grandpa Joe would tell you his money was well spent. Mother didn’t like us visiting him as children as he would tell us stories of the old days. Can’t imagine my mother climbing a tree or using an outhouse, can you?”
Lawrence deliberately tried to be shocking in the hope of making Emer laugh. He smiled as she giggled.
“I think part of the reason she is being so horrid to you is you remind her of herself.”
The smile disappeared. “I am nothing like your mother.”
He took her hands in his. “No, you’re not. You have a kind heart underneath that tough exterior.”
He stroked her hands, wanting to pull her toward him. He wanted… what did he want?
Emer pulled her hands free. “Now you’re teasing me.”
He stepped toward her, putting his hand under her chin, he forced her to look up and meet his gaze.
“Not now.”
Before she could react, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. She murmured but didn’t push him away. He kissed her eyes, the tip of her nose before claiming one more kiss on her lips. Pulling her closer to him, he held his head against hers. “You intrigue me, Miss Matthews. Emer.”
He kissed the top of her hair before they heard someone coming. Springing apart, he put a finger to his lips urging her to stay silent. He didn’t want to risk the servants finding them like this. It would do nothing for her reputation.
Stunned by his kisses, Emer couldn’t move. Her legs felt weak and her heart was hammering so hard, it felt like it would explode from her chest. She had been embraced before but it had never been like that. Her whole body had reacted to him, making her yearn for something she didn’t understand. But she understood one thing. Lawrence Shipley wasn’t the man for her. He came from a different world, one in which there was no home for her. She had to get away from him before her feelings overwhelmed her completely.
Now she understood why Minnie had stood by Lewis all that time and would take him back in a heartbeat. If she could feel this strongly after such a short period of time, what would she feel in a year? It was time to leave—although she had a sinking feeling it was already too late.
Chapter 22
“Miss Matthews, before you leave this afternoon, would you care to visit the bank with me?”
“Lawrence, I am sure Miss Matthews has better things to do with her time.” Mrs. Shipley glared at her son over the breakfast table. Emer hadn’t been able to leave the previous day, having found out the train left today at noon.
“Actually, I’d love to. I haven’t been in a bank before. Do I get to see where the gold is kept? Perhaps you could show me, Lawrence.”
Lawrence laughed as Emer fluttered her eyelashes in an obvious attem
pt to upset his mother. Show her the gold, indeed. She was play-acting the part of a gold digger to perfection for his mother’s benefit. It was working, too. His mother looked fit to spit.
“Shall we leave now?” Lawrence wiped his hands with the gleaming white napkin before standing.
“I’m coming, too.”
Lawrence almost groaned aloud at his cousin’s announcement. He hadn’t liked him much in Boston but after being confined in close quarters with him on the train, he disliked him intensely.
“There is no need, Mitchell. It won’t take two of us.”
“There is every need, Lawrence.” His mother’s tone brooked no argument. He shrugged his shoulders, not meeting Emer’s eyes. He was certain from her slightly shaking arms she was laughing.
The trip to the bank was conducted in silence. Lawrence hid behind a paper while Emer looked out the window.
Mitchell made an attempt at conversation but, when they both ignored him, he gave up. Lawrence sent a conspiratorial wink at Emer, who grinned back before staring back out the window. It didn’t take long to reach the bank.
“You go ahead, Mitchell. I will assist Miss Matthews.”
Mitchell didn’t argue. Lawrence held his hand up to Emer who was looking around her, a small smile of satisfaction on her face.
“Does it meet with your approval, Miss Matthews?”
“Why, yes, kind Sir. When I have accumulated my savings, I will surely visit this here establishment.” Emer didn’t continue as they were both laughing so hard. “Sorry, Lawrence. I shouldn’t tease you so much.”
Yes, you should. You make me laugh. You make every day an adventure. Life without you is going to be so boring. Instead of speaking his mind, Lawrence simply held her hand. He was in no position to declare anything to Miss Matthews. What did he want, anyway? She wasn’t a saloon girl. Despite his mother’s opinion, she was respectable. But was she marriage material? Marriage? Since when had he started thinking about getting married.
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