"Now I should laugh. Do you really think that you are the only wealthy young man who has offered his hand to me in marriage? No there are more wealthy men back home than there are out here, and I left for a reason. They are the ones responsible for this dreadful war, and they are the ones who should be paying! You can act like you are different as you hide out here in the West with your fancy inheritance and endless coins, but if you were back there, you would be just like the rest of them. Arrogant, foolish…the cause of all this mess!" She gave him a haughty glare, and he shook his head.
"I see. You believe we are responsible for tearing up your part of the country, but you have yet to tell me how we are all the same." He smiled at her sardonically, and though she was refusing to back down, he could read in her body language that she was uncomfortable.
"You want to know how you are the same? Fine, I will be happy to share with you how you are the same!" Charity glared at him, and Chase leaned forward, this time putting his hands on his knees. He knew he was annoying her, but he didn't care. He actually found it rather fun to see her so riled up about what he had said to her after all, he had never told a young woman how he felt before.
"For one, all you care about is what looks good. You want a pretty young wife who will hang off your arm when you go to banquets and galas. What is a gala, anyway? Do you all walk around and share how much money you have and have competitions on who can stand the tallest? You want fancy clothes and fancy horses, and you want to have fancy coaches that are going to carry your fancy person from place to place. You want to have a bunch of servants who are going to wait on your hand and foot driving you around from place to place to place, need I go on?" By the look on Charity’s face, it appeared she regretted saying all of that.
Chase raised his eyebrows. He smiled, trying to mask his own annoyance with the situation, but found it difficult.
"Well, I am glad to know that you have us arrogant wealthy men sorted. You're right, you would be better off marrying someone else." He looked out the window with a disinterested look on his face. He had nothing else to say. The conversation was beginning to remind him of the many arguments he had had with Annabelle, and he was growing all the more impatient with Charity as a result.
"Well?" she asked impatiently.
"Well what?" he asked, acting surprised that she still wanted to speak with him.
"What's your reason? You said you didn't want to marry me, yet it was your ad that I responded to in the first place. I explained myself, now you explain your side!" She crossed her arms and tapped her fingers, clearly annoyed. Chase smiled to himself. Though he still didn't want anything more to do with this girl than he had to, he did have to admit that he liked her.
In fact, he was having a difficult time keeping his eyes off her. Her brown curls which she had pulled back in a bun refused to be tamed, standing out at various points with the same defiance she had toward him. Her green eyes snapped with passion, and her slender and delicate frame was tense with fervor. She had fair skin and a smile that was as beautiful as an angel's though since getting into the coach with him she had done anything but smile.
Not only was she beautiful, but she was also feisty, and he liked that. There were things about her that reminded him of Annabelle, but there was something else there, something interesting that he couldn't ignore.
"To be fair, you are all the same as well," he replied after a few moments of silence. She threw her hands to her side, clearly shocked at his words.
"What are you talking about? All of us the same? What? Us poor girls?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, if you must know, it is you poor girls who are given the chance to have money. But, when you have a poor girl who is given a chance to be wealthy, she simply doesn't know how to handle things. Don't be upset, it really isn't your fault. It's just something that happens to you." He smirked, and the way her hands twitched at her side made him wonder if she wished to slap him.
"If that were true, then why did you send for me when my parents wrote to you? I know that they told you from the beginning that I was being sent away because of the war if you didn't want to marry me, then you should have told me so from the beginning and not wasted my time!" she shot at him. He gave her an incredulous look.
"Well that's where you and I are more alike than either of us would like to admit. You came out here because of your parents, and I allowed it because of mine. You see, my parents are the rightful owners of the wealth and the ranch right now, but my father is very sick, and doesn't have long to live. They are going to England where the air is much better for him, and while I am sad to see them go, it is going to give me an early inheritance." He paused, and she watched him, evidently waiting for him to go on.
"I am going to inherit the house and a portion of the money right now, then after my father passes, I am going to inherit the rest of the fortune. The only condition is that I marry before they leave they are very worried that if I do not, then I will not and they will not have an heir for the estate." He finished explaining himself with a rather dry tone, and she rolled her eyes.
"So you were willing to marry just about anyone to get your hands on the money?" she asked, her tone indicated she was clearly unimpressed with what he had just told her. He raised his eyebrows, giving her a look in return which challenged her to argue with him further.
"Sort of like you were willing to marry anyone to get away from the war and help ease the burden on your family. It's amazing what we will do to make our parents happy, isn't it? You are just as guilty as I am, whether you wish to admit it or not." Chase smirked as he spoke, and he could see that his words had a much different effect on her than he had expected. He had thought she would be angry with him, but she sat back on the cushion and turned her attention out the window, and he could see in her eyes that she was thinking.
"What is it?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"You're wrong," she spat.
"I'm what?" he asked.
"You're wrong! I am not like you said I am. I would not be spoiled with money, no matter where I have come from. It is only money; it doesn't change who I am or what I believe. I am not a commodity, nor am I something that can be bought. Any money given to my parents…I will find a way to pay you back. Although it couldn’t have been much because I stayed in a brothel! I see how valuable I am to you. I thank you for the gesture, but it was out of line, and I am going to give it back." She spoke with a passion in her voice, and he was inclined to believe her. But, Annabelle's face flashed through his mind, and he felt his heart grow colder.
"Very well." He gave her a condescending look, which only served to anger her further. She was going to reply, but he continued. "As far as money not changing you, well, I've heard that said before, and has always turned out the same way. Trust me, sweetheart, you are no exception. But, I admire your confidence. Like I said, it's not your fault that this happens. It's really not. Just like it's not your fault that you are wrong about me." He gave her another look, and she shot him an angry glance.
Chase sat back in his seat and looked back out the window, seeing that they were drawing near to the ranch. He laughed at the thought of Charity staying in a brothel. Guilt churned in his gut. He should have provided her an escort. She should have told him she was coming! Granted, she did eventually. She didn't say anything for a few moments, and he fought the urge to tell her just how wrong she was.
Part of him didn't know why he cared he already promised himself he wasn't going to give any more thought to what she said about him, but at the same time, she was beautiful and charming, and he wanted her to have a right opinion of him. But, that wasn't going to happen if she thought so poorly of him...so poorly of all men of privilege. Suddenly, the broke into his thoughts, and he had to turn his attention to her once more.
"What are we going to do now?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if you don't want to marry me any more than I want to marry you, then there's got to
be some way we can make our parents happy but still get what we want." She was speaking as she looked out the window, clearly amazed at the size of the ranch house.
Chase had a sly smile on his face as he leaned forward and put his hands on his knees once more.
"Oh, don't you worry about me, I've got a plan for that," he said with a wink.
Chapter 5
Charity felt her palms grow sweaty the closer they drew to the house, and she began to feel her confidence fade. Ever the fiery one, she promised herself she was going to make a good impression on the mother, especially after the conversation she had had with Chase on the ride home. She had to admit, she was taken completely by surprise when he told her that he didn't wish to get married to her, and she didn't know how to respond.
Then, he made things even more complicated by giving her his plan, and she hardly believed she had agreed to it. Chase was a quick thinker, she had to admit, but she still felt offended by what he had said about poor girls who became rich. He had told her that he wanted her to pretend to be his fiancé for just a few weeks the amount of time it would take for his parents to be convinced that he was really in love with her.
Then, after his parents left, he would give her enough money to go anywhere she wished to go even to England, if that is what she wanted. She had asked him what they would do if his parents told them that they had to be married before they left, but he assured her more than once that he would take care of everything, and they wouldn't have to worry about that at all.
Charity was glad about the arrangement for the most part, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she wanted to change his mind not about marrying her she was certain she knew how really was, and that was not the kind of man she wanted to marry but, she wanted to change his mind about her.
She had known many poor girls who had married affluent men back home, and though they hadn't appeared to be happy with the men they had married, they did appear to still be the loving and sweet friends she remembered each and every one of them to be. This wasn’t just about the money Mr. Cunningham had. This was about him as a man. Him being spoiled was just another reason…perhaps, excuse? Charity couldn’t help but let her mind believe he was lazy, too.
They carried themselves well at the galas they attended, and they were always doing things to help the less fortunate at least, they were doing as much as they were allowed with their miserly husbands' permission.
Though she admired that they were able to help those around them, Charity knew that she would never be able to put up with an angry and controlling husband, even for the sake of the poor or for the sake of her family. She was going to have to go through with her own plan, and move on to another place where she could take care of herself.
She had to admit as they pulled in front of the large ranch house, she didn't know why it bothered her so much what this man thought. She had often told herself that she would never care what a wealthy man thought of her or her family, yet here she was, determined to show him he was wrong in the few weeks she had to pretend to be his fiancé.
"That is my mother right there and oh my! That is my father standing right beside her. You are going to walk up to them and give them your best curtsy, thanking them for allowing you to stay here with them until we are able to be married." Chase was leaning close to her, whispering in her ear as they drew near. She gave him a look over her shoulder, and harshly whispered that she knew how to take care of herself, and how to present herself in the presence of those with money.
After giving her a condescending and amused look, Chase sat back in the coach, waiting to see how she interacted with his parents. The coach pulled right up to the steps of the house and Wilson jumped off the top, running around the side of the coach and right to the door. He yanked it open and offered her his hand, holding out his other arm and making a show for her to get out.
Charity felt her heart thumping in her chest as she took his hand and elegantly stepped out of the coach, landing on the ground with all the grace she could muster. She felt her heart thumping in her chest as she walked confidently forward, doing her best to maintain eye contact with both his parents all the while. She gave them a curtsy when she stopped in front of them, giving them both her warmest of smiles.
"Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, it is a real pleasure to meet you," she said with her warmest smile. Mr. Cunningham looked her over for a moment, then looked up at his wife who gave him an uncertain smile. It was clear there was something wrong by the looks they were giving her, and Charity suddenly realized what it was. Mrs. Cunningham, though she was doing her best to keep her eyes on Charity's face, couldn't help but glance down at her dress from time to time, and the look of judgement in her eyes was enough to make Charity's heart sink.
She could see that the woman didn't approve of her, and though it was evidently difficult for Mr. Cunningham to see her, she could sense the disapproval coming from him as well. At that moment, however, Chase hurried over and put his hand on the small of her back, holding out his other arm to his mother.
"Mother, this is Charity Stevens, the woman who is to be my bride." He spoke with such passion, Charity almost glanced over at him to see if he was the same man she had ridden within the coach. He smiled down at her, and she forced a smile in return. Mrs. Cunningham seemed to snap out of a trance at that moment, and reluctantly held her hand out to Charity.
"Of course, how kind of you to make the journey. I hope you found it all to your liking?" she asked, and Charity was about to say the same thing she had said to Chase, but at the last moment she caught herself, and decided instead to handle it as a lady.
"Certainly, the trip was a little tiring, but I have arrived safe and sound, and that is all that matters. I am most grateful that you have allowed me to stay here while we await the wedding. I am most appreciative, really." She made eye contact with both Mrs. Cunningham and her husband, and she could see that her manners caught the woman off guard.
"Oh, my Child! I imagine you are very tired. Olga! Take Miss Stevens's things to her room, and show her where to wash up. My Darling, take all the time you need getting settled in, and we are going to have dinner served in a couple of hours. If there is anything at all you need in the meantime, please do not hesitate to ask." Mrs. Cunningham clasped her hands together and looked at Charity with such concern in her eyes, Charity was inclined to believe she was being sincere.
She looked back at Chase, who gave her a nod. She then reluctantly followed the servant named Olga, up the stairs and right into one of the fanciest rooms she had ever seen.
"Oh, you don't have to do that, I can manage," she said when she saw Olga beginning to take her things out of the carpet bag.
"Miss, is this all you have brought with you? The journey was so long, I would have thought that you would have dresses or such with you," Olga said. Charity’s heart sank, and she forced a smile. Her initial inclination was to say she didn't need any more dresses than the one she was wearing, but she thought about what Chase had said, and she was determined to prove him wrong.
So, she decided to behave as any woman who always had money would: she avoided it. She knew that this girl was the staff, and it was out of place for her to say such things to Charity, even if she was nothing more than a poor girl who had come to Chase’s house. Squaring her shoulders, she walked over to the bed and closed her carpet bag.
"Thank you, I can handle the rest. I appreciate your help, but that will be all." She gave the girl a look that told her to leave, and after an awkward silence, Olga gave her a slight nod and hurried back out the door. Charity watched her go with a shake of her head, wondering if this is how rich people lived all the time. It was a strange feeling, knowing that someone else was always going to handle things for her, but she knew she was going to have to get used to it.
She walked back over to the bed and opened her carpet bag, turning it upside down and pouring all the contents on the bed. Olga had been right—there wasn't much there. She didn't have any other dress
es, just a brush, the letters and a couple of little things her mother had packed for her. Of course, to a girl who had lived with and worked for people like the Cunninghams her entire life, Olga would have to think that she had remarkably little with her.
At first, Charity worried she was going to go tell Mrs. Cunningham that she had only brought with her the bare minimum things. She put the brush on the nightstand and sighed, wondering how she was ever going to fit in with this new family. She didn't think she could ask anyone for more items that might look to Chase as though she were taking advantage of the situation.
She wanted to avoid Chase at all cost.
She certainly wasn't going to ask if Chase would give her any money or any items so she could “fit in.” Charity snorted to herself.
Suddenly, a thought formed in her mind of course it was going to appear as though he was right she was going to have to ask him or his parents for the money for supplies, and once Chase saw that she was getting new things, he would think that she was taking advantage of the situation.
She sat on the bed and sighed, wondering what she was going to do. She was stuck in the middle of a sticky web—one she likely had a large part in creating. Her hands unwillingly rose to her face and her head lowered into them. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and she bristled.
The last person she wanted to see was Chase, though she couldn't imagine that it would be anyone else. She took a deep breath and walked over to the door, squaring her shoulders once more before swinging it open.
But, to her surprise, it wasn't Chase standing there but Olga, accompanied by a young girl she introduced as Liza.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, and they walked in, carrying a tall package along with them. They set it on the bed and handed her a note, then Olga smiled.
Mail Order Bride: A Bride's Unexpected Love: A Western Romance Book Page 4