A Family For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 5)

by Cheryl Wright

  He unlocked the door, and Jennifer rushed in ahead of them, holding tight to little Annie, hugging her lovingly. “My new little niece,” he heard her whisper not so quietly in the child’s ear.

  He waited for Magdalena to step inside when he noticed his sister glaring at him. It took him a moment, but he finally realized what she was trying to tell him.

  He swooped his bride up and carried her across the threshold.

  She let out a yelp of surprise, but wrapped her arms around his neck. It felt nice. Their faces were so close he could feel her warm breath on his cheek, then she rested her head against his shoulder – as though she needed someone to support her. And he supposed she did – she’d been through so much lately.

  It evoked a reaction he couldn’t decipher. He’d never felt like this before with a woman. He’d taken women out on dates, but they were mostly vipers looking for an easy life. Most especially, they were after his money.

  He shuddered at the thought.

  Miss Magdalena Roth, correction, Mrs Jacob Carruthers, had no knowledge of his wealth until today. Which made it even better.

  All he had to do now was ensure she didn’t get her hands on it.

  He strolled into the sitting room and gently put her on her feet. “You took me by surprise,” she said softly.

  As he settled her on the carpeted floor, her perfume drifted into his nostrils. He breathed it in, then checked himself. He needed to keep his distance.

  He didn’t want this marriage, and he wasn’t going to let some wisp of a woman change his mind. He straightened up, then pulled his jacket back into position.

  “You need a crib for the baby.” Jennifer was renowned for saying things out of the blue.

  “A crib? Where on earth am I to get a crib at this short notice?” Honestly, did she think he was a miracle worker?

  “There’s one sitting unused at my place. You can pick it up later.”

  Did she really expect him to go out there today? He’d already lost almost a full day’s work. “Can’t Charles…”

  “No. He’s busy, and can’t afford to take the time off. We’re not loaded like you.” She winked across to Magdalena who stood there taking in the whole crazy conversation.

  “We still have to organize the wedding dinner,” Jennifer said. “And you’re not going to be stingy about it. This is the only wedding Maggie will get. She deserves to be treated special.”

  “Maggie? Do you mean Magdalena?” His sister was incredibly irritating at times. He looked toward his new wife, but she was grinning at the goings on. How terribly frustrating.

  Jennifer laughed so hard she snorted.

  “It isn’t funny,” he said, totally offended.

  She handed off the baby to Magdalena. “Right. I’m off to organize the dinner. Jacob, you help Maggie unpack and hang her clothes.”

  Without giving him a chance to response, she left them alone. “But…” Too late, she was gone.

  He glanced across at his new wife. “Do what you need to do with the child, then we’ll get you sorted.”

  He stormed into the kitchen and stoked the stove. No doubt Jennifer would want a coffee when she returned. Whenever that might be.

  He filled the kettle and set out the mugs, then pottered around doing basically nothing. Anything to fill the void while his wife sorted the child.

  His wife. Would he ever get used to that? He didn’t think so.

  He returned to the sitting room to find the child on the floor, a banana in her hand, his Magdalena sitting nearby on the sofa. “She’s hungry,” he was told. Didn’t babies only have milk? He thought back to his nieces and nephews, and realized at this age they were eating some foods.

  He made a mental note to get a high chair. He couldn’t allow the child to sit on the floor to eat – it wasn’t hygienic. Jacob wasn’t sure what else they’d need, but he’d ask his sister. If she was living under his roof, he would attend to her needs.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to do some washing,” Magdalena told him. “I’m running short of diapers.”

  “Did you not bring enough?” Now he was getting annoyed.

  Her chin went up. “I brought all my sister had available.” She stood abruptly. “Everything happened a little over twenty-four hours before I was due to leave to come here. It was not planned. I was not supposed to bring my niece – it was to be only me.” Her face was getting redder, the more she spoke. “I had two choices – bring her with me, or leave her in an orphanage. That wasn’t about to happen.” She turned away from him. “I’m very sorry. We’ll leave if you would prefer.”

  Her shoulders were shaking as she stood with her back to him.

  Hell, now he’d made her cry. That didn’t sit well with him, not to mention what his sister would say when she got back.

  He stepped tentatively toward her, then put his arm up around her shoulders. She swung into him and cried into his chest. He didn’t know what to do except put his arms around her and give comfort.

  What would he have done in her situation? No doubt he would make the same choice – he wouldn’t leave his nieces or nephews behind, given the same circumstances.

  Without permission, his arms suddenly had a life of their own, and he began rubbing her back.

  What was wrong with him?

  “I, I’m sorry,” she said between sobs. “It’s just…”

  He looked down into her red blotchy face. “You’ve been through a lot,” he said quietly.

  He continued to comfort her. He couldn’t begin to imagine what she’d been through the past few days. She’d not only lost her sister and brother-in-law, she’d inherited a child that was not her own.

  Yes, the child was her niece, but you don’t expect to have to take on that level of responsibility. Especially without warning.

  She stopped shaking. Did that mean she’d stopped crying?

  She looked up at him, her pretty face marred by red eyes. “I’m really sorry,” she said softly. “I, I think it just all got too much.”

  He left his arms where they were. It felt good to him, and he thought it would help to comfort her a little longer.

  His fingers played against her soft cheek. “I won’t send you away,” he said gently. “You’re my wife. We’ll work it out.”

  She hiccupped then rested her head against his chest again. “Thank you.” His arms tightened around her.

  His interfering sister chose that very moment to walk through the door. “Everything is organized,” she began, then grinned.

  He waved his hand across in front of himself in an effort to stop her in her tracks. Magdalena pulled away then ran up the stairs.

  Her grin changed to a grimace. “What did you do?” She was beyond irritated and blamed him for the upset.

  “Keep your voice down,” he said between gritted teeth. “I think it’s all become too much. The shock of losing her family seems to have finally hit her.”

  “Perhaps I’ll make sure she’s alright?” Jennifer seemed uncertain how to handle this situation. It was new to both of them.

  “I’m sure that’s a brilliant idea. But what about the child?” They both looked to the floor. She was making a huge mess with the banana – squeezing it between her fingers. More was going on her clothes than in her mouth.

  He grimaced at the mess.

  “Get used to it Jacob. This is life as a parent.”

  He glared at her. “A parent? I’m not her parent. I’m nothing to this child.”

  Jennifer glared back. “She has a name. Annie. And whether or not you want to believe it, you are now effectively her father.”

  She leaned down and cleaned the child up the best she could, then stormed off to check on Magdalena. “Keep an eye on her,” she said, as she disappeared into the hall.

  He found a toy in the carriage, and handed it to the child. Er, Annie. She reached for it, then played happily with it.

  If only it would always be that easy.

  Chapter Four

  Sh
e stared at herself in the mirror.

  Her face was red and blotchy. Magdalena couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried like this. To do it in front of a total stranger was abhorrent – even if that stranger was now her husband.

  She heard a soft tap on the bathroom door. “Can I come in?” Jennifer’s voice came clearly through the door.

  She gazed at herself in the mirror again. “I guess so.” She was a total mess and wanted to crawl into a hole.

  Tears welled in her eyes again. She was certain she was all cried out, but then the vision of her sister drowning crossed her mind. A sob forced its way out, and she had no way of stopping it.

  “You poor thing,” Jennifer said gently. “Here’s a facecloth. Put some cold water on it, and put it to your face.”

  Magdalena stared at her. “It will help alleviate the redness.”

  She did as she was told. It did help, but more than anything, it made her feel a little better. “Is Annie alright?” She hoped so.

  “I told Jacob to look after her.”

  Magdalena gasped. “I’d better go.” She was about to leave when Jennifer stopped her.

  “It will do him good. Let him get used to her.”

  She sank down into the padded chair near the ornate mirror. “I shouldn’t have come here. I’ve put you all in a bad position.”

  Jennifer moved closer, then put her arm around her new sister-in-law. “What would you have done? Where would you have lived? You can’t work with a baby, so how would you have supported the two of you?”

  She was right. About everything. Apart from anything else, she would have been kicked out of the house. With William dead, the house would be passed on to his replacement.

  She swallowed back a sob, and at the floor. “I don’t know,” she said slightly above a whisper.

  Jennifer wet the cloth again and handed it to her. “Wash your face again, then have a lay down. You must be exhausted.”

  Magdalena nodded. “I am tired after that long trip. But Annie…”

  “I’ll look after Annie. You need to rest.” She was led into the bedroom where she’d changed earlier. “Lay down, and I’ll come back later.”

  She was certain she wouldn’t sleep, but pulled off her boots and did as she was told. Once she closed her eyes, she was soon fast asleep.

  When her eyes finally flickered open, she was confused. She had no idea where she was. Looking around, the room was unfamiliar, and she gasped in fright.

  She quickly sat up, and balanced on the edge of the bed. It was then she looked down and saw the wedding gown. Everything came rushing back.

  That was not necessarily a good thing.

  She went to the window and looked out. The sky was darkening. How long had she been asleep?

  Rushing to the door, she pulled it open only to find Jacob standing there, about to knock. “Ah, you’re awake.”

  She wanted to crawl into a hole. Her embarrassment was overwhelming. “I’m sorry about earlier,” she said quietly, avoiding looking into his face.

  He reached out and gently grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t apologize. You’ve endured so much lately.”

  For someone who didn’t want her there, his forgiveness was complexing.

  “It’s almost time for us to leave for this wretched wedding dinner,” he said, his annoyance evident.

  She frowned.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to celebrate. Not really. It’s just that I have no idea who my sister has dragged along to this wretched affair.” He grinned. “She can be a nuisance at times, that sister of mine.”

  She looked down at her crumpled gown. “I’ll have to change,” she said quietly. “Hopefully my other gowns are not in the same state.”

  “Before you do that, come with me, there’s something I want to show you.”

  He led her down the hall and into another bedroom. Jacob put his fingers to his lips. “She’s been asleep for sometime. Jennifer put her down.”

  Annie lay asleep in a beautifully made crib. She was wrapped in pretty blankets that Magdalena had never seen before. “How?”

  “Jennifer and I slipped out and collected the crib while you slept. Annie came with us. She was a hit with my nieces and nephews.” He smiled for probably the first time today. “They love their new cousin.”

  Did that mean everything would be alright? She didn’t dare hope for a good outcome at this point.

  He reached for her chin again. “Magdalena,” he said softly, forcing her to look at him. “We’ll work it out, I’m certain of it.”

  She nodded, but wasn’t so sure.

  “We got off to a bad start. I’m sorry – it was such a shock to see you with a baby.”

  She could totally understand that. The past days had been a shock to her. If true be told, she was still in shock over the loss of Elizabeth and William. Not to mention finding herself an instant mother to her niece.

  “You didn’t sign up for any of this,” she said quietly. So softly her voice was barely audible.

  “No, but we’re married now. You’re my wife, and I’ll take care of you both.”

  “Thank you,” she said, then moved close to him and put her arms around him. He hesitated at first, but then she felt his arms slip around her back.

  She could stand there like that forever. She felt so comfortable and so safe with him. These last days she’d felt very unsafe. Especially on the train with strangers all around her.

  Annie suddenly began to cry. Jacob’s arms slid from around her, and she felt suddenly bereft. Which was ridiculous. They’d known each other less than twenty-four hours and she already felt a connection to him, albeit very small. Did he feel the same?

  She lifted the baby out of her crib, and was immediately reward with a hug. Poor Annie, she must be confused about where her parents were, and where she was. It had been hard enough for her, and she understood what was going on. A baby of this age couldn’t possibly understand.

  “Let’s get you changed and fed.” She glanced around the room. “Where did all those diapers come from?” She was confused. She only had a handful of clean diapers left.

  “I bought them. Jennifer was a big help – she knew exactly what you would need. There are a few other items in the cupboard.”

  Magdalena put Annie back in the crib while she checked it out. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You just said it. We’ll get more when you know what is required.”

  She took Annie from the crib again and began to change her. Her life had taken a totally different turn. She was yet to find out if that was good or bad.

  Jacob sat back and studied the room.

  There weren’t as many people at the wedding reception as he’d envisaged. Just a handful of close friends and family. And of course his secretary Abigail.

  Magdalena sat beside him looking petrified. And why shouldn’t she? She didn’t know these people. She knew Jennifer of course, but both his sister and himself were almost complete strangers to her.

  It was less than twelve hours since they’d met. He gazed at her thoughtfully. The baby carriage sat next to her – she’d made it abundantly clear she wouldn’t let the child out of her sight.

  And who could blame her? Surrounded by strangers, and in an unknown environment. He would be the same if it was his child.

  That made him pause.

  In effect it was his child. Perhaps not by blood, but certainly by marriage.

  His head shot up when a chair scraped across the floor. “Thank you all for coming tonight.” His brother-in-law Charles stood with a glass of champagne in his hand. “I’d like to invite you all to join me in a toast.”

  He lifted the glass to the guests. “To Jacob and Magdalena. May your marriage be long and fruitful.”

  He turned to Jacob and winked. His wife blushed and slid down in her seat. He glared at Charles who’s only response was to grin. The man could be so unrefined at times.

&
nbsp; Reaching across, he snatched up Magdalena’s hand and squeezed it. “Take no notice,” he whispered. “He thinks he’s funny, but he’s not.”

  She nodded, but still looked embarrassed.

  As their guests toasted them, Jacob stood. “I’d like to make a toast too,” he said, still holding his wife’s hand. “To my beautiful wife. It may not have been the start we’d expected, but things can only get better.”

  “To Magdalena.”

  “We are also welcoming her niece into our family. Due to tragic circumstances, Annie will be living with us.”

  He heard the gasps from their guests. It was better it was out in the open than to have unfounded rumors abound.

  Before anyone could say or do anything, the meals were served. Jacob was certain this was the easy part. Making this marriage work would be the most difficult thing by far.

  She hadn’t expected Jacob to announce Annie as part of their new family. He seemed to have an issue with her, but perhaps it was a case of her being unexpected.

  She was still walking around stunned with the events of the past days. It was less than a week since the tragic accident, since she’d had to assume the position of mother to her niece.

  It was definitely a struggle, and she prayed it would get easier. More than anything, she prayed that Jacob would assume the role of father.

  The way things stood right now, that didn’t seem possible. He rarely called her Annie, instead, preferring to call her the child.

  Jennifer warned her it might take time. Her brother was thirty-four years old, and had been a confirmed bachelor since his teenage years.

  He’d always vowed never to marry, and never have children. He only tolerated her children because they were family. She was almost positive of it.

  She didn’t say this to put him in a bad light, Jennifer explained. Only to clarify his strange behavior when it came to Annie.

  Magdalena didn’t know what to make of it.

  After having a bottle, Annie had slept through most of the dinner. The train trip had no doubt exhausted her.

  Jacob had arranged for a cab to take them home. She wondered what would happen after that. She hoped he would give her some time to get used to being his wife. As a spinster, she’d had no experience whatsoever with men – that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.