Nellie (The Brides of San Francisco Book 1) (21 page)

“Yes, I do.” He cupped her cheeks and gazed into her eyes. “You’re my wife and I should have believed you.”

“What are we going to do now?” She broke away and paced the room. “I want to continue to have someone with my children all the time. Otis or James will do, they would protect Henry and Violet with their lives. Any of the staff would. They’ve become quite fond of them in the two months we’ve been here.”

“The first thing we are doing is having breakfast.” He put his arm around her waist and led her toward the door. “How’s your morning sickness? Getting better?”

“Yes, but I still only have tea and toast for breakfast. I do make up for it at lunch though.”

They walked arm and arm to the dining room. James had breakfast laid out on the sidebar.

“Coffee for me James and tea for Mrs. Malone.”

“On its way, sir.”

Blake held Nellie’s chair and pushed her in after she sat.

“Tomorrow is the dinner party. Are you still up for it or would you rather cancel. We’ll need to send the notices today if we do,” said Blake.

James set her tea cup on the table in front of her.

“Thank you, James.” She took a sip of the hot brew, and closed her eyes as it worked its magic.

Blake knew the tea helped settle her stomach, where-as the coffee did not.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

“We should go about as planned,” said Nellie. “We can’t let Maddie dictate our lives for us. We simply must take all precautions.”

“I’m contacting the Pinkerton Detective Agency, the same one Mr. Formby works for, to see about hiring bodyguards for the time being,” said Blake.

He took a sip of his coffee. The strong, black brew burnt his tongue and throat all the way to his gullet.

“Thank you. I hate this, living in fear.”

He reached over and patted her hand. “I know you do. I’m so sorry for this.”

“It’s not your fault that she’s crazy.”

“Perhaps, but I should have believed you. I should have—”

“Stop.” She leaned over and placed her fingers on his lips. “There is nothing more you could’ve done than what you did. I know that, and so do you. We’ll just move on from here.”

“You’re so good to me.” He gazed at her beautiful face. Her eyes shining a deep, emerald green, seemed to sparkle now. “I must have done something right in a previous life to deserve you.”

The dining room door opened and the children entered, followed by Bertha, their chatter filling the room.

Nellie sighed.

He felt it, too. Their private time was gone.

“Good morning,” said Nellie. “How are my babies today?”

“Mama, I’m not a baby,” whined Henry as he scowled.

“Yeah, I’m not a baby either,” said Violet, mimicking Henry.

“You both will always be my babies, no matter how old you are.” She smiled at each of them. “That’s just the way it is between mothers and children.”

“Fathers, too,” said Blake.

“Am I your baby?” Violet asked Blake.

“Always. Now come here both of you, and give your mother a kiss.”

The children dutifully obeyed, and then sat at the table.

“Good morning to you too, Bertha,” said Nellie. “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, yes, ma’am. Always do.” Bertha filled her plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and toast made with sourdough bread. The bread was popular with the miners because it lasted a lot longer than regular bread before growing mold.

Blake watched Nellie look with longing at Bertha’s plate. “It won’t be long before you can enjoy breakfast again, will it?”

“No, I get better every day. I’ll wait another few weeks before I try again.”

“Understandable. We’ll leave the containers in the rooms until you are sure it is over.”

“Blake, can I ask you a question?” said Henry as he stood at the sideboard.

“Of course, you can. Anything.”

“Are you my father now too, or just Violet’s since she didn’t have one before.”

“I’m your father, too…if you’ll have me.”

“Yes, sir. I think I would like that.”

“What will you call me, Henry? I need to know what to answer to.”

Henry thought for a moment. “I think I shall call you Papa. My other father was Daddy, so I think you should be Papa.”

“Very good. Thank you, Henry, I’m very honored to be your papa.”

Henry nodded. Then ran to Blake, threw his arms around his neck and hugged him.

Blake enveloped the boy in his arms. He’d been waiting for this. Hoping that Henry would accept him. He glanced at Nellie and saw tears in her eyes and then she smiled. The feeling of completeness was overwhelming. Finally, he relaxed and set Henry away from him.

“Now sit down, son, and eat your breakfast.”

“Yes, Papa.”

Henry walked back to the sideboard and filled a plate with steaming offerings. Blake watched the boy and realized he was growing like a weed. His pants were already too short and topped his ankles.

“Nellie, you need to get new clothes for Henry again. He’s nearly grown out of those.”

“I know.” She let out a sigh. “I’m just waiting a little longer. I’d like for them to last as long as possible.”

“Don’t wait.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Look at it this way, it’s more clothing for the needy people at the shanty town.”

“Speaking of that, I plan to ask the ladies who attend our dinner tomorrow about donating to the widows and orphans of the shanty town. The reverend may not like you, or me for that matter, but he won’t turn down our offerings.” She nibbled on the toasted sourdough bread,. If she took small bites, she found the food more likely to stay down.

Blake placed his hand on top of Nellie’s. “You have a good soul, love, a very good soul. The reverend surely must see that.”

He watched her blush, and felt the warmth in his own chest. He liked to make her blush, especially when they were making love. The rosy color covered her from her breasts to the top of her head.

“I must go to work.”

“Please be careful.”

“I will, now give me a kiss.”

She stood, and Blake took her in his arms. He kissed her soundly, as if it was their last kiss and he wanted her to remember him forever.

*****

Nellie dressed in the black lace evening gown she’d had made. When Blake saw her in it, he wanted to make love to her or forbid her to wear it. He couldn’t seem to make up his mind. She smiled at the memory.

Dinner went well and the ladies retired to the parlor for tea, while Blake and the gentlemen went to the library for brandy, cigars and gossip. Though Blake told her they conducted only business discussions.

“So, Nellie, tell us about this woman who crashed your last party. I’m told it was quite exciting. Do you think she’ll do it again?” asked Mrs. Maude Fairmont. An older woman, she was dressed in dark gray. She was sturdily built and the dress flattered her, with its tight waist and small bustle.

All the ladies sat on the chairs or divan with the tea tray on the table between them. Six ladies in all were present. Nellie had James move two extra chairs into the parlor in anticipation of the evening’s festivities. Maude sat on the divan with Nellie.

“I doubt very seriously she will be making a repeat appearance. She’d had too much to drink the last time and…uh…apologized for her behavior.”

“Oh, how disappointing,” said Maude, as she sipped her tea.

“Yes, well, I have something else to discuss with you all. As you are probably aware, a shanty town sits on the outskirts of our fair city. The women and children there are in dire straits. I’m collecting food and clothing to take to them, and would like to know if you would care to donate to the cause. Anything would be appreciated. We could start a widows and orphans fund.”

“That shanty town is unsightly and should be torn down,” said one of the women with a jerk of her head.

“Hush, Harriet, before you display your ignorance,” said Maude with a narrowed glance.

Nellie suddenly realized that Maude was definitely the leader. The other women would fall into line behind her. “What do you say, Maude? These ladies will do whatever you do.” She swept her arm about, taking in all the finely-dressed women.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.” Maude leaned forward and looked around the circle. “We’ve needed something to do. We can run raffles a couple of times a year, and have a ball where we raise money. We could build an orphanage for the children.”

“Yes, that’s a marvelous idea. Thank you, Maude,” said Nellie with a smile for the older woman.

“You’re welcome. Now, tell us when you are going to have your baby.” The older woman smiled and patted Nellie’s hand.

“What? How did you know?” Her hand went protectively to her stomach.

“I have six children and eight grandchildren, with another on the way. I can tell when a woman is enceinte.” She nodded. “Besides, my husband told me. Blake told him, and is apparently thoroughly delighted with the prospect of being a father.”

“He’s already a father. My children adore him and he them, but this will be his first experience with a baby.” Nellie sipped her now tepid tea.

“Well, take it from me, babies always scare men. It’s because they are so small, you see,” said Maude.

The other four women nodded.

“It’s true,” said Harriet, a woman of about forty with blonde hair and blue eyes. “My husband won’t have anything to do with the children until they can mind what he says. So far that’s been about age six. He doesn’t like them younger than that.”

“Blake is not that way at all,” said Nellie, aiming her remark at Harriet, who Nellie figured had nothing in her head but air. “My little one, Violet, has had him wrapped around her finger since they first met.” She looked around at the ladies, suddenly aware she hadn’t acted as hostess since entering the room. “Would any of you care for more tea?”

“No, thank you,” was the response from everyone.

“I’ll be around on Wednesday to collect your donations. Then I’ll take them to the reverend at the church on Thursday.”

“That’s sounds fine,” said Maude.

Within moments, the gentlemen returned and collected their wives. James and Nellie saw to it that all the ladies had their stoles and their evening bags.

Maude made Nellie lean down, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You have a good heart, Nellie Malone. Blake was very lucky the day you came into his life.”

Nellie’s cheeks burned. “Thank you. I think we were both lucky.”

“Just so,” said Maude, then she took her husband’s arm and walked out into the night.

Blake closed the door after the last guest left and leaned back against it. Then he walked to Nellie, lifted her into his arms and swung her in a circle.

“Blake,” she squealed. “Put me down.”

He stopped, but continued to hold her, a light in his eyes.

She put her hands on his shoulders for balance.

“They said yes. They’re approving my application, and it’s thanks to you. All of their wives have told them the amusement park is a good idea. That’s what I’ve decided to call it. An amusement park. We’ll have pony rides, paddle boats, places for picnicking all in one place. It’ll be a great place for families to come for the day.”

She leaned down and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered her to her feet. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Come to bed and I’ll show you just how great my thanks are.”

“Oooh, that sounds like a good idea, Mr. Malone. I do believe I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Blake carried her up the stairs, with her giggling the whole way.

When they arrived at her bedroom door, he finally let her down and followed her inside to her dressing room. He undid the buttons at the back of her dress, slipping it off her shoulders, caressing her arms as his hands trailed after the dress.

Blake pulled her back against his chest and slipped his hands into the top of her corset, rubbing his fingers over her nipples and then lightly pinching them.

Nellie’s head lolled back against him and she moaned. “Blake, please.”

“Let’s get out of these clothes and make love, Nellie.”

“Yes, let’s”

With the pile of clothes at her feet, she turned to Blake. He already had off his shoes, jacket, tie and was working on his shirt. Nellie unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down with his underdrawers. She was gratified and her pulse began to race, when his member sprang free of the restraints of clothing.

She smiled. “I’d say you’re looking forward to this. You’ve come prepared.”

“With you, I’m always prepared. Come.” He took her hand and led her to the bed.

She lay down in the center of the mattress. Blake came down beside her. He caressed her, lightly running his fingers over her stomach, up to her breasts. He rubbed, flicked, and pinched her nipples until they stood up, hard little nubs.

“You have beautiful nipples, did you know that?”