The Marriage Mishap

Adam tapped his cigar in the ashtray on his father’s desk, surprised he’d waited this long to bring up the subject. “Don’t you mean, what is she?”

He threw a look over his shoulder that offered no apology, and turned to stare out the window again.

“Her grandfather is Cyrus Hasting of San Francisco. I think you’re familiar with the family. Banking, real estate, shipping, railroads.”

He grunted—a sound Adam interrupted as favorable.

“Her mother’s a widow, prominent in social circles.”

Martin snorted distastefully.

“She’s here visiting her aunt on her mother’s side, Harriet Covington.”

“Damn. Too bad old Ben Covington died already. We could use another supporter in the legislature.”

Adam puffed on his cigar again. “All in all, an acceptable pedigree.”

“Oscar check her out?”

“He did.”

“No skeletons in her closet?”

Adam shifted in the chair. “None I’m concerned about.”

A long moment dragged by. “Well, it’s about damn time you got yourself a wife. I don’t know what the hell you were waiting for. Bring her to dinner tonight.”

Dinner at his father’s house was definitely not the evening he had planned.

Martin looked over his shoulder. “I want to meet her.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Gwen—”

“I’ll handle Gwen.” Martin turned. “Bring her over. I want to meet the woman who’ll give me my grandchildren.”

“Good evening, sir.”

Adam passed his valise to Bernard. Maybe it was his imagination, but the house seemed to smell sweeter tonight. He’d certainly been more anxious than usual to get home.

“Where is Haley?”

Bernard inclined his head toward the back of the house. “In the solarium, I believe, sir.”

“Is she ready to go?”

“I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know.”

He frowned. “You told her, didn’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

Adam passed through the arched doorway and headed down the hall toward the solarium, but caught sight of Haley in his study. “What are you doing in here?”

She looked up from her seat behind his desk. “Good evening to you, too.”

Light from the gas jets bathed her in hues of pink. Adam rubbed his forehead and stopped in front of the desk. “What are you looking at?”

“Don’t you know?” She glanced down at the blueprints laid out before her. “You’re designing them, aren’t you?”

“I just didn’t expect to find you in here.”

She sat back. “Is this room off-limits?”

“No,” he said quickly. “This is your home now. As I said, you can do with it what you choose.”

“Good, because I’d like to—”

“Don’t tell me.” Adam held up his hand. He’d had his fill of settling servant squabbles, looking at household budgets and worrying over windowsills being dusted in the past few months. He hadn’t thought having a large house would be such a burden. “Just do whatever you want.”

Haley shrugged. “Well, if you’re certain.”

“I’m certain.”

“What are these things, anyway?”

Surprised at her interest, Adam stepped behind the desk. “Plans for some new houses.”

She tilted her head one way, then the other. “They are?”

Adam leaned forward and ran his finger down the lines on the paper. “See? These are walls. These represent windows and doors, bedrooms, parlors.”

“Oh.” She looked up at him. “Aren’t they rather small?”

Her breasts swelled the bodice of her gown, noticeable now because he was looking down on her. Adam’s breath caught. “No, they’re not small at all. They’re full and soft and—”

“The houses are full and sort?” Haley stared down at the blueprints again.

“The houses—oh yes, the houses.” God, what had he just said? “Actually, they are small, but that’s what McKettrick wants. He’s expanding, building a new factory and he wants to provide housing for his workers.”

“And they want to live in these tiny little houses?”

She looked up at him again, and Adam felt his knees weaken. He turned away quickly and grabbed a decanter from the table beneath the window. “It’s a lot of houses, all generally small. That’s what McKettrick wants.”

“Well…I suppose.” Haley folded her hands in her lap.

Adam poured himself a bourbon, and a little smile tugged at his lips. “Did you have a visitor today?”

“Yes, I did. Mr. Havermeyer stopped by this afternoon.”

Thoroughly pleased with himself, Adam sipped his drink and turned to her. “Well? What did you pick out?”

The neat little bearded man had shown up in her parlor with a case full of jewelry. Pick whatever she wanted, he’d said. All her husband had insisted upon was that she have a gold wedding band.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Adam frowned. “You need a wedding band, Haley. It’s hardly proper for you to be seen in public without one. And I told Havermeyer to let you have whatever else you wanted. I expected you to be pleased.”

Haley sat back in the deep leather chair. “Had I been married to Mr. Havermeyer, I would have been very pleased to pick out a wedding band with him.”

What was wrong with this woman? He’d sent a jeweler displaying exquisite gems and she’d not wanted anything? What kind of nonsense was she talking, anyway?

Adam tossed down his bourbon. “Are you ready to go?”

“Go where?”

His jaw tightened as he gazed down at her. “To my father’s for dinner. I sent word to Bernard for you to be ready when I got home.”

“I don’t take instructions from servants.”

She said it so sweetly that a moment passed before the meaning sunk in. Anger coiled in his chest. “This is how I have my household set up. Bernard handles my schedule.”

“Then perhaps Bernard will go to dinner with you tonight.” She rose sedately and crossed the room. At the door, she stopped and looked back at him. “I am prepared to go…this time.”

Stunned, Adam stared as she sashayed from the room.

They didn’t speak as they rode to his father’s house in town. Adam smoked four cigarettes, one after another, tossing the butts out the window, stealing glances at his new wife across the darkened carriage.

He had a way with women, or so he’d always thought. He could be generous, thoughtful, kind— even charming, when necessary. Women fawned over him. Mothers, aunts and grandmothers pushed their daughters, nieces and granddaughters at him. Certainly they all thought him a handsome catch. The Lord knew, enough eligible young women had been paraded in front of him.

Adam’s shoulders squared as he gazed at Haley in the shadows. So what was wrong with this woman? Nothing he did made any difference. The house he’d given her, the jewelry he’d offered hadn’t affected her in the least. Haley seemed totally immune.

Adam grunted and turned away. Not only had he been unable to charm her, he couldn’t even get her to like him. And if he couldn’t get her to like him, how was he ever going to get her into bed with him?

Adam slouched on the leather seat and lit another cigarette.

Darkness had descended over the city when the carriage stopped outside the Harrington’s large home. Adam escorted her up the walk and spoke to the butler who greeted them.

There was a settled look about the house, as if it had been there for years, just as it sat tonight. It was immaculate, almost as though no one lived there. It gave Haley an eerie feeling.

Adam introduced her to his family, and they spoke politely before settling around the dining room table. Almost immediately, Adam and his father began discussing business.

At the head of the table, Martin Harrington was a commanding sight, tall and straight despite his silver hair. Beside Adam sat his sister, Gwen, dark-haired and green-eyed, like Adam. With her mother gone, Haley wondered why Gwen wasn’t seated at the foot of the table, as the mistress of the house should be. Nearing thirty, there was a hardness about her. Probably a pretty girl once, lines and creases showed in her face. Or was it something else that had aged her? Haley pretended not to notice that Gwen was on her fourth glass of wine.

At Haley’s right sat Kip, tomorrow’s birthday boy. Small and thin, he pushed his food around his plate. Though with his light brown hair and blue eyes he hardly resembled his older brother and sister physically, Haley found a connection; he looked as bored as the rest of them.

Finally something in the conversation caught her ear. Haley perked up. “The McKettrick plans? Adam and I were discussing them this evening.”

Everything in the room stopped. All eyes riveted her. Adam blanched. Kip and Gwen looked at her as if she’d just suggested they all disrobe and wallow in the rice pudding. Martin looked as though he’d been violated.

Haley’s stomach hardened into a knot. She smiled. “The plans looked very interesting. Have you seen them, Mr. Harrington?”

“No, I haven’t.” He shoved a spoonful of pudding into his mouth and looked away.

“You’ve seen the plans? The treasured, gold-plated McKettrick plans?” Gwen rolled her eyes with mock envy and lifted her glass. “A reason to celebrate! More wine!”

Martin glared at her.

“Can I be excused?” Kip dropped his napkin beside his plate, as if he’d been waiting for an opportunity to escape.

“Eat.” Martin barked.

“I don’t like it.” Kip slapped his fork down.

Martin pointed at him. “I don’t care what you like—”

“It tastes like garbage! I want to be excused!”

“Not until you finish your meal.”

Gwen looked across the table at Kip. “Oh, go ahead. You can leave.”

Martin’s jaw tightened. “The boy needs to eat. He’s skinny as a rail.”

“Well, you certainly know what’s best, don’t you, Father?” Sarcasm dripped from each taunting word. Gwen banged her spoon against her glass. “I said, more wine!”

A doorbell chimed through the house. Martin slammed his spoon on the table. “Who the devil is that, coming to call at the dinner hour?”

“I’ll see!” Kip ran from the room.

“Come back here!” Martin yelled.

Gwen glared at him defiantly, then laughed.

“Damn it,” Martin mumbled. He tossed his napkin on the table and stalked from the room.

Gwen waved her glass. “I guess I’ll have to get my own wine.” She wobbled away.

Adam stared at his plate. Haley couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or simply accustomed to their behavior.

She pressed her fingers to her lips, as if trying to recall something. “So, what did you tell me was the reason you moved into your own home?”

He looked up at her, and she gave him a smile. Adam relaxed marginally. “It was a tough decision.” He tossed his napkin on the table. “Let’s get out of here.”

He clasped her elbow and they headed for the foyer, but commotion in the front of the house stopped them. The front door stood open, and two men were piling trunks in the foyer.

“Well, I’ll be. It’s Isabelle.” A genuine smile parted Adam’s lips, and he went into the parlor.

Haley followed and saw a tall, statuesque woman in traveling clothes standing in the middle of the room. Gray streaked her black hair. Kip was at her elbow, looking mystified, while Gwen sipped another glass of wine. Shoulders hunched, Martin stood in the corner.

“Where have you been, Aunt Izzy?” Kip asked anxiously. “Lots of great places?”

“You dear, dear boy. The world—I’ve been around the world, I tell you. Wait until you see what I’ve brought for you.” Isabelle gestured grandly with her hands.

Gwen raised her glass in a toast. “Here’s hoping it’s liquid.”

“Adam!” Isabelle’s gaze fell on him, and she threw out her arms. “Come here, you handsome thing.”

“I missed you, Aunt Izzy.” He crossed the room and reached for her hands.

“Wait!” Isabelle’s eyes bulged, and she threw out her palm, stopping him. She pressed her thumb and forefinger to her temple. “Don’t move.”

Kip’s eyes widened. “Are you getting a reading, Aunt Izzy?”

“Oh, for God’s sake…” Martin groaned.

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m getting something.” Isabelle rotated her outstretched palm in a circular motion. “Yes, yes, I’m picking up another aura.”

“I know who it is,” Kip exclaimed. “Adam got married.”

Her eyes popped open. “Married!”

Adam smiled and gave her a hug.

“Martin finally goaded you into it, huh? What did he do, get you drunk and have the ceremony performed while you were unconscious?”

Adam caught Haley’s gaze and saw the sharp intake of her breath. His chest tightened.

“Well, where is she? I’ve got to see this new blood. It’s about time you and Amelia tied the knot.”

Haley left her station in the doorway, then stopped dead in her tracks. An embarrassed silence fell over the room, and Adam shifted uncomfortably.

He took her arm. “Aunt Izzy, my wife, Haley. Haley, this is my aunt, Isabelle Gladmore.”

Isabelle looked confused. “But what happened to—? Never mind, she had a strange aura, anyway.” She gave Haley a solid hug. “Welcome to the family, my dear.”

Despite her own heart’s pounding, Haley liked Isabelle immediately.

“I got the letters you sent, Aunt Izzy.” Kip’s eyes were bright. “Did you get to go to England?”

She dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “England—boring, boring people there. No, dear, I sailed to Hawaii. Beautiful, pristine beaches and simple grass huts. I fell into a deep friendship with Queen Liliuokalani. She gave me my own island.”

“Gosh.”

“Can’t you just go places like other people?” Martin complained. “Proper places?”

Isabelle pinched her lips distastefully. “Winter in New York, spring in Europe, summer in Newport. No, thank you.”

“Where else did you go?” Kip asked anxiously.

“To the Far East, where I had an acquaintance with a Japanese baron. I visited Burma, and lived in the harem of an Indian maharaja—as an observer, of course.”

“What’s a harem?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Isabelle,” Martin barked. “Not in front of the boy.”

She turned to him. “And I didn’t forget my only brother. Wait until you see what I brought you from China.”

“Whatever it is, I don’t want it.”

“I’ve collected the most fabulous Oriental art.” She whirled to face Haley again. “You’ve got to see them.”

“I’ve got to,” she agreed. “You must come over soon.”

“You have your own home?” Isabelle eyed Adam. “So, one of you finally escaped this mausoleum. Good for you!”

“All right, all right, go get settled upstairs.” Martin waded into the cluster of people in the center of the room, dispersing them. “I guess you’re staying here.”

“How long will you be with us, Aunt Izzy?” Kip asked.

She patted his slim shoulders. “Until the wind whips in from the east and whispers that it’s time to go.”

Martin rolled his eyes. “Christ…”

“I’m glad you’re here, Aunt Izzy, because—”

“Wait!” She threw out her palm again and touched her temple. “I’m getting something.”

Kip’s eyes widened. “Another reading, Aunt Izzy?”

The room fell silent while Izzy closed her eyes, communing with some unknown force. After a moment, she shook it off. “Never mind. It was nothing. Stand aside, everyone. I have gifts to unpack.”

As they all headed out the door, Isabelle caught Adam’s arm. “I must speak with you,” she whispered.

Adam bent down. “What is it, Aunt Izzy?”

“It’s your wife. I’m picking up a strange reading from her.”

“From Haley?” Adam managed not to laugh at the concern that marked his aunt’s brow. She was a dear, and he loved her, mostly because of her eccentric behavior. She’d claimed to get strange readings from Kip and Gwen for years, but it meant nothing.

“Watch over her, Adam.”

“I will, Aunt Izzy.”

She laid her hand on his arm and looked up solemnly at him. “Something is amiss with that young woman, I just can’t pinpoint it. Watch over her closely. A life hangs in the balance.”

Chapter Five

It was only a door.

Adam rolled the glass of bourbon between his palms and contemplated the carved wood and the brass knob before him. Not only was it merely a door, it was his door. He’d designed it, he’d selected the wood and hardware, he’d overseen its installation— he’d even paid for the damn thing. He could open it if he wanted to. Right?

Wrong.

He sagged against the door frame of his own bedchamber, staring across the sitting room at Haley’s door. She was in there. A crack of light shone on the carpet. It had been silent in there for a few minutes now. Chrissy had gone, surely. Haley was ready for bed.

His insides flamed; they’d been simmering all evening, even at his father’s house. The woman was driving him crazy with want. Whatever she possessed that had caused him to marry her on the spur of the moment still plagued him. And unless he started doing something about it, he’d be in no condition to be seen in public ever again.

Adam set his glass aside and approached the door. He’d planned to give her a few more nights before he paid a call; he’d thought it the decent thing to do, given that they had skipped the courtship and gone straight to the honeymoon. And once he’d formulated a plan, he didn’t change it. But now he had to deal with extenuating circumstances, which were pressing against his fly. That made a change in plans more than acceptable.

However, the problem of the closed door remained. Adam rubbed his hands together. He was setting a precedent here. If he knocked, he’d be obligated to knock every time. He didn’t like asking permission for anything.

Adam opened the door slowly. “Haley?”

She sat on the bench in front of the vanity, studying her reflection in the large oval mirror as she brushed her hair. Turning, she looked surprised, but not shocked; it pleased him.

Adam gazed around. “All settled?”

She turned back to the mirror and ran the brush through her hair. “Yes, I think so.”

“Good, good.” He eased across the room and stood behind her where he could view both her back and her front reflected in the mirror. She wore a longsleeved dressing gown that covered her ankles and buttoned up to a high collar. It was white, and made her look very pure and innocent.

Adam slid his hands in his pockets, jingling his coins. “Sorry about Aunt Izzy.”

Haley stroked the brush through her hair and glimpsed his reflection in the mirror. He wore the same dark suit he’d worn to dinner, but his jacket was off, the sleeves of his white shirt turned back, exposing his hairy wrists; his collar stood open.

“Don’t be silly,” she said. “I loved your aunt.”

“She’s a crazy old bird.” He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. “Her and her…readings.”

“I liked her.”

“She travels extensively, knows people from one end of the globe to the other. She’s been married three times that I know of. Martin claims more than that.”

“So many husbands?” Haley’s gaze met his in the mirror. “How does she get rid of them all?”

The gleam in her eye unsettled him. “Never mind.”

A moment passed while Adam studied the vanity. An assortment of delicate porcelain bottles, decanters and jars sat there, pale blue, pink. There was a green atomizer with a feather sticking out, and a huge powder puff. A jeweled hand mirror and comb lay to one side. Mysterious woman things. It smelled good here. He liked it.

“Who is Amelia?”

Adam’s heart rose in his throat. His gaze dropped to the carpet, and he studied the tips of his shoes for a moment. “No one special,” he finally said, and lifted his gaze to meet Haley’s in the mirror. “She left a long time ago. Aunt Izzy is a bit out of touch.”

Her woman’s heart swelled, and Haley knew there was more, but she let it go. “I thought I’d invite your sister for luncheon this week.”

Startled, he looked in the mirror and met her gaze. “Gwen? You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s the proper thing to do. That is one of the reasons I’m here, isn’t it? To insure you maintain the proper social position?”

Yes, it was, but it sounded cold, hearing her say it. He shrugged. “No need to be proper with family.”

“I’d like to get to know her better. I had no sisters of my own, you know. She must be only a few years younger than you.”

He thought for a moment. “Thirty, this year.”

“Married? Children?”

“Gwen never married.”

“That’s odd. Is she one of those career women?” Scandalous as it was, the idea of a job excited Haley, but she couldn’t imagine Martin Harrington allowing it.

Adam frowned distastefully. “No, of course not.”

Haley shrugged. “Then I wonder why she never married?”

Adam eased closer, drawn by the delicate scent wafting up from her. “Maybe she just never drank the punch at a wedding.”

Haley froze as she felt his hand in the back of her hair. Soft, gentle, exploring fingers. Her body tingled, urging her to lean back, just enough to feel him against her. His hand plowed deeper, and she felt the warmth of his fingertips against her neck. Delightful. She wanted to melt against him. She wanted to encourage him. She wanted to—

Be anything but a lady?

Aunt Harriet flashed in her mind like a demon nightmare, cooling her runaway desire. Well-bred gentlemen like Adam Harrington expected a lady for a wife, she’d said. And Haley must be a lady—at all times.

Surely this was one of those times Aunt Harriet had alluded to. Haley forced herself to lean away from him and lay her hairbrush on the vanity. She didn’t dare look in the mirror, fearing she’d see wanton desire in her face. What would Adam think of her if he saw it, too?

She looked embarrassed, but he’d expected she’d need some coaxing. Since she wasn’t out of her head with drink this time, it would be different. But did she have to look so damn virginal? It was bad enough she had on that white dressing gown; did she have to lower those long lashes of hers so demurely? And this room. He’d like to kick the decorator in the butt right now for convincing him to do it in powder blue and white. Why hadn’t he insisted on red with black lace?

Adam touched her shoulders and squeezed them gently. “Well, good night.” He bent and planted a kiss atop her hair, drinking in the sweet smell of her hair.

Haley cleared her throat. “Good night.”

He left her room. Next time, he’d bring a punch bowl with him.

They ate breakfast facing each other from opposite ends of the long dining room table, but spoke little. Adam kept his nose buried in Engineering News and sipped his usual Bloody Mary. The fact that after he’d come to her bedchamber last night he still considered her a lady brought Haley little comfort.

In the foyer, he and Bernard went through their usual morning ritual, and he left.

“Bernard? Did you get Kip his birthday present?”

“It will be delivered today, madam, the thirteenth.”

“What did you get him?”

“A poetry collection bound in Moroccan leather. Quite valuable.”

Just what every thirteen-year-old boy wanted. Haley forced a smile. “Thank you, Bernard.”

“Yes, madam.”

The butler was halfway across the foyer before she realized he was gone. “Bernard? When Edward returns with the carriage, have him wait out front for me, please.”

The instructions seemed to throw him. “But, madam—”

“It’s all right, Bernard. I’m not part of Mr. Harrington’s schedule.”

“Yes, madam.” He slipped silently from the foyer.

An hour later, Haley made sure to notice the driver when he jumped down from the carriage in front of the house. Chrissy seemed quite taken with the young man, and had even asked to come along today, just to see him again. Not particularly tall, but very muscular, Edward handed Haley up into the carriage with a confident air and a pleasant smile.

The house needed a woman’s touch, Adam had said, and Haley agreed. She jotted down a few notes as the carriage made its way into the city—places she wanted to shop, things she intended to purchase. The pieces Adam had furnished the house with were all good, but it needed some things to warm it up. Haley couldn’t bear the thought of her home looking as stark and cold as her father-in-law’s house.