For the Roses

  “I was trying to dump her,” Clive shouted.

  Mary Rose closed her eyes. Douglas was still tugging on her arm, and Clive was on her other side pulling on her hand. Honest to heaven, she wasn’t up to this today. She hurt all over, and she really didn’t want to waste time trying to fix something that couldn’t be fixed. They were stuck with Eleanor Border whether they liked it or not.

  “She’ll apologize to Adam,” she promised.

  “Or what?” Travis asked.

  “Or she’ll leave,” Mary Rose promised.

  “What about me, Miss Mary? She called me an ignorant mule. She said I didn’t know what a bath was. She said a lot of other nasty things about me too, but I ain’t gonna repeat them. She’s got the sting of a hornet, I’m telling you. And for what? All I did was try to pitch her out at the junction. Was that a crime, I ask you? You know I’ve got my standards.”

  “Yes, I know. No one’s ever going to find out you broke your policy to bring her here. None of us will tell anyone. Eleanor’s going to apologize to you too, Clive. She’ll pay for a brand-new hat. Will that make you feel better?”

  Clive looked like he wanted to weep with gratitude. Mary Rose patted him.

  “You’re a good man to put up with her. I know how she can be. She was my roommate at school. I’m so sorry you were inconvenienced.”

  Clive leaned forward. “And terrorized, Miss Mary. I ain’t afraid to admit it.”

  Cole rolled his eyes toward heaven. “I say we set the coach on fire. She’ll get out fast then. I’ll buy you a new one, Clive.”

  Mary Rose closed her eyes again. She decided not to waste any more time soothing anyone. She pulled away from her brother and ran over to the side of the stagecoach.

  Clive backed up all the way to the steps leading up to the porch.

  Mary Rose knocked on the door and then tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge.

  “Eleanor, I’m home now. Please open the door,” she called out. “It’s Mary Rose.”

  She heard the click of the bolt as it was unlocked. She opened the door then and climbed inside. Before anyone could see inside, she shut the door behind her.

  There was enough of a crack between the curtains for light to filter inside the coach. Mary Rose took one look at Eleanor and was immediately flooded with guilt over all the stories she’d ever told about her. Her old roommate looked terrified. She was huddled in the corner of the coach and was visibly shaking with fear. Tears streamed down her face.

  Mary Rose sat down on the bench across from Eleanor and started to lean forward to take hold of her hand. She noticed the gun then. Eleanor was holding it in her lap. The barrel was pointed at Mary Rose.

  She wasn’t alarmed. Just nervous. Eleanor was looking at her, but Mary Rose didn’t think she was really seeing her.

  “When did you get a gun?” she asked.

  “Last week.”

  “Do you know how to use it?”

  “Not yet. I’ll learn.”

  “Guns are dangerous, Eleanor. You shouldn’t be carrying one.”

  “I cut my hair. Do you like it?”

  Mary Rose wasn’t at all surprised by the question. Eleanor had always tended to be a little self-involved. Her appearance came before everything else—apparently even terror.

  The poor woman was so frightened, her hands were shaking. She had a wild look in her eyes, and Mary Rose was suddenly reminded of a deer trapped in a tangled mass of brier.

  Eleanor was a strikingly pretty woman with dark black-brown hair and vivid green eyes. Her hair used to be shoulder length but now only just covered her ears. It was curly everywhere and very pretty.

  “Yes, I do like your hair. It’s lovely.”

  She kept her voice whisper soft. She didn’t want to startle Eleanor, and her movements were slow and measured as she reached over and turned the weapon until the barrel pointed toward the floor. She then gently pried the gun out of Eleanor’s hand. Her friend watched what she was doing, but didn’t try to stop her.

  “You don’t have to be afraid any longer. You’re safe now. Everything’s going to be all right.”

  “No, it isn’t going to be all right. Nothing can ever be the same. I didn’t want to come here. You know how I dislike primitive conditions.”

  “If you didn’t want to come here, why did you?”

  “I didn’t have any other place to go.”

  She finally really looked at Mary Rose. Her eyes filled with fresh tears.

  Eleanor looked miserable and still very afraid. Mary Rose decided to find out what had caused her to become so frightened. Her friend had always been quite unemotional at school and somewhat coldhearted. Except late at night, Mary Rose remembered. She would hear Eleanor weeping then.

  “You’re a contradiction, Eleanor,” she remarked. “Tell me about your father. Weren’t you going to Europe with him after you finished school?”

  “It was all a lie,” Eleanor answered. “Father ran away. He didn’t even tell me he was leaving. He just . . . ran.”

  “Why?”

  “The authorities came to the school to question me. I found out what Father had done then. I had to leave the school of course. The headmistress was furious. It seems that Father had promised her funds to construct a new building.”

  “She couldn’t just toss you out,” Mary Rose protested.

  “She did,” Eleanor insisted. “The last of the fees hadn’t been paid. The investigators told me Father had taken money from other people. All these past years he’s been stealing from his clients with one scheme after another. He lived high and mighty. He was always impeccable in his dress, always insisted on wearing the latest fashions. He must have had over fifty suits in his wardrobe. Father always had a young woman latched on to his arm.”

  “And?” Mary Rose prodded when she didn’t continue.

  “He didn’t want me dampening his social position. I was a constant reminder to others how old he was getting. He stuck me in boarding school so he wouldn’t have to have me around.”

  “You can’t know if he wanted you or not.”

  “Yes, I can know. He told me so many times, I got sick of hearing it. He never wanted me. My mother tricked him into marriage by getting pregnant. She died having me, but she had a ring on her finger, so she was probably content.”

  Mary Rose was appalled by what she was hearing. Her heart went out to Eleanor. She was careful not to show her compassion openly, for Eleanor would undoubtedly think she was feeling sorry for her.

  Mary Rose was feeling sorry for the poor woman, but she didn’t want her to know it.

  Pride. It certainly got in the way of practical solutions.

  “I thought you and your father lived an exciting life. Did you go to all those exotic places on your vacations . . .?”

  “No, I never went anywhere. I stayed with the housekeeper at home.”

  “But the stories you told me about . . .”

  “I read about all those places. That was all. I wanted to impress you.”

  “Why?”

  Eleanor shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?”

  “I had my appearances to keep up,” she muttered. “Like father, like daughter, I suppose. Besides, you would have pitied me.”

  “What happened to your father? Where is he now?”

  “I don’t have any idea. No one does. The authorities are still looking for him. I should be thankful he paid some of my tuition, but I’m not. He used other people’s money. He didn’t leave me a note telling me where he went. The police didn’t believe me. I was taken to a jail and had to stay there for two nights. It was horrible. They finally had to release me. It is all a big scandal, of course. People as far away as Chicago hate me because I’m related to him. Everyone seems to think I know where he’s hiding. The authorities were watching the house night and day. It was unbearable. I hid behind the drapes and tried to pretend nothing had happened.”

  “I’m so
sorry,” Mary Rose whispered.

  Eleanor didn’t seem to hear her. “I thought we owned the house, but we didn’t. Our landlady threw me out. I didn’t know where else to go. You told me I could come to you if I ever needed you. Did you mean it?”

  “Yes, of course I meant it.”

  “You won’t send me away?”

  “No, I won’t send you away,” she promised. “Were you worried I wouldn’t let you stay because you and I haven’t always gotten along?”

  “You’re the only person at school who put up with me at all. I know I can be difficult. I was hateful to you because I knew you were feeling sorry. for me.”

  “I didn’t feel sorry for you. Are you about ready to get out of the coach?”

  “Yes.”

  Eleanor reached for the door handle. Mary Rose stayed her hand. “Wait just one minute,” she asked. “I’d like to talk to you about my brothers before you meet them. Adam . . .”

  “The man with the black skin?”

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “You aren’t going to believe what that horrid driver told me. He said the dark man was your brother. Can you believe such outrageous . . .”

  “Adam is my brother. Because he is the oldest in our family, he is also the head of the family.”

  Eleanor’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m perfectly serious. You’re going to have to apologize to him before you can come into our house.”

  Eleanor was flabbergasted. She leaned back against the cushions and stared at Mary Rose. “How in heaven’s name . . .”

  “How isn’t important,” Mary Rose insisted. “Adam is my brother, and I love him with all my heart.”

  “He can’t be your brother.”

  Mary Rose was weary of trying to convince her. “He is,” she insisted abruptly, for what she decided was the last time. “Adam and my other brothers raised me from the time 1 was an infant. We’re a family, Eleanor, and family comes before everything else.”

  “Do people around here accept all of you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Why?”

  Mary Rose let out a sigh. “We’ve been here a long time. I suppose everyone’s used to us. Well? Are you going to apologize?”

  Eleanor nodded. “I didn’t mean to offend him. I didn’t say anything mean, Mary Rose. I thought the driver was lying to me. He had already tried to toss me out in the middle of a dirt road. Can you imagine?”

  “The driver’s name is Clive Harrington. He’s a good man. You’re going to have to apologize to him too. You really shouldn’t have shot at him.”

  Eleanor shrugged. She obviously wasn’t overly contrite. “I didn’t mean to shoot at him, but I don’t believe I want you to tell him that. He might get angry if he knew the gun just sort of went off.”

  “He’s already angry.”

  “It was an accident,” Eleanor insisted. “Why do I have to apologize to him for something I didn’t mean to do?”

  “You could have killed the man.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “You also inconvenienced him,” Mary Rose told her. “And you hurt his feelings. I promised him you’d say you were sorry. I also gave my word that you would purchase a new hat for him. You put a hole in the only one he owns.”

  “I can’t buy him a hat. I don’t have enough money.”

  “Then I’ll give you enough,” Mary Rose said. “Just don’t let Clive know. Pretend you’re going to buy the thing with your money.”

  “Why do you care about his feelings?”

  “Clive is my friend.”

  “Oh, all right,” Eleanor muttered. “I can tell you’re going to be stubborn about this. I’ll apologize and I’ll buy him a new hat. Why didn’t you tell me about Adam? Were you afraid I would tell the other girls?”

  Mary Rose shook her head. “Why would I care if you told anyone or not?”

  “Because you would have been shunned.”

  Mary Rose’s patience was worn thin. All she wanted was a hot bath and a little comfort. She knew she wasn’t going to get either of those things until she got her houseguest situated.

  “We know all about prejudice, Eleanor. Being shunned by a group of ignorant girls means little to me. Frankly, my brothers and I have learned not to waste our time on people who hate. All my brothers are wonderful, proud men. I’m not ashamed of my family.”

  “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Family is private,” Mary Rose explained, repeating what she’d been told over and over again by her brothers. “Who we are and what we do isn’t anyone else’s business.”

  “Now that I think about it, you never told me about your other brothers either,” Eleanor said. “I knew you had four, but that’s all I ever knew. Are they ... like Adam?”

  “Yes,” Mary Rose replied. “They’re just as kind and good-hearted. Douglas and Cole are a little more stubborn though.”

  Eleanor couldn’t seem to get her wits about her. She was still reeling inside from the shock Mary Rose had given her.

  “We can get out now.”

  “In a minute,” Eleanor whispered. “Things are different out here, aren’t they?”

  “Conditions are different here than in the city,” Mary Rose replied. “But family is family, no matter where home is.”

  “What in heaven’s name is that supposed to mean?”

  “Now that I know about your father and what your family life was like, I can well understand why you wouldn’t understand. Once you get used to all of us, I think you’ll like living here. It’s stifling inside, Eleanor. Can’t we get out?”

  “Adam is head of your household, and for that reason I shall respect him. I give you my promise.”

  Mary Rose shook her head. “No, you will respect him because you should. His position in the family isn’t important. Meet him, Eleanor. I promise you that once you get to know him, you’ll respect him because of who he is, not what he is.”

  “Honestly, Mary Rose, you’re always trying to mix me up. Adam’s the only one who can make me leave, isn’t he?”

  Mary Rose gave up trying to reason with the woman. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she muttered. “I want a bath. Will you please stop arguing with me and get out?”

  Eleanor finally noticed how horrid Mary Rose looked. “What happened to you?”

  “A difference of opinion,” she replied.

  “Your brothers didn’t . . .”

  “Of course not. Honestly, Eleanor, we aren’t barbarians. I’m getting out before I faint.”

  “It is hot in here, isn’t it?”

  Mary Rose reached for the door latch. “You will be gracious to everyone, won’t you?”

  She wouldn’t have demanded the promise if she hadn’t known just what Eleanor was capable of. “Don’t you dare try any of your nonsense on my brothers. They won’t put up with it.”

  “What nonsense?”

  “You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Give me an example.”

  “The look of disdain you give everyone,” Mary Rose said. “And the . . .”

  “Oh, all right. I’ll be nice. Lord, I only hope I know how.”

  Mary Rose wondered the very same thing. She finally opened the door and tried to get outside. The heat had made her weak, and the burst of fresh air was as refreshing as a drink of cool water after a day in the garden.

  The door knocked into Harrison. He’d been standing close by, waiting to see if Mary Rose needed his help. He offered her his hand and helped her step down to the ground.

  He looked worried. She smiled to let him know everything was all right. She still had Eleanor’s gun in her hand, but kept the weapon pointed to the ground until Harrison spotted it and took it away from her. He tossed it to Cole who immediately tucked it into his gunbelt.

  Eleanor climbed out of the stagecoach a minute later and stood next to Mary Rose’s side. She squinted against the sunlight and kept her gaze directed on her friend. br />
  Because Harrison was the closest, Mary Rose introduced him to Eleanor first. Then she made her brothers come forward to meet their new houseguest.

  Clive was standing by the steps. He still looked as though he wanted to string Eleanor up from the nearest tree.

  Eleanor and Mary Rose walked over to face the driver. Eleanor finally whispered an apology.

  Clive wasn’t satisfied. “You got to say it loud and clear so everyone will hear, and you got to call me Mr. Harrington, real respectful-like.”

  Mary Rose had to nudge Eleanor into complying. Clive never smiled, but Mary Rose could tell he was pleased by Eleanor’s apology because his scowl wasn’t as dark.

  “Miss Mary, will she keep her word about buying me a hat?”

  “Yes,” Mary Rose promised.

  Clive nodded. He strutted back to his stagecoach, muttering under his breath all the while. Mary Rose knew his bluster was all for the men’s benefit. Clive couldn’t act relieved, not if he wanted to keep his mean reputation intact.

  The driver climbed up on the perch, took the reins in his hands, and then called out to Mary Rose. “I was feeling a bit poorly early in the week, but now . . .”

  He paused in his explanation to glare at Eleanor. “Now I ain’t too sure how I feel. How long is she gonna stay?”

  “For a spell,” Mary Rose answered. “There’s always room for you, Clive. You know that.”

  “I’m feeling better,” he said. “I might be able to fight off this illness . . . for a spell. Bye now, Miss Mary.”

  “What was that all about?” Eleanor asked.

  Mary Rose waved to her friend before answering. “He’s telling me he won’t get sick until you leave. Why don’t you go and sit in one of the chairs on the porch while I go inside and talk to Adam. It’s going to take a while,” she predicted. “He’s going to have to welcome you before you can set foot in our house.”

  “What if he won’t welcome me?”

  Mary Rose didn’t want to think about that possibility. “Adam is compassionate. I’ll have to tell him what happened to you. Will you mind?”

  “Will he tell everyone?”