“I’m happy now.”
Olivia shook her head, then exited the room, leaving Loreli alone.
In reality, Loreli was happy. She had a roof over her head, materially she lacked for nothing, and she was carrying a life. Society may care that she didn’t have a husband, but the free-thinking Loreli saw nothing wrong with raising her child alone. Yes, having Jake at her side would be the sugar on the strawberries, but life seldom gives anyone everything they desire, especially her. But all the blessings she now possessed more than made up for the bad times of the past. As always, though, her eyes were set firmly on the future, a future that held her child, Jake’s child.
That evening, Loreli dressed to go out. She was having a quiet supper with a friend. His name was Madison Nance and he was one of the wealthiest men of color in the state of Pennsylvania. He’d made half of his fortune in lumber and the other half at the card table. He and Loreli had been friends for years, and whenever she was in town, they always got together. He’d sent his invite around to her house a few days before and she was looking forward to see him again.
Dressed in a beautiful dark blue gown, Loreli grabbed the matching velvet cloak and went downstairs to await Madison’s driver. To her surprise, Madison arrived at the door instead.
Her eyes lit up upon seeing his handsome face, and he had the glow of welcome in his own eyes. Sgt. Collins smiled and stepped back out of the way.
Madison gave her a hug, then a kiss on the cheek, “How are you, princess?”
“I’m well.”
Had Loreli ever considered taking a husband, Madison might have been a candidate. He was charming, articulate, and well mannered, but he loved money more than he could love any woman, and not even Loreli could compete with such a cold mistress.
Madison extended his arm. “Shall we go?”
Loreli took his arm. She then told Sgt. Collins, “I’ll see you later.”
He nodded. “You too, but make sure you get back here at a reasonable time. That baby needs rest.”
Loreli was so stunned, she couldn’t move.
Madison appeared stunned too. “Baby?”
Sgt. Collins nodded, then added, “See if you can’t convince her to tell the father he has a child on the way. This nonsense has gone on long enough.”
Loreli was speechless. Her eyes wide, she stared at the sergeant as if she’d never seen him before.
He took advantage of her stupor to add, “And if you fire me, so be it. Babies need their daddies.”
Madison began chuckling. “Who is the father, Sgt.?”
“A farmer she met in Kansas. Name’s Jake Reed.”
Madison looked at Loreli. “A farmer? This is going to be a much more interesting dinner than I thought.”
“Shut up,” she snarled. “Let’s go.”
Still shooting daggers at Sgt. Collins, Loreli told her houseman, “I’ll deal with you when I get back.”
He just smiled, and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
Madison was laughing.
Loreli stormed out.
Madison Nance employed one of the best chefs in the city and the evening’s dinner of quail and vegetables was excellently prepared. After the maid removed the empty plates, he and Loreli retreated to his lavish study and she took a seat on the fine leather couch. He poured himself a small brandy. “Do you want one?”
“No, it isn’t good for the baby.”
He examined her for a moment, then picked up his snifter and sat down on a chair opposite her. The fire in the grate made the room warm, and the lit lamps added to the soft atmosphere. “So, tell me about this farmer.”
“I’m going to fire that old soldier the minute I get back.”
He toasted her with his glass. “No you’re not. You care a lot about that old man. He’s obviously deeply concerned about you.”
“He had no right.”
Madison shrugged. “Maybe, but the cat’s out of the bag now. So, tell me.”
“Nothing to tell. His name’s Jake Reed, and I’m carrying his child.”
“Can’t say that I’m pleased. I wanted your children to be mine.”
Loreli smiled. “You already have children. Their names are double eagles and treasury notes.”
He toasted her again. “Touché.”
Then he said, “Seriously now. I’ve been trying to get you to marry me for years, and now I find out that not only is Trevor Church ahead of me in the line to your heart, but I’m behind a farmer as well?”
She chuckled.
“What’s he grow?” Madison asked.
“Corn, and he raises hogs.”
“You’re pregnant by a hog farmer?”
“Yes, I am.”
“He must be some man.”
“He is.”
“Do you love him?”
She met Madison’s eyes, then looked away. “I do, but he doesn’t love me.”
“Is he insane? Loreli, if you’re carrying his child, that means you made a conscious decision not to take any precautions. You’re too savvy for this baby to have been an accident.”
She didn’t respond.
“So, I guess I’ve answered my own question: you love him very much.”
Loreli’s mind gently sailed back to her memories of Kansas. She saw Jake on the porch, and the girls, her girls, ripping and running through the day. Lord, she missed them. “Like I said, he doesn’t love me.” She told him the story of all that had happened to her while she was in Kansas. “I never did like Church,” Madison said. “Glad the twins were found safe.”
“So were we.”
“So why don’t you want Reed to know about his child?”
“I don’t want him forced into marrying me. What if I did marry him and someone else from my life shows up with bad intentions?”
Madison shook his head. “What if they don’t? You’ll have spent your entire life without because you’re worried about a scenario that may never come to be.”
“So, you think it was silly of me to leave?”
“Hell, no. Your instincts were right. What if Trevor had returned and taken the girls again? You said no one knew where he was.”
“We didn’t,” Loreli said.
“Well, with you gone, there would have been no reason for him to stay there, but he’s no threat anymore, princess. Write to your farmer and tell him about the child. Fathers are very important. I’d not be the person I am today had my old man not been in my life. Why am I encouraging another man’s suit?”
Loreli grinned. “Could it be because you’re such a good friend?”
He shrugged. “Could be. I think I’m going to send you home now. I feel the need to get drunk.”
She stood. “Okay.”
He held her eyes, then said seriously, “Whatever you decide, know that I’ll be here for you and the child, no matter what.”
“I know.” She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Madison.”
“Good night, princess.”
After she left, Madison poured himself a drink, then moved over to his large mahogany desk. He opened a drawer and withdrew some stationary. Taking up a pen, he began to write.
The girls were asleep, and Jake was enjoying the dark and the solitude. November nights were cold in Kansas, so he threw more wood onto the fire in his room and sat down to read the day’s mail. A few pieces were from the Knights of Labor and the Republican party, but he set those aside for later. He instead picked up the fancy envelope that had been waiting for him along with the rest of his mail at the post office in town. The return address showed it had been sent by a man named Madison Nance in Philadelphia. The name wasn’t familiar. A curious Jake opened it.
Dear Mr. Reed,
I hope this note finds you and the girls well. Loreli will undoubtedly boil me in oil when she learns I’ve written to you, but I feel it is the right and proper thing to do. Loreli is carrying your child. Those of us here who know her and love her are concerned that she intends to keep this knowledge
from you. I have no idea how you will react to this surprising news, but I do know that she loves you very much. If you wish to come to Philadelphia to see about this matter, please feel free to contact me at the address above. My house and staff will be open to you and the twins for as long as may be needed.
Sincerely,
Madison Nance
Jake set the letter aside. Admittedly, he didn’t know how to feel. On one level he was angry that he had to learn about the upcoming birth of his child from a complete stranger, but on another level, Jake wanted to turn cartwheels and shout with joy. A child! Their child! He could only wonder what was going through her mind. Was she ashamed, elated, angry? He would have no way of knowing until he talked with her. And talk with her, he would. Jake took out some paper so he could write back to this mysterious Madison Nance. Jake couldn’t wait to see the look on Loreli’s face when he showed up at her front door.
Loreli’s annual holiday party was always well attended and tonight’s affair was no exception. Even though she’d pared at least sixty people from this year’s invitation list, the interior of her house was still packed. Among the guests were the well known, and the unknown. Captains of industry rubbed shoulders with cabbies; dowagers of all races sat together and talked because at Loreli’s parties no one cared. There was dancing downstairs in the ballroom, and enough food in the solarium to feed an army. There were strolling musicians and nattily dressed waiters carrying trays topped with fine canapés and tasty appetizers.
Loreli, dressed in her signature gold gown, stood by the food table greeting guests. At her side stood Madison Nance. He’d won the privilege of being her escort tonight by being the highest bidder. Loreli had come up with the idea of auctioning off the escort position a few years ago. The money went to one of her many charities, and her gentleman friends had a ball trying to outbid each other.
As Loreli continued to smile and encourage her guests to sample the food, she told Madison, “I really enjoy throwing this party every year.”
“It shows.”
She grinned. “How about a dance?”
“Sure, why not?”
They made their way through the crush, and headed downstairs to the equally crowded dance floor. They arrived just in time to join in on a slow waltz. Loreli placed her hand in his and Madison led her expertly around the floor. Loreli was just about to ask Madison if he had information on a particular stock she was interested in when someone behind her tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, and as her eyes met Jake’s they widened. Recognition filled her with such an overwhelming rush of emotion, she sank to the floor like a stone.
When her eyes opened again, Loreli was lying on the rose-colored chaise in her bedroom, and Olivia was standing over her with worry lining her brown face. “Just lie still.”
Loreli could now feel the damp cloth on her head. It was clammy so she took it off and handed it to Olivia. “What happened?”
“You fainted.”
“I never faint.”
“Well, you did.”
Then Loreli remembered. Jake! She bolted upright.
Olivia stayed her gently, “Not so fast.”
“Is he really here?”
Olivia smiled. “Appears that way.”
“Is the party still going?”
“Yes, Madison calmed everyone.”
“Good.”
Olivia then asked, “Are you ready to see him now? He’s very worried.”
“Where is he?”
“On the other side of the door.”
Loreli rose from the chaise. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
Loreli didn’t think it fair of him to show up this way. She’d wanted to be prepared and in control of the situation. Instead she’d fainted, something she’d never done before.
Olivia opened the door. “You may come in now, Mr. Reed.”
He entered. His eyes met Loreli’s. Neither of them noticed the housekeeper’s soundless exit.
Jake forced himself to stay where he was. Seeing Loreli for the first time in months reaffirmed just how much he’d missed her, but there were matters and issues that had to be discussed before he and she could discuss themselves. “Are you all right? Never knew you to be the fainting type.”
“I’m fine. Just more surprised than I’ve been in a while, I suppose. Why’d you come?”
“Talk to you about the baby.”
That caught her by surprise. “How’d you find out?”
“Friend of yours wrote to me. Said telling me was the right and proper thing to do.”
Loreli looked away from the emotion she could see in his eyes. “I didn’t write you because I didn’t want to burden you with a wife you were forced to marry.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m old enough to make decisions for myself, Loreli.”
She winced under his withering tone.
“I want to help raise my child, and I want his mother in bed beside me at night. I want to see her face first thing in the morning, even if I argue with her all day. I want to hold her and love her until death do us part.”
Surprised again, she turned to face him.
“Marry me, Loreli Winters. Not because of the baby but because of how I feel about you.”
Tears ran down Loreli’s cheeks.
Jake walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.
As they held each other tight, she whispered, “Oh, Jake. I’ve missed you and the girls so much….”
He touched his lips to the top of her hair, then raised her chin so he could look into her eyes. The kiss he gave her showed how much he’d missed her as well. It was passionate, welcoming, and brimming with love.
When the kiss ended, he looked down into her tear-bright eyes and said, “I’m still waiting for an answer.”
“To what?”
He acted amazed. “I just asked you to marry me, woman!”
She grinned. “The answer is yes.”
“Good.”
He traced her lips with his finger. “Dreamt about this mouth many nights.”
“Just my mouth?” she teased.
“Oh, other parts were there too, believe me,” he teased back.
She leaned up and kissed him. “And I can’t wait to show them to you.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Outrageous as ever.”
She smiled. “Well, since you’re so hell bent upon making me an honest woman, how about we go downstairs and get married right now?”
“How?”
“There are at least six or seven judges downstairs. We can take our pick.”
Jake held her in the circle of his arms. “You’re on. The sooner we become man and wife, the sooner I can sneak you off somewhere and make love to you.”
Loreli moved her body softly against his and said in a sultry, playful voice, “We don’t have to sneak off. We can do that right here.”
Jake’s blood rushed hot and hard. “To the door, Loreli. Your guests won’t be happy if I have you up here for the rest of the night, so march.”
She pouted.
He gave her a tender swat on the butt. “Fast woman.”
Downstairs the fast woman and the hog farmer from Kansas were married under the cheering adoration of three hundred of Loreli’s closest friends. Sgt. Collins gave her away, and Madison stood up with Jake.
After the congratulations tapered off a bit, Jake said to Loreli, “Do you want to see the girls now?”
She stilled. “Where are they?”
“At a friend’s home nearby.”
“They’re here in Philadelphia?”
He grinned. “Yes, Mrs. Reed, they are. They’re probably asleep, but I don’t think they’ll mind being awakened.”
Loreli began to cry again. Her hands came to her mouth to hold in all the emotion. “Oh, Jake.”
He had love in his eyes and voice as he said, “Come on. You can cry on the way.”
Loreli stopped Madison on their way out. “I have to leave for a little whi
le. Will you keep an eye on things?”
He nodded. “Sure will.” He winked at Jake and walked off to attend to his hosting duties.
Outside, Loreli pulled her cloak tighter against the cold air. Conveyances of all kinds and classes lined both sides of the street for as far as the eye could see. Her neighbors once complained about all the noise and commotion that went with her annual ball, but since she’d started adding their names to the guest list, all the finger-waving and griping had stopped. “How are we getting to your friend’s home?” Loreli asked, shivering a bit. The thin gold dress had not been made for winter nights.
Jake looked up the street. “Here comes the coach now.”
Loreli recognized Madison’s coach and coachman at once. “This is nice of Madison to lend you his coach.”
“Yes, it is.”
Jake wondered how long it would take her to figure out that Madison was the author of the letter that brought Jake to Philadelphia. He chuckled inwardly. She was probably going to throw a fit once she did.
The coach stopped in front of Madison’s large estate. “Why are we stopping here?” Loreli asked in a puzzled voice.
Jake made his way to the door. “This is where the girls are.”
Then she got it. “Madison was the one, wasn’t he?”
Jake smiled. “Yes.”
“That traitor.”
But she couldn’t be angry, not now. His actions had brought her and Jake back together. Maybe she’d reward him by naming her child after him if Jake didn’t mind.
Jake stood outside in the wind. He had the doorknob in his hand. “You coming or not?” he asked gently.
“Yes,” and she bounded up the steps.
The girls were asleep in an upstairs bedroom. Loreli carefully opened the door so she and Jake could tiptoe in. The sight of their sleeping faces framed in the light from the hall put tears in Loreli’s eyes. She felt as if she had turned into the cryingest woman in the world, but she wiped the waterworks away and walked over to the big bed they were sharing. She gave each soft brown cheek a tender caress, then bent to kiss their foreheads lovingly. Behind her, Jake lit a lamp and turned it down very low so that there was just enough illumination to see by. Loreli knelt by the bed, and with eyes filled with awe she watched them sleep. She hadn’t had the opportunity to calm their fears after Trevor’s act of cowardice, but from now on, she’d be there every time anything or anybody made them afraid. She stroked Dede’s cheek. Loreli could see the chain of the magic locket around her neck. Dede’s eyes opened sleepily. When she saw Loreli, she smiled. “I told Uncle Jake you’d come back if he asked you to.”