The front door opened, and he returned to the parlor with a narrow-eyed glower. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I needed Mr. Miller to invest today.”
Cora didn’t like his tone, but it was his home and she needed to make peace with the man she would be living with for the rest of her days. However, the fact that the man announced their engagement without asking her had nipped at her temper to the point where she almost called him on his lie in front of Mr. Miller. “I secured his investment and more with agreeing to marry you on the spot without a proper proposal.”
“No need for a proper proposal since there won’t be a wedding. I only said that to give us some time to figure things out. If I hadn’t, Mr. Miller would’ve walked out that door, taking any hope I have of securing investors with him,” Ed said with no remorse in his tone.
Cora fumed, her insides tightening with resentment. “You used me.”
“We will use each other.” He paced the parlor and then stopped, took a deep breath, and faced her.
“No. You could’ve told Mr. Miller that I was betrothed to your partner so you offered to look after me.”
“You don’t understand.”
She wasn’t sure if this man was prone to fits of rage or a gentle sort, so she needed to move forward with caution. When she’d agreed to marry her childhood sweetheart, they’d known each other since they were infants. She’d never had to guess at his moods, but the man in front of her was unreadable. A mystery that intrigued her. “Then explain it to me.”
He ripped off his jacket and tossed it down in one motion. “There isn’t time. I need to get to work. Grace will show you to your room and draw you a bath.”
“But I can help.” Cora needed to show him how useful she could be,neededto be.
He scrubbed his face then retrieved his jacket and rested it over his arm with such formality, she wasn’t sure if Ed knew how to ever relax. “No. You can’t help. For now, I just need you to stay here. Do not leave this house or accept any visitors while I’m gone. I’ll figure this out, and then I’ll find you a real husband.”
Cora didn’t want to be passed off like an old shoe. “I know that you’ve been hurt by Mary’s refusal, but I’ve been wronged too in this situation. We could—”
“I’m not the right man for you. I don’t even have the money to throw a party right now. I said I’d shelter you until other arrangements could be made. And Mary will come to her senses. Her father will see to that.”
“Then why didn’t he send word when she disembarked the ship?”
Ed stiffened but didn’t speak. He only marched from the parlor. His steps echoed through the house.
Cora knew when to give a man space, and she needed some time alone to figure things out for herself.
A woman in a maid’s uniform appeared. “Come with me, Miss McKinnie.”
Cora followed her to the hall and caught a glimpse of Ed’s back before he disappeared beyond a slamming door. “Is he always this joyous?”
Grace snickered but covered her mouth. “He’s a good man and treats me well. You might not see it, but he’s a gentle sort, especially to women. I hear he has a sister back east he sends money to often, but she never responds to his letters.” She climbed the stairs to the second floor.
Cora followed her across the landing overlooking the front foyer and around to another hallway. Two-thirds of the way down, she entered a room with Cora’s bag already resting on a large bed.
If anyone knew the story of the master of the house, it would be a servant, and this one seemed to want to talk. Cora knew she needed more information if she wanted know how to handle the man. “Can I ask why Ed hasn’t married until now?”
“He never wanted to marry.” She closed the door and whispered, “Until a few months ago. He found a wife from the east that has a big family.”
“Big family?”
“I mean, her family name’s big. And her father offered a huge dowry and connections.” Grace disappeared into another room, and the sound of water erupted. Cora peered in to find a wooden-paneled bathroom with a tub and running water. Everything about this house had been built with the most modern conveniences, even a water closet.
She’d traveled far from her burned-out plantation home with a curtain for a door. A woman could get used to this kind of life after living like a stray animal for so long.
“Why aren’t you married?” Grace’s eyes shot wide, and her mouth formed an O. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I tend to speak before I think. Mrs. Clint, our cook, says so anyway.”
“No need to apologize.” Cora liked Grace. She had a softness to her voice and a naive way about her. “I was betrothed before the war broke out. My fiancé didn’t make it.” Her voice cracked. The image flashed and sucker punched her with the memory of his lifeless body by the train tracks. Cora grasped the wood molding of the door and inhaled the steamy air.
“Are you all right? I shouldn’t have asked. I’m so sorry.” Grace spun Cora around. “Here. Let me loosen your corset and get you into the bath.”
Cora was thankful that Ed hadn’t seen her swoon. That would be a sign of weakness in the eyes of a man like him. And Cora was anything but weak.
After months on the damp, cold boat and years of poverty, Cora slid into a warm bath and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of calm, warm safety. Did she betray her sisters with the thought that she could stay and enjoy this life more than she had back home?
