He listened to Sylvia refuse at least three marriage proposals a night, and when Jack Keagen offered her employment at the Lucky Lady, Eli escorted the saloon owner from The Golden Buck, with Jack holding a wet cloth to his bloody nose.
Eli couldn’t concentrate on anything. Thank heaven he’d hired good business managers, because every time he tried to add numbers or go over invoices, Sylvia’s face floated in front of his eyes. Her smile, her sway, the scent of her perfume; something fruity and feminine. His stomach clenched every time a customer reached out and touched her hand. He woke in the middle of the night in a sweat, with dreams of someone stealing her away from him.
Once he’d flipped the “closed” sign on the door, he relaxed for the first time all day. The minutes they spent together, talking quietly and sipping tea, became the highlight of his day.
“Am I really doing a good job?” Sylvia studied him over the rim of her teacup.
If she did any better, he’d have to hire someone to teach him boxing. “You’re doing great. You see for yourself how we run out of food almost every night. The Golden Buck has always done a good business, but it has increased tenfold since you arrived.” He caressed her hand. Soft, delicate, and slender. Visions of her running those hands over his back while he made love to her caused his pants to tighten.
Eli had finally admitted it to himself. He had fallen madly in love. Marriage to Lucy’s mother, Josephine, had been arranged between him and her father, once the older man had been assured of Eli’s success as a businessman. Although he’d never visited other women during his marriage, his wife had never engaged his heart, and except for Lucy, he sometimes completely forgot about the marriage.
Sylvia is certainly not someone I’d forget. And if she accepts my marriage proposal, I’ll have her every day of my life.
Once again, Lucy spent weeks browbeating the staff into creating the perfect Christmas Party. She ordered them about, flew into a rage at any tiny flaw, and generally made everyone miserable. Now that the evening had arrived, her nerves were strung as tight as a violin.
She slammed the door to her bedroom, and eyed her maid. “Get out.”
The woman scurried around her mistress and left the room, head down. Lucy marched over to the large cherry wood dresser and pulled out a nearly empty bottle of brandy. Not bothering with a glass, she drank directly from the bottle.
Dimwitted, all of them. Couldn’t anyone do something right without her hovering over them? She glanced in the mirror. The stress showed on her face. She peered closer. Were those lines at the edge of her eyes? Damn these people. No one cared that this party meant everything to her.
Once Nate discovered his wife came from a family of thieves, he would set her aside and she’d have him all to herself. He would see tonight what a gracious hostess she’d be for all the parties they’d hold when they married.
The thought relaxed her features, and after draining the bottle, she took a gulp of lavender water, swished it around her mouth and spat it into a bowl. Taking a steadying breath, she left the room to do battle once more with the senseless staff.
Her father stood at the front door, giving instructions to the footmen. His hand reached out and grabbed her as she sailed by. “Lucy, I’ll be picking up Mrs. Hardwick shortly, and I want her to receive with us.”
Lucy’s mouth dropped. Warmth rose to her face. “I will not have that woman in the receiving line at my party!”
Eli drew himself up to his full five foot seven height. “You need to remember, young lady, this is my house, and if I say Mrs. Hardwick will receive with us, then receive with us she will.” He stabbed the air with his unlit cigar.
“She’s not a member of the family!” Lucy stomped her foot.
“And that may change, missy. Go about your business and don’t have anything else to say about it.”
He strode into the library, leaving her glaring at his retreating back. She couldn’t believe her papa said Mrs. Hardwick may become a member of the family. A thief! He’d never shown interest in any woman in all the years she could remember. And now he’d decided to become serious with, of all people, Angel’s stepmother? The woman wanted by the New York City Police Department?
She sniffed. That would remain her secret. Once she held the investigator’s report in her hand, she’d relish showing her papa what a poor choice he’d made. Hopefully, the police would lock both women up.
But she had more important things on her mind.
Even though she spotted plenty of things wrong, the decorations in the ballroom would have to do. As long as mistletoe hung from every doorway, the party would be a success. Still annoyed at her father, she left the ballroom and headed to the stairs. Where is that nitwit maid?
“Bella!” she screeched.
“Yes, miss.” She stood at the top of the stairs, wringing her hands.
“My guests will be arriving in a couple of hours, and I hope you have my bath ready and clothes set out.”
“Yes miss, it’s all ready.”
Lucy stomped up the stairs, grumbling the whole time at the foolishness of old men.
Eli parked his buggy in front of the Hale house, then mounting the steps, tugged at his collar, and smoothed what bit of hair he had left. He knocked, and wiped sweaty palms down the front of his trousers.
A young boy opened the door. “Hello. I’m John Hale, who are you?”
“I’m Mr. Eli Benson, young man, and I have come to see Mrs. Hardwick.”