Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) (8 page)

While Johanna threaded the needle, she felt a breeze, dismissing it to her imagination since she knew she was quite alone. That was until a throat was cleared and she turned to see Paul enter the room.

“I see you’ve busied yourself while I was gone.”

“Yes, and I went out to the barn to meet the staff who work out there.”

“Alone?”

“No, Sara went with me.”

“And how did the groomsmen handle a woman in their domain?”

“It was all right, but I think they were quite shocked. Sam is a lovely boy. Does he live here, too?”

“Yes, his mother died of consumption last year and his father was killed when a tree landed on him not long afterward. I brought the boy here so he wouldn’t go to an orphanage. At least he has a roof over his head, and is making money besides.”

“But you’re working him as a stable boy.”

“Yes, but I assure you once he’s of age, he’ll be running the town.”

Johanna laughed. “I can imagine that after meeting him, but I still think he should be allowed to stay in the house, at least.”

“I tried that once, but he insisted he stay out in the quarters above the barn. He wanted to earn his keep, and that’s what I’m allowing him to do. When he gets older, I’ll give him a job as either a lumberjack or working in the mill. I assure you he is treated well here.”

When Paul looked so serious, she apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you were taking advantage of the boy. I think twelve is too young to be working. I never worked with children at the factory, but many did employ children who were treated horribly. I know that’s not something you’d do.”

“It’s understandable that you’d feel that way, but I should show you their quarters out there. It’s much better than you’d think.”

Johanna smiled. “I’d like that, if you could.”

“I can take you out there now, if you’d care to take a look. I don’t want this to weigh on your mind all night. I’d rather enjoy our time together later. If you’re finished for now, of course.”

“I am now that you’re here. I’ll work on it another time.”

Paul held the door open for her and she went down the stairs. They were soon on the bottom floor. Johanna took the way outside Sara had shown her earlier then rushed ahead, opening the door for Paul.

“Don’t you know a man is supposed to hold the door for a woman?” Paul teased.

“I know,” she said, clambering down the stairs.

They walked arm in arm back to the barn and Paul announced they’d be checking out the quarters. After they went upstairs, Johanna walked down the wood floor and knocked on one of the doors, entering it when nobody answered. The window gave the room a view of the back of the house. The room had a bed covered with a patchwork quilt, plus a small dresser and closet. It was quite tidy and very nice. She wasn’t sure what she thought, but she certainly didn’t expect it to look like this.

“You’re right. It’s a nice room. Does the housekeeper come out here to clean?”

“No, the men clean up after themselves. They are proud of the place they call home.”

Footsteps raced up the hallway and Sam appeared. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I was showing my wife that you lived in suitable quarters. She wasn’t happy when she found out you were working here. I believe she might have thought you were being abused.”

“Gosh, no. Mr. Worthington has been so good to me. He even brings me back a bag of candy a few times a week.”

“And it doesn’t bother you to work as a stable boy?” Johanna asked.

“I love horses, and it’s not that bad. I’m only allowed to work four hours a day and have to go down to the schoolhouse for two hours every morning, too. I can read and write and do arithmetic.” He beamed.

“What do you plan to do when you’re older?”

“Mr. Worthington told me I could work in the mill if I wanted to, but I’m not sure yet. I might head up to Ironwood. They’re mining iron up there, you know.”

“Where is Ironwood?”

“It’s in the upper peninsula of Michigan,” Sam explained. You have to take a boat to get there or go through Wisconsin. It’s the state to the west of Michigan.”

“Well, you certainly are a bright boy.”

“Thank you,” Sam said. “I bet you’ll be late to dinner if you don’t get moving.”

“Sam’s right,” Paul agreed.

They left and were soon back at the house. Johanna washed up for dinner, glad Paul had shown her the quarters the staff at the barn used. It was good of Paul to take the boy in, even if it was as a stable boy. Sam could really be someone special one day if he wanted. She had never met a brighter lad.

When Johanna glided into the room, Paul’s eyes never left hers, not even when he stood and held out a chair for her. His gaze was only broken when she sat down and he returned to his seat.

Sara brought out the dumpling soup, carefully ladling it into their bowls. Johanna was fuming, but she waited until Sara was back into the kitchen before she asked, “Why is Sara serving us? She’s supposed to be my lady’s maid.”

“We don’t have anyone else to do it.”

“Why can’t the kitchen maid serve us?”

Paul lifted his spoon. “She’s clumsy, that one. Trust me, you don’t want her serving us.”

“I don’t want Sara treated badly by the other staff. I have a feeling the kitchen maid isn’t all that happy that Sara’s my lady’s maid.”

“I imagine not,” Paul said, eating a spoonful. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Johanna replied defensively.

Paul’s brow shot up. “Are you certain? I’ve never seen you act this way before.”

“Well, it’s not like you’ve known me for longer than a day,” she retorted, sounding shorter than she intended. “I’m sorry. I just would rather not have Sara serve us is all.”

“You want me to hire more staff?”

“No, of course not.”

“What do you want me to do then?”

“Nothing. I just don’t want Sara to take on more duties than she already has.”

Sara’s eyes widened as she entered the room, having obviously overheard what Johanna said. “I’m sorry. I thought you might be finished with the soup.” She sighed. “I don’t mind serving the meals, honest.”

Johanna immediately felt like a fool for carrying on so. How could she explain how her sister treated her staff, and even her, when she was staying with Janna? Johanna braced her hands on the table. “Thank you, Sara. I appreciate all the extra help you do around here.”

She finally tried the soup, but it was too cool. Pushing it aside, she waited for the next course.

“You don’t like your soup?” Paul asked with concern.

“No, it’s not like that. It’s cold now, thanks to my blubbering.”

“I’m sure Sara would get you another bowl, if you like.” Paul picked up a small bell and jingled it slightly. When Sara appeared, Paul asked her to please bring his wife a warm soup.

Within a moment, Sara returned with a fresh bowl and soup. That time, Johanna ate it quickly, enjoying it immensely. Their plates were brought out next and Johanna stared at her duck as though it was poison. She poked it with her fork like she was trying to bring it back to life.

“Is there a problem with your duck?”

“No. I’ve just never had duck before.”

“Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll love it, even though it’s a little on the greasy side.”

Johanna forked off a piece and had to stop herself from picking it up and shoving it into her mouth. It wasn’t like she didn’t do that in the comforts of her own room back in Lawrence, but she was considered the lady of the house and was expected to act like it. She murmured in satisfaction as the rich flavor burst onto her taste buds. “This is wonderful,” she finally exclaimed.

“Ingrid is an exceptional cook. I’m lucky to have her.”

“Yes, indeed.”

They finished the remainder of their meal in relative silence, declining the chocolate cake since they were both quite full. Paul pulled out her chair and they adjourned into one of the rooms Johanna hadn’t seen as of yet, the library. She loved the smell of leather binders, and two of the four walls were bookshelves filled with books. There was also a desk in the room, where Paul sat down. She joined him by sitting in a nearby chair that was a little too hard for her liking.

“How did it go at the mill today?”

He sighed. “I had to fire William, my bookkeeper.”

“Oh, my. Whatever for?”

“He’s been pilfering money. I knew something wasn’t right when I looked through the books. William must have thought me a fool. He should have known I’m a hands-on mill owner. I don’t simply sit back and collect my monies.” He lifted a wooden box and pulled out a cigar, smelling it for a moment. “I promise I’ll take you for a tour of the mill tomorrow, like I promised.”

“Thank you. I’m so looking forward to that, but I am sorry about the bookkeeper.”

Paul twisted the end of his cigar off. “So, what was really going on tonight at dinner? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“It’s not that, but I suppose I had better tell you. It might help you understand why I was so upset, although I hadn’t meant to sound like I had. Everything I’ve seen today proves how good you treat your staff.”

“In many ways, they’re members of my family.”

“My sister Janna wasn’t nice to her staff. She even treated me like I was one of them.”

“How so?”

“After the factory burned down, Janna offered me a room at her house until I left as a mail-order bride. She’s a widow, but her husband left her quite the sum of money, so she lived quite comfortably. She had little staff, though, as most quit after she treated them poorly, everyone but the cook Edna. She even expected me to dress like I was the maid and serve her guests, and live in the servants’ quarters.”

Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Has she always been like that to you?”

“We fought as children, but that’s what you do when you’re young. No, Janna went out of her way to belittle me. She’s the oldest but I was Papa’s favorite before he left us, leaving our mother to work as a seamstress and scullery maid. She died before her time,” Johanna paused and sniffled.

“What of your father?”

“I harbor ill feelings toward him for leaving us. If he hadn’t, my mother might still be alive.”

“I understand, but I imagine you must be curious as to his whereabouts.”

“I’d rather not talk about this. I only hope that I can trust you’ll remain married to me. I’d hate to be left out in the cold with children in tow.”

“I promise you I’ll never do that. I wanted a wife, and now I have one. I hope in time, you’ll consider sleeping with me.” He winked. “I’d love to have a child or two.”

“Two children in this big house?”

“I’d rather not burden you by expecting you to bear me a houseful of children. That can be hard on a woman.”

“Thank you. Now, are you planning to smoke that cigar?”

“Yes, but I had planned to do that outside. I’m not certain you’d be able to stomach the smell.”

“I’ll head up to the sewing room, if you don’t mind. You can meet me up there after you’re finished, if you’d like.”

Paul eased himself up to his full height. “I will.”

Johanna hurried out of the library. All that talk of her joining him in his bed had her rattled. Her heart swelled every time he glanced her way and she struggled not to put her foot in her mouth, although she certainly didn’t have a problem voicing her opinion, if she had one. Was it possible she loved him already?

She hurried up the steps and into the sewing room. She quickly straightened it so when Paul did join her, it wouldn’t look in total disarray. Why, she was actually looking forward to him coming up there.

Stop it, you little fool. You can’t rush to his bed quite yet. You need his heart first.

* * *

Paul lit his cigar and stared over to the barn where the groomsmen were tipping a bottle and laughing. He walked over there to get his mind off his wife. She had acted quite strange at dinner, but he understood where it was coming from. Who could be unkind to someone like Johanna? She had the face of an angel and was kind and thoughtful. She took her position as his wife seriously and took an interest in the staff; she’d be their champion if anyone ever treated them unkindly. It wasn’t something Paul would ever do, though. He had meager beginnings himself and it took time to get used to having a staff, but he wanted a mansion and had it built by the best artisans of the time. Staff wasn’t just something he wanted—it was a necessity.

Pete and Riley put their drinks down at his approach. “Do you need anything, Mr. Worthington?” Riley asked.

“Yes.” He took a puff of the cigar. “Keep doing what you were.” Riley tipped the bottle, making a face. When the bottle was handed to Paul, he took a drink of the whiskey that burned a path to his gut. “Where did you get this stuff?”

“Down at Roger’s Tavern.”

“That whiskey isn’t fit for man or beast. I’ll fetch you a better bottle.” Paul walked back inside and returned with a bottle of his finest whiskey. He handed it over to Riley who took a drink, a deep dimple forming on his cheek.

“This is too good for the likes of us.”

“Speak for yourself,” Pete said. “And hand over the bottle. I’d like a drink, too.”

“Mr. Worthington gave it to me.”

“No need to fight. There’s more than enough for the three of us. You finished up with the horses, right?” Paul asked.

“‘Course we did. I’d never even think about drinking on duty,” Riley proclaimed.

Paul took one more drink before leaving the bottle with Riley and Pete. The whiskey went straight to his head and he’d promised to meet Johanna in the sewing room. He’d have to be on his best behavior. Paul wasn’t sure what would happen if Johanna was too close to him right then. He wanted to taste her lips to find out if she was as sweet as she looked. The brief kiss they had on their wedding day was not nearly enough.

Paul went up the stairs and into the sewing room on the third floor. Johanna was perched on the hard wooden bench in front of the sewing machine. She worked the pedal up and down that moved the needle, so quickly he was actually impressed. She had pieces of fabric stacked neatly on a table and didn’t seem to even notice he was there. It gave him all the time he needed to stare over to her fragile neck, and without thinking, he walked forward and planted a kiss on the back of it.

Johanna squealed and turned, slapping him full across the face. “I’m so sorry. You gave me such a fright.”

In a haze, he was drunk at the sight of his wife, smiling on remembering the sting of the blow, which he most certainly deserved. The room was too small by far as the scent of roses wafted over to him. Her angelic face, her milky white skin … it was too much for any man to take.

Paul rubbed his cheek and, referencing her last comment, he said, “I see. Well, I think I deserve at least a kiss for that.”

* * *

Had she heard him right? Was he suggesting she kiss him for slapping him? “I didn’t do that on purpose, I assure you. It was a reflex.”

His brow furrowed. “Oh? Have you had to perfect that particular skill?”

Johanna didn’t know what he wanted her to say. “Not exactly. Most of the men I’ve encountered in my life kept it to lingering glances.”

“I didn’t know that was a crime, but keep it in mind that I’ll most certainly do that. You’re my wife, after all.”

She clenched her hands into fists. “What do you mean by that?”

He sighed. “Looks are all I have for the moment.”

Johanna felt foolish. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that, or slap you.”

He nodded, inching closer. “And about the kiss?”

Her heart rapped against her chest, her breath caught in her throat. He must have taken her lack of response as the go ahead, as he circled her waist, pulling her against his hard body. She gazed up at him as he lowered his head and took her lips with his. She put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself before she landed face-first on the floor. His breath was heady of whiskey and the fragrance of cigars drifted into her nostrils, but she didn’t mind. Not at that moment. Her head swirled and she was lost in the moment, doing her best to return his kiss without thought, but reality came back to her and she pushed against him, jerking her lips from his. “Please, stop.”

Paul stepped back, swiping his hair back with a palm. “What’s the matter? You were enjoying the kiss, weren’t you?”

“N-No. I-I wasn’t. How dare you come in here smelling of whiskey and trying to disarm me like that.”

“Fine, but you enjoyed that kiss. Don’t try and say you didn’t.”

He whirled and left her standing there, wanting him to come back, but it wasn’t the right time. She sank back onto the bench, her face wetting from the tears that dropped. It wasn’t as if she didn’t want the kiss to go on, but she wanted a lifetime of them, not just a fleeting moment. She knew with certainty that she loved him, but would he ever feel the same for her?

Johanna sewed for the better part of the night until there was a knock on the door. She sleepily turned to find Sara standing in the doorway. “Are you okay, Miss? It’s very late.”

She stood, rubbing the sore spots from her neck as she met Sara at the door. “I’m sorry. I lost all track of time.”

Sara tried to glance over her shoulder, curious. “What are you making?”

“It’s a secret. Promise me you won’t come up here and sneak a peek?”

“I promise, but I can be counted on to keep a secret.”

“Can you assist me in my room?”

“Come along now. I was worried when you were upstairs so long. I almost thought you were in your husband’s room.” She giggled.