A Bride for Ransom Read online

  Since they hadn’t said anything more, Hannah gave a soft sigh and then prompted them, “I know you aren’t happy about this, but it’s what we need to do. Please, make sure you’re ready early in the morning. I will be visiting the lawyer first thing, and then I’ll stop here briefly to collect you before heading to the train station. It is imperative that we be ready on time. I swear to you, I wouldn’t make you do this if it wasn’t important.”

  Their response was muted, but they both nodded. Maryanne even approached and gave her a quick hug. “Doesn’t mean we have to like it, though.”

  Through a mist of tears in her eyes, Hannah smiled. “No, you don’t have to like it. I don’t like it either, but we’re going to try to make the best of it. You’ll see. Riding the train will be an adventure.”

  Chapter Two

  Nerves jangled in Hannah’s stomach. Maybe if I don’t tell the lawyers, it won’t actually be true. Maybe I didn’t actually just marry a stranger in the front parlor of my house by proxy. She felt a well of hysterical laughter rising and fought to quell it. Like that philosophical question she had heard discussed at one of her parents’ art evenings: If a tree falls in the woods with no one around, does it make a sound? Well, she had the signed paper in her reticule to prove that even if she didn’t tell anyone, she had married one Mr. Ransom Delaney. Which made her Mrs. Hannah Delaney. Again, she had to fight the hysteria threatening her. But, she reminded herself, Mrs. Hannah Delaney is a brand-new person and can decide exactly who she’s going to be. And I have decided she will be fierce. No hysteria allowed.

  Hannah lifted her chin and stared straight in front of her, refusing to be cowed even by her own tumultuous thoughts. She rose to her feet as soon as the clerk entered the room.

  “Mr. Mulroney will see you now.”

  “Thank you, Charles.” Hannah ignored the shy, hopeful smile the clerk cast her way. Handsome, young, local men were of no use to her. And she didn’t need one anymore, anyway, she reminded herself as she stepped into the handsomely appointed office of her family’s lawyer.

  The room was large. The wood paneling gave it warmth although the very large, imposing desk at one end would have been intimidating if she hadn’t been familiar with the type. Her father had one almost exactly like it in his library at home. Hannah had grown up surrounded by powerful men. This lawyer did not make her nervous. Only the nature of her errand did. But Hannah Delaney was not the nervous sort, she reminded herself.

  “Thank you for seeing me so early, Mr. Mulroney.”

  “I take it you have met the requirements of your father’s Will.”

  “Yes. I have a copy for your records.” She handed over one copy of her signed marriage license. “I trust this will be held in the strictest confidence.”

  The lawyer looked affronted momentarily, but then he smiled warmly. “You can be absolutely certain that your news will not reach the ears of your Uncle Jason through anyone from this office, at least not until the official reading of the Will.”

  “Thank you. I assure you, I do not mean to cast doubt on anyone’s trustworthiness. But you know how concerned I am on the subject.”

  “I do, my dear, and no offense was taken. How else may we be of service?”

  “I think everything has already been discussed sufficiently. I will contact you once I have made arrangements through which we can communicate. I will appreciate monthly reports once we have set up a means of remaining in contact. I’ve already made arrangements for my household staff to find work elsewhere, except for a very small crew. For now, we aren’t completely closing up the house, but that will probably have to be done eventually.”

  “It does seem that you’ve thought of everything.”

  Hannah was torn between delight over the approval she saw in the older man’s eyes and disappointment that the man seemed so surprised. Did he not realize that even young women can have a few thoughts in their heads? She could feel that her smile was on the cool side, but she kept it in place anyway through force of will.

  “Are you very certain you’ve made the right choice, Miss Bowman? I cannot think this is what your father had in mind when he made that provision in his Will.”

  “My father thought he was invincible, so he didn’t really think about his Will all that much. I rather think it was you or one of your colleagues who had that stipulation made, and I’m very sure this isn’t what my father expected.”

  The lawyer looked as though he were going to protest, but Hannah didn’t bother allowing it. She didn’t hold a grudge. There was no time and it wasn’t worth the energy.

  “But it’s there and needs to be lived with. I will not allow my uncle to have guardianship of Maryanne or Brent. So, I need a husband. No one we know here in Boston will do. From what I’ve learned of this Mr. Delaney, he will do nicely. I am no longer the romantic debutante I was a few weeks ago. I will do whatever it takes to protect my brother and sister.”

  “That’s an admirable attitude, Miss Bowman.”

  “It’s Mrs. Delaney, now,” she reminded him softly as she got to her feet and held her hand out to shake his. The older man blinked as though he didn’t recognize her. That was quite all right. Hannah barely recognized herself. She smiled as he shook her hand firmly. The old codger had decided to respect her. There was nothing more Hannah could ask for.

  Her stomach clenched again as she left his office and headed for home. It was time to collect the children and depart for their new lives. She just hoped the staff had managed to get their things loaded discretely and everyone was ready to go when she got there.

  Her trust had been well placed. The housekeeper was waiting for her in the foyer when Hannah stepped through the front door.

  “Everything is as you requested, Miss Hannah,” the older woman said while she dabbed at her red eyes with a handkerchief. “Are you absolutely certain I cannot come with you?”

  “I am certain, Marilla, at least for now. We mustn’t draw any attention to ourselves while we travel West. You understand why, don’t you?”

  “Oh, I do, Miss, but I just cannot bear to think of the three of you going off all alone like this. Your parents would have my head if they knew of it.”

  Hannah could feel her face pulling into a grim expression as she tried to answer the older woman. “Well, they should’ve made better arrangements if they were so set against something like this.” At the housekeeper’s aghast expression, Hannah offered a conciliatory smile. “Never mind about that. I’ve made all the necessary arrangements. There’s nothing to go wrong. Brent, Maryanne, and I will be perfectly safe. We will stick to our room as much as possible. And with the speed of train travel now, we’ll be to our destination before we’ve even had time to get settled. Then we’ll be perfectly safe once my husband is there to take care of us.”

  Hannah wanted to roll her eyes, but she knew that was what the sweet older woman wanted to hear. And she was right. Marilla brightened up immediately.

  “Yes, of course, your husband will know just what to do.” But then the woman finally realized what she was saying. “Of course, I cannot be perfectly settled about you going off with a man none of us have ever met or even heard of before. Are you absolutely certain about this, Miss? You really ought to take one of us with you, just to be completely certain.”

  “Marilla, I promise you, I have thought it all through and am absolutely certain. I have discussed the matter thoroughly with Mr. Mulroney and his associates.”

  “Well, yes, they are wise men to guide you, of course.” The housekeeper dabbed at her eyes some more, and Hannah softened toward her as usual.

  Pulling the older woman into her arms for a brief hug, Hannah assured her, “I promise you, I will write as soon as we arrive so that you know we are safe and sound. Will that help to reassure you?” There was a vigorous nod so Hannah continued. “And you will be remaining here to look after everything for us so it will be fit for our return.”

  “Oh, yes, of course, Miss, you can count o
n me to be sure. Everything will be kept spic and span, even if you aren’t here.”

  “I knew we could count on you, Marilla.” She briskly changed the subject. “Do you know if the children are ready? I just have to change my clothes.”

  “Oh, but you look so nice already, Miss.”

  Hannah ignored the words. There was no way she could wear the handsome velvet suit she had on and expect anyone to think she was a humble mother of two youngsters. When she didn’t respond, the housekeeper remembered her question.

  “Yes, Master Brent and Miss Maryanne are in the dining room just finishing their breakfast, but all the luggage is loaded as you requested and they’re dressed and ready whenever you are.”

  “Thank you so much, Marilla. I will be with them in just a couple minutes.” She didn’t wait for a reply and dashed up the stairs. It wasn’t polite debutante behavior, but she was no longer a debutante, she reminded herself with the first real grin she had felt in the weeks since her parents’ sudden death.

  ***

  As Hannah quickly changed from her fashionable clothes for visiting the lawyer into something she deemed more appropriate for the matronly guardian of two youngsters, she couldn’t keep the memories at bay.

  It had been a bright, sunny day. There had been no environmental foreshadowing of the terrible news they were about to receive. In hindsight, it seemed dreadfully unfair that something so earth shattering should take place on a sunny day. Hannah shoved away the ridiculous thought. Even if it had been raining torrentially, there was no good time to find out their loving, wonderful parents had been killed.

  Hannah shuddered to think of it. The industrial accident that had destroyed half the factory was still being investigated, but Hannah wondered for what felt like the millionth time whether or not it was wise to take the children by train. But trying to travel by a horse-drawn conveyance all the way to Nebraska would take weeks, maybe even months, while the train would only take them seven days. But the threat of an explosion made her throat clench. She just hoped they had been successful in their bid to have their room as far away from the engine as possible.

  Of course, with taking a twelve-year-old boy onto a train, the engine would be impossible to avoid entirely, but Hannah would hope and pray for their safety. She had to choose the lesser of two evils. From what she had heard and read, train travel was remarkably safe these days. And it would get the three of them away and safe from Uncle Jason. On the other hand, no doubt Father had thought that factory was safe to visit as well.

  Hannah pushed the tumultuous thoughts from her head. They were not in the least helpful. The train tickets were purchased, their bags were packed, and she had to get downstairs to make sure the children got on that train. She could not allow them to remain in Boston with the potential of being at the mercy of their uncle. The risk of the train is minimal. Deep breaths, deep breaths. Hannah regarded her pale reflection and grimaced. She looked dreadful. But that would be to their advantage. She didn’t look like a wealthy young woman from a big city, and that was all she needed.

  She had forced herself to do as she had admonished the children. Her baggage was as light as she had been able to reasonably make it. With only her most favorite book and all the important papers along with personal garments, she had never packed so lightly even for a few days away, let alone packing up her entire life. But it was necessary for the circumstances. That was becoming her personal mantra. Whatever was necessary for the circumstances. She was well aware that the expression on her face was grim. She tried to plaster on a smile for the sake of the servants and the children as she left her room and returned to the foyer.

  “Oh, Miss Hannah, what have you done to yourself?”

  Hannah’s lips stretched into a spontaneous smile. It couldn’t be helped. She was glad her effort had paid off.

  “Where ever did you find such a dreadful outfit?”

  “It’s far from dreadful,” Hannah soothed.

  “Well, it’s far from acceptable attire for Miss Bowman,” Marilla retorted.

  “Perhaps so, but I’m no longer Miss Bowman. I do not wish to draw attention, and I don’t want to look like a debutante from Boston.” There was a mirror in the foyer and Hannah gazed critically at her reflection. “I was hoping to be able to pass as the children’s mother, but I don’t think I quite managed it.”

  The housekeeper fluttered her handkerchief as she dabbed at her eyes. “Your mother would have fits if she saw you.”

  “Fits of laughter, I would say,” Brent interrupted, relieving Hannah of the need to soothe the housekeeper. “You look strange, Han.”

  “Too strange, do you suppose? I don’t want to draw attention to myself, that’s the entire point.”

  “Then I think you were successful. No one will want to look at you for long.”

  “Very good, then let us be off.” Hannah ignored her brother’s churlishness. She didn’t think he was exaggerating. And she didn’t want anyone looking at her. It was perfect. She herded the children into the carriage and they were off.

  Chapter Three

  When they pulled to a stop in front of the train station, Hannah was pleased to see that her brother was finally pulling himself out of his sullen mood. No twelve-year-old boy could stay moody when confronted with the prospect of riding in a train. It was to be a first for both of the youngsters. Hannah, herself, had only been in a train once before. She felt another lurch of nerves but chose to ignore it. She had been assured countless times that train travel was perfectly safe. She needn’t think about the speed at which they’d be travelling, nor of the powerful engine that would be pulling them. And if she needed to think of it, she should rejoice that the speed would be removing them so swiftly from the presence of her dreadful Uncle Jason.

  With a determined smile, Hannah took the hands of her brother and sister and stepped down from the carriage. She needed to keep a firm hand on the youngsters. In their excitement, she couldn’t trust them not to wander off. It would be the worst possible development if she were to lose them just as they were about to depart.

  Hannah was grateful for the porters who were bustling around, transporting their baggage to the correct train car. She was relieved, too, that she had been able to convince the staff to remain at home. It would not have supported her story of being an average housewife if she had servants hanging off her on the platform. And watching the housekeeper sob into her handkerchief wasn’t the last view she wanted to carry away with her of Boston, either.

  Within moments, they were in the train getting settled into their small room, and the train started to chug away from the station. They had cut it too close, Hannah thought with another sickening lurch of her stomach. But they had made it. The children were safe. They were on their way. Heading to the unknown. But it was an unknown she could control. She had the resources to be able to control it. Yes, she had married a stranger based on a trusted acquaintance’s recommendation. That was doubtless a crazy thing to do. But it was the only way to achieve her ends. And it gave her the means to be able to provide for the children and keep them safe.

  Hannah’s head was starting to ache as the thoughts chased themselves around in her head. A month ago she would never have been able to picture herself in this situation. It was amazing what you could manage to do when it was necessary.

  She tried to join in Brent’s enthusiasm for the train and managed to listen with at least a semblance of a smile as he described in detail what was happening in the engine compartment.

  “How do you know so much about this?” she marveled.

  “Father took me with him a couple months ago when he was viewing the place where the engines are made. I think they were trying to impress him, so they told me everything.” Brent chuckled as he remembered the occasion. “I don’t think Father cared too much, but I loved it.”

  The laugh died suddenly in his throat as he remembered that he would have no further experiences like that with their father. Hannah watched helplessly
as the boy’s face crumpled. She then watched in amazement, as he seemed to collect himself and stem the tide of his grief. It was as though the boy refused to succumb to his sadness in that moment.

  “Do you think they would let me see the engine while it’s working?” he asked as his enthusiasm began to return.

  Hannah swallowed her temptation to object. “You’ll have to ask one of the porters. Perhaps after we’ve been travelling for a day or two, once they’ve gotten to know you, they’ll be more willing to recommend you to the engineer.”

  Brent’s eyes lit up. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

  Hannah was glad she hadn’t denied him directly. She wasn’t sure if they would allow it, but she wasn’t going to pay for the experience, as their father would have done. Hannah needed them to blend in. So Brent was just a boy eager to see the engine. If the engineers allowed it, Hannah would swallow her fears on her brother’s behalf and allow it. It was the first time he had laughed since their parents’ death. She wasn’t about to discourage his delight in anything.

  Turning her attention to Maryanne, Hannah’s heart sank as she saw the little girl staring listlessly out the window.

  “Is it a nice view, pumpkin?”

  “Don’t call me that. That’s what Father called me,” she objected without turning to face her sister.

  “Everyone called you that,” Hannah pointed out before conceding. “But if you don’t want me to call you that, I won’t. I’m sorry. It just slipped out from habit.”