A Mail-Order Illusion Read online

  His breath heaved. “I would think it obvious that I’m interested in one woman, and only one.” There was a quiet, dark edge to his voice which sent shivers of delight through her body. “If I want someone, I don’t play around. And I certainly don’t peruse other women.”

  Her throat clogged. “But we said this wasn’t serious. We said we didn’t want anyone to know.” He ran his index finger up and down her throat, and she wondered if he could feel the flutters of her pulse.

  “That’s what you said. You didn’t want anyone to know. But I never said I wanted that.”

  “You didn’t?”

  His eyes were entranced by her throat, and as if he couldn’t help himself, he bent his head to nip at the skin there. Her eyes closed as she leaned her head back against the wall.

  “I can’t get enough of you.”

  A startled laugh escaped her lips. He said it like he was amused and frustrated at the same time.

  Both of his hands trailed up to the back of her head and into her hair. He gently brought her gaze to his and held her there. “If I haven’t made it clear enough, I don’t want anyone else but you.”

  “So you’re saying you want a snobby girl from the east?” she teased, but knew some of her insecurities had seeped out.

  “I’m saying”—he placed a soft kiss to her lips—“I want you.”

  His words made her lower stomach flutter. The wants and needs flowing through her felt as if they would drown her. “I want you too,” she said softly.

  The admission ignited him, and he was there, kissing her, urging her to kiss him back with the same frenzy he was feeling. And she complied until their breaths became one.

  It was madness.

  He finally pulled away and tucked her against him, cradling her. She didn’t know she could ever feel like this. She didn’t know she could want something or someone so much. It seemed as if the world was good and beautiful and made sense for the first time in her life. And she never wanted it to end.

  “I was thinking,” she began, her words partially muffled against his neck, “would you like to come to dinner at the house? I could invite the other women, and they could get to know you.”

  “Are you saying you want others to know about us?”

  She could hear the amusement in his voice, and she smiled. “I think I want to see where this takes us. We can’t do that if we keep it hidden.” She wasn’t ready to admit she loved him just yet, but she couldn’t stay quiet about what she wanted any longer.

  He pulled away to look at her, and her breath caught at his happy look. “I’d like that. A lot.”

  She laughed. “Me too. I’ll talk to the others and let you know when.”

  “All right.” He held her loosely, but it was comfortable, like they’d always held each other. “But what about our lessons? Do you want to tell others about them?” He raised a brow as if he already knew her answer.

  And darn it. He did. “Let’s keep those between us still.” She wanted to be alone with him, and their lessons were a good excuse.

  “All right. We’ll keep it a secret. But if we’re going to be courting in public, it’s just going to be you and me, no other suitors. I’ve already put myself out there with Aria and was rejected. I don’t want anything similar happening this time.”

  She could understand that. He’d helped out Aria, but he’d also cared for her, and of course it must have been a bit painful when she hadn’t chosen him. “I don’t have any other suitors. I scared them all away,” she said dryly.

  “Their loss.” He squeezed her tight.

  She snorted, amused. She appreciated she didn’t have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. He accepted her for who she was, and who she was in her past.

  “We should probably go back, I don’t want anyone to worry about you,” he said. Violet knew he was right, but she didn’t want to leave him yet. She wanted more time together. She sighed. “You’re probably right.”

  He gave her one last squeeze before releasing her. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you again tomorrow,” he teased.

  She tried to sneer at him but couldn’t. She wanted to spend more time with him, and she didn’t care if he knew.

  He chuckled. “Go on. You head out first, and I’ll wait a minute before leaving so no one knows we were together.”

  “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She took a step away, but he grabbed her hand and yanked her back for a quick kiss. “Think of me.”

  Her breath was short from excitement and pleasure. “Always.”

  With a final heated look, which told her he was already thinking of kissing her again, he nudged her toward the gap between buildings. “Go. Before I forget why staying is a bad idea.”

  She giggled, a sound which didn’t often escape her lips. When he took a step toward her as if he was going to take her back in his arms, she squeaked and jumped toward the walkway.

  She dared a glance over her shoulder, and he was leaning against the building, watching her, devouring her with his eyes.

  He heated her, warmed her, and filled her with joy. No one had ever looked at her like that, no one had ever wanted her so much she thought they’d combust. And nothing had ever felt better.

  Chapter 8

  Violet stepped out of the gap between the buildings and smoothed her skirts. She needed to meet Juliette and Willow in a few minutes, but she wasn’t quite ready to head back to the mercantile.

  Instead, she made her way to Tom’s forge, stopped to lean against the side of his shop, and waited for Jimmy to step out from their hiding spot. She was addicted to him. She didn’t even try to deny it anymore. She wanted to see him as much as she could, and now that they’d decided to bring their relationship out into the open, everything was more real. It seemed possible. And Jimmy already felt like hers.

  When he stepped out from between the buildings, his eyes met hers, and she gave him a slow smile. He returned it, and she could tell he was still thinking about their kiss. She wished she was still behind the buildings with him, but maybe, if everything worked out, they’d be engaged before too long. As crazy as that may have seemed a few weeks ago, it was more than possible now.

  They didn’t want to get caught kissing behind the buildings, but now they were telling others, there was no reason she couldn’t speak with him in the middle of town. She wanted everyone to know she wanted him.

  As if he felt the same way, he took several steps toward her, and she moved from her place to meet him halfway. But when she was almost to him, someone called to her from across the street.

  “Miss Morgan! Miss Morgan!” The porter from the train station rushed toward her, then leaned forward slightly and sucked in several breaths, as if he’d been running for a while. “I’m glad I caught you before you returned home.”

  Jimmy reached them in time to overhear, and looked at Violet with concern. “Is everything all right?”

  “I don’t know.” She looked at the man. “Is it?”

  He took off his hat and held in his hands. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to worry you. I have a message for you.”

  “A message? From whom?”

  “I was sent to tell you your fiancé is waiting for you.”

  Violet’s mouth fell open and Jimmy stiffened next to her. “Who is waiting for me?”

  The man looked uneasily between Violet and Jimmy, obviously picking up on the sudden tension. “Your fiancé?”

  Jimmy stepped forward. “She doesn’t have a fiancé.”

  Violet swallowed at the light menace in his tone. She held out her hand and placed it on his chest, forcing him back from the porter a step. “There must be some kind of misunderstanding.”

  “I don’t know anything about that, Miss. All I know is I was sent to give you the message.”

  When she felt Jimmy push forward again, she asked, “And where is this person?”

  “He said he’d meet you at Sally’s Café. Although, he didn’t seem too pleased with the idea. He e
xpected your lodging to be in town, and that you’d be able to greet him immediately upon his arrival. His words.”

  “Greet him?” Now Violet was really confused. “Did he just arrive?”

  “Yes, on the train.”

  At his words, a niggling thought of who it sounded like entered her mind, but she brushed it aside. Richard wouldn’t have traveled all this way, and he certainly wasn’t her fiancé any longer.

  Jimmy couldn’t remain silent. “And did this man tell you his name?”

  The older man nodded his head enthusiastically. “He sure did. He said he was Mr. Richard Edwards the Second.” He scratched his head. “Er. Maybe it was the Third.”

  The color drained out of Violet’s face. Richard was here? What on earth did he want?

  For a moment, she let herself believe he was here for another reason, that he hadn’t come all this way for her. He shouldn’t even know she was here. Logically, she knew no other explanation made sense. The only reason Richard had come to Promise Creek was for her. But why?

  Violet realized Jimmy had gone silent next to her. She looked over at him, taking in his rigid stance, the questions in his eyes. He didn’t look at her with accusation, but he did look as if he were on guard.

  She reached out and put her hand on his forearm, wanting to reassure him, and if she were being honest, herself as well. “I’m sure there’s a good explanation for this.”

  “I’m assuming Mr. Richard Edwards the Second is your ex-fiancé?”

  “The Third.” She winced. “And yes. That’s him.”

  He took a deep breath, but kept quiet a moment, obviously contemplating what he was going to say next. “And you’re sure you’re no longer engaged?”

  “Completely sure. Plus, I’m married to another man now, at least as far as everyone in New York is concerned.” She was so grateful she’d explained about her previous engagement earlier. If she hadn’t, this situation would probably have been a lot more difficult.

  “I remember. But why is he here then? Why is he claiming to be your fiancé?”

  She shook her head and held up her hands. “I have no idea. There was no mistaking the end of our engagement. He practically left me at the altar for another woman. I was humiliated.” She looked at him again, willing him to believe her, willing him to trust her. “I don’t know why he’s here.”

  He blew out a long breath, then took her hand and squeezed. “I believe you.”

  Her heart eased. She’d been so worried he’d be angry. After telling her he didn’t want to be involved in a situation like this, here he was, involved in almost the same situation once again, right when they’d decided to tell everyone about their relationship.

  “Why don’t we go see what he wants?” he suggested.

  Violet nodded, grateful to have his confidence, but she wasn’t sure it was the best idea. She had no idea what Richard wanted to say, and she didn’t want Jimmy upset. “Are you sure you want to be there? I can handle this.”

  “I know you can. You’re more than capable, but I’d like to be there if it’s all right with you. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

  She smiled and leaned against him. “That’s kind of you.”

  “It’s not all due to kindness.” He leaned toward her ear and whispered, “You’re mine. I want to make sure he realizes that.”

  Her belly flipped as tingles went through her. Something magical happened when he did that, and she was pretty sure he knew it. It was as though her body filled with electricity, lighting up every inch of her until she was sure she’d catch fire.

  She knew she’d sound ridiculous if she spoke, so she nodded her agreement and they set off after the porter.

  Jimmy didn’t escort her quickly to Sally’s Café. Every step was measured, even, and she wondered if he needed a bit more time to gather himself before meeting Richard.

  “You can still leave,” she offered softly.

  “Not a chance.”

  His words both comforted her and concerned her, but before she could say anything more, Jimmy had opened the door to Sally’s café and was gesturing for her to enter. “Let’s get this over with.”

  She nodded, then straightened her spine and wiped all expression from her face, ready to face Richard. Jimmy’s surprised looked caught her eye, but she didn’t comment. This Violet, the one who had just mentally armed herself, was a person Jimmy didn’t know, and someone Violet had hoped he never would. But if he was truly interested in a future with her, he might as well see this part of her past. This would help him understand her in a way words never could.

  Violet stepped into the cafe, her eyes quickly landing on Richard. He glanced up at her briefly, then dismissed her and looked back to his paper, before freezing a few seconds later. His eyes darted back to hers, and his paper fell limp in his hands.

  Violet raised her chin just a fraction, and it seemed to snap him out of his lapse. He stood from the table and strode toward her, giving Jimmy a brief glance, before deeming him unworthy of notice. The same as he’d done when she’d first walked in.

  “Darling!” He took her hand in his and kissed the back of it, then lowered his voice and said, “You look positively feral. Were you in some sort of accident?” He glanced around as if he were embarrassed to be seen with her.

  She promptly removed her hand. “Whatever do you mean?” she asked, but she knew exactly what he meant. She never would have been caught dead looking like this in New York. If she’d appeared anything less than perfect outside her bedroom walls, she would have paid for it. Every hair on her head had always been styled, no wrinkles had ever marred her skirts, and she’d always appeared at the peak of fashion.

  He gestured from the top of her unraveling hair, to the hem of her dusty skirts. “I should think it obvious.”

  Violet gave him a practiced smile. “We’re no longer in New York, Mr. Edwards. Things are different here.”

  “I wouldn’t have thought it was that different.” He said it like it was a bad thing, then looked at his surroundings and sniffed in disapproval.

  Heavens, had she really been engaged to this shallow creature? Or worse, had she been this self-absorbed?

  Loathing spread through her as she realized she truly had been just as bad.

  She’d known she’d changed since coming to Promise Creek, but until this moment, she hadn’t known exactly how much. Now, the stark difference nauseated her. “Apparently, you were wrong.” She blew out a breath, already tired of the mindless banter. “Why are you here, Mr. Edwards? I thought everything between us had been resolved.”

  “Richard, please. And obviously not.”

  “I don’t know how clearer it could have been, Mr. Edwards. You jilted me for Abigail Broderick. It was splashed all over the papers.”

  He flicked his hand through the air as if it had been nothing. “You know how the press is. It’s all in the past now.”

  Violet felt Jimmy take a step forward and pull her to his side. He didn’t speak, but he was there, lending her strength, and she was grateful for it. “I don’t see how any of that matters. Why are you here?”

  “Your parents sent me, of course. I thought it would be obvious.”

  She frowned. She hadn’t expected his answer. “Why would my parents send you? I haven’t even heard from them.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Don’t play coy, dear. They received your letter asking for funds to return home. They were grateful to hear you’d come to your senses and sent me to bring you home safely.”

  Jimmy stiffened next to her, but she barely felt it through her shock. “I didn’t send them a letter,” she said truthfully.

  Richard gave her a patronizing smile, and she wanted to claw it off his face. She controlled herself, but just barely. Behaving as a shrew would not help the situation.

  Realizing she wasn’t going to drop the act, Richard sighed and reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded letter, then handed it to her. “I guess it’s a good thing I brought it.”
/>   Violet felt the blood drain from her face as she recognized her handwriting. As if her hands had frozen stiff, she clumsily opened the paper, reading the words she’d written in her room some time ago in one of her weaker moments. She closed her eyes in disbelief. Juliette must have found it and sent it, not realizing it was meant for the garbage. “I had no intention of ever sending this. Another woman I live with must have sent it by accident. And in any case, why did my parents send you, of all people?”

  He squirmed, but she couldn’t tell if it was genuine or just for show. “I think that would be best discussed in private.” He glanced at Jimmy meaningfully.

  “I’m staying.” It was the one and only thing Jimmy had said since they’d walked in, and she almost jumped.

  Richard started arguing, but Violet held up her hand. A headache was forming from the mess she’d gotten herself into, and she couldn’t stand the noise. “Stop. I’ll speak with you, but only because this is a mistake I could have prevented by throwing this in the trash.” She turned to Jimmy. “Will you give us a moment? The sooner I talk to him, the sooner he’ll leave.”

  “Violet—”

  Richard puffed his chest up. “Don’t presume to speak to my fiancée so informally, peasant.”

  Jimmy choked. “Peasant?”

  Before he could move past her, Violet spun and placed her hand on his chest. “Let it go. Please.” It took a moment for his eyes to stop boring into Richard and look at her. “This is something I have to do.”

  “You really want me to leave?”

  She brushed aside the hurt she heard in his voice. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew Richard wouldn’t tell her why he was really here if Jimmy remained. “Yes. I’ll find you after.”

  Jimmy’s jaw clenched, and frustration filled his eyes. He gave her a single nod, turned, and left Sally’s, slamming the door behind him.

  “Good Lord, Violet. What have you gotten yourself into? He’s practically a savage.”

  Violet counted to ten before she turned back to face him, her face frozen in a serene expression. “What I have, or have not, done here is none of your business. You broke our engagement, and I have no obligations toward you.”