The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) π

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- Author: Katherine Logan
Read book online Β«The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) πΒ». Author - Katherine Logan
96
Sacramento, California, 1869
Senator McCabe arrived at the Leland Stanford Mansion promptly at nine oβclock. Melissa Mills, his companion for the past year, elegantly graced his arm. The evening fundraiser for the Republican Party had been on his calendar for several weeks. Leland Stanford, along with his partners in the Central Pacific Railroad, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Collis Huntington, were hinting at the possibility of backing Braham as the next gubernatorial candidate. If he decided to run, he would need not only their financial support, but their influence.
βGood evening, Senator.β Stanford shook hands with Braham and kissed Melissa on the cheek. βMy dear Melissa, Iβm sorry to hear your father is indisposed this evening.β
βItβs Papaβs gout. Heβll be fine in a few days.β
βIβm pleased to hear it. I believe your godmother has visitors from New York sheβd like you to meet. Ah, hereβs Jane now.β Stanford kissed his wife. βIf you ladies will excuse us, I have business to discuss with the senator.β
Glancing at Braham, Melissa batted her eyelashes flirtatiously over the ivory lacework of her fan. βDonβt be long, darling.β She then linked her arm with her godmotherβs and the two women sauntered away with their heads together, chatting in soft undertones.
Braham cocked his head, watching the lithe, coquettish brunette glide across the room. He had yet to bed her, preferring the company of his mistress, and often wondered if Melissa would even enjoy the marriage bed, or tolerate it only to produce an heir. Regardless, he would likely marry her within the next year.
βCome to the library, Abraham. I have a new bottle of blended Scottish whisky youβll enjoy.β
Braham followed the railroad tycoon, dismissing thoughts of the woman he regularly bedded and the woman he wasnβt inclined to bed at all.
After pouring two glasses, Stanford handed one to Braham. βHave a seat, Senator. Cigars are on the table.β
Braham extracted a cigar from the humidor, lit it, and relaxed in one of the two leather wing chairs in front of a roaring fire, crossing one leg over the other.
Stanford remained standing in front of the fireplace with one arm resting on the mantel, cigar propped between his fingers. βYour term as senator is up next year, and the party wants you as our candidate for governor. Within six years, with Melissa at your side, youβll reside in the White House. California needs you there, Abraham.β
Braham pulled a short draw, then removed the cigar from his mouth and studied it, blowing out puffs of smoke. βThis is somewhat of a surprise, although ye have hinted at it.β
βCome now, Senator. Donβt be coy. Youβve been on the path to the governorβs office since you stepped onto the floor of the Senate. The White House is the obvious next step. My partners and I can make it happen.β
What Leland was offering was not only financial support and influence, but also a promise of victory. Braham puffed again, and the smoke wreathed up around his head. βIβm flattered. However, I couldnβt possibly give ye an answer without discussing the ramifications with my law partner. Being governor would preclude my practicing law. Iβd hope my clients would stay with the firm, but clients are fickle when it comes to lawyers.β
βMr. and Mrs. Montgomery are on this eveningβs guest list. Dinner will provide the perfect opportunity to bring him around to our point of view. Heβll quickly see the benefits for all Californians to have one of our own in the White House. Of course, my business associates require legal representation on a variety of matters. Iβm sure Mr. Montgomery could handle a multitude of issues brilliantly.β
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. With an edge of impatience, Stanford called out, βCome in.β
The butler stepped into the room. βSir, the governorβs carriage arrived. Mrs. Stanford asked that you join her at the door.β
Stanford waved away the servant. βYes, yes. Tell her Iβll be along.β He puffed on his cigar. βAs soon as I have your answer, youβll be free to call on Melissaβs father. He should be recovered from his gout attack and will be pleased to entertain your offer for his daughterβs hand.β
Braham cleared his throat discreetly.
βTiming is everything, Senator. Announcing your upcoming nuptials and your bid for governor at the same press conference will guarantee the announcement appears simultaneously on the front page of every newspaper in California and in the society columns. Now, we donβt want to keep the ladies waiting. Shall we go?β
Braham stubbed out his cigar and emptied his whisky glass. His plan was falling into place like expertly arranged dominoes.
Thirty minutes later, Cullen and Kit arrived. After kissing his cousin, and remarking on how beautiful she looked in a green silk gown matching her eyes, he and Cullen went out onto the balcony for a private conversation. Kit and Melissa remained inside, chatting amiably.
βWhat are ye going to tell him?β Cullen asked.
Braham leaned against the railing, folding his arms. βI donβt want to live in Washington ever again.β
βItβs not the same city ye left four years ago, and ye still own two houses there.β
Braham steeled himself against the riptide of memory. βI need to sell them.β
A silence followed. Cullen fixed him with a frown. βCharlotte is not coming back. Sell the properties.β
βButββ
Cullen gave him a friendly slap between the shoulder blades. βItβs time ye proposed to Melissa and started a family. Yeβre forty-six years old. Run for governor. After two years, if ye still donβt want to run for president, tell the party ye want another term as governor.β
Braham took a long, silent breath and opened his hand, revealing a sapphire ring.
Cullen eyes held a glint matching his half smile. βYeβve got the ring. Yeβve got the girl. Propose this evening. What in Godβs name is holding ye back?β
Braham felt an uneasy rumble in his stomach and put the ring away. βDo ye think Charlotte married David? He was in love with her.β
Cullen pointed
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