A Lady’s Trust by Callie Hutton (short story to read txt) 📕

“No. He’s just anxious to make you his wife.” Diana placed her hands on Amelia’s shoulders. “I am so happy we will be sisters. I’ve always wanted one. You are marrying a fine man. I’ve known Driscoll most of my life. He will make you a wonderful husband.”

Amelia smiled. “I am certain he will.”

“Ah, you love him,” Diana whispered.

“Yes. I do.”

Diana eased her arm into Amelia’s and moved her forward. “Then let’s go save that poor man downstairs from any further angst.”

The ceremony itself was almost a blur to Amelia. The line she remembered best was Driscoll’s strong words as he held her hands and stared into her eyes.

With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Once they were announced as husband and wife, Driscoll leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I love you, Lady Amelia Rose.” He then followed with a kiss that had the vicar clearing his throat and the few guests present chuckling.

The wedding breakfast followed, with the three Rose brothers, Diana, and staff members from The Rose Room, drinking champagne and wishing them well. Betsy and Margie were especially giddy at the romance that grew right under their noses.

Amelia looked around at the gathering and then turned to her new husband. She thought of how happy her mother and stepfather would be if they here today to share her joy.

“Is everything all right? You looked sad for a minute.” Driscoll clasped her hands and eyed her with concern.

She offered him a bright smile, one filled with the happiness he brought her. “Yes, my love. Everything is fine. Just fine.”

Epilogue

“I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you. You’re being foolish.” Amelia sat on the settee in their drawing room, her back stiff, her arms crossed over her middle, glaring at her husband.

Driscoll ran his fingers through his hair. As much as he loved his wife and was immensely happy with his married state, he feared he would be bald before long, with the way he kept tugging at his hair. No one had ever explained to him how frustrating females could be at times. If not for his occasional visits with Hunt who assured him Amelia, much like his own wife, Diana, was quite normal for a woman, he would view his wife as if she were possessed.

He sat alongside her and took her hands. “Sweetheart, let me repeat myself. Again. You cannot deal cards at the club. You are my wife. It is not proper for you to be out and about in your condition. You are seven months pregnant and can’t be on your feet for any length of time.”

“I don’t care about propriety.”

He shook his head no.

“I can sit on a chair.”

He shook his head.

“I can take breaks.”

He shook his head.

“I will only work half a shift.”

He shook his head.

Amelia sighed. “You know, husband of mine, one day your head is going to fly off your shoulders with all the shaking it does.”

He smiled.

“You’re laughing at me!” Suddenly she broke into tears. Driscoll stood and ran his fingers through his hair. Hunt also told him a pregnant wife was an even more difficult woman to live with.

“Please, honey, don’t cry.” He sat down again and looked at her very unhappy, red eyes and sighed. He was not going to give in, but perhaps a compromise would work.

“What if I bring you to the club and you work on the books with me?”

She took the handkerchief he handed her and wiped her cheeks. “Really?”

He breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t pick up the book alongside her and hit him on the head with it. “Yes, really.”

Her smile broke out like the welcoming sun on a cloudy day. “I would like that. I get so lonely sitting here by myself every night.”

He slapped his thighs and stood. “Then it is settled. I will be leaving in a few minutes, so go do whatever it is you need to do before we leave.”

With a bit of a struggle, she rose from the chair and waddled off. Despite his reluctance to have her anywhere except at home safe and sound, it would be nice to have her company, and working side by side as they did before.

* * *

It had been months since Amelia had been in the club. When they were first married, she continued dealing until they found a replacement, which took some time since they were also forced to replace John. For a while after that she worked with Driscoll on the books until her pregnancy was confirmed. Then the man she married, who had been so easy to live with and complacent about most things, turned into a stranger who watched her every move, and handled her as if she were made of the finest crystal.

Their very active and satisfying bed sport would have come to an end with his concern about hurting the babe had she not finally purchased some scandalous undergarments and in desperation, seduced him. She still grinned at that evening. One of her best memories.

It felt good to be back where it all started for them. She’d been shocked to receive a letter from Randolph, apologizing for his behavior and asking for her forgiveness. He’d used the money Driscoll had given him to start a small business. She nearly lost her breath laughing when he said he had opened a haberdashery in New York City, and was doing quite well. Life was certainly full of surprises.

She and Driscoll had been working on the ledgers for over an hour when Dante entered the office. “I will be gone for a while.”

“Home Office?” Driscoll asked.

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“Not sure.”

“When?”

“Now.”

“We’ll handle everything.”

With that snappy terse and very confusing conversation, Dante offered them both a salute and left the room.

“Whatever was that about?” She asked.

Driscoll smiled. “Dante has an assignment