Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

handed William one of the two glasses of brandy he
held, then sat in the empty chair next to his friend.
    “You’re going to leave
your bride alone for over a month? You’ve barely been married that long.”
    “No reason to stay
here. Mary Ellen’s with child.” Randall raised his glass in toast as he made
the announcement, then took a sip of his drink.
    “Congratulations,” William
stammered, surprised at the announcement. “But are you sure?”
    “Do you remember when
Mary Ellen’s aunt asked to speak with me privately, before you took her back to
the train depot?”
    “Yes.”
    “The woman urged me to
give the girl time to adjust to her new home and to me, before consummating our
marriage.”
    “Really?” William doubted
Randall took the aunt’s suggestion.
    “I wondered briefly if
Mary Ellen was in the midst of her woman’s monthly. I could see how that might
prove embarrassing for the girl. But the aunt assured me that wasn’t the case
and even told me when I should expect my bride to start again, which was two
weeks ago.”
    “How would her aunt
know something like that?” William could not imagine engaging in such a
conversation with a woman he barely knew. Even if he knew the woman well, it
would be an awkward topic.
    “I have no idea. I
suppose women discuss these sorts of things. But the point is, Mary Ellen has
not started her monthly, therefore she is obviously pregnant.”
    “Has she seen a
doctor?”
    “Whatever for? Women
have been having babies since the beginning of time. She can see a doctor when
she’s farther along.”
    William wondered what
Mary Ellen thought about being a mother. He hadn’t seen her during her first
week of marriage — aside from
the wedding day. But on the second week he fell into old habits, which brought
him to the Coulson estate every evening for supper.
    Each night he and Randall
enjoyed a brandy in the study before joining Mary Ellen in the dining room for
the evening meal. The young bride was silent throughout the dinners, and
Randall made no effort to bring her into the conversation. William would
typically greet her with a compliment — you look very lovely tonight — that dress suits you well — that color brings out your
eyes , and then ask her a question or two about her day’s events. In spite
of his effort, her conversation was minimal. However, she never failed to blush
at William’s compliments.
    “Well, if you’re going
to Chicago, I suppose I’ll have to make other dinner arrangements”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,
William. There’s no reason to do that. Staff will continue to set a place for
you at the dinner table — as usual.”
    “I don’t think that
would be proper, Randall.”
    “Proper? I’m counting
on you to keep an eye on my bride. You’re the one constantly reminding me of
her youthful naiveté. I’m not really sure I can trust her to take proper care
of herself in my absence.”
    “You want me to babysit
her?” William chuckled.
    “Of course not. But
continue to have dinners here, and keep an eye on her. If you notice anything
that needs attention, I trust you to take care of it. I also think she likes
you and she may need your company while I’m away. She doesn’t converse with the
staff much — which of course
is not a bad thing — but
women can get emotional during this time. I’ll just feel better knowing you’re
keeping an eye on things for me.”
    “Okay, Randall. I’ll
babysit your child bride for you.”
    “Oh, stop calling her
that!”
    • • • •
    Mary Ellen stood at her
bedroom window and watched as her husband prepared to get into the motor car
with William. Just as he got into the vehicle, he glanced up to her window and
gave her a brief, impersonal farewell wave. He got into the car quickly and did
not glance back up to the window, therefore he didn’t know his wife failed to
return the gesture. She watched as the car pulled away from the house. William
was taking Randall to the train