Page 16 of Leather and Lace
“And why would we not?” Her mother asked from behind her, Mary wrapped her arms around herself hearing the approaching footsteps. “Such a thing is precisely what we need to make this town our home for good.”
“But I thought you meant to move on after I was married?” She turned then to face her mother. “You have been pushing me ever forward on the stipulation that it would free you to do as you pleased. I thought you meant to move to New York City when I was married off?”
Sarah James waved a hand. “Yes, that was the plan, but now things have changed. Why would I leave, even for a city so grand as New York, when I have Mister Rutherford wanting me for a wife?”
“And what do you know of the man? Why would he wish to be married so quickly?”
“Why?” Sarah James shook her head at her daughter. “As a man of his influence, he requires a skilled lady in his home when it comes to matters of business and entertaining. As you know, I was an asset to your father in his business dealings. The pair of us made a wonderful team. Everyone in San Antonio knew that, now didn’t they, dear?” Mary didn’t miss the inflection her mother took on at the end, or the meaningful look she gave her daughter.
Sarah James was skilled at playing hostess but only with a seasoned staff on hand. The woman had little understanding of business, much more inclined to pursuing the newest fashion periodicals than sitting with her husband as he pored over new business contracts. Mary had sat with her father and listened to him, tried to soak in the knowledge he gave her.
“Pay me mind and it will secure your future one-day, darling Minnie. You have a sharp mind.”
But her mother on the other hand had thought them boring and stuffy, waving the pair of them off as she left for another social engagement. Mary hadn’t minded her mother’s absence then; her father was pleasant enough company and there had always been a snifter of brandy when they spent time together.
Mary raised an eyebrow at her mother. “You are aiming to give Mister Rutherford business help?”
“Yes, of course. Like any good wife and partner, and as I said, I had done so for years with your father, now isn’t that right?” This time there was no mistaking her mother’s sharp tone. Mary was to fall in line and support her mother’s story and immediately so.
“Ah, yes, yes of course. You always did help Papa when there were important decisions to be made,” Mary acquiesced.
Sarah James nodded approvingly at her. “Perfect, darling I knew it was just your memory, the frontier does make you so forgetful, now isn’t that right?”
Mary nodded. “Yes, of course, you’re right.”
“Now then, as I was saying on the matter of the double wedding. We can plan it post haste and spare no expense. I already have my mind set on a new dress, I am thinking perhaps velvet, there are so many becoming designs as of late for a woman of my age. I shall head to the nearest modiste at once for a fitting. The food will also be top quality as well, we must make sure Mister Rutherford understands we are women of means and will settle for nothing less if he hopes to keep your Mama close.”
Mary furrowed her brow. “But I thought-didn’t you say that we must be frugal with our spending? And my simple dress?” she asked, shocked by her mother’s sudden change in tack. “I thought--”
“Mister Pierce will be able to pay for it all,” Sarah James interrupted.
Mary’s eyes widened at her mother’s words. “What?”
“Your soon to be husband will, of course, pay for the entire thing.” Her mother gave her a quizzical look. “You did write him back haven’t you?”
“Yes, of course, but what do you mean he will pay for it? Why would he do that?”
“To please his new family.”
Mary gaped at her mother. “But we have not even received his response yet. For all we know he has chosen another woman to respond to. How can you already be so sure that he has chosen us?”
“Because, I, in my infinite wisdom, have taken care of it. When I went asking after him, I made sure the newspaper office would not forward on any other responses. Only yours has made it through to the young man.”
“How did you manage that?”
“It was quite simple really. The delightful young woman that ruins the office came up with the idea all on her own. Have you met her? Rosemary was her name. I could not think of a more delightful woman in all of Gold Sky. She and I are of quite the same mind, you know? I must introduce you to her at once. We will have her over once you’re all settled and we are out of these horrid rooms.” She looked around her with a disgusted sniff.
Mary didn’t think the boarding house was the height of comfort, but it was nice enough. Nothing horrid about them, but she kept her mouth shut and nodded stiffly. She knew that it was all arranged between her and Alex beforehand and for that she was happy. If it had not been, she did not know if she would have been able to carry on otherwise. The thought of an unsuspecting groom falling prey to her mother’s mechanisms had her stomach roiling---she paused at that.
Mister Rutherford.
The man seemed affable enough. He had certainly gotten her the time alone she had so desperately needed and wanted. Mary had no reason to think poorly of him, and her mother was pulling the wool right over his eyes proclaiming that she was in possession of a head for business. The man would be marrying a stranger.
“Now then, I am off to the modiste to get my measurements taken. Come along as well, dear. We can have them begin your dress and see if there has been a new letter for you as well.” Sarah James strode towards the door. “Let’s be off then.”
Mary followed behind on numb feet. She could not think of Mister Rutherford or what would happen when he found out the truth. The most important thing now was to take care that she kept to her plans with Alex. Whatever actions her mother chose now would not, and could not affect her, even if it meant abandoning Mister Rutherford to her mother’s designs.
Chapter 7
