Violet (Suitors of Seattle Book 7) (5 page)

Violet nodded before turning to her mother.  She hugged her tightly and whispered to her, "I'll be just fine!  You have nothing to worry about."  She hoped her mother wouldn't change her mind at this late date.  She wished Edna had taken just a bit longer to arrive.  The longer Edna and Mary spent together, the less chance Violet had of being able to go to New York.

Mary shook her head, obviously still concerned.  "Be on your best behavior.  I don't know that I trust this traveling companion of yours.  Her breath smells like whiskey."

Violet suppressed a giggle.  "It's just her cough tonic, Mama.  I'm a big girl.  I'll be fine."

Edna stepped forward and put her hand on Mary's arm.  "Don't worry, Mrs. Sanderson.  I'll take good care of your baby."

"Sullivan," Mary corrected.

"Excuse me?"  Edna looked thoroughly confused.

"Our last name is Sullivan," Mary said with an exasperated sigh.

"Isn't that what I said?"

Jonas finally grabbed Violet's arm.  "We're going to miss our train.  Good day, Mrs. Sullivan.  Violet will be fine in our care."  He pulled Violet toward the train, and Edna hurried along behind them holding her hat firmly on her head. 

Mary watched them go with sadness and fear in equal parts on her face.  What was going to happen to her daughter?

*****

Violet was a little surprised at just how cramped the quarters were in the sleeping car.  She'd expected something like her bedroom at home that she'd grown up sharing with Iris, but this was much smaller.  There were two bunks, and she put her things on the top bunk, wanting to spare Edna the climb at the end of the day.

When she turned around, Edna had a sad look on her face.  "What's wrong?  I thought you were excited about going to New York!"

"Well, of course I am, but I wanted the top bunk.  I'll be able to see ever so much more from it.  And what could be more fun than climbing the ladder in my nightgown at the end of each day?"  Edna shrugged.  "I guess I'll take the bottom bunk."  She looked like she was fighting back tears.

Violet shook her head.  "Oh no, ma'am.  If you want the top bunk, you take it.  I thought I was leaving you the better bed."  She reached up and pulled down her carpet bag which had the things she'd need for the train ride.  Her trunk was safely in the baggage car.

Edna dropped her own bag to the floor and clasped her hands to her chest excitedly.  "You really don't mind?  I would be so thankful to have the top."

"I don't mind at all."  Violet sat down on the hard bottom mattress, wondering how she was going to be able to sleep there for almost two weeks.  She knew she had been pampered growing up, and she'd enjoyed that pampering.  The hard mattress was going to give her fits.

Violet threw her things onto the top bunk, looking around the room.  "There's not much room in here.  Where will we spend time during the day?"

Edna looked perplexed for a moment, opening a door.  "What's in here?"

Violet peered over her shoulder and gasped.  "That's amazing."  It was a room with a couch, low table, and two comfortable chairs.  She pushed the door wider and walked into the room looking around.  "Are we allowed to use this room?"  Her mother and sisters had talked about their train rides, and they'd always been on trains with hard benches as seats.  This was nothing like anything she'd ever dreamed of.

Violet walked across the room and tried another door.  She opened it and saw little Nathan talking to his nanny, Hillary.  They were obviously in their own sleeping chamber which was very like Violet and Edna's. 

Upon seeing Violet, Nathan hurried over to her.  "We're going to New York!  I'm going to show you my real house.  You're going to love it!"

Violet smiled, crouching down to eye level with the boy.  "I can't wait to see it!"  She took Nathan's hand.  "Will you show me around New York City?  I've never been, and I really don't want to get lost."

Nathan looked at her with wide eyes before nodding.  "I will!  We'll even go to Central Park.  It's like being in the country in the middle of the city."

Violet made a face.  "Why not just move to the country then?"  She'd never understood people thinking they needed to live in the city but have a country life.  It was so odd to her.

"'Cuz the country isn't New York!"  He took her hand and pulled her into his room.  "Miss Sullivan?  Would you tell Hillary that I get to sleep on the top bunk?  She says I'm too little and will fall out on my head and break my neck.  I think I'll be safe.  Tell her!"

Edna followed along behind them looking up at the top bunk and down at the little boy.  "Good gravy, boy!  If you fall off there, you will break your neck.  No, I think you need to sleep on the bottom."  She shook her head at him sadly.

Nathan hung his head.  "But I want to sleep on the top bunk.  It looks like ever so much fun."

Edna fished into her cleavage for a peppermint stick.  At the look of pure disgust on Hillary's face, Violet hid her smile behind her hand.  Nathan took the sweet with a nod.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  Maybe if you don't fall out of your bed and break your neck even once on the way to New York, you can sleep on the top bunk on the way back."  Edna looked delighted at her solution to the problem.

Nathan smiled and clapped his hand.  "What a wonderful idea!"

Hillary glared at Edna.  "I'd appreciate it if you don't put ideas in his head.  He's my charge, not yours.  You take care of Miss Sullivan."

Seeing that Edna looked primed for a fight, Violet stepped between them.  "Please call me Violet.  'Miss Sullivan' is so formal and we're going to be spending an awful lot of time together."

Hillary nodded slowly.  "It doesn't seem proper, but I'll call you Violet."

"Thank you!"  Violet linked arms with Edna.  "Why don't we go see if we can find the dining car?  I've never been in one, have you?"  She needed to separate the two before anything happened between them.  They had barely gotten started on their trip.  She wanted them all to be friends.

As they started across to the dining car, Mr. Smith came out of a door across the hall.  "Ah, ladies.  Have you found everything to your liking?"

Violet nodded.  "The accommodations are very nice.  I wasn't aware there were trains this luxurious."  She was thrilled, though.  She was going to enjoy her trip if they were able to travel in this much splendor.

He smiled.  "Only if you own your own train car.  I knew I'd be traveling back and forth from Seattle to New York City a lot, so I went ahead and purchased one.  I see no need to be uncomfortable for the entire trip."

Violet looked at Edna who looked as if she wanted to drop to his feet and kiss them.  "It's wonderful.  Where is the dining car?"

"We have our own chef here in our car.  May I escort you ladies?"  Jonas badly wanted to impress Violet, but he wasn't certain why.  She was pretty, yes, but he'd known prettier girls back in New York.  What was it about her that tugged at his heart strings?

He led them to a small dining room where there was a long table laid out.  He pulled Violet's chair out for her, before performing the same courtesy for Edna. 

Violet looked around her.  "But where's Nathan?"  Surely he'd be eating with them.  Why would they be formal on the train?

Jonas looked surprised for a moment.  "He'll eat with his nurse later."

Violet shook her head vehemently.  "No, he needs to eat with us.  How will he understand that you're really a family if he's not allowed to even eat meals with you?" 

He raised an eyebrow.  "Did your parents allow you to eat meals with them when you were small?"  He'd seen the house she'd grown up in, and he knew that she had been raised with wealth.  Surely she had been raised the same way he was, with children eating with their help while the adults dined alone.

"Of course they did!  Mealtimes were always a bit chaotic in our home, especially with Jasmine there, but they were wonderful.  It was the only time of day when the entire family gathered together and talked."

Jonas thought about that for a moment.  "Well, I can let him eat with us if you feel that strongly about it."  He'd never heard of such a thing, but he could easily see her point. 

Violet smiled happily.  "Please do!"

While they waited for him to return, Violet turned to Edna.  "We're traveling in far more luxury than I'd imagined."

Edna nodded.  "I'll say we are.  It's wonderful."  She smiled happily. 

A moment later a waiter entered their dining room, bringing a large pot of soup.  He carefully set it on the table, giving Edna an odd look.

After he'd left, Edna leaned over and whispered to Violet.  "He was staring at my bosom!  How dare he?"

Violet covered her mouth to stifle the giggle that threatened to bubble over.  Of course he'd stare at Edna's bosom.  She had three long peppermint sticks sticking out of the front of her dress.  "That's awful!  You'd better cover yourself."  She knew she should probably tell the older woman about the peppermint sticks, but it was so much more fun to play along with her.

Edna quickly set herself to rights.  She pulled a handkerchief out of each of her sleeves and used them to cover her chest above her dress.  Then she pulled her dress down low around her ankles, making sure she was covered to the tops of her boots.  "There.  Is that good?"

Violet studied her companion for a moment.  "Yes, I think you're sufficiently covered now."

Edna nodded and carefully served them both a bowl of the rich potato soup.  Jonas returned a moment later with both Nathan and Hillary.  Nathan scrambled onto a chair beside Violet and smiled at her.  "Unca Jonas said you wanted me to eat with you.  I'm glad."

Violet grinned down at him.  "Would you like a bowl of soup?"

"Oh, yes, please."

Jonas stood looking from his nephew who looked happier than he'd seen him in months and Edna.  Why had she decided to wear her handkerchiefs?  He was afraid to ask and took his seat at the head of the table, Hillary sitting across from Nathan. 

Violet carefully served the boy some soup, cautioning him to be careful.  "Don't burn your mouth on it."

"Yes, ma'am."  Nathan picked up his spoon full of soup and blew on it obediently, trying to cool it.

Violet's eyes met Jonas's, and the look on his face made her want to laugh all over again.  He'd obviously noticed the handkerchiefs that were laid across Edna's chest and wondered about them.  "I sure would like to talk to you about the show later," she told him, planning to tell him of the entire conversation.

When the waiter came back a few minutes later to remove the soup and bring the main course, the poor man's eyes all but bugged out of his head as he saw Edna's new attire. 

Edna glared at him for a moment, and then she quickly removed the handkerchiefs.  "I'm so sorry, kind sir.  I should have realized that if you were looking at a woman as old as I am, you must be lonely. Here," she said as she set the handkerchiefs aside and unbuttoned her gown twice, showing a good bit of her wrinkled bosom.  "Now you can see it better."  She leaned down and hiked up her dress to almost her knee.  "How's that?"

The man gaped at her in shock.  "Madam, I have no idea what you're doing, but I suggest you cover your...your...peppermint sticks!"

"Oh, you don't have to worry.  I'm not angry that you were staring at my bosoms.  Why, back in my day, I had the best bosoms around!"  Edna waved her spoon at the man while she spoke, causing him to stare at her with an appalled look.

"I was not staring at your bosoms."  He looked at Jonas as if he wanted help from him.

When Violet glanced over at Jonas she saw that he had his napkin in his hand and was covering his mouth with it, obviously trying to conceal his laughter by wiping his mouth.  How they'd ever survive Edna for two weeks on a train, she didn't know, but she certainly couldn't wait to find out!

Chapter Five

After lunch Jonas sought out Violet.  "You wanted to speak with me about the show?"

Violet nodded, looking over at Edna skeptically.  "Do you mind if I have a private conversation with Jonas?"  She knew it wasn't proper for her even to ask, and if Edna was serious about chaperoning them she would immediately say 'no.' 

Edna shook her head with a sly smile on her face.  "Of course not!  You two run along and have fun."

Violet wasn't sure what to make of that, but she was thankful for the time to talk to Jonas privately about what had occurred at lunch.  She followed him into a room that he'd set up as an office right there on the train. 

As soon as he'd closed the door behind them, Violet began to shake with laughter.  As soon as he saw her face, he did the same.  She sank into the chair in front of his desk, all but howling with mirth.  He sat on the edge of his desk facing her.  "What happened that she became certain Maurice was staring at her bosoms?"

Violet wiped away a tear.  "She had three peppermint sticks poking out of her cleavage at an odd angle.  He did a double take, which no one could blame him for, and she decided he was staring at her.  I encouraged her to cover herself, and it went downhill from there."

He shook his head still laughing.  "I have a feeling, we shouldn't be encouraging Edna to do anything other than be a good companion to you."

Violet grinned.  "Honestly, I'm not certain she's even going to be that.  She didn't even question the two of us wanting a private meeting, and she didn't tell me to leave the door cracked or anything."  Not that she was complaining.  It was nice to not have to be as worried as she'd always been about how people would view something.  She finally felt as if every move she made wasn't being watched.

His face sobered after a moment.  "I saw the look on your mother's face when she met Edna.  Do you think she's going to try and stop us?"

"How could she stop us now?  We're already out of Seattle.  She's going to have to get used to the idea that I can handle myself."  She frowned.  She wouldn't be surprised if her mother got to New York a day or two after them to make certain she was being a proper lady.

Jonas studied her for a moment.  "You're not worried about your reputation?"

Violet shrugged.  "I've never planned to marry.  I'm too devoted to my career.  What difference does it make if my reputation isn't lily white?"

Jonas sighed.  "You don't think a man could handle your career?"  He'd never thought it was a bad thing for a woman to have both a career and a family.  Emily Grace had managed both beautifully.

"Well, two of my sisters have careers, but they're married to very special men.  I've never known a man, other than the two of them and my uncle, who would put up with a woman working.  I think it's an awful lot to ask."  She'd never met a man who made her want to ask.

"Yes, I guess it is."  He moved around behind his desk and sat down.  "What do you want to get out of our New York trip?"  Every conversation with her made him just a bit more attracted.  He needed to focus on business while they were alone together.

Violet thought about that for a moment.  "Well, I want to sell a lot of paintings of course.  Really, the money isn't all that important to me at this point, but I want people to see my work.  I'm proud of what I've done."  How could she explain that money wasn't an issue for her, but sharing her work was.  Would anyone really understand that?

"You should be.  You're very talented."

She looked down at her hands for a moment.  "The painting I did of you and Nathan sold.  I was hoping that I could buy it and either keep it or give it to you.  I'm sorry." 

He blinked a moment over her change in subject before shaking his head.  He'd purchased the painting to keep it from others, and he knew someday he'd be pleased to have it.  "You need to stop worrying about that.  All is forgiven."

Violet met his eyes.  "It is?  Really?"

Jonas saw the look of utter relief on her face as she quietly questioned him and realized that he'd gone overboard in his reaction to her.  He stood and walked around his desk and perched on the edge of it.  Taking her hand he pulled her to her feet, putting them at eye level for the first time. 

His superior height had always made her feel small, and Violet was startled at how odd it seemed to be able to look into his eyes directly.  They were a deep brown, and she looked into them feeling as if she'd be lost in their depths.  "I really am sorry."

He nodded.  "I know you are.  It's fine.  I think now that I'm in possession of the painting things are in perspective for me again.  Someday I'm going to be thrilled that I have it to remind me of my first days with my nephew." It was almost as if the painting would be there to commemorate his start with Nathan.  

"Do you really feel that way?" she asked.  "Did you purchase the painting?"  Relief washed through her at the idea that the painting was in his hands.  She wanted no one else to have it.

"Yes, and yes.  I don't hold it against you that you painted it.  I wish it hadn't been the focal point of your showing, but I'm glad that I have it."  He reached out and stroked a finger over her cheek, wondering how she'd react.  Her skin looked so soft to him, and he couldn't stop that one brief movement.  He knew he should, but he was so attracted to her.

Without thinking she turned her head and brushed his fingers with her lips, kissing them.  She felt his touch all the way to her toes, a tingling starting in her belly. 

Jonas was startled for a moment by her brief kiss, wondering if she was feeling the same things for him that he felt for her.  The initial attraction had grown every time they'd seen one another.  Despite her words that she knew no man could ever deal with her career, he knew he could.  Would that change her mind about a relationship?

Violet felt the blush creeping up into her cheeks.  He hadn't said anything about her kiss of his fingers, but he'd also not pulled away.  Did that mean he didn't mind?

"I think maybe you should run back to Edna before I kiss you." 

She blinked for a moment.  "Do you want to kiss me?"  She'd been kissed by family members, but she'd never had a man take her into his arms.  All at once, she wondered what she'd been missing.  All her sisters were married, and they were happy.  Could she possibly need more physical love in her life?  Would she even enjoy a kiss?

"You're a beautiful woman.  Of course I want to kiss you."  His voice was low and gruff, his eyes never breaking contact with hers.  "Do you want to be kissed?"

Violet nodded slowly.  "I think I do."  As long as it was by him.  She'd never felt the slightest inclination to kiss a man before.

He chuckled softly.  "You think you do?  Maybe you should come back when you
know
you do.  I don't want to do anything that would displease you." 

She tilted her head to the side for a moment considering.  "I do.  Kiss me."  She knew she was being bold, even forward.  She didn't care.  She wanted to find out what the big deal was about kissing a man, and she didn't want to wait another minute.

"I've never had a woman demand I kiss them before.  Perhaps I won't be able to kiss you properly having you order me to do it."  His voice was teasing, but he made no move to take her into his arms.

Violet could see his eyes dancing with amusement.  During the short time she'd known him, some of the intense grief seemed to have left his eyes, and other emotions seemed to be taking over.  All at once, she knew she didn't want to leave the room without knowing what it was liked to be kissed by this man.  She took a quick step forward and placed her hands flat on his chest.  Her movement put her between his spread legs where he was sitting on the edge of his desk, but they were still on eye level with one another.

He grinned at her.  "Well, it looks like you have me trapped now."  His hands moved to hold her at the small of her waist, feeling her rigid corset through her dress.  "Will you have the courage to actually do anything about it?"

Violet had never even thought about being the one to initiate a kiss, but she didn't care.  She'd been dared too many times in her youth to be able to resist.  "I think I will."  She took one step closer, until her breasts were pressed against his chest.  She wished he would take over, but if he didn't, she would at least know she'd kissed him.  Gently she pressed her lips against his, pursing them and making a slight smacking sound.

Pulling away, she smiled at him.  She'd done it.  She'd kissed him.  "There." 

"That wasn't a kiss."

She frowned.  "It wasn't?  What was it then?" 

"Well, it was a kiss, but that's the kind of kiss a child gives to her parents.  Kiss me like a woman."

Violet blinked a couple of times.  She didn't want to admit she didn't know how to kiss any other way, but surely he already knew that.  "Show me," she whispered, pressing her lips against his again.

Jonas felt all of the humor leave his body as she pressed herself close against him again.  He moved his lips against hers gently for a moment, and then his tongue reached out to trace her lips.  He cupped the back of her head and tilted it to the side to give him better access.  "Open your mouth for me, sweetheart."

Violet was startled by the words.  Why would he want her to open her mouth?  People didn't kiss with their mouths open did they?  She obeyed tentatively, spreading her lips just a tiny bit.  His tongue immediately demanded entrance, and she pulled back, startled.  "What are you doing?"

"Showing you," he whispered back, pulling her close again, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, while one hand held her head still.  His other hand roamed over her back.

His hands roaming over her combined with his tongue toying with hers startled her for just a moment, and then she gripped his shoulders, pulling him even closer.  One hand began to move up and down on his back as she tried to make him feel as good as she was feeling.

After a moment he pulled away, his breathing slightly faster than it had been.  "I need you to not get any better at that than you already are." 

"Why?"  Did he feel the same kind of tingling in his belly that she'd been feeling?  If so, how could he have pulled away when he did?  She wanted to tell him to never let the tingling stop.  "I think I like kissing."

He let out a quick bark of laughter.  "God help us all.  We have the worst chaperone on the face of the earth, and you like kissing.  This is not going to be good."  How on earth was he going to be able to keep his hands off her?

"Why not?  If I had a better companion, then we wouldn't have the opportunity to kiss.  I think it's working out very well."  She leaned toward him again and brushed his lips with hers.

He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away from him gently.  "Things will go too far too fast if you keep that up.  Go back to Edna.  We'll talk more later."

Violet stood looking at him for a moment, wondering what she'd done wrong.  Finally she nodded and without another word left the room.

Jonas watched her go, wondering what he'd just gotten himself into.  He never mixed business with pleasure, and he never became involved with young virgins.  He'd done both.  Life was either about to get very interesting or absolutely terrifying.

*****

When Violet got back into the small room she shared with Edna, the older woman had put all of their things away, neatly hanging Violet's traveling clothes in the armoire in the corner of the room.  She was sitting on the top bunk, her hat beside her.  "I like it up here," she called down to Violet.

Violet smiled up at her, doing her best to keep her emotions from her face.  "Are you going to be able to get down from there?"

"Oh, yes.  I think so."  Edna peered over the edge of the bed happily.  "Is Jonas a good kisser?"

Violet stared up at the older woman.  "I don't know," she answered honestly.  She had no way to compare him to anyone else, so she really didn't know.

"He didn't kiss you?  Your lips look swollen."

Violet blushed, wondering at the older woman's frankness.  Did she want her kissing Jonas?  "He did kiss me, but he's the only man who ever has, so how do I know if he's a good kisser?"

Edna got a faraway look in her eyes.  "Did he make your stomach tingle?  Did you feel his kiss all the way to your toes?  Did you want to keep kissing him forever?"

Violet gaped at Edna.  "That's exactly how I felt!  How did you know?"  It was like the older woman could read her mind.

Edna laughed softly.  "That's how my Harry made me feel.  I may be old, but I sure do remember what it felt like to be held in a young man's strong arms and be kissed senseless.  Did he kiss you senseless?"

Violet let out a little giggle.  "I think he did.  But then he pushed me away.  Do you think he doesn't like me?"

"Oh, he's probably just trying to save your reputation.  People worry too much about reputations and not enough about just living life.  What did he say?"

Violet repeated Jonas's words about going too fast.  "I'm not sure exactly what he meant, though."  She hated that she was so innocent.  Hopefully this trip would take care of that for her.