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

"Why did he kill her?"

Jonas sighed.  "Money.  Why else?  He was dead broke.  He had a gambling problem, and I knew about it.  I stopped lending him money to get out of trouble, and I told my brother-in-law to do the same.  I gave him enough money to pay off all his gambling debts before I left town, and he wracked them all up again.  He went to Albert to ask for money, and when he refused, he waited a few days, and invited them both to see a play."  He swirled the liquid in his glass, not meeting her eyes.  "When they arrived, they walked together toward the play, and he pulled a gun on them in a dark alley.  He knew she'd wear her jewels.  A witness heard the whole thing without being seen.  They said he was crying as he shot them.  He told them if it were anyone else, he wouldn't have to kill them, but they could identify him."

"That's horrible!"  Violet wished she had an answer.  That there was something, anything she could say to make him feel better.

"It is.  The sad thing is, he was my very closest friend in school.  I introduced him to my sister and brother-in-law.  I helped him murder my family."  He took another sip of his drink.  "I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life."

Violet felt a tear streaming down her face and wiped it away impatiently.  "I wish I knew how to make it better for you."

"That's the thing.  No one can make it better.  It's my fault, and I'll have to someday face Nathan and tell him it's my fault."

"It's not your fault!  Did you hand him the gun?  Did you suggest he murder Emily Grace for her jewels?"

He sighed.  "I might as well have.  The sad truth is that if I hadn't introduced them, they would still be alive today.  They're not."  He rubbed his hand over his eyes as if it was all too much for him to deal with.  "He looked out over the room and saw me sitting there.  His eyes looked straight at me as if he blamed me for the whole thing."

Violet stood and walked around the desk.  She had no idea what she intended to do, but she knew he needed human touch.  She rubbed his shoulders gently, and kissed the top of his head as he sat in his chair, his shoulders slumped in defeat.  "Do you feel better knowing justice was done?"

He stood abruptly and pulled her into his arms holding her close.  Not kissing her, just holding her tightly.  Her arms wrapped around him, her hands going to his shoulders.  He buried his face in her hair, clutching her to him.

They stood like that for several minutes, not saying anything, and neither of them moved to make the embrace intimate.  Finally, he pulled away from her.  "Thank you for caring."

Violet smiled up at him.  "I hope I was able to help in some small way."

He nodded.  "You were.  Now, sit.  Let's talk for a moment."

Violet walked around the desk and took the seat she'd just vacated, giving him her full attention. 

"How are you coming with paintings for the show?"  He was suddenly all business, as if nothing had transpired between them.

"I have two ready, and I'm working on a third."  She thought about the painting she was doing for Nathan, but decided against mentioning it to him.  There was no reason to add to his grief.

"Good.  Do you have time to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"  He knew he should use more finesse when asking a lady out, but he seemed to forget every rule when it came to her.

She looked at him for a moment thinking about his question.  Did he mean just the two of them, or dinner with their entire ensemble?  "With everyone?"

He shook his head.  "No, just the two of us.  I'd like to take you to dinner and then to see the gallery here.  You haven't even asked to see where your paintings will be displayed."

"It's enough for me to know they will be displayed."  She shrugged.  "I'm just happy people are paying attention to my work."

"Dinner?"

She nodded slowly.  She really wanted to know him better.  The more she'd gotten to know him, the more Edna's words in her ear made sense to her.  What did it matter if she had a child?  She wasn't going to marry anyway, and she needed to take her happiness where she could.  She could definitely be happy with Jonas.  "I'd like that a great deal."

Jonas smiled and nodded, his eyes still tired.  "Be ready to leave by half past six.  I'll wait for you in the foyer."

She thought about her clothes.  She'd had one dress made since arriving in New York, but there was another that would be ready in time for her show.  She could wear the dress that had already been delivered.  She didn't know which shoes to wear, though.  "Will we be doing a lot of walking?"

He shook his head.  "Not tomorrow night.  We'll be getting a cab.  I want it to be special."

"You do?" she asked with surprise.  He was thinking about making their first outing special?  Did that mean he cared for her?

"Of course I do.  It's the first time we've done any formal courting.  I want it to be very special for you."

She was surprised, but pleased.  She loved the idea of having a formal courtship with him.  Even if they never married, and she doubted they would, she could have a nice time with him. That's all that really mattered, right?

"I'd like that a lot."

*****

All the next day, while she worked and while they went on their daily walk in Central Park, Violet thought about her evening with Jonas.  What would it be like?  He said he'd take her to dinner, but what would it be like to be with a man?  He hadn't suggested they take Edna with them, so presumably he didn't want a chaperone.

Edna helped her with her hair.  "Are you certain you don't want me to loan you a hat?  I brought twelve of them!"

Violet had seen Edna's taste in hats.  "No, but I thank you.  I prefer to only wear hats in the daytime.  This is an evening excursion."  She stood and walked to her bed where her new dress was laid out.  The dress was white with a fitted waist and lace ruffles along her chest.  It was the one she'd had made there in New York, so she knew it was the latest fashion.  Even Rose would approve.

She pulled the dress over her head and turned so Edna could button the back of her dress for her.  When she was finished, Violet stood in front of a full length mirror and studied her appearance.  She put her hand over her belly to try to calm her nerves.  She'd already kissed him, so she didn't have to worry about that.  What was making her so nervous?

Edna smiled.  "It's going to be fine.  Just remember, if he wants to take you to his bed tonight, make sure you let me know so I can sleep in your bed, so the servants won't know what happened."

Violet didn't even gasp in shock as she would have three weeks before.  "I'm not going to his bed tonight, Edna.  This is our first real outing together."  What kind of woman would she be if she ran off to share his bed that night?

"Well, if you get the chance, I think you should jump at it.  He's had a rough couple of weeks.  Nothing makes a man feel better than a little bouncing on a mattress with his favorite lady.  At least that's what I've been told."

"Edna, my mother would
not
be pleased with the advice you give me as my chaperone.  I just have to point that out to you."  Violet loved the old woman, but she knew her mother would be very unhappy with the things she was always saying to her.

"Oh, I know.  Your mother is an old stick in the mud.  I don't care if she's younger than me.  She acts years older.  It's sad."  Edna shook her head.

Violet suppressed a giggle.  "You're right.  I think it's so many years of being responsible for daughters that did it to her."

"I guess it's good I never had children.  I wouldn't want to act old like she does."

Violet took one last glance into the mirror to make certain she looked all right.  "Am I ready?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at Edna.

"You're beautiful.  You were before you started fixing your hair, and you know it."  Edna pulled her into a brief hug.  "I hope you'll think about what I said about giving the boy a tumble.  He would be so much happier if you did."

Violet laughed.  "I don't know if that's a good enough reason to give him my virginity."

"You need a reason?" Edna asked with a wink.

Violet shook her head at the older woman and headed for her bedroom door.  The time with Edna was certainly skewing her view of the world.  She almost thought it would be a good idea to have relations with Jonas.

Chapter Seven

Violet descended the stairs slowly, knowing that Jonas's eyes were on her.  He was dressed in formal clothes including a black suit with tails and a black bow tie. 

Jonas stood nervously as he watched Violet come down the stairs toward him.  He'd always been attracted to her, but until that moment, she'd never taken his breath away.  She was truly the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he wasn't certain how much longer he'd be able to resist her charms.  He wanted her, but it was more than that.  He'd wanted women many times.  Violet was special.

She walked straight up to him, smiling.  Her shoes had a bit of a heel on them.  She'd bought them since they'd arrived in New York, just so she wouldn't feel that she was at such a disadvantage when she stood beside him.  "Where are we going?"

He smiled.  "I thought we'd go to eat at a small restaurant I know near Broadway, and there's a play I thought you'd enjoy that we'll go to after.  It's called
Rosemary
.  It's a comedy.  Have you ever seen one?"

She shook her head.  "I haven't, but it sounds nice."  She'd been to plays in Seattle, of course, but none that were with famous actors.  She was certain that any play in New York City would be better than one that would come to Seattle.

He opened the door for her, and once they were on the sidewalk in front of the house, he offered her his arm.  It was early November, and the sky was dark.  There were electric streetlights that lit the way to the coach he had waiting at the street.  He opened the door for her and helped her step into the closed coach and climbed in after her, waiting while the driver closed the door and removed the stairs.

He sat beside her on the seat.  "This way neither of us have to sit backward," he told her, slipping an arm around her shoulders.

"I'd rather sit close to you anyway," she said, snuggling into him.  "I've missed you while you've been taking care of business."  She knew it wasn't the right thing to say, but she just didn't care.  She wasn't going to hide how she felt from him, because there was no purpose behind it.

He looked at her with surprise.  He hadn't expected her to say that.  "I'm sorry I've been so distant.  Packing up her things and knowing I'd have to watch Walter be executed...it's been hard for me."

"Are you doing better today?"  She rested her head against his shoulder as they talked, wishing she had the courage to just kiss him.  She knew Edna would tell her to just throw him on the floor of the coach and have her way with him, but really?  She wouldn't know what to do with him once he was on the floor.

He nodded.  "I really am.  I think I needed to see it happen, so I'd know they got justice and put it behind me.  Yesterday was a rough day, but today...today all I could think about was the beautiful young artist I was going to take to dinner."

Her heart jumped when he said she was beautiful.  Did he really see her that way?  "You were thinking about me that much and you still haven't kissed me? Edna would
not
approve."

He chuckled.  "Is she telling you to kiss me?"

Violet wondered if she should tell him exactly what Edna had been suggesting she do but decided against it.  "Oh, yes.  She thinks that women are too uptight."

He pulled her closer.  "Do
you
think I should kiss you?"

"I'd be happy to skip dinner and the play and just sit here in the coach kissing all night.  Of course, I'm not sure that's a good idea." 

He groaned.  "I know it's not a good idea.  We do have about ten minutes before we'll reach the restaurant, though." He turned to her more fully, and put his hand under her chin, tipping her face up to his.  "Seems like a wasted opportunity if I don't kiss you, doesn't it?"

She nodded, her eyes meeting his by the light of a street lamp they passed.  "It certainly does."

He leaned toward her and brushed his lips across hers.  She turned fully toward him, her arms going to his back and stroking his shoulders through his jacket.  She pressed as close to him as she could, wishing she had the courage to put her hands under his jacket and touch his muscular shoulders.

He groaned deeply in his throat, his tongue seeking entrance to her mouth to mate with hers. 

The coach stopped and he pulled away quickly, looking out the window.  "We're here."

"Oh, good gravy!"  Violet touched her fingers to her lips.  For once she didn't mind that she was starting to sound like Edna.  "That wasn't nearly enough time."

He sighed.  "Well, we're walking to the theatre, because it's only a block, but we'll have the ride home."

She smiled.  "I'm counting on it."

*****

The restaurant was by far the fanciest Violet had ever eaten in.  The tablecloths were white and the waiters all had white cloths over their arms.  She had no idea what to order in a place like that, so she had Jonas order for her. 

The waiter brought them steak and baked potatoes along with a bottle of red wine.  Violet had never had wine, but she didn't want to admit it, because she knew that the women Jonas was used to would have no problem drinking wine by the barrelful.  She took a sip, and despite not liking the taste, kept sipping at it throughout the meal. 

He refilled her glass twice as they chatted about everything from Seattle to the art gallery here in New York City.  "I can't wait to see it," she told him.  "I'm really excited to have a show here in New York."

He nodded at her.  "Tomorrow I'll take you to meet the manager.  You'll be working mostly with him for the show.  We've got it set for two months from now.  Will that give you enough time to get everything ready?"

"It should.  As long as there isn't a minimum number of paintings you need me to have.  I've had several hours to work every day since our arrival."

"Good.  I'd like to see some of what you've finished tomorrow as well if you don't mind." 

She shook her head, surprised at how lightheaded she felt.  "I'd like to show you what I've done."  She didn't mention the painting she'd almost finished for Nathan of his parents, unsure how Jonas would feel about it.

The waiter brought the bill then, and Jonas paid it discreetly.  He helped Violet to her feet and they left the restaurant.  She was a bit chilled by the November air, and he removed his coat to put it over her shoulders.  She'd never had a man do that before, but she'd seen it happen with her sisters many times, and had been overwhelmed by the romance of it.

"Thank you," she said, leaning heavily on his arm as she walked.  She had a feeling she'd had a few too many drinks, because her head felt a bit funny.

He stopped at a small theater and took her inside.  They had a seat in the front row, and she sat close beside him. 

As the play unfolded before them, Jonas found he couldn't watch the stage, because he was too busy watching her.  Every time she laughed, he felt a smile cross his lips.  If she frowned he frowned.  How had he become so infatuated with this young slip of a girl?  Had he lost his mind?

After the play, he helped her into the coach and once again sat beside her.  As soon as the coach started moving, she turned to him and wound her arms around him, pulling his head down to hers for a kiss.  For the first time she was the aggressor, and she plunged her tongue into his mouth, letting it toy with his.  Everything she felt when they kissed came rushing to her. She never wanted to let this man go.  Maybe Edna's advice wasn't so terrible after all.

He gathered her close, surprised that she would kiss him so passionately, but certainly not willing to argue with her about it.  She'd been hanging around her companion too much, and he hoped she wasn't taking all of the older woman's advice. 

By the time they reached the house, he was ready to throw her over his shoulder and carry her up the stairs to his bedroom and have his way with her.  Of course, he couldn't do that.  She was a business associate and a virgin.   He couldn't do that to her.  He knew if he kept telling himself that he'd eventually believe it.

When the coach stopped, he pulled back, breathing heavily.  "You're going to make me crazy, Violet."

She swallowed hard, trying to control the feelings rushing through her body.  "What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing.  Everything you do is exactly right.  That's the problem.  I can't stop touching you.  I want to take you upstairs to my room and...well, do things I shouldn't do with you."

"You want to fornicate with me?" She couldn't stop herself from using Edna's phrase.  The woman really was a bad influence over her.

He coughed to cover a laugh.  "Did Edna call it that?"

She nodded.  "I learn a lot from Edna."

"I'm sure you do.  I'm just as sure your mother doesn't want you learning the things Edna's teaching you."

"Probably not."  She looked at him, wondering if he was disappointed in her that she was listening to the older woman so much.  "Does it bother you?"

"Of course not!"  He couldn't believe she'd even ask.  "She's a sweet old lady...just don't tell your mother when you write home and all will be good."  He waited for the coachman to open the door and quickly stepped down, holding his hand up to help her.

As they walked toward the house, she looked up at him.  "I had a wonderful time.  I'm not ready for the night to end."

He slipped his arm around her waist, glad she'd enjoyed herself as much as he had.  "Do you want to go to my study and talk for a bit longer?"

She thought about it for a moment before shaking her head.  "No.  I want to go upstairs to your room with you.  Edna says I'll regret it if I don't take my happiness where I can find it."

He opened the front door, looking down into her eyes.  "I don't think that's a good idea, Violet.  I can't let you do that."

"It's my body and my choice."  She started for the stairs.  She knew which room was his.  She'd go there on her own if she had to.

Jonas sighed and watched her go, wishing he'd handled that better.  He wanted her, yes, but he wanted her for a wife.  He knew he wasn't going to be able to wait much longer for her. 

*****

Violet undressed and slipped into Jonas's huge bed.  She covered herself to her neck so nothing would be seen if he came in.  He could touch all he wanted, but she wasn't ready for him to see her unclothed just yet.  What if he didn't like how she looked?

It didn't take long for the combined effects of the long day, and the three glasses of wine she'd had with dinner to take effect and she fell asleep.

Jonas climbed the stairs, tired and sad about how badly he'd handled the evening with Violet.  He hated that he'd hurt her feelings when all he'd meant to do was keep her innocent until they could marry.  He'd talk to her in the morning, and ask her to be his bride.  He hoped she wouldn't insist on waiting until her mother could come out to join them, and he knew that he wasn't willing to wait until they went back to Seattle, no matter how much she wanted to.

He quickly stripped in the dark, dropping his clothes on the floor beside the bed and climbed between the sheets.  He stretched out an arm and felt...wait, she hadn't!  He leaned over to twist the socket key of the electric lamp beside his bed.  When the light came on, he could see her sleeping on her side, her hand tucked under her cheek. 

He reached over to wake her, under the cover, and encountered bare flesh.  Really?  She'd been that bold?

"Violet.  Violet, wake up!"  He needed to send her back to her own room immediately.  He couldn't make love with her yet.  He wanted their wedding night to be their first time.  And he wanted their wedding night to be the next night.  He wanted that badly!

Violet came awake slowly, at first not certain where she was.  When she opened her eyes and saw Jonas, she smiled and slid toward him in the bed. "Violet, no, you need to go back to your own room.  I'm not doing this."

She sighed.  "Why not?  You want to.  You told me you did."

"Yes, but not like this.  I care about you.  We can't just do this because it will feel good.  We need to marry first."

She blinked a few times.  "Are you asking me to marry you?"

Well, darn it.  He hadn't meant to ask her that way.  "I certainly didn't mean to ask you like that.  I was planning on taking you for a walk in the park tomorrow and getting down on one knee to ask you to marry me."

She smiled and moved closer to him under the covers, her hands going to his chest.  "I like that idea.  Do that tomorrow."

He smiled.  He couldn't help but appreciate her enthusiasm.  "What will your answer be if I do?"

"I guess you'll have to ask to find out, won't you?"

He laughed.  "You're naked in my bed, and you're playing games with me.  What is wrong with you, woman?"

She moved even closer until her breasts were pressed against his bare chest.  She could feel his hair against her nipples, and she shuddered with pleasure.  Reaching out she pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him as he'd taught her.  Her hands roamed over his bare back.  He wanted to marry her, even knowing she'd never give up her career.  She was going to be so happy with him!