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Chapter 28
The table was abuzz over the prior evening’s excitement when Elise joined them for breakfast.
“Just because a woman dressed as Cleopatra was seen scooting across the garden at the same time Elizabeth Pratt managed to hunt down Nate Kimble does not mean that Cleopatra and Nate were in the maze together. Elizabeth created an astonishing scandal out of spite. I happen to know that Nate was ditching Elizabeth during the ball. This was her way of retaliating,” Alexander argued.
“What an ungentlemanly thing to do,” Mary gasped.
“I don’t believe it was his intention to leave her alone for so long,” Alexander declared defensively. “I’m partly to blame. I introduced him to some of my friends and we were drinking whiskey. Nate was unhappy about discovering old man Pratt considered him an unsuitable match for Elizabeth so he imbibed more than he should. His condition comin
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Paper Widow Chapter 29
Nate woke up the morning following the masquerade ball with a head that felt like someone beat it with a sledgehammer throughout the night and was beating it still. He struggled to remember the events of the evening, but was only able to assemble bits and pieces together. If he was not mistaken, he was assisted home by the very amiable and understanding Mr. Alexander Smithfield. He was also coerced into drinking an abundant amount of whiskey by that same Mr. Smithfield and his circle of friends.He crept downstairs in hopes of avoiding his mother and sister. He had no desire to converse with anyone, especially giddy, talkative females.“There you are, dear,” Margaret Kimble called to Nate as his slippered foot touched the highly polished bottom stair of their elegant foyer. “I was beginning to wonder if I needed to send George up to check on you.”“It was a late night,” Nate explained.&ldq
Paper Widow Chapter 30
Elise was at a loss of what to say to Alexander. It was day number two since Nate left his seed inside her. She was desperate to get to the underground apothecary for treatment to assure she would not get pregnant, but, once again, Alexander was insisting he go with her on her errands. If she did not know better, she would have thought he suspected her of some mischief.He would be right.“I simply wish to run my errands without a man present,” she said desperately. “It has nothing to do with you. I don’t wish to have any man along.”“I have known you too long to swallow that malarkey,” Alexander said angrily. “I demand to know what you are up to or I will take the matter to our guardians.”Panic filled Elise. Anthony was not one for idle threats. She saw no choice but to confide in him where she was going and why. Telling Alexander was even harder than she imagined, but i
Paper Widow Chapter 31
Alexander paced the parlor while Elise sat quietly on the settee.“He seemed like an upstanding fellow,” Alexander said worriedly. “It makes no sense for him to completely ignore my wire.”“Are you sure the wire reached him?” Elise asked.“I checked,” Alexander replied testily, “it was picked up by a ranch hand that very day.”“Joseph struck me as the conscientious sort. I imagine he would make sure Nate received it as soon as he arrived,” Elise said thoughtfully.“If that’s the case, then the man’s a scoundrel,” Alexander spat.“He said he loved me and I believed him,” Elise pouted.“Men say all sorts of things when they’re drinking and having their way with a woman,” Alexander said thoughtlessly. “Has he declared his love to you while sober and not in the throes of passion?&rdquo
Paper Widow Chapter 32
“This is a most surprising telegram,” Alexander said as he sat unceremoniously on the divan in Elise’s bedchamber. “Is this new?” he asked as he smoothed his hands over the floral tapestry.“It was delivered just this morning,” Elise replied.”“I have to say, I like the way you have decorated our new home,” he said admiringly as he looked around the tastefully decorated spacious room.“I have to say that I adore the house you chose for me to decorate. It’s easy to fill it with beauty when you begin with such splendor,” she said with a smile.“What’s money for if not to spend?” Alexander asked.“We seem to have a lot of it,” Elise pondered.“We are incredibly, shamefully, rich, my love,” Alexander said as he stretched his arm across the back of the divan and crossed his legs at the ankles.“Oh, good,
Paper Widow Chapter 33
Nate stepped off the train and then turned to offer his assistance to Catherine. Her step was light and filled with joy. She was once again on familiar ground. As much as she thrived in the wild west, she had to admit to herself and to others that she was, at heart, an easterner. Her brother was so very happy running the ranch for Nate that she could never tell him how much she longed to be back east. The dilemma of trying to focus on such a large operation while keeping a watchful eye on her safety in a world peppered with ruffians proved her ticket to freedom. Not only was she back east, but her brother’s good friend was paying for her to go to finishing school.The time she spent on the train with Nate helped her to understand why Joseph was so fond of him. Beneath that surly look that seemed like it was pasted on his face was a kind, gentle, and sensitive individual. She thanked him profusely for becoming her family’s benefa
Paper Widow Chapter 34
It was an easy week before Nate found the courage to pay his respects to the newlyweds. Although he was happy to be able to have an excuse to be near Elise, he found it odd that they did not go off on a honeymoon as was generally the case amongst the privileged. He just could not shake the fact that there was something amiss with this marriage.He found their home extraordinarily large, but tasteful. The Georgian style mansion was located near the banks of the Delaware River. It was set far enough away from the declining seventh ward, yet still convenient to the hub of things. The sprawling garden gave the illusion of a country estate. Nate longed to have been the one to provide such a lovely home to the woman he loved. His heart felt heavy at the thought that he would never have that opportunity.“You frown so, Mr. Kimble,” Elise said as she gracefully descended the grand central staircase. “Does the house offend you?”“Certa
Paper Widow Chapter 35
The Philadelphia House felt especially crowded. Nate pushed his way past the gaming table as he made his way to the dining room. He was to meet Oliver for dinner and drinks and hoped his friend was on time. He spotted him seated at a table near the window and smiled while waving a greeting. He was only gone a few months, but it felt like years. It would be good to spend time with a close friend; especially after such an unsettling visit with the Smithfields.Oliver was full of positive energy and juicy gossip. Before they knew it, they were done with their meal and making their way to the smoking room.“Well, hello there,” called Sidney Joselyn. “I declare, I didn’t expect to meet up with one of you fine gentlemen this evening, let alone both of you. What a great surprise.”“It’s good to see you again, sir,” Nate offered.Oliver echoed his sentiments while they vigorously shook hands.Sidn
Paper Widow Chapter 36
Elise did her best to disguise her discomfort over the fact that Nate Kimble was seated directly across from her. To his left was Lilith Bertram and to his right was the beautiful Melissa Jameson. Melissa recently came out and was actively searching for a union with an eligible man. Unlike the Pratts, the Jamesons considered Nate Kimble to be an excellent catch. Therefore, Melissa was working hard to gain his favor. Considering Lilith was on his opposite side and she was certain he wanted to avoid any and all conversation with her, it made sense that Nate would pour all his attention on Melissa. The fact that she was a beautiful green-eyed redhead only served to sweeten the situation.The man seated to the left of Elise was an elderly gentleman whose name forever escaped her no matter how many times she found herself in his company. To her right was Oliver Sullivan. To Oliver’s right was the beautiful Amy Owens.
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