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22: Bombshells
Striding out of his office, Mr. James straightened his cufflinks and tugged his sleeves. “Our appointment this morning, Miss Moore. Are you ready?”
Setting aside her work, Evelyn rose and removed her purse and hat from her personal armoire. Fishing out her office key, she replied, “Yes sir,” following him across the outer office to the thirty-eighth floor lobby where she locked the door behind her and turned, only to bump face first directly into Mr. James’ chest, so close was he behind her.
All morning she’d been distracted, her ambivalent mind cycling through her own admonishments and Lily’s suggestions, vacillating over choices she didn’t even know if she had. Relieved of responsibility for everything save walking, she turned each thought over and over, examining and re-examining, trying to make sense of her situation. Trying to decide what to do. What she wanted.
Evelyn stood still be
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World of Tomorrow 23: En Route
“Good evening, Miss Moore. Shall we?”Dressed in one of her new suits and a matching hat, Evelyn smiled at Mr. James standing outside her apartment door, watching for the slightest reaction. If he was pleased to see what his investment had wrought, disappointingly, he gave no indication of it. “Yes, just one moment, please.”Hurrying across the hallway, Evelyn rapped lightly on Lily’s door and immediately it flew open as her best friend, still dressed for work but now barefoot, tumbled into her arms in a fierce hug. “Write me every day, Evie! Promise!”Hugging Lily back, Evelyn laughed, but she felt the separation keenly already and blinked back tears before someone could see them. “Promise. You’ll have perfectly boring bedtime reading material by the time I’m done. I love you, Lily.”“And I love you. Do have fun.” Craning to look over Evelyn’s shoulder, Lily waved. “Take good care of her, please, Mr. James.”“You have my word, Miss Henderson.” Glancing at his watch, Mr. James straight
World of Tomorrow 24: Clandestine
It was only the Titan force of his will that removed Andrew from her bedroom, a bower made enthrallingly luxurious by Evelyn’s divine grace—perfumed silk of her hair, luminous velvet of her skin—and drove him with brutal determination across their shared drawing room, into the miserable space of his own. A ravenous wolf clamored inside him, biting and clawing and tearing at his formidable but not unlimited self-discipline. Ineffable, the extraordinary assault on his senses from a simple breathless moan when he’d tucked the errant tag of her gown and realized only the thin sheath of delicate fabric stood between him and quenching the most insatiable thirst he’d ever known.Ooohh, how this clever design of his had backfired, he chuckled mirthlessly, pacing the ten-foot space of his sleeping quarters like the caged animal he’d been reduc
World of Tomorrow 25: Unanticipated Encounters
Justin Mitchell? Evelyn stared at the younger financer—Lily’s financer—who she’d seen only a few days before when she’d attempted to collect his monthly reconciliations for Andrew. Out of the Trust’s context, he appeared completely oblivious of her identity, though Evelyn knew exactly how it could be so. If these two needed to talk, why come all the way to Chicago to do it? she wondered. “Justin.” Andrew smiled politely, extending his hand to shake the younger man’s. “I trust your journey was pleasant?” Gesturing to padded barstools at the bar with him, Justin resumed his seat, tucking Evelyn between both men. “Most pleasant,” he assured them. “What young man could complain of being invited to such a gem as Tip Top Tap? Why, I see even the stoic and unflappable Mr. James finds himself seduced by the glorious venue.” Though he spoke about
World of Tomorrow 26: Suspicions
“She’s resting, sir.” The hired maid, Glenna, closed Evelyn’s bedroom door behind her quietly. “Mostly not aware, even when she wakes.”Pivoting, Andrew propped a hand on his hip, peering into the darkness through the drawing room windows, and raised his brandy to his lips. “Thank you, Glenna.” He could hear the girl move closer before he caught her leaning hesitantly into his periphery to catch his eye. “Is there something else?”“Some ginger ale and dry crackers might help with the sickness when she wakes. Shall I bring some, sir?”Facing Glenna, Andrew nodded. “Yes, thank you.”“Very good, sir.” Glenna’s gaze dropped, avoiding the intensity of his. “I can remain the night to care for her if you’d like.”Andrew shook his h
World of Tomorrow 27: Passenger
Evelyn had thought the sweeping panorama of breathtaking mountain and ocean scenery visible through the huge sky-view picture windows of the train was astounding as they’d crossed the state towards Los Angeles.Having made the trip many times in his life, Andrew had grown accustomed to—even numb and occasionally bored by— the incredible beauty of the transcontinental crossing in general, and California in particular. After the years’ long, expensive fight to get the joint venture between the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads off the ground, then six even longer years of mediating disputes and out-negotiating negotiators whenever one of the investors got themselves in a snit over some minute detail, the journey tended to leave him anxious more than awestruck.It was refreshing to see Evelyn’s childlike wonder. And rewarding in an entirely new way to see her simple gratefulness for the bright sun toiling to warm them the day long in an expansive
World of Tomorrow 28: Different Worlds
At a rap at the bedroom door, both Evelyn and the evening maid Andrew had hired paused and glanced up in the dressing table mirror. “It’s open, you can come in.” The gleaming brass lever handle dipped, the latch giving, and the door swung open, admitting Andrew. Partially dressed in his tuxedo, he stopped behind Evelyn, using the mirror to tie his bowtie as he spoke. “I’d like you to wear the red dress this evening, please,” he requested, nodding polite acknowledgement to the maid who stood patiently waiting out of the way. “There will be gala balls each night we’re here, but tonight’s will be the heaviest attended. I need to attract some attention, and that dress on you does precisely that.” “Yes, of course.” Finishing with his tie, Andrew studied her in the mirror. Evelyn had been strangely subdued since this afternoon at the train terminal. She’d still shown her typical fascination with all things mechanical and technological, but to a noticeably lesser degree than usual for her
World of Tomorrow 29: Confusion
Leaving his Alameda Street office by lunch time, Andrew was walking on air. He’d hand-selected the financers he’d interviewed today, much as he had Justin Mitchell for the New York branch of the Trust— men he’d worked with over the years with proven track records in finance and business and the brightest up and coming—with an expectation that he might entice fifty percent of them to work for him on the west coast within the confines the Los Angeles branch of the Trust had allowed him.He’d scheduled those appointments deliberately, with his most desirable candidates early in the day and those he’d settle for later, but he hadn’t needed the afternoon appointments at all. Which was a mercy for at least one of his interviewees. After eavesdropping with Evelyn on Mr. and Mrs. Pierson talking about his family and his private life, Andrew had planned to dangle his offer before Mr. Pierson, then yank it away after subtly mentioning the backstabbing gossip—now, he’d let the man wonder what opp
World of Tomorrow 30: In Antiquity
Surrounded by the heady woody scent of him coming off Andrew’s jacket about her shoulders, Evelyn could scarcely bring herself to consider what the stranger seeking Charlotte had said. There was no way Andrew would hurt her—at least not purposefully. He took more precautions for her safety than she did, though perhaps that was more the strong possessiveness he had than a concern for her well-being. Regardless, he was vigilant looking after her and that didn’t indicate any malign intent to do harm. His warm hand wrapped hers as he led her along the walkway towards their bungalow, watchful eyes scanning their darkened surroundings.Then there was the other matter.Evelyn had known Russell James for years—there was no way the man was holding his wife prisoner. The simple fact that Charlotte had appeared and gone at the Trust—unscheduled and often to Mr. James’ surprise—confirme
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