Chapter Seventeen
The Barkleys boarded the private car for a few days in San Francisco. Jarrod and Heath had an important meeting at the Miner's Exchange. Nick was coming as support in case things got ugly. The ladies wanted to do some wedding shopping.
Well, his sister and mother did.
They had passed the Aigner family on the platform.
Jarrod graciously introduced Gunther to his family and the Lightfoots. He had met them about six months ago when he was embroiled in railroad chaos and was unable to help them check out a mine they were considering.
"My wife, Agatha—-My daughters Amelie, Alice, Alixandra, and Ada."
"What a lovely family,Mr. Aigner. We have enjoyed getting to know Amelie. She is a fine young lady."
"Thank You, Mrs. Barkley." and they parted ways on the track, "I will be attending a meeting at the Miner's Exchange. I look forward to conversing with your sons there."
Amelie's eyes sparkled when she saw Heath and Nick. Audra hugged her as soon as she saw them, but her eyes were on the brother behind her father's back.
Heath and Nick returned the appreciation with grins until Agatha put her hands on her daughter's arm.
"Do not make eye contact with young men. It is forward and improper."
"Yes, Mama"
Gunther got onto the train pontificating about connections and bloodlines and creating his own empire. His wife and daughters dutifully listened, agreeing with his musings. "Children are to be quiet and not speak until spoken to" rang in their ears.
Amelie shook her head in agreement, but every sense was filled up with the handsome cowboy.
"I love everything about America and the west."
—&—-
The Barkleys and Lightfoots settled in. The ladies and men talked about their plans and listened to the friendly banter.
Nick and Heath were arguing over who Amelie smiled at.
"Boy, did you see that smile straight at me?"
"Nick, yore eyesight is still knocked around since that bronc— it was me."
Jarrod winked at Gene and the sisters.
"Well, I saw it, and she was definitely giving me an interest, older brother and all."
Gene laughed, "You are all wrong. She noticed me first," squeezing Elionoir's hand, making sure she knew it was in jest.
Elspeth and Elionoir went with it, "Well, I think it was the young banker on the first platform."
Audra even jumped into the fray, "Just wait until I tell Amelie all of your bad habits. She will run for Bavaria again."
Jarrod put his arm around Elspeth, "We are a loud bunch when we all get shoved in a rail car together."
"I like it. Elionoir and I feel content in your nest."
"And that, my love, makes my heart full." He whispered in her ear. They shared several more private entreaties and smiles.
Then young Tommy ran and crawled in Elspeth's lap. He kissed her on the cheek.
"Aunt Speth"
"I hope we are blessed with children. She will be a wonderful mother."
Vic thought the same thing across the car as she watched the three of them.
—&—
Jarrod checked them into the Palace Hotel, and everyone went to freshen up. He tapped on Elspeth's door and handed her the shawl she had accidentally left on his bag. The bellhop had taken it to his room. He handed it to her and snuck a kiss. His finger on her chin tipped her lips to his. He could hear Audra's and Elionoir's voices inside the room, but he couldn't resist.
"One week," he whispered. She blushed.
"You are a minx. Do you know it, or are you even aware of it? I can't decide. All five feet and waist-length auburn curls of you."
"Probably both," she sniggered.
He had picked up the shawl and smelled the faint scent of rosemary. Desire coursed through his body, and he shuddered. Waiting another week for the wedding seemed like an eternity. The three days he had spent on the ranch trails alone with Elspeth would be forever seared on his brain. Not waiting for nightfall, the constellations after dark, the prickles of the pine straw—-bathing in the creek, the waterfall, oh the waterfall. It was like nothing he had imagined. Once she finally trusted him—-when he asked her to marry, she was fearless with him. He considered himself an experienced man of the world and a considerate man with his first wife. Beth came to him with no knowledge but trust. A week but a single week with Beth. Elspeth came to him with knowledge and pain. But once she trusted him, she gave herself completely to him. Mind, heart, body, service. She sewed on a button, washed out his shirt, and filled his flask—-all without asking. It's like that scripture. Becoming one. He had always thought of it as procreation. He hadn't ever experienced this before. He delighted in anticipating her needs, grabbing her cape, or when she scrunched up her nose on a decision—-Jarrod, before prison had no idea of what he had missed in life. He did now, and it was an Elspeth.
He pulled her out in the hall and looked both ways. He kissed her quite passionately as the elevator moved up the floors. They pulled away in response, but the beautiful raven-haired woman could not help but stare at the handsome man with his paramour. She turned slightly to the wall, and Jarrod nodded at the smiling woman in the elevator as it passed downstairs.
"Now that is a handsome man—-" she said to no one in the elevator.
"I need to find out more."
—-&—
"First, we shall go to The White House on Kearny and Post Street downtown. They will have catalogs from all the Eastern companies to peruse in a private showing room and all the latest domestic comportments. Then we have an appointment with Madame Leary, the top-drawer dress designer, for some fittings and sundries. Then an early supper at the Oriental since the men will be at the exchange all day with these mining labor talks," Victoria told them at breakfast.
"Oh, Mother, can we go to more shops? There is another new one on Post, and Frances Paine gave me a new name on Walker street?"
Elspeth swallowed and looked uncomfortable as Audra went on and on about shopping.
Aria whispered, "I promise it will be less daunting than it sounds. Mrs. Victoria knows when to rein her in. You don't have to buy a single thing that you do not want."
Elspeth tried to smile, "Jarrod hasn't even told me where we are living after our honeymoon. I am sure he has thought about it. Just that Elionoir was not going back to the cabin. He would make sure of that.
en. wiki/The_White_House_(department_store)
Victoria noticed how Elspeth was uncomfortable about the shopping Audra planned. Jarrod had taken her aside and told her how the sisters worked for every penny they spent.
"Mother, I have paid for a meal here or there—-and the hoe I broke myself in the past three months. They are proud ladies. They'll not take to charity or anything they perceive it to be."
"But Jarrod, they are to be family. We would do the same for anyone you married."
"Yes, but Buchanans are not Barkley's—-yet. Buy them whatever they will allow, but do not allow Audra to steamroll them—-she can save that for poor Carl and honestly me."
"Thank you, son. I am so pleased with this lovely young woman you have chosen to marry. I can see contentment in your eyes. I will guard her from Audra."
The department store was their first stop. Victoria took the lead and stopped in the shoe department first.
"Elionoir, let's choose some new boots on my dime. Eugene won't hear of anything less. I know your ankle is still swollen but I bet we can get a good measurement."
She smiled and sat down. This was one of the necessities that they had decided to purchase. They had carefully made a list of things they truly needed in the coming months.
Elspeth and Aria were looking at slippers to go with their dresses for the wedding.
Audra gasped, and they looked back, "These are perfect. Straight from Paris. We will all take these."
Victoria flashed a look, "Audra, you may choose those, but the rest of us would like to look too."
"Oh, but these are perfect. I want us all to have them."
Victoria shook her head. Audra took two pairs over to the bench to try on.
Elspeth touched her velvet bag on her arm. Jarrod had given her 'pin money' for the trip. She had tried to turn it down but he was quite convincing.
"Honey, you are my wife already in all the ways that count. Remember we already said our vows at the waterfall? To love, honor, and obey? No one has to know it's not your own from work. Please, Els, obey me in this—-I know my sister and family. You will want at least something on this trip. There is plenty there for Elionoir too. Plus, use any of the Barkley accounts. They will charge it to me."
She took the suede pouch and put it into her purse. She and Elionoir had made a list of things they needed—-so she would use it for that.
Elspeth opened the pouch as she left the hotel. She almost threw up. Several hundred dollar bills were folded by a silver clip.
"Oh, Jarrod," she sighed.
—&—
She and Aria actually picked out the same medium-priced slipper. Victoria had already placed Elionoir's choice of boots and slippers in Audra's stack.
They went into the catalog room and perused the latest offerings from the east coast for an hour. Lots of conversations and comparing items.
Victoria bought all the ladies new silk gloves for the wedding as a gift in the haberdashery.
They went into china, silver, and housewares next.
"Have you an idea of your pattern?"
"No, I am not even sure where we will set up a household."
They looked around, ooh and ah, all the beautiful items. Victoria was ordering some stemware when something caught Elspeth's eye in a curio cabinet.
"May I see that please?"
She took out a dainty honey pot, hand-blown glass, and intricately crafted. Gold and blue, and green flecked through it with a small bee on the hand-blown spoon. It was a work of art.
Elspeth took it out and let the light shine through the glass.
"I will take it, please. Can you wrap and crate it for me? We are traveling by rail and staying at the Palace until Wednesday."
She signed for the purchase and handed the clerk a generous tip for her help in making sure the packing was done correctly.
"Elspeth, that is beautiful."
"How lovely"
"I love it."
"Thank you, family. My wedding gift to me if that is proper. I have recently found an affinity for honey pots. I shall add it to my grandmother's at home."
Everyone smiled and headed to the dressmakers. Their shoe and glove purchase-and Victoria's stemware were to be delivered to the hotel with a hand-blown honey pot.
—&—-
The men headed out for some shopping in their city; tobacconist, tailor, and armorer. They ended up with Jarrod at Abraham Issacsson's Jewelry store. He kept a small store of Barkley gold in a safe for gifts for the family.
He had not seen his friend Jarrod in two years. He had come to the last day of the trial to say goodbye. It broke him, and he wrote to him every week to encourage him. Jarrod wrote back faithfully. He followed the railroad trial in the papers and sent Jarrod a note on his success.
Abraham went to the safe a few minutes before Jarrod's appointment. He pulled out the pouch of Barkley gold. The last time he checked it, he had used some to make earrings for Victoria from Nick at Christmas.
He shook out the whole pouch. He was looking for the last item that fell out. A gold wedding ring. He had just added the diamonds the day he heard Beth was murdered. He couldn't bear to finish the ring or charge Jarrod. He just put it back in his safe.
"So sad—-I can't wait to see my friend today. I wonder what brings him to the city. It's been two years. I wonder if he remembers the ring? I hope he brings besorah. (Hebrew for good news)
—&—
The ladies spent three hours at the dressmakers. All of the ladies ordered a new dress that would be delivered by train next week. Victoria signed the ticket again as a wedding party need. They all dispersed to different parts of the store to shop for accessories.
Elionoir and Elspeth ended up in the unmentionables. They both restocked their undergarments completely with the pleased sales clerk.
"Oh yes—-a necessity—-I hid my mended undergarments on the trail. I was so ashamed. It's my first priority for shopping today."
"Can we afford this?" Elionoir whispered.
"Yes, my sister. Jarrod has already given me 'pin money' as he calls it."
"But these prices. We could spend a tenth of this at the mercantile."
"Let's just enjoy the luxury this time. It's been a long time."
And she allowed herself the freedom to think of the soft silk undergarment fabric in Jarrod's hands. She felt herself shudder at her brazen thought.
Aunt Euphemia was right.
An inadvertent sigh escaped, and Elionoir assumed it to be frustration or boredom.
"Is everything ok? Have I upset you?
"Oh no. It is, as Aunt Euphemia said. Meant to be."
Elionoir just shook her head and looked through the stacks.
Elspeth couldn't get the silly grin off of her face.
—&—-
Audra found a beautiful green silk negligee and peignoir for Elspeth. She had it wrapped for a gift.
Aria went and talked to the clerk privately, "Add several inches of seam tape and save me the fabric scraps. I believe I am with child so I will need alterations."
The girl smiled, "Of course, and congratulations."
Audra and Victoria met and sat on the bench as Aria, Elspeth, and Elionoir used the washroom. The hack would take them to the Oriental.
A beautiful raven-haired woman got out of a taxi.
"Mrs. Griffiths, your appointment is ready for you."
"Thank you, my dear," as she passed Audra and Victoria on the bench. She regally nodded. She stopped to allow older ladies to enter first.
"What a stunningly beautiful woman," Audra mentioned quietly.
"Yes, she is."
"Do you think she is almost thirty?" with incredulity in her wide blue eyes.
Victoria rolled her eyes back and indulged her daughter, "positively ancient."
"Mother, look. She is wearing a mystic necklace. Do you believe those work?"
"No, Audra. I believe in the Good Book, hard work, and being fair. But I agree it's a beautiful necklace."
They both admired the blue glass and opals set in silver swans with some sort of ancient symbols in the filigree.
The ladies came out and joined them.
"Let's get supper. I am truly famished."
"Hope the men have had a successful business meeting. We have successfully spent their money," laughed Elspeth as she got into the hack.