Chapter Thirty-Seven
Nick and Maris finally dressed and headed back to Nate's at 4 am. They cuddled and spoke endearments in the back of the hired rig arranged by the hotel. Her blonde wig was back on her and covered with the long black cape. She was still wearing his engagement ring. Nick refused to let her travel back to Nate's without Grover.
"I am going with ya."
They took a hotel driver due to the late hour.
"Will take my chances. Ain't letting you out of my sight."
They pulled up in the dim light to Nate's service entrance. He cocked his head as he saw Jarrod's houseman pull up with some boxes.
"What in the world? Charles?"
"Morning Mista Nick. It's an early one. The fire brigade sent over these valuables they found when they went through again. Fires still smoldering in the drapes and such. Put them out in the yard. I boxed these up—-"
"Hold up, what happened?"
He explained about the dead Chinese boy and the boxes of fireworks set off on the first floor of the brownstone.
"Mista Jarrod got everyone out. Bottom floor is lost. All the settees, drapes, rugs, burned—-not a pane of glass left. All 'dem vases and lamps and such broke up. Books all sooty. A smoky mess."
"Where is my brother?"
"Inside. Might be asleep. Whole family got over here after midnight with two housemaids."
Nick paid the hack driver and helped Maris out. She kept her hood up until they all got in the back door.
The cook met them at the door and took their coats, "Everyone is asleep finally. Good to see you Miz Maris. It's been a night."
"Naomi, Mr. Nick will stay until his brother and family awaken. I am going upstairs to freshen up and rest."
The elderly cook shook her hand, "Do you want a bedroom to rest in or just in the study, Mr. Barkley?"
"The study is just fine. I can nap in the chair until the family is up."
"I will show him." Maris smiled.
She escorted Nick to the library and closed the door. He took her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
"Maris, I don't take lightly the gift you gave me. I will treasure it all my days."
"Nicholas, I love you," and she lowered her voice, "and you are a good teacher."
He grinned, "I aim to please."
—&—
Maris went upstairs to her private guest suite.
The Springer mansion had ten bedrooms; she was sure Jarrod and his family were nicely accommodated on their floor. The sprawling mansion has ten bedrooms and a master suite at the side of the house.—-all luxuriously comfortable with accessible water closets. Maris had a sitting room and a water closet attached. It had been remodeled for Alice's mother to visit before she passed away.
Alice and Nate had an exquisite master suite with a private terrace and study. Their windows faced a private garden for privacy. They had separate dressing rooms and water closets but shared a large carved Italian bed they had found in Europe and sent back to their home.
She carefully undressed and took off the blonde wig. She placed it on the cast head on the washstand. "What a story you could tell, old friend?" she giggled.
She hung up Elisabeth's black opera cape along with her pine green dress. Maris caressed the lacing and quivered thinking of Nick's strong hands tangled in the seams. She put her nightdress on and crawled into bed. She hugged her pillow tightly as she fell quickly asleep thinking of Nick.
—&—-
Nick took off his boots and stretched out on the leather divan in Nate's study. He was asleep within five minutes with a smile on his face.
—&—-
Nate, Jarrod, and Nick sat around the study with their third cups of coffee as the mid-morning sun glided through the velvet drapes.
Jarrod had told them all the details from the night before, "Here is the miniature. She looks about fourteen or fifteen. And a brand new fifty dollar bill—-doesn't even have a crease—-then the Tong tattoo. Going to see Mike Chang."
They passed it around to each other.
Nick just shook his head in confusion, "We ate at his family's restaurant while back. They all sang your praises. I remember even a comment about the Tong respecting you,"
"I thought we had mutual respect. The last rice shipment was successful and Chinatown got more than its full share. It all doesn't make sense."
Nate sipped his coffee and sighed, "It makes NO sense. The idea obviously was to scare you off. You know who I would assume if—-. If they wanted to kill you or burn you out, they had plenty of time. The watchman said he lit seven crates of fireworks while all of you were sleeping. That is a warning, not an attack. If it weren't for the dead boy, I would be over at Peterson's knocking his door down."
"Me too, big brother. Let's all go with you to Changs. We all want answers."
Jarrod agreed. He lit another cigar and Nate followed.
"Want one Nick?"
"Nah, will take some more coffee. I need to wake these old bones up."
"With the fire and all, I didn't get to ask, how was Maris's visit?"
A brief look of mirth crossed his face. Jarrod noticed immediately. Nate was focused on the ash of the cigar, still deep in thought.
"She told me. Brought me the ruling. Can't say I took it well. But Maris, she was stronger. Maybe the strongest I have seen her. Lady knows her mind, fer sure. Going to put off the wedding a while longer. She wants some time with James David to make sure he is good with the idea. I'ffn we marry, it may be months apart for them; she accepts that JD will lock her away for good if she gives in. We can wait a bit longer to marry if it will keep the peace and she can see her son. It is a hell of a mess. Just plain wrong."
"What about the holidays?"
"Hadn't quite decided. Was gonna talk about that today. She is going to PineCrest today to see James David and hopefully pick him up. Nate told him about all the possibilities on the verdict, even the chance of a wedding at the ranch. Not happening now—-," he sadly sighed, "He knows she is coming today."
Nate frowned, "I don't want her going alone. I will volunteer."
"Thanks, Nate. Grover is going for me too. I wanted to go myself but she was afraid they would scoop him up and disappear again. Probably right. Would appreciate more eyes on my lady. Me and Jarrod will be getting JT and Chip from their dormitory."
Alice tapped on the door, "Elisabeth and I are heading out for some necessities. The children are with Naomi and Pansy. The older children are all on the lookout for Benjamin. It seems he has learned to slide down the banister of the big stairs."
All three men shook their heads and laughed.
"The youngest may be the death of me," Jarrod finished up the coffee, "I better go give William the responsibility talk before we head out to Chang."
Alice laughed, "All hands on deck with that youngster. I checked in on Maris. She is sleeping like a baby."
Another quick amused look crossed Nick's face as he stood up. Jarrod cocked his head at him for an explanation but Nick didn't respond.
"See you at the carriage house, let's say in fifteen minutes?" Nate planned.
They agreed and all went their separate ways in the mansion. Nick slipped up the back stairs and found Maris's room.
She was sound asleep as Alice had said. The wig smiled back at him from its wooden head on the vanity.
One leg was exposed under the satin duvet and she was cradling a feather pillow. The desire welled up in him again as the memories of their first night welled up inside him.
"You were so eager my love-never thought such when I met your prim and proper self on that train. Next time will be even better if possible, I promise."
He softly walked over and kissed her on the forehead. She smiled in her sleep and gave a little moan.
"Bella Dona."
He closed the door softly with a sad smile on his face.
