Violet (Suitors of Seattle Book 7) Read online

  "I thought I'd come see if you needed any help," Harriett explained as she ventured into the room. All of Harriett's children were off to school now, but she'd had six of them through the years she'd been in Seattle.

  "Why don't you just sit and talk to us while we work, Aunt Harriett? Mama and I have it under control."

  Harriett sank into the chair at the vanity and turned to watch the other two pack. She knew that Violet was just trying to keep her off her bum leg, as all the girls did. She didn't complain though. "I want you to know that I've investigated Mr. Smith."

  "Why?" Violet asked, doing her best to keep from blushing. Was it so obvious she was developing feelings for the man?

  "Well, you're traveling across the country on a train with him, so I knew it would make your mama feel better if she knew he wasn't a killer. Also, I thought if feelings developed between the two of you, you'd know you had my approval." Harriett had made a deal with their parents long ago when Rose had more suitors than she knew what to do with. She investigated every man her nieces were interested in to make certain they weren't making a mistake by marrying the wrong man.

  "Well, if it was to make Mama feel better, that's fine." Violet didn't meet her mother's eyes as she carefully packed another dress into her trunk. She'd already packed old patched dresses that would be used just for painting.

  Mary and Harriett exchanged a look that spoke volumes. "You know that if you decide to marry, you need to come back here and plan a proper wedding. None of your sisters ever gave me enough time to plan anything. You will. Do you promise me?"

  Violet shrugged. "I really don't think you need to worry, Mama. I'm a career woman, remember? No man is going to want to marry a woman who spends all her time painting. They want a woman who will stay home and mind the children."

  "Not all men," Harriett told her. "Your uncle Max doesn't mind that I own and help manage the battered women's shelter. Alex doesn't mind that Amaryllis works. Lawrence doesn't care that Hyacinth writes."

  Violet sighed. "Those are really special men, Aunt Harriett. I'm not going to find a man like that." But oh, how she wished she could. She hated the idea of growing old alone. She wanted children just as much as the next woman, but she wasn't willing to give up her work to have them. She wanted it all, and she knew it just wasn't possible to have it all with most men.

  "Did you know that Jonas's sister was an artist? That's why he opened the galleries. She wanted a place to show her work." Harriett watched her niece's face closely as she dropped that tidbit of information.

  "Really? I had no idea." Violet was surprised her aunt was giving her the information, but even more surprised that it was true. Did that mean he'd be more open to a wife who worked? And did it really matter? He hadn't exactly told her he was interested in her.

  "Really. She worked as an artist until the day she died." Harriett looked sad. "You know that story, right?"

  Violet nodded. "His sister and brother-in-law were killed by someone who wanted her jewels."

  "Yes, that's true, but they were killed by someone they knew. The man who killed them both invited them to go to the play with him, knowing she'd be wearing them. He's been sentenced to the electric chair."

  "The electric chair? Really? I'd heard New York would use it. Has it been used successfully yet?" Mary asked, surprised.

  "New York City has been using it since 1890. They say it's more humane than hanging. Although why they'd want to treat a murderer humanely, I'll never know." Harriett shook her head. "I did some research about it when I found out that he was going to be electrocuted."

  Violet shook her head. "I can't imagine what he must be going through."

  "He?" Harriett asked.

  "Nathan. Jonas's nephew. He's such a sweet little boy, and he lost both parents. I just want to hug him and keep him forever."

  Mary and Harriett exchanged a knowing look. "Just make sure you come home and let me plan a real wedding before you marry him. I'm tired of you girls all getting married within a few weeks of getting engaged." Mary eyed Violet. "Why don't we shop for a dress before you leave, and I'll work on planning the wedding while you're gone?"

  "Mama! That's ridiculous! We're not even courting. You can't plan a wedding!" What would Jonas think if he found out her mother was planning a wedding for them when they'd never even kissed?

  Mary mumbled under her breath. "None of your sisters were courting six months before their weddings. I need time!"

  "No. And please don't start behind my back, either. I won't be part of it."

  Mary folded up a petticoat and dropped it into Violet's trunk. "Fine." She looked at Harriett. "I hope your daughters are better about giving you a wedding to plan than mine have been."

  Harriett covered her mouth with her hand. "At least you have the satisfaction of knowing all of your daughters are happily married so far." She smiled at Violet. "Just make sure you send a telegram before the wedding and not after. I don't think Mary could handle not finding out until after you're married."

  Violet shook her head and continued working, refusing to be a party to the conversation any longer. What was wrong with the two of them anyway?

  *****

  Mary wouldn't let Violet go to the train station on her own on Monday. Jonas had come with his buggy Monday morning so he could take her trunk to the station for her. So when it was time, she and Mary walked to the Seattle train station together.

  Mary had tears in her eyes as she turned to Violet. "I'm going to miss you so much."

  Violet smiled against her mother's shoulder. "I'm going to be fine. Miss Blue will be there with me, along with Jonas and Nathan and even Nathan's nanny. We're going to have a fine time."

  Jonas stepped up behind Mary and touched her shoulder. "I'll take good care of her, Mrs. Sullivan." He could see by the older woman's face that she was worried about sending her daughter out in the world alone.

  Mary sniffled. "I know you will. My sister-in-law had you investigated." She took the handkerchief that was offered to her, peering in confusion at the older woman standing with four more in her hands. "Thank you."

  Jonas stiffened. "Why did she have me investigated?"

  Violet wanted to die. She wanted a giant hole in the ground to open up and suck her right down into it. Please don't let Mama tell him she thinks we'll be married. Please don't let her tell him.

  "She's going to New York City with you. She'll be gone for four months. Of course you were investigated! Do you really think we'd allow our Violet to go off with a stranger otherwise?" Mary's voice was indignant.

  "I never thought of it that way, Mrs. Sullivan." He smiled down at the short, stocky woman. "Thank you for allowing her to travel with me. I don't know if I would let my daughter go even if I had investigated the man thoroughly."

  Mary nodded regally. "Now where is this Miss Blue?"

  "I'm right here!" Edna said, waving three of the four handkerchiefs that were still in her hand. "I'm ready to get on a train and go to New York!"

  Mary blinked at the older woman for a moment, obviously having expected someone quite different from Edna Blue. She was wearing a yellow hat with a giant purple flower growing out of the top and a pink stuffed bird perched beside the flower. Her dress was brown with orange polka dots and looked hideous with the hat, but Edna stood there as proudly as if she were dressed in the latest of fashion.

  Mary offered her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Blue."

  "Oh, please call me Edna. Everyone does!" Edna stuck her hand into the front of her dress between her overlarge breasts and pulled out a peppermint stick offering it to Mary. "Would you like a peppermint?"

  Mary shook her head slowly. "No, thank you." Her eyes met Violet's with something akin to horror.

  Violet merely smiled. "I'm so happy you'll be my traveling companion, Edna." She linked her arm through the older woman's. "We'll be sharing a sleeping car."

  Mary looked as if she'd just been hit over the head. "But...you said you had a sweet older
woman as your traveling companion. That she'd take good care of you."

  Edna nodded and smiled at Violet. "So nice of you to describe me that way." Looking at Mary she smiled. "I will take very good care of her. I almost married once myself."

  "What happened?" Mary asked, looking as if she were afraid of the answer.

  Violet could see the unspoken questions in her mother's eyes, and she wanted to laugh hysterically. Mary couldn't really complain about Violet's choice of a traveling companion without hurting the older woman's feelings, but she obviously had reservations.

  "Oh, he had a heart condition! One day we were laying in the grass in the woods, and we were kissing and getting really close if you know what I mean. Well anyway, he died before we could make it happen." Tears sprang to her eyes and she shook her head sadly. "I know I'll never find another love like him."

  Violet coughed to keep a giggle from erupting. "I'm so sorry he died that way, Edna." Had Edna really just told her mother that her fiancé had died trying to precipitate their marriage vows? Oh my!

  Mary blinked a few times before she found her voice. "You aren't going to let my daughter have relations before marriage, are you?" She sounded absolutely horrified by the idea.

  Edna seemed to consider the question carefully. "I'll not allow her to do anything that would damage her reputation," she answered finally.

  Mary nodded as if she had gotten the answer she wanted, but Violet wasn't certain that she actually had. Did that mean Edna was all for premarital relations as long as there was no danger of being caught? If so, her mother would have a fit.

  Jonas stepped forward. "The conductor is calling for everyone to board. We need to go."

  "Oh, where's Nathan?" Violet asked, looking around for the boy.

  "His nanny has him over by the train. He wanted to see if he could put something on the track and see if the train would flatten it." Jonas smiled. He remembered doing the same exact thing as a boy.

  Violet nodded before turning to her mother. She hugged her tightly and whispered to her, "I'll be just fine! You have nothing to worry about." She hoped her mother wouldn't change her mind at this late date. She wished Edna had taken just a bit longer to arrive. The longer Edna and Mary spent together, the less chance Violet had of being able to go to New York.

  Mary shook her head, obviously still concerned. "Be on your best behavior. I don't know that I trust this traveling companion of yours. Her breath smells like whiskey."

  Violet suppressed a giggle. "It's just her cough tonic, Mama. I'm a big girl. I'll be fine."

  Edna stepped forward and put her hand on Mary's arm. "Don't worry, Mrs. Sanderson. I'll take good care of your baby."

  "Sullivan," Mary corrected.

  "Excuse me?" Edna looked thoroughly confused.

  "Our last name is Sullivan," Mary said with an exasperated sigh.

  "Isn't that what I said?"

  Jonas finally grabbed Violet's arm. "We're going to miss our train. Good day, Mrs. Sullivan. Violet will be fine in our care." He pulled Violet toward the train, and Edna hurried along behind them holding her hat firmly on her head.

  Mary watched them go with sadness and fear in equal parts on her face. What was going to happen to her daughter?

  *****

  Violet was a little surprised at just how cramped the quarters were in the sleeping car. She'd expected something like her bedroom at home that she'd grown up sharing with Iris, but this was much smaller. There were two bunks, and she put her things on the top bunk, wanting to spare Edna the climb at the end of the day.

  When she turned around, Edna had a sad look on her face. "What's wrong? I thought you were excited about going to New York!"

  "Well, of course I am, but I wanted the top bunk. I'll be able to see ever so much more from it. And what could be more fun than climbing the ladder in my nightgown at the end of each day?" Edna shrugged. "I guess I'll take the bottom bunk." She looked like she was fighting back tears.

  Violet shook her head. "Oh no, ma'am. If you want the top bunk, you take it. I thought I was leaving you the better bed." She reached up and pulled down her carpet bag which had the things she'd need for the train ride. Her trunk was safely in the baggage car.

  Edna dropped her own bag to the floor and clasped her hands to her chest excitedly. "You really don't mind? I would be so thankful to have the top."

  "I don't mind at all." Violet sat down on the hard bottom mattress, wondering how she was going to be able to sleep there for almost two weeks. She knew she had been pampered growing up, and she'd enjoyed that pampering. The hard mattress was going to give her fits.

  Violet threw her things onto the top bunk, looking around the room. "There's not much room in here. Where will we spend time during the day?"

  Edna looked perplexed for a moment, opening a door. "What's in here?"

  Violet peered over her shoulder and gasped. "That's amazing." It was a room with a couch, low table, and two comfortable chairs. She pushed the door wider and walked into the room looking around. "Are we allowed to use this room?" Her mother and sisters had talked about their train rides, and they'd always been on trains with hard benches as seats. This was nothing like anything she'd ever dreamed of.

  Violet walked across the room and tried another door. She opened it and saw little Nathan talking to his nanny, Hillary. They were obviously in their own sleeping chamber which was very like Violet and Edna's.

  Upon seeing Violet, Nathan hurried over to her. "We're going to New York! I'm going to show you my real house. You're going to love it!"

  Violet smiled, crouching down to eye level with the boy. "I can't wait to see it!" She took Nathan's hand. "Will you show me around New York City? I've never been, and I really don't want to get lost."

  Nathan looked at her with wide eyes before nodding. "I will! We'll even go to Central Park. It's like being in the country in the middle of the city."

  Violet made a face. "Why not just move to the country then?" She'd never understood people thinking they needed to live in the city but have a country life. It was so odd to her.

  "'Cuz the country isn't New York!" He took her hand and pulled her into his room. "Miss Sullivan? Would you tell Hillary that I get to sleep on the top bunk? She says I'm too little and will fall out on my head and break my neck. I think I'll be safe. Tell her!"

  Edna followed along behind them looking up at the top bunk and down at the little boy. "Good gravy, boy! If you fall off there, you will break your neck. No, I think you need to sleep on the bottom." She shook her head at him sadly.

  Nathan hung his head. "But I want to sleep on the top bunk. It looks like ever so much fun."

  Edna fished into her cleavage for a peppermint stick. At the look of pure disgust on Hillary's face, Violet hid her smile behind her hand. Nathan took the sweet with a nod. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. Maybe if you don't fall out of your bed and break your neck even once on the way to New York, you can sleep on the top bunk on the way back." Edna looked delighted at her solution to the problem.

  Nathan smiled and clapped his hand. "What a wonderful idea!"

  Hillary glared at Edna. "I'd appreciate it if you don't put ideas in his head. He's my charge, not yours. You take care of Miss Sullivan."

  Seeing that Edna looked primed for a fight, Violet stepped between them. "Please call me Violet. 'Miss Sullivan' is so formal and we're going to be spending an awful lot of time together."

  Hillary nodded slowly. "It doesn't seem proper, but I'll call you Violet."

  "Thank you!" Violet linked arms with Edna. "Why don't we go see if we can find the dining car? I've never been in one, have you?" She needed to separate the two before anything happened between them. They had barely gotten started on their trip. She wanted them all to be friends.

  As they started across to the dining car, Mr. Smith came out of a door across the hall. "Ah, ladies. Have you found everything to your liking?"

  Violet nodded. "The accommodations are very nice. I w
asn't aware there were trains this luxurious." She was thrilled, though. She was going to enjoy her trip if they were able to travel in this much splendor.

  He smiled. "Only if you own your own train car. I knew I'd be traveling back and forth from Seattle to New York City a lot, so I went ahead and purchased one. I see no need to be uncomfortable for the entire trip."

  Violet looked at Edna who looked as if she wanted to drop to his feet and kiss them. "It's wonderful. Where is the dining car?"

  "We have our own chef here in our car. May I escort you ladies?" Jonas badly wanted to impress Violet, but he wasn't certain why. She was pretty, yes, but he'd known prettier girls back in New York. What was it about her that tugged at his heart strings?

  He led them to a small dining room where there was a long table laid out. He pulled Violet's chair out for her, before performing the same courtesy for Edna.

  Violet looked around her. "But where's Nathan?" Surely he'd be eating with them. Why would they be formal on the train?

  Jonas looked surprised for a moment. "He'll eat with his nurse later."

  Violet shook her head vehemently. "No, he needs to eat with us. How will he understand that you're really a family if he's not allowed to even eat meals with you?"

  He raised an eyebrow. "Did your parents allow you to eat meals with them when you were small?" He'd seen the house she'd grown up in, and he knew that she had been raised with wealth. Surely she had been raised the same way he was, with children eating with their help while the adults dined alone.

  "Of course they did! Mealtimes were always a bit chaotic in our home, especially with Jasmine there, but they were wonderful. It was the only time of day when the entire family gathered together and talked."

  Jonas thought about that for a moment. "Well, I can let him eat with us if you feel that strongly about it." He'd never heard of such a thing, but he could easily see her point.

  Violet smiled happily. "Please do!"