After another minute, all three men heard a knock on the outer door of the building and Dwight, being the closest, got up to open it. It was a messenger boy, his penny farthing parked on the sidewalk.
Without preamble, the boy handed him a small envelope. “Will you give this to Mr. Haldeman, sir?”
Dwight managed a nod and took the missive. The boy turned and climbed back up on the huge bicycle and rode off.
Dwight closed the door and carried the envelope to the banker. His hand shook as he passed it over, feeling as if he were handing the jury’s decision to the judge after his trial. Indeed, he was now awaiting sentencing.
The portly older man took the message without a word, opened it, removed a small, folded sheet of paper, and read the contents. Dwight watched as all of the bluster and angst seemed to seep out of him, like a cake going flat after the oven door slammed.
Richard stood and walked around the desk to Dwight’s side as they both waited.
Finally, the embarrassed man looked up, first at Richard, and then meeting Dwight’s eyes.
“She’s not with child…and…she hasn’t been touched.”
Dwight’s relief at the pronouncement was so acute that he nearly fell out of his chair, but he gripped the armrests and managed not to sway as he shut his eyes long enough to acknowledge the answered prayers. Thank you, God!
Benjamin Haldeman leaned forward and cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. He raised a hand and slid a finger under his collar, giving it a tug. Dwight almost felt sorry for him.
Clearing his throat several times again, the man caught and held Dwight’s gaze, hesitating as if carefully weighing what he would say next.
“Son,” he finally began, “I apologize that I accused you of actions based on my daughter’s word alone. You’re evidently a fine young man…and I know that she fancies herself in love with you. I…I’ve never been able to deny my little girl anything she’s wanted, since her dear, departed mother left us. I shamefully admit that Penelope has me wrapped around her pinky finger,” he admitted, his face darkening with a sheepish blush. Taking a deep breath, he added, “So, I ask you now…would you consider marrying her?”
Dwight had expected anything but that. One thing he knew—being shackled to a childish, spoiled, society princess for the rest of his life was the last thing he wanted.
Looking away for a moment to choose his words just as carefully, he finally looked back and offered a small, apologetic smile to the deflated banker.
Shaking his head, he said softly, “I’m sorry, sir. But, no.”
The man nodded, but then a calculating look came into his eyes and he reached up to put on his hat.
“I warn you, young man, my daughter can be a force of nature at times. I couldn’t even guess what she’ll come up with next. I truly doubt that she’ll give up in the near future, as—right now anyway—marrying you seems to be her main goal. She could make your life a living misery until you finally give in, so, you might want to reconsider. I…I could make it worth your while,” he offered with a gleam in his eyes that Dwight couldn’t quite decipher.
At that moment, a voice whispered in his soul, “You can’t marry the girl. You’re already married,” and Dwight knew he had the perfect out.
Offering another apologetic smile, he replied, “Again, I’m sorry, sir, but, I just can’t. Because you see…” he paused and glanced at his employer.
“I’m already married.”
Chapter 4
D wight’s employer shut the front door behind Mr. Haldeman a mere five minutes after Dwight had lobbed the unexpected cannonball into the fray. His statement had effectively stopped dead in their tracks any negotiations or manipulations on the part of the older man.
Turning, Mr. Harrington pinned Dwight with a look that brooked no escape as he stalked back into his office.
“You’re married? When and where did this occur, DJ? Who’s the girl?” he fired off the questions like a Gatling gun, obviously awed at the news. “Or were you just lying to save yourself from a fate worse than death with that Haldeman girl?” he added, cluing Dwight in that his underlying reaction had to do with whether or not he was that good at deception—something no employer wanted in an employee.
Dwight relaxed for the first time since being flagged down on his way to look for another fare, and he smiled at Richard as he shook his head. “Nope. I’m legally married. As of yesterday morning. I signed papers at the courthouse. And the girl is a friend of my sister’s. She’s…she’s in Brownville, Nebraska.”
The man’s eyes widened in shock, and then confusion. “Brownville, Nebraska? If she’s there, then how in the name of Pete did you marry her?”
Dwight’s smile grew even more, reflecting the fact that his impromptu offer to help protect a girl’s reputation had actually saved his own hide. “A proxy wedding.”
His boss furrowed his brow. “A proxy…huh? Never heard of such a thing.”
Letting out a chuckle, Dwight ran a hand through his hair and left it on top of his head as he shrugged. “I hadn’t either until my own sister became a proxy bride. It’s legal. It’s done by a
