Chapter 6
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Blake suggested, “Why don’t we sit for a bit, and you can tell me a little about your life. If I know my aunt, she will be far more interested in you than in what I’ve been doing. I think I should at least know how and where you were raised and about your employment.”
Eliza nodded and took a seat in one of the large chairs near the fireplace.
“There isn’t much to tell,” Eliza said. “A neighbor dropped me off with a few belongings when I was three days old. She told them that my father was killed in a horse-riding accident about a month prior, and my mother became weaker after I was born and died the night before. I was more fortunate than some because the kind neighbor who dropped me off left what little my mother had collected for me, the family Bible, and told them my name.”
“It’s a good thing you know that much,” Blake said. “I suppose many infants were handed over to orphanages with no information whatsoever.”
“Yes, I was fortunate in that regard. According to the family Bible, both my parents were orphans, and both were only children, so I have no relatives at all.”
“I’m surprised no one adopted you.”
“I was sickly as an infant and a bit puny as a child. People believed I might get ill or not be strong enough. Many people adopted children to help them work on farms or in stores,” Eliza explained.
“For what it’s worth, you have me. I’m your husband now, and I’ll treat you with as much respect as you deserve. No one besides Amalie, Deke, Faith, and Nate, and the judge in town knows about our proxy marriage. Well, Sarah and her husband Jack know, but they won’t say a word. Everyone else believes I met you a few months back when I was out of town on a business trip. That’s also what I’m going to tell Aunt Hortense,” Blake said.
“Thank you, but you’ll have to have a reason for being in St. Louis since I have never lived anywhere else. I’m not sure how many questions I could answer,” Eliza confessed, biting her lip.
“I’ll handle that. I doubt my aunt will ask you many questions. That wouldn’t be proper, and my aunt is a very proper lady. Oh, and before I forget to tell you, I think you’re beautiful just the way you are.”
Eliza laughed. “I’m a bit short and not very strong.”
“I think you’re perfect,” Blake said, holding out his hand. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”
Eliza was impressed with the guest bedroom. “This room is lovely. I think your aunt will be pleased. If only we could add a few of these touches to the room upstairs.”
“Sarah,” Blake yelled out the door, and Sarah hurried to the room.
“You bellowed, Blake,” Sarah asked with a hint of a smile crossing her face.
“I didn’t mean to shout. Do we have any linens or whatnots that might make the little bedroom upstairs more suitable for a lady? My aunt’s traveling companion will use that room.”
Sarah nodded. “I think I can arrange that. We do have a quilt with some yellow and pink that I never use in your room because I know you would frown at the colors and flowers. I can also remove that painting of the buffalo and switch it with the one of the mountains in your office and add a flower vase with a few flowers from the garden.”
Eliza clapped her hands. “That sounds wonderful. It will change the appearance of the room, and hopefully, your aunt and her friend will be happier. Neither looked well today.”
Blake admitted, “I don’t know Constance well. We haven’t seen each other since I was fourteen. My aunt can be quite dramatic and high strung, which is why she fainted. I think they will both be well tomorrow if for no other reason than to see where I live and let their opinions be known.”
Eliza frowned. “I hope we pass your aunt's approval.”
“Don’t fret. I’m not worried about her opinion of you, me, or our home. My biggest concern is that she will try and make you uncomfortable enough to leave, and she will try to force me to accept Constance.”
“I may be small, but I’m tough. You don’t grow up to be a sissy when you’re raised in an orphanage. I remember having to do dishes for a month after I punched Jimmy Brown in the nose for yanking on my braids.”
Blake laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have to fight my aunt, but I’m happy to hear you will stand up for yourself.”
“If I didn’t, who would? It wasn’t always easy, especially once I left the orphanage.”
“Let’s see the rest of the house while you tell me about your employer. You’ve seen the kitchen and dining room. I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping.”
Eliza explained about Mister Richards and how the offer from the judge saved her from unemployment or worse, and Blake could only shake his head. “I don’t understand men like that.”
“There’s something else I know about you, Mister Montgomery. You’re a gentleman.”
“That is one thing I’ll agree on, Missus Montgomery,” Blake said as he opened the bedroom door. “This is our room.”
Eliza stepped in and said, “It’s nice and big.”
“But a bit plain?” Blake asked. “You can change it any way that you like. It’s your room, too,”
“But only until your aunt leaves and I leave, too. It wouldn’t be fair to make changes.”
Blake shrugged. “I understand, but my aunt may expect something a bit more feminine since you have been here for several days. Ask Sarah what she has stored around the house. Maybe some flowers or umm, I don’t know what ladies like. Ask Sarah and see if you two can make it nicer.”
“It is nice. It just looks like a man’s room, which is good except
