Chapter Seventeen
Aubrey spent the morning reviewing the cables he’d received from his brothers in New York, providing business updates that he was to pass on to his father, all the while fretting about how Maeve was faring with the sharks.
Worrying about people being unkind to her had him on the verge of doing something stupid, such as venturing to the Casino to check on her during the period of the day that was reserved for the women.
He couldn’t bear the thought of people shunning her, simply because she was born in Ireland and had been their family’s housekeeper. Although, he knew it was foolish to expect her to get a rousing welcome. Hopefully, Catherine and Madeleine would provide a suitable buffer, but still he worried.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have encouraged her to fully participate in the Season.
He should’ve kept her at home with him where he could protect her from the vipers.
Except, the biggest viper of all was living in this house, and her unusual reticence had him on edge.
He knew better than to expect that his mother would passively cede to his choice of a wife and allow them to live happily ever after, and her silence on the matter had him on edge.
He’d told Maeve they would stand up against any obstacles together, and he’d meant it, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t worried about what those obstacles would be.
Taking the cables from his brothers, he went upstairs to his father’s room and knocked softly on the door, hoping he wasn’t waking him.
His father’s devoted valet, Harrison, answered the door. “Good morning, Mr. Nelson.”
“Good morning, Harrison. Is my father up for a visit?”
“He is. Please come in. While you’re with him, I shall venture downstairs to fetch him some herbal tea.”
“Very good.”
“If you could stay until I return, that would be appreciated.”
“I will.” Realizing that Harrison didn’t want his father left alone only added to Aubrey’s already considerable anxiety. Had it come to that? Was his father so bad off that he couldn’t be alone? Aubrey closed the door behind Harrison and went to his father’s bedside.
Anderson Nelson Senior had his eyes closed and his hands crossed at his lap.
Seeing him propped against the pillows, Aubrey noted the sallow tone of his father’s complexion and that he’d lost more weight he couldn’t afford to lose.
Not wanting to disturb him, Aubrey took a seat next to his father and read through the cables from his brothers Anderson and Alfie again:
New order for a dozen refrigeration cars from Hormel, will need to add another shift to the production line. Please ask Father to authorize additional cost.
Meeting with members of Vanderbilt family this week about new travel cars.
Alfie traveling to San Francisco next week to take meeting with Union Pacific, which needs new provider of couplings and components.
If he lands that account, we will need to quickly move forward with construction of second plant to meet increased production demands.
Heard you got married. What the hell, Aubrey? Require details immediately. How is Father?
The business was clearly booming, which was one thing to be thankful for, Aubrey thought, amused by his brothers’ request for information about his marriage.
He wasn’t surprised they had gotten the news.
They stayed in close touch while the rest of the family was in Newport.
In fact, he fully expected his brothers to make a rare appearance in Newport to meet his new wife.
Aubrey was a decade younger than his older brothers, but the three had become closer after working together in the family business.
Anderson and Alfie had come to rely on Aubrey’s business acumen, not to mention the contacts he’d developed as someone who participated in society, which they actively shunned.
Perhaps they had the right idea. After this summer, Aubrey and Maeve would be stepping away from society to focus on more important things, such as starting a family.
His father came to, clearing his throat and opening his eyes. “Morning, son.”
“Morning, Papa.” He hardly ever called him the name they’d all used as children, deferring to “Father” most of the time. But seeing as they were alone, Aubrey went with the more personal title, pleased when his father’s lips curled into a small smile.
“Been a while since any of you called me that.” He grimaced as he tried to find a more comfortable position. “I’ve missed it.”
“I have, too.”
Nodding to the papers Aubrey had brought with him, Anderson said, “What’ve you got there?”
“Cables from New York.” Aubrey read them to his father.
“That’s some excellent news about Union Pacific and Hormel.”
“Indeed, it is. The business is growing faster than expected.”
“The railroad is opening up the country to the kind of commerce and travel that was all but impossible before. It’s an exciting time, to be certain. I wish I was going to be here to see what becomes of it all.”
“Don’t say that. You were well enough to make the trip to Newport. Surely that’s a good sign.”
“I made the trip because I wanted to be with you all when I draw my last breath.”
“Papa—”
“Aubrey, listen to me. I don’t have much time left, and there are things we must discuss.”
Aubrey didn’t want to hear that. He couldn’t imagine life without his father, but he also couldn’t deny the obvious evidence that his father was far more ill than he’d previously let on. “What things?”
“Your wife, for one thing.”
That was the last thing he’d expected his father to say. He’d anticipated something about the business. “What about her?”
“Your mother is very angry that you married the Irish housekeeper.”
“I’m sure she is, but that doesn’t mean—”
“Aubrey, listen to me!”
Taken aback by his father’s forceful statement, Aubrey sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I’m listening.”
“She’s not going to take this lying down. You must be vigilant and pay close attention to everything she says and does. She is determined to rid you of this woman, no matter what she has to do.”
Shock reverberated through Aubrey. He’d known she would be unhappy, but never for a minute did he imagine anything like what his father was telling him.
Although, in light of the nightmare he’d found when he arrived in Newport, he probably should’ve considered that possibility.
His stomach began to ache like a bastard. “What is she going to do?”
“I don’t know, but you must be vigilant. The first day we were here, I saw how you looked at your wife, and I can tell you’re happy.”
“I’m happy. I love her, Papa.”
“Then you must protect her. Get her out of this house, away from your mother.”
“That’s not possible. I have guests who’ve come for the summer.”
“Take them with you and go, Aubrey. Go before it’s too late.”
“Papa, please don’t overly excite yourself.”
“I fear you’re not taking me seriously, son.”
“I’m taking you very seriously. I just don’t know what to do. Derek, Catherine and the others have traveled so far to be with us this summer.”
“From what you have said of Derek, he is a man who protects the ones he loves. I would think he’d be keen to help you do the same.”
Aubrey was reeling from the things his father had said. “You honestly think she would hurt me that way, Papa?”
“I honestly think she would do anything to preserve her social standing, even at the expense of her own son.” Anderson sagged into the pillows, seeming to have spent his small reserve of energy.
His eyes closed and within seconds he was asleep again, his chest rattling with the dreadful sound that had become so familiar to them in recent months.
Aubrey was still contending with shock and confusion—and dread—when Harrison returned.
“Ah, good. He is resting.” The older man sounded relieved. “He’s been extremely agitated, which is new. I fear he hasn’t much time left. I’ve read about the agitation increasing when the end is near.”
“When you say agitated, how do you mean?”
“He’s extremely concerned about things that aren’t going to happen, such as the house burning down the way the first Breakers did.
He’s concerned about the company going bankrupt and his children falling on hard times—all things that aren’t going to happen.
I’ve tried to reassure him that all is well, but he’s become increasingly paranoid. ”
Aubrey was actually relieved to hear that, since it would explain the things his father had said about his mother. Although painfully aware of her many faults, Aubrey couldn’t imagine her deliberately hurting him. “I’m going to leave him to rest. Please let me know if either of you need anything.”
“I will, sir, thank you.”
“No, thank you, Harrison, for your dedication to Father. We all appreciate it.”
“He’s a great man, and it’s my honor to serve him.”
Aubrey shook the man’s hand and then left the room, feeling unsettled by the conversation as much as his father’s declining health.
He’d held out hope that his father would rebound after the latest treatments, but it was now clear that they hadn’t had the desired effect.
There could be no denying the inevitable now, and Aubrey needed to notify his brothers, so they could come to Rhode Island to say good-bye to their father.
After yet another morning promenade, Maeve begged off on the daily trip to Bailey’s Beach.
The smell of the seaweed turned her stomach, which had gotten touchy lately.
While wondering where Aubrey had gotten off to, she wandered down to the kitchen to visit Mrs. Allston and was pleased to find the older woman alone.
“This is a nice surprise,” the cook said, her face alight with pleasure.
Hearing the sound of home in the other woman’s voice had been a comfort to Maeve from her first days in Newport. “I don’t mean to disturb your work.”
“It’s no bother. I’ve been hoping to see you.” The older woman dried her hands on a dish towel and took an assessing look at Maeve. “Marriage seems to be agreeing with you.”