The Address(85)

Maybe that was why Mrs. Camden had been trundled upstate. Not because of illness, but so Sara didn’t find out right off. So he could woo her and pull her close to him again before breaking the news.

She made it to the meeting quickly, after urging the hansom driver to pick up the pace. The horse seemed to sense her nervousness and stomped his feet as she paid the fare. In the distance, Theo stood in the center of the lot, which had previously held a blacksmith and a saloon. The owners had vacated months ago and the buildings had been razed. As she approached, he greeted her, and the men all nodded. She handed over the drawings and stepped back, knowing that her role right now was to be the dutiful assistant. Theo was never dismissive of her in front of clients, but the one time she’d made a suggestion, he’d cut her off with a curt “No, that won’t do.”

Later, he’d apologized and incorporated her idea, but she knew he was right. The outside world wouldn’t understand how they worked together, nor approve.

The meeting seemed to go on forever, and even once they were back at the office, there was still no way to speak privately. The last draftsman peeled off at seven o’clock, offering a cheery “Good night” as he put on his hat and coat.

By then, the knot in Sara’s stomach seemed to have tripled in size.

She got right to the point. One of the things Theo said he liked about her.

“When I was at the Dakota getting the plans, Mrs. Haines said that your wife and family are returning.”

Theo sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. “Yes. I’m sorry. I meant to tell you. We’ve been so busy.”

“When are they due back?”

“Next week.”

She crossed her arms. “When were you planning on mentioning it? When I bumped into Mrs. Camden in the courtyard?”

“No, no. Of course not. I was going to tell you tonight over dinner. But you see, it won’t make any difference, not to our work, our lives.”

“How can you say that? Do you really think she’ll put up with you running about town and being seen with me?”

She hated the way she sounded, like a scolding shrew.

Theo hung his head. “I don’t want her to come back. I know that makes me a terrible human being, but that’s the way I feel. I love you. We talked just the other day about how we don’t care what other people think. But now you do?”

No. Her pain was deeper than that. She drew a deep breath. “Did you and Mrs. Camden have another child?”

“What? No.”

How he could deny such a thing shocked her. “A crib is being set up in the children’s room.”

“Yes, right.” He came around to the front of the desk and sat on the edge of it, hands out. “This is why I wanted to tell you over dinner, where we could sit and I could explain things.”

She stood firm. “Please do.”

“While Minnie was upstate, she befriended a woman who was also ill, who had a small child. The woman passed away and Minnie said that she’d promised to look after it for her. I was aghast; I don’t want another child.”

“It will be your ward?”

“Yes.”

“Is it a boy or a girl?” She held her breath, praying it not be a boy.

“A boy. They named him Christopher.”

A chill went up her spine. When Sara didn’t speak, Theo continued on. “I wasn’t happy about it, but it gives her something to focus on, something that’s not the two of us. Don’t you see? It was my barter. I keep you and she can keep the child. It’s an agreement.”

“You spoke to her of us?”

“Not in an obvious, crass way. But she’d heard rumors. To be honest, I doubt she’s surprised or angry. We never really got on. It was all for the families’ sakes, hers and mine. She loves the children; that is her passion. I love you. You are mine.”

“You will live together, and we will carry on, and she’ll take care of this boy?”

“Christopher. Yes. You’ll see. It’s a splendid arrangement.”

“For you, perhaps. You get the attentions of the devoted wife, while the mistress stays close at hand.”

He stood, indignant. “You are not my mistress. That’s a useless word when it comes to describing who we are and what we do. We are business partners, lovers, all sorts of things. You are an indispensable part of my happiness. I hope I am to yours.”

“But the boy.”

“What is one more child running around? I will take care of it because by doing so, I get you.” He drew close to her and put one hand around the back of her neck, the other over her heart. A wave of claustrophobia washed over her.

Was he heartless or practical? Or both? What he was proposing was outrageous. But she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. “How will your wife and I manage? Won’t that be terribly awkward?”

“You’ll see, it won’t be that bad. We’ll have to be careful in the early stages, as they settle in.”

“Theo. You’re mad.”

“I am. But I know what I want: you by my side. Always. I’ll do anything I can to make that happen. Now that I’m making money hand over fist, I can take care of you and take care of my family. I want to do right by you.”

He touched his lips lightly to her forehead. “Will you try it? If it’s awful, I will write you a glowing recommendation, and you can do work for another architect in the city.”