Mail Order Mix-Up. Christine Johnson

I said, I have business to attend to.”

      “It will only take a minute.” Her jaw was set and her gaze did not waver. “It is most urgent.”

      Holmes nudged Roland forward. “I can wait. Please take care of the lady.”

      Roland did not care to address what he was certain she would ask, but to deny her would throw doubt on Holmes’s opinion of him and his project. He glanced up to see his brother had halted on the docks, staring up at the steamship, doubtless looking for him. Roland had a moment to calm the brewing storm.

      “What is it, Miss Lawson?”

      Holmes had thoughtfully stepped out of hearing range.

      She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a tattered newspaper clipping, which she held out to him. “Did you or did you not place this advertisement?”

      Roland had placed an advertisement in the Chicago papers looking for investors, but he couldn’t imagine why Pearl Lawson would get upset over that. He accepted the clipping from her gloved hand. It took only seconds to recognize the wording, but how on earth had it leaped out of the fire and onto the pages of a newspaper?

      Garrett. It had to be. He must have taken Roland’s prodding seriously and rewrote the advertisement from memory. Roland pulled off his stifling hat. His brother’s memory was better than he’d figured. This advertisement was word for word what Roland had written as a joke.

      “Where did you get this?” he asked Pearl.

      “From the New York newspaper.”

      “New York?” He faintly recalled that all the ladies attempting to claim his affections hailed from that city. He swallowed the lump building in his throat. How it had gotten to New York was only the tip of the problem. The fact that it offered no means to whittle down prospective brides meant these four women might be the first in a deluge.

      “When?” he choked out.

      “When what?”

      “When did this advertisement appear?”

      “Two weeks ago.”

      “Two weeks.” He attempted to calculate precisely how many women might arrive in Singapore, for this advertisement stated that all applicants must apply in person. Why, it could be hundreds. “How many of you are there?”

      One perfectly arched eyebrow lifted. “I assume you are referring to candidates for your hand, not a twin, which I do not have. In answer to your question, there are three. On this ship.”

      “Including you?” Something about the idea of his brother marrying Pearl Lawson set Roland’s teeth on edge.

      “As I told you, I am here to teach school.” For the briefest moment, disappointment flashed across her face before she reined it in. “Then you did place the advertisement.”

      He swallowed again. “In truth, I’m not sure how it got in the newspaper.”

      She snorted in disbelief. “It didn’t happen by itself. Are you or are you not Mr. Garrett Decker?”

      At least on that he could speak with certainty. “I am not.”

      Both her eyebrows shot up this time.

      “Let me explain,” he said before she could get spitting mad again. “I am Roland Decker. My brother—my older brother—is Garrett.”

      She breathed out with what looked suspiciously like relief, and a little chuckle escaped her lips. “Then you are not the one seeking a wife.”

      “I am not.” But he wasn’t entirely certain his brother was, either. Surely he would have said something if that was the case.

      Since Garrett had finally spotted him and was striding in their direction, they would soon have the answer. Then Roland could send the hopeful ladies off with his brother and get back to the business of courting Mr. Holmes’s patronage.

      * * *

      Pearl struggled to hide her relief. Mr. Decker—Roland—had proven not to be a scoundrel. She mentally reviewed all his responses on the voyage. He had answered truthfully in every instance. No treachery or deceit had been involved, though she could not imagine why he didn’t know his brother was seeking a wife, especially since the advertisement stated that all interested parties needed to inquire at the mercantile. That laborer had told her that Roland ran the store. Surely there could not be more than one general store in such a small town.

      Regardless, she owed him an apology. “Please forgive me. When we heard your name and that you hailed from Singapore, we naturally assumed you were the one who sought a wife.”

      “An understandable mistake. I hope it did not cause you too much trouble.”

      His smile sent her insides fluttering again. She pressed a hand to her stomach. It must be a result of overindulgence at last night’s meal. She was not accustomed to such rich food. He grinned, and she realized she had not replied to whatever he had asked. She searched her mind. Oh, yes, something about troubling them.

      “Not at all. Amanda will be relieved that it wasn’t you.” But not as much as I am.

      “Is that so? Your friend finds me lacking as a potential husband?”

      Oh, dear. Heat rose to her cheeks as she realized what she’d said. “I didn’t mean to infer that she thought you inferior in any way. Because you aren’t.” She fanned her face with her hand. “My, it’s hot in the sun.”

      He ignored her discomfort. “And you know her mind on such matters?”

      Now he was having fun at her expense. “Mr. Decker!”

      He chuckled. “Roland, please.”

      She warmed to the change of direction. “Like the valiant knight.”

      A grin spread across his face. “Precisely. I aim to bring progress and prosperity to Singapore.” He swept his arms wide, encompassing the less-than-impressive array of buildings. “That is why I cannot consider marriage at this time.”

      For some irrational reason, her buoying spirits plummeted. She averted her gaze and took a deep breath. After all, she could not consider marriage, either. “I understand, Mr. Decker.”

      “Roland.”

      “Roland.” His name rolled off her tongue with such pleasantness that she could easily imagine saying it every day of her life. She sighed. “Too bad business and marriage are mutually exclusive propositions.”

      His smile never wavered. “They might not be for some men, but I would never subject the woman I loved to such loneliness. I work long hours, Miss Lawson.”

      “Pearl.”

      That smile of his softened, and the blue eyes twinkled. “Pearl. It would not be fair to her.”

      “Shouldn’t that be her decision?”

      Once again he cocked his head in that charming manner. “You are rather an independent sort, Pearl.”

      She had heard that sentiment before. She was too outspoken, too insistent, too independent. That’s why men walked away after their first meeting. Roland would, too, though for different reasons. “I consider independence a virtue.”

      He let loose a great burst of laughter. “Do you turn everything on its head?”

      “Only things that need turning about. An independent woman can take care of herself while providing all that her family needs.”

      “Is there no room for a man to assist her?”

      Her stomach fluttered alarmingly. He could not seriously want a relationship with her, not after stating he would not marry anyone.

      She touched a hand to her hot cheek. “Of course. If he is committed to her.”

      His gaze narrowed. “I see.”