Amelia: The Brides of San Francisco, #5

By Cynthia Woolf

Amelia James grew up performing on the stage. Her stunning voice made her the darling of New York's theater district since she was fifteen. She's never been more than an asset to her mother, never been just a woman to the young up-and-coming men who want to use her to advance their own careers. Amelia loves to sing, but is willing to give up fame, fortune and her future on the stage for just one thing...love. Convinced she'll never find what she needs in New York, she makes the daring decision to leave her life behind and travel to the other side of the country as a mail order bride in San Francisco where she won't be anything more than a wife, where her future husband will look into her eyes and see her heart.

 

Wealthy prospector Phillip Dumont learned how to take care of himself from a very young age. With his father's death, his mother decided to follow her dream and she abandoned her family when he was eighteen years old. Phillip raised a house full of younger siblings on his own. Now, his youngest sibling, his sister, is in need of a woman's touch. Phillip knows he'll never trust a woman enough to give her his heart, and decides a mail order bride will provide a soft touch for his sister and keep the gold-digging women at bay.

 

But Phillip is in for a shock. He is instantly attracted to his new wife and tempted to trust her with more than his name. No matter how vehemently Phillip demands obedience from his wife, his sisterand his heart, not one will listen. When an old partner seeking revenge comes for his bride, will Phillip be able to see beyond the secrets of her past to save his family?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firehouse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781938887802

Cynthia Woolf

Cynthia Woolf is the award winning and best-selling author of twelve historical western romance books and two short stories with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Their closest neighbor was about one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time. Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia’s father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy not a bounty hunter and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now) not the ranch owner.   Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.   TITLES AVAILABLE   NELLIE – The Brides of San Francisco 1 ANNIE – The Brides of San Francisco 2 CORA – The Brides of San Francisco 3 JAKE (Book 1, Destiny in Deadwood series) LIAM (Book 2, Destiny in Deadwood series) ZACH (Book 3, Destiny in Deadwood series)     CAPITAL BRIDE (Book 1, Matchmaker & Co. series) HEIRESS BRIDE (Book 2, Matchmaker & Co. series) FIERY BRIDE (Book 3, Matchmaker & Co. series) TAME A WILD HEART (Book 1, Tame series) TAME A WILD WIND (Book 2, Tame series) TAME A WILD BRIDE (Book 3, Tame series) TAME A SUMMER HEART (short story, Tame series)     WEBSITE – www.cynthiawoolf.com   NEWSLETTER - http://bit.ly/1qBWhFQ    

Book preview

Amelia

CHAPTER 1

May 18, 1870

Life was hard when you were the daughter of a famous actress. Even harder if you were a famous singer in your own right, at least if you wanted hearth and home. Amelia was twenty-five and desired a husband and children of her own. Love was secondary if it existed at all. Her mother certainly hadn’t found it in any of her eight marriages, with perhaps the exception being her marriage to Amelia’s father.

Katherine Howard and Michael James were married for four years and had one child who was just a baby at the time of his death in a carriage accident. Katherine grieved his loss until Amelia was three-years-old and then remarried. That marriage lasted only two years before Katherine divorced him. That was the way of things in Amelia’s life…approximately every two to three years she had a new step-father.

As for Amelia, she was somewhat famous herself since the age of fifteen when she began singing as a professional. Her first jobs were gotten because her mother was so famous. After the theater owners heard her and saw her, they began to ask for her specifically. She didn’t need her mother’s name to pack a theater. She was good enough to fill the seats with just her name on the marquee and managed to acquire enough money over the years that she didn’t need to perform ever again. But money and fame weren’t enough. She wanted a husband and children of her own and knew from watching her mother that a career in the theater didn’t harmonize with having a family.

The horse-driven cab stopped in front of Matchmaker & Co at 221 Baker Street. She descended from the conveyance and paid the driver. Now she stood in front of the bright blue door, wearing her best pink dress and black wool coat. Her hands shook inside her lambskin gloves, but she knew in her heart becoming a mail-order bride was the right thing to do. She reached up, patted her hair in place, and then stepped forward and turned the knob.

Upon opening the door a bell sounded and the woman behind the desk looked up.

She had bright red hair and wore a beautiful purple dress. The color looked magnificent with her hair and pale skin.

Come in. She stood. I’m Margaret Selby, owner of Matchmaker & Co. and who are you?

The desk was light oak and fairly large for the woman sitting at it. Behind her were two tables with boxes of files on them. Over in the right corner stood a pot-bellied stove, its fire issuing heat throughout the room. Brightly colored, flowered curtains covered the windows on either side of the door and on the window in the door itself.

I’m Amelia James.

Mrs. Selby’s eyes widen. The singer?

Amelia nodded. Yes. Is that a problem?

Mrs. Selby shook her head. I don’t think so. Come, sit and tell me why you want to become a mail-order bride? Lots of men living right here in New York must want to marry you.

A wooden, ladder-back chair was in front of the desk, so Amelia sat. I want to go where no one knows who I am. I want to be just plain Amelia. Not Amelia James, the singer. I want a husband and children. I volunteer with the Christian Children’s Charity. I’ve read a lot about San Francisco and mail-order brides in general. I believe I have a good idea of what to expect. And you have a good reputation.

Thank you. It is always nice to hear that one’s business is perceived well. I know of you. I sit on that board of directors. I’ve heard you perform at our fund raisers. It sounds like you hope to escape your fame. What about your career? Do you propose to give up singing? You have such an amazing voice.

Performing doesn’t give me the same pleasure it used to and I’ve seen, only too well, how marriage and fame don’t work. My mother is about to marry her ninth husband. Richard Deveraux, the actor.

I know of him. They would make quite the amazing couple.

Amelia shrugged. Maybe. With perhaps the exception of my father, I don’t think she has loved any of them. She marries so she won’t be alone. Because they both have such big egos, I predict this marriage will not even last the two year average of her other nuptials.

Mrs. Selby nodded while making notes. And you’re afraid that you will be like her, is that correct?

Yes, that’s right. She tightened her grip on her reticule strings. So, I want to go to San Francisco, where according to your advertisement, men of many professions are looking for a wife.

True, there are. Mrs. Selby looked up and smiled.

And neither my mother nor I have performed in San Francisco, so we should not be known there.

Mrs. Selby sat back with a frown. Are you sure this is what you want? Giving up a career like yours is a very hard thing to do.

Yes, it’s the single most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make.

Mrs. Selby looked hard at Amelia before speaking again. All right. Let’s proceed. Do you know what kind of man you would like to marry?

Amelia leaned forward, locking gazes with Mrs. Selby. I want a man who wants children. He can even already have children. I don’t want him to be too old and I don’t want someone who is only interested in a caretaker for their brood. They can hire a governess for that. I need someone who wouldn’t be looking at me to support them. A handsome man would be nice but it’s not required. He must be kind. I won’t be abused by anyone.

Mrs. Selby wrote furiously on the sheet of paper on the desk. After a few minutes, she looked up. I have someone in mind for you. His name is Philip Dumont. He is wealthy, having made his money in the gold fields and some wise investments since then. He is raising his sister and would like someone who can help guide her, teaching her things that only a mother can.

I see. I believe I could do that. Why is Mr. Dumont looking for a mail-order bride? If he’s wealthy he can have his choice of women.

Many more men than women live in San Francisco, and Mr. Dumont has seen how well his friends have done with their mail-order brides. The ladies were also my clients and found true happiness with their husbands.

Thank goodness but I’d hate to be the one she gets wrong. I’m glad to hear you’ve been successful in your placement of most of your brides with their grooms. I know one of your brides, Annie Markum, actually Annie Cartwright now. She’s a dear friend of mine. I met her about six years ago at one of her father’s revivals. I would say that you missed the boat on her match. The man you matched her with was kind enough to die leaving her available to marry Nick. He had to spend a lot of time persuading her though. I remember from her letters how difficult the decision was for her.

Mrs. Selby looked taken aback at the sullying of her business’ good name.

I can honestly say that I’ve only been wrong two times and I corrected one before any marriage took place, so the lady in question married the right man. I admit I was also wrong with Annie, but given her background I would never have matched her with Nick.

I like that she admitted her error. She seems more trustworthy now. Amelia smiled, hoping to defuse a perhaps tense situation. To be honest, neither would anyone else at the time. I’m so glad Nick was persistent. She’s deliriously happy now. Why don’t you tell me more about Philip Dumont?

Mrs. Selby went to the file boxes behind her and pulled out a folder from which she withdrew a single sheet of paper.

Here is his letter. You can read for yourself.

She handed the missive to Amelia.

April 15, 1870

Mrs. Margaret Selby

Matchmaker & Co.

221 Baker Street

New York City, New York

Dear Mrs. Selby:

My name is Philip Dumont. You were recommended to me by Blake Malone who married Nellie Wallace, a bride from your service.

I am thirty years old, six feet tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes. I am independently wealthy due to my goldmine near Sacramento. I also have many investments so my wife would never have to worry about being taken care of.

I raised my younger brothers after my parents were gone. I still have my only sister living at home and need a woman well-versed in the womanly virtues to help guide her. It would also be nice if she could also be fair of face, and have a nice figure, but that is not required. One requirement is that she be an educated woman.

Enclosed is a recent photograph.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Philip Dumont

Finished reading, she handed the letter back to Mrs. Selby and looked at the photograph. The man in it was handsome, with a strong jaw and full lips.

Well, what do you think? Mrs. Selby lifted an eyebrow. Are you well versed in the womanly virtues?

Amelia smiled, shrugged and shook her head. What in the world does that mean? Womanly virtues?

Mrs. Selby chuckled. I haven’t the foggiest. But you are a woman and appear to be an intelligent one at that. I’m sure that you will be able to help him raise his sister to be a fine woman. Plus he’ll be happy to note you are fair of face and have a very womanly figure.

Thank you. I am experienced in lots of situations and am good as assessing people. I believe I can help both he and his sister. I know how to cook and bake. I can keep house.

Surely, Mr. Dumont has servants. You would only have to instruct them. As to his sister, she could be a handful. Are you prepared to step into the shoes of a motherly figure?

I believe that I can. I want children more than anything, starting with his little sister is fine with me.

Margaret Selby looked Amelia up and down, while resting her finger on her chin. Hmm. I think you’re right. You and Mr. Dumont will make a fine match. She handed her a sheet of paper, pen and ink. "You need to write your acceptance. I’ll mail it tomorrow, so it will arrive before you.

You will be leaving on the train on May twenty-first from platform six. Make sure you have your belongings packed and ready to go. Mr. Dumont has sent along money for new clothing as befits your status as his wife.

She retrieved an envelope from the folder and extracted two hundred dollars.

Amelia let out a long breath and stood. She was glad to have the situation resolved.

I have an extensive and stylish wardrobe. I doubt I’ll need anything, but I will go through my clothing and then decide. She tucked the money into her reticule. Thank you, Mrs. Selby. I appreciate your help and faith in me.

You’ll do fine as long as you remember your priorities.

Believe me there is no way I’d forget those.

She took the pen and paper.

May 21, 1870

Mr. Philip Dumont

San Francisco, California

Dear Mr. Dumont,

My name is Amelia James. I am delighted to become your bride. I’m told I will be arriving in San Francisco on May 30th and look forward to meeting you.

I am twenty-five years old, five feet six inches tall and am possessed of a womanly figure. My hair is light brown and my eyes are dark blue.

For the last few years I have been caring for my mother. She is not an invalid but is nonetheless needy. I don’t believe she has ever fully recovered from my father’s death.

More than anything in this world, I want children of my own. To that end we are in agreement.

I am also quite willing to assist you in the raising of your younger sister.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely

Amelia

*****

Later that evening.

Mother, I’ve decided to become a mail-order bride. I’m leaving for San Francisco in three days. Amelia sat on the bed behind her mother.

Katherine Howard turned from where she sat at her vanity table and stared at Amelia. Katherine was a beautiful woman with fiery red hair that was helped to stay that way by her hairdresser. You can’t be serious. You love performing, the applause, the accolades, the reviews telling you how wonderful you are. How can you leave that?

As usual Mother cares only about herself. I don’t enjoy that anymore.

How can you leave me now? I’m getting married tomorrow.

Exactly. I’ll be here for your wedding and then I’ll be gone to find my own happiness. I need this. I don’t enjoy performing anymore, at least not like I used to. I feel there is something enormous missing from my life and a husband and children are it. You know that I don’t need a husband to keep me, I’ve got enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life. I need them to feel whole. Can you understand?

Amelia. Her mother cocked her head and