A Victorian New York Romance Read online

  A Victorian New York Romance

  CELESTE RANE

  Copyright © 2015

  COPYRIGHT, LEGAL NOTICE, AND DISCLAIMER

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This work of fiction is meant for mature audiences over the age of 18 years old.

  If you enjoyed this book by Celeste Rane, please take the time to experience other romance novels in the catalog. Please remember to leave reviews on the store. Your opinion matters, this helps to put out the best books possible. Thank you.

  Historical Romance

  The Romance of Old London

  The Estate of Paris Passion

  Spanish Desire

  A Painted Desire

  Lust Series

  Lustful Lessons

  Just About the Sex

  STEPBROTHER - Blackmail to Lust Book 1

  STEPBROTHER – Blackmail to Lust Book 2

  Lust Fulfillment – Reclaiming Love

  Paranormal Romance

  Home – Back to Life

  A Victorian New York Romance

  Margaret Trumown was excited to arrive in New York for the winter holiday after what she had been through in St. Louis. Now after a devastating engagement that ended and ruined her chances of a good marriage, she was with her prominent aunt in a well to do part of Manhattan. She expected a good winter get away and to marvel at the lights of the modern city in the year 1908, however what really happened was more than she ever thought possible. After a bold and gorgeous gentleman, Bailey Wilcox comes up to her at the theatre and makes sensual statements to her, she is sure that he must be scoundrel. However he turns out to be her neighbor. He tricks her aunt into letting Margaret on a New York carriage ride that changes everything between them and threatens to ruin Margaret forever, that is unless Bailey Wilcox does his duty as a gentleman. It is something that Margaret doubts because she has already been through one engagement that had ended in disaster and she is not one to believe the empty promises of men. She knows that her wantonness has put her into this mess, but she is a lustful woman that has no control over own desires.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER ONE

  The loud snow crunched under the carriage wheels as it drove on the busy cobblestone streets. The sun was setting and I was with my chaperone Aunt Matilda Swanson. She was talking about something that I could not really pay attention to as she seldom required a response. She would just ramble and I would nod my head every now and then. I sat there in a gorgeous dark emerald green dress with embroidery and glass beads with a large feathered bouquet in my hair. I was dressed appropriately for a night at the theatre. We would be attending the opera, sharing a theatre box with Aunt Matilda’s new neighbors who I had not met yet as I had only moved in with her a week prior from St. Louis.

  “Margaret, sit up straight. You slouch. No proper woman slouches,” she slapped me on the leg.

  My back shot up straight as an arrow.

  “Sorry Aunt Matilda,” I said.

  The year was 1908 and I was still getting used to the illumination of the city at night. I had moved from St. Louis and that city had yet to catch up with the installation of electricity and the new streetlights. They hypnotized me.

  The carriage pulled up to the large theatre and waited in line. We were not to step out until directly in front of the door. Finally a footman opened our door and we stepped out. It was bustling with elegant men and women and the gowns and top hats were gorgeous. I smiled at it all and took a deep breath. My aunt took my arm and we walked inside.

  First we went to the refreshment room. I accepted a glass of champagne only after getting approval from my aunt. She immediately started talking to her peers and I was left alone to stand behind her. It was okay because I didn’t like the attention.

  I was placing the rim of the delicate glass in my mouth, when I felt like I was being watched. I froze. I looked around and only a few feet away was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. Our eyes locked. He was wearing a dark well-fitted tuxedo and looked mischievous.

  His eyes were almost piercing through me. They were blue and he narrowed them as he looked at me up and down. He was tall with dark hair, and he was slow and calculated as he walked over to me. I still held the glass in my hand, and I was still frozen. I felt like prey to a tiger. I couldn’t believe he was coming over to me. The audacity of him was inappropriate. Though I couldn’t move away.

  “Are you enjoying that?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I said uncomfortably knowing all to well what he meant.

  He gestured at my hand, “May I?”

  “Yes.”

  I placed my hand in his and he bowed over it and said, “I’m Mr. Bailey Wilcox.”

  “Ms. Tramown.”

  “That champagne must be delicious, the way you were drinking it. Like you were really enjoying it,” he said.

  “You watched me?”

  His face lit up with a big smile, and then he laughed a little.

  “I really couldn’t help myself.”

  I was stunned. This guy was obviously naughty and just put it all right up front. No beating around the bush. It was appalling! Yet, my body was responding to him. I had never been talked to this way.

  “Are all gentlemen in New York like you? Complete honesty? You just blurt out what you’re thinking?”

  There was a long pause. I stared at him. Looking into his sparkling dark eyes and at his full lips. I already wanted to lean in and kiss him. I steadied myself, what was wrong with me?

  “I see. You are new to New York society. This is why I have not seen you before. I would have remembered you.”

  “And I should not be talking to you. We have not been introduced,” I said as I left his side and returned to my aunt’s side.

  A few moments later we were sitting in our theatre box. My aunt looked around and said, “Where are the Wilcox’s? They are the ones that offered this theatre box and they assured me they would be here.”

  I froze. Did she say Wilcox? That was the gorgeous gentleman’s name. I felt a flush come over me.

  “Oh Mrs. Swanson! So good of you to come! How do you like the seats?” a voice said.

  I turned to see Bailey Wilcox hovering over my aunt. I was mortified.

  “Mr. Wilcox, thank you. It was a neighborly thing for you to do. This is my niece visiting me from St. Louis Ms. Margart Tramown.”

  “A pleasure,” he said as he grabbed my hand and kissed it. He gave me a knowing flirtatious look.

  “She has not seen much of New York yet as my ailments have been acting up,” my aunt said.

  “Oh, well I have taking my cousin Larissa Marisse for a carriage ride tomorrow to see all the sights. Ms. Tramown is welcome to join us,” he said to my aunt.

  “Oh yes that will be delightful! Thank you sir. First the theatre and now this, you are too kind. As long as another female, your cousin is with you it shall be acceptable,” she said.

  “Very well, I will call at noon Ms. Tramown.”

  Bailey looked at me and winked. He was up to something I could tell. He was a scoundrel and I kind of liked it
. The lights lowered and the performance started.

  Later that night in bed, I thought about the man Bailey Wilcox. I had been so turned on by him. I wanted him. He was gorgeous. Back in St. Louis I had become involved in scandal when I ran off with my beau. We were forced to become engaged after that, however the engagement was now off. However I was not a virgin like most women, partly why I had to come to New York.

  The next day I tried on every dress I had for an outing. I finally settled on a blue silk day dress and parasol. Right at noon the door bell rang. I ran to it. I opened it to see a valet standing there.

  “A carriage for Ms. Tramown for Mr. Wilcox,” he said.

  I looked out the door and saw the carriage. Well, we were neighbors so there was no point in formalities. I yelled out, “Aunt I’m off with Mr. Wilcox and his cousin!”

  “Very well dear!”

  She yelled back. The valet opened the door and I climbed in. The carriage was empty. Where was everyone? I waited a good five minutes in the cold! Then the door opened and Bailey stepped in.

  “Ms. Tramown so glad you can make it,” he said as he hit the top of his carriage with his walking stick.

  The carriage jolted forward and we were off.

  “Wait! Where’s your cousin? Ms. Larissa?”

  “I have no cousin,” he winked.

  I gasped. “You scoundrel! How dare you?”

  “Very well, do you want to go back home or do you want to continue our ride through Central Park and New York to see the Christmas trees?”

  I was silent. Then I finally agreed.

  “I suppose since we are already going.”

  Later, we were standing in front of a grand Christmas tree in the lobby of the grand museum.

  “It’s beautiful!” I said as I went in for a closer look. There were all sorts of animal decorations, from turtles to zebras. They were made of the most delicate paper. Some of them were shiny and others were a matte paper, but they were all expertly done.

  “There must be hundreds of them,” I said in awe.

  “About five hundred,” he said, and then added. “So you like it?”

  “Like? I love it. It’s absolutely fascinating. Thank you,” I said staring deeply into his grey, but now more blue colored, eyes.

  “Good than I am off to a good start,” he said.

  “It’s the best Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. Does that make you happy?” I flirtatiously said.

  “Yes, it does. Come on let’s go to my office,” he said as he walked off further into the museum.

  “Office?”

  “Yes, I work here,” He said as he walked backwards a few steps to deliver that information to me.

  I was pleasantly surprised. He definitely looked the part. I immediately got excited. I wanted him now more than when I first laid eyes on him. I scurried after him to catch up. As I placed myself along side of him at his pace of walking he made a cute side glance at me and smiled. My heart melted.

  We arrived at a door that was labeled “museum staff only.” He used a key to unlock the door and we stepped into a quiet long hallway.

  “This way.”

  “Where are you taking me?” I said playfully.

  He laughed and said, “I swear, it’s just my office. I know it’s a bit creepy in here cause it’s a massive place. But trust me.”

  I laughed too. But I did trust him. For some reason, it felt like we had known each other forever even though we had only just met. Then we came to a vast staircase. We climbed two or three flights and finally came to a hallway with people about and offices. He showed me into his office. As soon as I stepped in I immediately fell in love with it. The wood was dark and heavy and a massive bookshelf full of old books covered an entire wall. There was a heavy oak desk in the middle of it that had piles of papers and specimens in glass jars. It was a true scientist’s office. He went over to the large windows and said,

  “Come. Have a look.”

  What other surprise could this gorgeous man have in store for me? I slowly walked over. When I got to the window I looked down. From this point you could see almost all of Central Park. I gasped at the sight.

  “This is your view? It’s amazing. You are so lucky.”

  “I know. It’s good right. The whole park lights up at night. I think it could fulfill some of your Christmas winter wonderland fantasies,” he said as he turned away from the window.

  I looked at him. Who was this man? Why was he doing so much to please me or make me happy? It was more than I expected from any stranger. He must have seen the questioning look in my eyes, because he caught my gaze and held it. The chemistry between us was so thick it filled the room. I wanted to kiss him right then and there, but that was absurd. I barely knew this man for thirty minutes or less. What was happening to me?

  CHAPTER TWO

  We stood there at the window of his office. The surroundings were exactly what I wanted New York to be like. I was in the office of a historic New York building with the vastness of Central Park below us.

  Bailey leaned in closer to me. His scent was intoxicating. His voice came down to a whisper and then he said, “Want to see it?”

  “See what?” I stepped backwards a little.

  “The museum,” he said as he motioned back toward the door.

  “Oh, yes of course. I would love too.”

  “I’ll just show you the highlights because you really could spend days in here.”

  “I would like that, yes please,” I said enthusiastically.

  For the next two hours, Bailey showed me around the museum. I was completely captivated by the passion he had in his voice when he talked about something that was on display. It was obvious that this was what he loved in life. It was contagious, and I soon found myself feeling enthusiastic about things I would normally find dull. He had a way of explaining it in a way that gave me a different perspective. It was eye opening. I wondered what else he could give me a new perspective on? I thought to myself. The immediate subject of love jumped into my mind. After suffering the bad engagement in St. Louis, I thought I could never feel the way I use to about love. That it is possible. That true unconditional love was possible. I had invested two years in that relationship, and I thought we were on our way to being married. It was a shock to find out, he had a completely different view of things. What was I getting myself into this time? This man was too gorgeous to be a one-woman sort of man and he already showed me he was a deviant scoundrel. Or so it seemed. Plus he worked at one of the most prestigious museums in the world. He was definitely a catch. The amount of attraction I felt when I met this man only minutes ago on the steps made me know that much.

  Thinking those thoughts now while being led around by Bailey, made me stop in my tracks. I just realized that I didn’t have the immediate sparks with my now ex-lover when I first met him two years ago. We had sort of just fallen into a relationship gradually. There was nothing even close to the sparks of electricity I was feeling now with Bailey. I felt those sparks the first time we locked eyes. Is this how it’s suppose to be? I just assumed those feelings were just fleeting feelings of lust that you couldn’t build anything meaningful on.

  “Margaret?”

  “What?” I snapped out of it, and realized I was still standing frozen in place having my mind take over all of my body.

  “Are you okay?” he asked putting his hand on my shoulder.

  His touch set goose bumps down my entire body. I looked up at him. His eyes looked down at me with a real look of concern. It was enough to make me melt.

  “Oh, yes, I’m fine.” I answered.

  “Are you sure, you stopped and were kind of frozen in thought for a second,” he replied.

  My, this man was observant. I guess a scientist has to be by nature. It was refreshing though to be with someone that acknowledged a change in emotions or change in my mood.

  My heart warmed at his question. He was genuinely interested in my life, and I was eager to share it with him.

>   He listened intently to everything I had to say. We continued on our walk through the museum, yet we hardly noticed the pieces around us anymore. It was a non-date, date. I liked it because it was all happening so naturally with out the normal pressures of a planned first date.

  I felt at ease with Bailey, but had butterflies in my stomach at the same time. It was hard to describe, but every time he looked at me I felt nervous and happy all at once.

  “Sorry that took more time than it should have. Still want to go across to Central Park?” he asked.

  “Yes, I do.” I said very confidently.

  “Okay, let’s do it. First we need to make a stop,” he said as he led the way out the door.

  A stop? I was intrigued by what this meant, but this man was full of surprises. I liked being surprised so I didn’t ask. I just followed. He walked down the massive steps and I followed closely behind. It had grown a bit dimmer outside. It was almost sunset, and I realized we had been in the museum for a long time. It had been several hours at least.

  “I’m starving, do you mind if we grab some food and have a picnic in the park?” he asked.

  I smiled a big brilliant smile. Was this man made specifically for me? Park picnics were my favorite and I preferred it to any meal in a restaurant at all times.

  “That sounds like a perfect plan,” I said.

  “Great,” he said as he led the way to a row of street vendors. He got croissants, pretzels, cured meats, fruits, and two coffees. When he was all done piling a bag of goodies onto his arm, he handed me a cup of coffee and said, “Shall we?”

  His grin was spectacular. He was so proud of himself for being so clever, and I loved it. He wanted to please me and I wanted to be pleased.

  We entered the park and the beauty of it took my breath away. Most of the trees had lost their leaves and their spiraling bare branches reached high into the sky. I understood how people could stroll the entire length of this massive park on a daily basis.