“Get me Aaron Simmons. Now!” Gideon demanded. His clerk looked petrified; his eyes were wide and he shuffled his feet anxiously. “Damn it man, I am not a demon. Please stop acting as though I am. Just get my campaign adviser here, and quickly.” The poor man continued to stand in front of him, wringing his hands. “Do you not understand English? Oh, forget it. I will find him myself.” He barged past the young man and rushed along the corridor. He was beginning to wonder if there was anybody he could trust to actually get any work done He was surrounded by idiots.
“Aaron?” he yelled as he poked his head round each of the doors.
“Do calm yourself Gideon,” the handsome ex-journalist said with a smile. He was always so infuriatingly chipper, and nothing ever seemed to worry him. But, Gideon was sure that this time he had a problem his bright-as-a-button campaign manager might not be able to solve for him.
“To start with, who is that fool you assigned to be my clerk?”
“Alfie Cahill. He is a wonder with a typewriter,” Aaron said. “He is a little nervous, seems to go into shock if you speak too loudly at him, but I have never known a more conscientious worker.”
“You should have warned me,” Gideon admonished him. “I think I have probably just scared him half to death in that case.”
“He’ll get over it. I warned him you might get a little heated on occasion. Now, what has gotten you worked up this time my friend?”
“This.” He handed Aaron a newspaper. The headline was bold, and it made him cringe. ‘Can you trust this man?’ The columnist had gone on to deliver a damning personal profile, most of which was untrue.
“I had hoped that we might not have to deal with something like this, here in Montana,” Aaron admitted as he looked up to look Gideon straight in the eye. “Gardener is known for his overly critical portraits of political candidates. I thought he was working for the Globe in Boston, but I should have known he wouldn’t let any governor’s race escape his eye.”
“But it isn’t true!”
“It doesn’t have to be. It is an opinion piece. He is commenting about his own personal bias. The problem is that people like him, and read his columns most avidly. His opinion has a lot of sway.” Aaron’s voice was calm, his demeanor gave nothing away. Gideon simply couldn’t believe that this hadn’t rattled him, but he was doing a very good job of hiding it.
“So what do I do? Why aren’t you more worried about this?”
“For a number of reasons really. Firstly, because I believe that people here in Montana are unlikely to read the East Coast newspapers too often. Secondly of those that do, few will be impressed with this kind of posturing, and finally because there is a very simple thing we can do to get him to change his mind.”
“How do you come to such conclusions?” Aaron said incredulously, raising an eyebrow quizzically. “No, I don’t think I want to know, am sure it is best if I don’t. But I am intrigued. What is the single thing I need to do? You know I will do anything!”
“Be careful who hears you saying something like that my friend,” he said with a smile. “You need to get married.”
“Married,” Gideon spluttered, his knees felt as though they might give way. It certainly wasn’t the response he had been expecting. Bribe a few newspaper men to write rebuttal pieces, ignore the comments, make a grand declaration maybe, but not marriage! “But, why?”
“Because, when you read between the lines of all his complaints against you in that piece of drivel, that is precisely what he is saying. He doesn’t trust you because you aren’t married and do not have the unquestioning support of a loving wife with the right connections. You are suspect because you stand out.”
“I don’t have time to court a woman, marry her and fight a gubernatorial campaign Aaron! And, I hate to say it but there aren’t exactly a lot of women in Sun River for me to choose from, nor do I really wish to be wed.”
“She doesn’t have to be from Sun River. She can come from anywhere in the country,” Aaron said with a grin. “Do you dislike women, or just the idea of matrimony?”
“You are enjoying this aren’t you? And of course I like women, you know that if anybody does!”
“It is definitely amusing. The idea that the most honest and hardworking candidate I have ever met, as well as being the most confirmed bachelor I know is going to have to wed in order to win is quite funny. But it is also frustrating that people cannot see past that and vote on the issues. But it is easily solved.”
“It is? I cannot for the life of me see how.”
“Do you know how I met my wife?”
“I do, but I am still not seeing how that might help me. I don’t really have the time to find a wife by mail order.”
“Well, we cheat a little,” Aaron said cautiously. “You know Madelaine Butler and Tom’s wife Catherine don’t you? Both of them come from good families in Boston. I am sure they must know suitable young women who might agree to a marriage of expediency. It could speed things up a little if we can use their contacts to find a bride who wishes to make a change to their situation quickly.”
“But I don’t want to be married!” Gideon pouted, but then realizing how petulant he must sound he sighed. “I do want to be Governor though. But can we trust the ladies to be discreet? It cannot be made known to anyone that I am seeking a wife for political purposes only.”
“That is the spirit. I think we can rely on both women to keep your secret, though there is little reason to tell them the entire truth. I was intending to merely suggest to them that you were looking for a wife, as so many of us locally have done. They are both honest women and they believe in you and your policies. They will need little persuading to try and find you a wife, I know that they have both expressed concerns about your bachelorhood! You never know, you might be as lucky as all of us were with our wives and actually fall in love with whoever we find!”
“I doubt it, but then again I seem to have little choice. I only ask that she be tolerably pretty and enjoy good music. I could not live with anyone who did not,” he said glumly. “I hate matchmaking women, and all of your damn wives these days seem to think that a man alone must be unhappy. It isn’t true. I like living alone.” Aaron grinned and slapped him on the back.
“It isn’t as bad as you think. I’ll admit I never thought I would want to be settled and wed, but I find I am rather enjoying it.”
Gideon made his way back to his office. Alfie seemed to have recovered, and was sitting at his desk in the outer room. “I am sorry for startling you,” he said softly. “Please, I am not ever angry with you. It is just there is much to vex a man when he runs for office.”
“Ttthank you Sir,” Alfie said. “I shall try and remember that. I am very sorry, I just get so nervous at times. I do not know how to stop it.”
“We all have something about us we would like to change Alfie. I would wish to control my temper more and will do my best to do so. But then there are the things others want us to change, they just aren’t so easy, ” he said feeling more than a little worried about what his future might hold. He agreed with Aaron, a wife would solve many of his problems – but if it were ever found out that it was a marriage of expediency it could be even more damning for his campaign than his bachelorhood.
The next few weeks brought a flurry of letters into the campaign office and a number of similar attacks in the press. It was surprising how many people had seen the original article, and disconcerting to realize just how many agreed with its basic premise that a good politician should have a good marriage. He had hoped that his status as a single man would not be an impediment to him, but it was becoming clearer with every day that passed and every attack on him personally that there were too many people who would not vote for him, despite his policies and his dedication, because of such a minor detail.
He had tried to reconcile himself to the marriage he knew he would have to make, but even when he looked at his friends and the joyful relationships they seemed to share he couldn’t imagine himself wed. He liked women, probably more than was wise for a politician, but he did not truly wish to saddle himself with just one for the remainder of his days. But if Aaron could find him a woman who understood that the union was simply a measure required, then maybe it would be tolerable. Someone who understood the need to keep up appearances in public, but who would be content to do what she wished and allow him to do the same the rest of the time. But, he found himself wondering, was there truly such a woman? Every woman he had ever known became clingy, demanding – even when they claimed that they accepted he wanted nothing more from them than their company from time to time.
“In my hand, I have the answer to all your woes,” Aaron said, sidling into the office with a single envelope in his hands.
“You do? You can convince the entire world that marriage is an institution that does not make a man a better politician?” he joked wryly.
“Sadly, no. But I do have this,” he waved the envelope triumphantly. “I have not even had to ask the women to try and think of a friend of theirs, so nobody knows that this is a marriage for your career and not your heart – which is of course a very good thing. If only you and I are aware of that fact, then there is no risk of the press finding it out.”
“So, how do you know that this is the solution to my situation, if you have asked no questions of anyone?”
“This is a friend of Madelaine’s who wrote to her of her desire for adventure, and her envy that she had found such a suitable match here in Montana. They told me of her over supper a few weeks ago. I did not wish to say anything to you until Madelaine had written to her and asked her to write to you, in case she had merely been expressing romantic desires, rather than a genuine wish for change.
“The woman in question has a good family name – possibly the very best name you could wish for considering you are running for office! She is well connected on the East Coast, and across the country. Madelaine is sure that she would be more than content to make a marriage without knowing you too well. Women of her class are bred to expect that their Father will marry them off to the most suitable candidate, whatever their feelings being considered, and so she has low expectations of finding love in any union. Coming from the stock she does, I almost feel sorry for her, despite her wealth and position; she will have known her entire life that she was merely a pawn.” Gideon took the envelopes and placed them on the leather blotter in front of him.
“You are sure this is the only option?” Gideon asked, hoping there may yet be an alternative to this cold and business like marriage, though he knew there was little else he could do with so little time.
“I am sure. But Madelaine also said that she is a good woman, with a wonderful sense of humor and that any man would be lucky to have her by his side. I have had her, and her family, checked out in every way possible and I believe that had we been doing this from choice that you could not find a better match.”
“You are terribly thorough,” Gideon marveled. It never ceased to amaze him how much detail and care Aaron took over everything. He truly couldn’t have asked for a better man to be by his side. He had needed a lot of convincing too, had been determined that he was going to become a dairy farmer, but his herd had taken time to arrive, as his new bride’s Uncle had made arrangements to have his own herd shipped from Boston. But the wait had been long, and so Aaron had finally agreed to assist Gideon to save himself from boredom. Now the cows were in Montana, and Aaron was still here, but Frederica and her Aunt and Uncle were more than capable of doing the work needed on the farm. It had been his gain, and he was more than thankful for it.
“That is why you employed me Gideon, for that very reason. Now read the letter, write to her. I will put matters in hand for her to be escorted to Great Falls as soon as is possible, where you will be seen courting her very publicly and then there will be a big Society wedding. We need to get as much publicity about your relationship as we can, so make it look like you find her wonderful even if you hate her.”
“I never thought you would ever let me resort to subterfuge Aaron. Like me, I know you hoped we would win it on the issues.”
“I can continue to hope that it will not end up being a sham marriage,” Aaron said lightly, but Gideon could tell that it bothered him too. “Now, I have things to do and so do you.”
Gideon stared at the letter for the longest time. He truly didn’t know what to expect, but he couldn’t help but think that this was the oddest experience he had ever had. It felt as though he was picking his wife from a store, and it left a rather unpleasant taste in his mouth. He squared his shoulders, and picked up his letter knife. The cool ivory handle felt slick in his hand. He adjusted his grip in order to slit it open, slicing through the thick parchment with the sharp blade. A sudden pang of anger surged through him as he thought of the compromise he was being forced to make, and he stabbed the knife into the mahogany desk, leaving it quivering where it had wedged into the surface. But it did no good, and so he read and did his best to hope this wouldn’t end in disaster.
Dear Mr MacAlpine,
I have been asked by my friend Maddy to write to you as she believes we might suit. I had not originally thought of following her example and becoming a mail order bride, but must confess to having been more than jealous of her adventures in Montana. Her letters make it sound as if she has found paradise on earth. She speaks so highly of all her new friends, and especially of yourself. I understand that you are seeking to be elected as Governor of Montana, if you are able to live up to even half of your policies as she extols them, then you will be a formidable man indeed, and one much needed by the people of Montana. I admire your ambition, a man should have ambition – it is most becoming. I come from a political family myself, so understand the breed!
I am also told that you are a good man. I am sure that this is true, as Madelaine is hard to impress, and offers her affections only after due caution. This is a quality that is all too rare I find amongst my Father’s peers, and I hope that you will remain so once in power. I begin to wonder if she has been trying to make a match between us for some time, as when I look back over her letters, they are quite often full of praise for you. I feel somewhat odd writing to you now, as if I am forcing myself upon you – but she has assured me that you wish to find a wife and that I am not just writing because she wishes to see everyone she loves as happy as she now sounds.
I was told you only had two stipulations, that your wife be tolerably pretty and that she like music. Well, I have included a small portrait photograph, taken by a rather talented young man here in Boston so you can decide the former for yourself. As to the latter, as all young ladies must, I have been schooled in the pianoforte and paint a little, but my passion is for singing. If I were not in Society I would have chosen to become an opera singer I think. So, I would like to think that I fulfill both your requirements adequately!
I understand that it is unlikely that we might be wed for love and passion – it would be difficult to find that on such a short acquaintance, and from a knowledge of one another only by letter. But I have never truly felt the need for them. I always expected to make a match to further my Papa’s political needs at some point, though time is passing rapidly and he does not seem to be in any hurry to offer me up! I am involved in so many charitable organizations I have not had the time to consider that there might be an alternative for me. I would very much like to be able to continue to do the same, my charitable work, should you choose me to become your bride in Montana. I believe it would be prudent as the wife of a politician to be seen to be doing so too.
I must admit to getting a little tired of waiting for my life to start, and so am happy to be able to take this matter into my own hands at last. I believe that by being wed to yourself, I will finally be able to lead my own life. I think that even my fastidious Father would be able to agree that the Governor of Montana would make a most suitable son-in-law!
I look forward to your response, and hope you will consider me.
Yours Most Sincerely
Alberta Freemont
Freemont? He could have run down to his friend’s office and kissed him. The daughter of Martin Freemont, adviser to the President’s right hand man - and himself a past Governor of Massachusetts - might possibly be the ultimate in political matches. He could hardly believe his luck. She had admitted herself that she had always expected to make a marriage of alliance, he hoped that meant that she understood that he would never love her. She would know exactly how to behave – probably better than he himself did. She would be an asset that no man could attack.
Gideon tapped his fingers against the desk, and re-read her words. He was slightly surprised at Alberta’s letter, but couldn’t help a nagging worry that crossed his mind as he did. He found himself admiring a woman who clearly knew her own mind, and would obviously be no kind of a burden to him. He also detected a wry sense of humor in her, and he liked that. He liked that a lot. He picked up the photograph she had included. She was a handsome woman indeed, with high cheekbones and long curling hair. She was dressed in the height of fashion, and wore it well. She would undoubtedly help his campaign. Yes, Alberta Freemont was most definitely worth wedding, but what if she secretly hoped to find the love and affection her friend Madelaine had found with William?