Dangerous Illusions (Hearts of Hays Series #1)

by Barbara Goss

  “I’m glad he shows so much affection to you. Did your mother seem happy?”

  Anna shrugged. “Sometimes she cried in her bedroom.”

  “Was Josh in there with her when she cried?” Kate asked, wondering if she cried because he’d been unkind to her.

  “No. Josh never goes into her room.”

  Kate gasped. “They had separate bedrooms?”

  “Oh, yes, and I have my own room, too. It’s pink with—“

  “Perhaps you’d better begin reading your assignment,” Kate interrupted, ashamed of all her prying, and where did it get her? She’d hoped for reassurance not more evidence against him.

  Anna searched Kate’s face for several moments, and then obeyed.

  An hour later, Josh drove up to the schoolhouse, with a passenger.

  Anna flew into his arms. “Josh, where were you? I was so worried.”

  “I’m sorry, princess, but I had to meet someone’s stage, and it was late.” He pointed to an elderly gentleman sitting upon the wagon bench. “This is my father, your grandfather.”

  Anna retreated one step, cautiously. “Grandfather?” she asked. “But… you said he lived in England.”

  “I do,” a grouchy voice answered. “A man can travel, can’t he?” Anna took another step away from the barking voice.

  “No Redfield backs away from his own kin.” The gruff voiced man winked without smiling. “What’s your name?”

  “A-Anna. . . .”

  “Anna. That’s a good name. Jump up here by me so we can get home. I’m so hungry I could eat one of these horses!”

  Despite his gruff tone, a soft quality peeked through the toughness, and Anna felt his harmlessness.

  “You’d have to cook them first,” she replied.

  “This heat could cook anything!” he snapped.

  Anna looked up at him and smiled. “It can’t.”

  He ruffled her hair. “Then I’ll eat them raw!” His eyes twinkled. “Joshua, are we going to stand here all day?”

  Josh stepped forward. “I wanted you to meet Anna’s teacher, Miss Hunter. Miss Hunter, this is my father, from London, Arthur Redfield.”

  Kate nodded and smiled. As the wagon rolled toward the back of the schoolhouse and the new Redfield home, she waved to Anna. When they’d gone, Kate sighed. She didn’t know what to make of the Redfields.

  Looking off into the distance, Kate could see the dust of an approaching wagon and called loudly to the twins, who had been playing in the fields behind the schoolhouse since lessons had ended. That would be Margo to pick them up. Since Kate always had bookwork and papers to correct after school, the boys stayed at school so Margo wouldn’t have to make two trips to pick them up separately.

  Kate remained silent on the way home, as the trip was too noisy to allow conversation. The twins played in the back of the wagon, and the horses’ galloping hooves drowned out voices. She thought about Anna and their talk. What had she learned about the Redfields? That Anna’s parents hadn’t been very affectionate, and that Josh Redfield loved Anna very much. What else? He was fond of Joanna, yet not openly affectionate, and they had separate rooms!

  Kate thought she’d figured out old Mr. Redfield. He was a gruff, grouchy old man who had great capacity for love, but felt it best to keep his emotions hidden. Maybe he thought his sensitivity a handicap rather than an asset?

  When they reached home and the shop, Kate cringed at the sight of Geoffrey’s horse tethered out front. Hadn’t her day been hectic enough? How could she face watching his romantic interactions with Lydia?

  During dinner, when Lydia and Geoffrey weren’t absorbed in each other too intently, Kate’s news won her everyone’s attention.

  “An interesting person came into town today,” she announced calmly.

  “Really,” said Margo, who stopped spooning her soup. “Who?”

  Enjoying the center stage, Kate merely smiled.

  “Do tell us, Kate,” prodded Geoffrey. “No one will eat another bite until you do.”

  “I know,” said Lydia, “the newspaper editor has finally arrived.”

  “He may have,” stalled Kate. “But that isn’t the person.”

  “Would you be so kind as to tell us, Kate, so we can enjoy our dinner?” Asked Elmer with raised eyebrows and an indulgent smile.

  “Please, Kate,” pleaded Margo. “This town is boring enough to drive us all crazy. We need a diversion. Who’s our visitor?”

  “Someone’s father came in on the afternoon stage, all the way from London, England!”

  “London!” they all echoed at once.

  “A relative of someone in Victoria?” Geoffrey asked.

  Kate shook her head. “No. Josh Redfield’s father, Arthur.”

  Margo gasped. “No! Really! He’s here already?”

  “You knew he was coming, then?” Kate asked.

  “Josh said he would be coming as soon as the railroad opened. Strange he couldn’t wait,” Margo said.

  Kate shrugged. “He seems awfully grouchy. He didn’t smile once and scared his own granddaughter.”

  Margo nodded knowingly. “Josh told me that his disposition isn’t pleasant and never has been. Yet Josh seems to revere him. He is his father, after all.” Margo offered everyone more bread from a decorative basket. “Honor thy father and mother; and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

  Kate spoke without thinking. “Do you suppose, then, that Joanna didn’t honor her parents?”

  “Kate!” scolded Margo.

  She immediately regretted the statement, until Geoffrey winked at her and smiled.

  “Did Josh say why his father was here?” Kate asked Margo. “I mean, is it for business or pleasure?”

  Elmer spoke at last, “You know, he did mention something, and it was before Joanna disappeared, too! He told me after one of the education meetings that his father was coming from England to help him and Joanna settle a family problem. When I asked him if it was anything serious, he laughed nervously and said, ‘No, just a family difficulty that took place in England and needs to be straightened out at last.’ “

  “Elmer…,” Margo said in a warning tone.

  “Wonder what he meant?” Kate asked, gazing off into space, her imagination running. “I know! There was probably an argument between Josh’s family and Joanna’s or between Arthur and Joanna. Perhaps they left England in anger. Do you think Arthur forbade them to marry or something? He may have had a rich lady picked out for Josh to marry.”

  “Kate!” Margo exclaimed. “Wherever did you get such an imagination? I think you’re on the wrong side of your books! You should write them!”

  “But it’s possible, isn’t it?” she pleaded.

  Margo shrugged. “Anything is possible.”

  “Actually,” put in Geoffrey, “Josh is a convicted criminal who escaped from a ship bound for Australia. Arthur is the law, bringing him back to hang!”

  “Geoffrey!” Lydia scolded. “That isn’t the story at all. I have the real story.”

  “You do?” Geoffrey cuffed her chin. “Tell us!”

  “Joshua and Joanna refused to live with such an ornery old coot and eloped to America. The father has finally tracked them down. I’ll bet he brought all his luggage and plans to stay forever.”

  Everyone laughed, including Kate, yet she felt hurt by their remarks. She’d been serious. Had they thought her joking? When the truth came out, they’d apologize.

  Kate packed her clothes without regret. She’d missed her privacy and couldn’t even curl up with a good book without Lydia’s constantly asking questions. The other woman always wanted to talk, and sometimes Kate needed to be alone.

  Besides, watching the love blossom between Lydia and Geoffrey was painful.

  At first, looking back on the things they’d shared, Kate thought Geoffrey was certain to notice how much they had in common. How could he fail to understand how unsuited he and Lydia were? But one night at dinner, she saw the spark in Geoffrey’s eyes whe
n he glanced at Lydia and the intense gaze that followed.

  He’s never looked at me that way, Kate thought sorrowfully. We shared some fun, but he’s never looked at me as if I were a treasure. Why, that’s the way he treats Lydia! Then she realized that in the last few days Geoffrey had hardly seemed to know that she, Kate, was alive.

  She still don’t think they suited. Kate tried to bolster up her hopes. Maybe all it needs is time. Yet her heart only felt tight with pain.

  Well, she’d taught Lydia the store work; now she could leave and board with the Kesslers. Yanking another drawer out and carefully transferring clothes from it to the suitcase, Kate didn’t hear anyone enter.

  “Leaving us already?” Margo asked sadly.

  Putting on a pleasant smile, Kate replied, “It’s time.”

  “Perhaps not.”

  “What do you mean? You asked me to stay a week and teach Lydia the store. I did that! The Kesslers expect me.” Kate shut the drawer and closed her suitcase.

  “True, but something may have changed that.” Margo looked around the cramped bedroom. “I’m sorry for this past week. You must have felt awfully crowded. If only I had something better to offer you!”

  “What’s happened?”

  “Measles. Randy Mullins got them a few days ago, and Ella Kessler broke out this morning. Nancy Balcomb stopped by and offered to take you into their home next, but it might be risky for you. Peter and Ella sit beside each other in class and are close friends. He may be next. We’re afraid of an epidemic. Mr. O’Brien told Joshua Redfield that he would formally close the school until the sickness had abated.”

  “That explains why Clara Mullins never stopped by the school with Randy. You heard all this just now?”

  “By degrees, this morning. Everyone who came in had news or comments.”

  “Has anyone else come down with it?” Concern for her pupils overtook Kate’s personal troubles.

  “So far just Randy, Ella, and Sarah Haun.”

  “Thanks be to God!”

  “Yes, and I asked Doc Evans to check the twins. He said he’d be over this afternoon.”

  Kate sighed and looked about the cramped room that had once seemed a sanctuary. “Then I must stay here, right?”

  “Actually you’ve two other offers, but you are welcome to turn them both down and stay here. In fact Lydia asked me to beg you to stay. She’s awfully fond of you.” Margo smoothed her apron. “Please consider staying.”

  “Thank you for wanting me.” Kate smiled warmly. “But surely I need to consider the other offers, too.”

  Margo gave Kate a warning look and said quickly, “The Grooms.”

  “Oh!” she exclaimed in reflex to the name. “I’m not sure I can… And the other?” she asked, knowing she’d accept it, no matter whom it was.

  Margo fidgeted before blurting, “The Redfields.”

  Chapter Nine

  The Redfields?” Kate said in disbelief. “But how can they invite me? There isn’t a woman living in their home. Would that be proper?”

  “The housekeeper lives in, and Josh’s father is there now, so it is quite acceptable. They have a respectable household. A Christian home, too, I might add.”

  “Christian home?” Kate uttered. “How could someone who—“

  “Kate! You’re judging again,” Margo reminded.

  “But he—“

  “He what? Just what facts do you know about Joshua Redfield?” She held up her hand as Kate began to speak. “On your own, Kate. Not what you’ve heard about him, what you know to be true yourself.”

  Kate stopped short. She thought for several moments and decided Margo deserved an honest answer. “All right. I know he loves Anna, and she loves him. I know that he spends a lot of time with her, he has been supportive in the town’s educational pursuits, and donated his time and money to the school. He goes to church and… she hesitated, looking Margo squarely in the eye. “And he has never given me reason to think any of the gossip could be true. I apologize.”

  “So Kate, give me one good reason why you should not accept his most generous invitation. Don’t forget, either, that he lives just minutes from the schoolhouse and that Anna needs you as much as you need a place to stay just now.”

  Kate cast her eyes downward. “You’re right. I’ll accept Mr. Redfield’s invitation.”

  Elmer carried Kate’s bags into the Redfield home while she gazed up at the pillared mansion. Margo slid her arm around Kate’s and prodded. “C’mon, you’ll love it here.”

  “It looks so huge. I’ll get lost for sure.”

  “Nonsense. Anna will shadow your every step.” Margo pulled her gently toward the large double doors.

  Kate smiled. “I’ll miss the store.”

  “The store will miss you, too!”

  “But you have Lydia to take my place.” She looked up at Margo. “Who is here to take your place? Whom can I trust here?”

  “Ayda Simcox, Clara Mullins’s mother,” Margo stated.

  Kate nodded. “From what I hear of her, she seems trustworthy. But you always say we should judge for ourselves, so I guess I’ll just have to find out that way.”

  Margo opened one of the large double doors. “What have I been telling you about gossiping? You know she can be trusted because she has a reputation for not indulging in hearsay. Isn’t that how you’d like others to think about you?”

  Kate smiled, stepping into the large, tiled foyer. “I’m beginning to understand exactly how dangerous gossip is, even if you’re only a listener.”

  She looked around the richly furnished living room, beyond the entry area. The space seemed endless, with a spiral staircase on one side and an entry into the dining room on the other. The carpet felt rich and thick when she lightly stepped on it.

  A handsome-looking woman walked briskly toward them from the dining room. Her appearance gave Kate the impression of complete capability. Efficiency, exactness, and confidence exuded from her. Kate knew this had to be Mrs. Simcox, even before Margo introduced them.

  She nodded abruptly, but her smile was warm and genuine. “Welcome to Hannah House, Miss Hunter.”

  “Hannah House?” Kate and Margo asked in unison.

  Ayda smiled. “I have to get used to it myself; it’s only been a short time since I was told. The elder Mr. Redfield named the home, in English fashion, just after he arrived. He named it for his wife Hannah Redfield, who died when Josh and his sister were quite young.”

  “How fortunate his mother had such a beautiful name,” Kate said.

  “Ha!” The sound came from the direction of the front door behind them, “Hortense House wouldn’t quite do, would it?”

  They spun around to face old Mr. Redfield, leaning on his cane, dressed for riding.

  “Mr. Redfield,” Ayda scolded. “You must stop entering rooms like that. My poor heart won’t last!”

  “Who’s Hortense?” Kate asked, looking at the old man with puzzlement.

  “That’s a girl I almost married!” He laughed. “Lucky for Joshua I didn’t.”

  Kate smiled. “If I named a house after my mother, it would be Lavinia House.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad; how about you?” Arthur Redfield pointed his cane at Margo.

  “I’m sorry,” Ayda interrupted. “This is Mrs. Dutton, and this is—“

  “How do you do, Mrs. Dutton? I know who that is; that’s Kate Hunter, the new schoolteacher. How could I not know? Isn’t she all my granddaughter talks about?” He bowed curtly. “Well?” He asked again, looking at Margo, “How about your home, if it were named for your mother?”

  Margo grinned. “Bertha House!”

  “I certainly hope no one names a house for me,” laughed Ayda. “Ayda House!”

  They all roared with laughter until another voice startled them. “What’s going on?” Josh said, coming down from upstairs. “Overnight my house becomes a theater.” He smiled. “Welcome to Hannah House, Kate. You’ve met Ayda?”

  Kate no
dded. “Thank you.”

  “Why don’t you show them to Kate’s room, Ayda,” he suggested, “while I beat my father at checkers. It won’t take long. We’ll be finished in plenty of time for dinner.”

  Kate and Margo followed Ayda up the spiral staircase to a landing with a long hall to the right. Down the dark corridor, lit only by one small wall lamp, Kate could see several highly polished mahogany doors. Stopping at the last one on the right, Ayda opened it and stood aside. “I hope this is comfortable. If you need anything, anything at all, my room is here.” She pointed to the closed door right across the hall.

  “Thank you, Ayda. Go inside and start unpacking, Kate. I’d like a few words with Ayda before I leave,” Margo said.

  When they disappeared inside the housekeeper’s room, Kate closed her door and looked about.

  She had never seen a bedroom shaped like this one. The outside wall was an arc and so was the window within the curved brick wall. She looked out and saw that the room was tower-like. The curved windows gave the room enough light to read by during the day, and that sunlit quality made the room feel warm, cozy, and cheerful. Kate loved her semi-round bedroom.

  Another door opened into a walk-in closet, lined in cedar. On the straight wall opposite the curved windows, on a dais, stood a large bed with ruffled bedspread and canopy. Kate leaned her head on the large wooden bedpost and sighed, “A room built for a princess.”

  Her door opened, and she spun around. “Oh, Margo,” she exclaimed. “Look at this room! Pinch me, for I think I’m dreaming.”

  Margo looked all about. “Magnificent. It was Joanna’s room. Does that bother you?”

  “Joanna’s?” she asked, looking about again. “No, I suppose not,” she murmured, somewhat subdued. “After all, it isn’t as if she died here or anything.”

  “She isn’t dead at all, Kate.”

  “You’re sure?” Kate questioned, shocked that Margo seemed to know more than she did. “What makes you say that?”

  “Who would have killed her? Certainly not Joshua. It couldn’t have been Phillip Barringer, because he’s disappeared, too. I’m afraid the only story I believe is the one Josh tells. For whatever reason, Joanna has run away.”