A Lady of Secret Devotion

by Tracie Peterson

  “Time and again the same name is mentioned whenever Richard was able to convince someone to talk.” Mark slammed his fist on the desk. “I’m certain the man must be involved in his death. I intend to figure it out for myself and see that he pays for what he’s done.”

  “Are you sure you can be objective about this, Mark?”

  “I can,” he assured, “but I cannot be without feeling. Richard was a good friend.”

  “To both of us,” Nelson said, leaning forward. The three men had worked hard to help make United American Mariner’s Insurance a successful company. Nelson’s brown eyes seemed to bore into Mark’s soul. “I want to catch the person or persons responsible as much as you do.”

  Mark leaned back, nodding. “I know that, and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’m going to leave for Philadelphia in the morning. I will find Rich’s killer. I promise you that much.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Philadelphia

  Mrs. Jameston has hired you?” Dora Stover asked her daughter.

  Cassie laughed at her mother’s surprise. “Yes. She said she needed a companion—a friend. I told her she needn’t hire me to be her friend, as I would happily do that anyway, but she insisted. She wants me to move in immediately.”

  She pulled a small carpetbag from beneath her bed. “I know it’s unexpected, but the pay will be such a help. I can’t bear to work in the factories. And with Elida’s help with the laundry service, you should be able to get by without me. Since I’ll be living with Mrs. Jameston, you will have my portion of food as well.”

  Her mother sat on the edge of the bed. “We’ve hardly been starving, Cassie. I knew you were hoping to find a position, but I hadn’t expected that finding one would take you from the house. It will be hard to have you gone. I’ll worry about you.”

  Cassie went to her mother and smoothed back an errant strand of graying brown hair. “You mustn’t worry over me. I will come home to visit as often as possible. Mrs. Jameston said I may have Saturdays off to be with you. I can also help with the laundry if there is too much for you to handle. And of course we will all be in church together on Sundays.”

  “Oh, I know all of that,” her mother replied, taking hold of her daughter’s hand. “I’m just surprised.”

  Cassie sat down beside her. “I won’t take the job if you’d rather I not.” It hadn’t occurred to Cassie until just that moment that perhaps her mother was afraid to live there without her eldest daughter.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s definitely an answer to prayer. The extra money will help to make repairs on the house. We’ve long neglected our sweet refuge.”

  A quick glance around the room at the sorry state of peeling wallpaper and chipped paint on the window frames proved that much. And that was just at first glance; Cassie knew that the chimneys were in need of repair, as was the roof.

  “We shall soon see the house set to rights,” Cassie promised. “Not only that, but there should be money enough to buy some new clothes for Elida. She can hardly continue to wear my old rags.”

  “I know you’re right. Mrs. Jameston has a generosity of spirit that is unmatched by any woman I know. She will be good to you, I’ve no doubt. I suppose I shall have to endure missing your company.”

  “Why will we miss Cassie’s company?” Elida asked as she bounded into the room. She spied the carpetbag. “Where are you going?”

  “I have a new job,” Cassie replied. She got up and went to the dresser to gather her clothes. “I am moving to Mrs. Jameston’s house to become her companion. You will need to come home quickly after school each day and help Mama with the laundry.”

  Elida frowned. “I don’t want you to go. I’ll be afraid to sleep here by myself. You know how noises frighten me, and Mama is so delicate. You said so yourself.”

  Their mother looked at Cassie oddly. “Delicate? You described me as delicate?”

  “You are delicate, Mama.” Her cheeks flushed. “Father always said so. He said you were like a delicate flower.”

  Her mother snickered as if it were an old joke. “He also said I was as stubborn as a mule. I hope you won’t start calling me one now, however.”

  Elida put her hand to her forehead as if she were about to swoon. “It will be ever so terrible without you here. Who will read to me?”

  “I’m certain that while Cassie is a superior reader,” their mother interjected, “I am quite capable of sharing a good book with you, Elida.”

  “But this room is so big and at night it will be so empty without you.” Elida looked at Cassie with her eyes wide. “What if I get sick? What if I have a fit of apoplexy?”

  Cassie laughed at her sister’s dramatics. “Do you even know what a fit of apoplexy is?”

  “Well, it must be truly bad, because Mrs. Radisson has such fits all of the time, and she is often too ill to attend to her family.” Elida crossed her arms and shook her head. “I do not think you should go.”

  “Even if I did not move to Mrs. Jameston’s house,” Cassie began, “I believe I would move to another room and give you more space.”

  She and Elida had shared the large bedroom to conserve on heat. They each had their own bed and dresser, with Elida’s side of the room also strewn with dolls and mementos that were precious to a young girl. “You’re nearly grown and you need a room all to yourself. I was going to suggest as much on your birthday. You needn’t be afraid.”

  “But I will be,” Elida insisted. “I don’t want you to leave.” She came and wrapped her arms around Cassie’s waist. “Sometimes I wake in the night and hear creaking upstairs. I start to worry about it, but then I see you sleeping so peacefully that I know everything is all right or you would surely be awake too. Now you’ll be gone, and I’ll have to face that all alone.”

  Putting aside her clothes, Cassie sat down with Elida. “I will be back for visits, but you must be brave. The house creaks and groans because it’s old. This job will allow us to make proper repairs. It might also allow us to buy you some new clothes.” She looked at the pale blue dress Elida wore. It had once belonged to Cassie and had been made over for her little sister. The years had taken their toll on the gown. “You’ve seldom had a new frock. Just think of it. A dress that no one else has ever worn but you.”

  “Your sister is right, Elida. You’re growing so tall, we definitely need to find you some new clothes. I, too, will miss our Cassie, but I am not so delicate as you girls have portrayed me. Goodness, but you would think I was incapable of getting out of bed on my own in the morning.”

  “But Papa always told me to watch over you when he had to be away,” Cassie said.

  “And because of that, you believe yourself responsible for me—for this house—for your sister,” her mother said softly. She shook her head and smiled. “I am a grown woman—your mother. It is my duty to see to your needs, not the other way around. Elida and I will be fine here, but we will miss you dearly. The day will not be the same without your chatter and sweet spirit.”

  Looking at her mother’s bittersweet smile was nearly Cassie’s undoing. “Both of you must stop!” she said, getting to her feet. “We’re all being silly about this. It’s not like I’m moving across the sea. Mrs. Jameston lives but two miles away, and she promised that you may visit as often as you like. Now, please bring those shawls over here, Elida.” Cassie pointed to two neatly folded wraps on her dresser. Her sister did as directed.

  “Does she live in a very fine house?” Elida asked in a pout.

  “She does indeed. Her house is very grand, and the servants are quite kind. You will enjoy visiting me there.”

  “But I won’t be able to tell you about my day at school.”

  “Elida, sometimes these things must happen. Besides, school is nearly complete for the summer,” their mother said rather sadly. “One day, none of this will matter. You will both grow up and marry and leave home to make new lives with families of your own. I will not always have my girls with me. I think we should be very hap
py for Cassie, for it will benefit us as much as it does her.” She got to her feet. “I must go now and check on the stew. Elida, you make yourself useful to Cassie.”

  “I will,” the girl promised, still clutching the shawls.

  Cassie went to their wardrobe and took out her well-worn gowns. They hardly seemed the quality that a companion to Mrs. Jameston would wear, but they would have to do.

  “You won’t forget us?” Elida questioned as she toyed with one of the fringed wraps.

  “Of course not, you goose. I love you and Mama too much to ever forget you.”

  Elida sighed and plopped down on the bed. “I wish Father might have lived. I would not be afraid if he were here. You were always so brave.”

  Cassie looked at her little sister and felt a sorrow she could not put into words. Elida had been born only a few weeks before their father’s death. Elida had never known him as Cassie had. Cassie had adored him and told Elida stories of her girlhood when their father would take her on long walks or tell her wonderful tales of when he’d been a boy.

  “You must remember, Elida, that while Father cannot be here, Mother is. She is right, you know. She’s a strong woman. And not only is she here for you, but Jesus is as well. He is with us every day. He never leaves us. You aren’t alone, and if you remember that, you will be so much braver. Now, hand me the shawls.”

  Elida nodded and walked to where Cassie stood. “Mama says that, too, but sometimes I cannot help it.”

  Reaching for her wraps, Cassie nodded. “I know. I cannot help it at times, myself.”

  The servants were hard at work putting the finishing touches on Cassie’s room when she returned to the Jameston house. Mrs. Dixon, the housekeeper, led her up the stairs and explained that while rooms for the rest of the staff were on the upper two floors, Cassie’s room would be on the second floor, in a room adjoining Mrs. Jameston’s.

  Cassie stepped inside and gasped, overwhelmed. The room was furnished with a large canopied bed, beautiful damask draperies, and a variety of tables and chairs. In front of an ornately carved fireplace sat a lovely sofa in blue silk upholstery. A large armoire of cherry wood stood at the far end of the room, where a small alcove offered a dressing table and other amenities. “This must be a mistake.”

  “There’s no mistake. I hope you like it,” Mrs. Jameston said as she joined them. “It once belonged to my mother. She was only with us a few years before her death, and the room has remained unoccupied until now.”

  “It’s wondrous,” Cassie said, still taking in the vision before her. “I have never seen anything so beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you think so. Since it adjoins my room, I thought it a perfect place for you. That way, should I need you in the night, you will be very close.”

  “That does sound wise,” she agreed. Another woman entered the room and offered Cassie a smile.

  “This is Ada,” Mrs. Jameston explained. “She is my personal maid and will now work for you as well.”

  Cassie stammered. “But . . . I . . . ah . . .”

  Mrs. Jameston laughed. “You must understand that while you are here, you will be treated as a member of my family. I have instructed my staff to consider you as my granddaughter. Ada is quite talented at dressing hair and preparing clothes.”

  Cassie touched a hand to her own golden brown hair. The simple bun she’d created by pinning up her long, straight strands was no doubt offering a poor image.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Stover,” Ada said. As if reading her thoughts, she added, “We’ll soon have everything set right.”

  “Please call me Cassie. I couldn’t bear to be called Miss Stover all the time.”

  Ada looked to Mrs. Jameston, who smiled and nodded. “I believe that would be acceptable in private. In public, though, you will simply have to get used to the idea. You are, after all, a lady of quality.”

  “More like a lady of pretense.” Cassie slapped her hand to her mouth, knowing she had spoken out of line. Mrs. Jameston, however, only laughed.

  “Child, you are a beautiful young woman. No one will mistake you for being anything other than that. There is no pretense in that fact.”

  “I pray I don’t prove to be otherwise—for your sake, Mrs. Jameston.” Cassie opened her bag and took out her well-worn gowns. “I wonder if I might have an iron so that I can see to these.”

  “Give them to Ada. She’ll have Essie see to them,” Mrs. Jameston said. Then she surprised Cassie by coming closer and fingering the material. “You will need some new clothes. I often have to attend various social functions and would want you to accompany me. Ada, tomorrow measure Cassie for new gowns.”

  “Oh, but I couldn’t . . .” Cassie paused, trying to think of how she might explain that she couldn’t spare the money for such things.

  Mrs. Jameston seemed to immediately understand. “I can well afford to dress you in an appropriate manner, fear not.” She smiled. “Consider it your uniform, my dear.”

  Cassie nodded. “I never thought about my appearance. I apologize.”

  “Nonsense. Trust the matter to me, and we’ll soon have you appropriately attired. In fact, Ada, I want you to go to the dressmaker’s straightaway tomorrow after you get the measurements. I know it is Saturday, but I believe Sadie can offer us some ready-made things. Have her put it on my account.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ada said.

  Later that night, Cassie slid between the delicately embroidered sheets of her bed. For the first time in ten years, she slept on sheets she hadn’t had to iron for herself. The large down-filled mattress cushioned her weight, and Cassie couldn’t help but utter a sigh at the luxury of it all.

  All the games of make-believe from her childhood could not begin to equal the reality that she now enjoyed. She truly felt like a queen, and with a yawn, it was only a matter of moments before she drifted into a very pleasant sleep.

  The morning came sooner than expected, and Cassie found herself surprised at the sight of Ada pushing open the draperies. Hadn’t she just closed her eyes?

  “Good morning, Cassie. I hope you slept well.”

  “I did,” Cassie admitted, sitting up.

  “I thought you might care for a bath. I’ve prepared one for you, just in case.”

  “Oh my! That was so very thoughtful.”

  Ada brought a lovely velvet dressing gown to Cassie. “Mrs. Jameston said this would serve you until we could arrange for a new one.”

  Cassie got up and allowed Ada to assist her into the robe. “It’s lovely. Much nicer than anything I’ve ever known.”

  “It’s one of Mrs. Jameston’s. She’s shorter than you, of course, so the robe is hardly long enough, but it fits well in every other aspect. Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the bath. It’s just on the other side of your room.”

  Cassie followed Ada to the beautifully ordered bathroom. A large tub, already filled with hot water, awaited her attention, while on a stand beside the tub were bath salts, lotions, and oils.

  “I wasn’t sure what scents you might care for, but I added some rose oil to the water.”

  “How wonderful.” Cassie noted a large stand with a bowl and pitcher, as well as a beautiful oval mirror on the wall.

  “If you’d like my assistance in bathing,” Ada began, “I can certainly stay.”

  Cassie laughed. “No. I am quite capable of seeing to my own bath. In fact, I hardly expect you to draw a bath for me each time. This is a definite pleasure, however.”

  Ada smiled. “Mrs. Jameston wants you to feel like family, and I’m happy to help. She has always treated me well. I have never known her to be anything but kind and considerate.” She paused, as if trying to decide whether to continue. “Forgive me for speaking out of line, but lately she has been quite lonely. I think your presence has already helped her.”

  “I hope so,” Cassie said. “I find her easy to be with. Nevertheless, I hope you and I shall also be good friends.” Cassie lowered her voice. “I know
she wants me treated like a grand lady, but, Ada, I’m just like you. I’m accustomed to working to earn my keep.”

  Ada nodded. “I understand. And I would very much like for us to be friends.”

  An hour later, with her hair carefully styled, Cassie joined Mrs. Jameston for breakfast. The older woman looked up as she entered the dining room and smiled.

  “You are radiant this morning, Cassandra. I hope you rested well.”

  “How could I not?” Cassie replied, taking the chair offered her at Mrs. Jameston’s right. “The bed was like sleeping on air.”

  “I’m glad to know it. Are you hungry?”

  Cassie looked down at the beautifully set table. The delicate china bore a floral pattern and gold trim around the edges. It seemed quite appropriate for Mrs. Jameston’s table. “I am hungry,” she finally answered. She fingered the embroidered linen napkin and marveled at the handiwork before placing it on her lap.

  Mrs. Jameston motioned and a serving girl poured hot tea. “I wasn’t sure,” Mrs. Jameston said, “if you took tea or coffee. I, myself, prefer tea.” myself, prefer tea.”

  “As do I. I find coffee a bit strong for my taste.”

  Just then another servant entered and brought two silver compotes of fresh fruit. One was placed in front of Cassie and the other in front of Mrs. Jameston. Luscious red strawberries swam in a golden syrup alongside yellow pieces of fruit that Cassie didn’t recognize.

  “I wanted to offer you something very special.”

  “I recognize the strawberries, although to have them so early is such a treat. But,” Cassie looked at the yellow fruit and smiled, “I have no idea about the other pieces.”

  “That would be pineapple from the West Indies,” Mrs. Jameston told her. “I hope you find it to your liking. First, however, I will offer grace.” She bowed her head and began to pray before Cassie could even close her eyes.

  “Father, we give thee glory and praise for another day of life. We thank thee for thy bounty, and for the gracious mercy thou hast shown us. Amen.”