Steadfast Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  “Oh, I’m not really alone. God is watching over me,” she replied. “Although I’m not supposed to endeavor on such escapades. My aunts would not be pleased to see me take matters in my own hands, and my dearest friend in the world, Mr. Wade Ackerman, would no doubt be very vexed with me.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Wade surprised them both by stalking forward to take hold of Abrianna. “What in the world do you think you’re doing out here?”

  The guard narrowed his eyes and took a defensive stance. “Unhand the young lady.”

  “Oh, don’t bother to order him around,” Abrianna told him. “He does pretty much as he pleases. This is the man I was speaking of—Wade Ackerman. He thinks himself my big brother and guardian. Do you know he threatened to nail shut my windows and doors to keep me prisoner in my bedroom? Have you ever heard of such a thing?” She looked to Wade. “This is a night watchman hired by Kolbein. So you see there is no danger.”

  “Yes, I know all about him,” Wade declared. “However, you should never have made his acquaintance. You should have remained inside the building as you were instructed.”

  Wade let go of her arm and extended his hand to the man. “I’m as she says—Wade Ackerman. Mr. Booth said he told you about me.”

  “Aye. He did.” The man shook hands with Wade and grinned. “Malcolm Downy is my name. I’m the Irish middleweight champion of the Northwest.”

  “Glad to meet you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will see to getting Miss Cunningham back to safety.”

  “She’s a feisty one,” Malcolm said, grinning all the more. “Must have a wee bit of the Irish in her.”

  “More than a wee bit, I’d say.” Wade shook his head. “She’s stubborn through and through, listens to no man, and believes herself invincible.”

  “Aye, she’d be of the Irish, all right. I should have known by that mop of red.” He chuckled. “Good night to ya now, Miss Cunningham. May the Good Lord keep ya in His hand and ne’er close His fist too tight.” He took his leave then, humming a song that Abrianna figured to be from his native home.

  “What a nice man.”

  “Now I will know the meaning of this,” Wade said, taking hold of her once again.

  Abrianna tried to pull away to no avail. “I did nothing wrong, and you needn’t treat me like a child. Goodness, Wade, I’ve been tolerant of your overbearing concerns for years now. At first they came as a welcome. I thought you quite the gallant knight to care so much about my well-being. Now, however, I feel less inclined to offer praise. You act as though I’m made of porcelain and have no knowledge of life on the streets.” She looked down the alley as Mr. Downy disappeared around the corner. “That was so kind of Kolbein to send someone to watch over us.”

  Already Wade was dragging her back to the front of the building. Abrianna hurried to keep up for fear he would hoist her over his shoulder if she lagged.

  “Truly, Wade, this is an embarrassment. I had taken precautions and everything was under control. You needn’t have worried.”

  “It seems where you are concerned,” Wade said, stopping at the front doors of the building, “worry is a natural state of our relationship. Honestly, Abrianna, whatever prompted you to take such a foolish risk? Do you suppose those three women could have borne the sorrow of losing you?”

  Abrianna calmed. “I didn’t think myself to be in danger. I suppose, upon reflection, that it wasn’t my wisest choice. However, I didn’t want to see harm come to anyone else.”

  “And what did you figure to do?” He let go of her arm and reached for the poker. “Would you have honestly struck the man? Don’t you realize a strong man like Downy could easily knock this from your hands?”

  “Well if he had, I would have had my boning knife,” she said, thinking her plan quite reasonable.

  “Like you did with me?”

  “Well, I didn’t really put up a fight with you, as I didn’t wish to cause you harm.”

  “Oh, Abrianna,” Wade said with a sigh. “Can’t you see that times are different? You aren’t a young girl able to slip unnoticed through the cracks and crevices of the city. You’re a young woman now—a very pretty young woman.” He held up his hand to still her. “I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth. There are indecent men who would think nothing of taking liberties with you.”

  She could see the fear in his expression. “I’m sorry to have caused you concern.” She put her hand on his chest, realizing that he was more than a little fearful for her. “I can see that you are quite worried, and that wasn’t my desire. I suppose sometimes it’s just hard to be so limited because of one’s gender. I only sought to protect the ones I love.”

  “And I feel the same,” Wade replied. “You and the ladies are the only family I have around here. My own folks are far from this place, as you know. I’ve come to care very deeply about your safety.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “I honestly do not strive to find trouble.”

  “I know that, Abrianna,” he said finally, smiling. “Trouble just seems to naturally find you.”

  Wade was glad to see Thane leaning on the wall by his shop when he returned from the Madison Building. The diversion would help him put aside his thoughts of what might have happened to Abrianna that night. Mercy, but that girl could be an aggravation.

  “Thought I’d come by for a game, if you have the time,” Thane said, pushing off the building.

  “Sounds good. Have you eaten?”

  Thane grinned. “Yeah, but what’s that got to do with it? I’m always ready for another meal.”

  Wade laughed and unlocked the door to his shop. He turned on the lights and waited for Thane to enter before relocking the door. He wasn’t going to take any chance that someone would wander in to steal his tools.

  Thane followed him back to his living space and then asked, “What have you been up to?”

  Wade went to the stove and poked up the fire in order to reheat the coffee. “I headed over to meet the new night watchman Kolbein Booth hired for the ladies. Unfortunately, I found one of them outside, trying to determine if the man was friend or foe.”

  Thane looked at him in understanding. “Abrianna?”

  “Who else would be so foolish?” Wade shook his head. “Do you know she was standing there with a fireplace poker ready to bash the man’s head in if he turned out to be the murderer?”

  Thane laughed. “And she probably would have done it, too.”

  “Don’t laugh. I was never so angry and scared in my life. I couldn’t help but think her in danger. I swear that girl does everything she can to jeopardize her safety. I have never approved of all her sneaking around, but at least when she was younger, it didn’t seem so bad. Especially when she dressed in a more boyish fashion.” He sighed. “Now, however, there is nothing boyish about her.”

  “No, not a bit,” Thane agreed. “But she is a redhead, and as such seems destined for conflict and disobedience.”

  Wade raised a brow. “You, sir, have a crown of red, as well.”

  “Exactly. So that makes me something of an authority on the subject. We are a stubborn lot. It’s the way God made us. How else would we get as much done as we do? You have to admit that Abrianna is a most industrious young woman. And I’m not exactly idle myself. I work on repairing boats all day, volunteer for the fire department, help at the church, and play baseball for the annual fireman’s tournament. And that doesn’t begin to account for all of my activities. I’m also a master chess player, which you will experience in a moment.”

  Wade wanted to forget about Abrianna and the scare, but he couldn’t seem to drop the matter. “I’m afraid she’s going to get herself into trouble one of these days, and I won’t be there to help get her out of it. If anything happened to her, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”

  “But you aren’t her keeper, Wade. She’s going to finish growing up and do as she pleases. She already pretty much does, and even her aunts can’t keep her under watch. I think you mig
ht as well accept that Abrianna answers to God alone.” Thane laughed, adding, “And I’ll bet even He has trouble getting her to check in.”

  18

  Kolbein arranged the paper work for the transfer of the lease from Mr. Fulcher to Mr. Montgomery. Designed as only a temporary situation with Montgomery, it was agreed that they would vacate the building by June fifteenth. This, in turn, allowed Mrs. Madison to sell out to Priam Welby. Of course, she hadn’t had a chance to speak to Mr. Welby on the matter. Kolbein suggested she allow him to conduct the business of sale, and while she agreed in part, Mrs. Madison was quite firm that she would give Mr. Welby her answer in person. She thought it only polite.

  Mr. Fulcher joined Kolbein upstairs at exactly one-thirty, just as they’d agreed upon. The school and home of the ladies seemed the easiest place to conduct business. There was no sense in forcing the ladies to break from their normal routines. From what Kolbein had learned, they hated this more than most anything else.

  Kolbein gave a nod and smile when Mr. Fulcher entered the main sitting room. That smile broadened considerably when he saw Lenore appear in the doorway behind her father. Kolbein felt his heart beat a little faster just at the sight of her. She looked at him as if he were able to climb the highest mountain or fight off the fiercest foe. Her confidence in him only served to make Kolbein feel all the more capable.

  He got to his feet quickly to shake hands with Mr. Fulcher and to offer Lenore a polite bow. “I appreciate that you would take time to meet me here,” Kolbein said. “Mrs. Madison wanted to be present, and I knew it would be easier for you to come to her.”

  “I don’t mind at all. I’m just relieved to get the matter settled. I find that idle afternoons agree with me. I’ve taken up an old hobby of mine, and the afternoons are perfect for such a thing.”

  “And what old hobby is that?” Kolbein asked.

  Lenore interjected the answer. “Napping. Father seems to enjoy an afternoon nap.”

  Kolbein laughed. “I can’t fault him for that. I rather enjoy the occasional afternoon slumber myself.” He motioned to the table. “I have the papers ready, and Mrs. Madison will join us shortly.”

  “Good. I hope also to have a moment in private with her. I presume you and Lenore can occupy yourselves for a few moments.”

  “But of course,” Kolbein replied with a wink at Lenore.

  Mrs. Madison entered the room, dressed head to toe in a gray suit that made her look like a harsh governess. Kolbein liked the older woman despite her stern nature. She was by far the more serious of the trio and obviously the one who kept the others from attending to anything too outlandish. Even so, he’d seen a glimmer of amusement cross her expression from time to time.

  Kolbein offered her his arm and led her to a chair at the table. “I have the papers ready for your signatures.”

  Mrs. Madison didn’t hesitate to peruse the contract for herself. She studied the pages for several minutes, then looked up to nod at Kolbein. “It’s just as I asked.” She took pen in hand, dipped it in the inkwell, and signed her name.

  Fulcher did likewise, having already seen a rough draft of the agreement. Mr. Montgomery had wired, giving him permission to act as his agent in the matter, so Fulcher signed, seeming relieved to have the deal settled.

  “That’s a weight off my chest,” the man said as he returned the pen to the inkwell. “The last issue of my former business.” He gave a sigh of relief. “I’m frankly happy to see it pass to another.”

  “I’m beginning to feel much the name,” Mrs. Madison said. “I did not think I could ever part with this building, but with the help of Mr. Booth, my sister, and dear friend, I now see the sense of doing just that. Mr. Madison would want it that way, I’m sure. He wouldn’t want our lives to be at risk.”

  “You will be safer moving away from the docks,” Mr. Fulcher declared. “Do you yet know where you will go?”

  “Mr. Welby said he has a house to include in our transaction. We will, of course, have to review and approve it, but he said it’s in the Lower Queen Anne section with a view of the water. The house itself is quite large, with a great many bedrooms. He thought it perfect for our school. It stands on several acres and even has gardens to tend. We’ve never had the opportunity to work with the young ladies on gardening, although I believe it a sensible management of one’s food needs.”

  Fulcher smiled. “Perhaps you will not live far from our home. I know Lenore would like that very much.”

  “I would,” Lenore said. “I would enjoy being able to walk over for a visit.”

  “Well, we shall see. Mr. Welby agreed to show us on Sunday. He wanted to show us Saturday, but there was much too much to do, and our schedule would not allow for it.”

  Kolbein smiled, remembering the discussion. Welby couldn’t see why the ladies’ Saturday duties couldn’t wait, but Mrs. Madison was firm. Kolbein almost felt sorry for Welby as he tried his best to convince her otherwise, but he finally relented and agreed to a Sunday afternoon viewing. Furthermore, he would send his carriage for the ladies. This met completely with Mrs. Madison’s approval, as she had vocalized her concerns about how they would get to the house.

  “Now, if you would allow us,” Mr. Fulcher said, turning to Kolbein. “I’d like to speak a few moments alone with Mrs. Madison.”

  “Of course.” Kolbein left the papers on the table and offered Lenore his arm. “Shall we go to the private sitting room?”

  She smiled in that wonderful way that he had come to love. Her dark eyes seemed to shine as he squeezed her arm. Once they were safely alone, Kolbein pulled Lenore into his arms and kissed her gently. He felt her melt against him and sigh. Her action caused him to feel more certain than ever that they belonged together.

  “I hope you don’t think me too forward,” he told her, setting her apart from himself. “I really don’t see any reason to pretend that we aren’t madly in love. When do you think I might ask your father for your hand in marriage?”

  Lenore shrugged. “I’ve made it clear to Mother that I intend to marry you. I would think she would have told Father that, as well. If I had my way about it, you would have a wife today, but I’m uncertain we can convince Father of such a brief engagement. I suggest you ask him at dinner Friday night. That way at least we can be formally engaged, and it will be announced in the papers. That will please Mother.”

  “You don’t think she’ll be embarrassed by my being a lawyer?”

  “I truly don’t care,” Lenore replied. “Does that sound harsh?” She didn’t give him time to answer. “I hope not, but either way, I will choose my own husband, and I choose you.”

  “And I choose you, my dear.” He glanced toward the clock on the mantel. Time was getting away from him, and he was to help with another business negotiation. “I will need to leave in a few minutes.”

  “Before you go, Kolbein, have you had any word on Greta?”

  Kolbein frowned. He had mulled over the detective’s latest report in his mind but had spoken of it to no one. “I had some rather unpleasant news.”

  “Unpleasant? She’s not . . . she didn’t . . .”

  “She isn’t dead, at least not that I know. However, the detective shared some very grave news. In his investigation he came upon a judge who remembers marrying a young woman who fits Greta’s description. He was even certain her maiden name was Booth.”

  “Married? But that’s wonderful, isn’t it?” she said with such excitement that Kolbein hated to burst her bubble.

  “She didn’t know anyone long enough to marry them. Not only that, but she’s a child. Just nineteen. Hardly an appropriate age to marry.”

  Lenore looked at him oddly. “I’m only a year her senior. What’s wrong with marrying at nineteen?”

  Kolbein felt as if Lenore had struck him. “You’re only . . . twenty?”

  “I’ll be twenty-one in August. Not only that, you and I have known each other only a short time, and we’re already speaking of marriage. Be happy for
your sister. If she’s found true love like we have, then all the better. She will be safe and cared for.”

  Lenore was only twenty. The idea of her being so young had never really occurred to him. He had always presumed her to be closer to his own age of thirty. She certainly conducted herself as a mature woman. In fact, she was nothing like Greta, with her tantrums and girlish demands.

  “Are you listening to me, Kolbein?” Lenore asked, touching his arm.

  He pulled back as if she’d burned him. Looking into her beautiful face, Kolbein could not help but see the youth that his sister bore. “I thought you were older.”

  “I’m old enough,” Lenore countered. “I’ll come into a trust fund in August. So, you see, I shall come into this marriage with the promise of benefits from the start.”

  “I’m thirty years old, Lenore. I thought you to be closer to my age—at least twenty-five.”

  “Goodness. Girls marry much younger than twenty or even nineteen. I don’t understand your concerns.” She looked so innocent, so completely naïve of his worries.

  “You are just coming of age. You haven’t yet had a chance to really know anything other than being your father’s daughter. I know that is the normal way of things, but as I told Greta, I would prefer that she attend school and expand her knowledge, have a chance to live life a bit, rather than marry at such a young age.”

  “Was that why she ran away?” Lenore’s voice betrayed her growing distress.

  Kolbein knew he had to be honest with her. “Yes. She had thought herself in love with a local young man—really a boy. They met at . . . oh, I don’t know where they met. I tried to talk to Greta about the situation, tried to get her to see reason.”

  “Reason? You mean you tried to change her mind.” Tears formed in Lenore’s eyes. “Oh, please tell me you weren’t that cruel.”

  “Lenore, the age and inexperience of my sister would make her a poor wife. She had been sheltered all of her life and knew nothing of the world. When my parents died she was ten and I was twenty-two—just out of school and already working to become a lawyer. I was hardly prepared to be a young girl’s guardian, so I put her in boarding school—a strict religious boarding school.”