Steadfast Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  “This is Mrs. Longmont’s dressing room. She has a lady who helps her dress and fix her hair. Her name is Mabel, and she’s always real nice to me.” He knocked on the door, adding, “Sometimes she gives me her extra food.”

  “What a wonderful woman,” Abrianna said. She stepped back so that Kolbein could move closer to the door.

  Kolbein swallowed back his fear that he’d already missed seeing Greta. What would he do if he had? Try again tomorrow night? Send her a letter? Lenore gave his arm a squeeze as if she completely understood his fears. He placed his hand atop hers, only then realizing that he was trembling.

  “Yes?” a middle-aged woman with coal-black hair said, answering the door. “Oh, Toby, what’s this about?”

  “Mr. Booth here is Mrs. Longmont’s brother. He wants to see her.”

  “Ain’t no one allowed to see Mrs. Longmont,” she said, looking at Kolbein and the ladies as though she didn’t believe their story.

  “But you have to let him, Mabel. See, his sister left, and he thought she was dead. We been looking for her out on the streets for weeks now. Mr. Booth just wants to make sure she’s doing all right. He won’t stay long, and he don’t mean her any harm.”

  Mabel looked skeptical. “Well, I don’t know. I suppose I could ask. You wait here.”

  Kolbein didn’t want to wait, but the woman was already closing the door. He could only pray that there wasn’t another exit to the room. If Greta didn’t want to see him, he knew she’d do most anything to escape.

  However, it was only a moment before the door opened again and a robe-clad Greta stood in the entrance. “Kolbein! I can’t believe you’re here.” She threw herself into his arms and hugged him. “Oh, please don’t be mad at me. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “Oh, Greta. I’ve been so afraid harm had come to you.” He held her for a moment, thanking God in silence for her safety.

  His little sister pulled away. “That’s why I sent the letter. I didn’t want you to fret. I sent it about two weeks ago. Didn’t you receive it?”

  “I’ve been in Seattle since you left. I followed you here but then lost track of where you had gone. I’ve had men—” he paused and looked back at Lenore and Abrianna—“and women searching all over town for you.”

  She looked completely dumbfounded. “Well, I never meant to cause you such worry. I know we parted on bad terms, but I’ve been so happy.” She looked over her shoulder. “Come inside and we’ll talk more.” She led them into the small room. “Mabel, would you tell Mr. Longmont that I’d like him to join us here?”

  “Of course, ma’am.” The maid curtsied and hurried from the room through what appeared to be an adjoining door.

  She gave Kolbein a sheepish smile that reminded him of when she was younger. “I suppose you must know that I’ve married.”

  “I had heard as much,” Kolbein replied, uncertain what else he should say.

  “I hope you will like him. He’s the one I tried to tell you about. Simon and I first met when I was away at boarding school. His father and mother were administrators of the school. We became fast friends, even though the young ladies were not to have male friendships.” She shrugged and smoothed down the collar of the silk wrap. “I guess I’ve always been good at going against the rules.”

  “Indeed,” Kolbein said, smiling. He was so relieved to see her safe that he couldn’t fault her for such behavior, much less chide her.

  “I’d offer you a seat, but there’s only one,” Greta said.

  “We don’t need chairs,” Abrianna said. “I’m Abrianna Cunningham. I’m a friend of your brother and his fiancée.”

  “Fiancée? Kolbein, are you really getting married?” Greta looked to Lenore. “Is this your bride-to-be? Oh, I thought he might never find true love.”

  Kolbein laughed. “I suppose I have no secrets where Abrianna is concerned. Yes, this is my intended. Lenore Fulcher, I would like you to meet my sister, Greta Lavinia Booth . . . Longmont.”

  “I’m so happy to meet you at last,” Lenore declared. “You are a wonderful actress, and Kolbein has spoken about you with such fondness.”

  “I’m very glad to meet you, as well, and I thank you for the compliment. But you must forgive me for my shock. I can scarce believe my brother has proposed,” Greta replied. “He’s always been one to keep to himself. However did you meet?”

  “We met at Abrianna’s home,” Lenore told her. “It’s a long story but one that I hope we will have time to share in the near future.”

  “We’ll have to,” Kolbein said, “since we’re to be married very soon.”

  Just then the dashing young actor who’d played the part of Albert joined them. He had a towel in hand and was in the middle of wiping makeup from his face. “Greta, are you all right?” He gave Kolbein a wary look.

  “I’m perfectly fine, silly. Come meet my brother, Kolbein.”

  The man’s expression grew more intent, and Kolbein couldn’t help but wonder what his sister had told her husband. Kolbein sought to put the man at ease.

  “I’m sure you were expecting a monster with three heads and horns, but I assure you I vanquished him before coming here and now stand before you quite at ease.”

  Simon gave a slight smile. “I am glad to know that he will no longer bother Greta.”

  Greta took hold of her brother’s arm. “I hope you mean that, Kolbein. I want no trouble and desire only peace between us.”

  Kolbein looked at his sister with new eyes. When had she grown up? When had she acquired a woman’s heart and mind? “It seems just yesterday you were a little girl.”

  She let go of his arm to give a twirl. “And yesterday I was. But today I’m full grown. I love seeing new places and being on the stage.” She stopped and looked toward Simon. “And I am most passionately in love with my husband.”

  Realizing there was little he could say, Kolbein only nodded. He loved Greta with all his heart. She was the only bit of family left to him. Lenore eased the awkwardness of the moment.

  “Kolbein and I will be married soon. I would like very much for you to attend me in the wedding ceremony. Abrianna is my maid of honor, but I’d like you to be my bridesmaid.”

  “I would love to do that, Lenore. I have always wanted a sister, and now I shall have one.” She looked to her brother. “We will be in town another month and then our troupe is traveling to California. Will the wedding occur before the end of June?”

  Kolbein met Lenore’s smiling face. Her eyes reflected the love he felt for her. “It will be perfect. I believe we have set the date for the sixteenth of June. It will be a late-morning wedding, so that shouldn’t interfere with your performances.”

  Taking hold of her husband, Greta turned. “Could I have just a moment alone with Kolbein?”

  “Of course.” He looked to Lenore and Abrianna. “Why don’t I show you ladies the prop room. I think you’ll get a better idea of what we go through when preparing for our plays.”

  Lenore and Abrianna accompanied Simon from the room, leaving Kolbein and Greta alone. Kolbein had no idea what Greta wanted to say to him, but he hoped to interject his own thoughts beforehand.

  “Greta, before you speak, I have to tell you how sorry I am for the way I behaved. You had every right to be angry—even to leave. I’m just sorry that I forced your hand in that way. You see, when Mother and Father died I felt so overwhelmed by my new responsibility. I knew I wasn’t capable of being what you needed, so I sent you to the best schools, hoping someone there would be the one to meet your needs. I held you at arm’s length, fearing that I would fail you. Therefore, I didn’t want to be too near to you. I suppose I thought the distance would make it easier for us both. I know now that I was wrong. Seeing you tonight . . . well . . . I realize that I never allowed you to grow up—at least not in my mind’s eye. I am sorry.”

  She put her finger to his lips. “I didn’t ask to speak to you for an apology, Brother. I know how it was for us, and I always understood. It g
rieved me, but over time I came to realize that your love for me was just as strong as it had been, but there was the addition of responsibility for my well-being. That was a huge responsibility to put on your shoulders, but you handled it the best you could.” She paused and smiled. “I wanted to speak to you alone to offer my own apology.

  “I knew it was wrong to leave as I did. I was full of guilt and anguish in knowing that I had given you cause to worry and grieve. Oh, Kolbein, I never wanted to hurt you. Please forgive me.”

  Kolbein sighed. She truly had grown up. “It would seem we are both full of remorse and regret. Of course I forgive you, but I must know—are you truly happy?”

  She laughed and tossed back her long brown hair. “I am. I have never been happier. I love acting, and while I know some think it scandalous, I find it the perfect way to share my heart with others. And Simon is the love of my life. I feel like we’ve known each other since the beginning of my days on earth. He is considerate and kind, and he wants only the best for me.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Kolbein said. “All I want for you is that you have the life you desire. Which brings me to another topic. Your inheritance.”

  Greta’s eyes widened. “You mean you will still allow me to have it?”

  “How could I not?” Kolbein declared. “It’s not my money. Even so, I hope you will be cautious. It is a great amount, and I would hate to see you swindled out of it.”

  She seemed to consider the matter for a moment. “Perhaps you could watch over it for me in Chicago, and when I need funds I could wire you. I know that Simon would agree that you are more knowledgeable about such things.”

  “I won’t be in Chicago anymore, although our house there is still open to us. I haven’t yet made up my mind about selling it. My life is here now in Seattle . . . with Lenore. I have taken a position at a law firm and am even now looking for a house to buy my bride. And if you wish for me to continue watching over your trust, I will happily do so from here.”

  “Wonderful. Then everything is resolved, and we can move forward the best of friends. Just as we should have always been.”

  Kolbein was humbled by her words. “You never gave up on me, and for that I’m grateful.”

  “Of course not, silly.” Her smile broadened. “Just as you never gave up on me.”

  23

  The planning of the bridal ball required a great deal of thought and attention to detail. For weeks, the entire school would be completely devoted to the preparations for the yearly dance. Abrianna’s aunts were quite purposeful in their themes and decorations. They often spent most of their free time after Christmas each year searching through various magazines for ideas. This year had been no exception.

  Aunt Poisie had talked her sister and Selma into a nautical theme in honor of her dearly departed sea captain. She reasoned that it had been ten years since he was lost at sea, and it would only be appropriate to remember him with the theme of the ball. Aunt Miriam and Aunt Selma had been hesitant at first but now agreed that it was a perfect idea.

  The ladies of the school were deeply involved in the actual making and setup of the decorations. It gave the girls a creative outlet that seemed to ease the tension of wondering and fretting over whether or not they might find themselves receiving a proposal of marriage at the ball. Abrianna could only thank God that she wasn’t among those young women.

  Frankly, if I never marry, that will be just fine. But a longing fell upon her that she did her best to ward off. There was no sense in contemplating the matter now, with so much work to be done.

  The ballroom was normally rather plain, but her aunts always managed to transform the space to a point where everyone forgot about the location and instead imagined themselves whisked away to a private retreat.

  “I rather liked the Queen Victoria theme we had two years ago,” Aunt Selma said, observing the progress her students had made.

  “Well, we couldn’t very well have it again so soon,” Aunt Miriam chided. “Perhaps she will live a good many more years, and we can try it again at a later date.”

  “I suppose that is the sensible way to manage it,” Selma replied.

  Abrianna, dressed in serviceable work clothes, rolled up her sleeves and chuckled. “I wonder what the Queen of England would think to know we patterned our annual ball after her life in the palace. Goodness, but she would probably think us all mad. Imagine if she were to design her balls around a boarding school for brides.”

  “Oh my,” Aunt Miriam said, shaking her head. “You do think of the strangest things.”

  “I suppose I can’t help it,” Abrianna said thoughtfully. “Perhaps my mother or father thought in such a manner. I wonder about it from time to time. After all, surely the actions and thoughts of one’s parents would influence a child, at least in part. I mean, wouldn’t it stand to reason that the blood in one’s veins would give weight to one’s behavior and thinking? Of course, I suppose where one lives might also conspire to sway one’s temperament.”

  Aunt Miriam and Aunt Selma looked at her as if her words had proven their point. Abrianna could only smile. She knew that she could be quite the unusual dreamer, and that while her aunts were used to her comments and contemplations, they were also baffled by them.

  “I do like those colors,” Aunt Miriam said, moving the topic of conversation back to the ball. Across the room several of the young ladies were working together to hang swaths of crepe and tulle in violet gray, sea green, and turquoise blue—the latter of which did not resemble the waters of Puget Sound but rather those of the Caribbean Sea. This, Abrianna remembered, had been discussed at great length with the final verdict rendered that while the blue was unlike their own waterfront, it was indeed the color of seawater elsewhere. Aunt Poisie had this on good authority. It was exactly the color blue that her captain had described to her after one of his more lengthy voyages south. With that thought, the matter was settled.

  “I believe adding the shells in our design was a stroke of genius, Sister,” Aunt Poisie declared. “I’m so glad you thought to write to your friend in Florida to secure them.”

  Abrianna had been amazed that the shipment had arrived with most all of the shells intact. Had it not been for Aunt Miriam’s specific details for packaging and shipping, they might have all been lost. With the fabric, seashells, papier-mâché, and real flowers, as well as netting, the room was taking on the appearance of a tropical paradise. At least what Abrianna imagined it might be.

  Leaving her aunts to discuss what else needed attending, Abrianna slipped off to the kitchen, where Lenore was busy laboring over her most difficult project to date. A crown of lamb. Abrianna thought it looked very much like a battle had ensued between Lenore and the meat. She labored with two separate pieces to form them into a circle that could be sewn together. Just as she would have one piece in perfect order, however, the other would slouch to one side or fall over altogether.

  “I don’t know why you are bothering with this. Now that you know Kolbein is rich, you can hire a cook to do this for you,” Abrianna declared from the door.

  “If you are only here to criticize, then you may go. Otherwise, you might lend me a hand.” Lenore’s frustration was clear.

  Crossing the room, Abrianna took up the string lying on the table. “Is this to tie it into place?”

  “Yes,” Lenore replied. “I never thought a little lamb could be such a devilish beast.” She worked to form the ribs into a standing formation once again. “When I get this just so, you tie it together. Then I can get the ends sewn together and move forward in this process.”

  Abrianna did as instructed, all the while talking about Lenore’s upcoming wedding. It was now just two weeks away, and already Abrianna was starting to feel the loneliness. “I shall miss you so dearly while you are away on your wedding trip. I hope you won’t forget me. I just couldn’t bear to think of you forgetting me. I know I shall never forget you.”

  “Oh, stuff and nonsense,” Lenore replied. �
��I could never forget you. You are my dearest friend. Really more like a sister.”

  “And you are to me, as well,” Abrianna said. “Even so, I can see how marriage will divide us. You will have your loyalties placed elsewhere while mine remain with you.”

  “Abrianna,” Lenore said, finally managing to stitch one side of the crown together, “one day you will find true love yourself, and then you’ll understand better. While I will give Kolbein my utmost devotion and loyalty, I will never stop caring for you. To prove this to you, I will tell you a secret. I was going to wait, but I can see you need the information now.”

  “Do speak words of comfort,” Abrianna said, knowing the words would sound overly dramatic. She smiled. “I so long to hear them.”

  Lenore giggled. “Well, the comfort I can offer you is this. Kolbein has found us a house. It is only a short walk from the one where you will live after the move. I specifically asked Kolbein to keep the new school’s location in mind, and he quite neatly arranged to purchase a beautiful house at the end of the block.”

  Abrianna’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t help her surprise. She had never in her wildest imaginings thought such a thing possible. “Oh, that is wonderful! I am positively relieved of my grief. We shall not see our friendship fall into the vast void that might otherwise separate us.”

  “It’s true,” Lenore said, still smiling. She finished lacing the meat and then stood back to survey the little crown she’d created. “There, I think it looks fit for a king.”

  “King Kolbein, that is,” Abrianna added.

  Lenore ignored her and was already searching through the recipe for her next step. “I have already trimmed the bones to a uniform evenness,” she commented while running her finger down the page of what Abrianna recognized as the Mrs. Lincoln’s Boston Cook Book. Aunt Miriam swore complete devotion to this new cooking tool. Having only been published a few years earlier, her aunts had insisted on having several copies to use when teaching.