“Please, call me Katherine,” she said, smiling at the handsome man. He met her eyes as he straightened, his teeth gleaming out of his tan face. She couldn’t help but admire the way his eyes held hers though he was a gentleman and turned before it became improper. When he turned away from them to go back to the table, Katherine looked at her grandfather with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t worry, Katherine. I’ve known William’s family for many years and I’ve spoken to him at some length. He’s a good man, and he’s agreed to help us on principal even before I offered him some substantial incentive.”
“It’s true, Katherine,” William said, his eyes hardening. “You’re grandfather told me about the men who are threatening you. I’ve agreed to help and I would do so without reward. Your family has been kind to mine. When my mother was sick, your father paid for doctors. It’s the very least I can do. I know I’m a stranger to you, but I swear on my life I will do everything in my power to help you reach Portland in safety.”
Katherine looked deeply into the man’s hazel eyes, studying each mote and reflection. She felt she could trust him, though they had just met. It was a strong thing that her grandfather also trusted the man, since he was betting everything in his life he thought precious on whether this man was honorable. Finally, she nodded.
“Very well,” Katherine said. “When are we going to do this and what do I do?”
“On January fifth, the shipment that our company is sending out to Portland will be leaving the docks,” William said. “Prior to this, we must lay a false trail to Chicago via train. Your grandfather has booked passage for you on new year’s eve, but instead of arriving in Chicago, you will debark in Albany and purchase a ticket south to New York.”
Katherine felt trepidations at the news that she would be making the initial part of the journey alone. However, she reminded herself that Billy would be accompanying her. She decided at that moment not to tell them about Billy, instead planning to simply show up with him at the docks in New York. This would make it impossible for them to turn the young man away, though she suspected William would not find the addition to their company overly difficult to manage. Despite his age, he seemed capable and held himself with an easy air about him.
“I’ll have several chests sent with you on the train, Katherine,” her grandfather said, “but you must leave them to continue. I’m sorry to say that we’ll have to put many of your best dressed and clothes in there, along with enough cash to make them believe this was your plan. You have distant relatives in Chicago that they will believe you are trying to reach. I’m sorry to say, this may put some hardships on them but Albus Moore is a lawyer and well respected in the city. I believe he will be able to resist any pressures the Clark’s put on him, and being ignorant of all of this should keep him safe. At least, that is my hope.”
Katherine listened silently, absorbing all of it as calmly as she could. It was really going to happen. She was going to leave her family and estate, and embark on some adventure to the far west. Places she’d only ever heard about in stories and gossip. Even as the reality began to overwhelm her, she fought back against it but she could feel a faint tear coming to her eye even as she tried to hide it.
William reached out, taking her hand. It was almost presumptuous since they’d just met but the man looked at her with concern. “Do not worry, Katherine. You can do this. We will get to Portland, and you will succeed in saving your family.”
“How do you know?” she asked, suddenly distraught. “How can you be sure? A thousand things could go wrong. A thousand things have already gone wrong. My father is dead, my grandfather is telling me he is sacrificing himself, and I am leaving everything I hold dear to travel to some barely settled city.” She leaned forward, squeezing William’s strong hands. “How do you know?”
“Because you won’t quit,” William answered back, his voice filling Katherine with a strange confidence. “You will not quit, Katherine, and I will not let you. I will be there, and we will succeed. It is the only choice. Do you trust me?”
Katherine froze, studying his face as he looked deeply into her eyes and she saw no falsehoods there. Only conviction. Finally, she nodded once. “Yes. Yes, I believe you, William. I do.”
Chapter 18
Katherine and her grandfather left the library in good spirits, smiling at the clear but cold December day. There were many people out on the streets, bustling and busy in their Christmas cheer. For some reason Katherine couldn’t surmise, she felt uncommonly joyful despite the grim reason for their meeting.
“Katherine,” her grandfather said, reaching over to hold her hand. “What do you think of William?”
Her heart swelled, the vision of his hazel eyes looking deeply into her own once again flashing before her memories. She felt a flush creep over her face and realized she must be blushing, confirmed a moment later by her grandfather’s grin.
“Ah,” he said, chuckling softly. “You’ve taken a fancy to him? There is nothing wrong with that, young Katherine.”
“But Grandfather, I’m married. I shouldn’t think such thoughts, should I?”
“Katherine, you are going to start a new life. It’s clear to me that your marriage to Eustice Clark has been a sham. That man not only mistreats you, but disrespects our name with every woman he dallies with. Your father should never have condoned the marriage, but neither of us knew the monsters the Clarks were at the time.” he sighed softly, shaking his head. “One of many mistakes that has cost us dearly. Katherine, can you ever forgive us?”
Katherine wanted to say right then and there she did. She loved her grandfather and her father, but her marriage had been more tortuous than either of them could have imagined. She had born too many scars and bruises for her to take the question lightly. Instead of instantly accepting the man’s apology, looked at him for many moments. Finally, she spoke. “Men like Eustice are good at hiding their true natures. I forgive you, but I will not forget. From this moment onwards, I will make my own decisions. After I reach Portland, I will never put myself into a man’s hands again if I can help it.”
Her grandfather’s face fell but he nodded, accepting what she said. They traveled back towards their house in silence, each contemplating their futures. They were almost two-thirds of the way back when Ben, their driver, turned his head slightly.
“Pardon, Mr. Moore,” his voice growled over the loud engine of the car. “I don’t wish to alarm you, but it looks like we’re being followed, sir. Two men on horseback. They’ve been back there for the past half-hour.”
Katherine looked back, her eyes wide. There were two roughly dressed men in bowlers and long wool coats a ways back, but each man had his eyes trained on their car as if contemplating stealing it. It could the thieves, she suspected, but it was the middle of the day and there were too many people on the roads for a common theft. Their home was not isolated, so the chances the men could approach them without being seen were minuscule.
Unless they were working for the Clarks. After Katherine locked eyes with the men, she turned back around and gave her grandfather a frightened look, nodding. “There are two men back there,” she said angrily.
“Could be robbers,” Ben suggested, again not turning around but casting his voice over his shoulder. “But they’d be the dumbest robbers in the city. Do you think they’re tied to the man that tried to kill you, sir?”
Katherine and her grandfather exchanged looks, clearly thinking the same thing. “Perhaps,” her grandfather said. “I had hoped the man would have fled, but if they are connected, perhaps they wish to make another stab at us. We’ll ring the constabulary when we get home and report this.”
The statement was in keeping with their story about the robber being a random happening, but they both knew better. The Clarks were getting nervous about the delays her grandfather had been throwing up. They wove through the streets of Boston, slowly making their way until they arrived at the gate.
The two men had ridden pas
t them and continued down the street, but as Katherine had glanced back, their eyes had stayed glued to their car with unfriendly looks. It was with great relief that she watched them go, but that quickly turned to dread when she saw who was waiting for them.
It wasn’t Eustice, but Daniel Clark’s vehicle that was parked just off from the steps this time. At least he had the courtesy to not park in front of the steps. After they’d stopped, Ben moved to help her grandfather, but a small movement caught Katherine’s eye.
Billy was peeking around the marble step banisters and he waved when he caught her eye, then pointed toward the back of the house. Katherine gave him a quick nod. She knew he meant for them to meet in the greenhouse.
After following her grandfather into the house, she told him she was going to retire to her rooms, stating she had a headache. He patted her hand but nodded, clearly thinking the stress of the day had gotten to her. It had to a point, but she wasn’t going to let it stop her. Billy hadn’t looked happy, and she feared what the boy might have found out, but better to know than not.
Quickly, she moved upstairs, and then took the servants stairs down toward the kitchen and then through to the greenhouse. Its warmth washed over her, but she ignored it, moving instead toward the back and where she hoped Billy would be waiting.
Chapter 19
“What’s wrong, Billy?” Katherine asked in a hushed tone at the worried look on her friend’s face.
“Katherine, I am so glad you are here,” Billy said, whispering back as he looked around fearfully. “I wanted to tell you right away. The Clarks came here earlier today, maybe a few hours ago.”
“I know, Billy, I saw their car out front.”
“No, you don’t understand. It’s not that they are here, but what I overheard. They looked upset so I decided to follow them. Daniel Clark just went immediately into the smoking room, but Eustice went toward the servant areas. He talked to Miss Margaret for a few minutes and then went upstairs toward one of the rooms.”
“Did he go to his rooms?” Katherine asked. “Billy, I don’t understand why that would be a problem.”
“No, Miss Katherine. He didn’t go to his rooms. He went to one of the other rooms and found Mary. I snuck up and listened through the door to their conversation.”
“Oh, Billy. That was dangerous! Eustice is not a kind man and you know what he would have done to you if he’d caught you. I don’t want you taking chances like that!”
“I know!” He said loudly before looking around again in alarm, then continuing in a quieter voice. “I know, but I had to take the chance. It’s a good thing I did, too. He was telling Mary that things were going to be over soon and she wouldn’t have to take orders from Miss Margaret anymore. Any day now, he said they were going to remove the problems.”
“No! It’s not time, yet!” Katherine hissed. “We need more time. Billy, I just talked to grandfather and we can’t leave until New Year’s Eve, That’s eight days from now! Did he say what he was going to do?”
“No. He only said they were getting tired of the delays. He said he thought he could talk his uncle into doing it the other way instead of waiting if your grandfather continued stalling. I don’t know what that means.”
I’ve got to talk to grandfather,” she said, thinking desperately. He was probably already in the smoking room with Daniel and Eustice but how was she going to do it? She couldn’t just barge into the room. If she upset Daniel, then it might push him toward doing what Eustice was talking about. She had to do it quietly and in such a way that didn’t upset the Clarks, but how?
Suddenly she had an idea, but it would be risky. She needed to talk to James.
“Thank you, Billy!” Katherine said, giving him a hug. “You did wonderfully but I have to go.”
“What are you doing, Miss Katherine?” Billy said, standing as if to follow her.
“No time to explain, but stay here or better yet, go find Mary and make sure she doesn’t snoop around. I have to go!”
“Miss Katherine!? How am I going to do that?” Billy called to a quickly disappearing Katherine.
She raced through the house toward one of the studies, quickly taking a piece of stationary and tearing off a small bit. She dipped a quill into an inkwell and quickly wrote on the small scrap, blowing on it to dry it as she quickly left the room. Stopping one of the staff, she quickly asked where James was, and was relieved when the man told her he was in the kitchen.
She walked quickly, not caring what the staff thought as she made her way to the kitchen. James was just leaving with a service cart filled with some decanters of whiskey and a teapot. She waited for James to get a few steps outside of the room as he headed toward the smoking room but reached out an arm to stop him.
“Miss Katherine?” he asked, noting her flushed appearance. “Is everything okay, ma’am?”
She shook her head. She paused for only a moment, thinking that she would have to trust James but just like with Margaret, if she couldn’t trust James, who could she trust? Still, it was terrifying but she took a deep breath, telling him most, if not all, of what was going on with the Clarks.
As she spoke, James’s face first went from distraught to grim. When she’d finished, he nodded once. “Yes, ma’am. I suspected something was going on, but I had…I had no idea. Your father? Killed?” James asked and she could hear the sounds of his teeth grinding. “Just tell me how I can help, ma’am.”
“I need to get this message to grandfather. If he just keeps stalling them, I think they’re just going to kill him. He needs set a date to sign everything over. If he does that, I’m sure that Eustice won’t be able to talk his uncle into whatever dastardly deed he has in mind.”
James took the note and nodded. “I think I have the perfect idea, ma’am. Leave it to me.” He picked up one of the tea cups and put it on the saucer, hiding it so that only someone picking up the tea cup would see the note. It would have to do.
Katherine stepped back, letting James continue on. It was in the butler’s hands now, and she hoped desperately she was in time. She raced through the halls, once again reaching the servants’ stairs and heading for the vent in the basement. She had to hear what was going on.
Chapter 20
Katherine ran up to the vent and worked furiously to quiet her breathing. She could hear voices raised in anger but it took a few moments before she could make out what was being said.
“Arrah, these delays are becoming intolerable,” Daniel ground out. “I had hoped to have this business done by Christmas and that is tomorrow. Now you’re saying that you do not wish to burden your holiday? What is going on?”
“Nothing, Daniel. Did you forget that I just buried my son a few scant weeks ago? Things are slow this time of year at the best of times, and with our tragedy I can’t say that I or my lawyers have been at their best.”
“Rubbish,” Daniel said. “I’ve had no issues readying my paperwork and the payments for our transaction. There should be no trouble on your end, despite the…inconvenience of your loss. Arrah, I’m becoming worried you’re attempting to go back on our agreement.”
“I am not!” Katherine’s grandfather said vehemently. “The attack on my person showed me that I no longer have the constitution to deal with the rigors of running the company. I do not wish to come out of retirement and I most certainly don’t wish to be distracted in my latter years with all of this. After I sell to you, I will retire to a country estate far from this dangerous city. Preferably someplace warmer.”
“Then why are we not done with all of this!?” Eustice thundered. “It’s time for you to retire, old man. It’s time for you to vacate this house and leave it to me and my wife!”
“Eustice!” Daniel said, cutting him off. “Will you let the adults speak!”
There was silence that stretched out, making Katherine hold her breath. She imagined them listening to her breathing and was suddenly terrified they would discover her but knew that was foolhardy.
The q
uiet was broken by a knock on the door of the smoking room, then came James’ voice. “Pardon, sir. I’ve bought your refreshments and several choices of tobacco for the guests.”
“James?” came the old man’s voice. He seemed hesitant, as if not knowing what to say but a moment later, he cleared his throat. “Ah, yes, please come in. I think we could do with a bit of refreshment. It should give us a chance to collect our thoughts, won’t it gentlemen?”
There was muttered agreement, and the sound of glass clinking as James poured their drinks. “Yes, collecting our thoughts is a good idea so we don’t make fools of ourselves, isn’t that right, Eustice?” Daniel said crossly.
“Yes, uncle,” Eustice said, his voice muted.
There was silence for several moments, making Katherine crazy as she imagined what was going on. The sound of the door opening and closing told Katherine that the butler had left. Had her grandfather seen the note? There was so much riding on this. It was clear that Daniel’s patience was running out, and their entire plan could be in the balance.
If things went bad, what would she do? What could she do?
Nothing. She was growing tired of being so helpless.
“I have thought about your arguments, gentlemen,” Katherine’s grandfather said in a tired voice. “And I agree. I have been stalling. Forgive an old man for his foolishness to hold onto the past.”
There was a loud exhaling of breath followed by the sound of a glass being put down. “Does that mean you’ll sign the paperwork? Finally?” Daniel said, his voice still cold but with a note of relief in it.
“Yes, Daniel,” her grandfather said. “I’ll have the paperwork prepared for the New Year’s Eve. That should be an auspicious time for endings and beginnings, don’t you think? A certain kind of symmetry.”
Three Carols of Cozy Christmas Murder Page 15