A Lady of Hidden Intent

by Tracie Peterson

  “I think you make a good point, Carter,” Mr. Arlington replied. “And I believe there are those who belittle others in order to feel more comfortable about themselves.”

  Winifred cast a sidewise glance at the man. She seemed to hang on his every word, and Catherine became quite certain that she fancied the man as a suitor. Perhaps that was what this outing was all about. The man wanted to court Miss Danby, and Carter was acting as escort.

  “Well, I should go now,” Catherine said, trying again to get to her feet.

  “Please don’t go, Catherine. I very much enjoy your company,”

  Winifred said with great pleading in her tone.

  “As do I,” Carter said with a grin.

  “You can count me among your numbers,” Mr. Arlington added with a sweeping bow. “I find you quite well-spoken.”

  “You hardly know me and have definitely not heard enough to know whether I am well-spoken or not,” Catherine stated in a guarded manner.

  “Then you must stay so that we might ascertain this matter firsthand,” Mr. Danby said, his tone teasing.

  “Have you seen the flower beds?” Winifred asked Catherine.

  “There are some very beautiful arrangements. There are roses that defy description. I saw them briefly the other day from the carriage and want to examine them more closely.”

  “Leander, why don’t you escort Winifred to the roses. I would like to talk privately with Miss Shay for just a moment before she leaves.”

  “Of course.” Mr. Arlington reached down to offer Winifred help in getting to her feet.

  The girl blushed profusely but kept her head bent so that he might not see her reaction. Catherine thought it quite sweet and innocent and might have enjoyed the scene had it not been for the unnerving thought that Carter might expose her secrets.

  As Winifred got to her feet, Catherine quickly scrambled to hers as well. To her surprise, Carter stood even more quickly and took hold of her arm to steady her as she tried to arrange her skirts.

  Winifred paused and offered a sweet smile. “Catherine, I very much enjoyed seeing you. I wish you didn’t have to leave. I hope we’ll get another chance to talk soon.”

  Winifred’s words were so sincerely delivered that Catherine had no doubt the young woman had come to like her. Catherine nodded and tried to seem cordial as she pulled away from Carter’s touch.

  “I hope so too, Miss Danby.”

  “You promised to call me Winifred,” she reminded.

  “Winifred. I am sure we will visit very soon. I will need, after all, to have you in for a fitting.”

  “I’ll look forward to seeing you then.” Winifred turned and allowed herself to take hold of Leander’s arm.

  As they walked away, Catherine couldn’t help but think they made a nice couple. She hoped Winifred might find true love. If not with Mr. Arlington, then with someone who would cherish and respect her.

  “Do you really need to go, or are you simply afraid of talking to me?” Carter asked matter-of-factly.

  Catherine frowned. “I am expected, just as I said. I have no need to lie to you or anyone else.”

  “But you remain a woman of mystery, Miss Shaw. I feel there is something you want to remain hidden from me.”

  She met his gaze and instantly wished she had not. He had intrigued her five years ago, but now . . . now Catherine couldn’t deny the attraction she felt toward him.

  He moved closer and smiled. “Why should you fear my knowing you? To be honest, I am certain I’ve already made your acquaintance, and if that is true, then you must remember it too.

  Why should you not take pity on me and remind me of that place and time?”

  “Had we met, as you say, it could hardly have been all that memorable, since you cannot bring it to mind,” Catherine replied coolly. She fought to compose her emotions, but Carter moved closer and took hold of her gloved hand.

  “What does come to mind,” he said in a hushed tone, “is that you are not all that you pretend to be. Or perhaps it is that you are much more than you pretend to be. Is that it?”

  Catherine tried to pull her hand away, but he only grinned.

  “Release me, sir.”

  “Not until you tell me the truth.”

  “And what truth is that?” She felt her heart pounding so hard she was certain he could hear.

  “The truth, my dear Miss Shay, that we have met before.”

  Catherine considered his comment and nodded. “Then I can in truth reply that we have met before.”

  “Ha! I knew it.” He dropped his hold and slapped his thigh.

  “Now you must remind me of all the details.”

  Catherine turned to walk away. “The details are very few. I met you when you accompanied your mother and sister to Mrs. Clarkson’s, and then again when Winifred came to pick out her fabrics.”

  He came after her. “That’s not fair. That isn’t what I meant, and you know it.”

  “I know very little about what you might mean or not mean, Mr. Danby, for I simply do not know you.”

  With surprising speed, Carter Danby turned her in his arms, and for a moment Catherine thought he might pull her tight. She froze in place.

  “Then I mean to change that, Miss Shay, for I find you fascinating and quite beautiful.” He winked and released her. “I mean to change it very, very soon.”

  CHAPTER 9

  The very next day, Carter sat in Lee’s office and set his plan in motion. “Lee, I want to hire you to learn what you can about Miss Shay.”

  Lee leaned back in his chair and smiled. “I cannot imagine why you should want to know anything about her. She is, as she said, but a common worker. A seamstress.” He chuckled. “A seamstress who, as I hear it, designs gowns that every woman in Philadelphia wants to have. I thought her fascinating and can see why you do too.”

  “She is very talented and fascinating, but that aside, she is also—”

  “Very beautiful,” Leander interjected.

  Carter grinned. “That she is.”

  “Are you losing your heart at last?”

  Carter shrugged. “I might be. I know I find myself thinking of her at the strangest moments. Like the other day as I was looking over a house design, I found myself wondering if Catherine Shay might like such a place. She is, I believe, something more than she lets on. I feel confident we’ve met before, but I simply cannot remember the time or place.”

  “So what do we know of her?” Lee asked, taking up his pen.

  “She lives at Mrs. Clarkson’s sewing house. I believe her parents live there as well, although I’m not certain. When my mother and sister first went there, Winifred recalls something being said about the cook being Mrs. Shay.”

  Leander jotted down the information. “And she is obviously from England.”

  “Yes, but I have not yet heard her say which part of England she called home,” Carter admitted.

  “What else do we know?”

  “Very little,” Carter said, folding his arms. “Winifred adores her. She says Catherine Shay is the kind of woman she’d like to have for a friend. You know how much Winifred has been hurt in the past by some of her so-called friends. I think she sees Miss Shay as being cut from a different cloth—of having less pretense due to her station in life.”

  “Perhaps Winifred can learn more about her. They will, if I remember right, be spending some time together regarding a gown.”

  “That’s true. Winifred has already told me there will be several fittings before the gown is complete. Maybe I can even coax Mrs. Clarkson into allowing Catherine to have some time away from the shop in order to be a companion of sorts to Winifred. I know there are occasions Winifred would love to have her company. And maybe some of those times can include me as well,” he said with a grin.

  “In the meanwhile, I’ll do what I can to get information,”

  Leander promised. He put down the pen. “Is there anything else?”

  Carter laughed. “As a matter of fa
ct, there is. Remember our discussion about finding a good wife?”

  “Of course. My mother reminds me of such a quest as a matter of daily conversation. Why?”

  “Winifred.” Carter watched Lee’s face for any sign that might reveal his heart one way or the other. Instead, the poor man simply looked confused.

  “Winifred?”

  “My sister has come to greatly admire you, in case you haven’t noticed. Well, the fact is, I believe she has always admired you. I would dare to say those feelings are even stronger than mere admiration.”

  “But I’m ten years her senior. She’s but twenty years old.”

  “Is that your only concern?”

  Lee seemed to consider the question for a moment. “I suppose it is. I very much enjoyed our outing yesterday. Your sister is charming, albeit shy. She has a sense of grace and gentleness about her that I find . . . very appealing.” He paused and shrugged. “To be honest, I’ve grown to care deeply about her because she is your sister. But . . .” His voice fell silent.

  “But what?” Carter asked.

  “Lately I’ve begun to feel something entirely different for her. But knowing I’m much older, I put it aside.”

  “Age should not matter,” Carter stated matter-of-factly.

  “And that is all you have to say about it?”

  Carter laughed. “I don’t know why I’d not considered it before now. Winifred adores you, and if you find yourself capable of the same feelings, I cannot imagine a better match. I know you to be an honorable man who will not act as my brother and father, which would in turn break my sister’s heart.”

  “I should say not. I am quite fond of your sister and would never seek to hurt her. I suppose I always considered myself too old to be of interest to her.”

  “Yes, no doubt we shall very soon need canes and milk toast,”

  Carter said as he got to his feet. “I will do what I can to put the two of you together.”

  “What of your father?”

  “My father’s desire to force Winifred into a financially advantageous marriage is of concern. However, we can make arrangements to do things as a trio. This will give you time to explore your feelings and know my sister a little better.”

  “I suppose it would be to everyone’s benefit. But seriously, Carter, if we desire to marry, what then? Your father’s plan to sell her off to the highest bidder is hardly going to put me in his regard. I’m not a wealthy man, nor is my family wealthy.”

  “They have riches enough, and more important, you are socially accepted in every circle. But even so, we can worry about that another day. I need to get home. Don’t forget to check into Miss Shay’s background. I will pay you whatever you ask.”

  “Hmmm, maybe I will become a wealthy man after all,”

  Lee teased.

  Carter pulled on his hat. “Perhaps you shall.”

  Catherine’s image remained in Carter’s mind all the way home. He thought of her kindness to Winifred, her lack of pretense despite her awareness of his mother’s control over his sister. And, as Leander pointed out, she was beautiful. Her chocolate brown hair begged his touch, and her face was that of an angel.

  Joseph was there to meet him when Carter brought the carriage to a stop at the back of the house. The man said nothing, but his gaze flashed to the house and then back to Carter.

  Carter immediately understood. His mother’s shrill screeching could be heard all the way to the carriage house. Carter turned the horse over to Joseph, then went into the house through the kitchen. Seeing that Cook was nowhere in sight, he snagged a couple of cookies fresh from the oven before proceeding to his office. With any luck at all, he could avoid contact with his mother and father and leave them to their argument.

  But it was not to be. Just as he approached the door to his study, his father came striding down the hall.

  “I will not hear any more about it, woman. My affairs are none of your concern. You have a home and all the money you could possibly want. I owe you nothing more.”

  “You owe me respect and love,” his mother cried as she followed him.

  “Oh, Carter. I’m so glad you have come. I am so distraught.

  I have no hope left.” She held a lace-trimmed handkerchief to her mouth and sobbed.

  Carter’s father stopped directly in front of him. “I blame you in part for this. Were you not so adamant in your thoughts, you might persuade your mother to be less concerned about the affairs of men.”

  Wanting no part of the argument, Carter reached for the doorknob. “I’m certain I do not need to be included in this conversation.”

  “But you must be, Carter. Your father is buying a new house for that woman—his mistress. He not only shames me by flaunting his affair in taking her to the opera and other performances, but now he buys her a stylish house.”

  Carter turned his gaze from his mother’s reddened, tearstreaked face to his father’s angry stare and then back. “My thoughts on the matter will not change Father’s mind or yours. You, however, look quite distraught. Perhaps a rest would help you to better deal with this.”

  His mother fanned herself vigorously as though she might faint from lack of air. “Yes. I think you’re right. You are the only one who cares about my condition. I shall rest. Yes. That’s exactly what I shall do.” She hurried off in search of her maid, while Carter turned his attention back to his father.

  “Do not give me any of your comments on the matter,” his father said gruffly. “I do not need to be chastised by my child.”

  “Did I offer chastisement?” Carter felt such a deep disgust for his father that he turned and went into his office without another word. He hadn’t closed the door behind him, but he was certain his father would go on about his business. He was wrong.

  “I will not have you dismiss me in such a rude manner,” his father declared, coming into the office.

  Carter stood behind his desk and tried hard to thoroughly consider what his reply should be. He didn’t have a chance to speak, however. His father’s tirade continued.

  “What I do with my time is my business. I have worked hard to provide a fortune for this family. I have not deprived you of anything. Your mother has always had the best furniture, the best gowns, and the finest china. She wants for nothing yet torments me for indulging in my own pleasures.”

  “She wants you,” Carter replied. “You have given her everything

  ,” but yourself.”

  “She has everything of me that is important and necessary,” the older man countered. “She bears my name, which in and of itself commands respect.”

  “And what of love?” Carter asked, then watched his father’s face contort.

  “You speak as a woman might. ‘And what of love?’ ” he mocked in a falsetto voice. “You speak as though you were an authority, yet I do not see you leaving my house to marry and set up for yourself.”

  “Perhaps you will soon enough.”

  “You? Marry? You’re far too busy with your drawings.”

  Carter tried to control his temper. “I have no plans to marry at the moment, but I do have thoughts on setting up for myself.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Then perhaps your mother will not berate me day and night.”

  “She would not berate you if you would honor your marriage vows and remain with her alone,” Carter replied. “You and my brother make no effort to hide the fact you are taking other women to your beds, then struggle to understand why your wives should be heartbroken.”

  “Our mistresses are none of your concern,” his father retorted.

  “They become my concern when my mother is devastated and left to suffer, or when my brother storms the place looking for someone to kill his unborn child. It further concerns me when I learn that you have had a hand in killing my siblings.”

  His father actually appeared stunned by this comment. Carter didn’t care. “Has my brother not yet told you? Or are you merely surprised to learn that I know of such matters
?”

  “You are never to speak of such things again,” his father said in a low, menacing tone.

  “Why?” Carter asked sarcastically. “Will that make them not so?”

  His father slammed the desk with his fists and let out a curse.

  “You will not speak of it. Do you hear me? I will not have my life dictated to me. I will not seek your approval for the decisions I make. You have not had the decency to assist me in any way, yet you benefit from my efforts.”

  “As you benefited from my mother’s money.” Carter drew a deep breath. “Should not the wealth she brought you endear her even a little to your heart?”

  “Enough! I will hear nothing more of this. Nothing!” Elger Danby stormed across the room and paused at the door. His tone was slightly less irate, but barely. “Your mother will only suffer more if she makes this a matter of social concern. She must learn her place and stay in it. I will not change in my ways, so she must adapt. You would do well to help her see that.”

  “And how do you suppose I do that?”

  “I honestly don’t care, just see to it. If she dares to speak of this to her friends, I will make her pay.”

  With that he left, and Carter could only stare after him.

  CHAPTER 10

  The first of October brought Winifred Danby in for a bodice fitting. To Catherine’s great frustration, Carter once again accompanied his sister. Catherine tried to steel her nerves against anything he might say, but what she wasn’t prepared for was Winifred’s pleading.

  “While Carter speaks to Mrs. Clarkson, I wanted to ask you something,” Winifred began. “We have plans on Sunday to attend a musical performance, and I want you to come with us.”

  Catherine was fitting a sleeve to the bodice when Winifred made this announcement. Undone by the comment, Catherine very nearly put a straight pin right into the younger woman. “I couldn’t possibly come. Sunday is my only day off and I’ll have other things to do.”

  “But you must,” Winifred declared. “Carter has invited Leander

  “But I thought you liked Mr. Arlington,” Catherine said, trying hard to focus on the sleeve.