by Bess McBride
“Uncovered legs?” Mrs. Sanford shook her head. “I would not think that acceptable anywhere except at the beach. Where are they now, Mr. O’Rourke?”
“I have acquired rooms for them at the Hotel Seattle. I am having Mr. Becker from my mother’s dress shop send his staff there to attend them this afternoon with some suitable clothing. I hope that given a few days’ rest, they can reclaim their bearings and find their way home. I am prepared to assist them in that endeavor…perhaps train fare back to Chicago. Whatever they need.”
“That is very generous of you, Mr. O’Rourke,” Mrs. Sanford said with a dubious look. “And if they can’t reclaim their…em…bearings? Will you have a physician attend them?”
Rory shook his head vehemently. “I cannot tolerate such a thought, Mrs. Sanford. He would certainly wish to admit them for observation. I really could not allow that.”
Mrs. Sanford tilted her head and eyed him with curiosity.
“I see,” she said. “How can I help?”
Rory, absentmindedly toying with his mother’s note, returned his attention to his housekeeper.
“I am not certain, Mrs. Sanford. When you told me of your nieces, it was as if you described the two women, so progressive are their behaviors and mannerisms.” He smiled crookedly. “I think I simply needed a confidante who might understand the young women in a way that I cannot. I do not believe I shall be discussing their origins with my mother, and most assuredly not with my father. I hope to consult with several ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs. Stephen Sadler and Mrs. Ellie Chamberlain, regarding the young women as they share some common mannerisms, but I just left Mrs. Sadler and Mrs. Chamberlain at the Sadlers’ lakeside residence in Montana, and they are not expected back in town in the near future.”
“I am not certain how I can be of assistance, Mr. O’Rourke, but if you wish me to supervise the clothing store’s attendance upon the young women today, I would be happy to help. As a young woman, I worked as a ladies’ maid.” She hesitated. “I might also be able to give you my thoughts on the…em…soundness of the young ladies? Respectfully, of course.”
Rory turned startled eyes on his housekeeper. “I had not thought of that. What a capital idea, Mrs. Sanford! Could you? I realize assisting the young women with their toilette is not within the purview of your employment and is better served by the housemaid, but I could not entrust a maid with this matter. I shall send you in the carriage at your convenience.”
“It is my pleasure, Mr. O’Rourke. I’ll just ensure that a small luncheon is set out for you and then I will leave.”
Rory held the door open for her and returned to his desk to review the rest of his correspondence, though his thoughts were often on a pair of dark brown eyes. He reached for paper and pen and wrote a quick note to Miss Annie St. John with an introduction for Mrs. Sanford. When the housekeeper brought him a tray of food, he handed her the note.
“I cannot thank you enough, Mrs. Sanford. I look forward to your thoughts upon your return.”
Following luncheon, Rory refreshed himself, changed his clothes and climbed into his Ford to make the three-and-a-half-mile journey to his mother’s house on Capitol Hill. He would have much preferred to have Joseph maneuver the carriage through the congestion of downtown Seattle, preferring his larger automobile for drives in the country—not an activity he had indulged in more than twice, as he was too often away from home.
The streets widened into boulevards on Capitol Hill, and he parked his car in front of his parents’ home on Residence Street. He climbed the steps of the large, ornate white house in the Italianate style, shaking his head as he always did at the ostentatious Doric columns fronting the house favored by his father.
“Rory!” His brother, Eddie, pulled open the door before Rory had a chance to ring the bell. Mr. Smith, the butler, greeted him from behind.
“Mr. Rory, it is good to see you,” the short, rotund man said as he took Rory’s hat.
“And you, Smith. I hope you are well?”
“Tolerably, sir. Thank you for asking.”
“When did you get back?” Eddie asked.
“Just this morning,” Rory said, wrapping an arm around his dark-haired, slender brother, who seemed to grow an inch every week. “I swear you have grown since I saw you only a few weeks ago.”
Rory and Eddie followed the butler across the large marble foyer toward their mother’s parlor.
“I know. Father keeps complaining about the cost of buying new trousers for me.”
Rory looked down, and indeed, Eddie’s trousers fell just a bit short of what was the standard.
“I am sure Mother will have you at the tailor’s in no time once she sees that suit. Even your arms seem to have grown past your sleeves.” Rory laughed.
Mr. Smith opened the door to the parlor, and Rory and Eddie stepped into a room softly lit by the natural sunlight which filtered in through a large picture window. Gilt-edged chairs in a delicate flower print and a matching sofa faced the marble fireplace. Their dainty mother, a picture in a peach dress, rose from a small cherry wood desk positioned in a corner of the room.
“Rory! You are home!” She moved forward to accept Rory’s kiss on her cheek. Rory thought, irrelevantly, that his mother and Miss Annie St. John seemed to be similar in stature.
“I just arrived this morning, Mother. I hope nothing is amiss? You sent a note that you wished to see me?”
His mother tossed her still-dark hair and shot a quick look in Eddie’s direction. “Did I, dear? I must have sent that some time ago, for I hardly remember it. And why should a mother not wish to see her son? Especially an errant son who is away for months on end.”
She took a seat on the sofa. “Come! Sit down. Smith will bring us some tea. Eddie, I thought you were going to play tennis this afternoon.”
Eddie, who had taken a seat in one of the chairs, rose quickly. “Oh, yes, I am! I do wish to stay and visit with Rory, but I am committed. I was just going to change when you arrived.” He patted Rory on the shoulder as he passed.
“Tennis? I cannot imagine,” Rory murmured with a smile. “Are you playing with the university?”
“Yes, I am,” Eddie replied. “You must come photograph us some time.”
“I will,” Rory said. Eddie waved and left the room at the same time that Smith arrived with tea.
“Thank you, Smith. I will pour,” Mrs. O’Rourke said. She poured a cup for herself and one for Rory. Rory studied his mother carefully, but she seemed to be in good health. Comforted that she remained so, he reverted to his earlier speculation that she was on a matchmaking scheme. Eddie, still considered young for marriage, had no idea how fortunate he was, but his time would soon come.
He accepted the tea and waited. His mother had clearly desired Eddie’s absence, and now that he was gone, she had no further need to stall, but she appeared content to sip her tea and inquire about his recent trip to Montana. He chatted with her briefly regarding his stay.
“Well, Mother, Eddie has been gone these past fifteen minutes. Your note, which you so brazenly denied having sent, indicated you had news of importance to share with me. I am waiting.”
His mother’s cheeks took on a pink tinge, and she set her cup and saucer down with an unsteady hand.
“I am sure there is no other way to say this, so I will just blurt it out. I have asked your father for a divorce.”
Rory drew in a sharp breath. A tear slipped down his mother’s face, and then two. He rose swiftly and came to sit beside her on the sofa, taking her into his arms, and not for the first time on the subject of his father. At his touch, she started to cry in earnest, and he brought out his handkerchief.
“Thank you, dear,” she sobbed as she pressed the cloth to her face. Within minutes, she managed to draw in a ragged breath and mopped her face.
“I must look a fright,” she said, straightening and reaching for her hair.
“Not at all, Mother,” Rory said gallantly. “Was it very bad? Your discu
ssion with Father? I cannot imagine.”
She shrugged. “Not as awful as I expected. He was more upset about having to remove to a hotel than he was about my demand, I think.”
“So, you have asked him to leave.” Rory felt no sympathy for his father. He had been an unfaithful husband for as long as Rory could remember.
“Yes. He has already packed some things and taken them to the hotel. Eddie does not know yet. I am not at all certain how he will take the news.”
“Eddie will be fine. He may be shocked initially that you have requested a divorce, but he is not unaware of our father’s…ways.”
“I am humiliated that he should have known about your father’s philandering. It is bad enough that I cried on your shoulder a time or two over the past few years, but I had hoped Eddie would not know.”
“My father has made little secret of his activities, Mother. Eddie is not obtuse.”
“No, of course not.” She dabbed at her eyes again and took a sip of tea.
“Where has Father gone?”
“To the Hotel Seattle, I believe.” Her face darkened. “I think he is not unfamiliar with the rooms there.”
Rory gritted his teeth. Of all the hotels his father must remove to…
He pushed the thought aside and returned his attention to his mother’s plight.
“How can I help, Mother?”
“There is nothing you can do, Rory, thank you. Your fidelity means a great deal to me. I needed to tell you of my decision, though.”
“Do you have an attorney? Can I arrange that for you?”
“No, thank you. You would be surprised, but I have busied myself with the prospect of divorce for some time. I have managed to secure legal counsel and some money of my own lest your father cut me off, though I do not think he will. My attorney will sue for the house, maintenance and staff costs, Eddie’s education and something for me to live on. I shall be right as rain.”
Rory almost smiled at the faint Irish lilt in her last words—a legacy from her immigrant Irish parents, who had passed away only two years prior. She had once told him that his father’s English-Irish family had always felt he married beneath him, which is why he had never met them. He had spent considerable time in Ireland on photographic assignments, often staying with his mother’s extended family in the north while there.
“I do believe you will, Mother. At the risk of sounding like the most undutiful son, I must say that I am pleased with your decision, and I applaud your courage.”
“Thank you, son. My parents would roll over in the graves if they knew. It is fortunate divorce is not prohibited in our family—otherwise, I should be stuck with the man forever.”
Rory permitted himself a chuckle, and his mother’s face lightened.
“When will you tell Eddie?”
“I suppose I must tell him soon. Could you be here when I do?”
“Certainly, Mother. If you like, I could tell him in advance—let him absorb the shock and any untoward reactions before you speak to him.” Rory checked his pocket watch.
“Would you?” his mother asked hopefully. “I confess I wished that you would. I could not bear it if Eddie were angry with me.”
“I shall take care of it the day after tomorrow, first thing.” Rory checked his watch again. “I must return to the house now. Will you be all right?”
“Yes, of course. I have been alone here many times before. Your father’s absence will hardly be noted.”
Rory rose and planted a kiss on top of his mother’s head.
“I am proud of you, Mother. Know that,” he said.
His mother followed him to the parlor door. “Thank you, Rory. That is all I could have ever hoped for.”
“I shall see you in two days. Advise Eddie I will visit him at ten o’clock in the morning.” He checked his watch again, wondering how Mrs. Sanford was faring, wondering how Annie and her sister were faring.
“You have checked your pocket watch three times in the last five minutes, Rory. Are you late for an appointment?”
“Not exactly, Mother. Not exactly.”
Chapter Five
Annie opened the door a crack to see a tall, slender, gray-haired woman in a dark dress and a nondescript hat.
“Yes?” she said. Marie hovered behind the door, still eating food from the lunch delivered by a young waiter.
“Miss St. John?” the woman asked. “I am Mrs. Sanford. Mr. O’Rourke sent me. Here is a message from him.” She offered a folded piece of paper.
Annie took the paper and scanned it quickly, noting Rory’s handwriting was large and elegant.
Miss St. John,
This is my housekeeper, Mrs. Sanford, who has kindly offered to look after you this afternoon while you are attended by the staff of Becker’s Ladies Wear. Mrs. Sanford knows of our meeting, so you may speak freely with her, but I urge you to be more circumspect with the salesgirls from Becker’s.
I shall be pleased to collect you and Miss Marie at eight o’clock for dinner in the hotel.
Yours,
Harold O’Rourke, Jr.
Annie pulled the door wide. “I apologize for leaving you standing out there, Mrs. Sanford. Come on in.”
Mrs. Sanford entered and scanned the room. She turned and noted Marie behind the door as Annie shut it. Her eyes ran up and down their bodies without comment, almost as if she expected to see them dressed as they were. Annie wondered how much Rory had disclosed.
“Miss Annie St. John?” she asked, looking at her.
“Yes, I’m Annie, and this is my sister, Marie.”
“I am Mr. O’Rourke’s housekeeper. He was worried about you, and I offered to come and see after you while Mr. Becker’s people attend to your clothing necessities.” She appraised the room quickly. “I see you have eaten lunch. Do you require anything else from the restaurant? Was your meal satisfactory?”
“It was great!” Marie said with her mouth partially full of bread. “So, who are ‘Mr. Becker’s people?’”
“I think that’s the clothing store that Rory is having come by,” Annie said. “You can stop hiding by the door now, Marie. It’s closed, so you’re in full view now.” She grinned as her sister slipped past Mrs. Sanford with a wary glance and took a seat on the sofa.
“Would you like to sit down, Mrs. Sanford? Can we offer you some tea? I think there’s an extra cup here.” Annie reached for the teapot.
“Yes, thank you, that would be lovely. I am not used to riding in the carriage that Mr. O’Rourke so kindly offered me, and I admit to feeling a bit jostled.” She took a seat on the sofa near Marie.
“I know what you mean. I’d never been in a carriage before this morning,” Annie murmured. “Mr. O’Rourke says he told you of our…meeting?”
Mrs. Sanford removed her hat and it down on a side table, along with a small purse. She accepted a cup of tea.
“Yes, he did,” she said, but offered nothing more.
Annie had the distinct impression she was assessing them, much like a psychiatrist would. She shot a warning glance to Marie but didn’t get the impression her sister understood her message. She wasn’t even sure what she was trying to say. Be careful? Watch what you say? She’ll tell Rory?
“Let me guess,” Annie said. “Mr. O’Rourke asked you to give him your impression of us? Whether we’re a bit off our rockers?”
Mrs. Sanford colored, but her lips twitched. “I see why he finds you so fascinating.”
Annie blinked. Fascinating?
“Yes, Mr. O’Rourke mentioned you two feel you have come from a different time, from the future. Is that correct? Or is Mr. O’Rourke the one who is ‘off his rocker?’”
Annie and Marie laughed.
“No, he seems pretty sane to me,” Marie piped in. “But I know he thinks we’re bonkers. And maybe we are.”
Annie took a seat on one of the damask-covered occasional chairs.
“Would you happen to know when these people are coming, Mrs. Sanford? I have to tell you,
Marie and I have never worn anything like the clothes we’ve seen over the past few hours since our arrival. I’m worried that the clothing store people will suspect something.”
“I understand, Miss St. John. I am not sure when they will arrive, but I will stay until they do. I have given the matter some thought, and I think the best approach would be for me to help you and Miss Marie dress in the other room, which appears to be a bedroom. The salesgirls can remain here in the sitting room, and I’ll appoint myself a liaison to act between you.”
“Call me Annie. Thank you, Mrs. Sanford. I feel like we’re imposing.”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Sanford said. “Mr. O’Rourke wished to see you comfortable and at ease.”
“Is he…is he at home now?” Annie asked, wishing in some strange way that he had stayed. What he was supposed to do while they dressed was beyond her.
“No, he had lunch and then went to visit with his mother.”
“Oh!” Annie said.
“What’s she like?” Marie said, snagging the last bread roll from the tray.
“Mrs. O’Rourke?” Mrs. Sanford hesitated, and Annie suspected Marie’s question exceeded the housekeeper’s comfort level. To her surprise, Mrs. Sanford answered.
“Mrs. O’Rourke is a lovely woman. I do not know her well, though. She is small, dainty and dark-haired like her sons. They favor her except in height, which they must have acquired from their father. She seems very lively, very kind. Her family is Irish, I believe as is Mr. O’Rourke’s father.”
“Aw, she sounds cute!” Marie said.
Mrs. Sanford quirked an eyebrow but smiled. “Yes, one might say that.”
Annie eyed Mrs. Sanford speculatively. “Mrs. Sanford, I wonder if I could ask you a question.”
“Yes?”
“You may or may not know, but Marie and I don’t have any money. Our purses were…lost, and I’m not sure we’ll ever find them. We can’t possibly stay in this expensive hotel.” Annie made an expansive gesture toward the room in general. “Mr. O’Rourke mentioned boarding houses or rooming houses? Where women could stay? I was wondering if you knew of any.”