Love Everlasting

by Tracie Peterson

  Wade shook his head. “I don’t know how this will make a difference, but I’m game to try.”

  “That is sure one fancy dress.” Flora walked to the dressmaker’s dummy and Abrianna’s newly finished wedding ensemble. She fingered the lace overlay and shook her head. “Never seen a bustle that big or a train that long. Got to be about a thousand little pearls sewn in all that material.”

  Abrianna nodded. “So I’ve been told.” She came to where Flora was and gave a sigh. “It’s such an ostentatious gown. I cannot imagine any bride wanting to wear such a thing. Grief, but it’s ugly.”

  Flora nodded. “I was afraid to call it that. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  “It doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. It’s not the gown I wanted.” She pointed beneath the abominable overlay. “That’s the gown I prefer, the one I had planned to wear when I married Wade. If I had any real guts, I’d show up at the church wearing it alone.”

  Flora turned to her. “Abrianna, we’re no closer to figuring out how to get you out of this. I’ve looked over our notes, and I can’t see any way out.”

  “I know.” Her words rang with resignation. “I fear I’ve dug myself in too deep this time. Welby rarely leaves me a moment to myself, and when he’s not around, he’s having me watched.” Tears came to her eyes. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t even think clearly.”

  Flora hugged her. “We have to figure a way out. Don’t you think maybe we should get some help? You have a lot of folks who care deeply about you.”

  “And all of them are at risk. No, I can’t put this off on any of them. It’s bad enough that I’ve included you.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. Flora, too, looked as if she too might burst into tears. “We have to be strong, Flora. We have to continue to pray and listen for God’s direction. We don’t have many days left, but I have to hold fast to my belief that God will deliver me. Otherwise . . .”

  Flora looked at her and shook her head. “Otherwise what?”

  Abrianna drew a deep breath. “There is no otherwise. Flora, be a dear and leave me for a time. I’d like to sit here and pray.”

  “Of course. I have some chores to do, anyway.” She hurried to the door of the sewing room. “I’ll be praying all the time.” She stopped and shook her head. “Wade doesn’t hate you, Abrianna. I’m certain of that.”

  “Thank you. You are a good friend. Much better than I deserve.” Abrianna waited until Flora had gone before going to the door and locking it. She had no desire to answer anyone’s questions or to face her aunts.

  She returned to the wedding gown and ran her fingers down the sleeve. Then, without concern for Priam Welby’s feelings, she picked up a needle and thread. Next she retrieved a small stool and sat down beside the dressmaker’s dummy.

  She pushed aside the heavy overlay and lifted the hem of her original gown. Wade was the only man she would ever love. Welby would know that, too. If something didn’t happen to get her out of this mess, she would end up in a loveless marriage that would no doubt be the most difficult situation she’d ever faced. Welby was cruel and didn’t care how anyone else felt. He would inflict pain just to put her in her place and make certain Abrianna knew he was her master.

  With tender care, Abrianna began to stitch her initials into the hem of the satin gown. The embroidery was barely noticeable. She’d never been all that good at fancy work, but the needle seemed to glide in and out of the material as if held by divine hands. Once the A had been completed, Abrianna moved the needle over a space and added a W and then another A. Even if the stitches were spotted, she could declare them simply to be A for Abrianna and W for Welby rather than Abrianna and Wade Ackerman.

  She tied off the stitch with a knot and surveyed her work. At least this way, if all else failed and she was forced to marry Welby, she would have this reminder that Wade was truly the one she loved.

  Like I would ever need a reminder.

  “I told Mrs. Madison to send Flora to the carriage house apartment to find you,” Jay told Eloise Snyder. He looked to Wade. “Once she gets here, she’ll find out too late that we’re determined to get the truth out of her. Mrs. Madison was all for that.”

  Wade nodded. He’d snuck back onto the property, being very careful that no one had seen him. “Good. I intend to get to the bottom of it. If I know what’s going on, I’ll have a better chance of getting Abrianna to tell me everything. The party is tomorrow night, and I can’t very well wait any longer.”

  “She’ll talk,” Eloise replied. “I’ll see to that.” The determined look in the woman’s eyes made Wade glad he wasn’t the one about to face interrogation.

  “Aunt Eloise? Are you here?” Flora called out from the other side of the door.

  Eloise went to open it while Wade ducked out of sight. He heard the exchange and waited for just the right moment to reveal himself.

  “Hello, Mr. Cunningham. Aunt Eloise, Mrs. Madison sent me to find you.”

  “Sit down, Flora.” Eloise’s tone was quite firm.

  “What’s wrong?” the younger woman asked.

  “We need to have a talk.”

  “Did I do something wrong?” Flora asked, her voice quivering.

  Wade decided that was a good time to reveal himself. “You haven’t done anything wrong, Flora. I’m pretty sure you’ve been doing what you thought best for your friend, Abrianna.”

  The younger woman’s eyes grew wide, and a look of discomfort crossed her expression. Wade took the chair beside her and reached out to take hold of her hand. “I know Abrianna confides in you. I know, too, that you have probably sworn to keep all of her secrets. But, Flora, whatever secrets she’s keeping this time may very well backfire on her. You do realize this, don’t you?”

  For a moment Wade thought the girl would refuse to speak. She lowered her face and remained silent for the longest time. When she looked back up, there were tears in her eyes, and Wade felt confident she was ready to talk.

  “I know you don’t want to betray her, Flora. But keeping someone from making a mistake that might even cost them their life isn’t a betrayal—it’s a rescue and a loving act. I know you don’t want to see Abrianna married to Welby. None of us do.”

  She sniffed and nodded. Wade patted her hand. “So in order to keep that from happening, you have to tell me everything. Start at the beginning.”

  Flora looked to her aunt and Jay, as if for reassurance. Jay knelt down beside her. “Flora, we know Abrianna doesn’t love Welby. We’re pretty sure, too, that she wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for her thinking it was going to benefit somebody else—like me or Wade.”

  She nodded again and bit her lip. After another few minutes she spoke. “It’s truly horrible. I promised I would say nothing. She’ll never trust me again. She might even end our friendship, and I cannot bear that.”

  “She doesn’t need to know you said anything,” Wade replied. “If we work it right, Abrianna herself will be the one who ends up telling me everything. But it will be better if I know ahead of time what’s going on. That way, maybe I can get an idea of the needed solution.”

  Flora looked uncertain but eventually nodded. “All right. I’ll tell you.”

  “Of all the underhanded meanness,” Kolbein declared after Wade finished telling everything that Flora shared. “Welby ought to be strung up, not only for the killings he’s been responsible for, but for the torment he’s put poor Abrianna through.”

  “I know. By the time Flora had finished, I think all of us were so stunned, we hardly said two words.”

  “And to think she’s been carrying this around with her since your arrest.” Kolbein shook his head. “No doubt she thought it was something she could manipulate. That’s the trouble with Abrianna. She always thinks she’s bigger than any problem that can come her way.”

  “Not this time. Flora said Abrianna cries herself to sleep almost every night. I’m pretty sure she knows this won’t have an easy solution.”
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br />   “Tomorrow night we’ll find a way for you to be alone with her.” Kolbein glanced toward the door. “I don’t want Lenore to know all of this. She’ll just fret, and she’s still recovering.”

  “I agree. Lenore doesn’t need to know the details. However, I think she may be needed in order to get Abrianna separated from Welby.” Wade considered the matter a moment. “Maybe Lenore could be present at the party and then feign needing rest. She could ask Abrianna to help her upstairs.”

  “No. Everyone would know I wouldn’t leave Lenore to be helped by someone else.”

  “Perhaps you could be busy elsewhere. Maybe not even in the room at the time. In fact, your leaving could be Lenore’s signal.”

  Kolbein nodded. “That’s possible. But what’s to keep Welby from offering to help, as well?”

  “I suppose you’re right. What else could we do to get Abrianna to a more isolated part of the house without Welby at her side?”

  Kolbein sat down and smiled. “You know, we’re looking at this all wrong. Lenore is about to go into her confinement from society. Perhaps the baby is the angle we need to look at. Maybe Lenore could ask Abrianna to come see the nursery. Welby might ask to go along, but then I could approach with someone of value to him and interrupt the moment. You know, there is someone in town I think Welby would be itching to know. He’s an investor from Chicago and a friend. I could make certain Welby gets introduced and amply intrigued.”

  Wade nodded. “That just might work. Welby might be concerned about letting the two women be alone, but if the value of staying with you is greater, then there’s a good chance he’ll let Abrianna go.”

  Kolbein grinned. “I think we have a plan.”

  20

  I expect you to stay at my side throughout the evening.” Priam Welby helped Abrianna from the carriage and studied their surroundings. Lights shown from nearly every window in the Booth house, giving it a cheery appeal. Carriages lined the drive, and groomsmen and liverymen were being entertained under a large tent on the lawn. The entire estate spoke of wealth and good taste. He looked back to Abrianna. “Shall we go?”

  Abrianna took his arm, but with her free hand tightened her hold on the mantle she wore. “Don’t you think folks will find it strange that you are unwilling for me to visit with the ladies? After all, the men are certain to separate off to discuss politics, and you said there was to be some important investor here from Chicago. I can’t imagine he’ll wish to speak with you about your business ideas if I’m hanging on your arm.”

  Welby considered her words. She made a good point, but he feared leaving her alone. “And what’s to keep you from saying something about our situation to your friend Lenore?”

  “What’s stopped me all along?” she snapped. “It’s not that I haven’t had opportunity to speak to her or my aunts or anyone else.” She raised a hostile gaze and awaited his response. “You know me very well—at least you say you do. Had I wanted to, I could have managed to find where Wade went and talk to him, as well.”

  He let a slow smile spread across his face. “I suppose you’re right. The repercussions of your talking to the wrong person are quite sufficient. I tend to forget how much you care about the people you deem as loved ones. I’ve never felt that way about family or friends.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me,” Abrianna said as they began up the steps to the front door. “It’s a wonder your family would even have anything to do with you.”

  His grip on her arm tightened. “You would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself, Abrianna. My family is not a topic of discussion that I wish to share.”

  “If you keep tightening your hold, I’m bound to be black and blue. Given that this gown is sleeveless, the entire party will see your abuse and question it.”

  He loosened his hold. “Just remember what I’m capable of.”

  “Grief, but it would be impossible to forget.”

  The butler admitted them and announced their arrival. Kolbein Booth and his wife Lenore came forward in greeting.

  “Abrianna . . . Welby,” Booth said with a nod, “we are so glad you could come this evening. Lenore and I wouldn’t have felt right if we hadn’t given you a party.”

  “We are quite honored,” Welby replied. He looked to Abrianna. “Aren’t we, my dear?”

  “Yes.” Abrianna pasted on a smile. “Most honored.”

  Lenore stepped forward and embraced Abrianna. “You look wonderful, and that mantle is beautiful. Is it new?”

  Abrianna nodded. “It was a gift from Mr. Welby. He has arranged an entire wardrobe for me, but most of it is still being made.”

  “There were only so many seamstresses available,” he said with a chuckle. “But as I told those I could get my hands on, Mrs. Welby needs to be gowned according to her station.”

  He took the high-collared mantle from Abrianna’s shoulders, and Lenore gasped. Welby knew it was no doubt because of the lavish diamond and emerald necklace clasped around Abrianna’s neck. Of course it could also have been the rather low cut of Abrianna’s bodice. She hadn’t been pleased with the immodest arrangement and had insisted on covering herself with some sort of netting, which Welby had quickly cast aside earlier that evening in order to present her with the necklace. Her aunts had been horrified, and he found it all rather amusing.

  “Another gift?” she asked.

  Abrianna nodded. “Mr. Welby is quite generous.”

  “You’ll put the rest of us to shame, Welby.” Kolbein Booth’s tone was teasing, and Welby couldn’t help but enjoy the attention.

  “She is too beautiful to leave unadorned. I thought with that beautiful hair of hers, emeralds would be perfect, and I must say they are quite pleasing. Of course, sapphires would set off her eyes.” He gave Abrianna a hungry gaze. Her milky white skin seemed to glow against the glittering jewels and the stunning gown of ivory brocade and glistening gold tulle. To his surprise she produced a feathered fan and opened it to shield his eyes from the low neckline.

  “Abrianna, you look stunning,” Booth replied. “Come and meet our guests.” He took hold of his wife. “I think there are some people here you will be very happy to see.” He led the way into a side room that stretched the full length of the house.

  It was a grand room of beautiful paintings, plush furnishings, and numerous flower arrangements. Welby found it impressive, but even more so the people in attendance. The governor and several other well-known political figures stood near one of two fireplaces. Welby glanced around the room, wondering if anyone would have been foolish enough to invite Wade Ackerman. There was no sign of him anywhere in the city, but that didn’t make Welby relax his guard. He’d continued having Abrianna and the school watched twenty-four hours a day.

  “You have a beautiful home, Booth,” Welby offered.

  “Thank you, Mr. Welby. As I mentioned earlier, I have a friend here from Chicago who would love to meet you and hear your ideas for Seattle.”

  Welby nodded, quite pleased that someone was finally acknowledging his vision. Abrianna remained at his side in silence unless directly spoken to. She was all beauty and graciousness, and Welby felt a sense of pride in the way things were working out. It wouldn’t be long at all until he could laugh in the face of his father, proving what a fool the man had been.

  Abrianna knew the evening would be most difficult to endure. She was uncomfortable in the inappropriate gown and even more embarrassed at the gaudy necklace Welby forced her to wear. She’d tried to protest that the jewelry didn’t go well with the color of her gown, but he’d hear nothing of it. The man was without a doubt the most depraved and irritating man she’d ever encountered.

  Throughout the evening Abrianna kept her guard in place, fearful that at any given moment Lenore or Kolbein might see a chink in her armor. Lenore was no fool, and Abrianna knew that keeping her from the truth would be difficult. For that reason, Abrianna was almost glad that Welby refused to let her from his sight.

  They had been at the pa
rty for nearly an hour when Kolbein approached with a tall, distinguished-looking man at his side. He introduced the man as Samuel Albright, his friend and associate from Chicago.

  “I must say I’ve looked forward to meeting you,” the man greeted Welby. “I believe we have much in common, and since I have come to Seattle looking for ways to invest my money, I would very much enjoy a moment or two of your time.”

  “I’m happy to comply.” Welby looked like the cat who’d caught the mouse. He smiled and turned to Abrianna. “May I present my fiancée, Miss Cunningham.”

  “I am pleased to meet you, Miss Cunningham. I understand that you and Mrs. Booth are good friends.”

  She smiled at the blond-haired man. “Yes. Lenore and I have known each other since our girlhood.”

  As if speaking her name drew her to their side, Lenore appeared. “Mr. Welby, I wonder if I might impose. I would very much like to show Abrianna the new nursery. Might I steal her away for a few minutes?”

  Abrianna stiffened. She felt certain that Lenore was doing this to have a chance to speak privately. Welby looked momentarily uncomfortable, but it passed in a flash.

  “Of course. I’m sure she would love to see it and perhaps even get ideas for our home.”

  Heat flushed Abrianna’s face, causing her to look away. She could only pray that the onlookers thought it from embarrassment and not disgust.

  “Come, then.” Lenore took hold of Abrianna. “It’s the room just across the hall from our bedroom. I think you’ll be pleased with the progress we’ve made. Of course, I’ve had to arrange the final stages with the help of our staff. Kolbein refuses to let me do anything, although the doctor says I am quite mended.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Abrianna kept her thoughts closely guarded. “I’ve been most concerned and apologize for my absence. Welby keeps me quite busy with . . . well . . . with everything.” She gave a little laugh. “And I thought Aunt Miriam was good at busywork.”