“Packed or not packed, it didn’t matter. Do you forget that most of mine floated away, too? Yours actually fared better still hanging on the rods.”
Constance fluttered like a butterfly as she collapsed onto her berth. “All that hard work, nothing but a soggy mess. And I only have you to blame.”
“Me? You blame me for what happened, as if I control the rain?”
“Why not? You favor Lucy and the other girls. I don’t know why you have it out for me.”
“I don’t dislike any of you. Lucy and I sleep next to each other, that’s all. And she’s helpful to me.” Her headache ratcheted up several notches.
“And she’s helpful to me.” Constance spoke in a singsong manner.
Lucy stood. “That’s enough. Ellen’s not done anything to you. Leave her be. If you’d get to work, you could finish a few repairs before we get to Geneseo.”
“I’m worn out. All that work I did on my own exhausted me. I need to take it easy. Maybe go to the pie car to unwind.”
Ellen crushed the delicate velvet in her fist. She forced herself to relax her fingers. “We’re all going to have to work extra-long hours and help each other in order to get this done. That includes you, Constance.”
“Me? How about you? The way you order everyone about, like you’ve worked here forever instead of a few weeks.”
“Ladies.” The sharp male voice startled Ellen. In an instant, the Alvena, the women’s sleeping car, fell silent.
She looked up to find the trainmaster in the doorway, a steaming cup of something in his hand.
“I knocked several times, but I suppose you didn’t hear me with all the shouting. What’s the matter?”
Ellen came to her feet, a wave of dizziness swirling around her. As the train lurched, she reached for the berth to balance herself.
Within seconds, Will was at her side. “What’s wrong?” He steadied her, the warmth of his hand seeping through her cotton shirtwaist’s sleeve.
“I’m fine.” The car came back into focus. “Just a tiny dizzy spell.”
“You need to be careful. That was a nasty bump on the head.”
She stared into his hazel eyes and couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“She’s fine.” Constance’s high-pitched voice grated in Ellen’s ears. “It’s just like her to play up a little injury to her own advantage.”
“I brought you some tea. Chamomile. My mother swore by it.” Will handed her the cup.
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“What, no tea for the rest of us? Is it only Ellen who’s special?” Constance’s voice grated on Ellen’s nerves.
“If you want to knock yourself unconscious, I’ll be happy to make you some.”
How could he be so gracious? All Ellen wanted to do was to light into Constance like she’d seen her brother do to the schoolyard bully.
She rubbed her temple. “I do have a headache.”
Will turned his back to Constance. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to get the trunks loaded on time. That storm came up fast.”
“It’s not your fault. You had no idea—none of us did—that the dressing tent would turn into a lake.”
“Did you lose much?”
“Quite a bit, I’m afraid. I hope Geneseo is a large enough town that I’ll be able to buy a good deal of what I need there.”
“From what I remember, it is.”
“You’ve been there before?”
He nodded.
“How long have you been with the circus?”
“Born and bred.”
“Impressive. It’s quite the life.”
“I don’t know anything else.” He nodded at her, a bit of a frown marring his handsome, angular face. “Well, it will be an early morning yet again, so I’ll leave you to get some sleep. Good night.”
He strode away, needing just three long steps to reach the end of the car.
“What was that all about?” Lucy returned to her position next to Ellen.
“I have no idea. Why would the trainmaster check up on the humble wardrobe mistress?”
“Exactly my question.” Constance glared at Ellen. “Watch that you don’t get too big for your britches. Oh, but you already are.”
Chapter Three
Hurry up, Lucy. We’re already running late.” The wind whipped Ellen’s skirts around her ankles as she exited the Alvena. Good thing she’d pinned her hat well.
Lucy answered from inside. “Shouldn’t we wait for Constance?”
“She only just got up. With our late arrival, we don’t have much time to shop before we have to be back. She can meet us in town.” Ellen didn’t know what time she heard Constance return to the Alvena last night. Late, for sure. For someone who complained about being exhausted, she didn’t get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Ellen descended the stairs and waited for Lucy beside the tracks. She watched as Will ordered the train’s unloading. The process moved with precision and a great deal of order. First, the cookhouse wagon came off. The thought of breakfast tickled her stomach, but they didn’t have time to wait for the dining tent to be set up and the meal prepared. Will hooked the horses to pull off the menagerie wagons next, the lions and tigers roaring in their cages, the bears pacing, the hippos yawning.
At last, still pinning her red velvet hat in place, Lucy hustled to join Ellen. “Leaving Constance behind won’t make her happy.”
A headache niggled at Ellen’s temples. “That can’t be helped. If she wouldn’t have stayed so late in the pie car, she would be ready to come with us. As it is, I don’t know how we’ll get everything done before the first show. Or if the costumes hung on the lines this morning will dry in time for the afternoon performance.”
“At least this lot looks high and water-free.”
“I suppose we should be thankful for small blessings.”
A short but breathless walk brought them into view of the town. Brick buildings lined the wide main street. At the very end of it, a church’s steeple rose into the blue sky. “Good. Will was right. This town is big enough for us to find much of what we need. Do you have your list?”
Lucy held up the piece of paper she and Ellen had labored over the night before. “And here’s the milliner.”
Through the clean window, Ellen spied a wide array of hats, many adorned with enough feathers to cover a bird. She pressed against the glass. “Perfect. I see chiffon and velvet. And look, this one even has a few spangles. We might clean the woman out of her inventory, but we’ll be able to check a good number of items off that list. Meet me in the telegraph office when you’re finished.”
The bell above the shop’s door tinkled as Lucy entered. A walk of another block brought Ellen to the general store. This shop’s window boasted boots and shoes, several pieces of crockery, and three ready-made dresses.
She visited several mercantiles that sold similar items, managing to purchase a number of gowns in royal blue, dark purple, and cream with red trim that would do well for the grand triumphal pageant at the beginning of the show. Much to her surprise, she managed to procure a few bolts of silk and velvet. Her last stop would be the telegraph office to place an order with her supplier for the items they couldn’t find. She had to meet up with Lucy to see if she had any success.
Though the proprietors offered to deliver the goods, she didn’t want to take any chance with the premade dresses getting crushed, so she had them wrapped. By the time she left the last store, she couldn’t see over the top of the boxes. She peered around the side of the stack to navigate the couple of steps. The townspeople and the excursionists from the outlying areas jammed the edge of the street, waiting for the parade to begin.
She had to hurry, but in addition to not being able to see, she couldn’t remember which way she came. Her head pounded worse than ever as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Did she turn left or right? She didn’t even know if she’d remember the shop if she stumbled on it.
Boston was much bigger than t
his, but she’d never felt so lost in all of her life.
She couldn’t very well stand in front of the shop the rest of the day. Choosing to turn right, she struck out. Please, Lord, let this be the correct way.
Whoomp. She ran straight into something solid.
She peered around the boxes. Correction. Someone solid.
“Pardon me, ma’am. I’m so sorry.” Will reached around the stack of boxes to steady the woman he ran into, then peered over the edge. “Miss Meyer. What a surprise.”
“Oh, Mr. Jorgensen. It’s all my fault. I thought I could carry these boxes and see and find my way to the train, but I can’t.” Her frenetic words spilled over each other.
He relieved her of the entire lot. “I should have been watching where I was going. My apologies. Where are you headed?”
“To find Miss Hanson at the telegraph office.”
“Allow me to escort you there.”
“Really, there isn’t any need. If you could point me in the right direction, that would be helpful.”
“I insist.”
She flashed him a dimpled smile he hadn’t noticed before. Today, her hair was pinned under her hat. He liked it better yesterday, when her curls dropped over her shoulders.
“What are you doing in town, Mr. Jorgensen? You must be very busy.”
“Everything’s in place, so I have a break before we have to start loading.” He didn’t dare tell her he hoped he’d run into her. “Looks like we’ll have a good crowd.”
“Which is why I need to hurry. Already I’ve missed getting the performers ready for the parade.”
“You have capable assistants. Harriet Riley was proud of her staff.”
“Even of Miss Hefner?” Her face flushed. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t kind.”
How did he explain Constance to Miss Meyer? Could he tell her she’d targeted almost every male star and officer with the show in the five years since she’d joined the staff? “She’s a bit of a handful.”
“And I’m younger than her. I’m sure Mrs. Riley kept her under better control.”
“You’re doing fine. Be firm but kind. And put your foot down when you need to. You must be a talented seamstress to be wardrobe mistress already.”
More red suffused her face. “I worked hard to get out of Boston to escape my family’s poverty and make a better life for myself. And them.”
“I think Constance is envious. This is her fifth season.”
“That makes sense. She thought the position should be hers. Maybe it should be. I don’t have much experience with this kind of life.”
“I’ve heard no complaints about you. Well, withstanding the one.”
She bit her lip. “I can’t lose this position. My family depends on the money I send them to survive. What would I do if the Ringling brothers fired me?”
“Don’t worry. Keep doing your job, and you’ll be fine.” He told himself the same thing every day.
She nodded, the feather on her hat bobbing in time. “Thank you.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I still have a rather bad headache. And I didn’t sleep much. Every time I rolled over, I bumped my bump.” She giggled, the sound reminding him of his mother’s laugh.
He didn’t want her to stop. “You should take the day off and rest. I’m sure your staff can manage without you.”
“Because the rain ruined so much, there’s a pile of work. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
They met up with Miss Hanson at the telegraph office, and the women placed their order. They wriggled out of town as the parade stepped off, led by the large band chariot, covered in carvings of lions and gargoyles and hauled by eight white horses.
More than once, Will slowed his pace so the women didn’t fall behind. Still, they huffed and puffed by the time the train and lot came into sight. Multitudes of colorful flags waved on top of the numerous tents scattered about the grounds. How could he grow tired of the sight? “To the ladies’ dressing room, I assume?”
Miss Meyer reached for the top box. “We can take it from here. Thank you.”
He turned to leave when Constance called to him. “Will, oh Will, there you are.” She flounced over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. “The most terrible, awful thing has happened.”
Chapter Four
Constance grasped Will around the waist almost tight enough to squeeze his breakfast out of him. “The most terrible thing has happened.”
He stared down at her chalky face. “What is it?”
“I’ve been robbed.”
Beside him, Lucy muffled a cry, and Ellen gasped.
He cleared his throat. “What happened?”
“While I searched the grounds for Ellen, who went off without me, someone spilled my trunk, took my satchel with all my money, and even found the secret drawer and stole my grandmother’s cameo.” Constance wiped away a lone tear. “She gave it to me because I was her most special grandchild. There’s no way to replace it.”
Ellen shook her head. “Was anything else taken?”
Constance let go of him and turned to her. “No, not a thing. Just my belongings. My dresses, stockings, and unmentionables are strewn about the car.” She touched her flaming cheek. “But I shouldn’t be talking about such things in a man’s presence.”
“Let’s take a look.” Not that he wanted to be involved, but Constance needed help.
“Shouldn’t we go to the police?” She leaned against him. “I’m so afraid. Someone has it out for me, I know it. I want them arrested and jailed for a long time.”
Will pushed her from him and led the way to the Alvena. “How do you know they targeted you? It might have been a random act.”
“It had to be one of the girls from my car. Someone who watched me take out my grandmother’s cameo. Who else would have known about the secret compartment?”
“The robber might have gotten lucky. Could be a smart fellow who figured it out. Everyone knows most trunks have a hidden drawer.” The entire affair left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Mr. Ringling wouldn’t appreciate this brouhaha.
The women confirmed everyone in the compartment was decent before he stepped in. The girls had made their living quarters bright and cheery, covering the walls with rose-flecked wallpaper and hanging pink curtains.
Constance’s description of the scene proved accurate. The worn trunk gaped open. Dresses and shoes littered the floor. The drawer he presumed to be the hidden one lay on the bunk Ellen had sat on last night.
“Who was in here when you left? Did you see anyone entering?”
“I—I don’t know. I’m too upset to think. This is the most terrible thing ever to happen to me. What am I going to do? I have no money. And no mementos from my grandmother. This is the worst day of my life.” She sniffled.
Will wiped his damp forehead with his handkerchief. “I suppose we’ll have to get law enforcement involved.”
Ellen bent down. “Let me help you fold these things and put them away.”
Will reached out to stop her. “No.”
She startled at the abruptness of his voice.
“I’m sorry. You’re only trying to be helpful, but the police will want to view the scene the way we found it. That might help them in their investigation.”
Ellen stood. “Oh, I never thought about that. You’re right, of course.”
“In the meantime, keep everyone out. I’ll be back as soon as possible. With the crowds in town and the parade going on, it may take a bit of time to find the sheriff.” What a chore stretched in front of him.
Ellen nodded. “We have a show to get ready for. We’re behind schedule.”
“You’re sure you’re up to this? You look a little peaked.”
“Nothing that’s going to prevent me from doing my work.” She rubbed her temple.
“Will, please don’t leave me. I’m too afraid to be alone.” Constance’s hand trembled as she touched his forearm.
He backed away. “Y
ou won’t be alone. The ladies’ dressing room will be loaded with women.”
“One of whom stole my most precious possession. I can’t trust them.”
“If you want this resolved, I have to find the sheriff.”
He made his escape and hurried back in the direction he’d come. A robbery among the close-knit circus family didn’t happen often. He should feel unsettled, and he did. But why did he break out in goose bumps every time he thought about Constance?
Ellen, the seamstresses, and the wardrobe assistants busied themselves preparing for the show. As many women as Ellen could do without sat at their sewing machines, the needles whipping up and down. For today’s shows, they would have to make do with what they’d salvaged. At least they’d purchased a few ready-made gowns.
But the hum in the tent didn’t come from women busy at work. Gossip swirled under the canvas.
“Who could have done it?”
“What a terrible thing.”
“I hope they catch the culprit soon.”
As Ellen dressed Polly, the fat lady, Lucy worked beside her, mending a tear in the midget’s tiny costume. “This whole business turns my stomach. I don’t understand how someone could do such a thing.”
Ellen’s own stomach churned. “I don’t want to believe it was anyone from this department. We get along so well.”
Lucy nodded in Constance’s direction. She stood in the corner, wringing her hands.
Ellen grimaced. “Do you think it’s possible someone did this to get back at her?”
“Don’t you?”
Ellen didn’t know. She trembled a little as she tugged the voluminous gown over Polly. “Maybe you’re right. I hate to think that’s the case.”
The women finished their work and sent the two sideshow performers to their jobs. Ellen rummaged through the trunk holding some of the accessories for the main show acts. “Did the acrobats’ leotards dry?”
“Here they are.”
Ellen almost fell backward at the sound of Lucy’s voice behind her.
“You’re jumpy.”
“I can’t put my finger on it.” Ellen glanced at each woman in the tent. “I’m not scared, but I guess I’m uneasy.”
The Rails to Love Romance Collection Page 54