Code Redhead - A Serial Novel

by Sharon Kleve

  Mary bustled about the room, gathering up clothing and folding it to be put away in the dark walnut wardrobe standing against one wall.

  “I suppose there’s no avoiding it now, eh, Mary?”

  The young woman nodded, giving her a quick wink. “There’s sure to be a crowd of young men down there today. You must have made a wonderful impression last night at the ball. Mrs. Armstead’s been fluttering about all morning as flowers arrive for you.”

  “I’ll go down and take a look,” Tatiana said, opening the door. “And Mary, after the visits, I want you and the other maids to take some of the flowers to your rooms in the attic. It seems like such a waste to leave them in the vestibule.”

  Mary bobbed a curtsy and a smile crossed her face. “That’s very kind of you, Miss.”

  Tatiana left the room then paused to stand at the top of the stairs to enjoy the fragrance of the flowers arranged below. The air was redolent with the scent of hothouse roses, camellias, and peonies. She leaned forward to take a peek at the gathered bouquets. It was an impressive display and she should be grateful so many men considered her worthy of such extravagance.

  Yet, it wasn’t her they were trying to impress, was it? It was a show as obvious as the peacocks strut to woo his lady-love and demonstrate to other potential mates his worth. She supposed the more grandiose the floral display, the more ardor the man who sent them was trying to express.

  Except that last night she’d barely had any conversation with the gentlemen she was introduced to, one after the other. Eager mothers dragged their sons to her aunt, besieged her with requests for an introduction and after a few polite words between the young man and Tatiana, they went off to meet the next heiress.

  For she wasn’t the only prize displayed for viewing last night. There were young women of various ages, backgrounds and financial status. Of course, any member of a Knickerbocker family with an inheritance quickly shot to the top of the list of marriageable candidates.

  She slowly descended the stairs and nodded at their housekeeper, Mrs. Armstead. The woman was garbed in black, as usual. Her thin face broke into a smile as she greeted Tatiana.

  “Quite a display, eh Miss Tatiana?”

  Tatiana realized that in addition to making sure the high tea was planned for today, the woman had dealt with the extra burden of arranging all the flowers in the vestibule.

  “This is lovely, and I appreciate the extra work you’ve been saddled with today. I hope you’ve had sufficient help.”

  Mrs. Armstead waved away her concern with a smile.

  Mary had told Tatiana she was actually an unusual employer, since she often spoke to the servants, inquired about their families and was genuinely interested in them and their lives.

  Aunt Olivia warned her that a husband might not approve of such behavior. A woman was expected to manage the household and a cadre of servants, but becoming too familiar with those who worked for her was considered unacceptable.

  So many rules, Tatiana thought. All for silly reasons to maintain status and a hierarchy as starched and stiff as a man’s collar. All foolish, as far as Tatiana was concerned. She spent more hours in the company of Mary, her maid, Mrs. Armstead and Hastings, their butler, than she did any friends or acquaintances.

  “Your aunt is in the parlor. She’s been asking for you nearly half an hour now.” Mrs. Armstead glanced in the direction of the large room on their right. “Got herself in a bit of a state worrying about today.” The woman stiffened and lifted her chin. “As if I can’t handle a few callers on an at home day. I might not have done it recently, but I haven’t forgotten how the Langdon’s entertain.”

  Elsa Armstead had been hired by her mother long before Tatiana was born. She and Hastings, their butler, were as much family as her aunt and several distant cousins.

  In fact, when it came to the distant cousins, Tatiana knew far more about their servants’ problems, concerns and joys. She didn’t have much family, but she certainly valued the people who lived in their home and took care of them.

  She didn’t understand all the silly rules of etiquette, and quite honestly she often wished she could ignore them. It was such a bother to remember why she could speak directly to one person and then should ignore another.

  She bristled as she stood in the doorway of the parlor. Her aunt had lectured her in the carriage last night about conducting a conversation with Mr. Barclay without being properly introduced. Tatiana had wanted to laugh at the foolishness, as if carrying on a conversation in a public place with people standing all around them was tantamount to slinking off together to a dark corner to exchange kisses.

  She blushed again and nibbled at her lower lip. For some reason today, the recollection of speaking with Mr. Merritt Barclay led her thoughts directly to the idea of kissing. It was truly vexing!

  “Ah, finally. Let me make sure you’re presentable, Ana.” Her aunt stood and crossed the room to examine her as if she was a prized poodle. “I much prefer your hair arranged in this way. All those curls wildly falling down your back last night was nearly hedonistic. You should be careful not to highlight that unfortunate hue.” Her lips thinned. “It is your least attractive attribute, my dear.”

  Tatiana swallowed a sharp retort. She knew her aunt didn’t mean to be hurtful, but since assuming responsibility for her niece, she’d become rather harsh and severe. Of course she was sympathetic at first when her father was murdered, but as their mourning period went on, Aunt Olivia had dressed more starkly and initiated a bleak daily schedule for both of them.

  Their lives at Chemsworth became a ritual of attending church, sometimes for morning prayer and then again for Evensong. Tatiana never complained, as she enjoyed the beauty of the choir singing, enjoyed reflecting about the lessons presented and basked in the beauty of their church. It was a rare opportunity to visit with neighbors and see someone besides her aunt and the servants.

  As the months of mourning came to a close, her aunt began to make plans for moving to their townhouse in New York City for the winter season. She insisted after spending the Christmas holiday at Chemsworth, still a bleak affair in their house of partial mourning, they’d depart for New York.

  Tatiana crossed the room to stand in front of the fireplace. Her aunt clucked behind her. “I’m not sure that’s the most flattering color for you, it seems to bring out the particular crimson shade of your hair much more.”

  Tatiana knew it wasn’t meant to be a compliment. Her shoulders sagged, and she stared into the fire. The afternoon of accepting visitors, making small talk and swilling cup after cup of tepid tea loomed before her like a prison sentence.

  A good book, her cat and the window seat at their country house never appealed to her as much as it did at this moment. She pasted a smile on her face and turned to face her Aunt Olivia.

  Hastings appeared in the doorway holding a silver tray with a calling card on it. Her aunt grabbed the card, smiled tightly and nodded at Tatiana. “Be seated, child.”

  “Show them in,” she directed Hastings, and the parade of visitors began. Mothers, aunts and a few other close relatives, took turns ushering young men into the parlor to enjoy a cup of tea, some cakes or cookies and brief conversation with her aunt and Tatiana.

  When she’d responded to the fifth, or was it the sixth, comment on the uncommonly cold weather, she wanted to roll her eyes. They discussed Mrs. Brinkley’s ball the previous night, the Metropolitan Opera production of Die Walküre, and the current exhibit at the art museum.

  When Tatiana brought up the subject of an interesting exhibit of fossils at the Natural History Museum her comments were met with silence and a glare from her aunt. She nearly bit her tongue in frustration and managed to keep her answers to questions as short and pithy as possible, as she’d been directed.

  After nearly two hours of this, Tatiana’s face hurt from smiling. She was disappointed that the one person she’d wished to see today hadn’t yet shown up. She checked the parlor clock, nearly quarter to
four. There wasn’t much time left.

  As Mr. Adam Fremont and his mother were escorted out, Hastings pushed the silver tray with another card toward her aunt. She read it, huffed and then mumbled at the butler to show them into the parlor.

  A petite woman with blonde curly hair and a friendly expression, appeared in the doorway with Mr. Merritt Barclay. Tatiana’s heart started to beat faster, her breathing seemed even more constrained, even though she’d been sitting in her tight stays for hours.

  Merritt Barclay bowed to her aunt, then slowly crossed the room with the young woman. “Miss Langdon, I’m pleased to introduce you to my cousin, Miss Lily Barclay.”

  Miss Barclay smiled at her and extended a gloved hand. “I’m so pleased to meet you, Miss Langdon. Merritt told me he was quite enchanted when he met you last night.”

  Merritt Barclay froze, his eyes wide and Tatiana resisted the urge to laugh out loud. Instead she grasped Miss Barclay’s hand and shook it. She patted the chair next to her and invited the woman to be seated.

  Enchanted? With her? What a lovely thing to say. A shiver of delight shimmied up her spine. What a wonderful way to describe their brief meeting. Was he serious or was this a way of teasing her?

  “We were admiring a painting by Bertrum Finley. He’s one of my favorite artists.” A safe enough subject for conversation.

  “Yes, I’m familiar with his work. I attended an exhibition in London of some of his greatest paintings,” Miss Barclay replied.

  The women were launched on the topic of one of their favorite artists, his various works and the sad chronicle of his life.

  “It’s said he died of a broken heart when his favorite model and muse died of consumption.” Miss Barclay shook her head. “So sad, but delightfully romantic, isn’t it?”

  “I believe I’d rather live for love than die for it,” Mr. Barclay interrupted.

  Tatiana’s heart beat faster again at his words. His gaze settled upon her, and she shivered as she searched his lovely blue eyes for any sign of teasing. She could only see honesty, no guile or effort to be charming. Perhaps she was wrong, but she hoped she was correct.

  The clock struck the hour and Miss Barclay rose. “I apologize for calling so late in the day, but my cousin was making calls at the hospital. He’s a practicing physician, you know.”

  Tatiana rose to walk out with the couple. “I did know that, and I’m quite impressed a gentleman would take up a profession other than business or finance.”

  “My other cousin, Fletcher, is the businessman of the family. He’s quite stern and formidable. I swear he completely lacks any sense of humor whatsoever.”

  “His wit isn’t totally lacking, it’s simply dry and ironic,” Mr. Merritt Barclay said. “He’s had the great burdens of responsibility and my father’s expectations to shoulder.” He shrugged. “Leaving me with the opportunity to pursue my own interests.”

  Aunt Olivia trailed them out the door into the vestibule. She’d silently sipped her tea while the Barclay’s visited.

  As Hastings handed Miss Barclay her fur cloak and Mr. Barclay a dark wool overcoat, the young woman turned back to them. “I’m planning a small dinner next week, I was hoping you and your aunt might attend.”

  “Our social calendar is filling up quite quickly, I’m not sure that will be possible,” Aunt Olivia responded with a chilly tone in her voice.

  For once, Tatiana was not going to let her aunt spoil her fun. She liked Lily very much, and she desperately wanted to see Mr. Merritt Barclay again. “Nonsense, we’ve hardly had any invitations yet for the season. Please, send me a note about the day and time. I’m sure we’ll be able to attend.”

  A quick smile from Lily and a bow from Mr. Barclay was her reward. She watched them leave the brownstone and turned to inhale the fragrance of the flowers stacked in the vestibule.

  “You will not be associating with that family.” Her aunt’s words were short and curt. “I certainly won’t approve of any social engagements involving them.”

  Tatiana leaned forward to enjoy the heady scent of the red roses in the vase before her. “I’m of age, Aunt Olivia. You brought me to New York to socialize with the best families. Can you please explain to me why you don’t approve of the Barclays?”

  “I’d rather not give you all of the sordid details, but it involves your Aunt Lorelei. Our family was once very close to the Barclays, then there was a tragedy. They are not acceptable and that’s all you need to know!” The older woman lifted her skirts and stomped up the stairs. When she reached the top she glared down at Tatiana. “Do not cross me on this, Tatiana. It’s for your own good.”

  Tatiana had always felt when someone used the words, “it’s for your own good,” it was to support an argument they knew they couldn’t win. Now, she was intrigued. Her Aunt Lorelei was a family mystery, a beautiful young woman who had died young. There was a portrait of her at Chemsworth, and her enigmatic smile and beautiful dark, curly hair had always intrigued Tatiana.

  She had no intention of avoiding members of the Barclay family simply because her aunt had forbidden it. In fact, Aunt Olivia should have known that a pronouncement to not do something was like bait for Tatiana. She was no longer a child and the decision of who she wished to socialize with was her own. It would be painful to remind her aunt of that fact, but she had no qualms about doing so.

  Besides, both Lily and Merritt were lovely companions. She sensed Merritt brought his cousin to introduce her so they could become friends. It was a lovely gesture, and perhaps a recognition that she didn’t have many friends her own age in the city.

  She climbed the stairs, more intent with each step, that she would forge her own relationships. She’d never actually felt as though she received her aunt’s approval about anything, so she’d lose nothing by defying her on this issue.

  In addition, there was the tender smile and bright sparkle in Merritt’s eyes when they parted. He’d squeezed her gloved hand gently, and she’d felt a flicker of heat climb her arm to settle in her middle.

  She paused before her bedroom door and realized what she was feeling for the first time in many, many months. Excitement. It was a delightful sensation and she had every intention of forging on with her plan to become better acquainted with the members of the Barclay family.

  She’d spent a long time waiting for life to happen to her, and now she was going to make it happen for her.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Your Aunt Olivia has been waiting for you in the parlor.” Hastings took her fur- lined cloak and matching muff then glanced down at her heavy leather boots and the soaked hem of her velvet gown.

  “Although, perhaps I should tell her you’ve gone to your room to change.” His expression was as perfectly blank as usual, but Tatiana thought perhaps she detected a tiny bit of disapproval in the tone of his voice.

  “That won’t be necessary,” she assured him and sauntered into the parlor. Her Aunt Olivia, sitting next to the fire, looked up from her embroidery hoop and frowned at Tatiana. “Where have you been all day? I didn’t know you planned to go out. Mrs. Fremont and her son, Adam, wished to call upon us but I had no idea when you would return.” The disapproval in her voice was evident. “I do wish you’d informed me of your plans.”

  It was precisely because she’d never approve of her plans that Tatiana had left the house before her aunt came down from her room this morning.

  Tatiana sat in one of the high-backed chairs near the fire and began removing her boots. “I spent the day with Lily Barclay. We went for a sleigh ride in the park, and then skating.” She let her boot fall to the floor and began unlacing the other one.

  “Harrumph,” her aunt scoffed. “And I suppose your feet are soaking wet. You’ll catch your death if you continue such nonsense.”

  Tatiana wasn’t going to let her aunt spoil her good mood. “It was so lovely. The ice and snow shimmered in the sunlight on the pond. We met some of Lily’s friends and skated together. Then we went to a nearby caf
é and had hot chocolate and doughnuts.”

  Her aunt stabbed her needle into the linen cloth locked into her hoop. “Hardly sufficient fare for such an active day.”

  Tatiana let the other boot drop to the floor. She swung her feet closer to the fire and leaned back into the chair.

  “That wasn’t all we did. We visited a delicatessen and ate sandwiches piled high with corned beef.” She laughed. “And it was all so wonderful.” She closed her eyes and nearly drifted off as the fire crackled and burned. It had truly been a divine day. Lily and her friends were fun, full of laughter and good spirits.

  And Merritt was there with several of his friends. The men had skated up behind the women as they sailed across the length of the pond arm-in-arm. When she felt hands circle her waist, Tatiana had been terrified. She thought she was being accosted by a stranger.

  It was her companion’s laughter that made her realize it was a planned attack. The men each grabbed a partner and they skated off as couples. Tatiana didn’t even realize she’d lost her chaperones until much later.

  For the moment, she’d enjoyed having Merritt as her skating partner, his strong arm at her back, his long stride adjusting to her shorter one. They’d found a balance and rhythm that surprised her. Circling the pond, they’d chatted and for the first time Tatiana felt truly comfortable with a man.

  He told her about his plans to build a sanatorium upstate in the Adirondack Mountains to care for patients suffering from tuberculosis. When he described the clean mountain air, the huge tracks of forest land and the abundant wildlife, she could almost see the landscape.

  Then they’d met up with their friends and enjoyed a day of laughter, conversation and fun. Tatiana couldn’t recall ever feeling so happy and contented.

  “Exactly who were these other companions?” her aunt asked. “Anyone I would know?”

  Tatiana could have ignored the question, but she felt it was time to have this discussion. She’d paid no heed to Aunt Olivia’s declaration that she have nothing to do with the Barclay family. Despite her aunt’s refusal to accept Lily’s invitation for dinner, Tatiana had attended by herself.