After answering a few more calls, Jo touched Hannah’s hand. “Do you remember what Ruth did next?”
Hannah held up both hands. “I’m not going to lie at his feet, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
Jo laughed. “No, but Ruth asked Boaz to cover her. A godly man who loves a woman will want to cover her, protect her, and provide for her, but dear, you first have to accept the edge of his robe.”
“First of all, I didn’t ask, and second, he doesn’t cover. He smothers.”
“Therein lies the age-old problem.”
“What? No advice?”
Jo glanced over her head. “Why, Mr. Cole, you’re just in time to take Ruth to lunch.”
Hannah whirled toward the door to see Lincoln quirking an eyebrow at her. “Ruth?”
“Oh, did I say Ruth?” Jo grinned knowingly at Hannah. “I meant Hannah. Have a good lunch, dear.”
33
Every time Lincoln came to Hannah’s home, neighbors poured out of their houses like bees from a hive to ogle Lincoln’s automobile. This evening, while he spoke to them, she remained inside, delighted Rosie had arrived to help her get ready for the dinner at the Williamses’.
Since they’d worked out their differences earlier in the week, she and Lincoln had come to an understanding, and Hannah was beginning to consider what a future with Lincoln could hold. Tonight, the dinner at Pete and Elise’s house would be a test. But why Lincoln had arrived so early puzzled her.
“That’s him?” Rosie pushed aside the curtains at the bedroom window and whistled. “I don’t think your description did the man justice.”
Hannah grinned and laid her ivy-green tailored suit on her bed. She then placed her rose evening gown beside it. She’d remade the rose gown this winter with a higher waist and narrower skirt. It was now fashionable and appropriate for evening, but it also had a lower neckline. She reached for the suit.
Rosie relieved her of the suit and pointed to the rose gown. “This is a special night. You have to wear that one. You’ll be stunning with all the ivory lace on the bodice. Hurry and dress, and I’ll do your hair.”
With expert precision, Rosie swept part of Hannah’s hair on top of her head but let the rest remain loose. “Your hair is like the color of honey with a mere hint of cherries, and with all these perfect waves, Lincoln won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
Hannah pulled on her gloves. “Let’s pray I don’t make him regret inviting me.”
“You’ll be great.” Rosie grinned and passed Hannah her layered cloak. “I’ll go tell him you’re ready, and I’ll drag Tessa away from him if I have to.” She patted Hannah’s arm. “No frowning. Enjoy yourself. Try not to act like an old lady in need of some prune juice.”
Hannah laughed and watched her friend leave the room. She pressed a gloved hand to her exposed neck. Maybe she should slip into the ready-made suit after all.
The door flew open, and Tessa stuck her head in. “Come on, Hannah banana! Mr. Cole is waiting.”
Charlotte entered and sighed. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Hannah adjusted the pins in her hair.
“Lincoln’s been waiting a while. Don’t you need to hurry? What if you upset him?”
“He’ll be fine.” Hannah pinched her cheeks and flashed her sisters a cheeky grin. “And a girl should realize she’s worth waiting for.”
She descended the stairs, and Lincoln turned. A smile lit his eyes, but he said nothing. For a moment, a surge of panic threatened. Was she overdressed or underdressed?
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You take my breath away.”
Heat pooled in her stomach. “Thank you.”
“Shall we?” He offered her his arm, and she slipped her hand in place. “Ladies, I promise to bring her home before midnight, because we all have a big day tomorrow.”
To her delight, Lincoln had the top up on the Reo. Once she was seated, she adjusted her skirt about her ankles and looked over the hood at Lincoln. “Tomorrow?”
“I thought maybe you and the girls would like to take in the Memorial Day celebration at the state fairgrounds.” He cranked the engine and got in. “I hope it’s okay, but I told Charlotte to invite George to come along with us instead of coming for dinner on Sunday. I thought he might be more at ease doing something rather than simply sitting at the table with all of us staring at him.”
“That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”
He grinned and began to drive. “My pleasure.”
On the way, Hannah persuaded Lincoln to tell her more about Pete and Elise. She learned Elise sometimes suffered from bouts of melancholy, but Pete was one of the jolliest men on the planet. Lincoln told her how Pete had helped him stick it out when he lost his first three court cases and wanted to quit. In many ways, Pete had become the father Lincoln needed, and his admiration for the man was boundless.
Hannah gasped when they pulled up in front of the Williamses’ home, but Lincoln allayed her fears. “They’re going to love you as much as I do.”
Inside, she tried not to gawk at the shimmering crystal chandelier in the foyer.
“Lincoln, this must be your Miss Gregory.” Elise grasped Hannah’s hands. “She’s a beauty. Shame on you for not bringing her over sooner.”
Pete joined his wife. “Miss Gregory, our boy here is quite smitten with you. You aren’t planning on breaking his heart, are you?”
“Peter, behave yourself.” Elise fired a mock glare at her husband. “Come, now. Let’s introduce Miss Gregory to our other guests.”
After insisting they all call her Hannah, she was swept away into the front parlor, where Pete made the introductions. “Miss Gregory, may I present our son, Albert.”
About the same age as she, Albert had neither his father’s obvious zest for life nor his mother’s outgoing personality. He pushed up his wire-rimmed spectacles and nodded first to Lincoln, then to her.
Lincoln greeted the young man warmly. If Pete was like a father to Lincoln, then Albert must be like a brother.
“And Miss Gregory, this is the other senior partner in the law firm, Mr. Charles Harlington, and his lovely wife, Susan.”
She nodded to them. “A pleasure to meet you both.”
“And to your right is our other junior partner, Cedric Knox.”
“We’ve already met, but under decidedly different circumstances,” Cedric said. “Right, Miss Gregory?”
Before she had a chance to answer, Elise linked their arms and announced, “Now, before any of you can start a barrage of questions for Hannah, let’s feed the poor girl.”
Beside her, Charles clamped a hand on Lincoln’s shoulder. “I can see why you want to make her happy.”
“That I do, Charles. In every way.”
When in good spirits, Elise never failed to set a fine table. Lincoln discovered today was no exception. Despite Hannah’s claims of being unfamiliar in these types of social settings, she handled everything from the four different forks to the collection of stemware to the right of her plate with grace and proficiency. Someone at Drake had taught her well.
He caught a whiff of mint as the lamb was passed. The creamed carrots were more to his liking, but he found Elise’s asparagus salad with champagne-saffron vinaigrette something delightfully new. Hannah seemed to enjoy every bite.
They hadn’t finished their first course before Susan asked Albert about his plans to return to Yale. The brilliant young man explained that his vacation in Germany had done him wonders, and he was looking forward to tackling his rigorous course work this fall.
“What are you studying?” Hannah asked.
“Science,” Albert answered. “I’m interested in electrical research.”
As the conversation turned to current topics like prohibition, Hannah leaned close to tell Lincoln how much Charlotte would enjoy this dinner, and an odd empty feeling came over him. Why did he suddenly miss Hannah’s two sisters?
Lost in his own thoughts, he missed Cedric addressing H
annah until she stiffened beside him. When had the topic shifted to suffrage?
Cedric’s voice rose. “All this whining from women first about prohibition and then about suffrage is annoying. What’s the big deal?”
Lincoln cleared his throat, trying to warn Hannah that Cedric was goading her.
“So, you believe half the population should be without representation, Mr. Knox?” Her tone was sweet, but Lincoln could hear the annoyance lacing it. “I believe our own constitution says there should be no taxation without representation. If that is the case, then women should not have to pay taxes.”
Lincoln caught the amused glances of Pete and Charles. Their wives, however, shifted uncomfortably, frowns marring their faces. Whether they were upset with Cedric for his questions or Hannah for her answers, he didn’t know.
Cedric pointed at her with his fork. “But even you must admit, women are simply too emotional for the responsibility of voting for our elected offices.”
“There are some who would agree with you.” She cut a piece of asparagus with her knife. “They say men are the superior species because of their ability to not respond emotionally to stimulus.”
She dropped her gaze to her plate, ending the subject.
“That’s all?” Cedric pushed. “What about you? Don’t you have a thought of your own on the matter? Don’t you want to give us your opinion?”
She met his gaze and held it. “If you honestly cared about my opinion, I would express it.”
Smiles broke on Elise’s and Susan’s faces.
Hannah sipped from her water goblet but said nothing more.
Cedric’s face reddened. “So now you’re going to sulk and give me the silent treatment? You make my point, Miss Gregory. Women are too emotional.”
“That’s enough, Cedric.” Lincoln balled up his napkin and tossed it beside his plate. “I’ll not have you badgering her.”
“Gentlemen.” Charles eyed Hannah and chuckled. “And who is acting emotional now?” He turned to Hannah. “You, Miss Gregory, are a genius. I believe you made your point without even opening your mouth.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to Miss Gregory, whose courtroom skills appear to outshine even those of our very own Cedric.”
Pushing away from the table, Cedric placed his napkin beside his plate. “I think I shall take my leave early. Dinner is not sitting well with me.”
“Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport. Sit down and eat dessert.” Pete patted his belly.
Obliging his host, Cedric sat back down, but his glare cut right to Hannah.
Lincoln’s jaw muscles clenched. Apparently, he was no longer alone on Cedric’s “least favorite people” list.
Catching Hannah’s hand beneath the table, Lincoln pressed his lips to her ear. “Well done, counselor. Well done.”
Seated in the Williamses’ front parlor, Hannah tried not to stare at the pieces of artwork and the Tiffany lamp. She guessed Pete spared no expense in making his wife happy.
The men returned from their after-dinner reprieve to the study, and to Hannah’s relief, she noticed Cedric had departed.
“I have something I must show you all.” Elise clasped her hands together, then beckoned a servant to fetch the electrical home machine.
While Lincoln took his place behind Hannah, the servant set the wooden case on the table.
“You may have seen the old magnetoelectric machines, but this one is a scientific breakthrough and a miracle cure.” Elise undid the latch and opened the box. “All you have to do is press one of these brass electrodes to the part of the body you need healed and hold the other in your hand while someone else turns this crank.” She pointed to the writing inside the lid. “It says right here it treats rheumatism, poor circulation, headaches, tonsillitis, catarrh, asthma, earaches, lumbago, aches, and nervousness.” She looked at her husband. “There’s even a special comb to use to treat dandruff and stimulate hair follicles.”
“Mother, I’ve told you before that machine is ridiculous.” Albert leaned against the fireplace. “I don’t know why you insist on using that dangerous contraption.”
“It’s dangerous?” Susan asked.
“Nonsense.” Elise poured water into the battery. “Look at me. I’ve used it twice a day for days now, and I’ve never felt better.”
“I’m leaving. I want no part in this quackery.” Albert marched from the room.
“Enough of your new toy, my dear. I think a little music is in order.” Pete turned to Susan. “Will you play the piano for us?”
Susan agreed and played several pieces. In the middle of a lovely sonata, an explosion shook the house.
Elise shrieked.
Hannah turned to Lincoln. “What was that?”
“I don’t know. Stay here.” He rushed to the window.
A servant ran into the room. “Mr. Williams! It’s the Grennen place.”
Pete paled. “Their carriage house?”
“No!” Lincoln ran toward the door. “This time I think it’s their home!”
34
It was well after midnight by the time the fire was under control. Lincoln stood by, helpless to stop the flames from destroying the stately home. He kept his arm anchored around Hannah. The Grennens had lost everything, but at least they still had each other. Thankfully, the daughter of Western Union’s manager and her family had not been home at the time of the explosion, but now they stood watching their home consumed by flames.
Pete and Elise offered to take in the family, but they insisted on going to the home of their parents. Charles and Susan finally persuaded them to leave and took them in their carriage.
When the young family had departed, Elise burst into tears. Pete held her. One look at Hannah told Lincoln she was close to following suit. He thumbed a tear from her cheek. “We’ll leave as soon as I speak to the fire marshal.”
“Mother.” Albert laid his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Let’s get you home. You need your rest.”
“Let me take her,” Hannah offered.
Albert and Pete slowly agreed and relinquished Elise to Hannah, who draped her arm around Elise’s shoulders and led her toward the house, murmuring words of comfort.
Lincoln marveled at how gentle Hannah was with the woman she’d only just met. She seemed to sense how mentally frail Elise was, and yet she didn’t treat the condition with disdain like so many other women would.
Once the two women had disappeared into the house, he sought out the fire marshal. The man recognized him but was far from thrilled to see him present at the scene.
Lincoln fell in step beside him. “Was it caused by a gas explosion?”
“Nope.”
“You’re sure?”
The fire marshal glared, his position unyielding. “Dynamite.”
“How can you tell?”
The fire marshal pointed to the crater in the ground. “The gas line is over there. Only one other thing makes a porch go up like that. All I can say is they’re lucky they weren’t home.” He leaned back. “Guess you’re happy. Your firebug should get out of jail now.”
After turning Elise over to her maid, Hannah stepped into the hallway outside the woman’s room. While the main floor had gas lights, the upstairs did not, so she took the oil lamp from the room to light her way. Bone weary and reeking of smoke, she searched for the washroom. If she could find it, perhaps she could at least wash the ash from her face before going home.
Turning to the right, she tried two doors and found only additional bedrooms. A third door was ajar, and she nudged it with the toe of her shoe. Her lamplight flickered off bottles, wires, coils, and all sorts of unfamiliar objects.
“Can I help you find something?”
She jumped and whirled at the sound of a voice behind her. “Albert.” Relief flooded over her. “I was looking for the washroom.”
“I’m afraid you found my laboratory instead. The washroom is at the end of the hall. And Lincoln is waiting for you downstairs.”
“Thank you.�
� She turned toward the direction he indicated.
Albert clamped his hand on her arm. “Miss Gregory, is my mother all right?”
“Yes, she’s sleeping now.”
“Good.” He stared at Elise’s door. “I’d hate for this to send her into a downward spiral.”
Hannah saw the worry in his eyes, and for a brief moment, Albert reminded her of his father. “I’ll say a prayer for her.”
“Prayers. Yes. That would be good.” He didn’t take his eyes off the bedroom’s entrance.
Albert was certainly an odd duck, and he sounded as tired as she felt. “Good night. Please thank your mother for Lincoln and me.”
She hurried down the hall but swore she heard Albert talking to himself. Hannah’s lips curled. His concern for his mother was admirable, but if her father were there, he would probably have said the young man was a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
Using this arena for the Memorial Day celebration was brilliant. Lincoln helped Hannah take a seat in the Monster Grand Stands at the Iowa State Fair grounds. With lots of room for both the participants and the spectators, and at only ten cents a seat, it was an easy way for him to treat the whole family.
He swallowed hard as a warm yet strange sensation settled over him. Family. How odd he kept thinking of Hannah and her sisters that way.
Hannah tucked her ivy-green suit out of the way and smiled at him. “Thank you for bringing us all here. What a special day.”
She stifled a yawn with her gloved hand, and guilt nudged him. Maybe he should have canceled their planned outing after last night’s events. But when he’d mentioned that option to Hannah, she’d insisted she didn’t want to disappoint her sisters.
Tessa, her copper braid shining in the sun, scooted in next to Hannah. Charlotte and George eased into the seats in front of them. From what Lincoln could tell, George must be quite the witty young man to elicit scores of giggles from Charlotte. But if he didn’t put some space between himself and Charlotte, Lincoln was going to have to volunteer young George to be the target in the upcoming military drill.
Lorna Seilstad Page 23