“This will cover everything.”
I pushed a third across the counter.
“For your trouble,” I told him.
“No…you don’t have to do that, miss—”
I was becoming thoroughly tired of people rejecting my gratuities.
“Please, I want to.”
“If you insist.” He shrugged, depositing the bill in his pocket.
“Can you help me get everything downstairs?”
“Of course. It’s closing time. I was about to leave anyway. Just let me finish shutting things up.”
I sat on the stool, jiggling my foot with impatience as he finished locking the display cases. Then he stepped into a storage closet and came out with another trunk as big as the one Hortensia had at home. Oh, well, couldn’t be helped. Now she would have a really large wardrobe.
I picked up the doll and led the way back down the stairs, taking my time. The snooty woman was standing by the front door, a large ring of keys in her hand. I assumed she was the manager and couldn’t lock up and go home until the last customer had departed. I walked as slowly as I could across the lobby, chatting with the helpful young man all the way.
He deposited the trunk on the floor of the waiting cab.
“I hope that the little girl enjoys the doll and feels better soon.”
“Thank you, Theodore.”
I climbed into the cab and gave the driver orders to return to the hospital. Money really did have a way of smoothing the way.
I bit my lip as I thought about that on the ride back across the city. To Leonora—and Alistair—money was something they had always had. They were accustomed to be treated a certain way. Those of us without it, like myself and the Doyle sisters, we didn’t take it for granted.
Nettie was marrying into money…was it really for love? I loved Alistair—yes, I was finally ready to admit it instead of pussyfooting around the issue—with all my heart; but was the fact he was wealthy part of the attraction?
I wanted to tell myself no…but was it true? Now that he had made his drugged declaration, I worried more than ever that I might be considered a strumpet out for his money, and I couldn’t bear that.
We pulled up in front of the hospital, and the driver helped me in with the doll’s trunk. We took it to Alistair’s room, because I didn’t want to explain to Ella why I had Hortensia’s entire wardrobe with me.
Leonora exclaimed over the new doll.
“She’s perfect, Jo! Ella will be so pleased.”
“I hope so.”
“I had her moved to a private room in the children’s ward. She was napping again when I left. I’ll take you to her room.” Leonora took me by the arm. “Jo, dear…”
My heart sank. Here it came.
“I heard what Alistair said. I don’t want you to discount it simply because of the accident. I’ve found that the declarations induced by drugs are not always false. Sometimes, the drugs induce a courage the declarer otherwise lacks. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I hoped so, but I daren’t express that hope.
“He really does love you, Jo. I’ve seen it in the way he looks at you—when you aren’t looking at him. Trust that. You have that effect on people.” She smiled gently.
My heart lifted. Perhaps there was hope after all.
We had arrived at a small room painted a lovely shade of blue. Ella lay propped up by pillows in the bed, Nettie on one side, Bridget on the other. An elegantly-dressed gentleman hovered behind Nettie. That must be William Vanderbilt.
I handed the doll to Ella, and her face lit up.
“You rescued her!” She examined the doll more closely and frowned. “This isn’t the dress I put her in.”
I thought quickly.
“That one was torn in the accident. I went and got this one from her trunk. Do you like it?”
Ella nodded.
“Now, I think I should let you and Hortensia rest,” I told her. “Mother Mary Frances…Nettie.”
All I wanted to do was to get home and give Ma and the others an update.
“Might I beg a ride with you, dear?” Leonora asked. “I’m feeling a bit tired myself, and there’s nothing more I can do here.”
“Certainly.”
I found the cab driver waiting outside the hospital, a sheepish look on his face.
“I figured you might need another ride somewhere, miss. It’s late at night to find a cab in this part of town.”
I was grateful. He was right about it being late. My comfortable bed in my own room was calling me. I had a lot to think about…
Constance had taken the news better than Amy expected. After all, it wasn’t as if she didn’t have other suitors.
“In fact, Amy…I would like to thank you for clearing Phineas’s name. He’s been so very sweet to me over the last few days.”
Amy shook her head. There was no accounting for taste.
-- Garrett Goldthwaite
Analytical Amy and the Case of the Covetous Cad
Chapter 21
As happens sometimes, everything was clarified after a good night’s sleep. I don’t know if the answer came to me in my dreams, or if my subconscious merely organized my thoughts—as it is wont to do when I’m not looking—but I awoke refreshed and knowing exactly what must be done.
First of all, the house must be made ready for the return of the invalids. I set Phaeton to tidying up Alistair’s rooms and then hurried up to straighten my own bedchamber.
Arriving at the head of the stairs, I stopped dead as a thought struck me.
Would Ella be coming back to Ma’s? After all, the nuns were better nurses; I supposed she could be taken back to the orphanage. Or, might she be swept off to Nettie’s? William Vanderbilt hadn’t seemed terribly taken aback by the child, and Nettie had said he was willing to be Ella’s stepfather. Perhaps the reunion I had hoped for would take place earlier than expected.
It was a solemn thought. I had grown quite fond of Ella, and I would miss her terribly whenever she left. Of course, it was inevitable she would do so eventually. I just wasn’t sure I was ready for it to be now.
Still, the room needed tidying regardless, and I did so, packing away all of Hortensia the First’s clothing and other paraphernalia in her trunk. I hoped not everything in the new trunk duplicated the old. Fashions had changed in the time between doll purchases, of course, so perhaps not.
Hope. It was certainly coloring my thoughts a great deal lately. I supposed it did go hand-in-hand with Faith and Charity, and I had seen my fair share of those recently, too. It was odd how I had turned back to the precepts of childhood in times of trial—and, heaven knows, Alistair tried me daily.
I had just finished neatening my room when there were sounds of arrival downstairs, and I flew to see who it might be. The parlor was filled with people milling about. Ma was forcing Alistair down beside his mother upon the couch. Vanessa and Aunt Emily were fussing over Roderick in one of the big easy chairs—I was pleased to see Aunt Emily out of her bed. Nettie and William, to my intense surprise, sat and stood respectively around the other chair, Ella cradled on her mother’s lap. The air was filled with the cacophony of everyone trying to get a word in edgewise, and it was obvious no one was hearing a word anyone else said.
Drawing once more on childhood, I put my fingers in my mouth and whistled shrilly. It had the desired effect of startling everyone to silence.
“Much better,” I commented with a smile. “Now, it’s very nice to see everyone. Aunt Emily, I’m pleased you’re feeling better. Nettie, you’re radiant. Has everyone met Mrs. Redmond? Welcome to our establishment, Mr. Vanderbilt.”
At the sound of William’s name, Ma gasped and hurried from the room.
“Things are a little crowded in here at the moment, but we’ll get everything sorted in time.”
Alistair gave a snort that transformed into a cough as I turned toward him. I wondered if he even remembered what he had said the night before. Leonora winked at me.
Before I could say anything more, Ma bustled back in with a tray of tea things. She served it as if this were the sort of thing that happened every day, bobbing a little curtsy as she handed William his cup.
“No need for that,” he told her with a smile. “I’m one of the poorer cousins, ma’am, I assure you.”
She blushed as red as an apple and hurried on to the next guest.
“As I was saying,” I continued, reclaiming control of the room, “it’s wonderful to have our wounded home…” It was then that I noticed Hortensia the Second sporting a neat white bandage atop her curls, just like Ella’s. I fought down a giggle. “…safe and as sound as can be expected.
“We should discuss everything that has been going on the past few weeks.” I looked at Nettie. “It’s up to you, Nettie, but I think everyone in this room deserves to know everything that has happened.”
Her face was pale, but she nodded solemnly.
“Yes, Josephine, I believe you’re right. It’s time to put an end to this matter.”
I began at the beginning, with my letter from Bridget, and outlined all the blackmail attempts to date. I was careful to make sure I didn’t say anything that would distress Ella. She didn’t deserve any more trauma than she had already undergone.
When I got to the part about Nordham Sissinghurst stealing his employer’s name, William Vanderbilt straightened.
“Clarence Smythe, did you say?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“He’s a friend of my father’s. In fact, he has procured the cottage Nettie and I will live in after the wedding. He’s a very wealthy man, and an important member of society. I don’t understand how, or why, he could be a part of this.”
“I don’t believe he is, sir. At least, he seemed surprised to hear about Sissinghurst’s activities.”
William’s face grew grim.
“I should go and speak to him. Reinforce the urgency of the matter.”
“I’d like to go with you, if you don’t mind,” I answered. “Since I spoke to him the last time…”
He nodded. “That’s a good idea, Miss Mann.” He turned to Nettie. “You and Ella stay here and rest, my dear. We shouldn’t be long.” He started toward the door. “My carriage is just out front.”
“That’s good. I’m afraid we’re one short at the moment.”
Roderick threw a pained glance my way, and I shrugged.
“Sorry, but it’s true. Not that it’s your fault, Roderick,” I hastened to add.
Alistair struggled to gain his feet.
“I should come with you.”
“Not this time, Alistair,” Leonora pushed him back onto the couch. “Josephine is perfectly capable of functioning without you. She’s proven that time and again in the last two weeks.”
I was grateful for her support. Although I never minded Alistair’s company, it would be awkward in this case.
I followed William Vanderbilt out to the street, where his carriage waited. It was more opulent than Aunt Emily’s had been, with some improvements in structure that I made note of. When we ordered new vehicles, some of those improvements might be worthwhile inclusions.
The ride to Hornsby, Smythe, and Roberson was strained. I really had nothing to speak to William about; but I couldn’t sit by and say nothing, either. It simply wasn’t in my nature.
“May I ask you a question?” I said at last.
He nodded.
“I don’t fully approve of the choice to keep Ella a secret until after the marriage ceremony. Why didn’t you tell everyone right away? If you and Nettie had announced her existence from the first, there wouldn’t have been any blackmail opportunity to begin with.”
He sighed. “Perhaps you’re right, Miss Mann, but it’s too late for regrets now. The damage has been done.”
“If you aren’t ashamed of her, why hide her?”
“It’s difficult to explain, but if you’re a member of the bon ton, as all my family is, you’re expected to behave in a certain manner. And marrying a woman with a child whose legitimacy is in question is definitely not de rigueur.”
“She’s just a little girl, and she’s been separated from her mother most of her life. She finally has a chance for a family, and she’s still not allowed to be with her.”
“We intended to introduce her right after we returned from our wedding trip.”
“But don’t you think it would make her happy to be a part of the ceremony? To be included?”
William sighed. “You have a point, Miss Mann. Ella is a lovely child—when she wants to be.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ve seen her tantrums, from a distance, at least. I know she can be a handful of trouble. But I love Nettie dearly, and I’m fond of Ella as well.”
“I realize if circumstances had been as they should be, I might not have been reunited with Bridget, but that’s secondary to a little girl’s happiness. You must promise me to make this right! Look at all the trouble the deception has caused. Perhaps you do your family a disservice by keeping the truth from them. Allow them the chance to get to know Ella as you have done.”
He grew thoughtful. Perhaps there was hope after all.
Hope…there was that word again.
The carriage pulled up in front of Hornsby, Smythe, and Roberson, and we alighted. I allowed William to take the lead, and he marched into the building as if he owned it—which he might, for all I knew.
He headed directly for Smythe’s office, so, at the very least, he had been here before. The unctuous receptionist tried to forestall him, but he ignored the man and passed into the inner sanctum without pause. I followed with great admiration.
“William, my boy. What a pleasure to see you,” Smythe said, rising to his feet and heading toward us with outstretched hands. Until he registered my presence. Then, he faltered, and his hands dropped to his sides. “And Miss Mann. I am surprised to see you again. I told you I would deal with Mr. Sissinghurst, and I’ve done so.”
“Just how, exactly, have you dealt with this villain?” William asked coolly.
“I’ve terminated his employment, despite his family ties, and sent him off with no recommendation. After all, it was my name he was using for his infamy. I expect he’ll wind up in the poor house as a result. Isn’t that enough?”
Smythe matched the chill of William’s tone, but I sensed something behind his words that worried me. Shouldn’t he have been angry instead of cold? Heated?
“This man threatened people I care about. I’m not sure anything is enough.”
“William, my dear boy, I assure you I had no idea it was you and your intended he was attempting to blackmail.”
My breath caught in my throat. I hadn’t named anyone but Bridget directly. And William had just said “people I care about,” not that he was one of them. How did Smythe know William and Nettie were among those threatened?
A glance at William’s face said he had come to the same conclusion.
“I’m glad to hear you have the matter so well in hand, Clarence,” he said smoothly, hiding the suspicion I had momentarily glimpsed. “We will see you at the wedding?”
“Of course, my boy.” He held out a hand, and William shook it.
“Come along, Miss Mann.” William offered me his arm, and we hurried from the building.
As soon as we were in the carriage we turned to each other as one.
“Did you mention my name to him last time you were here?” William asked.
“No. I’m not sure I even knew it yet.”
“Did you say something about a bride and groom?”
“No. I only told him that Bridget was being threatened over her niece’s legitimacy, and that I had proof the girl was born in wedlock.”
“I am beginning to think Mr. Sissinghurst was merely a pawn in this affair, and Mr. Smythe might be the true villain,” William said grimly. “He thinks he has something to hold over my head that will cause me to pay him a substantial sum. I believe the threat to the convent was a mere ploy,
and the extortion of funds was the plan all along.”
“Has he sent you such a demand?”
“I’m sure he would know better than to send such a missive to me directly, but he may well have sent it to Nettie. I’m not sure she would tell me if he had.”
“Open communication is the foundation of all good relationships,” I answered primly. “If she hasn’t confided in you, you should confide to her what we just learned. If she realizes you’re aware of all the parameters of the situation, there’s nothing to blackmail either of you over, and you can stand firm together. Especially since I have the proof that her first marriage took place long before Ella was born.”
“Should you keep the certificate? I worry that you could come to harm over it.”
I waved a hand in dismissal.
“I’m not the one being blackmailed. And the certificate is in an extremely safe place. If I give it to you or Nettie, it will be much more likely to fall into the wrong hands.”
“Except you just said you told our probable blackmailer you were the one who had the only proof.”
“Oh. There is that.” I pondered the problem for a moment. “Still, I’m fairly confident it’s safe,” I declared.
“Where is it?”
“It’s better you don’t know.”
He looked bemused, but I was used to that expression.
“If you say so.”
“All you need to do is concentrate on making sure that Saturday is the perfect wedding day Nettie deserves.”
“I promise.”
“And, at least, let Bridget bring Ella to the ceremony.”
“I’ll discuss it with Nettie.”
It wasn’t the promise I wanted, but it was more than I had expected.
“That will do. For now.” I still had two days to convince her, and I can be very persuasive when I want to be.
~*~
With the limited space at Ma’s, Aunt Emily offered Nettie and Ella use of one of her spare rooms while the child was still recuperating. Ella was thrilled with the opportunity to spend some quality time with her mother, and apparently, most of the wedding preparations were complete, so Nettie’s not being at home wouldn’t be a problem for the moment.
The Nearly Notorious Nun Page 16