Sitting comfortably with Miss Girard on a woolen picnic blanket next to Panther Hollow Lake, Henry felt more relaxed with an egg sandwich and lemonade in hand. Mrs. Rankin and Mrs. Potter were seated on a bench several yards away. Henry hadn’t meant this outing to be the start of a courtship, but it seemed that was what the women had intended all along. He had hoped Mr. Rankin would be part of the group visiting the conservatory, but unfortunately, he was on a hunting trip in the Allegheny Mountains.
“Did you enjoy the conservatory, Mr. Archer?” Miss Girard asked after finishing her sandwich.
“Yes. It was rather interesting,” Henry replied as he inconspicuously eyed her cleavage. Her green dress was cut low, so he figured he might as well steal a peek. Compensation for staring at plants all day. “Those are lovely earrings you’re wearing, Miss Girard. Are they emeralds?”
“Yes. They were a gift from my parents. A present for my eighteenth birthday.”
“You mentioned your knowledge of plants came from your mother.”
Miss Girard nodded. “She helped design the Italian garden at our summer home in Newport.” She paused to take a sip of lemonade. “It’s so beautiful there. The house sits on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic and has ocean views from every room.”
“You must find Pittsburgh so dismal with all its mills and factories.”
“Shadyside is nice. It’s away from much of the industry. And I do enjoy my cousin’s company.”
“How long have you been staying with Mr. and Mrs. Rankin?” Henry asked, hoping to finally uncover the mystery of Miss Girard’s escape to Europe the previous autumn.
“Since April.”
“That long? You and Mrs. Rankin must be incredibly close. Like sisters, perhaps.”
“I wouldn’t say that. It’s just …” Miss Girard nervously swept a curl of hair away from her face and took another sip of lemonade.
Henry stared at her emeralds. Her jewelry and clothing exuded so much wealth. And status. It was a shame that her face was so unattractive. However, if it weren’t, she wouldn’t be picnicking in a Pittsburgh park with a lowly steel mill manager.
“Perhaps I should be honest, Mr. Archer.”
“Please, Miss Girard. You can trust me with anything.” Henry felt a rush of excitement. Maybe now he would get the real story.
“I was to be married last autumn, but …” She inhaled deeply. “A few days before the wedding, my fiancé broke the engagement. There were unforeseen circumstances.”
“I am sorry to hear that. That’s terrible.”
“Thank you. Yes, it was awful. And embarrassing. My fiancé was from a prominent family of bankers and we—meaning my parents and I—thought he was a smart match. We could not have been more mistaken.”
“I assume that is what prompted the trip to Europe.”
“Yes. My mother hoped it would lift my spirits. And it did.”
Henry wondered what could have motivated Miss Girard’s fiancé to break the engagement. Perhaps another woman was involved? With a prettier face? He analyzed Miss Girard’s facial features as she unpacked jam tartlets from the picnic basket. Her nose was pointy, her lips thin, but her blue eyes were pretty, almost the color of the sky. And while Henry usually preferred blondes, he didn’t mind Miss Girard’s dark brown hair. There was just too much of it, in the wrong places. He immediately wondered if she could shave it off. Or perhaps pluck it. Didn’t women do that to their eyebrows?
“Mr. Archer, would you like a strawberry or blueberry tartlet?”
“Strawberry, please.” Henry accepted the dessert and took a bite. It was delicious. “You haven’t quite explained the long stay in Pittsburgh.” He hoped he wasn’t lingering too long on the same topic.
“I guess I haven’t. I simply wanted to broaden my social circles and meet new people. Everyone in New York society knows of my disastrous engagement last fall, and I’m tired of my friends looking at me with pity and whispering behind my back. After my return from Europe, I realized things in New York would never be the same.”
“I see,” Henry replied. “May I ask why you shared such a personal story with me? I thought you wanted a fresh start.”
“I honestly do not know, Henry. May I call you ‘Henry’?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You seem different from the pretentious men I’ve been surrounded by my entire life. Perhaps it’s your modest background and profession. You don’t seem obsessed with money and status like so many men I know. You’re approachable and friendly.”
Henry was astounded. The poor girl was so naive. Because he worked at a steel mill and didn’t own an automobile, she assumed he didn’t care about money. How absurd! Money was all he ever thought about. Besides sex with Karina, of course. Obviously, his performance for Miss Girard had been successful, although in ways he hadn’t expected. He had never intended for her to think of him as ordinary and humble, although his lack of travel experience and knowledge of horticulture spoke for itself. However, much to his surprise, Miss Girard found those traits endearing. And she trusted him as well. Life was so unpredictable.
“I’m flattered that you think so highly of me, Edith. I assume we are now on a first name basis.” Henry winked.
“Yes, I would like that.”
“I’m glad you shared your story with me, and I want you to know I will protect it. I’m terribly sorry you had to endure such a misfortune, but I am confident that happier times are ahead.”
“I think so, too.”
“Edith, darling, did the cook pack any bread crumbs in your basket?” Mrs. Rankin had snuck up behind them. “I’ve run out, and there are more ducks to feed.”
“I’ll look, Clara.”
As Henry watched Edith dig through the picnic basket in search of bread crumbs, he found himself staring at her cleavage again. He frowned. She was certainly no Karina. While Edith’s bosom was ample, so was the rest of her. She was not overly fat—just thick and in need of a waistline.
“Here are two bags,” Edith said, handing them to her cousin.
“Why don’t you and Mr. Archer join us on the other side of the lake? The ducks have moved.”
“That would be lovely,” Edith replied.
Henry helped Edith up from the picnic blanket and offered to carry the empty baskets over to Mrs. Rankin’s driver, who was napping under a tree nearer the conservatory. On his way back toward the lake, Henry noticed that his three female companions were huddled together and whispering excitedly. He approached them cautiously.
“Shall we feed the waterfowl, ladies?”
“Mr. Archer, Miss Girard and I were just discussing our plans for next weekend. Perhaps you could join us at my stable. I’d love to show you my Shelties.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mrs. Rankin. I’m leaving for New York City next Saturday.”
“So soon? That’s only the twenty-fifth. I thought you weren’t starting your new position until the beginning of July,” Edith said, sounding disappointed.
“Headquarters now wants me to start work on the twenty-seventh.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Mrs. Rankin said. “We are all growing rather fond of you. Perhaps you can join Miss Girard for a weekend in Newport.”
“That would be delightful,” Henry said.
Edith’s face lit up as Mrs. Rankin clapped her hands with excitement. Henry thought he saw Mrs. Potter wink at him.
“Edith, darling, I will speak with your mother and have her send an invitation to Mr. Archer once he gets settled in New York. Come now, everyone, the ducks are waiting for us.”
Henry extended an arm to Edith, who accepted it much too eagerly. She made no effort to disguise her girlish enthusiasm. He suddenly felt like a big fish being reeled in. Was he the great catch Miss Girard had been waiting for? As he strolled through the park with the uncomely railroad heiress on his arm, Henry wondered whether he would actually travel to Newport, Rhode Island to see her. To a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Y
et another attractive option to consider before making his departure from the scourge that was Riverton.
Sixteen
JANOS
RIVERTON, JUNE 23, 1910
As Janos entered his kitchen after a long day in front of the furnace, he was greeted by the mouthwatering scent of roasted chicken. Sitting in a pan atop the cookstove was a golden-brown bird, rubbed with herbs and steaming hot. He wondered what the special occasion was. Surely he hadn’t forgotten a birthday.
Noticing the kitchen door was open, Janos stepped onto the back porch where he found Karina reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to Lukas. He stood silently for several minutes, listening to the sound of his wife’s voice and watching his son snuggle close against his mother. It was a rare sight. Janos felt his hope renew. Maybe there was a way to go back to the beginning. Perhaps the prospect of leaving Riverton was lifting his wife’s spirits.
When Karina finished the chapter, Janos said, “You’re home early. There’s a chicken on the stove, and you’re reading. I guess it’s been a good day.”
She turned around and smiled. “I’m almost done packing Mr. Archer’s house, and he didn’t need me to make dinner. He’s celebrating his promotion at some fancy restaurant downtown.”
“So tomorrow is his last day.” Janos sighed. “Yours, too.”
“It is.”
“You seem to be handling it well. I expected you to be more …”
“Upset?”
Janos nodded as he sat down on the porch steps with his wife and son.
“I know I have a history of falling apart during difficult times. I understand why you’d expect the worst of me.” Karina kissed Lukas on the head and gave him a nudge. “Go find Aunt Anna and Sofie. Tell them Papa is home.”
As Lukas skipped across the courtyard, she continued, “I don’t tell you enough, Janos, but I appreciate all you’ve done for our family over the years. I was not always the kind of wife you wanted or deserved. I put quite a strain on you, at times, and never helped enough with the children. I’m sorry.”
Janos rubbed his wife’s back. “There’s no sense in dwelling on the past—it can’t be changed. Let’s focus on the future. I stopped by the Radovics’ on my way home, and Mihal thinks he can get me a job at the glass factory. He’ll know for sure in about a week.”
“That’s really good news.”
“He also said that Iveta is willing to share her houses with you for the rest of the summer.”
“Really?”
“With you, Iveta, and Marie cleaning together, you’ll get the work done fast. You should have some free time.”
“That’s hard to imagine,” Karina muttered.
“You get time to yourself at Mr. Archer’s, don’t you? How hard can it be keeping a bachelor’s house in order? The man has no wife or kids.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised,” Karina said bitterly, shaking her head. “That man is never satisfied.”
“I think it’s best we don’t tell the children about the possibility of moving until we know for certain.” Janos patted his wife’s knee. “Sofie will be relieved that she won’t lose Marie after all, but Pole …” Janos stared at a toddler making mud pies in the courtyard and wiping the gooey mess on his shirt.
“What about him?”
“What will he do without Sofie? His mother’s gone, and his father’s a lousy drunk. Sofie means the world to him.” Janos looked down at his lap and thought about the special bond his daughter shared with her best friend. “Maybe he could come with us,” he said, turning to his wife.
“I know you want to solve all the world’s problems, but you can’t. Pole’s a survivor. He’ll be fine.”
“I’m not so sure.” Janos pulled Karina close and buried his face in her hair. It smelled sweet, like rose water. He kissed her neck softly.
“Do you really think we’ll be moving by the end of summer?” she whispered.
Janos turned her face toward his. “I do. It’s time for us to get out of Riverton and make a fresh start. Happier times are ahead.”
Karina closed her eyes.
“We’re going to build a new life, Karina. We’re going to find our way back to each other.”
She opened her eyes and caressed her husband’s face. “Janos Kovac, you are such a good man—too good for the likes of me. No matter what damage I’ve caused our family, you’ve always found a way to repair it. Sofie and Lukas will always be safe in your care.”
Before Janos could ask his wife what she meant by that strange comment, the children came racing back across the courtyard with Anna trailing behind them.
“Let’s get that bird on the table before it’s cold,” Anna said once she’d caught up to her family on the porch.
Janos followed his wife, sister, and children into the house for a very special meal. Roast chicken was a rarity in the Kovac home, but rarer were the laughter and smiles shared around the dinner table.
Karina was in good spirits and seemed to be making an extra effort to get along with her children and, in particular, with Anna, with whom she was usually at odds. She had no trouble connecting with Lukas and winning him over with her charm. He was always desperate for his mother’s attention. No matter how long she was lost to him in a torrent of sadness, he always welcomed her back with open arms. Sofie, however, was the more hesitant child, unsure of how to interpret her mother’s increased attention. Janos had caught her eyeing her mother suspiciously a few times during dinner.
“I think you should read us a chapter from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” Karina said to Sofie once the table was cleared. “I love hearing about all those fascinating creatures.”
“Really?” Sofie asked, her tone skeptical. “You’re interested in winged monkeys and Kalidahs?”
“Your mother is trying to take an interest in the things you enjoy. Go get the book,” Janos suggested.
Sofie retrieved her favorite novel from the bookcase and began reading aloud the story of Dorothy’s journey along the yellow-brick road. Lukas clutched his mother’s arm during scary parts in the story and buried his head in her lap whenever the winged monkeys and the Wicked Witch of the West appeared. After Sofie completed the chapter, she closed the book and looked up.
“You’re such a good reader. Maybe you’ll be a teacher one day,” Karina mused.
“Maybe,” Sofie muttered.
“I’m going to bed early tonight,” Anna said with a yawn. “I have lots of washing to do in the morning.”
“We should put the kids to bed, too, Karina. They were up at the crack of dawn this morning,” Janos said.
“I’m not going fishing anymore with Sofie and Pole. They get up too early,” Lukas complained.
“You’re the one who begged me to go,” Sofie snapped.
“Come on, you two. Up to bed!” Janos grabbed Sofie’s hand and led her up the crooked stairs to the family bedroom. Karina and Lukas followed closely behind. Once the children were neatly tucked under their blankets and had received goodnight kisses from each of their parents, Janos and Karina turned toward the door.
Suddenly, a soft voice whispered in the dark. “Mama, I’m sorry I wasn’t very nice to you tonight. I didn’t know you liked Oz so much. It’s just …”
Karina turned around to face Sofie. “What is it?”
“You’re so confusing. You normally don’t stay up to read with us, but tonight, you seemed really interested in hearing the story. And you were so kind to everyone.” Sofie sighed.
“And that upsets you?” Karina asked.
“No. It made me happy.” Sofie went silent for a moment. “But confused. I never know what to expect from you.”
Sensing his wife and daughter needed help communicating, Janos stepped in. “Sofie, your mother may be unpredictable at times, but she loves you very much.”
Karina got down on her hands and knees so she could reach Sofie on the thin mattress on the floor. She kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. “You’ll always be my little girl.
I love you, Sofie. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I love you, too, Mama.”
As Karina stood up from the floor, Janos wrapped his arm around her and led her back downstairs to the kitchen. He poured two glasses of whiskey and motioned for her to join him on the sofa in the sitting room.
“We had a lovely evening. I hope we have more like these ahead. The children are growing up so fast, and I don’t want you to miss any more precious time with them. I think, with a little work, you’ll be able to win Sofie’s trust back.”
“I’ve really messed things up with her, haven’t I?”
“You’ve spent a lot of time locked in the bedroom being sad. Lukas doesn’t seem to hold it against you, but Sofie does. She feels cheated.”
“I know how that feels.” Karina drained her glass of whiskey and got up to pour herself another.
“Karina!” Janos scolded her.
“I’m sorry. Bad habit, I guess. I need to focus on the positive, right?” She returned to the sofa.
“You do. And there are a lot more positive things in your life than negative. You just need to change the way you see the world.”
“That’s easier said than done. How do you change your own nature?”
“I’m not sure, but we’ll figure that out together. Once we get away from Riverton, we can forget about the past and wipe the slate clean. We’ll build a new life for our family.” Janos caressed his wife’s cheek. “Say you’ll help me. Say you want to start over.”
Karina’s expression softened as she met Janos’s gaze. She stared at him for several seconds, then nodded slowly. A tear escaped down her cheek. “I do. I do want to start over.”
Janos put his and Karina’s drinks on the wobbly table beside the sofa. He moved closer to his wife, cupping her chin, pulling it towards him. When his mouth met hers, he was surprised that his kisses were met eagerly with soft, inviting lips. Karina wanted him! Suddenly, her hand slid down the front of Janos’s pants. He broke into a wide, boyish grin, trying to remember the last time his wife had been so lascivious.
Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash Page 9