And then Harriet smiled to herself. She could always get him to buy her more jewelry and she imagined some of the late wife's belongings had not yet been parsed out. She would now be entitled to any family jewels, after all. She rolled her eyes. For a moment she had forgotten the plan. But now she had added to the plan. She intended to be fully bejeweled by the time they were finished.
She was surprised to see Karl had left the linens on the bed, even though they had come with the unit and were supposed to remain. She knew her “dear brother,” and that must have been hard for him to do.
Returning to the front room she smiled broadly at the gentleman and declared, “It seems everything has been taken care of! We can just pack the bags into the cab and return home.”
She then grasped her new husband's arm and simpered up at him.
Henry, who had been a family retainer practically since he was born to the previous housekeeper, met William’s eye and stoically begin lifting bags and boxes. Between them, Henry and the cab driver wrangled them and the trunk into the boot of the cab, and they were soon on their way back home.
Ground Rules
Once the girls were in their rooms for the night, William sat down with Harriet to have a talk. He knew his daughters were shocked by his callous actions and he had no explanation to give them.
“You must understand that I am still in deep mourning for Estelle, and will remain in mourning for the prescribed period. For us to have married at this time is shocking, an immense breach of etiquette, and you would never be accepted into society were it to come out that we had wed prematurely. Therefore I expect that you will maintain an extremely low profile, not discuss our marriage with anyone, and dress appropriately.
“To the world, for now, you must appear to be a cousin, come to comfort my daughters. Thus you would be at least in half mourning still. You will not flaunt jewelry nor in any way be ostentatious. For you to behave otherwise would breach our agreement and make it impossible for me to carry on in an effective manner to assist your brother in his goal of finding the gold. For you must know I was telling you the truth when I said I did not know anything about its current whereabouts.”
No! No, no! screamed Harriet to herself. This is not how it’s supposed to be! He’s supposed to take me to society dinners! And balls and plays! She glowered at William. He offered her a casual consolation.
“Once my mourning is lifted, we can appear to court and wed quietly. At that time I could publicly acknowledge you as my wife.” He reached out and patted her hand as if he were truly falling for her charms.
Mollified, Harriet agreed but insisted on being able to purchase a mourning wardrobe as she certainly had nothing appropriate. He agreed, mentally, that nothing he had seen her in was particularly appropriate, for any occasion, but promised to take her shopping. He explained that, for now, for the sake of propriety, he would not be able to take her to a fashionable modiste downtown, because of the delicacy of the situation. However he did know someone who did exquisite work from one of the side streets nearby.
William chuckled to himself when he thought of how he had learned of the backstreet modiste who catered to the demi-monde. One of his fellow club members was complaining about her invoices.
“But at least she knows better than to send bills around to the house,” he exclaimed. “Of course, that's why she commands such a stiff prices.” And then he had smirked, “But she does keep my soiled doves looking lovely.”
In his line of work he never knew what information would prove useful, so he’d tucked it aside. But he avoided becoming friends with the man.
William looked at Harriet thoughtfully. She actually was a very attractive woman when she wasn't scowling or trying to give orders. But her personality he found repulsive, and her manners left a great deal to be desired. Well, nothing for it but to be blunt.
“My dear, I think it would behoove you to use this time while we are waiting to find who has your gold, to learn the style and manners of society. People accustomed to money behave differently from those who know what it is to work.”
He decided to fudge the truth a bit, adding, “You may not be aware, but my circumstances were not quite what my wife's were, and I, too, had to polish my manners to fit in. I saw you watching my daughters at tea and how quickly you picked up the presently accepted manner of enjoying a repast. A woman as clever as you would have no trouble learning everything needed to become the toast of the town.”
He needed her to be at least socially acceptable in case she was seen by anyone, even with the cover story he had devised.
Frustrations
Harriet was frustrated. Karl had left her no money and William had given her none, explaining he would be with her whenever she needed to acquire anything. So she was virtually captive in the house unless she wanted to walk somewhere. The man didn't even keep a stable! It had been impractical in town, especially after his wife became ill, he’d claimed.
Given the central location of the house, cabs were easily come by and far more anonymous, especially for his sideline work for John Grey, thought William, although he didn't share that sentiment aloud.
She was also frustrated that William would not give her the keys.
“Consider yourself on your honeymoon, my dear,” he said. “Household management is well under control and I do not wish any disruptions to my comfort. We keep the closed rooms locked so the staff doesn't worry about them when they're unneeded.”
That she could understand, because men were clearly only concerned for themselves. Look at her thoroughly selfish husband Karl. Drat, she reminded herself, I have to keep thinking of him as my brother to stay in character. But, oh! she was so bored.
She did not read and did not particularly care for hand work. With Karl in Philadelphia pursuing other leads, she had nothing to do. And now she was not even being allowed to run the household! I'll see to that. I am the new mistress. He had said so to the housekeeper! So from now on she would start insisting on planning menus at the very least. And she wanted access to the rooms so she could see what she now owned. And what I can pawn. She smiled to herself. She did have a certain set of skills with regard guard to locks, after all.
She would spend a day or two observing the household so she would know where people were at all times before she started her visits to other places in the house. She could start on the upper floors and work her way down. She smiled broadly now that she had a plan.
~~~
In her peregrinations through the upper floors, Harriet had discovered one or two saleable trinkets and had walked the few blocks to the business district to fence them. She didn't use the broker Karl usually did. Although she would have gotten a higher price, she knew Karl would have instantly learned of her new side venture. Now she had a bit of pin money and could take cabs when she needed to. And she needed to! She wanted to get as far away from this museum as she could, at least for a few hours. She knew they had long-term plans, but in the short-term this was turning into pure hell for her.
Henry, in his careful, quiet way, had noted her obvious skill with lock-picking and endeavored to add protection to those doors which barred more sensitive matter than a few trinkets and decorations. One of John’s agents had been assigned to watch the house and follow Harriet whenever she left. He’d reported to Henry that she had walked to visit a known fence, but come out smiling and used a cab for her remaining errands. He’d only been able to keep up thanks to congested streets.
Henry had paid the man a visit and suggested any items brought in by Harriet would be purchased back for a premium—but if he tried to cheat them in any way, including mentioning this visit to anyone, he needn’t worry about having the opportunity to ever cheat anyone else. The fence had quickly agreed and promptly turned over any purchases.
Open Door
And then Harriet had come across the door to Celeste’s room standing open, empty, and could not resist the urge to go in. She looked around the beautifully decorated spac
e, noting the crib in the corner was empty, and walked over to the dressing table on which lay silver backed brushes and beautiful perfume bottles. Her hands had to touch.
Reaching for one of the bottles, she almost tripped on the child sitting on the floor cradling a doll. What was the brat doing here on her own?
Samantha's eyes widened. This was the woman with the loud voice that scared her. And she was going to touch something on Mama's dressing table. Samantha knew better than to touch anything on the table. She had been scolded and she didn't like to make her mama unhappy. Besides Mama had made sure she had pretty things of her own to play with.
So when the lady touched the bottle, Samantha said, “No, no. No touch Mama bottle,” shaking her head and her hand the way her mother had done when scolding her.
Fortunately the bottle hadn't broken when she dropped it, but it now lay on its side, seeping perfume.
Harriet’s temper exploded and she seized the child roughly by the arm. Swinging her hand back, she slapped Samantha's face as hard as she could.
“How dare you talk to me that way!” she yelled.
Hearing a gasp from behind her, she turned and saw that Celeste had walked in. She glared at the younger woman and stalked out of the room.
“Bad lady,” Samantha had announced solemnly as her mother cradled the bruised cheek, which had first shown a white handprint but now was burning a cherry red.
“You are a very brave little girl, Samantha.” murmured her mother, leaning forward to kiss her daughter’s forehead. “Let's go see Mrs. Flowers to see if she has some ice to put on your face so that it feels better.”
The toddler nodded solemnly and the two walked slowly from the room. Celeste paused to take the time to lock it behind her this time.
Flight
Two days earlier, Miranda had announced she had been invited to spend some quiet time with their cousin Amy.
“You are invited too, Celeste,” she had said.
“I think I've uprooted Samantha enough in the last few weeks. I had best stay here.”
William had approved the plan so Harriet bit her lip and remained silent. Miranda would only be gone for a few days and she still had two of her hostages within her control.
~~~
They could hear the front door slamming from the kitchen as Mrs. Flowers was giving Samantha an extra treat for tea.
“You stay here,” said Mrs. Flowers, and scurried about to confirm that Harriet had left. Henry, too, had heard the bang and joined the ladies in the kitchen where Celeste explained to her plan to leave on the next possible train for Kansas
“I had been expecting that question from Miss Miranda,” replied Henry, and excused himself to fetch the current train schedule. I understand you have not really unpacked your things, and larger items can be sent later. If you can be ready within two hours, we can put you on a fairly direct route.”
Celeste’s plan to use Miranda's ticket had been approved.
“Don't you worry, we will see that Miranda gets off safely, too, as soon as she returns from your cousin’s house.”
~~~
Celeste had plenty of time to think on her journey west.
There were a number of things that didn’t make sense to her, and she began to make mental notes of discrepancies. Chief among these was her father’s behavior. He was mostly absent these days, and, when home, was reserved and distant—not his normal demeanor at all. But it wasn’t just her. He’d pulled away from Miranda, too.
The only person around whom he’d behaved naturally was his granddaughter, Samantha. Her he tossed joyfully into the air and he cuddled and read to her, much as he had behaved when Miranda and Celeste were children.
Now he himself was married to that harridan, Harriet, who was doing her best to bankrupt him and empty the house of any goods of value. Celeste shook her head in confusion. None of this made sense. Not her plunge from Happy Housewife to Wailing Widow, nor her father’s conversion from Sorrowful Spouse to Harried Husband. And his distant behavior was the most confusing aspect of all.
She clung to Henry’s words to her, spoken when he’d brought her back home:
“All is not as it seems. It must not be talked of and we must each do our best to carry on as if all is normal. But have faith in your father. Despite appearances, he has not changed and still has your best interests at heart. You know within you that his women, your mother, sister, daughter and self, have always been his most important treasures. Just hold on to that thought if things start seeming strange.”
Philadelphia
Harriet has screamed in fury when she realized Celeste and Samantha had flown the coop. With Miranda at her cousin's, all three of her hostages were out of her grasp.
Her first action was to fire the remaining servants, which by now appear to be down to Henry and Mrs. Flowers.
She needed to talk with Karl.
~~~
After Harriet’s tirade when he’d been “fired,” Henry had gone to his office to advise William of the situation, starting with Harriet’s attacked on Samantha and ending with the terminations. William had approved heartily of Celeste’s prompt action as well as that of Henry and Mrs. Flowers. In fact he was very proud of both his daughters and the way they had been handling their lives under trying circumstances.
~~~
Harriet had calmed down by the time William returned from the office. She explained her plan to visit her brother in Philadelphia the next day.
“Wonderful,” said William. “I will be glad to accompany you. I've been wanting to get out of the office.”
It didn't fit with Harriet's plans but she could make do. Besides he would take her to much nicer places to eat then she be able to afford on her own, even with pocket change she now had from fencing trinkets. She was just surprised that he had not reacted more strongly to the suggestion.
“And, by the way,” she added casually, “I have let go that obnoxious Henry and Mrs. Flowers. They could not maintain a proper attitude and I refuse to have them around.”
He stood looking at her quite a while before nodding his head and saying, “Very well, my dear.”
~~~
Karl had been dismayed to see his sister, and was not made happier by the news of Celeste leaving town. William had laughed and blatantly lied.
“She just went to visit a friend. Henry posted her off to Boston for a few days. It has been hard on poor Celeste since she lost her husband. I think she needs a break.”
Karl had nothing to report but William hinted there might be news coming out of Virginia soon. Karl directed that everyone continue the plan that was in place and privately told Harriet to keep a better eye on Miranda when she got back, or William might try to get out of the marriage.
“He hasn't tried anything, has he?” growled Karl.
“No, we don't even have adjoining rooms,” she said. “He knows his place.”
She didn't mention the plans for the future that William had drawn for her. He gave every indication of becoming a fond husband. But she’d deal with that detail once this caper was over.
~~~
When Harriet and William returned the following afternoon, they discovered an even emptier house than Miranda had. Someone had left her bedroom door open after all the luggage had been removed, and the stripped room was obvious.
Unfortunately, Harriet had seen the letter from Miranda and discovered where she was going. Apparently she had notified her henchmen and they had raced off after Miranda's train, thinking she had taken with her information pertaining to the missing war gold.
William had sent a runner to notify John. He’d agreed to the trip to see Karl, hopping to get Harriet away from the house long enough for Miranda to be able to leave. Unfortunately Miranda had still been at her cousin’s while all the drama had been happening in his house, and nearly missed the window of opportunity to take off. As it was, some of the gang was hot on her trail. His own family was now in danger and it was time to call an end to the farce
.
Even if they couldn't get these people all arrested on federal charges, they had violated enough laws to put them away for a long time. He’d see to it that Harriet went away for bigamy, if nothing else. And then he sighed. Both sides had known the marriage wasn’t real. Her husband had hired the “preacher”! Well, some of the stolen jewels were enough to see her locked up. The thought of that woman handling his precious wife’s belongings still made him shudder. And conspiracy charges, murder charges . . . The only real “failure” was finding out who was behind Karl. He clearly couldn’t have set up the gossip chain. Someone in high circles had orchestrated that.
He had to trust his daughters knew what they were doing regarding their love lives. He had let his daughter know that she was independently wealthy and did not need to marry unless she really wanted to. Meanwhile, he had investigated the town of Green River and the people with whom they were going to be involved, and determined it was as safe a place for them as any, or had been until the gang got on their trail.
However William did have one ace up his sleeve. The local Green River sheriff, Frank McNamara, had worked with him in Washington after the war. He quickly sent a coded wire to him, letting him know what was happening and asking that he watch out for the girls.
CHAPTER 7 – Traveling West
Sunny
Miranda called the porter over.
“I am so sorry to disturb you, but as you know I have been forced to travel alone. I fear I have observed an individual, whom I cannot quite characterize as a gentleman, following me and watching me. I may be overreacting but no one else has walked by this corridor six times in the past hour, while staring in at me each time.” She proceeded to describe the man’s lank, dirty yellow hair, ill-shaven, lantern-jawed face, scrawny build, and stooped posture, wearing work clothes and boots.
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