Secrets of My Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  David stood beside the buggy, waiting. He offered Nancy his arm as she climbed into the small, two-person carriage and settled in. She felt the tightness in her chest ease as David joined her.

  “Where to now, ma’am?”

  She handed him the address.

  He glanced at the paper and nodded. “It’s just around the corner. I’ll have you there in a quick minute.” He slapped the lines lightly and eased the horse into the busy traffic.

  John Lincoln kept an office on the ground floor of a large brick edifice that looked to be entirely devoted to legal services. Nancy once again felt intimidated as she made her way inside. She quickly found the office door with gold stenciling proclaiming John Lincoln, Attorney at Law.

  A skinny young man looked up from his work, then quickly rose to stand at attention. “Good morning. How may I help you?” He pushed up his eyeglasses and fumbled to button his coat.

  “I don’t have an appointment, but I would like to see Mr. Lincoln. Would you tell him Mrs. Pritchard would like to discuss her late husband’s affairs?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Won’t you have a chair?”

  She nodded and slipped into a round-backed wooden chair by the door. The young man turned down a short hall. At the end, he knocked on a closed wooden door before letting himself inside the room. Nancy heard the murmured exchange but couldn’t make out any of the words. She felt suddenly exhausted and found herself longing for home.

  I feel like an old woman—tired and worn from the cares of life. I’m only twenty-six, and I feel as if I have one foot in the grave.

  The bespectacled young man soon returned and offered her a smile. “Mr. Lincoln will see you now. Please come this way.”

  Nancy rose and followed him to John’s office. She felt a sense of relief at the familiar face greeting her.

  “Mrs. Pritchard, welcome,” John Lincoln said, coming around his desk. “May I tell you how sorry I am for your loss.” He took her gloved hand and led her to a leather chair.

  “Thank you, Mr. Lincoln.” Nancy sat once again and pushed back her veil.

  He frowned as he considered her. “You look rather pale. Would you care for some water?”

  “No.” Nancy shook her head. “I’m afraid this is my first time out of the house since the funeral, and I’m feeling . . . well, rather out of place.”

  The older man gave her a sympathetic smile. “Well, let me see what I can do to help. Cyrus tells me that you’ve come to discuss your husband’s affairs.”

  Nancy nodded and reached into her purse. She pulled out the short will and handed it to Mr. Lincoln. “I was informed by a friend—actually, one of my husband’s former associates—that I should be dealing with the will and my husband’s business. I’m hoping I might solicit you to manage this task for me.”

  Lincoln took the will and smiled again. “I’m honored that you deem me worthy.”

  Nancy began to relax a bit. “I feel I know you and your sweet wife well enough to be comfortable in your management of the matter.” She paused, wondering if he’d think it strange if she confessed how little she knew about her husband’s dealings. “I’m afraid . . . well, that is to say, I wasn’t overly involved in my husband’s business and know very little about what might need attention.”

  “You needn’t apologize. Few wives are involved in such matters.” He took his seat and studied the will. “It seems very simply stated. Did your husband have any family?”

  “No. He was orphaned at a young age and always told me there was no one else.”

  “Then we shouldn’t anticipate any challenge to your husband’s wishes.” He put down the paper. “Now, what do you know of the hardware store your husband ran?”

  “Albert’s store is near the river. He catered primarily to the men in that area—particularly riverboat crews and their needs. He was quite private about his business. I plan to go to the store soon so that I can collect the papers from the safe.”

  “That’s a good idea. It would be wise to consolidate everything in one place, and that way I can look over the papers and arrange to pay off any unmet loans or inventories.”

  “Albert always insisted on cash-only transactions. I can’t imagine there were any loans. He abhorred borrowing money.”

  “A wise man, to be sure.” John Lincoln leaned back in his chair. “I admire a man who refrained from debt.”

  “Yes, well, that was Albert’s way.”

  Silence fell over the room while John studied her. “May I call you Nancy?” he asked. “I feel we have known each other for such a long time, and you are rather like family.”

  “Of course,” she replied, trying not to appear surprised. It seemed strange that this man should say such a thing. They saw each other regularly at church, and Nancy had once attended a dinner at the Lincoln house, but they were certainly not close.

  “Nancy, many people will try to take advantage of you. There are at least a hundred confidence men slithering about the city, trying to rob the unsuspecting and entangle the innocent. I would like to ask that you do nothing, make no decision and sign no papers without first consulting me. I do not ask this because I believe you incapable of managing your affairs, but these tricksters are quite devious and often seem validated and completely trustworthy. I know a man—a good friend, in fact—who was recently taken in by such deception and lost over twenty thousand dollars.”

  “Twenty thousand?” Nancy didn’t even attempt to hide her surprise.

  John nodded. “And the duped man was Harvard educated. So, please, come to me first. Even if it is a family member’s suggestion or that of a close friend. People are easily mistaken.”

  Nancy could hear the sincerity in his voice. He wasn’t just trying to take charge of her affairs. He genuinely cared. “I will seek your counsel first, and in doing so would like to ask your advice about something.”

  “Of course.” He smiled, seeming relieved. “Please go on.”

  “I will probably be of a mind to sell the store. I haven’t decided for certain, but it seems reasonable. I know nothing about the business and have little desire to learn. However, my house is quite large, and I would enjoy turning it into a boardinghouse for women. I believe, as I mentioned, that both are free of any legal entanglements.”

  “I believe a boardinghouse would be a good way for you to support yourself, Nancy. And the location of your home would bring in a better type of client. Let me go over your husband’s affairs, and we should be able to know for certain within a week or so if there are any problems.”

  “Thank you.” She sighed.

  With their meeting concluded, Nancy figured there was no time like the present to pick up her husband’s papers and ledgers from the store. She directed David toward the docks. Her husband’s hardware store was located only a few blocks from the river, which made it convenient for the ship and dockworkers to get what they needed for repairs.

  “I’d like you to come in with me,” Nancy told David as they came to a stop in front of the store. The building was brick with a wood awning that desperately wanted a coat of paint. Albert had been waiting for a dry spell in order to see that particular job done by his own hand. He seldom if ever hired someone to do something he felt comfortable tackling himself.

  David followed her into the building. “Would you like me to light some lanterns?”

  “Please.” Nancy glanced around the large store. She’d only been here a handful of times. There was nothing sold here that would interest a lady, and most of the materials were things she doubted many men would recognize.

  Once David had ample lighting for them, Nancy made her way to the back room where she knew Albert kept a small office. She glanced around the room, trying desperately to sense something familiar—something of Albert—but instead she was met with cold indifference. The room was meticulously ordered, as was her late husband’s way, but there was nothing personal to the place. It could have been anyone’s office in any stranger’s place of business.

>   “Is there anything you’d like me to do?” David asked.

  Nancy thought for a moment. “See if you can’t find a small wooden crate so we can take home all the papers and contents of the desk.”

  “Sure, Mrs. Pritchard.” He left one of the lanterns on the desk and took the other to go on his search.

  Nancy took a ring of keys from her purse. She made her way to the safe and tried first one key and then another until she managed to unlock the door. It was difficult to see inside, so she retrieved the lantern and shone it into the safe.

  There were several ledgers, stacks of invoices and bills of sale, a moneybox, and additional papers that weren’t readily identifiable. She opened one of the ledgers but couldn’t make sense of it. It appeared to be in some sort of abbreviated shorthand or code. She picked up one of the other books and found the same style of entries.

  “I found this. Do you suppose it’s big enough?” David announced, returning with a large crate.

  She set down the ledger. “I think it should suffice. It will depend on what’s in the desk. Come empty out the contents of the safe and put them in the crate while I open the desk.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” David bent quickly to the task while Nancy fumbled with the keys again to figure out the desk lock.

  Once the desk was open, it was easy to see that Albert had kept anything of value in the safe. The drawers of the desk were all empty save for several catalogues her husband had probably used to place orders. Nancy didn’t bother to relock the desk or the safe.

  “Do you suppose there is anything else the lawyer might need?” she asked aloud, not really anticipating an answer.

  “He’ll want an inventory of everything in the store.”

  She looked at David in surprise. “Yes, I suppose he will. Perhaps one of the ledgers will contain that information. If not, we may have to get someone in here to take an account. Although I don’t know who might recognize the goods carried here.”

  “Your lawyer could probably locate someone,” David offered. “Even if he doesn’t know someone, he might be able to put the word out.”

  “Of course. I’m sure you’re right.” Nancy made a mental note to write John a letter to request such a person.

  They made their way back out to the buggy. David waited while Nancy locked the store door. He placed the crate on the buggy floor, then helped Nancy up. Once she was settled, he claimed his seat and propped his feet on the sides of the crate.

  “I’m sorry there isn’t more room,” Nancy said, frowning. “I could hold the crate on my lap.”

  “No, it’s just fine, ma’am. No sense in you having to bear the weight.” He picked up the reins. “Are we bound for home now?”

  “Yes, please.” The day was starting to grow overcast as thick clouds moved in from the coast. “Hopefully we’ll beat the rain.”

  David drove them back to the house, commenting from time to time on one thing or another, as if to keep Nancy entertained. He told her about a new theater that was soon to open for plays and musical gatherings. How he knew about such things, she didn’t ask. As they neared her neighborhood, Nancy contemplated what she would do with the rest of her day. It was nearly noon, and to her surprise, she was hungry.

  “I can fix us some lunch, if you’re hungry,” she offered.

  David shook his head. “I have to get on with my other jobs. I usually just bring an apple and some cheese. I left it in the carriage house, so it’ll be there waitin’ for me when we get back.”

  Nancy smiled and nodded. “Why don’t you just go to the carriage house rather than dropping me off out front? I’m sure it’s going to start raining any minute, and I’d like to keep those papers dry.”

  When they reached the house, David did as she suggested. Nancy hurried through the garden path to the back door and unlocked the house. David followed with the crate of goods, and Nancy directed him to put it on the table in the front foyer.

  As he turned to go, Nancy stopped him. “I want you to have this for your extra trouble.” She handed him a five-dollar note. “I know I’ll be needing you at other times to drive me. In time I should be able to manage for myself, but for now . . .” She let the words fade into silence.

  “I’m happy to help you, Mrs. Pritchard.” David took the bill and grinned. “And my ma will be grateful for this. I’ll see to the horse and buggy now. Good day to you.” He tipped his hat and made a dash for the carriage house just as a loud knocking sounded from the front door.

  Nancy closed the back door and took off her hat and veil as she made her way to the front of the house. She put her things aside on the receiving table, then opened the door to reveal a man she didn’t know.

  “May I help you?”

  He smiled. “I’m Mr. Hanson—a customer of your husband’s.”

  “I’m sorry, but my husband is dead.”

  “Yeah, I heard about that.” The large, beefy man rubbed his bearded face. Then, as if he’d just realized she was a lady, he pulled off his cap. “Fact is, your husband took an order for me and I paid in full, so now I need to know where my shipment is.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just now attending to some of those things. I can have my lawyer look into it. What is it that you ordered from my husband?”

  “Whiskey and rifles. Quite a lot of both. I paid him in full. Your books ought to show that.”

  “I’m afraid you have the wrong person, Mr. Hanson. My husband didn’t deal in whiskey or firearms.”

  The man smiled. “Well, it’s clear he didn’t tell you about it, but the facts are what they are. He dealt in them, all right. I bought from him more than once, and I want my goods.”

  Nancy shook her head, not knowing what else to say or do. He was intimidating in size, and if he chose to cause her trouble, she doubted there was anything she could do about it.

  “I suppose I shall have to figure out where your things are, Mr. Hanson. Can you give me a day or two?”

  He grinned. “Sure. I like the idea of coming back to pay you another visit.”

  She did her best to appear unmoved by his comment and leer. “Very well, then. Might I suggest you come again on Friday? Say, at two. I’m sure that will be enough time for my lawyer to figure this out for you.” With any luck at all, she’d have Mr. Lincoln present to deal with Mr. Hanson when he returned.

  She didn’t realize how frightened she was until after Hanson had gone. Closing the door behind her, Nancy quickly locked it and then leaned back against it to ponder what had just happened. Albert had never told her anything about guns and whiskey. He dealt in machinery pieces and tools. What in the world was this about?

  Chapter 5

  Are you sure she won’t mind that you’ve brought me along?” Seth Carpenter looked at his new employer with a grin. “I mean, it’s not like we aren’t old friends, but I don’t want to cause problems for you.”

  “I think Nancy will be delighted to see you again,” John Lincoln replied before lifting the knocker. He sounded it several times, then turned back to Seth. “I’m sure at a time like this that old friends from home must serve a comforting purpose.”

  Seth wasn’t convinced Nancy would see it that way. After all, he’d been her brother Gabe’s best friend—not hers. He thought back to the last time he’d even seen Nancy. She couldn’t have been more than sixteen or seventeen. In her earlier years, she had been a pest to Gabe and Seth. Typical of little sisters, she was constantly interfering in their affairs and threatening to tattle on them when she didn’t like what she saw. In the latter years, however, Nancy had seldom had much to do with her brothers or their friends, and short of seeing her at church, Seth had found she was usually absent during his visits.

  The door opened, and Nancy Armistead Pritchard gave John a smile. “Mr. Lincoln, I’m glad you could make it today.”

  “I’m sorry for the delay. I had hoped we could meet sooner, but so many things conspired against us.” He paused and turned to Seth. “I believe you know Mr. Carpenter.”r />
  Nancy turned to face Seth and paused with a curious look on her face. “Seth? Seth Carpenter?”

  “One and the same.” Seth tried not to show his surprise at her stunning beauty. Her green eyes were startling in their intensity. Had they always been so bright? How was it that he didn’t remember her having green eyes? “It’s good to see you again, Nancy—Mrs. Pritchard.”

  “No, please call me Nancy. I wouldn’t know how to accept anything else from you.” She backed away. “Please come in, gentlemen.” She took their hats and paused to put them on the table beside a crate of papers and books. “As you can see, I’ve been gathering my husband’s business papers.”

  “Very good,” John replied. “We’ll be certain to take those back with us.”

  She led the way to a very nicely furnished sitting room. The fire in the hearth was more than welcome on the chilly day.

  “I never figured to see you again, Seth. What brings you around today?” she asked.

  “He’s working with me now,” John answered before Seth could say another word. “I advertised to take on a partner, and Seth responded. It’s a comfort to me to know that you are acquainted with each other.”

  “The Carpenters are longtime friends of the family,” Nancy answered, giving Seth a quick glance. “My older brother Gabe and Seth were the best of friends. I, on the other hand, was better acquainted with Seth’s sister Clementine.”

  “Speaking of which,” Seth interjected, “she is moving to Portland to teach at the school just a few blocks from here. John tells me you’re opening your home to boarders, and I’d love to secure a place for her here and now.”

  Nancy smiled for the first time. “That would be delightful. I would love to renew my friendship with your sister. I shall save a room for her. The very best one, in fact.”

  Seth’s smile broadened. “That would be wonderful. I know she’ll be pleased.” He was pleased too. It would also give him a good reason to stop by on a regular basis to visit.

  “As you know,” John said, his voice taking on a professional tone, “I wanted to stop by and talk to you about your husband’s affairs. So far I have ascertained that, just as you thought, the deeds on the business and the house are free and clear. Furthermore, there doesn’t seem to be any challenge or problem with the terms of the will. I will, of course, continue to search out his associates and look carefully for owed debts and so forth. You pointed out the crate of papers on the table. Is that everything?”