Kelly proceeds to share his concerns about my mother, butFather isn’t impressed. “Maybe a bone-cutter like you isn’t up to the job.”
“That’s exactly what I was saying to your wife, Mr. Grayson. Itmight be in her best interests to make a change. I can refer you to the mostqualified physician in the county. He has an office in the same building asmine.”
Up until this point, I have remained in my chair in the corner,calling as little attention to myself as possible. Then my cane slides off thechair arm and clatters to the floor. I sense that Father has turned my way.Anger. Embarrassment. Those are the emotions I smell on him, in addition tolots of brandy. He stumbles and the liquor sloshes within his glass.
“What’s this I hear, Hester, about you traipsing around thecity today? Are you too simple to know your place is at home?”
Kelly steps between us. “Your daughter’s place iswherever she wishes to go, sir.”
Father takes a drink. “Ah, I see,” he says at length. “Can’tfind yourself a normal woman so you take what you can get. There’s a good dowry, too. I’d pay a high priceto be rid of her. ”
I hear the doctor move close to my father. There can only be afew inches separating them. “I’d call you out this minute, if I didn’t think itwould upset your wife and daughter. You’re in their debt today, Mr. Grayson.”
Kelly’s voice is so quiet and controlled. But scary too.
Grabbing my cane from the floor, I stand and walk out of theroom, hoping to reach my suite before any further words are exchanged. Kellycatches up with me in the hallway.
“Wait, Hester,” he says. “Wait. I’m so sorry.”
I bristle at the sympathy behind his words. I would havepreferred a witty, off-the-cuff remark instead. Angry words may hurt, but I’maccustomed to them. Receiving another’s pity is far more painful. I won’t haveKelly feeling that for me.
“Come downstairs, won’t you?” he asks. “Walk with me to thedoor?”
Absolutely. Why the hell not? My pride’s in tatters, but I’mstill a good hostess.
Turning around, I follow the doctor down to the foyer. Marthahelps him into his coat and Kelly sends her away with a curt expression ofthanks.
“I feel badly, Hester—about what was said upstairs.”
I give a small shrug and then sign, Father jackass.
The doctor laughs softly. “That he is.”
Go home, Noah. Fine.
“Yes. I can see that you are.” He pauses briefly. “I’ve beenmeaning to ask you something for hours. Do you have plans for tomorrow night?”
Plans? Me?
“I discovered a bunch of old mail behind the trash can in myoffice this morning. As I sorted through the mail, I found an invitation to theFall Cotillion at Griffin House. James Scarlett, the owner of the place, hasinvited me to many such occasions, but I’ve resisted. I thought I might escortyou to this one, Hester. As I said, it’s tomorrow, which gives you very littletime to prepare.”
What time?
“Eight.” Kelly puts his hand on my arm. “Maude Lambson islikely tied to Griffin House, given the ring found near her remains. Hopefully,we can identify the killer at the dance. Would you recognize his voice if youheard it?”
Immediately.
“Then tomorrow at eight, it is.”
Kelly leaves me with a kiss on the top of my head. And a newsituation to explain to Tom.
I meet him at midnight, and all the worries of the day fade intonothingness. I can deal with the challenges of life when he’s with me.
Tom brushes the hair out of my face, tucks the strands behindmy ear. It’s too cold to go up to the rocks tonight, love. Do you mindpracticing with the knives at our barn instead?
Feeling sorry for other women, I count my blessings—becausehe’s mine.
Sounds perfect.
Tom nudges his horse to go faster. You’re certainly easy toplease.
No. I’m just happy right now.
“Bad day, love?” he asks, going vocal.
There’s no reason to rehash the situation with my father. Tomalready hates him, and it wouldn’t change anything.
No, just busy. Lots to tell.
“That’s fine,” Tom murmurs. “We have all night.”
So I share almost everything. How I learned Maude Lambson’sidentity and met her employer at the Windsor Hotel. I tell him that I amattending the cotillion with Kelly, as a means of finding Maude’s killer, andhe reluctantly admits it’s a good idea. Once the perpetrator is brought tojustice, Lambson’s spirit will move on to the afterlife, and she won’t haunt meanymore. Then Tom and I will be able to focus on finding the heir ofArchimendax.
I don’t share that the doctor gave me a goodbye kiss on thehead. Tom thinks the cotillion is dangerous enough as it is. Knowledge of thekiss would only add fuel to the fire of his discontent.
“I’m going,” he says. “I’ll stay outside Griffin House, in theshadows, but I’ll be there to help.”
Thank you. I won’t be afraid if you’re near.
We ride across the Craddock ranch, and I sense Tom’s pride ofbelonging to such a spread. After reaching the stable, he tells me he hasbrought the targets down from the mountain. The barn is a large structure, farbigger in every way than his house. Tom helps me gain a sense of dimension andspace in an isolated section of the building, and I throw my knives well. Armsaching, I finish with a flourish by hitting three bags within seconds of eachother.
Tom picks up the knives and returns them to me. “Now you’reready, love.”
The next day is a blur of activity. Cordelia and I visit theorphanage in the morning and practice signing for a few hours afterward. Shefinds me a dress in the armoire that I can use for the cotillion, adding astrip of black lace to the hem since I’ve grown an inch or so over the lastyear. Cordie says it’s midnight blue and has bits of jet beading sewn here andthere. Around seven, I slip into the gown and my long evening gloves, and shegives me one final inspection. With my hair smelling of orange blossoms, ornatecombs holding it high
