A Lady of Hidden Intent (35 page)

“I must go to him. I must go to England.”

“No.” Carter held her fast as she tried to jerk away from him.

“Please hear me out, Catherine.”

She stilled in his arms. “I owe you that much.”

“I cannot say where your father might be at this moment. It is our hope that he will be cleared quickly and released completely, but I do not know where that process might take him. Leander will go to England on your behalf. He’s even now awaiting Captain Marlowe.”

“Then I will go with him. Do you not see? Father will be comforted by my presence. He will need me.”

“Catherine, I know that you want to be at his side, but I’m begging you to do this my way. It’s really for the best.”

“But why? Why can I not go to him?”

“Because Finley Baker is still free. And he’s never hesitated to slander your name—and he’d do far worse. If you were to go to England, you might well fall into the hands of his cohorts. Your father has ample protection, but you would not. Imagine his heartbreak if something were to happen to you.”

Catherine well understood the situation. Finley Baker was dangerous. She’d said so many times. Despite her longing to see her father safe, Catherine knew she could end up being more of a liability than an asset.

“Not only that, but Lee will bring your father here to America.

Imagine the complication of missing each other while en route.

Your father might arrive here to find you gone to England. He might leave before Lee makes his way over.”

“I hadn’t considered it, I suppose. It’s hard to imagine his being free and not being there with him.”

“Look, I understand how difficult it is for you to remain here,”

Carter said softly. “I hope to ease that by keeping you company.

I want to take you back to Philadelphia.”

“I never considered that it might be possible.” Catherine moved away from Carter and turned to face him. “I can hardly believe any of this.” She put her hand up and boldly touched his cheek. “Carter, you cannot know what this means to me.”

He covered her hand with his own, his dark eyes meeting hers. “I think I do. My heart is yours—it beats with yours, it longs with yours.”

The front door opened and Catherine could hear Mrs. Samuelson’s cackling laughter. She jumped to her feet.

“Selma! Dugan!” She rushed for the vestibule. They looked at her with expressions of fear.

“What’s wrong, child?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing is wrong. Come.” She reached out for Selma. “Mr. Danby has come and there is good news. We have the miracle we’ve prayed so long to see.”

Carter felt a sense of relief as the evening wound down and everyone was in agreement that they would return to Philadelphia. Leander joined them for supper and answered their additional questions about his part.

“Captain Marlowe told me that he planned to be in the city on the fourth. That’s just three days’ time. He plans to leave again by the seventh—earlier if his return cargo can be loaded.

I will go with him.”

Selma shook her head. “I can’t begin to tell you what wondrous new this is for all of us. This young lady has been so brave.” Tears came and she drew her handkerchief and dabbed at them. “I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Miss Catherine has, and all to save money to buy a lawyer for her father.”

Dugan patted his wife’s shoulder. “It’s true,” he said. “Catherine has been tireless.”

“I’m certain of that,” Carter replied. He had watched her for months now. He knew her determination.

“And poor Mr. Newbury. What he must have suffered,” Selma said, putting her handkerchief away.

Catherine pushed her plate back and looked hard at Leander.

“You will do what you can to see to his comfort, won’t you?”

Leander smiled. “You know I will, Miss Newbury. I’m happy to be a part of this worthy cause. Winifred was less enthusiastic, but only because it would take me from her side.”

“Actually, Winifred was very supportive and she sent her best wishes. She, too, longs for you to return to Philadelphia,”

Carter said.

“And no doubt Mrs. Clarkson would love to see you back at work,” Selma said, regaining her smile.

“No,” Carter interjected. “I don’t want Catherine to have to work anymore.”

All eyes turned to him and then refocused on Catherine’s face. Before she could speak, Carter offered an explanation.

“Catherine has, as you’ve already stated, worked much harder than she should ever have had to work. My desire for her is that she rest and prepare for her father’s return.” He couldn’t bring himself to add that he hoped to spend the time before her father’s arrival in courting Catherine.

“Carter makes a good point. There really is no telling in what condition we will find your father,” Leander agreed. “I will endeavor to put him in the best circumstances on the return journey; however, it would be wise to do as Carter suggests.”

“And where would we stay?” Catherine asked. “I have some money set aside, but that truly belongs to Carter for the money he’s already spent in helping my father.”

“I don’t want any of your money,” Carter said. “But I can help you find a place.”

“We have more than enough room at my house. My parents would no doubt be happy to help,” Leander offered.

“Dugan and I could return to Mrs. Clarkson’s. I’m certain she could still use our help,” Selma offered.

“If I don’t have to work, you shouldn’t have to either,” Catherine protested.

Selma patted her hand. “Goodness, but Dugan and I wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves. You might not have been born to work, but we were. No, Dugan and I will go back to Mrs. Clarkson’s, and you will go stay with the Arlingtons.”

Catherine considered it for a moment. “Very well. It seems that you have decided this matter for me.” She straightened, and for a moment Carter thought she might be angry, but then she smiled. “Perhaps I should trust that you know my needs better than I know them myself.”

Carter felt his heart soar. He grinned and slapped Leander’s back. “I told you she was an exceptionally smart woman.”

CHAPTER 27

S
o let me get to the heart of why I came today,” Winifred began as she and Catherine shared tea in the Arlingtons’ parlor. “Lee and I are to be married upon his return from England.”

“Goodness! You were only just stating an interest in the man a few weeks ago.”

“It’s been nearly four months,” Winifred protested.

Catherine laughed. “I suppose four months should be sufficient. Especially when you have harbored deep feelings for him for years.”

It was Winifred’s turn to laugh. “Of course, Leander did not know about such feelings. He thought of me only as Carter’s little sister. And why not? I was so much younger and not always very pleasant to those two young men.”

“Now, that is something I will not believe,” Catherine replied. “You have always presented yourself the very epitome of a kind and genteel woman. Surely you were never any trouble whatsoever.”

“Oh, I think the men would disagree, but we shan’t give them the chance. Now, here is what I wanted to talk to you about. I know that Carter wants you to take a break from work, but I wondered if I could entice you to design my wedding gown?”

“Of course! Oh, how exciting.” Catherine immediately went to the corner desk and pulled out a sketch pad. “Tell me what you have in mind.”

“Well, that’s why I came to you. You know me better than I know myself, it seems. You created the perfect ball gown for me.”

Catherine considered the situation for a moment. “I think we should make the gown in white silk barège.” She began sketching. “This will be so much fun. I’m quite excited to have something to do—something with which to occupy my mind.”

“It’s so very exciting,” Winifred agreed. “Mother is beside herself to have the wedding be so quickly completed. She longs for us to wait until June and have a large wedding in the garden, but I assured her I had no interest in such things. A small gathering at the church would suffice for me, but not for Mother. So we compromised.”

Looking up from her sketch, Catherine raised a single brow. “And what might that have been?”

“We will have a large wedding in the ballroom on the third floor,” Winifred declared. “That way there will be room for everyone Mother intends to invite.”

“That sounds reasonable.” Catherine grew thoughtful. “I think we should do a pointed corsage. We’ll bring the neckline to a V, like this.” She showed Winifred what she had in mind. “Then we’ll have folds of lace from the shoulder to the waist. It will be quite beautiful, I assure you.”

“And it will show off my assets,” Winifred said, to which “And it will show off my they both broke out laughing.

“But we will not show too much. We’ll keep the skirt one length and full, with a trailing train behind. We can trim the train with the same folded lace as the bodice. See?” Catherine quickly drew what she had in mind.

“I love it. I knew you would think of something very appropriate.” Winifred put aside her tea and glanced past Catherine. “So where is Carter today? I thought he would be here with you.”

“No, he had work to do. Apparently he was to have had sketches to Mr. Fulbright last Monday. Since we did not return until then, he sent word and made arrangements to see the man today.”

“He’s quite excited, you know. The prospect of creating a lasting monument that people will credit to him . . . well . . . I think that’s important to Carter. He wants to leave his mark on the world—to create beauty that will last.”

“I can understand that. I have very much enjoyed my own time of creating. It’s enjoyable to give other people pleasure. Your brother no doubt feels the same way.”

“I would hate to see you move to Washington,” Winifred said with a sigh. “I know it’s not very far away, but I would miss you both terribly. I had thought it would be very pleasant for the four of us to spend time together once we were both married.”

Catherine was rather taken aback by the news. “Does Carter plan to move to Washington?”

Winifred frowned. “Has he not told you about the project?”

“Well, I knew there was some sort of competition that he and Mr. Fulbright planned to join in. I did not realize it required a move to Washington.”

“Oh dear. I fear I have said too much, perhaps. Of course, the contest has not been won, but it is my understanding that if Carter and Mr. Fulbright’s drawings are chosen, they would have to relocate to oversee the project.”

“What of his work here?” Catherine asked, setting the sketch pad aside. “I thought he mentioned Mr. Montgomery’s house taking some three years to complete.”

“He plans to come back as needed. At least, that was the last thing I was told. Still, I would imagine he plans to speak to you more on the matter. Has he proposed?”

“Not exactly. He has teasingly asked me several times to “Not exactly. He has teasingly asked me several marry him, but it has never been seriously offered.”

“Oh, don’t be so sure,” Winifred replied, getting to her feet. “My brother would not even joke about such a thing if he were not quite serious.”

The thought warmed Catherine and she smiled. “I’m glad. I’m glad he would not toy with my affection in such a manner.”

Winifred shook her head. “He will never be insincere, I assure you. He loves you.”

Just then the housekeeper appeared. She curtsied quickly and announced, “Mr. Danby to see you, miss.”

Catherine stood and smoothed her skirts while Winifred moved toward the door. “I’ll be leaving now,” she told Catherine.

“You needn’t—”

“Carter will want to spend time alone with you. With the Arlingtons out for the afternoon, it will prove a perfect time.”

“A perfect time for what, little sister?” Carter asked as he bounded into the room. He caught Catherine’s gaze and smiled. Giving a slight bow, he turned to Winifred.

“I was merely telling Catherine that I needed to go and that now seemed a perfect time for you two to have a chance to be alone.”

“I quite agree.” He kissed her on the forehead. “You are very wise, Winnie.”

“Yes, well, I hope you continue to think that way when you learn what I’ve done.” She moved to the door and smiled. “I’ve asked Catherine to create my wedding gown. I know you didn’t want her working, but I could think of no one I would trust but her.”