A Lady of Hidden Intent (36 page)

“And I want very much to accommodate her trust,” Catherine replied.

“I suppose I always knew she would not sit idle,” Carter said, laughing.

With that, Winifred took her leave and Catherine watched as Carter studied her. “It hasn’t been that long since you saw me last,” she declared.

“I suppose not, but it seems like an eternity.” He grinned and crossed the room to take hold of her hands. “You are quite beautiful, but these simple dresses will no longer do. You really should create some gowns for yourself instead of just slaving away for my sister.”

“As a matter of fact, your sister has just brought me three gowns that she no longer has use for.”

“Well, I suppose that is fine for now, but soon I intend to see you more appropriately dressed in gowns of your own.”

Catherine grew flushed under his scrutiny. She pulled away and went to take up her sketchbook. “How did your meeting go?”

“Very well. I believe Mr. Fulbright was pleased. He’ll work with the designs and we’ll meet again next week.”

“Will you move to Washington if you win the competition?”

“Time will tell.” He came and took hold of her hands again. “Come and sit with me. I want to talk to you about the future— about your father and England.”

Catherine allowed him to lead her to the fireplace. She took a seat while Carter leaned back against the fireplace mantel. She folded her hands and looked up.

“I’m wondering what you desire to do once your father’s reputation is restored. Will you want to return to England?”

“I don’t know,” Catherine said, surprising them both. “I had once thought that my one and only desire was to return to Bath, but I cannot say I feel that way now. I have no idea what Father will want to do. He must come first—at least until he is well and happily resettled.”

“I agree.”

Catherine loved him all the more for that comment. “I want to see Father return to shipping if that is his desire. He’s lost everything. I have the money I saved, but of course, I know that will hardly purchase a ship.”

“It is our plan that the Crown return the property they confiscated from your father. I have no way of knowing how that might be accomplished, but if the courts are willing to see the error of their ways, then perhaps they will also return your father’s wealth.”

“I . . . I . . . never thought it possible.” The very idea caused Catherine to see an entirely new future for her father.

“We shall just continue to pray that it will come together. Leander is a very persistent sort, and with the help of the duke and others, we should see the matter quickly resolved.”

“I can’t thank you enough. You have been so generous—so kind. You had no reason to care.” She met his gaze. “I owe you everything.”

“You owe me nothing. I want nothing from you that isn’t freely given. When I learned of your father’s plight, I knew it was the right thing to do. Knowing it would please you . . . well . . . that did make the decision easier.” He grinned.

“We are still in your debt.”

“Put it from your mind.”

She could see the subject made him uncomfortable and took pity on him. “I will need to do some shopping for your sister’s wedding gown. Perhaps you might be willing to accompany me.”

“I would be delighted.”

“Ah, here you are,” Mrs. Arlington declared as she opened the door to the parlor. “Carter, what a pleasant surprise. Look, my dear, Carter is here.”

“But of course he is,” Judge Arlington said, then went to Catherine. “And how are you, my dear?”

“I am quite well, thank you.”

“Did you enjoy your visit with Winifred?” he asked.

“I did. We planned her wedding gown.”

“Oh, how wonderful. May I see what you designed?” Mrs. Arlington asked, hurrying over and leaving Carter’s side. “I suppose I should not be too deeply wounded that I’ve been cast aside on the behalf of a Catherine Shay gown.”

“Newbury,” Catherine corrected. “My name is Catherine Newbury.”

“Not for long,” Carter murmured. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

A few days later Carter had settled in to work on the design changes suggested by Fulbright, when he heard his father and brother arguing. They had just returned from a meeting at the mill, and Carter knew the news had not been good by the tone of their exchange.

“At this rate we’ll be in the poorhouse by summer,” his father declared.

“The money can be made back. It’s hardly my fault that the arrangement fell through.”

“I left you in charge. That was a mistake. Had you not focused your time and attention on your mistress, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Do not bring her into this. Elsa is gone and it’s your fault.”

Carter shook his head and got to his feet. As long as his father and brother insisted on bellowing at each other, he’d get very little done.

“Would you just forget about her!” his father commanded. “We have a very real problem here. If there isn’t a way to repair the damage, you won’t be able to afford a mistress, much less that wife of yours.”

Carter stepped into the hall and saw his father glare. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Carter shrugged. “I live and often work here. What’s the commotion about?”

“None of your concern,” his father retorted.

“Why not?” Robin questioned. He unbuttoned his coat. “Why shouldn’t Carter know of the situation? After all, you’re always after him to take an interest in the family business. Maybe he can design a miracle.” Robin’s sarcastic tone was not lost on their father.

Carter crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “I take it there are financial problems at the mill.”

“Your brother managed to lose us everything.”

“We will get another investor,” Robin protested.

“But when? It won’t come in time.” Their father slammed his fist down on the hall table. “I’ll be the laughingstock of Philadelphia.”

“I don’t understand,” Carter said. “Why is time a problem?”

“There is a large note due,” Robin said without waiting for their father to speak. “And if it is not paid, we stand to lose everything.”

Carter shook his head. “Everything? Can you not sell some stock or other assets to meet the need?”

“If it were that simple, it would already be done,” his father said. “I’ve sold off everything that I could. This deal was going to help us get back on top, and now there’s nothing.”

“Could you not speak with the bank and ask for an extension?”

“And admit that we’ve failed?” his father asked in disbelief.

“Wouldn’t a temporary failure be better than a complete collapse of your business?” Carter asked. He found his father’s attitude to be out of line.

“You know nothing about business. Just stay out of this.” His father stormed off, muttering and swearing all the way up the stairs.

Carter looked at Robin and could see by his ashen expression that the situation was not over-exaggerated. “You’ll need to convince him to at least try to extend the loan,” he told his older brother.

“Don’t think I haven’t tried. He’s determined to be thought a huge success, but my guess is that most of the town knows full well the details of our problems.” Robin ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what I’ll do if this disaster continues.”

“Have you prayed for guidance?” Carter asked.

Robin met his gaze. “No, but I suppose it would be a good idea. I’ve not done a good job on my own.”

Carter nodded. “None of us does.”

CHAPTER 28

C
atherine sat across from Mrs. Arlington as they finished a light lunch. The judge sat between them at the head of the table and regaled them with tales of various happenings in the city. Catherine liked the couple immensely. They were kind and gentle in nature but also quite amusing and entertaining. They reminded her very much of her own mother and father.

“My dear, you look radiant today. Is that a new dress?”

“Actually, it’s a gown Winifred Danby gave me. She had several that she didn’t need and wanted me to have.”

“Well, it suits you very well,” Mrs. Arlington continued. “That color of blue suits your complexion.”

Catherine looked at the powder blue color and nodded. “I like it very much. The construction is done quite well, and the material is of the utmost quality.”

“You know so very much about sewing. I can do enough to get by,” the older woman declared, “but I was never gifted with the needle.”

“You are gifted in many other ways,” the judge said and picked up his coffee cup. “There is none that can hold a candle to your china painting.”

Mrs. Arlington smiled. “Thank you, my dear. You are so kind to say so.”

“What plans have you today?” Judge Arlington asked Catherine.

“I am going to buy supplies for Winifred’s wedding gown. I will probably visit Mrs. Clarkson first, however. She has ample supplies of pattern paper, and I’m certain she will lend me some. Carter has offered to take me this afternoon. I thought I would visit with Mrs. Clarkson and let her know all that has happened since we were last together.”

“Well, I hope you will give her my regards,” Mrs. Arlington said.

“I will.” Catherine slid her chair back. “If you will both excuse me, I need to finish preparing. Carter should be here shortly.”

“But of course.” Mrs. Arlington nodded enthusiastically. “Be sure to invite him to supper tonight.”

Catherine had just gotten to her feet when the judge added, “I hope you know that your father is welcome to stay here with us. We want to do whatever we can to assist in his recovery.”

“That is so kind of you both. I know he will be touched by your generosity.” Catherine started to go, then paused and offered the couple a smile. “You both remind me of my parents. They were always laughing and happy. I have seldom seen two people more suited to each other than my mother and father, but you match their joy of life in every way. It is refreshing and pleasant to see.”

“I’m sure you’ll find the same once you and Carter are joined in marriage,” Mrs. Arlington said with a coy smile.

“Well, that might be true,” Catherine said, “but he has yet to truly propose.”

“Surely you jest,” the judge said, putting down his cup. “That young man is wasting valuable time.”

“Perhaps you should propose to him,” Mrs. Arlington teased.

Catherine laughed. “Perhaps I shall.”

“My dear, you cannot know how happy I was to hear you were back in town. I do wish you would have returned to me, but I understand Mr. Danby’s desiring you to rest. Still, I would have allowed for it here,” Mrs. Clarkson said.

Catherine sat in Mrs. Clarkson’s private sitting room, explaining all that had happened since she had fled to New York. “You have been more than generous already. I know Selma and Dugan are happy to be back. I talked to Selma before coming to see you.”

“They are very good to me,” Mrs. Clarkson admitted. “I hope to entice them to stay no matter what the outcome is with you and your father. But I’d also like to revisit my earlier proposition to you. I’d still like very much for you to become my partner.”

“That’s very kind,” Catherine said.

Mrs. Clarkson got up and went to a small sideboard. “I had the papers changed. See here, it says Newbury in place of Shay.” She brought the contract to Catherine. “We are already having requests for your designs, and in a few weeks when your patterns and drawings appear in
Godey’s
, I know we will have more than enough work to keep all of us busy.”