Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) (15 page)

“No. I’m not sure she thought to. Violet is a very trusting person. I think she just believed Black.”

“Yes, she is that. I don’t know how Black got to her mother, but I do have an idea why he’s after that property and possibly even Violet herself.”

Michael sat up straighter in his chair and took a drink of water to wet a throat that had suddenly gone dry. “What would that be?”

“Back in the day when I was young, Harlan Black’s father had it bad for Violet’s mother. She’d have nothing to do with him and he couldn’t stand it. When Burton won Grace’s heart and married her, Harlan Senior went on a drinking binge that lasted over a week.”

Atwood popped a piece of bread in his mouth and Michael waited until he’d chewed and swallowed for him to continue.

“Once he found out that Burton was going to build his new bride a home where it stands today, Harlan Senior tried to overbid him. The seller didn’t like Harlan any more than anyone else in town did and wouldn’t change his mind to sell to Burton. Harlan Senior went on another drinking binge and ended up married to Harlan Junior’s mother. She was a good woman. Didn’t deserve a man like Black.”

“How would Harlan Junior know about all of that?”

“Oh, the whole town knew his papa still carried a torch for Grace. I think somehow Harlan Junior thinks that if he can get the land and Violet, he will have somehow won the prize for his father.”

“Is his father still alive?”

“Oh, yes, he is. I’d have thought he would have drunk himself to death by now, but he’s still with us. Wouldn’t surprise me if he put the whole idea into his son’s mind.”

“From being around him, I wonder if he was warped by his papa’s obsessions? He seems to have a lot of his own,” Jim Moore said.

“I’m sure he does. He’s just like his father was when he was that age. I’m glad Violet got away from him when she did. Now we just have to make sure he doesn’t get to her.”

That had become Michael’s worst nightmare, and he had no intention of letting it become a reality.

Maida cleared the table and brought in dessert. Michael didn’t feel much like eating anymore, but he waited until the other men finished before suggesting, “Let’s have coffee in my mother’s study. I don’t want to take a chance of anyone overhearing our plans should the boarders return sooner than expected.”

“Don’t worry, Michael. We’ll come up with a plan and put a stop to Black’s best-laid ones. He’s not going to get away with his scheme.”

As they made their way to the study, Michael could only pray that Mr. Atwood was right.

* * *

Violet had never had a day quite like the Ladies’ Mile outing. She’d forgotten just how congested it’d been the day Michael and Mrs. Heaton had driven her around. That had been bad, but today the crush of women on the streets and in the stores was almost unbelievable. Of course, she was in the crowd instead of a hack and found that made a huge difference.

Once one got past the women window-shopping outside the stores, it was even worse inside. The clerks couldn’t seem to move fast enough for their customers and there were women lined up to make purchases, ten deep in some places.

The first store they went in was Macy’s, and although she’d been there before with Michael, Violet was glad to go again. They’d made such a quick trip that day and she’d still been reeling from seeing the tenements and from excitement over finding employment, she hadn’t really had her mind on shopping. Not that she planned to buy anything today, but it was fun to see what was on display. It appeared that everything a woman could think of, and more, was offered in these stores.

They looked at ready-made clothing from bicycle dresses, which seemed all the rage at the moment, to ball gowns that most only hoped to one day have reason to wear.

To be sure, Ladies’ Mile was an accurate name for the area. The only men Violet saw were a few clerks and the many drivers of the various vehicles waiting for their owners to return. It was not hard to tell the very rich from everyone else, for they seemed to have someone by their side to hold their packages, to do their bidding. They were dressed in the most fashionable gowns of the day, custom-made in the best materials and trims, and wearing jewels that Violet had only seen the likes of behind cases in the jewelry store back home. And those were nothing like the diamonds, emeralds and rubies she saw on the necks of some of the women in this store.

From one department to another, then one store to another—Hearns Department Store, Le Boutellier down the street from Macy’s—women coming from all walks of life shopped together. If one of the not so wealthy had to wait for one who was to be waited on, no one seemed to mind, being a bit awestruck by the wealthier woman.

But it wasn’t until Violet returned from purchasing a lacy handkerchief in Le Boutellier, so delicate she couldn’t resist, that she realized she’d been standing next to one of the Vanderbilts.

“Violet, do you have any idea who you were standing next to?”

She turned to look at the woman who was still being waited on. She was elegantly dressed, bejeweled and wearing a hat Violet was sure Mrs. Heaton would love. She turned back to Elizabeth and shrugged. “Should I?”

Julia laughed. “No, there is no reason you would. At least not until you live here a little longer and know all the Vanderbilts.” She leaned closer and whispered, “That is Edith Vanderbilt Shepard, Margaret’s middle daughter.”

“Oh!” Violet turned to look at the woman once more. The woman turned just then and saw Violet looking at her. She gave a short nod and a small smile as she swept by the group. For a moment Violet wondered if she was expected to curtsy, and then chided herself for the thought. This was America, which didn’t have royalty. But, the way people got out of Miss Vanderbilt’s way it was hard to tell.

“Violet, the look on your face is priceless!” Lila pointed at her and laughed.

“I’m sure you looked the same the first time you came to the Mile,” Elizabeth said. “It’s very intimidating to visit the first few times. And even more daunting to run into American royalty.”

“You are joking, right?” Violet said.

Elizabeth laughed. “Of course I am. But here in New York, many consider the Vanderbilts and others of their wealth in that way.”

“They set the style for the elite in the city. So it never hurts to keep up with what they are wearing so one can stay in fashion,” Lila said. “I’m sure even the people at Butterick stay abreast of what the wealthy are wearing here in the city.”

“Oh, I’m sure they do,” Mrs. Heaton agreed. “They are in the fashion business, after all. In fact, I would imagine they know what is in style even before the Vanderbilts show up in a designer gown. They have people at all the European fashion shows.”

“No wonder the clerks take such a long time with them. They’ve probably been told to. The longer they stay in one store, the more others want what they buy,” Violet said.

“Well, I’m ready to move on,” Mrs. Heaton said. “Let’s go get some lunch before we shop any more.”

“Yes, we must make sure we have enough energy to make it through the afternoon,” Julia said. “We’ve barely started.”

Violet’s feet were hurting already, and she wasn’t sure what they could possibly find in any other store different from what they’d already seen, but she was going to enjoy the outing with the others even if she had to soak her feet for hours just to be able to get them in her boots for church the next day.

By the end of the day, they’d seen more ladies’ clothing and adornments than Violet would be able to remember, much less where she’d seen an item, if she should recall it. All she really wanted was to get out of her shoes and soak her feet—providing she could get them off. But she felt like patting herself on the back for she’d only thought of Michael about once every half hour today—wondering what he’d been doing and how his meeting had gone. She couldn’t wait to get home and find out.

Chapter Fifteen

W
hen they arrived back to the Heatons’, Violet was more than pleased to learn that Mr. Atwood was there and would be taking dinner with them. They got back just in time to freshen up before dinner, and she hurried down to the parlor to greet him, only to find he wasn’t there.

But Michael had sent word by Maida asking Violet to come to his mother’s study to meet with an old friend and she hurried down the hall and gave a light knock on the door.

Mr. Atwood greeted her before she could say a word, coming to take her hands in his. “Violet, dear, I am so sorry about your mother. I didn’t get word about her until a month ago. Had I known, I would have contacted you with the details of your father’s will immediately.”

His sincerity brought tears to her eyes. She was so happy to see that while it was apparent that he’d been ill recently, as he’d lost weight since the last time she saw him, he seemed on the road to recovery. “I should have made more effort to find you. I was just so confused that there was a mortgage on the house, and then I couldn’t find a job.”

Mr. Atwood patted her hand. “I assure you that I am much healthier than I appear, Violet, and I’m determined to get back to Ashland and get to the bottom of whatever it is that Harlan Black has been scheming.”

“Then you think he has not been telling the truth, as Mrs. Heaton does?”

“Oh, I am certain of it. And I’m very glad that Michael contacted me about Black. Don’t you worry. We are going to get to the bottom of this and put an end to his dirty dealings as soon as possible.”

“I knew I was right. And I can’t wait to hear more about it,” Mrs. Heaton said. “But we need to continue this later. The boarders are waiting for me to call them to dinner and I don’t want to stir up their curiosity any more than necessary.”

“We’ll talk later, Violet. Mr. Atwood has helped us form a plan, but we want to get your opinion before we put it in action,” Michael said, taking her arm to escort her to the dining room.

They headed down the hall as Mrs. Heaton called everyone to dinner. She’d had Maida prepare roast chicken and dressing in honor of their guest. She introduced him as a friend of her and Violet’s families from back home, and everyone was very cordial to him.

Mr. Atwood had been given a seat adjacent to Michael’s mother, and he turned to her after the introduction. “Mrs. Heaton, I can tell you that you are missed greatly by my wife and the ladies in the Ashland Women’s Club. Edith said to tell you so.”

“Thank you, Mr. Atwood. Please let Edith and the others know that I miss them, too. I’d love it if you’d bring her back for a visit sometime. There is much to see and do in the city and I’d love to show you both around.”

“I’ll tell her. Don’t be surprised if she writes you accepting your invitation.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Dinner conversation revolved around the ladies’ outing and Luke and Ben’s trip to the Museum of Natural History. John had missed out on that because he’d been covering a fund-raiser that the Carnegies were holding that afternoon.

“Nigel, you should hear some of the stories John can tell,” Mrs. Heaton said. “He covers their parties and fund-raisers and all manner of things the rich do in this town.”

“Is that right?” Mr. Atwood said. “Please tell me a few stories to take home to my wife. There aren’t a lot of high-society doings where we live.”

John obliged and entertained them through dinner and dessert with tales of the events he’d been to and covered for the newspaper.

Mr. Atwood was still chuckling when they excused themselves to have a private chat in the back parlor. “I hope to get to visit with you all more on my next trip, but for now I hope you will forgive me if I take these old friends off to myself for the evening.”

He’d quickly gained favor with the boarders and they were all quite gracious in being left to their own devices for the rest of the evening.

Violet breathed a sigh of relief that finally she might find out if there was a way to keep Harlan Black from trying to take her family home.

* * *

Out of hearing of the others, Michael had asked Luke to join them in his office, too. While he waited for him to show up, he finally let Violet know that he’d told Luke about Black in case he came looking for her.

“Luke works for you?” she asked.

“He is a writer, just like he told you. But sometimes he does work for me and right now it makes me feel much better just knowing that he’s here when I can’t be.”

“I see.” She nodded but still looked a little confused when Luke slipped in the door.

Luke looked at Violet and then at Michael. “Does Violet know you’ve told me—”

“About Black and that you sometimes work for me?”

“Yes, I do, now,” Violet said.

“Good.” Luke nodded. “I’m glad.”

“So am I.” Michael let out a huge breath and smiled at Violet. He was relieved she finally knew about Luke. “I didn’t like keeping it from you, Violet. But I didn’t want you to start worrying about Black any more than necessary.”

“I understand, Michael. But since you’ve told me, does that mean I might have reason to worry more now?”

“I hope not. We’re going to do all we can to see that you are safe. You know that, don’t you?”

“I do.”

Michael nodded. He hoped he was worthy of her trust in him. “Now, I want to update you on what’s going on while Mr. Atwood is still here and can fill in anything I might forget. That way everyone will know our plan.” He watched Violet closely as he and Mr. Atwood explained everything and how they hoped it would pan out.

Michael could see the hope in Violet’s eyes and he prayed that it all would work out the way they hoped it would. “We’ll let you know what we need you to do, should he show up here, Violet. And I’m sure he will come to the city once Jim lets him know that you are here.”

“When I get back home and talk to the judge and we get our part of the plan together, I’ll let you know,” Mr. Atwood said. “I feel I let you down by not being there with you when your mother passed away, Violet. Rest assured I will be here for you from now on.”

“Oh, Mr. Atwood, I don’t blame you. You couldn’t help getting sick any more than my mother could.”

“Her illness came on very fast, didn’t it? I know she was fine when I left.”

Violet nodded. “Yes. One day she seemed perfectly all right, and the next she was having horrible stomach pains. Even Doc Malone didn’t know what the problem was but he did all he could to help. And then, a few weeks later, she had the stroke.”

“I’m so sorry, Violet. Before the stroke, did your mother tell you she’d taken out a mortgage on the house?”

“No, sir.” Violet shook her head. “I didn’t know that until after her funeral. Harlan came by to offer his condolences and tell me what she’d done.”

“Hmm.” Mr. Atwood rubbed his chin and let out a sigh. “None of it makes any sense and I’m going to find out what he’s been up to.”

“Thank you. But why would he say such a thing if it wasn’t true?”

Mr. Atwood explained the past to her as he had done to Michael. “I believe he somehow thinks that if he can win you and gain the land, he will be avenging his father for past hurts.”

“But why would it matter to him, especially after all these years?”

“Well, that I don’t know.”

“And when did he decide to do it?” Violet asked.

“Did he ever make any advances to you before your mother died?” Michael asked.

“Well, yes, he did. He asked me to a church picnic a year or so ago. I told him no. And then he asked me again a month or so before Mama became ill.”

“I wonder if maybe he told his father and that brought up his past with your mother?” Mrs. Heaton asked.

“And he was bound and determined not to lose you like his father lost your mother,” Michael suggested.

“But why would anyone want a life with someone who didn’t feel the same way about them?” Violet asked. “That just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“Nor to any of us in this room. But the Blacks don’t like to lose at anything,” Mr. Atwood said. “And it appears that Harlan Junior is determined not to lose you.”

“How can you lose something you never had? I never gave him any encouragement.”

“And that is probably what made him even more determined to win you.” The thought of Harlan getting anywhere near Violet made Michael sick. He thanked the Lord that she’d had sense enough to spurn his attentions and get out of town.

“Well, that will never happen,” Violet said, her gaze resting on him as if she was trying to reassure him in some way. “I’d never marry the likes of Harlan. I must take after my mother when it comes to the Blacks. He makes my skin crawl.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure you do take after your mother in more ways than that. And I’m certainly glad you do,” Michael said. “Your instincts are very good, Violet. Trust them.”

He watched Violet flush the most delectable shade of pink. He wanted this thing with Harlan Black settled. There were other things he wanted to take up with Violet, and her feeling about another man wasn’t one of them.

* * *

On Sunday, Mr. Atwood had joined them for church and the sermon seemed one meant for them all. It was about how one should not worry about tomorrow, that today had enough worry of its own, that had her turning it all over to the Lord and asking Him to protect Michael and Mr. Atwood as they tried to discover what Harlan Black was up to.

As they’d left church, Violet felt more peace about the situation with Harlan Black than she ever had. Both Michael and Mr. Atwood had assured her they were on top of it all and that had helped, but it was knowing that the Lord was in control of it all that really calmed her. She’d been able to fully enjoy going to lunch with Michael and his mother and Mr. Atwood before they took him to catch his train back to Virginia.

At quitting time on Monday, Violet was surprised when Lila told her she’d be coming home later.

“I made plans with an old friend who used to work for Butterick. He started up his own pattern company several months ago and he asked if I’d have an early dinner with him since we both have something to celebrate. He’s probably going to try to get me to work for him.”

“You wouldn’t quit Butterick after just getting a promotion, would you?”

“No, of course not. At least not until I know how his company is coming along.”

The man showed up just then, but Lila didn’t make any introductions. She simply said, “Please let Mrs. Heaton know that I’ll have an escort to get me home if I’m not there before dark.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Bye!” Lila waved and took the arm of the gentleman as they headed in the opposite direction Violet was going.

It seemed odd that Lila had never mentioned her friend before now. Violet didn’t think she was romantically interested in the man—not the way she acted around Michael. But truthfully, she knew very little about Lila. From what she’d heard from the others, no one else knew much about her either.

Violet headed toward the trolley, thinking it would get her home faster and she was more familiar with its stops, since that was the way she and Lila traveled back and forth to work, most days.

She looked in her reticule, just in case, to make sure she still had the map and directions Michael had given her weeks before. As long as she had it, she wasn’t overly worried about getting back to the boardinghouse.

Once on the trolley, she felt a new kind of independence. It was the first time she’d ever traveled anywhere in the city alone. She knew she wouldn’t want to go anywhere alone after dark, but it was a relief not to have to put up with Lila’s up-and-down emotions. Or her total silence.

Violet took a deep breath and expelled it. It was quite nice to relax on the way home. She looked around and noticed that many of the people on the trolley were the ones she traveled with most days. A new gentleman had begun to ride the same trolley a few days earlier and she’d wondered about where he worked and lived. He nearly always got on the trolley when she and Lila did, and he got off at the same stop in the mornings. But afternoons, when the trolley stopped just down from Mrs. Heaton’s, he stayed on it. She couldn’t help but wonder if he had a second job somewhere. Not that it mattered, really. It was just something to think about as she and Lila traveled back and forth. Only today, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was one of Michael’s men. The thought that he might be, did make her feel safer.

She felt a sense of accomplishment when the trolley stopped and she got off and walked home. She almost wished Lila would have somewhere to go every afternoon. This had been the most peaceful ride home she’d had since beginning work at Butterick.

* * *

They were just finishing up dinner when Lila came home. Her eyes were bright with excitement, and Violet couldn’t help but wonder what had brought that about.

Nor, it seemed, could anyone else.

“Good evening, everyone,” Lila said, slipping into her seat at the table just as Mrs. Heaton began cutting into the chocolate cake that was a favorite of the boarders. “I see I’m right on time for dessert. I was hoping I’d make it.”

“We’re glad you made it, dear,” Mrs. Heaton said. “You should have asked your escort to join us.”

“Oh, I’ve been with him long enough today.”

“You look as if you enjoyed yourself. Where did you go for dinner?”

“We went to that new little café down the street from Butterick. The food was pretty good. Mostly we were celebrating my new position and his new company. Of course he’s trying to get me to come work for him, but I only told him I would think about it.”

“But Lila, you just got a promotion. Surely you aren’t going to quit Butterick now,” Elizabeth said.

“I’m not planning on it, but you never know.” Lila took a bite of cake and chewed before continuing, “At this time it probably wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do. But he’s got some great ideas and I’d like to help him if I can. The day may come when I do go to work for him.”

Violet bit the inside of her mouth to keep from saying anything. Part of her wanted to let Lila know what she thought of her even considering changing companies after she’d just been promoted. But there was another part of her that would be almost relieved if she quit Butterick. She knew she needed to pray about her attitude, but as time went on, Violet wasn’t sure she liked Lila any better than Lila liked her. So maybe she’d better reserve judgment and leave it all in the Lord’s hands.