Deborah Camp (24 page)

“Yes, but I sensed that Miss Rose was quite upset when she heard that I’m your mother. She seemed shaken.”

“Everyone was.”

“Yes, but she looked at you as if you’d betrayed her. It was more personal with her. Theo, don’t play games with me. Do you like her or don’t you? What’s going on between you two? If you don’t want to talk about it, tell me so. But enough of this hedging.”

“Did she say something to you? Why is it important for you to know?” He slanted one knee across the swing seat to sit sideways and face her. “Mother, are you staying through the trial?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m here.”

“Why
are
you here?”

“To testify as to Mrs. Nation’s sterling character.”

He dropped his head, feeling as if she’d just socked him. “You’re going to be a character witness?”

“Yes.”

“Potter said he might have an additional character witness, but I paid him little mind. One more character witness isn’t going to help a woman who admits she’s guilty.” He dipped his head as another thought struck him.

“What? Why are you groaning like that?” she asked.

“Because I’ll have to cross-examine you, Mother.
Either that or dismiss you entirely.” He shook his head again. “Why are you complicating this?”

“Why are you taking the wrong side instead of the right one?”

“I was hired by Tom Wilson, not by Carry Nation.”

“Would you have taken her as a client?”

“If the price was right.”

“Theo, would you have taken her as a client?” Bea persisted.

He pursed his lips, debating the wisdom of a lie. “Probably not. I don’t think she has much of a case. She admits that she destroyed Wilson’s property. The only way I’d take her case is if she pleaded guilty. Then I’d try to negotiate reasonable damages.”

“Then you’re not going after her just to get back at me?”

He stared at her, thinking for a moment she was kidding. “No, I’m not that vindictive, that juvenile. This is business, Mother. With law it’s not a matter of sides but of how strong each case is on its own. That’s how I determine if I’ll take a case. Personalities rarely enter into the equation.”

“That’s what your Uncle Cal told me. He understands your and Eric’s practices much better than I do.”

“Uncle Cal is a banker. He knows all about not placing business alongside personal issues.”

“No matter how this turns out, Theodore, I want you to promise me that we won’t let the outcome of this trial burden our personal issues any further. We have enough weighing us down.” She smoothed the band of lace on her cuff and looked around, a pleasant smile curving her lips, then slipping away even as he watched. “Miss Rose hardly touched her food tonight. She seemed quite upset.”

Theo ran a hand down his face. “Mother, let’s not go into it….”

“I was left with the distinct impression that she was hurt by your omission, Theodore. The others found it amusing, but not Miss Rose. She took it to heart. Miss Rose doesn’t seem the type you usually court. She strikes me as quite earnest and … vulnerable.”

He smiled. “Vulnerable. Yes, she is that.”

“Then why did you set out to hurt her?”

“I didn’t set out to do anything, Mother.” Why did he feel like a villain in a melodrama? All he needed was a mustache to twirl. “I just didn’t think it was important for her to be told all about my family. I hardly know her.”

“I was under the impression you’d been familiar with her. So, this relationship you have is onesided? She is infatuated with you, but you don’t find her attractive.”

“Infatuated?” He barked a laugh. “I doubt she’s infatuated with me. She tells me to hit the road every chance she gets.” He picked up on something his mother had said. “What do you mean, she’s not the type I usually court?”

“She’s … well, resourceful and intelligent.”

“Oh-ho! Well, thanks very much, Mother. In other words, the women I court are useless and stupid?” He told himself he shouldn’t be so disturbed by his mother’s assessment, but it rankled.

“No, Theo, that’s not what I meant.” She laughed, that low, melodic laugh that was so much a part of her. “Let me rephrase it. The women you usually are attracted to are more dependent and coy. They bat their lashes and hang on your arm and your every word. Anyway, that is the kind of women you like to be seen with in public. I think you prefer the company of saloon girls.”

Everything went still inside him as his thoughts
bumped into each other. How did she know about the saloon girls? Maybe she was guessing. He wouldn’t hang himself with a confession. Let her go fishing.

“You think I don’t know about the saloon girls, Theo? Why, you’ve been flirting with them since you were a lad. I wouldn’t be surprised if a soiled dove wasn’t your first bed partner.”

Theo gulped. How did she know that?

“I imagine you’ve already made friends with some here. Your father and I used to talk about why you liked those women—”

“You and Father talked about this?” he interrupted, shocked.

“Yes.” Her smile carried wisdom. “We decided that those women were what you secretly craved. They seemed independent and brassy and free as the wind. They’re a little dangerous and outside accepted social circles. They’re probably more adventurous in the boudoir, as well. I always hoped you’d find a combination of a dangerous woman who is also accepted by society. I’m not sure there are such women, though. Society is quite restrictive.”

He released a choppy laugh. “I can’t believe that you and Father spoke of this.”

She patted his knee. “I’m glad you aren’t denying it.”

That’s when he realized she’d snagged him. By not hotly denying it at the outset, he’d admitted she was right. Theo closed his eyes a moment as futility swept through him. She had always been the one woman in the world who could trip him up. Just when he thought he’d sidestepped her, he found himself pitched face-first in the dirt.

“Miss Rose has less artifice than most women you’ve known.”

“Miss Rose doesn’t know the meaning of artifice,
Mother. She doesn’t try to impress anyone—except Mrs. Nation. She thinks that woman walks on water.”

“Miss Rose is smart.”

“Miss Rose is bullheaded.”

“She’s brave.”

“She’s foolhardy.”

“She’s generous.”

“She’s imprudent.”

“She’s pretty.”

“She’s … beautiful.”

Bea looked at him, smiling. “I agree. And this is a woman you hardly know.” She cast him a dubious glance that said she loved him and that he was a liar, all at once. “I do admire her. She’s so young to be dedicating her life to such noble causes.”

“Her half brother drinks too much.” He wondered if he should tell the rest, then decided it was safe to confide in his mother. “And her mother had a drinking problem. It affected Regina profoundly. More profoundly than she’s admitted to me.”

“But you sense this?”

“Yes, there’s a deep sadness in her. Her life has been one of fear, I think. You said she’s brave, but I think she’s been running from problems for too long. This work is her cave. She can hide in it and not have to get out in the light where people see the real Regina Augusta Rose.”

“Or maybe this work is her lifeboat. Perhaps she holds on to the work to keep from drowning in her troubles.”

“Is it your lifeboat, Mother?” He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

“In a way, it is, and so much more. I wish you could understand.” She combed the fingers of her free hand through his hair. “You’re a handsome
man, Theodore Dane. I imagine you already know that. I thought your father was good-looking, but you’ve inherited my good features and his. It’s a powerful combination.”

“Mother, have you thought about other men since Father’s been gone?”

“No.” She smiled, trailing her fingertips along the side of his face and under his chin. “But they’ve thought about me.”

Theo chuckled. “I bet.”

“I’m fortunate that your father’s business dealings left me enough money that I don’t have to seek work, or burden you, or even find another breadwinner to marry. I enjoy being on my own, Theo. I would enjoy it even more if women were afforded the same rights as men.”

Theo kissed her palm. “Let’s not discuss it, Mother. We’ll only end up pawing the ground and glaring at each other. I want to say good-night on a gentler note.” He leaned forward and kissed her cool, softly lined cheek. “Good night, Theodora Beatrice. I’ll come around tomorrow at noon and take you to our offices. We could use your decorating touch. The other day Eric said the place looked bare and austere.”

She patted his cheek with a bit more sting than was necessary. “Then you should hire a decorator, dear. Just because I’m female doesn’t mean I’m interested in making your environment more pleasant. I’ve come here with greater goals than that.”

Love for her and her confounded spunkiness rose in him. He kissed her cheek again. “Mother, you’re a prize.” He stood and put on his hat. “You
will
come and see the offices, won’t you? That’s not demeaning or patronizing?”

“We can go somewhere for a noon meal.”

“And I’ll be allowed to pay for your meal, or is that against the new rules of order?”

“Theodore, don’t sass me.” She wiggled the fingers of one hand. “Go along now. See you tomorrow.”

“What time is it?” Bea asked as Theo helped her alight from the carriage.

“Nearly five.”

“Oh, dear. I didn’t mean to stay out so long. Mrs. Nation serves supper at six. I have to go in and change.”

“You have a whole hour, Mother. Why rush?”

“You’re not a woman, Theo, and therefore you don’t know what you’re talking about.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the lovely day, son. Come around tomorrow, won’t you?”

“Mother, I … have a busy day tomorrow. What about tomorrow night? You can come to our place for supper.”

“You and Eric will cook?” She looked him up and down. “No, thank you. You work on the case and I’ll see you in court.” Smiling, she patted his sleeve. “You’ll need all the time you can spare, dear, because it won’t be a cakewalk. Mrs. Nation will be a free woman after I give my testimony.”

He shrugged off her threat, knowing he had a solid case and that it would take a miracle for Mrs. Nation to walk out of the courtroom without having to pay a hefty fine. He watched his mother hurry up the front steps and go inside. Sometimes he felt as if she were a stranger, especially when she climbed on the pulpit and preached for equality. Women would never be given the vote because the majority believed that one vote per household was enough, and that vote should be cast by the head of the household. Bea Dane just wouldn’t accept that. She had a penchant for hopeless causes, black sheep, and underdogs.

He started to get back into the buggy when he
heard laughter coming from the backyard. Curious, he walked around the house to find Regina and Annie engaged in a spirited game of tag. Regina hitched up her skirts and ran with Annie right behind her. Dodging around bushes and trees, Regina laughed and shrieked when Annie’s outstretched fingers clutched air.

Regina looked so young and lovely that Theo was transfixed. Her cheeks were rosy and her lips glistened as if they had been rubbed with honey. He’d never seen such a sparkle in her eyes or seen her move with such natural grace. Gone was any vestige of self-consciousness. The woman before him was a natural beauty, a creation most wondrous.

“Missed! You missed,” she taunted the child, then lost her footing and went down with Annie right on top of her.

The two rolled in the grass, their laughter as light as the clouds overhead and as warm as the sunshine. A tickling duel ensued until Regina begged for mercy and Annie scrambled off her.

“You’re it now,” Annie said, breathlessly. “Let’s play hide-and-seek. I’ll hide.”

“No, wait. I’ve got to catch my breath.” Regina lay sprawled on the grass, her skirt flipped up to show a length of long, shapely leg. Her breasts strained against the buttons of her shirtwaist. “I’m older and it takes me longer to get a second wind.”

“Hurry,” Annie said, grabbing one of her hands and tugging it.

“Annie!” Lu’s voice floated through the back door. “Annie, come inside and wash up. Supper’s almost on.”

“Okay! Race you!” Annie sprinted toward the house. Then she saw Theo. She paled, stumbled backward, and whispered something to Regina.

Regina’s reaction nearly mirrored Annie’s. Jumping up, Regina pushed the child behind her, shielding her, but she visibly relaxed when she recognized Theo.

“What are you doing sneaking around here?” she demanded. She smoothed Annie’s hair into place. “Go on in, honey. It’s only Mr. Dane.”

Theo frowned at their reaction, but waited for Annie to go inside before he addressed Regina.

“Are you teaching her to be afraid of all men?”

Regina pulled a dandelion chain from around her neck. “Of course not. You startled us. What do you want?”

The hostility in her voice sparked his anger. “Why did you two act as if I’d come to do you bodily harm?”

“I told you, you startled us.”

“And I say it’s more than that.” He glanced around the neat yard with its border of bright summer flowers. “Has someone been around here bothering you again? Jack, maybe?”

She brushed grass from her skirt and strode toward him, intent on marching right past before he wrapped a hand around her arm and jerked her to a stop.

“I’m talking to you, Regina.”

Her gray eyes looked sooty with banked anger. She smelled of sunshine and clover. “I’m not going to talk to you or listen to you. You’re n-nothing to me.” She cleared her throat, a gesture he’d come to recognize as her way of dealing with frazzled nerves. “My problems are my problems. Yours are yours. Now let go of me.” She wrenched her arm from his grasp.

“Is this my punishment for not telling you my life story before my mother showed up?” He fell into step beside her and she stopped at the back steps. “We haven’t talked about our families, but
we can now if that will get me back in your good graces.”

“You haven’t talked about
your
family,” she corrected him. “I’ve told you a little about mine. You know more than most.” She examined a grass stain on her skirt. “However, you have never been completely
in
my good graces.”