Sadie's Secret: 3 (The Secret Lives of Will Tucker) (20 page)

That was indeed true. Until her replacement failed to arrive, Sadie had no plans to go anywhere but home. Only her duty as a Pinkerton agent had put that plan in jeopardy, something she could never tell Mama.

Or could she?

Her uncle glanced down at Sadie, mischief showing in his eyes. “Perhaps I should take that package you’ve been kind enough to deliver for me and say good night to the both of you. It is well past the hour when men of my age should be abed with a good book.”

Sadie handed the parcel to Uncle Penn with a smile she hoped her mother would believe was real and then watched him kiss Mama on the cheek. Next he leaned in toward Sadie. With a hug and a discreet wink, he stepped into his chamber.

Sadie turned to find that her mother’s expression indicated she was still reluctant to let this line of questioning die. Of course.

Anyone who might wonder where Sadie gained her interrogation skills would do well to pay a visit to Callum Plantation and spend an afternoon shadowing Mama. Actually, an hour would do the trick, as it rarely took much time for her mother to accomplish whatever goal she set out to achieve.

“You worry me, Sarah Louise.”

“Truly, Mama, there is no reason for it. I’m fine.”

“Are you?” Dark eyes searched her face. “Then why continue going around as your uncle’s traveling companion when it is far past time to settle down and be mistress of your own home and mother to my grandchildren?”

Sadie laughed in spite of the situation. “Well, there it is. You are wishing for grandchildren.”

“There is nothing wrong with such a wish.”

“Of course not. However, I suggest you speak to any of your five sons if you wish grandchildren to come sooner rather than later. Goodness, Mama, Aaron is well past the age when he ought to be finding a good woman and starting the next generation of Callums.”

“And yet he cares more for crop science than finding a lifetime love, that son of mine. Ethan too, although your father doesn’t believe that book learning has the same value as Aaron’s years following in his daddy’s footsteps.”

“A pity. I’d say both have value.” Sadie reached to tug on Mama’s sleeve. “And both of those men could use some help in finding the right woman. But then, so could the twins and Donovan.”

“Don’t be silly. Those men are busy sowing their oats. I’ve never seen a woman who can capture any of their attentions and keep it for any length of time. I fear my sons are either easily bored or difficult to please.”

“Neither are problems you cannot repair. Why don’t you expend the matchmaking skills you were planning to use on me at your supper to find them someone?”

Mama’s attention went to Sadie’s eyes. “So you’re on to me?”

“Tipped off by one of my brothers, but yes, I’m on to you.” She let her arm fall by her side. “Please don’t, though.”

“Don’t?”

“Don’t get ahead of what the Lord wants for me.”

Her mother’s expression went slack. Then color rose in her cheeks. “Get ahead of the Lord? Sarah Louise Callum, how dare you accuse me of such a thing?”

“I am not accusing,” she hurried to say. “I am only suggesting that it may not yet be time for me to settle down. I feel as though there are so many more things left for me to do.”

“Such as travel to Mobile? I know what I heard, Sadie. You said you were afraid you would have to travel all the way there.”

“To deliver the package.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Your uncle was right here and you knew it. You’re making no sense.”

Sadie consoled herself with the knowledge that was a germ of truth in the statement about a “package.” After all, Uncle Penn had used that word in his telegram, although in reference to herself and not to Mr. Tucker.

She hadn’t fooled Mama a bit, that much was clear from the way her mother watched her carefully and said nothing. Mama’s silence was far more calculating than anything she might say.

Finally, she sighed and said, “I can see you do not want to clarify your statement.”

Sadie thought to protest and then decided against it. In truth, she did not want to clarify anything. Could not.

“I’ll allow this diversionary tactic of yours, Sadie, but do not mistake me when I tell you that I am suspicious of the conversation you’ve just had with your uncle. And for that matter, I’ve been suspicious of your travels with him for quite some time now.”

“Mama, truly, I—”

“Do not bother arguing this point,” she said with a sweep of her hand. “Your daddy was right when he said you needed to come home after boarding school. But no. I thought you would enjoy that art institute in Chicago. Now I have to wonder if I made the wrong choice.”

“Mama, really, I—”

“The hallway is not the place to carry on a discussion like this.” She
looked first to her left and then to her right down the long passageway. “Like your uncle, I find the hour is later than I prefer to be about.”

Once again, Sadie grasped Mama’s sleeve. “I assure you there is nothing untoward going on, either with my travels or in any other aspect of my life.” She paused to be certain her point was made. “I am thankful Uncle Penn has made these travels possible, and I do thank you and Daddy for allowing it. And for allowing me the time to study art history.”

“I miss you terribly when you’re away,” her mother admitted, “but I do understand the wish to see the world. I suffered from that yearning myself when I was young.”

“You are still young, Mama, and there’s nothing keeping you from traveling. Don’t be like Aunt Pearl.”

“My sister-in-law is older than me by many years, daughter,” she said in an icy tone. “Her health has always been delicate. Perhaps that is why she stays home and allows Penn his travels.”

“Whatever the reason, I still say you do not need to be a hermit like her. London and Paris are closer than ever in this modern world. Why not leave the plantation in your sons’ care and take Daddy on a tour of the Continent?”

“I do well to get Daddy in to New Orleans or Baton Rouge for the occasional dinner and socializing, but you have given me something to consider. And perhaps if Daddy won’t go, you will.”

A statement, not a question, and thus no need to respond. Instead, Sadie gave her mother a hug while she sent up a quick prayer that the Lord might not cause that to ever happen.

As she bid Mama good night and went to her bedchamber, Sadie allowed the briefest thought of a vacation abroad. Just her and her mother and all the time in the world to visit the shops and dressmakers of London and Paris.

It would be, in short, a nightmare.

Fifteen

S
adie waited for the knock that would indicate Uncle Penn was returning her package until she could no longer sit still. Peering out her door, she found the corridor dark and empty, though it appeared a light was still burning in her uncle’s room.

Making her way quietly down the hall, she lifted her hand to knock but found the door already cracked slightly open. Sadie pushed against it and called her uncle’s name as softly as she could. It only took a moment for her to see that the room was empty.

A brief thought about a note being in order was discarded when Sadie couldn’t find pen or paper handy. Surely when he returned, her uncle would realize she had retrieved the item in question.

Snagging the package from on the desk, she hurried back to her room and closed the door. Turning the key in the lock, she leaned back against the cool wood and closed her eyes. Sneaking around in her own home felt wrong, and yet she could not allow anyone to know what Henry had sent.

A noise outside startled her. She placed the package beneath her pillow, doused the light, and then moved toward the open window.

In the moonlight she noticed a movement in the trees. Her window faced the front of the house and the vast alley of oaks that lined the drive up to the grand entrance downstairs.

Though the moon’s soft glow cast the alley in shades of silver and black, two male figures—one of them possibly Uncle Penn but definitely not Daddy—walked side by side despite the late hour. Snatches of
conversation floated up on the spring breeze as the pair turned to disappear into the shadows.

Sadie closed the curtains and then lit the lamp at her bedside before tearing into the package. As expected, she unwrapped a copy of
Gulliver’s Travels,
one of Henry’s favorite means of sending important information. Inside the book she easily found the date and time of the meeting place encoded on the pages.

Tomorrow afternoon? She checked again to be certain. Henry rarely wished to meet on such short notice, although it had been well over a week since they had last spoken. Perhaps something new had been discovered in an old case.

Or perhaps she was being called into duty much sooner on the Astor matter. Her hopes rose as she reached for her valise and tucked the book inside.

Tomorrow she would find a good reason to visit her favorite dressmaker in New Orleans, the one who kept a closet of disguises and asked no questions. In the meantime, she would read up on the Astor case and add to her notes, for surely that was the cause of his need to meet so soon after departing from the Tucker case.

Sadie arrived at the breakfast table the next morning ready to plead her case for use of the carriage.

“How did you sleep, dear?” her mother asked.

“Very well, thank you.”

“There is something to be said for sleeping in one’s own bed.” She peered at her daughter over the rim of her teacup.

“Yes,” Sadie said as she screwed up her courage and tamped down on her enthusiasm to meet with her supervising agent. “Mama, I would like to see the dressmaker today. I’ve given no thought to a spring wardrobe, but I’m certain Madame Theriot can remedy this.”

Was that surprise she spied on her mother’s face? Or perhaps it was annoyance.

“Actually, I need the carriage today, so I’m afraid your errand will have to wait,” her mother said, her voice clearly showing annoyance.

But why?

“Of course,” Sadie said cheerily as she poured a cup of strong chicory coffee. “I can put off my trip until later in the morning.”

She carried her cup and plate to the table and set them across from Mama before taking her seat. Outside the window, a blue jay trilled loudly as it made a diving sweep at one of the barn cats before disappearing into the oak tree once more.

“I have calls to make in the city and no way of knowing how long they will take.” Mama set the teacup down a bit too loudly. “Another day, perhaps? I’m sure you understand.”