The Daughter of Highland Hall (15 page)

Lydia met her gaze in the mirror. “You look very nice, miss.”

Katherine ran a hand down her skirt. “The dress is lovely, though pink has never been my favorite color.”

Lydia handed Katherine her shawl and beaded handbag. “Don’t forget these.”

“Yes, thank you.” She draped the shawl over her arm. “I hope the letter from your parents will ease your mind about your sister.”

Lydia pondered that a moment. “I’m glad to know she’s here in town, but I’m still worried about her. Charlie Gibbons is not a man to be trusted.”

The look of concern in Katherine’s eyes deepened. “I’ll speak to Jon the first chance I have. I’m sure he’ll help us.”

“Thank you, miss. I’d be ever so grateful.”

Would Mr. Foster be willing to help them search for Helen? Miss Katherine seemed certain he would, but what if that was only wishful thinking? How would she find her sister and convince her to go home?

Jon opened the front door and stepped outside, his thoughts on what his duties might be at the hospital that day. A misty fog hung in the morning air, limiting his vision to a few feet in front of him. He checked his watch, placed his hat on his head, and started down the steps.

“Jon, wait!”

He turned as Kate hurried out the front door. Her light-green dress swished around her ankles as she descended the steps and met him at the bottom.

“Good morning, Kate.”

“Good morning.” She glanced over her shoulder, then came closer, her blue eyes bright. “I have an important favor to ask.”

She smelled faintly of jasmine, and his heartbeat picked up speed at her nearness. He set his jaw and squelched his response. “Of course. What can I do for you?”

“My maid, Lydia, needs to go to the East End to find her sister Helen.”

Jon’s brow creased. “
Find her?
What do you mean?”

“A few weeks ago Lydia’s sister disappeared from home. Her father made some inquiries. They believe she ran away with a man who worked on a neighboring farm, and the two of them have come to London. Lydia’s parents wrote and asked her to go to Helen and try to convince her to return to her family.”

“Do you know where she’s staying?”

Kate nodded. “Lydia received a letter from her parents with the address.” She took a folded sheet of paper from her skirt pocket and handed it to him.

He opened it, skimmed down the page, and focused on the address in the last paragraph. He wasn’t familiar with Marlton Street, but he was certain he could locate it without too much trouble. The situation sounded serious and should be addressed as soon as possible. He lifted his gaze to meet Kate’s. “I’ll go there today when I finish my shift at the hospital.”

Kate pulled back. “Oh, you can’t go without us.”

“
Us?
Surely you’re not thinking of going.”

“Of course. Lydia and I must go. Her sister doesn’t know you. And I doubt you could convince her to leave the man she’s with and return to her parents. Lydia must speak to her, and she won’t go without me.”

Jon took in a deep breath, considering Kate’s request. He and his father had traveled through the night many times to rescue girls who were kept as slaves or abused in the temples in India, but they always scouted out the situation first and spent time praying and preparing. The Lord had gone before them in India—surely Jon could count on His help here on a similar mission. A wave of assurance rose and filled his mind. With the Lord’s help and guidance, he would find Lydia’s sister and bring her safely back to her family.

But taking Kate along was another matter.

He straightened. “It’s not wise for you to go along. Your aunt would never approve, and I doubt William or Julia would either.”

Kate clicked her tongue and waved away his concerns. “If we all go together, I’m sure they’ll agree to the plan.”

Jon wasn’t so sure. He glanced back at the house, doubts pressing in. He didn’t want to put Kate in danger or upset Julia and William. But convincing Helen to leave the fellow she had run away with could be a challenge. Lydia and Kate would have a stronger influence on the woman than Jon ever could.

“Please, Jon.” Misty fog swirled around Kate, and drops of moisture clung to her hair. “We don’t know how long they’ll stay at this address. We have to go reason with Helen while we have the chance.”

His resistance eased, but he would not make any promises. “I’ll locate the address and check out the area. But I won’t take you or Lydia unless it seems safe. And you must speak to William and Julia and gain their permission.”

She crossed her arms, looking slightly perturbed. “If you insist.”

“I do.”

A hint of a smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “My, you certainly are cautious. Don’t you think you’re being a little overprotective?”

“The East End can be a dangerous area.”

“That’s what I’ve heard, but I thought you said you know how to take care of yourself.”

“I do. But you’re asking me to be responsible for you and Lydia and to convince her sister to leave a man who is known for drinking and fighting.” He looked at Kate, hoping his words would sink in. “That man had no qualms about stealing Helen away from her family. We have no idea what he might do to keep her. That’s nothing to joke about.”

She shook her head, a teasing light still flickering in her eyes. “I think you’re just trying to frighten me into staying home.”

He reached for her arm. “I’m not joking, Kate. It’s serious business to
confront the darkness and pull someone back from the edge. I don’t take that lightly, and neither should you.”

The humor faded from Kate’s eyes. “I understand. It’s not a game.”

He nodded, but he doubted she knew what awaited her in the East End.

EIGHT
 

William stood with his hat in his hand and glanced around the front office of Ramsey Imports. It had been almost a year since he had sold his half interest in the family business to his brother, David, and moved to Highland Hall. The office reception area looked much the same, though a new clerk had greeted him when he arrived.

What had happened to Lionel Mortensen? He had been his father’s clerk for almost twenty years, and after William’s father died, he assisted William for four more years. Lionel was getting up in age, but he had always been faithful and hardworking.

Had David sacked the man? William certainly hoped not.

The new clerk, a young man in his twenties with unkempt dark hair and rumpled suit, returned to the front office. “Mr. Ramsey will see you now.”

William thanked the clerk and walked through the doorway into his old office. David looked up from behind the large oak desk. Stacks of ledgers, folders, and miscellaneous papers were spread around him in disarray. A trunk and several open boxes sat on the floor beside his desk. The curtains were closed, and the only light in the room came from the twin lamps on each side of the desk. “William, what brings you here?”

“Good afternoon, David. How are you?” William held out his hand.

David grimaced and rose. “Sorry.” They shook hands briefly, and David sat in the large black leather chair again. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a stack of paperwork to go through and a meeting with one of our ship captains at three.”

“I understand, but there’s an important matter we need to discuss.”

David’s frown returned, but he motioned William to take a seat. “What is it?”

William lowered himself into the chair. “I understand you saw Katherine at the ballet on Tuesday evening.”

David stilled and met William’s gaze. “Yes. We saw each other at intermission.”

“Katherine told us she overheard two women discussing you and … Dorothea Martindale.”

David’s face flushed and he looked away. “I don’t listen to gossip, and neither should you.”

William eyebrows rose. “Is it true? Are you involved with her?”

David huffed. “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”

William’s irritation stirred, but he determined not to allow his emotions to overrule his good judgment. “I am your brother, and I’m concerned for you.”

“Well, that would be quite unusual.”

William clenched his jaw. “I don’t want to make assumptions, David. I’d like to know the truth.”

David fixed his stony gaze on William for several seconds. “Very well. Dorothea and I met a few months ago. She’s a beautiful woman with a large circle of friends, and we have a great deal in common.”

“But she’s married to the Earl of Stratford and has two young children.”

David’s face turned ruddy, and he shifted in his chair. “Her marriage is not a happy one. Reginald Martindale does not treat her as he should. They only married to please their families, and now he spends most of his time out of the country on diplomatic missions in Spain and Portugal. He cares nothing for Dorothea.”

“Even if that’s true, it doesn’t justify becoming involved with her in an affair.”

David leaned forward, his gaze intense. “This is not a passing fancy, William. I care deeply about Dorothea, and she feels the same way about me.”

His brother seemed sincere, but that didn’t make it right. “If you truly care for her, then you’ll end it before you hurt her any more than you already have.”

David’s eyes flashed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not hurting Dorothea. I’m the one bright spot in her very painful life.”

William shook his head. “I’m sorry, David, but there can be no happy ending to this story. You’re damaging your reputation, and that is going to reflect poorly on everyone connected with you.”

“Ha!” David slapped his hand on the desk. “Now we see what really brought you here. You don’t care what happens to Dorothea or me. You’re concerned about the damage this might do to the family’s reputation.”

“Protecting our family is my responsibility, and I take that very seriously.”

“Well, you should’ve thought about that before you proposed marriage to your children’s governess.”

Heat surged into William’s face. “That’s enough! Do not say another word about Julia!”

David held up his hand. “All right. Calm down. I suppose that was out of line.”

William straightened his jacket. “I came here because you are my brother, and I feel a responsibility toward you. And in spite of our disagreements in the past, I want what’s best for you.”

“I have a hard time believing that’s your true motivation.”

Regret burned William’s throat. No matter what his brother thought, he did care, and he didn’t want to see him throw his life away. “Please, David, consider the consequences for everyone involved. End this affair and make a clean break from Dorothea before it’s too late.”

David rose, his mouth set in a firm line. “I’ve heard your concerns, but I disagree with you. There’s nothing more to say.”

William studied his brother, his anger fading to sorrow. The path David had chosen could only lead to loss and misery. “I’m sorry, David.” He rose from his chair and softened his tone. “I pray someday you’ll see things clearly and have a change of heart.”

A muscle in David’s jaw flickered, but he gave no reply.

William turned away, placed his hat on his head, and walked out of the office.

Kate noted the luncheon at the Carmichaels’ on her calendar and then set aside their invitation. She had no idea who they were, but her aunt said they were important members of society, so they should accept.