The Daughter of Highland Hall (25 page)

Lydia’s heart lifted. “Is it from my parents?”

“I’m not sure, but you can take a moment to read it, if you like.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” She hurried down the corridor and entered the servants’ hall.

Her fingers trembled as she scanned the writing on the envelope. It was not her mother’s script, but her sister’s flowing style. Her heart leaped. She dashed down the hall and out the back door, then tore the envelope open.

Dear Lydia
,

I saw my old neighbor. She said you came looking for me. I was so happy I cried when she gave me the card with your address. I thought everyone in the family must hate me for running off with Charlie Gibbons
.

I’m sorry for it now, but when I learned I was going to have a baby, I was afraid Father would be so angry he might kill Charlie. I thought going away was best for us all, but I’m not sure now
.

Charlie has a hard time finding work, and when he does, he spends most of what he makes at the pub, drinking away his troubles. He has a darker side I didn’t see back at home. And when he drinks too much, it comes out and torments us
.

I’m afraid of what will happen when the baby comes. I haven’t seen a doctor, so I’m not sure when it will be, but I think sometime in July. I wish I had someone to help me, but we keep to ourselves. I know you’re busy with your job, but I hope you’ll write. I miss you and send my love
,

Helen

Lydia bit her lip and stared across the courtyard. Helen needed her, and somehow she must find a way to help.

THIRTEEN
 

Jon laid his fork and knife across his breakfast plate and sat back in his chair. The day was overcast, and the mood at the breakfast table was much the same. Julia and Penny had carried on a bit of conversation with the children during the meal, but Kate wore a pensive expression and barely touched her food. Jon tried to draw her out by asking her a few questions, but her answers were brief, making him all the more concerned for her.

The children finished eating and were sent off in Ann’s care. William sat at the head of the table, scanning the newspaper.

Julia looked up. “Is there any more news about the Martindale case?”

William’s brooding expression eased as he glanced across at her. “Just a small article on page three.”

“Does it mention David?”

“Not specifically. It only says the police are continuing their investigation.”

Julia’s tense expression eased. “I’m glad he wasn’t named.”

Kate flashed a heated glance at Julia. “He may not be mentioned, but the news is definitely circulating among our friends, or should I say our
former
friends.”

William lowered the paper. “Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?”

Hurt filled Kate’s eyes. “No one would receive us yesterday, not even the Tremonts. Everyone told their servants to say they were not at home, when we knew very well they just didn’t want to speak to us.”

Julia rested her hand on Kate’s arm. “I’m sorry, Kate. I wish people were not so quick to judge.”

“Aunt Louisa says none of us will be welcome anywhere until the case is solved and even then David’s connection with Mrs. Martindale will cast a shadow over the family.”

William sighed and folded the newspaper. “That may be true, but we’re
not turning tail and running back to the country. That would make people think we believe David is guilty and we’re not standing with him.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “You intend to stand with him, even after what he’s done?”

“He is my brother.”

“But he’s guilty of … infidelity.”

“Yes, and that’s a terrible sin that has set off a dreadful chain of events, but he is not a murderer. I’m praying that somehow this will make him see his need for repentance and a better direction in life.”

“I hope it does, but in the meanwhile, what are we to do?”

William glanced at Julia and then at Kate. “There are many activities you can take part in that don’t require an invitation.”

“I have the day off,” Jon said. “Would you like to go riding?”

“No, thank you.” Kate looked down at her plate. “Not today.”

Jon sat back, wishing there was some way to help. He hated to see Kate so discouraged.

“I have a suggestion.” Julia looked around the table. “Catherine Bramwell-Booth is speaking this morning in Clapton.”

Jon turned to Julia. “Isn’t she the daughter of General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army?”

“His granddaughter, actually. I understand she is a very gifted speaker with deep convictions about meeting the needs of the poor and how that ought to go hand in hand with preaching the gospel.”

“That sounds very similar to Dr. Pittsford’s philosophy,” Jon added.

Julia nodded. “I thought we could all go and hear her speak.”

Penny’s expression brightened. “Even me?”

“Yes, even you,” Julia said. “It should be an enlightening lecture. I don’t think anyone would object to you attending.”

“Aunt Louisa won’t object,” Penny said with an impish smile. “She isn’t feeling well this morning. I heard her moaning and complaining to Mrs. Adams.”

“I’m sorry she’s unwell.” Julia pushed back from the table. “Perhaps I should check on her.”

Lawrence walked in carrying a silver tray. “Sir, this message was hand delivered for you by a young boy.”

“Thank you.” William took the envelope and letter opener from the tray. He studied the writing on the envelope with a slight frown while the butler left the room.

Julia leaned forward. “Who is it from?”

William slit open the envelope, pulled out the sheet of paper, and glanced at the bottom. “It’s from David.”

Everyone stilled and waited while William read the brief message.

William looked up. “The police have called him in for questioning this morning at eleven. He wants me to go with him.”

Jon tensed and glanced around the table, then focused on William. Saying you supported your brother in the comfort of your own home was one thing, but accompanying him to police headquarters for questioning was something else altogether.

“Will you go?” Julia asked in a hushed tone.

William refolded the note and slipped it back in the envelope. “Yes. Of course.” He scooted his chair back. “But that shouldn’t affect your plans. Go to the lecture and see what Miss Bramwell-Booth has to say.”

Jon watched William stride out of the room, his admiration for his soon-to-be brother-in-law growing even stronger. What a challenge to love your brother through difficult circumstances like these. He hoped if he were ever called upon to make a similar choice he would do the same for those he loved.

Kate checked her appearance in the large gilded mirror in the entrance hall while she and Lydia waited for the others to join them. She’d chosen a blue linen dress with a tunic style top, middy collar, and white crochet trim. Her simple straw hat had only a few flowers and a ribbon that matched her dress.

Lydia gazed at Kate’s reflection in the mirror. “You look very nice, miss.”

“Thank you. What do you think of the hat?” Kate’s aunt usually chose
her clothing for their outings, and though Kate liked choosing what to wear, she wasn’t sure the hat was appropriate.

“Oh, the hat’s lovely.”

“I don’t want to wear anything too elaborate since we’re going to a lecture hall. Nothing is worse than being seated behind a woman in a large hat and not being able to see around her.”

“It’s a good choice, miss.” Lydia’s smile faded as she glanced up the stairs. “Do you think Mr. Foster will be able to take us to see Helen after the lecture?”

Lydia had told Kate about the letter she had received from her sister. Kate was elated to hear Helen had written, and she was determined to help Lydia see her as soon as possible.

“I’m sure he’ll go with us if he doesn’t have another commitment.”

“Ever since I read her letter I’ve been so worried.”

Kate turned to Lydia. “And you have good reason from the sound of things, but now that we have her address we can visit and hopefully convince her to go home or at least let us help her.” Kate wasn’t eager to navigate the East End with only Lydia as her companion, so she had invited Lydia to come along to the lecture with the hope that Jon would take them to see Helen after.

Jon descended the stairs followed by Julia and Penny. He smiled when he saw Kate waiting at the bottom of the steps.

Kate’s heart fluttered, making her feel slightly off balance. Her sensible side told her she should not entertain romantic thoughts about Jon, but it was becoming harder every day to resist the strong pull she felt toward him.

She admired and respected him, and he had become her trusted friend.

He might not be able to offer her a place in society … but what about love? Could he give her that?

She looked up and met his warm gaze, and the look in his eyes seemed to say he could—that, and so much more, if she would let him.

She swallowed hard and tried to push those thoughts away, but her heart didn’t want to listen.

He met her at the bottom of the stairs. “You look very nice, Kate.”

“Thank you.” Her voice came out hushed and strained.

He watched her carefully. “Is something the matter?”

“No. I’m fine.” But her cheeks warmed, and she had the strangest feeling he could read her thoughts.

Julia checked the mirror and adjusted her hat. “Are we ready to go?”

Kate glanced around the group. “Yes, I believe so.”

The footman opened the front door. Julia, Penny, and Lydia walked outside, then Jon started to follow.

Kate started after them. “Jon, may I speak to you for a moment?”

He turned. “Yes?”

“Are you free this afternoon, after the lecture?”

A slight smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “I thought I might go by the clinic, but I am available if you need me.”

Kate tried to ignore the hint of teasing in his eyes, but it wasn’t easy. “Lydia received a letter from her sister. She is still on the East End, and since we’re going to be in Clapton, it wouldn’t be too much out of our way to try and see her.”

He sobered. “Do you have the address?”

“Yes, Lydia has it.”

He glanced toward the car, where Julia, Lydia, and Penny waited, and then back at Kate. “All right. I can take you there after the lecture, if Julia allows it.”

“Must we tell her?”

“Yes. We must. I won’t go sneaking around behind my sister’s back, especially not with you and Lydia in tow.”

She tried to remain serious, but her smile slipped through. “Very well, if you insist.”

“I do.” He offered her his arm, and she tucked her hand through, happy to be by his side as they stepped outside into the pleasant spring morning.

An hour later, they found seats near the stage in Farcourt Hall. Quiet conversation filled the auditorium as they waited for the lecture to begin.

Julia leaned toward Kate. “It’s quite an interesting crowd, isn’t it?”

“Yes, there are certainly more people than I expected.” Kate guessed at
least four hundred. About two-thirds of them were women. Some were fashionably dressed, but most wore plain clothing that spoke of a simple life. Sprinkled through the crowd were men and women wearing Salvation Army uniforms, black with a touch of red and silver from the emblems on their collars.

Kate had heard about the group’s evangelistic work among the poor, and twice she’d seen a Salvation Army band marching down the street as she traveled through London during the past few weeks. On their way to the lecture, Jon told her several thousand people had gathered earlier that month to hear General William Booth, the elderly founder of the Salvation Army, speak.

A few years before, he had been given an honorary doctorate from Oxford and received other awards for his work among London’s poor and for training and sending out teams around the world to help those in need. His health seemed to be failing, and Jon thought it might be the last time the general would make a public appearance.