The Daughter of Highland Hall (33 page)

Kate hesitated. “Thank you.”

Lady Shelburne looked back at Jon. “It’s been too long since your last visit.”

“Yes. I’m sorry about that. My summer schedule is much lighter. I hope to visit more often.”

She adjusted her glasses and studied his face. “Are those bruises around your eyes?”

Jon’s face took on a ruddy tint. “Yes ma’am, I’m afraid they are.”

“What happened?”

A muscle in Jon’s jaw flickered before he answered. “Two men jumped me the other night and stole my wallet and watch. I tried to fight them off, but the odds were not in my favor.”

Lady Shelburne raised her hand to her chest. “Heavens! You should’ve just given them what they wanted rather than risk a beating.”

Jon gave a humorless chuckle and rubbed his jaw. “Yes, I suppose so.”

“What is the world coming to when a respectable young man can’t walk down the street without being attacked and robbed? I’m glad I don’t go out often. It doesn’t sound safe or sensible to leave the house.”

Jon and Kate exchanged brief smiles.

His grandmother shifted her gaze to Kate. “My daughter Beatrice tells me this is your first season. When were you presented?”

“At the first drawing room on April 26.”

Jon’s grandmother’s gaze drifted toward the windows. “I remember my presentation in ’59. Months before, we traveled to Paris to buy my wardrobe. There were eighty-two debutantes that year, and each young lady had to be personally approved by Queen Victoria. She only accepted those who were from the oldest and best families. When the day finally came, I wore a lovely white silk gown designed by the House of Worth. Everyone said I was the toast of the season.”

Jon grinned. “I’m sure you were.”

“I met your grandfather that May. He proposed in July, and we were married in December.” Her faint smile faded, and she turned back to Kate. “But that was ages ago, and we were talking about you. What do you think of the London season so far? Has it met all your expectations?”

Images of all the dinners, balls, and parties she had attended rose in her mind, but they were quickly eclipsed by the memory of David’s arrest in their front hall just a few days earlier. “It’s certainly a change from country life in Berkshire.”

“Yes, I imagine so. Have you met anyone special?”

Heat flushed Kate’s cheeks. “Well … I’ve met a great number of people.”

Lady Shelburne looked back and forth between them. “Perhaps you’ve already met that special someone, and you just don’t want to tell us.”

Kate looked away. How should she answer that?

Jon shifted in his chair. “Grandmother, please. That’s not a fair question.”

“I’m just trying to find out if Katherine is interested in a particular young man.”

Jon’s brow creased, and he shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to embarrass you, Katherine.” She turned to Jon. “How are your studies coming along at the hospital?”

Jon’s posture relaxed. “Very well. I have only one more term at St. George’s.”

“And then?”

He paused. “Then I must choose where I will practice.”

“And have you made your decision?”

Jon glanced at Kate and then at his grandmother. “It seems I have three options.”

His grandmother cocked her head. “And they are …?”

Kate stilled, her attention fixed on Jon. He had mentioned two choices to her, but that was several weeks ago.

“I could apply to the London Missionary Society and return to India to continue my father’s work at Kanakapura. Or I could accept a position Dr. Gleason has offered me at St. George’s.”

His grandmother’s expression became more intent. “Yes, Beatrice told me about that.”

Jon’s eyebrows rose. “She did? I didn’t realize anyone else knew about it.”

“Your aunt Beatrice has connections all over town. I believe she and Mrs. Gleason are involved in the Ladies’ Aid Society at her church. But go on, what is the third option?”

“I’ve been volunteering at Daystar Clinic on the East End with Dr. Alfred Pittsford for the past few weeks. There’s a great need for medical care in the area. Dr. Pittsford has asked me to come on staff with him, but I haven’t given him an answer yet.”

Hope stirred within Kate. Working with Dr. Pittsford at Daystar wouldn’t be as prestigious as taking the position at St. George’s, but oh, what a difference he could make. Either way, if he did stay in London, the end of the season might not need to be the end of their friendship.

His grandmother watched him closely. “Tell me more about this Daystar Clinic.”

Jon’s expression grew more animated as he described the patients he’d met and the way they had been helped by visiting the clinic.

Kate remembered meeting some of the people he mentioned, and she smiled listening to their stories again. When she’d first come to the East End, she’d been shocked by the poverty and depressing conditions, but after she began volunteering at the clinic, her focus shifted to the individual people she met … and that made all the difference.

Lady Shelburne nodded. “It seems the third option is the one that has truly captured your interest.”

“I believe it is the one I’d like to pursue.”

“Well, you know I’d much rather have you stay in London than travel halfway around the world to India. You’ve sacrificed enough of your life to missionary service. You’re needed here, now. I hope you’ll keep that in mind as you make your decision.”

“I don’t consider our time in India a sacrifice. It was a wonderful experience that enriched our lives.”

His grandmother lifted her hand and extended a shaky finger. “It was a sacrifice for me to miss your childhood and have you so far away.”

Jon sent his grandmother an understanding look, but from the story
he had told Kate, it didn’t sound like he would have seen much of his grandmother even if his family had remained in England.

“My work at Daystar has helped me learn more about the conditions on the East End. Providing medical care is a good beginning, but there’s much more that needs to be done.”

“What are you thinking?” his grandmother asked.

“My greatest concern is for the children. Some don’t have adequate food and clothing or opportunities for schooling and religious training.”

“What about their families?”

“Many of their parents are too poor—and sadly, some children have no family at all. They live on the street or in abandoned buildings, wherever they can find a place out of the weather.”

“My goodness, what a dreadful thought.”

Kate remembered the three children they’d seen on the street the first time they’d searched for Helen. They’d helped them find their way to Daystar, but what had happened to them after that?

“Yes, just a few miles from your door, there are many who are suffering and in great need.”

His grandmother released a sigh. “Of course, you read about the poor and the troubles in the East End, but I hadn’t really thought about the children.”

Jon leaned forward and clasped his hands. “Dr. Pittsford and I have been discussing opening a children’s center. We want to provide a safe haven where children could come and receive a warm meal and clothing. We hope to recruit volunteers who could offer Bible classes and collect books for a library. We could offer vocational training for the older children to help them develop skills that could take them out of poverty and provide hope for their future.”

A smile broke across Kate’s face. “What a wonderful idea! So many children could be helped at a center like that.”

His grandmother chuckled. “You both sound quite enthusiastic about it.”

Jon sent Kate a warm smile, then looked at his grandmother again. “I
think we could provide practical help to many children who feel abandoned and hopeless.”

“Are you prepared to follow through with your plans?”

Jon straightened. “There is a vacant building just a few doors down from Dr. Pittsford’s home. It’s only a short distance from the clinic. It would be the ideal location.”

“Have you started raising funds for the project?”

Jon’s eyes widened. “Not yet.”

“How much would it take to open this children’s center?”

“I’m not sure, but I can discuss it with Dr. Pittsford.”

“Please do, and report back to me. This sounds like the kind of project I want to support, especially if my grandson is going to be involved with it.”

“Thank you, Grandmother. We would be very pleased to have your support.”

“Helping children in need is a worthy goal, and if you were committed to it, then I’d be more than willing to become a sponsor.”

Jon’s eyes shone as he glanced at Kate. With his grandmother’s support, the project might be a real possibility.

Excitement bubbled up in her heart. Coming to the aid of poor, homeless children and giving them hope for the future—what could be more rewarding? Perhaps she might be able to volunteer at the center as well. She could organize the library, read aloud to the children, or do any number of things to help Jon.

But a sudden thought struck Kate. Her dream of receiving a proposal this season had faded to a distant possibility. In a few weeks she would pack her trunks, say good-bye to Jon, and go home to Highland.

His dream of opening the children’s center would come to pass, but she would not be here to see it or play any part in his life … And that thought pierced her heart.

SEVENTEEN
 

William slowly climbed the main stairs and walked down the hall toward the nursery. Late afternoon sunlight streamed through the upper hallway windows, brightening his path, but it did little to lift his spirit. Perhaps some time with Julia and the children would lighten the weight that was pressing down on him.

He’d spent a good part of the day with his solicitor, Mr. Bixby, coordinating his efforts to help his brother. First they’d met with David for almost two hours, then they conferred with Mr. Jeffers, the private investigator who was conducting his own inquiry into the Martindale murder. There had been little new information exchanged, and that had been frustrating for everyone.

Julia’s voice drifted out of the nursery, and his steps slowed. It sounded as though she was reading aloud to the children. He stopped in the doorway and leaned against the doorjamb, taking in the scene.

Millie sat in her small rocking chair, her doll on her lap and her pensive gaze fixed on Julia. Andrew lay on the rug, his hands propping up his chin. For once, his son seemed as still as a statue. Penny sat beside the children in the overstuffed chair, her embroidery project abandoned in her lap as she gazed toward the window and listened to the story. Julia sat in the center with the book open in her lap and her back to William.

“ ‘Peter Pan got by the window, which had no bars,’ ” Julia read. “ ‘Standing on the ledge he could see trees far away, which were doubtless the Kensington Gardens, and the moment he saw them he entirely forgot that he was a little boy in a nightgown, and away he flew, right over the houses to the Gardens. It was wonderful that he could fly without wings … and, perhaps we could all fly if we were as dead-confident-sure of our capacity to do it as was bold Peter Pan that evening.’ ”

William waited, hesitant to break the spell the story had cast over them all, but Julia looked over her shoulder, as though she sensed his presence.

He held up his hand. “Don’t stop on my account.”

She smiled and glanced down at the book. “It’s all right. We’re near the end of the chapter, and we should go down for tea soon.”

Andrew groaned. “Must we stop? We’ve finally come to the part where Peter is flying.”

“Yes, I want to hear more of the story,” Millie said.

“We’ll read another chapter before bed.” Julia closed the book and turned to Penny. “Will you stay with the children for a few minutes?”

“Of course.” Penny picked up her sewing, while Andrew rolled over and then sprang up to his feet.

Julia rose and joined William in the hall. “How was your time with David?” She studied his face, and her brow creased. “You look tired.”

“I am rather weary. Seeing David in such a depressing place was difficult, and not knowing what the future holds makes it more so.”

“How did Mr. Bixby handle things?”

“He questioned David again about several aspects of the case and explained the process and what’s to be expected.”

“How is David taking it?”

“His spirits are quite low. He had hoped to hear from Dorothea, but she hasn’t written, and I doubt she’ll visit. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. The place is ghastly.”

Julia nodded, concern reflected in her eyes.

“David is anxious about keeping things going at Ramsey Imports.”

“Does he have someone there who can step in for him?”

William shook his head. “He had a disagreement with Charles Claxton a few weeks ago, and he let him go. He hasn’t replaced him, and now there’s no one who really knows all that needs to be done there … except me.”

“You?”

He took her hand. “I offered to run things until David returns.”

“Oh, William, that’s quite a heavy commitment.”

“Yes, but a necessary one. David could lose everything if someone doesn’t take it on.”