“And where is the true mother?”
“She died shortly after giving the child life. She asked me to take him.”
“Then where is the lie? One day you can tell the child of his mother.”
“But others believe he is mine.”
“Giving birth is not always the true sign of being a mother. Loving and nurturing a child is the true form of motherhood.”
“Yes, Father. But this journey I’m about to make... I’m risking everything. I thought I could do this...but—but I’m not sure now.” She’d known the gravity of the consequences when she took on this assignment, but now that the time had come, she didn’t know if she could go through with it. Meeting Jared and falling in love with him had not been in her plan.
“Tell me about this journey. Are you being forced to take this path?”
The priest’s words startled her. “N-No, Father,” she stammered again. “I chose this journey to help another.”
“And you must deceive for the safety of this person?”
“Yes.”
“How long will this deception continue? What will happen if you are unable to succeed with this lie?”
Rebecca closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she answered his questions. She’d expected censure not possible understanding from him. Moisture formed at her eyes. “Many lives are at risk, Father. Mine, my family’s, and the person I’m trying to help. It’s a heavy burden. One I thought I was prepared to carry.”
“And now you are not sure?” he asked.
“Yes, Father. What am I going to do?”
“Risking your life for another is a noble act. You should have faith that you will see your goals accomplished. Trust that God will give you the strength to see it through. Keep your rosary with you and pray to the Blessed Virgin daily.”
She nodded, prepared to rise, but stopped when he spoke again.
“But know this, a lie is a lie no matter the reason you tell it. I cannot absolve you for this sin when I know you are going to continue in this path until your journey is complete.”
“I understand, Father.” She took a handkerchief from her bag and dried her eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my child. Go in peace.” The priest made the sign of the cross then closed the portal between them.
Go in peace.
The thought was difficult when accompanied by an image of her swinging from the end of a rope. The image was so real in her mind she felt herself suffocating, and she gasped for air.
“Stop it, Rebecca,” she told herself. “You can’t start doubting your resolve now.”
The priest was right. She’d chosen this journey. It was a noble act. She’d accomplish her goal and return to raise Lucas. There was no need for her to worry.
Still, she had a nagging feeling that tonight would not play out the way she imagined.
****
“I do wish you’d allow me to see you off at the train station,” Josephine complained as Rebecca gathered her things later that evening.
“It isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine. I’d like to know you are here in case Lucas should awake. This is the first time I’ll be away from him for more than a day. It makes me nervous just thinking about leaving him even for a short trip.”
“Then you need to be away from him more,” Josephine said, startling her. This was not the same woman from a few days ago. Her aunt sounded more confident. It made Rebecca feel better about leaving the child in her care.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Josephine continued. “I think I can handle the boy while you’re away. We’ll be just fine.”
Rebecca hugged her one last time, tighter than she intended. “I know you will. I love you both very much.”
When she broke away from the hug, her aunt gave her a questioning look. “You’re not eloping are you?”
“No.”
“This sudden trip has nothing to do with Mr. Hollingsworth?” Josephine crossed her arms over her chest, looking stern.
“Absolutely not. I told you I have some financial matters to attend, and I must see my lawyer immediately. I’ll be back within the week if all goes as planned.”
Her eyes narrowed as she continued to study Rebecca. “All right. You have a safe journey. I’ll see you when you return.”
Rebecca kissed a sleeping Lucas on the cheek as Charlotte held him. “Mama loves you dearly, little one. Take care, Charlotte.”
“Yes, miss. There’s nothing to worry about. He’ll be fine.”
Nodding, she took a deep breath and without further delay, she turned, picked up her bag and cloak, and headed to the door.
A knock sounded before she reached it. She stopped and her heart skipped a beat. What if Rory had been caught after he left St. Anna’s and somehow the authorities had linked them together?
“Heavens, who could that be at this late hour?” Josephine said.
“I don’t know.” She still didn’t move toward the door as another knock came.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Josephine asked, impatiently.
When she hesitated further her aunt implored, “Rebecca, did you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes. I’ll get it.” She forced her feet to take the remaining two steps to the door. She opened it wide and was stunned seeing the man on the other side. “Jared!”
“Hello, Rebecca.”
Goose flesh prickled her skin as his gaze roamed over her, taking in her attire. “Going somewhere?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. What are you doing here at this late hour?”
“I need to speak to you. May I come in?”
The polite gesture would have been to invite him inside, even at this late hour, but she didn’t have time to spare. She had to meet Rory by ten o’clock. She waved to her aunt and stepped out into the hallway, closing the suite door behind her.
Jared backed away, frowning.
“I’m afraid not. I have a train to catch. I’ll be back in a few days after I take care of important business. Can’t this wait?” She asked, heading toward the stairs with her one bag.
“Rebecca, please. I want to apologize for my reaction yesterday. I wanted your answer to be yes, but I realized my proposal came too soon. You shouldn’t have to explain why you turned me down.”
“I’m sorry, I really have to go, or I’ll miss my train. Can we talk more about this when I return?”
If I return.
“At least let me carry your bag and see you off,” he said, catching up to her as she went down the stairs.
She stopped at the bottom landing and whispered. “I don’t think this is a good idea. People are already talking about us.”
His brows knitted together. “Who’s talking?”
“I’ll be back in a few days, and I’ll pay a call to Mrs. Paxton,” she said loud enough for the night clerk to overhear. He’d been straining his neck as she descended the stairs, trying to hear their conversation.
“Good night, Mr. Hollingsworth,” she called over her shoulder.
Jared watched as she stopped outside of the hotel, sat down her valise and donned the garment she had draped over her arm. From the distance it looked like a cloak, which he found odd since it was late June. Yet, she wore it, covering her person from head to toe. He could only see her dainty hand as she reached out to hail a hired cab.
Curiosity demanded he discover what she was doing. He stepped out of the hotel and motioned for Higgins to bring the carriage, and climbed up beside his driver instead of getting in back. He was not surprised at all when the cab he followed turned down Brewerton Street instead of going to the train station.
“Slow down, Higgins. We don’t want Miss Davis to spot us following her,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir. Do you mind my asking why we’re doing so?” The driver pulled back on the reins.
“I suspect she’s headed for trouble.”
“Then she needs our protection.”
Jared grinned at his faithful servant. Taking care of Rebecca was something he was prepared to do. And he might as well get used to doing so if they were going to marry.
His brow furrowed and he thought back to what she’d said on the staircase in the hotel.
People were talking about them.
He clenched his hands into tight fists. His personal reputation being in question was old hat. He had accepted the murmurings behind his back long ago. But to drag Rebecca’s reputation down by association was something he wouldn’t allow to happen. He
would
find out who was doing the talking.
His carriage slowed even further as Rebecca got out of the cab and turned down an alley.
“Looks like you’ll have to walk,” Higgins said, pulling the Victorian to a complete stop.
“Wait right here,” Jared ordered, and jumped to the ground. He quickly walked down the street and stopped at the alley entrance. He could barely make out her silhouette at the other end of the dim passage. She turned left which took her to Amherst. The only establishments there were a few gaming halls and a brothel. Not a place you’d expect to see a lady visit.
What in the hell are you up to, Rebecca?
The night was quiet except for the sound the click of horse hooves made on cobblestone as Higgins slowly approached with the carriage disregarding his orders. “Meet me over by the river, but don’t let her see you. She’s headed toward Amherst.”
“Aye, sir.”
What’s she doing? It’s the middle of the night. No woman in her right mind would even consider walking down by the river alone. This explains her wearing the cloak. She thought no one would recognize her if she hid herself.
Jared’s breathing grew labored as he walked quickly down the darkened alley. He came out at the other end just in time to see Rebecca pass under a gaslight and enterer
Madame Monique’s House of Delights
with his cousin Rory.
Rory!
If someone had kicked him in the gut Jared wouldn’t have been more surprised. Or angered. He hurried to the front stoop of the establishment and knocked rapidly until the door opened.
“Well hello, love. You looking for some company tonight?” a painted woman in a snug fitting red dress asked, leaning on the door.
“I believe a well-dressed woman just entered here. Can you show me to her?”
“Ah, I see. You interested in a little ménage á trios?”
“No.”
“You want some special pleasure, but you don’t know exactly what? I’ll get Madame Monique for you. Follow me, love.”
Jared watched her saunter into another room and slowly followed, noticing several small parlors where women in silk wrappers entertained gentlemen or served drinks. But he did not see Rory or Rebecca among them.
He didn’t get any farther than the stairs when the painted lady returned with a woman wearing a transparent black dress, leaving little to the imagination. Her breasts, round and plump, looked as if they were about to burst forth from the black lace bodice. Sparkling jewels graced her neck and earlobes.
“What can I do for you?” she asked, taking a drag on a cigarette and blowing out a puff of smoke.
Jared coughed. “I’m looking for a couple who just entered this establishment together. The man is my cousin, Rory Hollingsworth.”
“Ah, dear Rory.” The woman blew smoke rings over his head and winked naughtily at him. “He’s busy at the moment, but if you’d like to have a seat I’ll be glad to tell him he has a visitor when he finishes.”
Jared took a step backwards, finding her words hard to swallow. Rory busy.
“The woman who came in with him. Is she with him now? Does she work for you?”
“What woman?”
“In the cloak.”
“Ah, the cloak. Rory likes his women to be mysterious. They must be playing out
la petit chaperon rouge
. This could take hours. Rory is a notorious big, bad wolf. If we listen closely we might hear his triumphant howl as the deed is completed. Won’t you have a seat?” She gestured toward a vacant chaise. “We can have a few drinks while you wait.”
“I don’t want to sit down. I don’t want to have drinks.” He roared. “I want to see that woman!”
“I can wear a cloak for you,” the painted lady in the red dress wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can be anything you want, honey. You don’t need Rory’s used goods.”
He wrenched himself free of the woman’s hold and glared at them both. He didn’t like their innuendos about Rebecca. There had to be some mistake. “If he’s laid one hand on Rebecca, I’ll kill him.”
Monique snuffed out her cigarette on the stairwell banister and flicked it into a nearby potted plant.
“Chérie, leave the man alone. Go fetch Rory.” Monique’s tone changed and so did her features. Her smile was gone and now she looked bored. “Tell him the Master of the Plantation is here to see him. We’ll be in my suite.”
“Oh, so you’re the master of Oak Hill? Rory talks about you all the time.” The painted lady gave a yearning look and vulgarly blew kisses in the direction of his crotch.
Jared recoiled back a step.
“Come with me.” Monique put her hand on his shoulder to draw his attention back to her. “I’m sure you’ll wish to speak to your cousin in private. It’ll be a nice little reunion.”
He followed her down a corridor and up a second staircase into her suite. He’d expected the room to have gildedmirrors, bold colors and gaudy draperies. Instead, the room was soft blue with sheer drapes cascading at the windows and bed frame, giving the room a peaceful and innocent feel much like Charisse had decorated the nursery. The low burning candles around the room added to the serenity.
“Rory said you looked alike, but you’re nothing like I imagined.” Monique smiled. “Clearly you’re the more handsome cousin.”
“What else did he say about me?” Jared looked around the room. “Are they here?”
Monique laughed, going to a drinks table. “Oh, not much. Rory’s as cunning as a fox. What’s your poison?”