Steadfast Heart (19 page)

“I suppose I've simply had my eyes opened to the way upper society can be. Abrianna cares for the needy, and while I don't know if I would be able to do what she does, I don't want the trappings of my parents unless I'm able to use that wealth for helping others.” She paused. “I hope that doesn't lower your opinion of me. I know you very well may be driven to higher society one day, and if that is where life takes us, then I shall be happy to do my duty.”

“So you plan to spend your life with me?” he asked in an amused tone.

Lenore shrugged, more relaxed now. “I realize you haven't asked for my hand, but my heart tells me that it's implied.”

He pulled her close and Lenore felt the warmth of his hands on her arms through the fine silk wrap. “It's more than implied. I want you for my wife, Lenore. I realize we've not had much time together, but my heart knows what it wants, and it wants you. Will you marry me?”

She gazed up into his eyes and nodded. “I will.”

He lowered his mouth to hers for a brief but thoroughly enjoyable kiss. Lenore thought she might well faint, but when
he raised his face and met her gaze with a mischievous grin, she changed her mind.

“You look rather proud of yourself, Mr. Booth,” she said, pulling away from his hold.

He put his arm around her and drew her toward the house. “I am, actually. I have asked the love of my life to marry me, and I didn't stammer or . . . lose my supper.”

She couldn't help but giggle. “Goodness, I didn't know I had that kind of effect on you.”

Kolbein paused at the French doors. “You affect me in every way and always will.” He straightened his tie. “But now I need to speak with your father. Otherwise we won't be able to court, much less marry.”

The next morning, Lenore shared tea with Abrianna and relayed the events of the previous evening. “I'm so happy, I might very well cry,” she declared.

“Please don't. I wouldn't want Aunt Miriam to question what's happening. She would never approve of your accepting Kolbein's proposal so quickly, although I don't know why not. Goodness, it seems to me if two people know that they're destined for each other, they needn't waste time with a set period of courtship. Although I will hate to see you go.”

“What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere.”

“Kolbein is from Chicago, and while I know he's taken a position here, he will no doubt consider returning, although I don't know why anyone would choose to live there. The reports are always so negative. Not only that, but Chicago is so far away, and I would never see you again. Oh, that would be utter tragedy to our friendship.” She paused for a moment to stand
and put her hand over her heart. “A devastation of the heart. I shall never recover losing your friendship. We shall be forever changed. You will be gone from me . . . never to return.”

“Mercy sakes, Abrianna, you would think marriage and death were the same thing. I will still want to spend time with you. The only difference will be that now I will have a home of my own to invite you to. Perhaps I shall even have a carriage to send for you. I do not believe Kolbein wishes us to leave Seattle. From what he has said, I think he's grown accustomed to the rain.” She couldn't help but smile. “He says he now sees things in cloudy days that he never saw before. I think he has a rather artistic soul, because he talked about shadows and hues.” Lenore shrugged. “Nevertheless, my marriage won't come between us.”

Abrianna sat back down beside Lenore, looking quite displaced. Slowly she shook her head. “It will be different. You will see. No, I shall prepare my heart for what is to come.”

Her heavy sigh made it clear to Lenore that she would not be otherwise convinced at the moment. “Well then, we should endeavor to enjoy what time we have,” Lenore said. “And I shall start by telling you that my days of trying to remake you are over. I no longer believe that you need to wear fine clothes and play the piano to be a good woman, Abrianna. I know that you are a better woman in your broadcloth and serge than I will ever be in my silks and velvets, and I hope you will forgive me.”

Abrianna raised her hand. “Do not speak like that. You are the finest lady I have ever known. I will never be as charming or as lovely.” She touched her hand to her hair. “Just as I can never change the color of my hair. I'm afraid that what you see is very much what you get.”

Lenore laughed and reached over to hug Abrianna close. “And that is exactly what I want. While I was away I learned a very
good lesson about appearances. An apple can be beautiful on the outside and yet rotten within. I met some young women who were very much that way. They were beautifully gowned and fashionable in every way, but inside they were ugly and spoiled. I realized that with very little trouble I could be the same.”

Abrianna shook her head. “No. I do not accept that. You may have wealth and beautiful things, but your heart is more beautiful than anything money could buy. If you were a shallow or vapid woman, I could not confide in you as I do.”

Smiling, Lenore patted Abrianna's hand. “And you, Abrianna, are the grandest lady I have ever known . . . or ever will. God has given you an incredible heart, a heart that is able to love in a far greater capacity than anyone I've ever known. I was wrong to try to keep you from your calling, and I pray you can forgive me.”

Abrianna's brows came together as if she were thinking hard on the matter. “Upon reflection,” she finally said, “I see nothing for which you need ask forgiveness. Nevertheless, I give it freely.”

Lenore smiled. She had already known Abrianna would say as much.

A
brianna knew that Aunt Miriam would be horrified by her actions, but she couldn't help herself. There was a man lingering outside their building. She could see him in the dusky evening light, and more clearly each time he neared one of the streetlights. He seemed to be circling their building, because Abrianna observed that he would move down the alleyway and then turn to the right. After this he was gone for several minutes and finally would show up on the left reentering the alley.

Who was he and did he mean harm to them or others? She picked up the fireplace poker and gripped the cold iron in her hand. What should she do? If he was of a good nature, Abrianna felt it would be her duty to warn him about the murders that had taken place. If he was the murderer, however, she might put the fear of God into his soul. Maybe he would even confess and turn himself in to the police once she finished with him.

She took off her shoes to sneak down the stairs, hoping that no one would hear her exit. At the street entrance she slipped her feet back into the soft leather and reassessed her weapons. The boning knife was strapped to her right calf, and in her hands she held the rather intimidating fireplace poker. At least
she hoped it would be intimidating. Otherwise, all she had was her wits and her ability to run very fast.

The air still bore the dampness of an earlier rain. Abrianna quietly picked her way between mud puddles and prayed that God would send legions of angels to protect her. She pondered only a moment whether He would give such an order to His heavenly host when Abrianna was clearly defying her authority, but she decided it was worth the risk. After all, she wasn't seeking to benefit herself so much as protect those she loved.

Drawing a deep breath, she waited as the man rounded the corner once again and headed into the alley. With only a moderate amount of fear, Abrianna jumped into the alleyway and held up the poker in confrontation. “Halt, in the name of the law.”

The suit-clad man whirled around to face her. The lighting was poor, but Abrianna could see that he had an amused look on his face. “Ya hardly look like the law.” His brogue was clearly Irish.

“I'm not, but I figured that would get your attention. I want to know who you are and why you are loitering here. Three men have died on this site, and if you are responsible, you should know that I intend to put a stop to your deeds. And if you aren't responsible, you should know what has happened here so that you can save yourself from possible harm.”

The man snorted in seeming delight. Abrianna wasn't at all sure why he should act in such a manner. She meant business. “You are quite rude to laugh when I am completely devoted to seeing this through. Two of the dead were good friends of mine, and I will avenge their death if possible.”

“Aye, I've no doubt ya'd be doin' just that. However, I'm not yar murderer. I was hired by a lawyer named Mr. Kolbein Booth to act as a night watchman for this building.”

Abrianna lowered the poker and took a step forward. “Are you being truthful with me?”

He again chuckled. “Well, if I wasn't I wouldn't be admittin' it, now, would I?”

She nodded, pursing her lips together. He was, of course, right to point this out. She considered the man for a moment longer, then realized that a stranger would have no way of knowing about Kolbein Booth.

“You must be who you say you are,” she said, relaxing a bit. “A murderer would have no knowledge of our good friend and lawyer. I must say it is a relief to have someone watching over us besides the Good Lord. Not that He doesn't have it well in His power.”

“It looks to me,” the older man said, stepping closer, “that ya had the situation completely under control.”

“I couldn't help but be concerned.” She extended her hand. “I'm Abrianna Cunningham and I live here. I do not like murders taking place near my home.”

“I can well imagine that ya should feel that way. I would be feelin' the same about it happenin' near my home.” He smiled and pushed back his hat. “Yar quite the woman to come out here and confront me yarself.”

“Oh, I'm not really alone. God is watching over me,” she replied. “Although I'm not supposed to endeavor on such escapades. My aunts would not be pleased to see me take matters in my own hands, and my dearest friend in the world, Mr. Wade Ackerman, would no doubt be very vexed with me.”

“You've got that right.” Wade surprised them both by stalking forward to take hold of Abrianna. “What in the world do you think you're doing out here?”

The guard narrowed his eyes and took a defensive stance. “Unhand the young lady.”

“Oh, don't bother to order him around,” Abrianna told him. “He does pretty much as he pleases. This is the man I was speaking of—Wade Ackerman. He thinks himself my big brother and guardian. Do you know he threatened to nail shut my windows and doors to keep me prisoner in my bedroom? Have you ever heard of such a thing?” She looked to Wade. “This is a night watchman hired by Kolbein. So you see there is no danger.”

“Yes, I know all about him,” Wade declared. “However, you should never have made his acquaintance. You should have remained inside the building as you were instructed.”

Wade let go of her arm and extended his hand to the man. “I'm as she says—Wade Ackerman. Mr. Booth said he told you about me.”

“Aye. He did.” The man shook hands with Wade and grinned. “Malcolm Downy is my name. I'm the Irish middleweight champion of the Northwest.”

“Glad to meet you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will see to getting Miss Cunningham back to safety.”

“She's a feisty one,” Malcolm said, grinning all the more. “Must have a wee bit of the Irish in her.”

“More than a wee bit, I'd say.” Wade shook his head. “She's stubborn through and through, listens to no man, and believes herself invincible.”

“Aye, she'd be of the Irish, all right. I should have known by that mop of red.” He chuckled. “Good night to ya now, Miss Cunningham. May the Good Lord keep ya in His hand and ne'er close His fist too tight.” He took his leave then, humming a song that Abrianna figured to be from his native home.

“What a nice man.”

“Now I will know the meaning of this,” Wade said, taking hold of her once again.

Abrianna tried to pull away to no avail. “I did nothing wrong, and you needn't treat me like a child. Goodness, Wade, I've been tolerant of your overbearing concerns for years now. At first they came as a welcome. I thought you quite the gallant knight to care so much about my well-being. Now, however, I feel less inclined to offer praise. You act as though I'm made of porcelain and have no knowledge of life on the streets.” She looked down the alley as Mr. Downy disappeared around the corner. “That was so kind of Kolbein to send someone to watch over us.”

Already Wade was dragging her back to the front of the building. Abrianna hurried to keep up for fear he would hoist her over his shoulder if she lagged.

“Truly, Wade, this is an embarrassment. I had taken precautions and everything was under control. You needn't have worried.”

“It seems where you are concerned,” Wade said, stopping at the front doors of the building, “worry is a natural state of our relationship. Honestly, Abrianna, whatever prompted you to take such a foolish risk? Do you suppose those three women could have borne the sorrow of losing you?”

Abrianna calmed. “I didn't think myself to be in danger. I suppose, upon reflection, that it wasn't my wisest choice. However, I didn't want to see harm come to anyone else.”

“And what did you figure to do?” He let go of her arm and reached for the poker. “Would you have honestly struck the man? Don't you realize a strong man like Downy could easily knock this from your hands?”

“Well if he had, I would have had my boning knife,” she said, thinking her plan quite reasonable.

“Like you did with me?”

“Well, I didn't really put up a fight with you, as I didn't wish to cause you harm.”

“Oh, Abrianna,” Wade said with a sigh. “Can't you see that times are different? You aren't a young girl able to slip unnoticed through the cracks and crevices of the city. You're a young woman now—a very pretty young woman.” He held up his hand to still her. “I know you don't believe me, but it's the truth. There are indecent men who would think nothing of taking liberties with you.”

She could see the fear in his expression. “I'm sorry to have caused you concern.” She put her hand on his chest, realizing that he was more than a little fearful for her. “I can see that you are quite worried, and that wasn't my desire. I suppose sometimes it's just hard to be so limited because of one's gender. I only sought to protect the ones I love.”

“And I feel the same,” Wade replied. “You and the ladies are the only family I have around here. My own folks are far from this place, as you know. I've come to care very deeply about your safety.”

“I know.” She sighed. “I honestly do not strive to find trouble.”

“I know that, Abrianna,” he said finally, smiling. “Trouble just seems to naturally find you.”

Wade was glad to see Thane leaning on the wall by his shop when he returned from the Madison Building. The diversion would help him put aside his thoughts of what might have happened to Abrianna that night. Mercy, but that girl could be an aggravation.

“Thought I'd come by for a game, if you have the time,” Thane said, pushing off the building.

“Sounds good. Have you eaten?”

Thane grinned. “Yeah, but what's that got to do with it? I'm always ready for another meal.”

Wade laughed and unlocked the door to his shop. He turned on the lights and waited for Thane to enter before relocking the door. He wasn't going to take any chance that someone would wander in to steal his tools.

Thane followed him back to his living space and then asked, “What have you been up to?”

Wade went to the stove and poked up the fire in order to reheat the coffee. “I headed over to meet the new night watchman Kolbein Booth hired for the ladies. Unfortunately, I found one of them outside, trying to determine if the man was friend or foe.”

Thane looked at him in understanding. “Abrianna?”

“Who else would be so foolish?” Wade shook his head. “Do you know she was standing there with a fireplace poker ready to bash the man's head in if he turned out to be the murderer?”

Thane laughed. “And she probably would have done it, too.”

“Don't laugh. I was never so angry and scared in my life. I couldn't help but think her in danger. I swear that girl does everything she can to jeopardize her safety. I have never approved of all her sneaking around, but at least when she was younger, it didn't seem so bad. Especially when she dressed in a more boyish fashion.” He sighed. “Now, however, there is nothing boyish about her.”

“No, not a bit,” Thane agreed. “But she is a redhead, and as such seems destined for conflict and disobedience.”

Wade raised a brow. “You, sir, have a crown of red, as well.”

“Exactly. So that makes me something of an authority on the subject. We are a stubborn lot. It's the way God made us. How else would we get as much done as we do? You have to
admit that Abrianna is a most industrious young woman. And I'm not exactly idle myself. I work on repairing boats all day, volunteer for the fire department, help at the church, and play baseball for the annual fireman's tournament. And that doesn't begin to account for all of my activities. I'm also a master chess player, which you will experience in a moment.”

Wade wanted to forget about Abrianna and the scare, but he couldn't seem to drop the matter. “I'm afraid she's going to get herself into trouble one of these days, and I won't be there to help get her out of it. If anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.”

“But you aren't her keeper, Wade. She's going to finish growing up and do as she pleases. She already pretty much does, and even her aunts can't keep her under watch. I think you might as well accept that Abrianna answers to God alone.” Thane laughed, adding, “And I'll bet even He has trouble getting her to check in.”