Unwept (9 page)

“In the city, right?” Jenny urged. “Show us, Ellie, please!”

The jaunty strains of the Joplin rag echoed throughout the large room.

“Well, I think it's something like this.” Ellis pulled Jenny toward her, putting her in dance hold. “Hop on your left foot while raising the right knee, then up on the right foot while raising the left knee. Then you hop four times on your left foot with your leg out to the side while turning, then continue the turn while hopping on the right leg with the left leg held out to the…”

The Nightbirds in the room were already pairing off. Each couple was trying to dance the steps they had barely seen with enthusiastic abandon. The hall was a chaos of crazy motion, a mad caricature of a dance.

“Now you've done it.” Jenny snickered lightly.

“No, you started it with that hair,” said Ellis, grinning as she returned the tease.

Ellis's laughter faded into curiosity. She watched as Merrick stepped slowly toward the back of the hall, approaching the blaring record player as though it were a thing of menace. He stood for a long moment glowering at the cheerily playing device. He was reaching forward hesitantly to touch it as Ellis stepped up to him.

“Don't you care for the music, Mr. Bacchus?” Ellis chided.

Merrick jumped slightly as though startled but regained his composure as he turned toward Ellis. “I am not accustomed to stepping out, Ellis, and not all things from the city have reached us here as yet. Tell me, did you happen to bring your book with you?”

“My book?” Ellis replied with a smile. “No, sadly, I did not bring a book. I was hoping I might borrow one … perhaps from this literary society.”

Merrick gave her a quizzical look. “Indeed? You surprise me, Ellis.”

“Do I?” Ellis said, tilting her head. “I can't imagine how.”

The set of double doors on the far side of the Victrola swung wide open. Ellis turned at the sound. Beyond the open doorway was revealed one of the side rooms from the hall. A long, linen-covered table was set with plates of assorted foods.

Alicia clapped her hands together to gain some attention. “A light luncheon is now on the buffet, people. Please continue to enjoy yourselves.” She strode into the side room, picked up a china plate from the buffet and, giving Jenny a baleful look, turned her back on the hubbub.

Jenny laughed, joining Ellis and Merrick. “Whatever Alicia commands must be obeyed!”

Merrick, a smile at the corner of his mouth, gestured Ellis and Jenny toward the side room.

A few dancers were attracted to the food. Ellis stood hesitantly, knowing it would be impolite to skip the luncheon in her honor.
Dancing.
She'd much rather dance than eat. She briefly glanced at Alicia's tightening lips, let out a small breath and politely headed for the buffet. The atmosphere in the side room was calm as people filled their plates. Ellis sat on a floor cushion next to the redheaded girl. Elias brought them lemonade and joined them. Jenny stood in the center of a small knot of admirers, who, ogling her hair, swept her back into the social hall, all of them begging for a dance. Jenny did not give Ellis even a backward glance that might have released her from the small predicament she was in. Alicia carefully shut the doors to the hall as the music was started up.

“I'm so glad you're back,” said the redheaded girl. “You probably don't remember me, but I'm Martha. Things are always so lively when you're in charge.”

“Really?” was all Ellis could think of to say. She was surprised by the comment. It was hard for her to imagine herself as a ringleader. And of course, this party was obviously Alicia's function, not hers. Besides, Ellis thought, it was Jenny who had set everyone off like firecrackers, wasn't it? Ellis took a bite of what turned out to be a bland cucumber sandwich and sipped nearly flavorless lemonade.

Elias sat quietly next to the girls and cast a furtive glance at Ellis. Martha, seeing it, said, “What is it, Eli? Do you want to ask Miss Harkington a question?”

“Well, if you don't mind, miss. Is it … wonderful in the city? What did you do there? Would we, I mean, I like it?”

Ellis pursed her lips together. She thought she had managed to neatly skirt the subject of where she was from, since she apparently had no more idea than this fellow what it was like there. She closed her eyes and hoped to make up something general that would satisfy him. A thin ribbon of images illuminated her inner vision. “There are tall storefronts, cobbled streets, an electric trolley, wool shops, seagulls and a port that is much larger than here.”

“Ellis, are you finished with your plate?” Alicia hovered above her, Merrick at her back.

Ellis's eyes flew open. She smiled. She had remembered something. Just a bit. She wasn't even certain the images she'd seen in her mind's eye were of where she was from, but it felt like a memory. Relief and giddiness filled her veins.

“Miss Harkington, Ellis, would you care to dance?” Merrick held out his hand to help her to her feet.

This was her chance to escape more questions she couldn't answer. “Thank you, I'd be delighted.” She allowed him to help her up and as she did so caught the curious thundercloud look he shot Elias over her shoulder.

“We're going to dance.” Merrick stated a fact. “Alicia, you should join us and let someone else clean up these plates.”

“Gladly!” she said, and unceremoniously shoved the dirty plates onto the end of the buffet.

Ellis felt exhilarated as her heels clicked against the wooden dance floor and she was enveloped by the music. She found she could dance quite well. The dances were familiar to her feet. She loved it and Merrick was an adept partner. In fact, she knew by just the way they moved together that they must have danced together before. After three dances in a row she begged off and Merrick escorted her to a chair next to where Jenny was seated.

“Thank you.” Ellis smiled gratefully up at Merrick. “You rescued me back there at the luncheon. I didn't know what I was going to say to Ely. But I remembered, at least, think I remembered a few things. Anyway, thanks.”

To Ellis's surprise, there was concern in his face. He whispered, “I hope you're OK and that the doctor won't be too put out with us for keeping you.”

“Just a little tired. I'm going to be fine.” As she said the word “fine” a wisp of hope lit in her heart. She had remembered a few things today.

“Maybe you should be on your way home before it gets too late in the day,” he said.

“Oh, please let's dance for a while longer.” Jenny looked up into Merrick's face and tossed her new short curls playfully with one gloved hand.

Merrick smiled a little hesitantly, but his voice was hearty: “Of course, Miss Jenny, you and I must have a turn about the floor.”

“Or three!” she said pertly, winking at Ellis. Then Jenny gave him a pretty pout. “You haven't said anything about my new style.”

Ellis was amazed to hear Jenny so brazenly fish for a compliment. Ellis looked at her hands and felt color creep into her cheeks.

“Dear Jenny, copies are seldom as good as the original.” Jenny's face fell and Merrick pulled her away as the strains of a waltz began on the Victrola.

Ellis flushed beet red and found it difficult to stay in her chair. She struggled with the emotions of embarrassment and resentment. Embarrassed that Jenny was either so forward or so naïve that she didn't know what she had said was wrong. And Ellis resented Merrick's rude answer. She stole a glance at the pair gliding about the floor. By the smiles and words they were apparently exchanging while dancing one would never guess what had just passed between them. Ellis's emotions calmed. If neither of them was upset, why should she be distressed?
There is still so much I don't know,
she thought.

Ellis finally knew what it was that she felt was missing from the party as she held court among the Nightbirds: a chaperone. The inappropriateness of the situation was apparent to her. She suddenly felt very tired.

She sat through a number of melodies. It was most likely only a few minutes, but it felt like hours, and she was a little wounded that no one else had asked to partner her and she stared studiously at the floor. She started when Jenny grabbed her hands. “Come on. We're going down to the harbor to go home! A little sunset voyage, Ellie. It'll be fun.”

Jenny held Ellis's arm tightly while pushing against the crush who were all trying to exit at once. The excited crowd poured out the side door of the hall, laughing and bumping shoulders while the Victrola loudly blared out “The Bumble Bee Rag.”

“Shouldn't someone stop the music?” Ellis asked Jenny over the din.

“Don't worry about it! It'll be fine.” Jenny shrugged and dove outside into the crowd.

Ellis wondered briefly if there were silent, unseen servants who would clean up the luncheon room and hall after the young people's departure. Jenny had been right, Ellis mused. It seemed no one would ask her to read a book. She hadn't seen bookshelves, let alone books, that afternoon at the Nightbirds Literary Society.

8

SPYGLASS

The late-afternoon air was warm as the party swarmed up the street toward a small dock where several dinghies, sporting jaunty little sails, were tied up. Ellis's step slowed as she approached the water and wondered who owned these little boats. Hesitation crawled up her spine.

Jenny steered Ellis toward the boat that Merrick and Alicia had just boarded. The little boat bobbed in the water against the dock. He held up his hand. Jenny took it and gingerly stepped aboard. Ellis looked out across the ripples of the Persian blue water. A sense of dread welled up in her and her breathing became shallow.

“I don't like going out on the water, do I?” she asked Merrick.

“It's quite safe, I assure you, Ellis,” he answered.

“Yes, but I don't like going out in little boats, do I?”

“Jenny, it seems your guest has remembered something about her former life.” Merrick turned to Jenny, who had seated herself. She was looking off to sea and didn't respond.

“It's all right. Why don't you all go have your sunset sail around the bay? I can walk home.” Ellis hoped the weariness she felt didn't show.

Ellis stood awkwardly on the rough wooden planks of the dock, knowing that Jenny must want to sail away with Merrick, and was equally certain she could not voluntarily get into the boat.

“Don't fret, dear Ellis; I'll be happy to drive you home, if you like.” Merrick stepped onto the dock.

It was the second time he'd saved her that afternoon. Ellis's breathing deepened. She smiled and graciously nodded her thanks.

“Well, we'll all go in the car then. If you don't mind two more, Merrick?” said Alicia as Merrick helped her from the boat.

“Come along, Jenny.” Merrick held out his hand to the last occupant on the boat. His mild tone belied his stern face. Jenny, without looking up, stood and allowed him to assist her onto the quay. She gave Ellis a cold little glance as she walked past her. Merrick turned and waved off the rest of the party as they headed out for their cruise.

“My automobile is just around the corner from the society house.” Merrick fell into stride next to Ellis. “Things being what they are, young ladies shouldn't be out walking unescorted.”

Jenny, two strides ahead of them, turned her head. “You let me walk into town and back by myself yesterday, Mr. Bacchus.” She tossed the words over her shoulder, not looking back.

“Yes, I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you. The train arrived a bit later than we thought it would. Anyway, Jenny, you know it's a new day and some of us are worried that trouble could come, has come, to Gamin. In fact, I don't think it's quite right that two unprotected young women should be out on the point by themselves.”

Listening to him, Ellis agreed wholeheartedly. The living arrangements at Summersend were quite odd. But what was to be done? she wondered.

“You know, ladies, there is a great deal more room at the Norembega than either the doctor or I ever use. You could have the entire third floor to yourselves. I would feel better knowing that you are under my protection.”

Ellis blinked and looked wide-eyed at the sidewalk. Had he just suggested that she and Jenny live in his home? Did she mistake what he was saying? She tried, but she couldn't make anything of it other than that which she had heard. She might have forgotten her previous life but not the rules of decent living. She had come to understand that Gamin was a place of strange sensibilities: no aunt or uncle at Summersend and no chaperone at the Nightbirds House. But now this proposal to live under a bachelor's roof? It was too much. Young single ladies did not live with bachelors.

“No, thank you, Mr. Bacchus—”

Ellis's quietly controlled answer was drowned out by Jenny's reply.

“That would be perfect!”

Merrick clapped his hands together and smiled broadly. “Wonderful. I'll be around to get your luggage this—”

“No!”

Everyone stared at Ellis in her vehemence.

“I'm sorry. What you suggest is quite impossible.” The words exploded as they escaped Ellis's stiff lips.

“Merrick has offered us a great kindness, Ellie. What's the matter?” Jenny's tone was surprised and hurt.

Merrick silently scrutinized Ellis's face, apparently waiting for her reply. Ellis wondered if it was possible none of her companions could see how wrong that would be. She looked questioningly at Alicia's face but saw there only a veiled pensiveness and the girl would not meet her eyes. Ellis let out a long, slow breath, realizing that she simply did not fully understand the situation she'd been cast into.

“May we discuss this at home, Jenny?”

“Fine.”

Merrick looked back at the little boats on the bay. Alicia kept pace with the two cousins but volunteered nothing.