Kilpara (9 page)

“
Clara has a funny sense of humor
at times,” Maureen continued. “And she’s not at all anxious to
marry. But her parents are disappointed a beau hasn’t come forward
and asked for her hand.”

She sighed. “Why must parents be so
interfering?” Then dismissing the question, she picked up a
notebook and became businesslike. “I’ve made several lists. One, of
items you’ll absolutely need in Ireland, another, of items that
should be stored in boxes so they don’t collect mold and dust while
you’re away. A third list of how many dust covers you’ll need for
furnishings, and lastly, a list of items you may want to take or
leave behind.”

I took the notebook from Maureen and offered
to study it. I told her that Astelle had invited her for afternoon
tea at the Cambridge Hotel. Astelle had said there was no harm in
spoiling the poor girl a little, particularly since she came to the
city to escape the glum at Stonebridge House. I had agreed with her
at the time. Now I wasn’t so sure.

Maureen was delighted by the request and said
that people in Baltimore were very kind. “Mrs. Travers asked me to
accompany her on morning walks in the park. I told her it depended
on your agenda. She is sending a driver around and if I’m unable to
go, I am to let him know.”

“
The movers won’t be here for two
or three days.” I tried to think of a suitable excuse to keep
Maureen occupied. Unable to come up with anything reasonable, I
said. “If you’re really careful...”

She smiled. “Mrs. Travers can go on for ages
about her children. She’ll never notice if I don’t say anything.
She was so kind last night. I feel I should repay her.”

For all her defiance, it was easy to like
Maureen. She had the same soft nature that reminded me of Eileen.
Despite her fussiness when we were children, Eileen was ready with
a hug or a word of encouragement when it was most needed. She made
everything we said seem important, even managed to look serious
when we went to her with our childish problems. Maureen had that
same capacity. It was easy to see why people took to
her.

Ulrich was already at the office when I
arrived. His usual calm manner began to waver when I described some
of the questions he would encounter when dealing with the business
partners.

“
It’s a huge responsibility
explaining fiscal matters,” he said. “What if I answer incorrectly?
I’m nervous just thinking about it.”

“
Don’t worry. Their questions are
standard, I’ll prepare you. Mr. Emmons can easily deal with the
more difficult issues.” Ulrich smiled stiffly and ran his hand
through straight blond hair. “After you study the facts you’ll feel
better,” I said.

The day passed quickly and we worked well into
the evening. When we parted ways, Ulrich’s confidence had begun to
grow. At one point in the afternoon a telegraph boy delivered a
telegram from Mother. The doctor had arrived at Stonebridge and was
tending to her until her departure. She expected her affairs to be
in order within a few days and asked how soon I was likely to
return. She wanted me to be present with Dan and Mark when the
terms of her will were announced in the presence of the lawyer. The
decisiveness of her words made me realize the finality of recent
events, leaving me overwhelmed. I replied that I must remain in
Baltimore about a week.

When I returned to my apartments, I opened the
door to the smell of delicious cooking. Maureen took my overcoat,
and I laid my attaché case on the desk in the library. I made
sniffing noises causing Maureen to giggle. “There’s potatoes and a
ham on slow roast in a sweet sauce in the oven,” she said. “I
bought fresh parsnips at the market, and there’s custard and
rhubarb for dessert.”

“
You’re amazing,” I said. Maureen
beamed with pleasure.

“
Mams says it’s important to eat
well. The menu is one of Miss Linden’s favorites.”

“
Miss Linden?”

“
I asked her to join you for
dinner. It’s all right, isn’t it?” Maureen looked suddenly
alarmed.

“
Yes, I’m just surprised she
agreed.”

“
Said she’d be delighted,” Maureen
confirmed, happily.

I wondered why Astelle was breaking her number
one rule which was never to visit a gentleman’s apartments. It
started gossip, she said, and she wanted no part of that. She
claimed it was more sensible to slip away to her apartments at the
club; these were comfortable enough for any gentleman caller. In
reality, Astelle feared becoming intimate enough with anyone to
risk vulnerability. She had made an exception when she gave me a
private key to her residence along with careful instructions for
its use. To go against her wishes would mean an end to our
friendship.

Maureen looked around the apartments for
something to fluff or smooth. She straightened the candles on the
dining room table, sighing at the lack of softness in this
masculine existence.

“
Did you know Miss Linden grew up
in the country—in Ohio? On a farm?” she said, following me into the
library. “She’s so cultured and has such grand manners. I wish I
was like her.” She looked thoughtful. “You will stick to our
agreement and find me a position?”

“
Yes,” I said, deliberately picking
up the newspaper and opening it.

Maureen retreated to the kitchen and I watched
her leave over top of the printed headlines. This was the first
time she had mentioned our arrangement since we arrived. I hoped
that being away from Stonebridge, she would begin to miss it. If
anything she seemed more determined to live in the city. I wondered
how Seamus and Eileen would react to the news when we
returned.

My mind drifted to Astelle and the facts she
withheld from Maureen about herself. Like running away at an early
age from a strict father turned abusive. He had been too lazy or
drunk most of the time to cultivate what land her family owned. She
had found her way to Cleveland, where she met Maurice Linden, the
owner of a dancing hall and gambling club. Maurice recognized her
talent and turned her into the best attraction the club ever had.
He was thirty years her senior and saw a jewel in the making, so he
married her. Astelle told me about his passing away years later,
and how she missed him desperately. He was everything to her;
family, friend, and lover.

After her grief subsided, she sold the
business and looked to make a fresh start somewhere else. She chose
to settle in Baltimore.

Astelle arrived looking beautiful as ever in a
mauve dress that made her eyes seem the same color. Maureen greeted
her, accepted her wrap, then tactfully left us alone. We sat in the
drawing room sipping drinks while Maureen attended to dinner. When
it was ready, she summoned us to the dining room and served
us.

I sat across from Astelle, candlelight
softening her skin so I could almost imagine her as a young
girl.

“
How are Dan and Mark?” she asked.
“Their wives and children are well?”

“
Yes. Your club seems busier than
usual,” I said, not wanting to discuss my family or
Stonebridge.

“
It is,” she agreed. “Rudy thinks
now would be a good time to sell it. He says we can take the
proceeds and buy a farm, go back to small town living, and be
respectable again.”

“
You agree?”

“
No! I’ll never go back to the
country or anything that resembles that place I came
from.”

“
Is Rudy willing to
stay?”

“
I don’t know.” Astelle’s voice
turned concerned. “He needs a wife. He’s been ready for a family
for a long time. The years are passing. If he doesn’t marry soon,
it’ll be too late.”

Privately, I wondered if Rudy thought the same
about her; that she should remarry. She’d be more likely to find a
suitor in a stable community instead of the owner of The Metropole.
But Rudy was a man of few words who would never verbalize his
concern.

Maureen’s pleasure showed when she appeared
unsummoned to remove our plates and to serve dessert and coffee. We
had managed to eat everything she set before us. She smiled broadly
when Astelle complimented her and said few cooks compared to
her.

After dinner we retired to the drawing room
where Astelle commented casually, “These apartments are like you,
Ellis, strong, masculine, and admirable. I’ll miss
you...”

“
I’ll be back before you know
it.”

She fidgeted with her dress. “Will you stay
for Clara’s birthday party?”

“
Yes, she insisted on it at dinner
last night. I’d never hear the end of it from Emmons if I didn’t
attend.”

“
Jim Armstrong asked me to
accompany him to the party.” She looked at me directly, her eyes
holding mine.

“
How’s Jim these days? Is he still
in the steamship business?”

“
Yes, expanding all the
time.”

“
Have you accepted his
invitation?”

“
Never. You know how the social
class loathe me.” She smiled wryly. “I can imagine the gossip
now.”

“
They’re all wrong about
you.”

“
That doesn’t change who I am or
what I do.”

She put her arms around my neck and brushed
her lips softly against mine. “Ellis, tell me honestly, would you
marry the likes of me?”

Taken aback, I didn't answer
immediately.

“
Jim Armstrong would,” she
said.

The intensity in her voice caused me to stare
hard at her. I saw longing in her eyes that I had never seen there
before.

“
Has he asked you to marry
him?”

“
No, but he’s very attentive, and
lonely, ever since his wife died.”

“
What are you saying,
Astelle?”

“
If you’re asking if I’m interested
in him, I’m not. But it started me thinking. That’s
all.”

“
You know how much I treasure our
friendship.”

“
Enough to declare it
openly?”

“
You made the rules.”

“
And they suit you
perfectly.”

“
Whatever is bothering you, now is
the worst time for a serious conversation,” I said.

She withdrew her arms and stood back. In a
calm voice she said, “The truth is often difficult to admit,
Ellis.”

I pulled her back into my arms and brushed her
forehead with my lips. “Wait until I return before pressing me
about such promises.” She looked up at me and smiled
sadly.

She departed soon afterward amid thanks and
compliments. I helped her into the carriage, whispering in her ear
that I would meet her at the club later. She nodded. Then the
driver cracked the whip and guided the horses away from the curb.
Maureen and I stood on the sidewalk waving until the carriage
disappeared round the corner. Back inside the apartment we
separated to our individual rooms after talking over the next day’s
plan.

When I thought Maureen was asleep, I slipped
out quietly and joined Astelle at the club. I had expected her to
bring up our earlier conversation, but instead she ignored it like
it had never occurred. When we retired to her apartments, the mood
surrounding our lovemaking became nostalgic; our embraces more
intense. As we lay in each other’s arms, I mused how our affair had
deepened over time. Admittedly, I had admired her the first moment
we met, but soon afterward I discovered her strong character and
found it liberating. As our acquaintance grew, our mutual need
fueled by our strong attraction for each other, demanded
satisfaction. On my first visit to her apartments, she insisted
that I respect her wishes, that our arrangement should never be
mentioned in public. It was strictly between us. She maintained we
should enjoy each other’s company for as long as we both favored
it, but not to expect permanence. Now, I wondered if she had broken
her cardinal rule and had grown attached. I decided to probe what
lay beneath her insecurity.

“
Astelle, have you ever considered
remarrying?” I asked, pulling her closer.

She laughed, and touched my cheek.
“No—never.”

I stared at her uncomprehending. Her gaze
never wavered. “I mean it. I don’t know what came over me earlier
this evening. I suspect it was a twitch of self-pity prompted by
the realization that no matter how wealthy I am, I’ll never be
accepted in certain social circles. It’s tiresome being treated
like you’re inferior.”

I shook my head. “You’re wrong. People admire
you, even if they don’t understand your world any more than you
understand theirs. You’ve said numerous times that supercilious
socialites bore you. Have you changed your mind?”

“
No, of course not.” She smiled up
at me. “I shouldn’t have been so direct. It was unfair to our
arrangement.”

“
You know, I’d never dishonor
you.”

She got out of bed, pulled on her robe, walked
to the window, and stared outside. “I know,” she said, her back to
me. “I was hitched once—had the devotion of a very special man. But
I favor my own person now. I’ve wanted it that way ever since
Maurice died.”

I suppressed a long sigh of relief.