A Lady of Hidden Intent (27 page)

“He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re thinking. No, it’s nothing like that. I can’t even say if it’s good news or bad,” Selma admitted. “But it seems good.”

“Sit down and we can explain,” Dugan offered.

Catherine did as he told her, but her gaze was ever fixed on Selma. “So what does it say?”

Selma continued to stand. She opened the letter and read, “ ‘Mr. Newbury was moved from the prison, but we have no idea as to who commanded such a thing or where he’s been taken. We tried to get information, but apparently his lawyer has decreed that no one speak of it. We fear for him, but at the same time rejoice that he has been removed from such a dreary and desolate existence.’ ”

“But where has he gone? Who would have taken him?” Catherine asked, panicked. “I can’t believe this—of what lawyer do they speak? Father has no lawyer.”

“I wish I had answers for you,” Selma replied. “There is hardly anything more here, except a promise to try and get information.” She folded the letter. “Catherine, it would seem to be good news overall, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know what to think.” Catherine hoped that Father’s friends had somehow managed to reach the ear of an official. Or perhaps Finley Baker had been captured and her father’s innocence was now recognized.

She got up and began to pace in front of the fire. The pain in her feet kept her awake and focused. “There has to be an answer to all of this. I wish we could get word to Captain Marlowe. He’s been diligent in aiding Father and would most likely have additional information.”

“Perhaps,” Selma agreed. “Maybe Dugan could write him a letter.”

“Or go see him. It might behoove us to spend the money to send Dugan by coach to New York.”

“That might be a good idea,” Selma admitted. “However, we cannot be sure he’s in residence. Perhaps we could send a telegram.”

Catherine considered it for a moment. “They won’t be open on Sunday. We could simply put Dugan on the train and see him in New York in a matter of hours, rather than wait.”

Dugan shook his head. “The captain might not be in town, Catherine. It might be weeks before he returns and then the cost of the ticket would be for naught, for I certainly couldn’t afford to wait for him there.”

Selma nodded. “Dugan’s right. We have no way of knowing if the captain would even be there. We should pray about it and see what God directs. He has shown us all along and will no doubt show us now. We have only to seek His guidance.”

Pausing, Catherine turned. “I know you’re both right, but that doesn’t make the wait any easier. I sometimes feel as though God has . . . well, stopped listening. I pray for strength. I pray for help—that someone would come along with the ability to see things made right. But nothing happens.”

“Now, you don’t know that,” Dugan interjected. “Remember Abraham taking Isaac up the mountain to be sacrificed? He didn’t see any other way out either. But lo and behold, God was sending a ram up the other side even as Abraham prepared his son to die.”

“And when God knew He would destroy the earth with a flood,” Selma added, “He made provision for Noah and his family. Not to mention all of those animals.”

“I know that God has been faithful in the past . . .” Catherine began.

“But you don’t know if He’ll be faithful now?” Selma interrupted to question.

Catherine realized how silly it all sounded. “I just don’t see the faithfulness. I want to. I really do. It’s just so hard to maintain your hope when everything is out of the realm of your influence.

I have no chance to alter the course on my own. I have no say in the matter.”

Selma nodded. “I know. You’re a servant of the Lord. And as a servant, you must trust the Master to guide and do right by you. Dugan and I have done that all of our lives. We’ve never had any other choice. When the master said we were to go somewhere and do something, we went without asking questions. That’s how it is when you are a servant.”

“Even when it meant leaving England to come here with me,” Catherine said, realizing the impact. “I’m so sorry. I know this has been hard on you.”

“But there have been blessings as well,” Selma said, exchanging a glance with Dugan. “We love you, Catherine. We love your father too. Mr. Newbury was always good to us. We wanted to honor him and give him something in return.”

“And seeing his only child to safety and out of the clutches of misunderstandings or Finley Baker was the one thing we could offer,” Dugan replied. “Trusting God in all of this is the one thing you can offer. You can’t see where the Master is asking you to go, but you have to trust that He has your best interests at heart.”

The words comforted Catherine in a way she couldn’t explain.

“I will try,” she whispered.

“And have hope that He is acting, even when you cannot see it or touch it,” Selma offered. “You have no way of knowing how God is at work in this matter, but I assure you, He is.”

Catherine thought of Selma’s words long into the night. After soaking her sore feet for some time, she finally slipped into bed, exhausted from the day’s events. She thought of her father and prayed that he might be comfortable wherever he’d been taken.

But soon Catherine found her thoughts becoming more dark and the images in her mind more bleak and desperate. Resolving not to ponder the worst, she instead replaced them with visions of Carter Danby. The memory of being in his arms—of his kiss—was enough to take her mind from the bad to the good.

When she awoke the next morning to the sound of church bells, she left behind a dream that made those peals the sound of wedding bells. It was hard to put that delightful image behind her, but Catherine knew she had to begin the day.

Breakfast was the usual chaotic affair. The excitement only heightened when Mrs. Clarkson announced that she was handing out the bonuses.

“I wanted you girls to have money as you leave today to visit your families for the holiday.” She handed each girl a small drawstring bag. “I have made you each a little purse as my Christmas gift. Inside you will find your bonus for jobs well done. I’m proud of each one of you. You faced remarkable tasks and seemingly insurmountable odds, and came through in victory.”

She rounded the table and gave Catherine a very heavy purse. With a smile she made yet another announcement. “Because of the popularity of Catherine’s designs, and your hard work to implement her patterns,
Godey’s Lady’s Book
has decided to purchase several designs for publication. We will probably receive a great many additional orders. Because of this, I plan to expand the sewing house. In the new year, we will take on additional workers. We will bring in some more experienced seamstresses who are looking to give up their current situations, but you girls will always have a special place in my heart, so do not fear I will overlook you. I want this to be the best sewing house in all of Philadelphia.”

“How exciting,” Dolley exclaimed as she turned to Martha.

“Won’t that be grand?”

“Experienced seamstresses?” Felicia asked as she toyed with the bag. “I suppose that means none of us shall ever be able to step up in position beyond what we already have.”

“It will depend,” Mrs. Clarkson replied. “If the other women are more qualified, then you will simply have to wait until such time that your own experience and quality of work can equal theirs.”

“That hardly seems fair,” Felicia replied. She tossed her purse on the table. “But then, nothing about this place has ever seemed fair. We do all the work and you or Catherine gets all the glory.”

Mrs. Clarkson was clearly taken aback, and Catherine felt sorry for the woman. Here she had generously shared her profits with the girls, only to be taken to task.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Felicia. I truly am. I suppose that occurs when two people do not share the same vision.”

“I have a vision as well,” Felicia declared. “I have ideas for the design of gowns. Perhaps you should consider that Catherine isn’t the only one capable of new ideas.”

“If you have designs, you are welcome to bring them to my attention,” Mrs. Clarkson answered. “I must admit this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Some of us aren’t as boastful as others,” Felicia said, throwing a smirk at Catherine.

“I believe talent should be rewarded,” Mrs. Clarkson said as she took her seat. “When you have something to contribute or offer, make it known. That is not boasting, it is helpful. Your situation here lasts only as long as the business is profitable. Remember that, girls.” She addressed them collectively but looked directly at Felicia. “As the house fails, so fails your situation. No one will pay attention to a letter of reference given by a woman whose business fell apart. And without a letter, you will not easily regain employment.”

Catherine watched Felicia grimace and turn her attention back to the purse. She hoped fervently that this would be the end of the younger woman’s jealousy and anger, but somehow she didn’t think it would. No doubt Felicia would do whatever she felt was in the best interests of Felicia, and if Mrs. Clarkson got hurt in the meanwhile, it wasn’t of her concern.

CHAPTER 20

C
atherine was nearly ready to find Selma and Dugan and head to church when a knock sounded at her door. Thinking it was probably Mrs. Clarkson, she opened it quickly.

Felicia stood on the other side. Dressed in a smart blue wool suit trimmed in black velvet, she looked ready to take on the world. “We should talk,” she said, pushing her way into the room.

Catherine stared after her, not knowing what the woman was up to. Felicia casually took a seat on the edge of Catherine’s bed.

“I’d close the door if I were you. You won’t want anyone overhearing what I have to say.”

Closing the door slowly, Catherine never took her gaze off Felicia’s face. “What do you want?”

“I want a great many things,” Felicia said and smiled.

The smug expression left Catherine on her guard. “There is nothing new about that. Why bring it to my doorstep?”“Because I intend for you to help me.”

Catherine shook her head. “Felicia, I’m heading to church. Make your point.”

“I know who you are. I know your name is Newbury and that your father is in prison.”

She hadn’t wanted to react, but Catherine couldn’t help it.

The shock sent her to take a seat.

“I thought that might get your attention. You see, I have a feeling this news would be very much of interest to a great many people. Especially the police, since the authorities in England believe you might have had something to do with your father’s illegal dealings.”

Catherine had no idea how the young woman had managed all of this information, but there was no use denying it. Bolstering her courage, Catherine squared her shoulders and met Felicia’s comments with a pretense of indifference. “And again I ask, what is it that you want?”

“I want money, of course. I had thought to simply get rid of you. That was my plan all along. I had told Lydia there would be no room for advancement if you were still here. Of course, now that Mrs. Clarkson intends to hire experienced seamstresses to join the staff, there might be no further advancement for any of us. And hence, no great money.

“That got me thinking,” she said with a grin. “I might not be able to advance my position, but I could advance my purse. You received a great deal of money today. And I know you will receive another good portion for the
Godey’s
purchase. I want that money. I believe it would also be fitting that you continue to share money with me in the future. After all, we are all about to be made quite busy because of you.”

“You’re quite mad. I’m not giving you that money. If you know as much as you say you do, then you’d know I intend that money to be used to help my father.”

Felicia shrugged. “It’s of little matter to me. If the police come to arrest you, I’ll simply take your money then. I know you keep it here somewhere, as neither you nor the Shays have a bank account. I checked.”

Felicia got to her feet when a knock sounded on the door.

“I’ll expect your answer by evening.” She opened the door and found Selma. “I’ll pray for you, Catherine,” Felicia said in a syrupy sweet voice. “I know you have difficult decisions to make.”