A Lady of High Regard (28 page)

Mia spent the rest of the day pacing through the rooms of her house and pondering what she might do about Mrs. Denning’s circumstance. Obviously Mia didn’t wish to see the women harmed further, but how could she trust that the problem would be resolved without her involvement?

“You have been quite the gloomy soul today,” her father said as he came into the back drawing room.

The French doors were open to let in the breeze, and Mia leaned against the portal and sighed. “I’ve been pondering some rather troublesome matters.”

“Such as?”

She thought for a moment. Perhaps her father could offer her help. He was a compassionate person who would never tolerate such ruthless treatment of human beings.

“Father, I would like to talk to you about it, but it is a complicated situation.”

Lyman Stanley took a seat and smiled. “I have nothing but time. I am retired from my duties, remember?”

Mia came and sat across from him on the sofa. “While working for
Godey’s
earlier in the summer, I became aware of a problem. The women who are married to seamen are being oppressed when their men are gone to sea.”

“Oppressed in what manner?”

“It’s quite horrible, Father. They are pressed to pay debts their men have left behind—whether they knew about the debts or not. Many times they believe the debts are completely fabricated, especially in situations where the men are dead. Other times they are forced to pay double and triple the rent.

“Most of the women have no hope of making much money. Some do laundry and maid services, some are seamstresses, and others work at the various businesses nearby. They can barely support their families.”

“That is difficult,” her father agreed.

“What makes it particularly ugly is that some of the men collecting the debts impose themselves upon the women. They take . . . liberties as payment for the debts.”

Her father’s brows came together. “Are you certain?”

Mia nodded. “I’ve met with these women on many occasions. We have a sewing circle at the church, and I’ve been working with them through the summer to lend them some kind of relief. There’s more, I’m afraid.”

“Pray tell.”

“Their children are sometimes taken from them as payment. The children are indentured and the mothers never see them again.”

“Intolerable. Mia, this is most distressing.” He leaned forward. “What is being done?”

“Well, I was trying to learn who was responsible—who owned the buildings where the women lived. Most are near the docks. I kept hearing one name over and over—a Jasper Barrill seems to be the main culprit, but apparently he also has men who work for him. He’s not the owner of the buildings, but rather the collector of rents.” Mia knew better than to tell her father of her encounter with the man. He would never approve of her risking her life in such a way. Nor could she tell him of her encounter with the drunken sailors.

“The reason I’ve been so upset today is that I went to see Mrs. Hale. The other day, before you returned, I received a note from one of the women I know. She said it was urgent I meet with her that evening at the church. I knew the Wilsons would not allow me to go to her, so I asked Mrs. Hale to meet with her.”

“And did she?”

“Yes. And today when I went to speak with Mrs. Hale she told me what had happened. Father, it was just awful. Mrs. Smith told her that we should discontinue trying to help them. Apparently Jasper Barrill felt threatened by our investigation, and to press his point, he severely beat a woman who had been giving me information.”

She saw her father grip the arms of his chair. He was clearly upset to hear the news, but Mia felt it important she stress just how bad things were in order to get his help.

“Can you help us in this, Father? I fear Mr. Barrill will do something even more dangerous if we can’t find a way to stop him.”

“I will do what I can. You know the Wilsons own a great many properties near the docks. I know in fact that many of the apartments rented in the dock district belong to them.”

Mia felt her stomach tighten. “Are you certain?” Surely Garrett and his father would never advocate such behavior. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, however, as she remembered seeing Garrett with Jasper Barrill.

“I’ll talk to Garrett tomorrow. He may know of someone we could talk to—he might even know this Jasper Barrill.”

“He may indeed.” Mia bit her lip and looked away.

“I do hope you’ll practice caution and stay away from these women.”

“But, Father,” Mia began to protest, “I want to help them.”

“Obviously this man is feeling threatened by your interaction with these women. You wouldn’t want to cause them additional harm, especially if you had it in your power to prevent it.”

“But won’t he believe himself to have won this battle?”

“Let him believe what he will. We will know the truth of it. I have powerful friends who will find this situation as abominable as I do. It will not go unresolved, I promise you.”

Mia realized that the time had come to turn the concern over to someone else. “Very well. I do trust you to know best.”

“I assure you, Mia, I have plenty of resources to press for resolution. There is no possibility of my leaving this undone.”

She sighed and leaned back against the sofa. “You will keep me informed, won’t you? I mean, I’ve already seen the worst of it. I never knew people could be so horrid, but I cannot close my eyes to the problem now. I want to see these women liberated.”

“I promise you, my dear, I will keep you informed. But tell me, is this the only thing troubling you? You seemed somewhat preoccupied of late—even when we’d first returned home.”

Mia thought of Garrett and Eulalee Duff. “I’m afraid I’ve lost my heart to someone, but he doesn’t know I’m alive.”

Her father laughed at this. “Mia, I find it hard to believe that anyone could be in your company and not know very well of your existence.”

“Well, of course he knows of my existence, but he doesn’t know of my heart.”

“And why do you not tell him how you feel?”

“Because it wouldn’t be proper.”

He cocked his head to one side. “And why not?”

“As a woman, it would hardly be proper for me to speak out on such things.”

“It was hardly proper for you to work for
Godey’s,
yet you chose to overlook that. I thought we were putting such antiquated proprieties behind us.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Is he a good man?”

“The best.”

“A man of means—employed successfully?”

“Yes.”

“Is he of good reputation? Does he attend church faithfully?”

“He loves God very much. He’s even considered preaching the Word.”

“But you will not tell me his name?” Her father eyed her with a mischievous grin. “Do I know him?”

Mia nodded. “You know him well. Father, I think he loves someone else. I would tell you his name, but it would serve no purpose. I suppose the hardest part of this is that I’ve never lost my heart to anyone before this, and now that I finally find someone I can admire and respect enough to love, he’s taken.”

“Perhaps he’s not. Do you know for a fact that he’s interested in someone else?”

“Fairly certain. They are old friends.”

“Then that may be all there is to their relationship. Looks can be deceiving. I think you should find a time to talk to this person and tell him how you feel.”

“That’s a very modern way of looking at this. I would not have expected such advice from you, Father.” Mia got up and her father stood as well. She took hold of him and hugged him close. “I do appreciate your advice and your help. I should have known you would know exactly what to do regarding the seamen’s wives.”

“And what of the other matter? Why should my advice be so trusted in one area but not the other?” He touched her cheek as she pulled away.

Mia put her hand over his. “I’ll think about what you’ve said, and I’ll pray about it too. I find I pray a lot more these days.”

Her father laughed. “You find as you grow older that prayer is sometimes the only comfort that remains consistent. God is faithful, my Mia. You may rest assured of this one thing.”

“I am assured of His faithfulness, Father. Just as I am of yours. You have never let me down.”

“Well, there have been times when you’ve been less than pleased with my choices or directions.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the door. “And sometimes God’s ways will seem obscured to you as well.”

“Like now, with the women at the docks?”

“Like that, and even with your matters of the heart. Remember, Mia, God is love. He knows very well what’s best for you. You can trust Him. If this man is the husband God has chosen for you, it will be revealed soon enough.”

Mia watched as Prudence Brighton and Noah Hayes were pronounced husband and wife. In the end, the Brightons had put aside their disapproval and decided to throw their daughter a lovely and elaborate wedding. The church was filled to overflowing and all of the guests seemed perfectly happy to honor the young couple, despite the groom’s low position as a country doctor.

Lydia and Ralph would be next. Before long, Mia would be the only one in her group of friends who hadn’t found a husband.

Throughout the service, Mia had tried to catch a glimpse of Garrett. It appeared, however, that the Wilsons were absent. Mia feared it signaled a turn for the worse in George Wilson’s health, but she couldn’t be sure.

She contemplated her father’s suggestion to speak to the man she loved. Mia cringed at the thought of declaring her love to Garrett only to have him pat her on the head in a brotherly fashion and tell her she was sweet. Still, by the time the wedding concluded and Mia was with her family in the carriage, she had made up her mind that her father was right. When they returned home, she would have the perfect excuse to go next door to the Wilsons. She would simply declare that she should check on Mr. Wilson’s condition.

And if Garrett is there, I will talk to him. I will take him into the garden and explain my heart. I will say, “Garrett, I love you.”
She frowned. No, that wouldn’t do. She would have to give him something more foundational than that.
I could start by telling him how I came to realize my feelings for him. Perhaps I should tell him how everyone thinks us a perfect couple. Maybe remind him of how we have been dear friends since I was old enough to have memories—that even as a child I adored him.

She shook her head. That would only remind him that eight years separated them—and of all the silly mistakes she’d made and the times he’d had to rescue her.
I will simply tell him that I love him.
She smiled and looked out the window as they moved into traffic.

I will tell him that I love him, and I want to be his wife.

CHAPTER 22

“
T
his came for you,” Ruth whispered to Mia upon their arrival home.

“I believe I will lie down for a rest,” Mia’s father declared. “I find that weddings have a tendency to make me sleepy.”

Her mother patted his hand. “I am going to busy myself with some much overdue letter writing. Will you be all right?”

“Just fine.” He headed to the stairs. “Tell Cook to plan a late supper.”

Mia smiled at her mother. “I believe I’ll go to my room. I want to change and then perhaps work on some writing of my own.”

Her mother nodded. “I suppose I shall go arrange supper before I start on my letters.” She took off toward the back of the house while Mia quickly unfolded the note. “Who brought this?”

“A young lad. Said he was told to deliver it only to you. I told him you were gone until after four and convinced him to leave the note with me.”

Mia scanned the few scribbled lines. “Oh no!”

“What is it?”

“Come upstairs with me. Hurry. I must change my clothes.”

She raced up the stairs in a very unladylike fashion. She heard her father’s door close just as she reached the top of the staircase. “Hurry, Ruth!”

Mia pulled at her bonnet ribbons and yanked the creation from her head. “I’ll need my blue serge suit.”