Katie Rose (18 page)

Gabriel choked on his tea. Putting the cup aside, he wiped his mouth with a napkin, then laid it on the tea tray. When he spoke, his words were guarded.

“My mother has seen Miss Appleton for her spiritualist abilities, and they have since become friends,” Gabriel explained. “You know my feelings about mysticism. I have warned Miss Appleton that I will not stand by and see my mother taken advantage of, by her or any other charlatan.”

“I see.” Allison refilled his cup, offering it to him again. “Your exchange didn’t seem … unfriendly,” she said sweetly. “Are you certain that is all there is to it?”

“Yes. I have even spoken to Charles about legal recourse, but he is against the idea of threatening the women. Evidently, he feels sorry for them.”

“Ah.” Allison nodded, as if answering a question within herself. When Gabriel glanced at her curiously, she
shrugged. “As men, I can see where you both would be enchanted by the girls. They are beautiful, after all.”

“Allison, I am not—”

“And charming, from what I’ve seen. Thank you, Gabriel, for being so honest. I don’t mean to sound jealous or shrewlike. I just wanted to know the nature of your relationship, that’s all.”

Gabriel squirmed, as Allison meant him to. “I have no intention of pursuing a relationship with Jennifer—I mean Miss Appleton—in any manner. I have run into her frequently in the last few weeks, but that is coincidence only.”

“I see. And where do you ‘run into’ Miss Appleton?”

“I’ve seen her at the park, at my mother’s, and several other places.”

“Isn’t it odd that until a few weeks ago, none of us ran into Miss Appleton at all?” Allison commented.

“I have considered the same thing myself,” Gabriel murmured. “But if you think I am seeking her out, I am not. I have no intention of befriending her, or pursuing any other kind of relationship with her. I will admit that Jennifer … interests me, as would any outrageous individual, but that’s all.”

“Then you won’t mind if I call on her.” Allison rose, continuing to smile as his mouth dropped. “You see, I respect your intelligence, Gabriel, and I may find Miss Appleton as interesting as you gentlemen seem to find her. In which case, I would welcome her friendship. However, if she is truly deceiving people, then I feel I should do something about it.”

Gabriel was at a loss. Allison handed him his hat, clearly intending for him to go. As he walked through the door, he stood on the step and realized something very unflattering.

Without meaning to, he’d told Allison everything she wanted to know.

When Gabriel left, Allison was more than a little angry at what he’d said, and worse, at what he hadn’t. Although she wasn’t the most perceptive person in the world, she saw one thing very clearly: Gabriel was infatuated with Jennifer Appleton.

She left the house and got in her carriage, quickly reassessing everything she’d discovered about the situation. The men openly admired the Appletons. Since the ball, Allison had made a few discreet inquiries, and they all spoke of Jennifer’s charm and talent, Penelope’s beauty, and Winifred’s intelligence. While none as yet had risked public censure to court the girls, they were, as Jonathan Wiseley put it, the talk of the town.

Her brother wouldn’t hear a word against them. When she complained to him about the rumors of Gabriel spending time with Jennifer, Charles cut her off at the quick. He admired the Appletons and felt sorry for them. He did admit that he’d written a letter to the girls, warning them of repercussions should they continue their trade, but he was sorry now that he had done even that. He suggested that Allison mind her own business.

The women’s opinions were a mixed bag. Some of the younger women were obviously jealous, for the Appletons had caught more than one swain’s attention, yet most wistfully acknowledged their beauty, charm, and wit. The older, more liberated women praised the girls, while the traditional matriarchs decried their unfeminine behavior. It was worse than Allison had suspected, for no one could give a plain, unemotional read on the notorious girls.

Her mouth tightened as she thought of the gossip that would result if Gabriel ever decided to pursue Jennifer. She, Allison, would become a laughingstock, especially
since everyone expected Gabriel to wed her. It would look very much like she’d been thrown over for a woman who read tea leaves for a living.

It wasn’t to be borne. Allison signaled her carriage driver to make another turn toward the less fashionable part of town. She had to stop this woman before the situation got any more serious, had to claim her right to Gabriel before the notorious Jennifer could work her charms on him. It would be a simple matter. Allison had already figured it out. If she could persuade Jennifer to perform a séance for her, she could then tearfully enlist Gabriel’s help in reporting the matter to the police. Gabriel couldn’t possibly refuse her, and the Appletons would be ruined.

The carriage rolled to a halt and Allison stepped out onto the walk before Twin Gables. Tugging at her gloves, she smoothed the immaculate material, then adjusted her dress before ascending the steps.

She tapped on the door, preparing herself for battle. The door opened, and an older Irish maid appeared, dressed in a uniform so starched it could have stood on its own. Her manner was equally stiff as she took Allison’s card and led her into the foyer.

“Are the young ladies expecting you, miss?” the maid questioned, as would any servant of the gentry.

Allison shook her head in bemusement. “No, I came unannounced. However, they are acquainted with my brother, so I thought perhaps they’d see me.”

“I’ll see if they are at home,” the maid said with a nod. “In the meantime, why don’t you wait here?” She gestured to a chair.

Allison sank down into the chair, surprised at the appearance of the maid. The Appleton girls’ fortunes must have come up considerably, for although most middle-class families had some kind of house servant, she’d understood that the girls hadn’t been able to afford even this.
Yet a servant gave one respectability, and Allison reluctantly had to concede the girls that much.

The maid returned a moment later. “Miss Jennifer is out on calls, but Miss Winifred will see you. Please follow me.”

Allison entered the parlor and glanced around in curiosity. It was everything she’d envisioned, from the gloomy draperies to the chandelier laced with spiderwebs, to the round table directly beneath it. She’d almost expected to see a gypsy crystal ball, but even without it the room gave one the feeling of magic, mystery, and unearthly doings, just as intended.

Winifred rose from her pile of books and extended a hand. Allison saw her ink-smudged cuffs, her crooked spectacles, and the pen tucked neatly behind one ear. Charles talked of nothing but this woman, she recalled, and even as she returned the firm handshake, she couldn’t help but be fascinated by her odd appearance.

“I’m sorry to barge in without an appointment, but I wanted to meet with you and your sisters. I understand Miss Jennifer isn’t in?”

“She will be back shortly,” Winifred said, gesturing to the love seat. “Aunt Eve is ill, and Penelope visiting. Please, sit down.”

Allison seemed disappointed, but did as she was told. “Can I ask what you’re doing?” she asked curiously as Winifred buried herself in her books once more.

“I’m researching New York law to see if there is any statute preventing a woman from studying medicine.” Winifred gestured to her notes. “I was trying to help an associate of mine get into college. Her application is being denied solely on the basis of her sex. Now, when you consider how many women were employed as nurses during the war, it seems doubly ridiculous to assume they are too dainty and frail for such work.”

“I see.” Allison frowned thoughtfully. “You know, I
am a member of the National Suffragette Association. Maybe our organization can help.”

Winifred nodded, intelligence gleaming in her eyes. “I have found them helpful in the past, but only if I put all of the information into their hands. I don’t fault them for this, for most women aren’t legally trained, and male lawyers aren’t eager to do such research for us without remuneration. That is why these women come to me. As a woman without male means of support, I completely understand the frustration and limitations of our laws where women are concerned.”

“I agree.” Allison sat forward on her chair, eager for the discussion. “Do you know women still cannot go into restaurants and order for themselves? Not only are we considered unable to vote, we have no word in our education, manner of living, even our lunch! Unless a woman marries well, she is doomed by the confines of her husband’s money and talent.”

“Exactly.” Winifred nodded. “I suppose you are aware that we were orphaned as children?” When Allison gave a slight nod, Winifred continued. “We found ourselves crippled by the very laws designed to protect us as the weaker sex. The only acceptable work we could obtain was as governesses or companions, work that not only was insufficient to occupy our minds and talent, but would doom us forever to a subservient role. Financial disaster was just around the corner for all of us, for even our dear aunt was left penniless after her husband died in the war. If it wasn’t for my sister Jennifer, I don’t know what would have happened.”

“With the séance business, you mean.” Allison spoke softly, less sure of herself now.

“Yes. I am going to be candid with you, Miss Howe. I see you are a woman of intelligence, so I will explain things to you on a different level than I might someone else. It was Jenny who came up with the idea of spiritualism
as a means of survival. Because of the war, there are many people who have lost loved ones and who have never really addressed their loss. Through Jennifer, some of them actually feel they can speak to their beloved husbands, sons, and lovers who have passed on. For that invaluable service, Jenny has found a way to make a small amount of money.”

“I see,” Allison said tentatively. “But surely you don’t pretend to bring forth the dead?”

“People believe what they want to believe,” Winifred answered cautiously. “Some people think it really is their loved one giving them advice, while others are content with a tarot interpretation. We don’t promise to bring forth the dead, but if a client thinks that’s what happened, it often brings them comfort.”

“Tell me about what happened on Wall Street,” Allison asked. “Can Jennifer really perform magnetic healing? That you dared to intrude on the male bastion of New York! I have to admit, I applauded you.”

Winifred bowed her head, accepting the compliment. “Our stint on Wall Street was very successful. Aside from the healing, we were able to make some money by investing through traditional male avenues such as the brokerage firms. It was rather a keen trick to find an investment banker to take us seriously. If you have time, I’d be happy to share the story. It is quite amusing.”

“I’d love to hear all about it,” Allison said sincerely. “I have long thought that a woman should be able to handle her own finances. Your experience may be something I could relay back to my group.”

Winifred signaled to the maid for tea, then proceeded to relate the story of the wormy Justin. Allison rolled with laughter as Winifred described Jennifer’s caginess in convincing him that she’d been sent to his bank by Vanderbilt himself, even though a competing bank had offered to help her first.

As they laughed, Jennifer burst into the room, weighed down with packages. Winifred put down her teacup and eyed her sister with affection.

“Jenny, whatever are you doing? We have company, and you do look a fright. You’ve dragged your dress through the mud again.”

Jennifer saw Allison, and her face changed to embarrassed curiosity. “I got some tea for Aunt Eve’s cold,” she explained. “I also found you a few books to help with your research, Winnie. They were half price at the college bookstore.” She inclined her head toward Allison. “How are you, Miss Howe?”

“Very well. I had to come by and meet all of you myself. I saw you dancing with Gabriel at the Rutherfords’ ball.”

There was a prolonged silence, and Jennifer turned a becoming shade of pink. Her eyes dropped, and when they lifted, she looked as if she were prepared to take on the world. “I see. Miss Howe, Mr. Forester and I are friends—”

“I know,” Allison said confidently. “Your sister has been telling me all about you girls. I must say, I had an entirely different impression of you before I came here today. I now understand your situation much better. Miss Appleton, do you think you would be interested in speaking before our suffragette group? Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony are, shall we say, leading the charge, but I think my group would be very interested in your tale of the Wall Street banker.”

Jennifer looked nonplussed, then glanced to Winifred. Her sister shrugged, as if unable to advise her. “I would be delighted,” Jennifer replied. “If you think they would be interested.”

“I know they would.” Allison beamed. “And I was wondering, could you give me a sample psychic reading? I would like to experience the Appleton magic firsthand, if you don’t mind.”

“Certainly, if you really want to,” Jennifer said cautiously.
“I don’t have time for a full séance, but if a simple reading will satisfy your curiosity, I’ll do my best.”

“I’m certain it will be memorable.” Allison said, reaching for her purse and withdrawing a few bills. “Memorable, indeed.”

As soon as Allison left, Jennifer turned to her sister. “What do you suppose that was all about?”

Winifred frowned, her intelligent eyes squinting in thought. “It wasn’t a simple social visit, that much is certain. I hate to say this, Jenny, but I think this woman sees you as a threat to her relationship with Gabriel. Charles Howe has warned me that his sister is not too happy with Gabriel’s attentions to us. She is determined to wed him, and has no intention of letting anyone get in her way. Consequently, she can be dangerous.”

Penelope entered the house, tossing aside her cloak and removing her gloves. “I thought I saw Allison Howe leaving. What was she doing here?” She wrinkled her nose at the prospect.