Katie Rose (30 page)

Aunt Eve frowned, then rose from her seat and put her teacup aside. “What on earth is that?”

Jennifer, Penelope, and Winifred joined her at the window. Several rugged-looking workmen had appeared outside. One of them carried a bucket of cement, another had roofing tiles, while another carried carpenter’s tools. The carpenter approached the door first and banged on it furiously. Astonished, Jennifer opened the portal.

“I understand you have a roof leak. Can you show me the attic?” He gestured to the stairs, then wiped his nose with his fist.

“But—we didn’t order any work,” Jennifer said, staring at him in confusion.

“Work’s been paid for by a gentleman. Can you show me the attic?” He shuffled from one boot to the other impatiently.

“Young man, what is going on here? Who sent you, and what do you think you’re doing?” Eve came to Jennifer’s aid, staring at the workman as if she’d seen a specter.

The man pulled his cap from his head and rolled his eyes. “Lady, I don’t have time to argue. I’m here on a Sunday, which is double-time. I don’t think the gentleman who sent me will appreciate it if we waste his money, and I won’t appreciate missing my supper. Now can you show me the attic?”

Jennifer turned to her aunt and shrugged. Eve gave a slight nod, a look of understanding coming to her eyes. Jennifer obeyed her silent signal and whisked the man up the stairs. When she returned, Penelope and Winifred stood beside Eve, scratching their heads. Eve looked at the three girls as if trying to sort something out.

“A gentleman! That must mean one of you has a rich admirer! Isn’t that wonderful? Now, who?”

Jennifer immediately thought of Gabriel, Penelope wondered frantically about James, and Charles crossed Winifred’s mind. Penelope and Winifred seemed able to dismiss their thoughts, for they both turned to Jennifer
expectantly, as if the whole thing were solved for them. Jennifer shrugged, her shoulders lifting almost to her earbobs.

“I don’t know, Auntie. Maybe they were sent by an angel?”

“Are you girls sure nothing unusual happened this weekend?” Eve asked, showing signs of a perception that amazed Jennifer.

“No, we have no idea,” Jennifer said innocently.

One of the workmen banged on the roof, while another started a loud pounding upstairs. The girls skittered out of Aunt Eve’s notice, leaving the older woman to look around her in perplexity. Sometimes she felt as if the entire world had gone mad.

“More tea, Gabriel?” Allison asked sweetly, refilling his cup before he could answer. Gabriel gave her an absent glance, his thoughts preoccupied with Jennifer.

The workmen had probably shown up by now, he thought, calculating the time. His smile grew broader as he mentally saw the girls trying to explain this to their aunt. He was sure Jennifer would adroitly avoid answering, but it would be amusing all the same. It wasn’t often one had the opportunity to create a disturbance that was beneficial at the same time.

“Gabriel! Jane Billing just asked you if you wanted to look at the stereograph. She has a new collection of cards. Are you with us at all?”

Shaking off his pleasant thoughts, he flushed guiltily and glanced up. Allison was looking at him in frustration, while the Billings appeared insulted. Only Jonathan Wiseley seemed amused, and a disconcerting smirk played around the man’s mouth.

“Sorry,” Gabriel managed, then drank the too-hot tea.
Scalding his tongue, he tried to manfully cover up his distress, while hiding his annoyance at the same time. He had told Allison that he hadn’t wanted to attend this tea, but she had insisted, claiming he never took her out anymore. Gabriel discovered that he was bored with these gatherings, which always seemed to include the same people, the same ideas, the same conversation. He saw his mother across the room, conversing with Mrs. Merriweather; he saw the Greysons, the Stocktons, and the Barrys. They were always there, discussing their vacations, the weather, the stock market, and society. When had he discovered it was all incredibly dull?

Since knowing Jennifer
, a voice inside his head answered him. Gabriel felt the hot splash of tea as he replaced his cup, earning another frown from Allison. Had Jennifer truly bewitched him, or was it just his acquaintance with her and her eccentric ideas that made him view the world differently? Maybe it was her lovemaking, an experience that shattered everything he thought he knew when it came to sex. Or perhaps it was her unexpected virginity, a gift that she’d offered him freely, without asking for anything in return.

The thought unsettled him. This was his world, among society’s best, not a world inhabited by séances and spirits. It was as if Jennifer had put a spell on him that made him no longer fit where he belonged. Gabriel swore he could still feel her hands on him, sliding down his chest to cure his ills, her eyes smoky and filled with passion … He stood up abruptly. He had to get outside, get some fresh air, and reorient himself.

“Gabriel, where are you going?” Allison asked indignantly.

“Just outside for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t see his mother’s expression when he departed, nor did he observe the twinkle in her eye. Allison
sank back onto the couch thoughtfully, holding the fragile china cup between her fingers as if afraid she would throw it. Jonathan chuckled, then sat down beside her, helping himself to another sandwich.

“Well, well. Trouble in paradise?”

Allison gave him a not-too-friendly look. “I should say not,” she answered stiffly, aware that a woman of her class never discussed her problems publicly. “Gabriel has just been a little … distracted the last few weeks.”

“Yes, I’d agree with that.” Jonathan chuckled, the sound unpleasant in the lavish room. “Especially after the way he spent the weekend. I give the man credit for his stamina.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Allison asked, trying to sound bored, but her interest was evident.

“It appears he spent the weekend at Twin Gables. I didn’t realize that Gabriel was a fan of spiritualism, did you? Or perhaps there were other enticements.” He gave her a sly glance.

Allison rose, her face pale. “That is the most incredible nonsense I’ve ever heard! How dare you suggest such a thing?”

Jonathan extended his feet and folded his hands across his chest, obviously pleased to be able to impart such gossip. “Perhaps you should ask him for an explanation, then. You see, I saw him myself. I was returning from the Athenaeum Club, rather late I’m afraid. I had a little too much brandy last night over cards. Imagine my surprise when I saw Gabriel retrieving his carriage from the livery at Twin Gables!”

“He … must have been nearby on business,” Allison said quickly.

Jonathan shook his head regretfully. “Afraid not, my dear. I spoke with the stableboy. Surely you knew of his visit? I wouldn’t want to be the one to say anything
that would cause trouble …” His voice was thick with insinuation.

“No, no. You did the right thing. I am grateful for your confidence,” Allison responded stiffly. Her mouth twisted as she realized that all of her fears concerning Jennifer were justified. In all likelihood, Gabriel had taken her as his … lover.

Allison clutched her cup, imagining the ridicule that would be heaped upon her when word got out. She could just see the glances, filled with pity, directed her way. Although Gabriel had never announced his intentions toward her, Allison had assumed that he meant to propose, an assumption she’d confided to more than one person. An embarrassed heat stung her cheeks as she remembered assuring the Billings that she would be engaged come Christmas. She would be a laughingstock when word got out about his infidelity, especially because it involved Jennifer Appleton.

Blushing furiously, she rose to her feet, a determined glint coming into her eyes. She couldn’t let this happen. Jaded New York society would feast on such a juicy scandal, one that had the potential to ruin them all. Something had to be done about the notorious Miss Appleton, and quickly. Jonathan watched with interest as Gabriel reentered the Billings’ drawing room and took Allison’s arm. Allison gave him an adoring smile, and to all appearances they were the same loving couple they had been moments ago. Excusing herself, she crossed the room and approached Judge Winthrop, an old friend of the family.

Jonathan sank back into his seat, a satisfied grin on his lips. Entertainment, at last. It was, after all, what he lived for.

The following afternoon Jennifer stood outside Twin Gables, admiring the new roof. She could see
the repaired shingles, the places where the new material stood out from the old like a patched garment, and the freshly mortared chimney. To an outsider, it may have looked only adequate, but to her, it was magnificent.

Gabriel had done this, she knew it in her heart. He had no idea what such a gesture meant to her, and she appreciated it far more than a bouquet of flowers or some trinket. Fixing the house was something they really needed, and to have someone take some of that burden from her was truly heaven. She felt genuinely satisfied that Aunt Eve would no longer shiver from the drafts. Smoke would no longer pour into the parlor from the faulty chimney, and they needn’t worry about rain damage again. And with Mrs. Adams coming to stay, his improvements could not have come at a better time.

Hugging herself against the cold, she gleefully realized that the Christmas holiday was coming, and she’d already gotten the best present ever. A small, hopeful longing crept up inside her as she thought of Gabriel, and what his gesture may have meant. Had he sent her flowers or candy, she would have thought he felt only guilty, that he was just trying to pay off a mistress. But his gift seemed much more thoughtful and serious to her, as if he finally understood what she was up against.

That thought produced a warm rush of emotion inside of her. Even though Winifred had warned her, it was far too late to heed any advice. She was already head over heels in love with Gabriel. Common sense warned her to reel in her heart, but she just couldn’t do that. Jennifer had worn her heart on her sleeve for as long as she could remember, and she couldn’t change now. Her body glowed at the memory of his lovemaking, and the tender way he’d spoken to her, reassuring her he cared for her. Surely something good would come of all this—it just had to.

A police wagon rumbled down the road, slowing as it approached the house. Jennifer frowned, glancing down
the street, looking for a reason for the vehicle’s presence. She didn’t see a fire, or a group of rowdies that would warrant the presence of the police, or a paddy wagon. To her amazement, Chief of Police Tim O’Roarke disembarked from the cart and approached her. His ruddy face appeared even redder beneath his white beard, like a benevolent Saint Nicholas, but his normally jovial eyes met hers with an expression that chilled her bones.

“Miss Jennifer.” He nodded awkwardly, then glanced at the house. “Are the girls at home?”

“Yes,” Jennifer answered. She tried to give him her best grin. “How are you? You haven’t been to supper in some time. I was just asking Aunt Eve about you. She’s only now come back from visiting, you know.”

“I know.” Tim shifted from one foot to the next, as if his own body were a burden. “She asked me to look out for the house whilst she was gone. A fine lady.” He shook his head, as if ashamed of his own actions. “Miss Appleton, can we go inside?”

Dread filled Jennifer. Tim never called her Miss Appleton. Her common sense told her this was trouble—worse trouble than she’d ever experienced before. She took the policeman into the house. Penelope had just arisen, and was yawning, her hair tumbling attractively about her. Winifred was so absorbed in studying that she barely acknowledged his presence. Aunt Eve looked delighted to see him, and rushed forward, pressing her small hands into his.

“Mr. O’Roarke! How delightful to see you! Do come to breakfast. Jennifer and I were just talking about you. I have tea and scones, some good jam and a seedcake. Why, you look frozen through!”

The policeman looked even more embarrassed by Eve’s gushing hospitality. He removed his cap, then glanced awkwardly from one woman to the next, his cheeks becoming
impossibly redder by the moment. He coughed, as if choking on his own words, then finally spat them out.

“I’m sorry. I can’t stay for tea, or breakfast. This isn’t a social call. It is my terrible duty to inform you young ladies that you are all under arrest. Can you please get ready and step outside into the wagon?”

“Arrested! That is ridiculous! Of all things! Please, sit down, Tim, and tell us what this is all about!” Aunt Eve stood before the girls like an aging warrior, prepared to defend them at all costs. Angel hissed at the intruder, while the parrot squawked, his feathers bristling.

“I’m sorry, madam. You know how much I admire you and the girls. But I don’t have any choice. I have a warrant for the arrest of all three Appletons.”

“What are the charges?” Winifred asked, her eyes squinting from behind her glasses like twin points of light.

The chief of police sighed, as if wishing he were anywhere but here. He withdrew a folded document from his pocket, then put on a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. His bushy white brows drew together as he skimmed the paper.