Katie Rose (33 page)

Gabriel smiled grimly. “I don’t have another thing planned.”

Penelope turned to her sister in excitement when the two men left, her beautiful face alight with happiness.

“Jenny, did you hear that? Gabriel publicly announced he loves you! And he wants to do right by you! Do you realize what that means?”

Jennifer looked at her sister as if her lovely blond head had finally fallen off. When Gabriel had declared his feelings for her to Charles, she had to admit a certain part of her had soared with joy. For one brief moment, she could believe it, and the heady emotion was almost more than she could bear. But reality came crashing back soon enough. Gabriel was first and foremost a gentleman. He would always do the right thing, and saving them from slander would be a priority in his mind. She scowled at her sister. “Of course that’s what he said. He’s taking the blame for all this so we won’t look bad. Don’t be a dimwit.”

“Oh.” Penelope sank to her seat in disappointment, the sparkle going out of her eyes. “Then you don’t think—”

“No, I don’t think it for a minute,” Jennifer said. The memory of Gabriel’s lovemaking crept into her mind, but she dismissed it firmly, feeling the hot color rise to her cheeks. “I think he is a gentleman, and as such, is trying to rescue us from our own misdoings. I certainly can’t allow him to make such a sacrifice, or ruin his own name just to bail us out.”

“Young lady, I have something to say about all this.”
Aunt Eve came to stand by the jail cell, her expression stern. Although she seemed as lovely and fragile as ever, like a bone china figurine, her eyes sparkled with something other than kindness and addled bewilderment. For once she seemed to know exactly what was going on, and she faced her niece with an admonishing glare. “You and I have some things to discuss.”

“Yes, I know.” Jennifer raised soulful eyes to her aunt, overwhelmed with shame. She had never intended to hurt this old woman, whom she’d come to care for deeply. The revelations of this afternoon must have come as a great shock to her, and Jennifer cringed as she thought of the poor elderly woman actually fainting in Gabriel’s arms. Taking a deep breath, she rushed to apologize.

“Auntie, I want you to know how sorry I am. I know we’ve betrayed you and let you down. I wouldn’t blame you at all if you disowned us completely, and tossed us back out into the street. You’ve given us everything, and this is how we’ve shown our gratitude. I am truly ashamed.” She extended her hand through the cell.

To her astonishment, Eve didn’t accept her gesture, but continued to glare at her like a schoolmarm with a naughty student.

“That’s all well and good, miss, but it doesn’t fix anything. As far as throwing you into the street, you very well know better. There isn’t a stone I wouldn’t turn for you, or a fire I wouldn’t walk through to help you. But when you stubbornly refuse to help yourself, that’s when I will interfere.”

“What do you mean?” Jennifer asked, truly puzzled. She glanced behind her and saw that Winifred and Penelope shared her confusion.

Eve snorted in an uncharacteristic gesture. “What I mean is, you must accept Gabriel’s offer and allow him to make this right. If you and Gabriel were to wed—”

“What?” Jennifer protested, shocked.

“If you and Mr. Forester were to marry, the papers, the people, everyone would view this all very differently. Mr. Forester’s actions would simply be seen as the result of his being totally besotted with you, his behavior determined strictly by emotion. He would appear as a romantic, rather than as a cad preying on helpless females, and a romantic is always loved, especially by the ladies. Your infatuation with him would look totally normal, and although people would initially be shocked, they would soon have to welcome you into society as his wife. Mary Forester and I could help with that, as would Mildred Adams. I’m sure when I explain to her what happened, she will see things the same way.”

“But—”

“There are no ‘buts,’ ” Aunt Eve continued firmly. “You have no choice other than certain ruination, for yourself and your sisters, as well as Gabriel. Allison’s role in this, while questionable, is understandable. By seeing her publicly in what appeared to be an exclusive manner, Gabriel gave her the right to think he would ask for her hand.
A Gentleman’s Conduct Toward Ladies
states just that.”

Jennifer sank down on the couch. She hadn’t thought of any of this, of how the scandal would affect everyone else. Penelope chewed her lip in worry, Winifred gave her an “I told you so” look that she deeply resented, and Aunt Eve still regarded her with that peculiar steely firmness.

“There is only one little problem,” Jennifer said, relieved to have thought of it. When Aunt Eve looked at her questioningly, Jennifer shrugged. “He hasn’t asked me. He offered to help, but I didn’t hear him propose exactly, nor do I think he intends to.”

Eve nodded resolutely. “That, my dear, we shall take care of. As a gentleman, Gabriel will understand it is his duty to make things right by you. He has compromised you, unwittingly, perhaps, but it is all the same. He must marry.”

“So what do you think will happen?” Gabriel was almost afraid to ask.

Charles poured two fingers of brandy into a glass and handed it to Gabriel, then on second thought, poured another for himself. Downing the liquid, he collapsed into a polished leather chair and looked straight at his friend.

“It won’t be good. Winthrop will probably ask for at least ten thousand apiece. To do less will seem as if he’s affording them special treatment because of their sex.”

“Ten thousand!” Gabriel gasped, choking on the fine brandy. “He may as well ask for a million! Even at ten percent bond, where the hell could these girls get that kind of money? They’re hanging by a shoestring as it is.”

“I don’t know, but finding the money is the least of our problems,” Charles said, ruffling his hand through his hair in agitation. “I have a relationship with this judge. He has a daughter about Jennifer’s age, and I’m hoping I can use that to arouse his sympathy for the girls. The best I can hope for is a quick trial, so they don’t have to spend much time in prison. I think Winthrop will agree, especially when he hears that the press is determined to make a circus of the whole thing.”

“Charles …” Gabriel twirled the liquid in his glass, then forced himself to ask the question that had been haunting him all night. “Are they going to get off?”

Charles sighed. “I think I can build a decent case for them. Fortunately, Jennifer only read cards for Allison, and didn’t perform a séance. Your mother’s already sent me a note, saying that she’ll gladly testify on Jennifer’s behalf. That will help, seeing as she’s availed herself of the girls’ services. Surprisingly, I’ve received messages from quite a few of Jennifer’s clients, all offering the same thing. I’ll start interviewing them tomorrow, to see if we can use any of their testimony.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Wonderful. We’ll have a courtroom full of little old ladies swearing that they’ve seen a ghost and that they paid Jennifer for that vision. Anything more concrete?”

“Yes.” Charles gave Gabriel a sympathetic glance. “I’ll have to discredit Allison. Your testimony will help with that. I’m going to try to leave as much of the story out as I can, but in either case, it’s going to be nasty.”

Gabriel nodded. “I thought as much. I’ll reveal whatever you think wise. I have to admit, I feel responsible for Allison’s behavior, which is partly why I wanted to see her. I thought maybe I could explain things, and make it easier for her to do the right thing.”

“I don’t think telling Allison you’ve fallen in love with Jennifer will help much,” Charles said dryly. “I know my sister. Her ego won’t permit her to allow such an event, and she’ll only turn twice as vicious. No, I think it best if you stay away from her. I’m counting on my parents to help with that.”

Gabriel sighed. “So it doesn’t look too bad?”

“No. The only complaint that’s been filed is Allison’s, and I think I can take care of that. The suffragettes are on the girls’ side, as is the press. The worst part of the whole thing will be the scandal.”

“People will forget,” Gabriel said. “As soon as the next scandal hits the papers.”

“They won’t forget this one soon.” Charles tossed the newspaper at Gabriel. “See for yourself.”

Gabriel put aside his glass and picked up the
New York Sun
. “
BEWITCHING SISTERS JAILED
!” He cringed at the screeching headline, then gaped as he saw the girls’ picture on the front page. There was Penelope waving to the crowd and blowing kisses to the reporters, Jennifer ladylike and serene, and Winifred standing behind her looking bored. He quickly skimmed the article.

“The Appleton sisters, long known in the city of New
York for their charm and beauty, were arrested today and charged with charlatan spiritualism and solicitation. The complaint was filed by a Miss Allison Howe, who claimed she went to visit the Appletons and was subjected to a tarot card reading, for which Miss Jennifer Appleton charged her $10. The female brokers, who are said to be consorts of the commodore himself, have often been the subject of speculation and scandal, especially since appearing on Wall Street and performing ‘magnetic healing’ services. The city is rife with speculation as it was revealed that a Mr. Charles Howe, brother of the plaintiff, is defending the Appleton sisters. When asked for a possible motive for Miss Howe’s actions, Miss Jennifer Appleton hinted that jealousy may have been the cause. Could a certain noted businessman whose family sells marble be involved in more than just a spiritual relationship with Miss Appleton?”

Gabriel tossed aside the paper in disgust. “How can they print such trash? Can’t something be done about this? My family has an interest in some of the newspapers, perhaps that will help.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. If anything, things will get worse. Remember, the reporters haven’t had time to dig up much on the girls yet. Any breath of impropriety, any momentary indiscretion, is sure to make it into print over the next few weeks.”

“Then they will be destroyed.” Gabriel stood up and stared lifelessly out the window. His face was as set as granite.

Charles nodded. “Yes. Only a miracle could save them at this point. Even if the charges are dropped, which I think they will be, the papers will devour this. The story, unfortunately, has everything: politics, women’s rights, scandal, religion. Here’s where the girls’ looks will backfire. If they were dowdy and unassuming, people would be more willing to forget. But given that they are on the
verge of acceptance, that they have gentleman admirers, and that they are all lovely, the papers will be relentless. The Appletons’ fall will become the talk of the town for years.”

Gabriel said nothing for a few long minutes. When he did speak, his voice had a dead quality. “Is there nothing we can do? My God, I can just hear the Billings and the Weatherwills, and all the other old hens. They’ll rip the girls to shreds.”

“No, they just won’t ever acknowledge them again. And any hope of Penelope’s marrying well, or any of the girls for that matter, becomes null and void. Men will want them as mistresses, of course, but no one will take them seriously in any other capacity. Don’t act so shocked, Gabriel, you know what people are like. Our society has strict rules, and the Appletons have violated every last one of them.”

“Good God.” Gabriel thrust his hands into his pockets, and stared out into the night sky. His mouth set grimly, and he seemed to be fighting to keep from violence. Charles had never seen him so upset. “We have to do something,” Gabriel said when he could speak, though it was through gritted teeth. “I know my mother will stand by the girls, as will you and I. If we band together and force the others to accept the Appletons, eventually society may come around. I can’t just stand by and see them ruined.”

“There is one thing you can do,” Charles suggested gently. When Gabriel glanced at him quizzically, Charles shrugged. “If you were to marry Jennifer, it would put a stop to a lot of this.”

Gabriel looked at him incredulously. “Don’t you think I’ve already thought of that? What did you think I meant when I said I’d do anything to make this right? Of course I’ll marry Jennifer. It’s the only thing to do.”

Charles’s expression softened with relief. “In that case,
we may be able to help them, really help them. Marriage always gives a girl respectability. No matter what the gossip is after that, people will construe it all as true love. You don’t doubt that Jennifer will accept? I understand she can be pretty stubborn.”

Gabriel smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. “Jennifer will marry me, if I have to drag her down the aisle. Don’t laugh, Charles, it may come to that. The only thing Jennifer values more than her sisters is her own independence. It’s not something she will give up lightly, but she will give it up.” Gabriel grinned with determination. “By God, she will.”

Gabriel knotted his necktie tightly, then straightened it to perfection. A quick glance in the mirror indicated that he looked exactly as he wished to look: elegant, and in control. His black cutaway morning coat, a little more formal than his lounging suit, was in the height of fashion, and his starched white shirt with its new shorter collar displayed his tie to the best advantage. Finishing his costume with pearl-colored gloves, he put on his coat and headed for the waiting carriage.