Katie Rose (4 page)

The two officers lugged him toward the station, while Gabriel argued fruitlessly. He shook his fist at the window, blaming one woman for all of this. He saw the curtain move, and in his mind’s eye, he could see her laughing behind it.

“The police got him!” Jennifer chuckled as if she’d just witnessed the best joke of the season. She laughed so hard she cried. “Thank goodness that policeman was outside! This couldn’t have been better! I’ll wager he’s fit to be tied!”

“That scoundrel! A spot in jail would teach him some manners! I am astonished that Mary Forester would have raised such a son.” Aunt Eve shook her head and tsked, sipping the hot tea that Winifred had provided. “What on earth was he talking about, ghosts and some such?”

“I think he meant our theatricals,” Winifred said quickly, giving her sisters a sharp glance. “We performed Dickens for Mary Forester. Perhaps she was alarmed.”

“That’s still no excuse for his behavior.” Aunt Eve sniffed. “No calling card, no flowers, no appointment! I don’t know what the world’s coming to.”

“I think he’s handsome,” Penelope remarked with the air of a true connoisseur. “Did you see those eyes? They looked like a winter sky.” She sighed dreamily.

“You think every man in sight is handsome,” Jennifer said. “Imagine him accusing us of taking advantage of his mother!”

“The fact that he is obnoxious doesn’t make him any less handsome,” Penelope said indignantly, miffed at Jennifer’s implication. “He seemed very taken with you, though.”

“Taken? I think he wanted to strangle me.” Jennifer self-consciously touched her burned curls, wincing as she replayed the scene in her mind. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she was secretly pleased with Penelope’s observation. Gabriel Forester was handsome, but more than that, he did something to her. Her body still tingled just from the memory of his close proximity, and she was seized with a longing to feel those arms around her in a much more intimate embrace.

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I think he was very interested, even though he doesn’t want to be. I believe if you showed the slightest reciprocation, you could have that man eating out of your hand, which would also make him less likely to cause us trouble,” Penelope said practically.

A sudden thought made Jennifer look up from the
window. The same thought came to Penelope at the same time, and Jennifer’s face lit up.

“Do you really think …” Jennifer asked shyly, watching her sister closely, “that a man like that would ever be interested in someone like me?”

“Good heavens, yes!” Penelope exclaimed, coming to stand behind Jennifer. She put her arms around her sister. “Dear, he would be blind not to be taken in by your charm! Are you going to try to entice him, then?”

Jennifer blushed, but a small smile crept over her face. “He is handsome. And I think it’s nice that he’s so concerned for his mother. Many young men aren’t nearly so gallant these days.”

“Jennifer Appleton!” Aunt Eve exclaimed, rising to her feet in astonishment. “You cannot seriously be thinking of encouraging that man’s attentions!”

Jennifer looked at her aunt, then at Penelope and Winifred, who appeared solemn, then back to her aunt. She sighed and shook her head in the negative.

“No, of course not! How could you think such a thing?”

“I daresay not!” Aunt Eve huffed, fluffing out her shawl in an uncanny imitation of the parrot. “Gabriel Forester is no gentleman, that much is for certain!”

Jennifer nodded, appearing properly chastised. She and Penelope bid their aunt good night, then slowly climbed the stairs. As soon as they were out of earshot, Penelope closed the door and turned to her sister with a huge grin.

“Well? Are you going to do it?”

“Why not?” Jennifer grinned back, her mischievous face brightening at the thought. “After all, he is good-looking, and rich as can be. I am attracted to him, too, much as I blush to admit it. It makes perfect sense. And as you say, if Gabriel, well, comes to care for me, he is less likely to press charges.”

“Jenny! It’s such a wonderful idea! We’ll have to be careful—I sense he could be a formidable enemy. But he is still a man for all that.”

“So you’ll help me?”

“Of course! It will be great fun. Darling, I’ve been dying to do this for years. I’ll fix your hair, we’ll get you some rouge … just a touch, don’t make that face. We’ll get you a few pretty gowns. Gabriel won’t be able to help himself!”

Jennifer wasn’t so certain, but found herself excited by the prospect. She withdrew one of Aunt Eve’s etiquette books from the desk, then flipped it open to the section about courtship. “First, we need a plan. We know nothing about him, other than that he’s Mary’s son.”

“We need to know where he goes, what he likes, who he sees,” Penelope agreed. Her brows flew up in inspiration and she dove into the stack of invitations in the crystal bowl before her. “I have it!” She waved a cream-colored envelope decorated with cabbage roses. “It’s an invitation to call at the Billings’!”

“The Billings!” Jennifer’s nose wrinkled. “Why, they are the most boring girls I’ve ever known!”

“Yes, but they know everyone. And they remember us from when we were children, before Mama and Papa died. I hear they always have the best gossip. One session with them, and we’ll know everything we wish about your Mr. Forester.” She rubbed her hands together at the thought. “By the time we’re through, Gabriel Forester will be nothing more than a love-struck swain. The man doesn’t stand a chance.”

The following afternoon, Penelope stood outside the Billings’ town house with Jennifer, who was impatiently tugging at her too-small gloves. Penelope dutifully rang the bell, and when a servant answered, placed her violet-sprigged card on the tray. They were ushered into a hallway while they waited to see if the Misses Billing were “at home.”

Jennifer fidgeted, and Penelope rolled her eyes at her sister. This meeting was the first step to securing their place in society, a goal that was extremely important to her. She reached up and tucked a few burned curls under Jennifer’s bonnet, smiling as Jennifer scowled. Jennifer could be so exasperating at times, but for all that, Penelope loved her.

“Now don’t wrinkle your face. We must look our best! The Misses Billing will be a great asset to us. We were fortunate to get an invitation to tea. It was only due to Mary Forester’s help, and we can’t waste the opportunity.”

Jennifer nodded. “I know, I just hate this sort of thing. I never know what to talk about with girls like these. They seem like magpies, chattering about dresses and such. But don’t worry, I’ll be nice.”

Penelope chewed her lip in concern, knowing that the reddened result would only make her more attractive. But she
was
worried. Jennifer just didn’t seem to understand social niceties. She didn’t like pretty gowns, didn’t appreciate good lace gloves or rich perfumes. Although her sister possessed a natural beauty, she didn’t seem interested in her appearance, nor did she want to try to look more beautiful. It was something Penelope never understood.

“Now, when we get inside, stand against the wall so they can’t see the tear in your hem,” Penelope ordered. “And don’t fidget with your gloves.”

“This way, ladies.” The house servant returned to usher them into the parlor, and Penelope sighed with relief. The Misses Billing had invited them to tea, something that wouldn’t have happened just a few months ago. Penelope reminded herself that if her parents had lived, they would be on equal footing with the Billings of the world, but that wasn’t the case now. Now, it was only thanks to Jennifer’s talent and Mary Forester’s endorsement that they harbored any chance at all of entering polite society.

Jane and Elizabeth Billing entered the room, both of them looking plump and well rested, without a care in the world. Jane approached first, her hands extended.

“Penelope! I haven’t seen you since we were in grammar school, with that dreadful Mr. Whitcomb! I still feel his ruler on my poor hands. And this must be Jennifer! Come in, we’ve heard so much about you!”

Penelope smiled and extended her hand, enviously taking in Jane’s gorgeous silver tea dress, and Elizabeth’s sunny yellow one. Jane’s gown, obviously new, was swathed with three kinds of lace that framed the bodice, then tapered off sweetly into a frothy petticoat. Elizabeth’s gown was less ornate, but just as expensive, with its taffeta trim
and ruching. But both were dressed in the height of fashion, their hair cleverly arranged in upswept hairstyles. Penelope tried hard not to look down at her simple, twice-mended muslin. Her own figure, while better than Elizabeth’s, wasn’t nearly so artfully displayed, and she deeply envied Jane’s kid slippers. She tried not to think of the injustice of it all as Elizabeth patted her cheek fondly, then perched upon a high-backed horsehair love seat with her sister.

“Do tell me everything you’ve been doing, especially the séance business. Can you really contact the dead? We were so sorry to hear about your parents’ accident. I believe Mother sent flowers, but wished we could do more. How is Eve?”

Penelope smiled graciously and replied in just the right manner, grateful that Jennifer had followed her orders and was keeping quiet. A student of the wealthy, Penelope had garnered enough information from the tabloids to know all of the latest doings. She furnished just enough detail about the fortune-telling to arouse interest, and yet remain respectable. She saw Jennifer’s approving glance, and she went on eagerly to discuss costume, gardening, and all matter of mundane things that she knew would intensely interest the Billings.

Penelope grew worried once more as they discussed the merits of starch for petticoats and French lace gloves. Jennifer’s foot began to tap the floorboards impatiently, but thankfully, the sisters didn’t seem to notice. She prayed that Jennifer wouldn’t say or do anything inappropriate, and struggled to think of a way to turn the conversation toward their purpose. Fate was with her, for Elizabeth put her cup aside and leaned forward, as if to impart the best gossip.

“I just heard that Charles Howe is back in town. He is not only gorgeous, but he has quite an income from his
law firm and the family shipping business. He and Gabriel Forester are good friends, although they are exact opposites. Charles is so gay and funny, while Gabriel is so serious.” She giggled. “I haven’t told this to anyone, but Charles and I …”

“No!” Penelope squealed, giving the girl a hug. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jennifer perk up, her interest returning. “Are you really? Does anyone know?”

“Elizabeth!” Jane said disapprovingly. “You know Mother told you not to say anything until he proposes!”

“I know,” Elizabeth said, little deterred. “But although it’s not official yet, I can share my excitement, can’t I? We’ve been keeping company for the last three months. Yesterday he sent me roses! If that doesn’t show the serious nature of his intentions …”

“They were yellow, Elizabeth,” Jane said sternly. “Yellow is for friendship. You read too much into these things.”

Elizabeth looked like she was ready to cry. Penelope sensed sibling tension in the air, and patted Elizabeth’s hand consolingly.

“I’m sure everything will work out just fine. You mentioned Gabriel Forester. I think we know him—isn’t he Mary’s son?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth sniffled, her feelings clearly still injured. “I think him handsome, as well. Apparently, so does someone else. Rumor has it that Gabriel has been seeing Allison Howe.”

“No!”

“Yes!” Elizabeth nodded, dabbing her nose delicately with her lace hankie.

“How fascinating,” Penelope said. “Do you know Mr. Forester well?”

“Why, yes. Gabriel is a friend of the family. He is handsome as could be, but determined and ruthless. His
family’s in marble, and they own several newspapers. The Foresters are well respected and wealthy, but Gabriel is the businessman of the family. He was very close to his father. His death hit him hard.” Elizabeth sighed.

“I think I recall him,” Jennifer said casually, taking Penelope’s lead. “Doesn’t he live near the park?”

“Yes, he has a splendid town home on the upper East Side, although he is seldom there. Our older brother Stephen is a friend of his, so we hear of him quite often.”

Penelope nodded. “I suppose, being a wealthy society man, that he frequents the men’s clubs, gambling establishments, and resorts.”

“Very seldomly, although I hear both he and Allison are attending the Barrymores’ garden party. Gabriel actually spends most of his time at the office. He’s very serious, as I was saying, especially about business. And Allison is a good match for him. She is complacent and proper, and has all the right connections. Her family was one of New York’s first, and could further his aspirations. Gabriel isn’t very affectionate toward her. I think he sees her as a business advantage.”

Jane sighed. “I hope my future husband feels more for me than that. Gabriel Forester is a cold one.” She shuddered.

“I hear the Barrymores’ gardens are lovely,” Penelope remarked idly. “I remember them from when we were children.”

“Oh, they are!” Elizabeth gushed. “Are you going to be there? Perhaps we could meet. I’d love to introduce you to some of our friends.”