The Last Honest Seamstress (46 page)
Read The Last Honest Seamstress Online
Authors: Gina Robinson
"Fayth." Lou Gramm greeted her from the other side of the door. As always, her expression was one of perverse amusement. "I see that I have disturbed your sleep. I do apologize, but I was under the impression that you were an early riser. Is the Captain at home?"
Fayth opened the door, not caring how she appeared to the madam. She was more concerned over how Lou knew so quickly that Con was in town. "I'm afraid he's out."
Lou swept past her into the entry. "Ah, so it is the Captain who's the early riser, my mistake. I'm sorry to find him out. I was hoping to catch him before he left for his offices. I can hardly meet him down there; though, I think that people would be more likely to understand my making a visit to a shipping office than a seamstress's shop. Silly, isn't it? As if I have no need for clothing! Still, I would not have gossip started."
"What business do you have with him?"
Lou smiled in her affected way. "I came at his request, making as much haste as possible. I only got to his note late yesterday. Unfortunately, I was out when he stopped by."
"What are you talking about?"
Lou held an envelope out to her. "Fayth, do calm down. I came in person, out of respect for the Captain. He has been an interesting and most amusing business venture. By far the most honest of any man I've dealt with."
Lou rattled the envelope. "I've brought Con his promissory note stamped paid in full, as requested. As I said, I was out when he stopped by with his final payment yesterday."
Fayth took the envelope slowly as understanding dawned. "You mean his loan was with you, too?" Fayth suddenly remembered Con's words—we're both in debt to Lou. He'd told Fayth himself. She just hadn't been paying attention.
"Yes, darling. Jacob Finn sent him to me."
"But why?"
"Because after Finn lent you the money for your rebuilding, he was not at liberty to loan Con the sum that he required, while I. . ." Lou smiled lightly. "I've made plenty of good investments in my time. I always seem to have a little extra cash on hand to lend to those worthy."
Con had never married her as a business arrangement. She knew that now, had recognized the fullness of it last night, but still such proof, and on the lips of a madam, was overwhelming. Their marrying cost him, sent him to Lou. According to Captain Bailey, caused him to lie. How she loved that man! But what a terrible influence she had been. No more! She meant to rectify that, at least. But Lou's deception still angered her.
"That's why he visited the parlor house? To make payments? Not that it matters now, but why didn't you set me straight before?"
Lou smiled, unperturbed by the accusation. "Because, Fayth, a man's business should be his own. Con made me promise not to, and I always keep my promises." She handed the note to Fayth. "I only confess now because of my regard for you on Coral's behalf. She was particularly fond of you and you treated her well, right up to the end. That you didn't reproach her. . ."
Fayth watched Lou swallow a lump, and her anger vanished. If she could forgive Coral, she could forgive Lou.
"Well, I must get back to the girls. Wish Con well in his new venture."
Fayth froze, her mouth went suddenly dry. "What new venture?"
Lou looked surprised.
"Lou?"
Lou stared at her a minute as if weighing her thoughts. "I thought you knew. He's selling the
Aurnia
and his interest in the wharf. He's been losing too much money to salvage it. I assumed that's why he paid me off, so he could sell free and clear, though frankly, I was surprised that he came up with the money."
Fayth felt the color drain away from her face. "What?"
"Fayth, you really have no clue, do you?" Lou looked surprised. "Con told me awhile back that the owner of a large line offered him the position of captain on a long voyage, international vessel based out of San Francisco. I can only assume that he has a wish to return to the sea."
"He's leaving?"
Lou smiled tiredly, almost sympathetically. "You think you can stop him with a single tumble around the sheets?"
Fayth gasped.
Lou laughed. "Fayth! Don't deny it, I know my business well enough to recognize afterglow. You haven't wanted him around, not since your old beau came back. Con has enough pride not to want to stick around and watch his wife make a fool of him. He's giving you a respectable out, not that you particularly deserve it. You're throwing out a good man."
Fayth's mind clicked away too quickly to be slowed by Lou's insults and insinuations. "Did he say when he has to respond to the offer?"
Lou must have noticed Fayth's genuine expression of concern. Her expression was momentarily sympathetic. "I assumed as soon as possible. I guessed that's why Con was in such a hurry to get this note. The same line that wishes to hire him has made him an offer on the
Aurnia.
It's all part of the package."
"No!" Fayth made no attempt to stifle her cry or hide her agony. "That must be where he's gone—to the telegraph office." She looked down at her nightclothes. "I have to get dressed. I've got to stop him."
She knew he loved her. Even Lou could not dispel the confirmation of last night. But with Tetch running off with the money, and the business floundering, what choice did he have but to sell? She wouldn't let him do it. She'd sell the shop, go to work for someone else, whatever it took to make sure he hung onto something so important to him. She ran to the bedroom to change, leaving Lou standing in the doorway.
"Good-bye, Fayth," she heard Lou call, followed by the closing of the door.
Fayth hurried around her room, throwing on clothes. As usual, haste made her clumsy. Little things went wrong. She couldn't find her boots, tossed who knows where in the passion of the night before. She tossed shoes out from the closet searching. She couldn't be hampered with dainty slippers or heels, she needed boots for running if she was to have a chance of catching him.
Her furious mind worked over the details. How long had he been gone? She simply had no idea. She dug her way to a pair of boots at the back of the closet and slipped them on. Minutes later she was out the door and riding off toward town in the carriage.
Fayth parked the carriage at the wharf, checked for Con in his office and, not finding him, headed immediately for the telegraph offices. She ran down the street, oblivious to the stares of pedestrians she passed. Fortunately, she'd dressed in too much haste to lace her corset tightly, leaving her with enough breath to run. Her dress gapped in the back, but was covered by the small waist length, matching jacket. She ran uphill into the city, panting, her skirts held above her ankles, ruing that the wharf should be downhill from everything. She ran up the sidewalk, veering into the street only to avoid those traveling too slowly for her immediate haste. Up ahead she spotted the back of an auburn head and square shoulders. "Con!"
He didn't hear her. She ran faster, debating whether she'd gain any time by heading into the underground. Con went into the entrance. She had another half block to go before she could duck in to follow him. She shot little arrow prayers heavenward, praying that God would slow Con's progress, that she wouldn't lose him.
She ran over the sidewalk skylights, peering through them as she ran, hoping for a glimpse of him below. Fayth was halfway across the second one when she spotted Con beneath her. She stopped and backed off the skylight, screaming his name into the glass. He didn't look up. She walked onto the skylight and stomped with all her might. She couldn't see past her skirts to tell whether he looked up. If he did, he'd recognize her.
Seconds later Con emerged from the staircase to the underground. He came at her in a full run, sweeping her off onto solid sidewalk before releasing her.
"Fayth! What in heaven's name are you doing?"
"Walking across skylights for you."
"Advertising for me on the bottom of your shoe?" His eyes danced, his voice teased.
"You alone. God bless Coral." Tears welled in her eyes. It seemed like yesterday, and eons ago, that Coral had inscribed those boots. If not for them, Con surely would have continued on with his errand, wondering about the boldness of whores these days.
"You missed me so quickly?"
"Yes." She let her love for him shine in her eyes.
"I can remedy that. Let's go home."
She grabbed his arm, wondering at his glib tone. "Con, you left without a word, I was afraid."
"I'm not leaving you, darling."
"Con, listen to me, you can't sell her. I'd rather we sold the shop. We'll make it work somehow."
He frowned. "What are you talking about, Fayth?"
"I'm trying to tell you that I love you, Con O'Neill. I don't want you to go. I can't imagine life without you. And I won't, under any circumstance, allow you to sell the wharf and the
Aurnia
."
The nearest she could describe the look that came over him was an idiot grin, much like the one he wore on their wedding day, only finer. "You mean that, Fayth O'Neill?"
"Tell me I'm not too late."
"Tell me you love me again."
"I love you, Con."
He swept her into his arms. "You could never be too late, Mrs. O'Neill. I love you." His lips came down on hers.
Epilogue
Fayth sat on the grass of the hillside with her skirts tucked beneath her, a spyglass held to her eye as she scanned the sparkling waters of Puget Sound. Below, in the near distance, the city was emerald again. Strong spring rains following a mild winter had worked together to create lush foliage and a brilliant early summer flowering. Seattle was once again a colorful phoenix. On the far horizon the Olympic Mountains, still white-capped, reflected the sun with radiant white. She caught a glimpse of a small vessel on the waters. She leaned forward for some minutes until it was near enough to spot its flag. She broke into a smile and lowered the spyglass.
"Look, baby." She held the glass to the eye of the auburn-haired toddler who played beside her. "See Papa's ship coming? Your father is a very fine captain. Look at the way he guides her in."
The toddler pulled the glass down and mouthed it.
Fayth laughed and pulled it away. "We'll make a sailor of you yet." She stood and scooped the child up. "If we hurry we can make it to the dock before Papa does."
What would Con be without his ship and what would she be without him? The child cuddled against her neck and wound a stray lock of her hair around his chubby finger as he sucked his thumb. She paused at the road to catch her breath. In that moment she turned back around for a final glimpse of the water.
"Yes, if we hurry, we'll just make it."
About the Author
Gina Robinson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. She's the bestselling, award-winning author of
The Spy Who Left Me.
Gina is a longtime member of Romance Writers of America and a former Golden Heart finalist. She also belongs to International Thriller Writers. She writes humorous contemporary romantic suspense—what she likes to call spy romance, historical romance, and fun, lighthearted women's fiction.
Romantic Times
has praised her novels, saying "Robinson delivers."
Connect with Gina Online:
My Website:
http://www.ginarobinson.com/
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Also by Gina Robinson sold at Amazon.com
The Agent Ex Series
And more spylicious romance
Fun, flirty contemporary women's fiction