The Lightkeeper's Ball (27 page)

He didn’t expect an answer from his valet, and sure enough, Eugene simply took the clothes brush and went over Harrison’s suit one last time. The valet was a great sounding board but seldom offered advice. He knew his place, though Harrison thought of him more as a peer than a personal servant.

“I think I love her,” Harrison said. “How did that happen?”

Eugene knelt and gave the toes of his shoes one last buff. “I imagine it’s the usual way, sir. She’s very beautiful.”

“Yes, she is. And I like her spirit. The way she analyzes everything. She takes something you say and hears what you’re really saying underneath. How does she do that?”

“Women are most incomprehensible,” his valet said. Eugene stood and stepped back. “I believe you’ll pass muster and not put me to shame.”

Harrison grinned. “I’ll try to do you proud.” He clapped a hand on Eugene’s shoulder. “Have you ever been in love, Eugene?”

“No, sir. When would I have time?”

“We’ve had some attractive chambermaids. There was that pretty lady’s maid my mother had a couple of years ago. What was her name?”

“Lucy.”

Harrison tugged on his cravat. “Ah, yes, Lucy. Whatever happened to her?”

“She married the butler.”

“That’s right.” He dropped his arm when Eugene gently pushed it out of the way to fix the blasted tie. “But I’m sure you’ve had ample opportunity to find a wife.”

“A wife would demand more time than I can give her.”

Harrison had already turned toward the door but veered back at Eugene’s words. “Are you happy here?”

He studied his valet. Eugene was what, about twenty-five? Average height and slim build. Pleasant enough features. Brown eyes and a trim mustache. Harrison paid him well too, so Eugene should have been appealing to the opposite sex.

Eugene smiled. “I’ve been with you for four years, sir. I hope I may be so bold as to say I look up to you. You have been very good to me. My life is full.”

“I realize that every important decision I’ve ever made, I’ve discussed with you. Though you never tell me what to do, talking it out has always helped. So what should I do about Lady Devonworth?”

“There isn’t a woman alive who could resist you when you put your mind to wooing her, sir.”

“Spoken like a true friend. So I just woo her? I’ve already proposed, but I’m sure she has no idea of my true feelings. She just thinks I merely want to do the right thing. I’m not sure how to go about letting her know how I feel.”

“She’s quite taken with your aeroplane,” Eugene pointed out.

Harrison scowled. “Which is now strewn across half of California.”

“You have the new model nearly completed. Ask her to go up in it again.”

“I intend to have it finished by the time the comet’s tail arrives in two weeks. But I need to be assured there will be no more sabotage.” He glanced at Nealy. “Perhaps I will put Nealy to watching it.”

Eugene stepped past Harrison and opened the door, then stood aside. “Has the constable discovered who was behind your accident?”

Harrison went past him into the hall. “I doubt he will. There are no clues. He’s asked at the pubs and cafes, but there has been nothing for him to follow up on. I need to be especially vigilant before taking up the new plane.”

He paused partway down the hall, then turned to see Eugene following five paces behind. “Take the night off, Eugene. Take a girl to dinner.”

His valet’s teeth gleamed as he grinned. “I’ll see what I can do, sir. Though it would never do for both of us to be in love. Someone around here needs to have his brain engaged.”

Harrison laughed. “You might have a point. Good night.”

“Thanks.”

Harrison jogged down the hall to the stairs and out the door to his car. He had instructed his driver to bring it around, but the Riley home was only a few blocks away and it was a beautiful night, so he decided to walk and waved the driver back to the carriage house. It took only five minutes to stroll to the Rileys’. When he stepped into the foyer, he could hear the tinkle of glassware and the murmur of laughter and conversation. The last thing he wanted to do was to make small talk when he could be working on his aeroplane.

He found the guests milling through the massive dining room. Everyone was talking about the Lightkeeper’s Ball, and the level of excitement about it was high, though the chatter stilled when he entered and he intercepted a few sly glances. Nothing like this had ever been done in Mercy Falls, and people would be unlikely to refuse to attend in spite of the scandal that had just erupted. Lady Devonworth’s New York friends were another matter, however.

After chatting with the host and his wife, he found his way to the food. Tall linen-covered tables held hors d’oeuvres of every type. Footmen served glasses of champagne and wine. He greeted neighbors and customers as he made his way through the crowd to where his mother was talking to Addie and John North.

“There you are, Harrison,” his mother said when he brushed his lips across her powdered cheek. “I was beginning to think I’d have to come drag you from your house.”

“Just running a little late.” He shook hands with John.

“We’re celebrating,” John said, his grin widening. Addie blushed and glanced away. John’s grin told the story.

Harrison’s mother rapped her fan on Harrison’s arm. “They’re going to be adding to their family.”

“Congratulations.” Harrison meant it. The Norths had been childless since their marriage two years ago and had hoped to give a sibling to Edward, John’s son by a previous marriage.

A warm sensation enveloped him when he saw the way the Norths looked at one another. If only Lady Devonworth would look on him with that kind of love in her eyes.

Still smiling, he turned toward the door and froze. Fosberg had arrived.

Firelight flickered in the huge stone fireplace. Olivia sipped her after-dinner tea and stared at the crackling flames. Her father’s letter to Eleanor lay in her lap. Will and Katie were playing checkers at the game table, and their banter flowed around her, but she paid little attention to what they said.

The Jespersons’ game ended. “I’m going to peek in on Jennie,” Will said.

Katie joined Olivia on the sofa. “You’re very pensive,” she said. “This news about a missing half brother has rocked you, has it not?”

“Very much,” Olivia admitted. “I thought my father an honorable man. Aloof, but a good man.”

“You seem nearly to idolize him. Was he home much?”

Olivia shook her head. “His businesses took him away quite often. Africa, California, Europe. When he was home, the world revolved around him. He often hurt me with his comments about how disappointed he was that I wasn’t the son he wanted.”

Katie wrinkled her nose. “I hate to hear that. I’m sure he loved you very much.”

“I always felt I had to earn his attention. You know what I thought of first when I’d heard he died in that cave-in? That I would never hear him say, ‘I love you.’”

Her friend squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, my dear.”

“So am I. But now there is another chance. I don’t understand why there has been no communication from him since this.” She lifted his letter off her lap. “Why hasn’t he shown himself?”

Katie hesitated. “Are you sure it’s not your wishful thinking? How can he be alive and here in town without being seen?”

“I’ve wondered the same thing. But I have to find him if he’s alive,” she said. “He’s the only one who can straighten all this out.”

“Are you sure that’s his handwriting?” Katie asked.

“It certainly appears to be his.”

“Will’s brother is a private investigator. You could try to have him track your father.”

Olivia shuddered. “I hate to involve someone like that in our private affairs.”

“He wouldn’t have to know the reason. You could simply say you suspect your father is still alive. And he’d be very discreet.”

“Perhaps.” Olivia stared at the letter. “I need to see the will that’s in Mr. Fosberg’s possession.”

“He didn’t show it to you?”

Olivia shook her head. “At the time I didn’t think much about it. But after speaking with Molly, I wonder why he did not reveal it. I suspect his motives.”

A smile tugged at Katie’s lips. “You really don’t want to believe anything bad of Harrison, do you?”

“I believe Harrison is honorable.”

“Your attitude about him has turned around completely. When we first met, you suspected he murdered Eleanor. Now you are his staunch defender.”

Olivia heard the amusement in her friend’s voice and had to smile herself. “I know him better now. Or do you think I’m deceiving myself?”

Katie selected a trifle from the dessert tray. “I’ve never believed him capable of murder. He’s been a friend to Will and me for years. I don’t care much for his father, but Mr. Bennett’s actions are hardly Harrison’s fault.” She nibbled on a chocolate éclair, then eyed Olivia. “You said Harrison offered to announce your engagement. What are you going to do?”

Olivia had thought of little else. “I agreed to the engagement. The ball will be an engagement ball as well.”

Katie clasped her hands together. “Olivia, that’s wonderful!”

“Don’t rejoice too much just yet. He’ll break the engagement when I tell him I’m Olivia Stewart.”

Katie’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”

Olivia held her gaze. “Eleanor was not . . . true to him. He is rather bitter about the Stewart family and told me that his father is insistent that he marry Olivia. But he said he would never do such a thing.”

“I believe he cares for you, Olivia.”

She wished she could hold such a happy view of the situation. “Mother sees nothing wrong with stringing him along until the scandal dies down.”

“What does she have planned for you if you do break your engagement?”

“She intends to haul me to Europe. She has it in her head that Bennett and Harrison are responsible for Eleanor’s death.” She held up her hand when Katie smiled. “I know, I believed the same thing a few days ago. I’ll convince her when I get to the truth.”

“So what happens when you get to Europe?”

“Mother hopes to marry me to someone more suitable.” Her spirits dipped just repeating her mother’s plans. She didn’t want to be married for status. Not to Harrison or to anyone else. “Sometimes I wish I were a common person, just a milliner or a dressmaker. It’s dreadful to be sought after for what you possess.”

“You should be careful what you wish for,” Katie said.

“Oh, I realize how fortunate I am. And I’m grateful.” She realized she sounded anything but grateful.

“God has you right where he wants you,” Katie said. “He provides for our needs no matter how much money we have. Any money you have is from his hand.”

Olivia had never really considered that God had given her family their money. Her father had been quick to take credit for their family’s astute business sense. “I think I shall call on Mr. Fosberg tomorrow and ask to see the will.”

“Do you want Will or me to go with you?”

Olivia shook her head. “I can handle Mr. Fosberg. I shall take Mother with me. He can’t deny our right to see the document.” She yawned. “I’m exhausted. It’s been a grueling day. I think I shall ring for Jerry to carry me upstairs.”

“I’m going up too. Jennie must be awake, or Will would have joined us.”

Katie rang for Jerry, and the footman carried her up to her bedroom. “I can make it from here, Jerry. Thank you,” she told him at the bedroom door. He put her down on the end of the bed and laid the crutches beside her, then left her alone.

If only she could shut her thoughts off. And her feelings. She wanted to talk to Harrison. Tonight. Right now. She rang the bell for Goldia.

Goldia stepped into the room. “There you are, miss. I have your nightdress laid out.”

Olivia stood and balanced herself on the bedpost, turning her back to her maid. She allowed Goldia to undo the buttons and help her step out of the dress. She stood shivering as Goldia dropped the nightdress over her head, then sat in front of the dresser as the maid released her hair from its pins and began to brush it. The rhythmic touch of the bristles through her hair eased the tension in her shoulders.

“I thought I saw your father today,” Goldia said.

Olivia tensed and turned to face the girl. “Father? Where?”

“At the general store. I was buying some ribbons for your new hat and saw him through the window. I ran out, but he was gone.”

“Do you think it was really him? In broad daylight where he might be recognized?”

Goldia resumed brushing. “I only caught a glimpse so I can’t be sure. But the walk was so familiar.”

Olivia’s heart lightened. “Perhaps he will be in touch with us soon.” Maybe she would do as Katie suggested if he didn’t show himself. A detective would track him down in no time. She thanked Goldia, then hobbled to bed and crawled under the covers after her maid pulled them back. Goldia extinguished the gaslight at the door, then exited, plunging the room into darkness.

Olivia snuggled under the sheet and her eyelids drooped. It seemed only moments later when her eyes popped open, but the moonless night told her at least an hour had passed. It was likely about eleven. She bolted upright in bed as a voice came from the speaking tube beside her again.