A Lady of Hidden Intent (16 page)

She felt certain that Felicia watched her, but Catherine tried not to be flustered by the thought. There was no way of knowing for sure what Felicia was getting at. Perhaps she had overheard something Catherine said to Selma. Perhaps she was only guessing. Either way, Catherine would have to be extra careful in the future.

CHAPTER 11

C
arter, we’re very happy to have you join us,” Zilla Arlington announced. She accepted his embrace and kiss on the cheek as if he were one of her sons. “Come and tell us everything about this new house you’ve created. Lee tells us it’s quite the estate.”

She barely gave him time to discharge the servant with his hat and coat before dragging him to the family’s private sitting room. “Look, Kendrick. Look who has come to call.”

“Carter, my boy. Good to see you.” The older man got to his feet and crossed the room. Stocky in build, Judge Kendrick Arlington was surprisingly light on his feet. He immediately took hold of Carter’s hand, but rather than shake it, he merely patted it and smiled. “You have been much absent from our company.”

“And don’t I know that,” Carter admitted. “Mrs. Arlington has grown even more beautiful in my absence.”

Zilla Arlington laughed. “You do flatter in such a pleasing manner. All young men should take lessons from you.”

“And all women should seek your secret,” Carter countered.

“My secret?” the woman questioned in surprise. Her blue eyes sought Carter’s face.

“The one regarding your youthful countenance. You must surely hold a secret to the fountain of youth, for you look just as young and lovely as when I was a boy.”

She laughed in delight, and even the judge chuckled and added, “It’s true, my dear. I age and age, but you remain the same.”

“Oh, how you do go on. But don’t I love it.”

“And,” Carter said, turning to the judge, “I have missed sitting here at your fire, hearing tales of your days in court.”

“Well, perhaps we shall share some intriguing stories this day. I have some warm apple cider—not the hard stuff, mind you. Would you care for a mug?”

“I would,” Carter said, taking a seat in a rather outdated fauteuil near the fire. The armchair was one of his favorites. “I’m chilled to the bone.” Judge Arlington took the chair across from him and nodded as if in agreement to both his declaration of cold and of agreeing to drink cider.

“I’ll see to it,” Mrs. Arlington announced, “but only if you save your news until I return, Carter. I’ll let Lee know that you’re here as well. He had gone upstairs to change for supper.” She paused at the door. “You will join us—won’t you?”

“I had only meant to stop long enough to speak with Leander, but I would love to join you for supper,” Carter admitted.

A meal with the Arlingtons was always a delight. He enjoyed the laughter and obvious love shared between husband and wife—a far cry from what he experienced in his own home.

“Wonderful. I’ll tell Marta and Luppy right away. They love to cook for company. Supper won’t be long; perhaps you can save your talk for the table.”

Carter smiled. “I would be happy to do so.”

It was only a few minutes before Lee bounded in, bearing a mug. “Mother told me to give you this. I heard you’re staying for supper. You’ve made her quite happy.”

“Your mother loves to have Carter join us. She misses the days when your brothers and sister were still at home,” the judge added.

Carter took the mug and sampled the liquid. It was sweet with a hint of smoky flavor. “Thank you. This is quite good.”

“Luppy made it just a week ago. I prefer it age a bit longer but found this quite acceptable. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Judge Arlington announced, “I must take care of something before we break bread.”

Carter stood again as the older man got to his feet. “No,” the judge said, waving Carter back down. “Sit. Your words and deeds prove your respect for me more so than any chair–bobbing could.” He smiled broadly and added, “I shall see you both at the table.”

Once he was gone, Lee took his father’s chair. “You have made their evening complete. I have never seen two more delighted people.”

“I’m sure to be the delighted one, for the company and food will be considerably more appetizing than that which I might find at home.” He leaned forward. “Your note said you had news.

I was beginning to despair. It’s been weeks.” He sampled the cider again and cherished the flavor and warmth.

“Yes. I couldn’t get away, so I had to send my clerk. Sorry for that.”

“No bother. What have you learned?”

Lee smiled. “Not as much as I would have liked, but more than we knew. Catherine lives at the sewing house with her parents, Selma and Dugan Shay. Although, I will say that through various means of reaping information, it was told to me that Catherine often refers to them by their first names, rather than call them Mother or Father. Yet their relationship seems quite close.”

“Hmmm, an additional intrigue. And where are they from?”

Lee shrugged. “That I haven’t yet learned. I do know that they came to the sewing house in 1851.”

“Four years ago,” Carter said, trying hard to place where he might have first seen her in those years. He took a long drink from the mug.

“Prior to that, they were in New York City, apparently newly arrived from England. They lived for a time at a boardinghouse owned by a man and woman named Samuelson. Other than that, I’ve not been able to learn anything.”

“New York, eh? We could make a trip together.” He grinned, seeing the approval in Leander’s expression. “Perhaps the boardinghouse is still in business, and we could speak to the owners.”

“I must admit I was hoping you might say as much.”

“Come, boys, it’s time for supper,” Mrs. Arlington called from the doorway.

Carter put the mug aside and got to his feet quickly. “The aroma alone would have soon sent me in search of the kitchen, but the company shall entice me to sit civilly at the table and mind my manners.”

Mrs. Arlington laughed. “You are quite a welcome addition, my dear. Carter, I am positively beside myself to hear about the Montgomery house.” She reached for his arm as he came to join her at the door. “The ladies all over town are talking about it. Between your houses and that Miss Shay’s dress designs, I scarcely hear any other news.”

Carter found it quite interesting to be lumped into the same reference as Miss Shay. He liked the idea but thought it rather strange, nevertheless. Perhaps it was a sign of things to come.

He smiled at that thought.

Carter escorted Mrs. Arlington to the dining room and helped her to one of the cabriole chairs. Although at least eighty years old, the mahogany chairs maintained their luster against the gold upholstery. Next to this, a table of the same wood had been set in casual elegance with the family silver and china. Carter knew the pieces, along with the furniture, had been passed down through multiple generations and cherished. Unlike his mother, who preferred new pieces, Zilla Arlington took great delight in the things her family had shared for so many years.

The judge offered grace, and soon the servants were offering a bevy of succulent dishes.

Carter settled on the roasted pork and glazed almond carrots before turning to Mrs. Arlington. “The Montgomery house has been a great challenge. Mr. Montgomery has a strong opinion on how and where he wants each room, each piece of molding and window. However, I found that the more he came to realize my abilities, the less he worried about imposing details and instead listened to suggestions.”

“That in and of itself must have been a miracle,” Judge Arlington declared. “I’ve known the man for many years now, and he has never been one to listen.”

“Perhaps Carter’s impressive talent won him over,” his wife replied. “Tell me truly, Carter. Is it to have a bell tower? I heard just yesterday that it will.”

Carter laughed. “Not unless the old man has gone behind my back to add one. There is a cupola with a dome, and perhaps it is this which has inspired such unfounded gossip. The dome will have windows all around, which will allow for light in the stairway.”

They conversed easily, with Carter sharing details of his efforts to secure talented workmen for the project and Zilla Arlington asking about the number of rooms and fireplaces. Carter took great pleasure in sharing the details. No one at home had even cared to ask, save Winifred.

“I heard many of the materials are to be imported. Is that true?” Leander’s mother asked.

“The marble is to be imported from Italy, of course. Nothing but the best. There is to be no blemish in any piece.”

“My, but that will be a worry to keep looking its best,” she said, shaking her head.

“And what of you, son?” the judge asked, turning to Leander.

Leander shared of his day and the work he was doing to help a local farmer in a battle against the state. The judge weighed in with his thoughts, as did Lee’s mother. Carter couldn’t imagine his mother taking interest for one minute in the details of his work. By the time dessert had been served and eaten, Carter felt a deep sense of longing. Longing for a table where he might converse with someone who truly cared about his daily tasks.

Longing for a love that equaled what was found in the Arlington family. The realization that should Winifred marry Lee, they would truly be family offered little comfort. No, he wanted it for himself. He wanted to share a home where it mattered not in the least that the furnishings were old and no one dressed in the height of fashion.

After supper Lee and Carter discussed plans for the New York trip. They each agreed now was a good time to get away. They would go immediately, lest the month slip completely away.

“I can make arrangements and leave on the twenty-fourth,”

Lee stated. “Will that work for you?”

Carter nodded. “Indeed it will. I’ll get word to Montgomery that I will secure some of his additional building supplies while I’m there. That should keep him from being overly worried about my absence.”

“Wonderful. Shall we take the train?”

“I believe that would be in our best interest. The weather is far too unpredictable at this time of year.” Carter checked his pocket watch. “I must go. I’ll have Joseph drive us to the station.

I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“I shall be ready. How long do you suppose we should plan to be gone?”

Carter shook his head. “There’s no way of telling. Since you don’t have an address for the Samuelsons, we shall need time to hunt them down. I’d like to say we’d need no more than a week, but I would plan for two.”

Leander nodded. “Very well. I will direct anyone with questions to see my father. He’s good to step in when I need to be away.”

Winifred was in the foyer to greet him when Carter entered the house. “I missed you at dinner,” she told him.

Carter put his arm around her. “I shared supper with the Arlingtons.”

Her cheeks grew red as she asked, “Was Leander there?”

“Indeed he was. He asked after you. I told him you were well.”

She looked up and smiled. “He is very kind to ask.”

Carter laughed. “I think it has little to do with kindness. I believe the man is quite charmed by you.”

“What else did you discuss?” She looked away, as if to hide her embarrassment.

“Well, we’re to make a trip. We’re leaving day after tomorrow and going to New York.”

“Did I hear you say that you’re going to New York?” his mother asked as they entered the sitting room.

“Yes. I have some business there. Leander Arlington and I might be gone as long as two weeks.”

“Oh, you must see to purchasing new crystal while you are there,” his mother began. “We need at least another four dozen cups for the punch bowl, and perhaps two dozen wine glasses. There is so much to consider for the party.” She pressed her fingertips against her forehead. “I’m quite worried that I will forget something important. The party is only weeks away.”

“You always do a wonderful job, Mama,” Winifred said, leaving Carter’s side to take a chair on the settee beside their mother.

She patted her mother’s hand. “You will not forget anything important.”