A Love All Her Own (13 page)

“You had something to do with this, didn’t you, Wellington?” Robert yelled as they took him off.

Marcus didn’t bother to answer. He breathed a sigh of relief that no one, especially Abigail, had been hurt. He turned to look at her. She and her friends couldn’t seem to take it all in.

“I. . .can’t believe it!” Rebecca shook her head. “I just can’t.”

“He murdered someone? How can that be?” Jillian asked.

“I—” Abigail shook her head. “I don’t know what to say. He—I—”

“Let’s all go to that little café around the corner and talk about it,” Edward said. “I can’t believe he’s been part of our crowd and we never suspected that he could be a criminal.”

“Could they have the wrong man?”

“I don’t think so,” Marcus said. “There is a lot of evidence against him.”

“Is Robert right?” Reginald asked. “Did you have something to do with his arrest?”

“I told the chief I knew where he’d be tonight.”

“Then you helped, didn’t you?” Edward stated.

“And if you knew a murderer was right under your nose, you wouldn’t have?”

“Why—I suppose I would.”

“Let’s get off the street and go talk,” Rebecca said.

“I don’t want to go anywhere but back to the hotel,” Abigail said. She looked up at Marcus and asked, “Will you see me back to the hotel, please?”

“Of course.”

“I’m much too wound up to sleep,” Jillian said. “I—we need to decide if we are leaving tomorrow or if we should stay. . . .”

“I’ll see Abigail back to the Arlington,” Marcus said.

“Are you sure you won’t come with us, Abigail?” Jillian asked. “We’re just getting some coffee and dessert.”

“No, thank you. I’m not up to it tonight,” Abigail said. “Knock on my door and let me know what you decide, or if it’s too late, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As the others headed in one direction, Marcus and Abigail headed toward the hotel. But when he pulled her hand through his arm, she looked up at him and said, “I want to know it all, Marcus. Now.”

Thirteen

Marcus chuckled. He’d had a feeling Abigail would have some questions. He just prayed she wouldn’t connect it all back to the fact that he’d been investigating her along with her friends. “What do you want to know?”

She shook her head and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I knew that I didn’t like being around Robert. . .but that he was a murderer? I went to a ball with him in Eureka Springs once! It’s just so hard to believe.”

She shivered, and Marcus pulled her a little nearer. “Are you cold?”

“No. I’m just so appalled that he could do something like that. I had no idea. None of us did.”

Marcus didn’t doubt that for a moment. That she was truly stunned to find out about Robert was obvious, and he had to admit that he was relieved she had no prior knowledge of the man. But she was paler than he ever remembered seeing her. “Look, why don’t we go into the dining room and have some tea to settle your nerves?”

She hesitated only a moment before she nodded. “Yes, that will be fine. A cup of tea sounds good. I just didn’t want to discuss it all with the others.”

Nor did he. Marcus asked for an alcove table so that they wouldn’t be disturbed, and once the waiter had taken their order, he turned to Abigail. “I did have a hand in getting him arrested. I admit that I haven’t liked him from the first. Just something about him put me on edge.”

“I can understand that. But how did the police know about him?”

“I told them.”

“How did you know about him?”

“I had him investigated. I sent an agent to find out what he could about him.”

“Oh. . .”

“Abigail, when you’ve been in this business as long as I have, sometimes you just get a feeling about people.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

The waiter returned with their tea, and Marcus waited until he’d poured them both a cup and left before continuing the conversation. “I’m sorry if my having him checked out bothers you. I just became worried about your safety when he was around, and I—”

“Oh, I’m not upset with you, Marcus. I. . .it’s just hard to believe that someone I saw often socially is a murderer.” She shivered again. “How—what exactly did he do?”

“He’s made a career out of marrying rich young women. Three, to be exact. But they died from mysterious causes, and we think he poisoned them. All except for the last one. He shot her and ran.”

“Oh. . .” Abigail put a hand to her chest. “He just shot her?”

“Yes. After making sure he cleaned out all of her accounts.”

“I. . .I’m at a loss for words.”

“I know. That kind of temper. I knew he’d been pursuing you, and I wasn’t sure what he was capable of. From the first, something about him just. . .didn’t set well with me.” He didn’t tell her that a lot of his dislike for the man was personal. He had never liked the way Robert looked at Abigail. . .not from that first day. He’d come to Hot Springs to find her. Marcus had no doubt of that now.

“Go on,” Abigail prompted.

“Once my agent got back into town with the information, I contacted the police chief, and we came up with the plan for tonight. I didn’t want one more day to pass with him in this hotel with you.”

“Well, now that we know what kind of man he is, I certainly wouldn’t want to have him here either.” Abigail shivered. She sipped her tea and was silent for several minutes before continuing. “Thank you for. . .watching over me, Marcus. I know Papa asked you to, but I don’t think I’ve ever told you I appreciate that instead of leaving it all to your agents, as you could have, you’ve done a major part of looking after me when I’m sure you had other things that needed your attention. Not only that, but you’ve put up with my friends when I know you haven’t really wanted to. I. . .thank you.”

Marcus reached across the table and took her free hand in his. “Abigail, you don’t need to thank me. You are a fam—”

“Family friend. I know you say that. But when I got here, only my parents were the family friends. And I was a very spoiled, bitter woman. I’m sure that you wondered just what you’d gotten yourself into by telling my father you’d keep me safe.”

“I think you were going through a rough time.” Marcus hesitated and then admitted, “Your father told me you’d just gone through a broken engagement.”

“Oh? What else did he tell you?”

He hurried to assure her that her father hadn’t given him her life history. “That you needed to get away and that you’d be checking into some business for him.”

He could see her relax and felt like a heel. What would she do if she knew he’d had her and the rest of her friends investigated? That he knew she wasn’t the woman she’d been when she arrived in Hot Springs? How would she feel knowing that he knew a lot about her, but it didn’t come from her father? Should he tell her now?

No. She’d been through enough just finding out a friend of hers was a criminal. He didn’t need to stress her more right now. But he had to tell her before she began to put it all together. And he had to pray that she would forgive him when he did.

❧

As Marcus saw her to her room, Abigail felt totally safe and cared for. Something about being with this man made her feel special. That he’d had Robert investigated because he was concerned about her safety gave her hope that he might care about her as more than just an. . .assignment.

She’d canceled her nightly tea order on the way out of the dining room. She’d enjoyed sharing her tea with Marcus, although he only drank one cup to her two. It was a nice way to end the evening, and she hoped that once her friends went back to Eureka Springs, they might be able to end an evening like this more often. Of course it could be that once her friends left town, she’d see less of Marcus, too. That thought didn’t set very well with her. Not at all.

Marcus took her room key and checked everything out for her as usual, and Abigail realized how much safer she felt knowing he always made sure her room was safe.

“Here you are.” Marcus handed the key to her. “I hope you sleep well after all the commotion this evening.”

“I think I will. Thank you for seeing me back safely.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned against the door frame. “Are you sure you are all right? You still look a little pale.”

“I’m fine. It is just a shock to know that we’ve had a criminal in our midst. . .and that we befriended him.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“What will happen to him now?”

“I imagine he’ll be taken back to Kansas to stand trial.”

“Which is what he deserves.”

“Yes, it is. Are you going to be all right?” Marcus tipped her chin to look into her eyes, and her heart remembered the last time he’d done that. It had ended with him kissing her. . .his head dipped toward her now, and her heart began to pump at double time. Surely he could hear it. She closed her eyes—

“Abigail! You
are
still up!” Jillian and Rebecca came rushing down the hall toward her room. “We were hoping you would be. You should have come with us!”

Marcus moaned and stood straight. “Your friends have the worst timing. . . .”

Her heart did a flip-flop at his words. She didn’t like the interruption any better than he did.

“I felt a little better by the time we got back, and we had tea here,” she said, explaining why she and Marcus were just now getting to her room.

“Maybe we should have come with you,” Jillian said with a sly grin.

“You could have.” Abigail raised an eyebrow at her friend. “I believe you were the ones who wanted to go elsewhere.”

“You’re right,” Jillian conceded with a giggle.

“I’ll let you ladies talk over the events of the evening and check in to see how you are in the morning.”

“Good,” Jillian said. “We can tell you good-bye then, Marcus.”

“We’ve decided to leave on the afternoon train,” Rebecca explained.

“Oh?” Abigail tried not to sound too happy, but she truly wouldn’t be sorry to see them go.

“Yes. Reginald and Edward are ready to get back. Besides, it would just seem. . .strange to stay now, with Robert in jail,” Rebecca said.

“And they can’t wait to get home and tell everyone about what happened,” Jillian added.

“Oh, Jillian, you act like we are a bunch of gossips. You can stay here if you want.” Rebecca flounced into Abigail’s room.

Marcus backed away and gave them all a salute. “I’m sure you all have much to talk about. I believe I’ll leave you to it. Good night.” He smiled at Abigail. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night.” Abigail couldn’t blame him for making a quick exit. She didn’t want to be in the middle of this conversation. Jillian followed Rebecca into Abigail’s room, and she had no choice but to join them.

“I just can’t believe that Robert is a criminal!” Rebecca said, dropping down on the settee and throwing an arm over her forehead. “Surely they have the wrong man.”

Have I always been that dramatic?
Abigail wondered. “I don’t think they do, Rebecca.”

“How could we not have known he was that kind of man?” Jillian asked.

“Because,
that
kind of man goes to all kinds of lengths to make sure no one does know.”

“I suppose so. But it’s just so. . .disturbing.”

“What all did Marcus know? Was he in on the arrest?”

“I believe the police chief wanted his assistance.”

“And he put us all in danger to capture him? Surely they could have found a way to do it when Robert was alone.”

“And when would that have been, Rebecca?” Abigail asked. She didn’t like the implication that Marcus didn’t care about their safety when she knew he did. “The police had people all over the place. Not to mention that Marcus was right with us. I’m sure we were in no danger—no more than we’ve been in all this time we’ve accepted him into our homes, anyway.”

“Abigail is right,” Jillian said.

“I suppose,” Rebecca grudgingly admitted.

An hour later, Jillian and Rebecca finally went to their room. They’d discussed Robert’s arrest from beginning to end at least three times and why none of them had seen what kind of man he really was. Abigail was weary from hearing it, but it was hard to turn her mind off as she got ready for bed. She was very relieved that Robert was no longer there to frighten her. The events of the evening left Abigail with mixed feelings. On one hand, she was appalled to find out about Robert. And she was disgusted that she’d had anything at all to do with him. Yet she was thankful that she wouldn’t have to put up with any more of his advances. No wonder she’d been frightened of him. Maybe it was because her relationship with the Lord had strengthened and she was finally listening to the instincts He gave her. At least she hoped they were right because she was beginning to think that Marcus might actually care about her, too.

She knelt beside her bed and prayed, “Dear Lord, Thank You for this day. Thank You for letting Papa ask Marcus to protect me. I know I fought it at first, but I was wrong. He has done a wonderful job of keeping me safe. Thank You for letting him find out about Robert and for helping to capture him before he hurt anyone else. Please watch over Jillian, Rebecca, Reginald, and Edward on their way home. I pray that they let You work in their lives as You have in mine, Father. I believe Jillian wants You, too, and I pray that the others will, as well. Please watch over Marcus and his family, and thank You for bringing them into my life. If it be Your will, please let Marcus care about me the way I care about him. I love him so. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

Fourteen

When they all gathered in the Arlington dining room for lunch the next day before her friends left on the afternoon train, Abigail was more than a little pleased that Marcus joined them. Of course, the talk was still all about Robert.

“Edward and I went to see him this morning, and they’ve already taken him off to Kansas!” Reginald said.

“Why would you do that?” Abigail asked.

“You went to see him?” Rebecca asked. “Why? He’s a—”

“I don’t know.” Edward sighed and shook his head. “We just felt we had to find out more, I suppose. To be truthful, I’m glad that we didn’t see him. I have no idea what I would have said. I feel he played us all for fools.”

“We were taken in, to be sure,” Reginald said. “But I was surprised that he was gone already.”

“I imagine the chief didn’t want to chance his escape. No one likes the idea of a murderer on the loose,” Marcus said.

“True, true,” Reginald agreed. “How did you become involved, Wellington?”

Marcus shrugged. “I had a feeling about him from the first, and I sent an agent to find out what he could.”

“It was that easy? Why hadn’t he been found out before now?”

“I’d assume it was because no one else became suspicious enough to check into his background.”

The waiter brought out their food just then, and the conversation stopped until he’d left.

“You sent an agent? What kind of agent? What exactly is it you do, Wellington?” Edward asked.

Suddenly, Abigail realized how truly self-centered her friends were. None of them had ever inquired about what Marcus did for a living. Not one. They must have thought he was one of the wealthy with time on his hands just like they were.

“I own Wellington Agency.”

“And. . .it is what kind of agency?” Reginald asked.

“It is a detective/protective agency.”

Reginald sat back, seemingly stunned. It was all Abigail could do not to laugh. How shallow they were. Had they but asked. . .

“You investigate people for a living?”

“Yes, if there is a need. My agency also protects clients. I assumed you knew, but that was probably egotistical on my part. Although my firm is getting more well-known all the time, it will never be the size of the Pinkerton Agency.”

“I assumed you all knew, too. I’m sorry.” Abigail looked at Marcus. “I should have told them.”

“No need, really.”

“Well, not unless we’re the ones being investigated.” Reginald laughed. “Of course, we aren’t wanted for anything other than having a good time. It’s good to know who to call on should we ever be in need of your services.”

“Do you only have the one office here?” Rebecca asked.

“At present. But I’m getting ready to open one in Little Rock, and I’m thinking about opening up one in Eureka Springs, too.”

“My, what interesting stories we have to tell back home,” Edward said. “I’m assuming you’ve been protecting our Abigail while she’s here, but why? She never needed protection at home.”

“Yes, my firm is making sure Abigail stays safe while here. At home in Eureka Springs, she had her father and friends”—Marcus looked Edward in the eye—“and she knew almost everyone in town, but she’d never been to Hot Springs, and it was new to her. And, last but certainly not least, she is a family friend, after all. That is all the reason I’d need to watch over her.”

“Yes, well, that’s been quite obvious during our visit. Not something more the two of you want to tell us, is there?”

Abigail’s heart stopped when her gaze met Marcus’s. The look in his eyes was for her alone. She felt it deep inside.

“If there’s anything we feel you need to know, Edward, we’ll telegraph you,” she said.

Rebecca laughed. “I think you’ve been properly put in your place, Edward! Let’s change the subject. Talking about Robert gives me the shivers. When do you think you’ll be coming home, Abigail? Surely you’ll be there for the holiday season. I’m sure your parents are expecting you for Thanksgiving, and that’s less than two months away.”

“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I do, though.”

“Yes, we must keep in better contact now that we know where you are,” Jillian said. “I will miss you so!”

The talk turned to their plans for the holidays and how many events were planned, but Abigail didn’t feel left out. She had no desire to attend most of the events they talked about. For the present, she only wanted to be here. . .where the man she’d come to love sat next to her. He bent toward her now and whispered, “I know you are going to be lonesome without your friends for a while, at least. Would you have dinner with me tonight?”

“That would be very nice, Marcus. I’d love to.” There was nothing she’d rather do.

❧

No one was happier to see Abigail’s friends off at the train station that afternoon than Marcus. And he was more than a little thankful that Abigail was standing beside him and not on that train, waving back at him with them. He couldn’t bear the thought of her going back to Eureka Springs, and it was time to tell her how he felt. But when he did, he had to tell her that he’d investigated her. That he knew all about her life before she came to Hot Springs. . .and he just wasn’t sure how she was going to take it all.
Dear Lord, please let me know when and how to tell her.

“Thank you for seeing them off with me, Marcus,” Abigail said as he saw her back to the hotel.

“You are welcome.”

Abigail checked with the desk clerk and was pleased to be handed a packet of letters from home.

Marcus walked her to her room and, after checking everything out, he asked, “Will you be all right until I pick you up for dinner? Would you like to go see my mother?”

“I always love seeing your mother, but Jillian and Rebecca kept me up late last night. I think I’ll just rest for a while and read my mail. I may need to answer some letters.”

“All right. I didn’t want you feeling too lonesome with everyone gone.”

“I’m sure I’ll feel a bit at loose ends for a few days. . .although to be truthful, I was ready for them to go. All except for Jillian—I do hate to see her leave. I found out that she is a true friend.”

“I’m glad. But I know Mother and Father will be glad to see more of you, too.”

“Spending Sundays at church and with your family have been the highlight of my week. I do wish my friends had come to hear some of John Martin’s sermons while they were here. I think if Jillian had stayed a little longer, she would have. . .but the others. . .” She shook her head. “But it’s not them who have changed. It’s me.”

Marcus knew she was right, but now wasn’t the time to tell her. He could only pray that the Lord would show him when that was. “I’ll be back to take you to dinner at seven, then.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Marcus’s heart swelled at her words, and he knew he’d be counting the hours before he saw her again.

❧

Abigail undid the packet of letters and shuffled through them. There was one from her parents and. . .her heart turned over when she saw the name of the sender of the next letter. Nate had answered her letter! Had he forgiven her? She was afraid to open it for fear that he had not, but she had to know. Her fingers shook as she slit it open with her letter opener. She sat down at the writing desk and pulled out the letter:

Dear Abigail,

I thank you so much for your letter. Of course I forgive you—I know that you never meant me harm. My question is, will you forgive me? I should never have asked you to marry me knowing that I loved Meagan. It was wrong of me, and I am so very sorry for the pain I caused you. I know that you have always had Natalie’s best interests at heart, and I know how much she means to you. Please know that Meagan and I have been explaining much to her. . .and I know that she loves you.

From your letter, I know that you will be glad to know that Meagan and I are very happy, and we wish that for you as well. We pray that you will find someone who loves you in the way you deserve—for you have much love to give. You will always be welcome in our home, and we hope that you will return soon. Your mother and father miss you a great deal.

Thank you again for your letter.

Sincerely,

Nate

Abigail noticed a page behind the first. It was a letter from Meagan. If anything, Abigail’s fingers shook even more as she began to read:

Dear Abigail,

Thank you for your letters to us all. Please rest assured that you have been forgiven. As I’ve come to hear more about you and your help with Natalie through the years, I understand even more how much she means to you. Please know that you are always welcome in our home, as Nate said in his letter. You always will be. As Natalie’s aunt, you are family. She loves you and misses you a great deal. May God bless you and keep you. We do pray that He will bring someone in your life to make you as happy as we are.

Sincerely,

Meg

Abigail found that she couldn’t stem the tears of happiness that flowed. It was several minutes before she could see well enough to open the next letter. It had no name as the sender on it, but it was postmarked Eureka Springs; she prayed that it was the one she needed most of all. She opened it, and her heart leaped at the realization that this one was indeed the letter she’d truly been waiting for. She had to keep wiping at her eyes as she read the childish handwriting:

Dear Aunt Abby,

I do forgive you. Please forgive me. I know it wasn’t your fault that Mommy fell down the stairs. You were trying to save her, too. Like you saved me. I know that you love me, and you didn’t cause me to fall down the stairs. I ran too fast and tripped. Please don’t blame yourself. I love you, too. Please come home soon.

Love always,

Natalie

Finally, Abigail knew she’d been forgiven. Her Natalie still loved her. Abigail gave in to the tears and let herself cry long healing sobs.
Thank You, Lord
.

❧

When Marcus arrived to take Abigail to dinner, she opened the door to him with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. She’d never looked lovelier. The dress she wore was different shades of purple, although he was sure it had some fancier name. Whatever it was called looked beautiful on her. Her skin glowed, and her eyes were shining in a way he’d never seen before. Maybe her friends should have left a week or so ago, if their going had this kind of effect on Abigail.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he said.

“Thank you.” She gathered her bag, and after making sure the door was locked, they headed downstairs. Marcus had made reservations for them and asked for an out-of-the-way table that overlooked the street. Abigail liked looking out at the streetlights, and he wanted somewhere fairly quiet. Last night had been the only evening in weeks that he’d had her to himself for any length of time, and they’d spent that talking about Robert Ackerman. Marcus wasn’t going to miss her friends at all.

They were shown to a corner table that had a view of the street yet was more private than some of the others. He held Abigail’s chair for her and then sat down across from her. The waiter placed menus in front of them and then left them alone.

“Were you able to rest this afternoon?” She looked. . .more refreshed and alive than he could ever remember.

“I didn’t take a nap, but I can’t remember when I’ve had a better afternoon. The letters I received gave me joy.”

Marcus wanted to ask about them but didn’t feel he had the right to yet. And once he told Abigail about looking into her past, as he knew he must, he might never have that right.

❧

Abigail had never experienced a more perfect night. She didn’t know if it was because of the forgiveness she’d received from her letters or from Marcus sitting across from her. She had a feeling it was a combination of both. From the time Marcus had picked her up, she’d felt more special than she ever had in her life. The look in his eyes told her that he found her attractive, that he was happy being with her, too. She was beginning to believe that she could put her past behind her and look to a future.

She’d let him order for her, and they had the same meal they’d enjoyed on the first night they’d eaten together. Only this time, it felt special—as if it were their meal, their evening.

“I have to tell you that I wasn’t real sorry to see your friends take off.” His dimple flashed as he grinned at her.

She couldn’t help but laugh. “They can be quite—”

“Irritating to be around—I’m sorry, Abigail. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sure they aren’t irritating to you, but it got a little tiring not being able to. . . ” Marcus stopped and shook his head. “Never mind. I guess I just resented the fact that I rarely saw you without them.”

At his admission, Abigail’s heart turned to mush. He’d missed being with her. . .just as she’d missed him. Hope soared inside that what she was feeling—what she hoped
he
was feeling—was real and not just a dream.