A Question of Class (18 page)

“She does, Preacher Simmons,” said Catherine. “And I’d like to take her with me.”

“I see,” said the preacher. “Family, of course, is important. But how do I know you could provide Sophie with a stable home?”

Mrs. Allen grinned triumphantly. Catherine realized what a mess she must look like. Her shoes and cloak were caked with mud, and her hair was wild from the wind and rain.

“Money isn’t everything,” said the preacher. “If there isn’t a God-fearing man in the household.”

“The girl’s husband is French,” said Mrs. Allen with great finality.

Preacher Simmons pursed his mouth. “French. I see. That’s a shame.”

Catherine wouldn’t be able to win the man over with reason. Where was Benjamin? She’d hoped he’d be here by now.

“I’m not going with him.”

The quiet voice came from Sophie.

“My dear,” said Mrs. Allen, “you’re too young to know what’s good for you.”

“I’m leaving with my sister. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Catherine stared at Sophie. Pride welled in her heart. The girl was tougher than she appeared.

Mr. Allen raised his cane high in the air, and brought it down with a thwack within inches of Sophie’s head. Catherine could tell from Sophie’s quick reflex this wasn’t the first time he had used his cane in this manner.

He lifted his cane again, but this time Sophie gave him a kick to the leg before he could bring it down. Catherine ran forward and grabbed his wrist, yanking the cane out of his hand. He fell to the ground, and the preacher, trying to help, fell back with him. Catherine and Sophie stood close together and Catherine whipped the cane in the air around them.

Mrs. Allen blocked their access to the front door. “We’ll have the magistrates imprison you for that.”

“Back door,” yelled Sophie.

Catherine turned on her heel and followed her sister through the kitchen and out the way she’d come in, dropping the cane as she ran. Mrs. Allen screamed but couldn’t keep up, and Catherine slammed the door behind them. They careened around to the front of the house. The carriage was still there, but a group of young men with rocks and sticks surrounded the horses. Benjamin stood at the horses’ noses, brandishing a whip and protecting them from the gang.

Catherine called out Benjamin’s name, and saw relief sweep over his face.

“Let’s go,” she yelled, as she lifted Sophie up into the carriage and grabbed the reins.

The gang closed in as Benjamin scrambled into the carriage. He snapped his whip and Catherine urged the horses forward.

“I couldn’t get inside,” he said. His face was streaked with sweat. “The innkeeper must’ve sent out his gang to find us after we left.”

“We made it out, we’re fine,” said Catherine.

Catherine saw the preacher and Mr. and Mrs. Allen run into the front yard.

“I’ll ruin your reputation,” sputtered Mr. Allen. “You’ll be known as a disgrace.”

“It’s too late for that.” Catherine gave her sister a quick smile and they drove off, leaving the town of Bridgeport far behind them.

14

Benjamin felt a nudge in his ribs soon after the carriage crossed the state border. Catherine nodded over at her sister, who lay curled up in the corner of the carriage, lulled to sleep by the swaying movement and the horses’ rhythmic steps.

“She must be exhausted, poor girl,” she said.

He watched the girl’s gentle breathing and turned his attention back to the road. They’d galloped for miles and so far there was no sign of pursuit, but he kept the horses at a brisk trot just in case. “You left quite an impression on that town.”

“I’m sure they all believed I was putting on airs. Staying at the inn, being seen around town with a man not my husband. Once the word got out, there was no stopping their wrath. But now that’s done with, I’ll get you what you want.”

The words hung in the air between them. Benjamin knew in his heart Catherine would make good on her promise to give him the documents that would expose Delcour. But after that, he wasn’t sure where he’d be or what he’d do. He was no longer convinced bringing Delcour down would satisfy him. Making love to Catherine, now that would satisfy him, and he wished he could kiss her, or put his arm around her. But she would have to make her own way after this. Benjamin had no way of taking care of her, or her sister, and he’d already broken his promise to Dolly once. He would stay clear of Catherine as soon as they were done with their business together. He had already gotten far too involved.

“What will you do once we’ve returned?” he asked her.

“I could find work in a mustard shop,
non
?”

Benjamin smiled. “
Oui
. I’m sure you could.”

She turned to face him. “You did more than work for a mustard merchant in France, I’m fairly certain of that. Tell me the truth.”

Benjamin tried to look shocked. “Are you saying I lied?”

“Yes. And you can dance. You were lying about that.”

“But I was awful at dancing.”

“You were awful when you were trying to be awful. But when we were engaged in conversation, you couldn’t help yourself and you were quite graceful.”

The memory of holding her in his arms came swimming to the surface. “Perhaps I was a quick learner.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “The truth. Don’t you think we’ve been through enough?”

Benjamin stared at the long road ahead of them. He could lie, but she was right. She deserved the truth.

“When I was twenty, I landed in France and traveled around a bit. I liked the country, and the people. A vintner named Pierre Renard took me under his care when I was in Bordeaux. His only son had run off and I managed his estate for some time.”

“It sounds divine.”

“It was. The vineyard wasn’t large, but I could see what Pierre wanted it to become. The land was arid and the soil was perfect. I loved the work. And Pierre taught me everything about wine, not to mention good food.”

“And he taught you to dance?”

Benjamin laughed. “He insisted I accompany him to the balls at the chateaus nearby as his guest. He refined me, you might say, in many ways. I’d had a hardscrabble education before then, and I was bitter about what had happened to my family in Haiti, but Pierre could see I had possibility.”

“Both of us seem to have been diamonds in the rough, I suppose. Why did you ever leave?”

“Pierre’s son had been off in Italy, gambling away his annuity. When he ran out of money last year, he returned and I had to leave. There was no room for me there, although Pierre was ill and weak and I hated to go. But his son made it obvious I was no longer of use.”

“And that’s when you decided to come to New York and find Mr. Delcour?”

“Yes. I followed him to New York.”

Catherine was silent for a time.

“We’re both in a terrible bind, aren’t we?” she said finally.

“I’m afraid so.”

“But that explains a lot,” she said. “You’re not good at being a commoner.”

“Nor were you, from the looks of it.”

She laughed, and at that moment Sophie opened her eyes.

“Cathy.” Sophie leaned over and put her head in Catherine’s bosom. “Thank you for saving me.”

“You’re safe now,” said Catherine. “I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Benjamin Thomas.”

Sophie glanced shyly up at Benjamin. He smiled at her.

“Are you Cathy’s husband?”

Benjamin shook his head. “No, my dear.”

“It’s quite a long story,” said Catherine. “But Benjamin is a family friend, I suppose you could say. Let me see your face, dear girl.”

Benjamin smiled as the two stared into each other’s eyes. Sophie was a doll-like, younger version of Catherine. She had the same vivid chestnut-colored hair, with smaller features and cherubic skin.

“Are we going back to your house in New York?” she asked. “If you like I’ll clean and cook and take care of the household. I can polish silver and make fires. I promise I’ll be quite useful.”

Benjamin caught Catherine’s eye. She looked as if she was about to cry.

“I don’t know what we’ll be doing or where we’ll be staying yet, Sophie,” she said. “But I promise you won’t have to work so hard and I’ll find a school for you to go to. Or I’ll teach you myself. Would you like that?”

“I’d love that,” Sophie answered.

“You’ve already made yourself quite useful.” Catherine recounted to Benjamin how Sophie helped her disarm Mr. Allen.

They passed a tavern, and Benjamin suggested they take a break. From the way Sophie nodded a vigorous assent, he realized she must be famished.

The sun had broken through the clouds, so they sat at a wooden table outside and finished the rest of their rations. Benjamin brought out a couple of mugs of ale for himself and Catherine, and some lemonade for Sophie. He paused for a moment outside the inn, awed by the sight of the sisters sitting together in the last light of the day. A cool breeze whipped their hair around their faces, and the sun setting behind them made them look like a pair of goddesses, surrounded by light and fire. He’d never seen anything so beautiful, and had a surprising desire to shield them from the harsh world around them. It was what he wished he’d done for his sister, but had been unable to do.

He realized, listening to the giddy laughter of the sisters as they packed up, that the fire inside him, the one that had so desperately wanted to crush Delcour, had been replaced instead with a driving need to make love to the man’s wife. And not only that.
I love her
. It had crept up on him, Catherine’s guileless way of being, her passionate need to learn everything she could about the world around her, her devotion to her sister, everything about her being spoke to Benjamin and mirrored his own views and life experiences.
I love Catherine.
But his situation was hopeless. He had spent all his money on the passage from France. At the moment, he could barely support himself, never mind two other people, particularly in the manner to which Catherine had become accustomed.

Benjamin sat and listened as the two exchanged details of their lives. For the most part, Sophie had not been badly mistreated, only neglected and worked to the bone. She had a lively mind, and Benjamin was sure she would overcome her difficult childhood, as Catherine had done. Catherine explained to Sophie her circumstances had changed and they would have to go away.

“Go away? To where?” Sophie furrowed her brow.

“I thought maybe we could go to France together, would you like that?” replied Catherine.

“Yes, I certainly would,” said Sophie in her serious little voice. “Will I be able to learn French?”

“I see no reason why not. I did, so why shouldn’t you?”

“How lovely,” exclaimed Sophie. “We’ll start tomorrow, all right? You’ll teach me and I promise I’ll learn quickly. Mr. Allen always said I was a quick learner.”

“I’m sure he did,” said Catherine. “First, though, Mr. Thomas and I have some business to attend to in town. Once that’s taken care of, we’ll figure out how to get passage on a ship. It’ll be quite exciting, I assure you.”

Sophie glanced up at Benjamin, checking in with him. He nodded, reassuring the girl.

“And will you come with us, Mr. Thomas?” she asked.

Benjamin was at a loss for words. The thought of leaving Catherine, and not ever seeing her beautiful body or feeling her touch on his skin, made him ache inside. He wanted more of her, no matter how much he tried to put it out of his mind.

“I have to stay in New York, I’m afraid.”

“Yes,” said Catherine. “Mr. Thomas has begun something, and it’s important to see things through.”

“I see,” said Sophie.

Catherine kissed the girl on the top of her head and drew her close, and Benjamin turned away.

* * * *

Sophie, sated with food, fell asleep again as soon as the carriage began moving. Catherine glanced up at Benjamin to see if he noticed, but his eyes were on the road.

She took a deep breath. “Look, Benjamin, I know I’m in a terrible bind, and you can’t help me out of it. I’ve drawn you into this mess I’ve created. But once we’re back in New York, I’ll find the ledgers and you’ll be free to go.”