Rumors and Promises (43 page)

“Oh, bother. For just the two of us? Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

“Whoa!” A loud voice said. Trotting horses on the street came to a standstill on the other side of the screen door.

“Oh my.” Maggie primped her hair and took her apron off.

They both looked out the door at the nicely turned out buggy. “Yes, oh my,” Ian added.

Seated for dinner less than an hour later, Mr. Herman Gloucester, and his wife, Phyllis, looked surprised when Maggie did the serving.

“Well, that’s all right. I like to see a thrifty pastor. It encourages the congregation to be more frugal and charitable. Don’t you think?” Mr. Gloucester raised a bushy eyebrow before he stuffed a healthy forkful of ham into his mouth.

“My husband and I are most anxious to hear more about the orphan’s home and school to be built in memory of the Barringtons.” Mrs. Gloucester’s silvery hair glistened like the fine
pearl necklace and earrings she wore. “We are so glad to be invited to hear more about your worthy charity.”

“We hope to eventually build a home for unmarried mothers, too.” Soliciting funds for the project gave Ian a headache.

“Yes, yes. Very ambitious of you.” Herman’s fork stabbed the air. “We’re looking forward to seeing our friends, Asa and Gloria. Too bad they had an engagement elsewhere.”

“Thank you for showing us such gracious hospitality despite their absence.” Phyllis took a dainty sip from one of Maggie’s best crystal goblets.

“They assured me that they would be at the church service this evening.” Ian nodded and smiled.

“Well, capital.” Mr. Gloucester bit off a rather large chunk of biscuit. His jowls worked over the piece. “Quite delicious. Perhaps we could get a copy of your recipe for our cook.” He changed the subject. “So, I noticed that you have a Bidershem piano.”

“Actually, it’s Maggie’s.” Ian nodded toward his sister, feeling the ache move farther up the back of his neck.

“Fine instruments they are. I toured the factory a few times. First-class operation.”

“Well, you’ll have a chance to meet Ian’s young lady tonight. She plays beautifully and has graced the keys of my piano many times.” Maggie looked very pleased, not realizing how close she’d come to identifying Sophie with the piano manufacturing family.

Ian took a bite of meat but stopped mid-chew. The salty flavor spread over his tongue. He pictured Sophie sitting at the mahogany Bidershem piano for the first time, remembering how shy she seemed, and apprehensive. None of them had known that the instrument had come from her family’s business. And with it must have entered many painful memories. Ian closed his eyes against the fear that niggled at the back of his mind. If the man had visited the Bidershems’ company, he probably hadn’t any connection with Sophie, but most likely only her father. He hoped.

“Your little town is quite charming.” Mrs. Gloucester’s smile lit her eyes. “What a beautiful place for orphans to be cared for, with your lakes and farms in the area.”

“I agree, my dear.” Mr. Gloucester swallowed and nodded. “Plenty of hearty outdoor activity for the children to partake in. Don’t you think, Reverend?”

“Of course. Both my sister and I have been enchanted by Stone Creek. It’s a fine place to set up a mission.” Ian forced a grin, somewhat relieved the subject had changed.

“Who would be interested in some blueberry cobbler for dessert?” Maggie rose and set her napkin on her chair.

Ian contemplated whether or not to warn Sophie. Surely the Lord hadn’t brought them this far to leave them in a quandary.

Sophie sat at the piano when Ian arrived with his guests for the service that evening. The man, with his handlebar moustache, and the woman, with her silvery hair and square face, looked vaguely familiar.

When it was time for her to begin, she played “Jesus Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” The quiet number added to the air of trust and peace Sophie felt as she smoothly played the hymn. When it was time for the sermon that evening, Sophie moved to the second pew on the left, facing the pulpit. The warm air carried the scents of polished wood and a faint odor of mildew like most buildings, which stood for many years, given by one generation to the next and reminding those present of the days past.

Ian began his time of teaching. He gripped the pulpit and cleared his throat. She could tell he was agitated and wondered what was bothering him. The worry in his eyes spoke volumes to her as their gazes connected for a moment. Ian scanned the congregation as he spoke. Was he having second thoughts about
the two of them? She smoothed her skirt and turned to check on Caira, who sat quietly next to Esther, several rows back. Relieved, Sophie faced forward again to find the woman with silvery hair seated in the first pew, watching her. The older woman’s brows furrowed. She twisted her head sideways and patted the back of her upswept hair.

Sophie studied the profile of the woman’s husband. His moustache twitched. Where had she seen them before?

“As we continue to look at Jesus as our shepherd …” Ian’s voice drifted into the background as Sophie was struck with an image.

There was that one time when she was six she had gone to the factory with Papa. A friend, interested in the piano business, was visiting.
“Sophia, shake Mr. Gloucester’s hand.”

“Yes, Papa.” She held out her little hand to be engulfed in his large, pink, doughy mitt.

“What do you say?” Papa smiled.

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Gloucester.”

The fat man chuckled. “Look what I have for you, dear.” He held out a sassafras candy stick.
He’d had more hair then, but she was sure it was the same person.

She thought of the times her family had occasionally seen the rich, childless couple over the years. They’d been quite kind.

“We have guests in the congregation.” Ian motioned for the Gloucesters to stand. “Herman and Phyllis Gloucester are visiting from Ann Arbor. They’re here to learn more about Gloria and Asa Myles’ plan to start an orphanage. They are looking to be a part of such a worthy endeavor.”

Sophie closed her eyes.
Dear God, not now, please. For Ian’s sake. For Caira’s sake
.
Please give us time to work this out, to approach the congregation.

What should she do if they recognized her? Should she leave as soon as she finished the postlude before anyone could question
her identity? Sophie sighed at the tiresome thought. She would just introduce herself as Sophie Biddle because of Ian, and Caira. Lying had never sat well with her, but what else could she do? Just until the wedding. Then she would have a new name and a brand new life. She would be able to come clean. Her stomach squeezed with tension for the remainder of the service.

Ian cleared his throat. “And now, Sophie will play our closing hymn.”

She jumped, unready to take her cue. All eyes were upon her. She moved toward the piano. Nodding and smiling, she felt heat spread over her face.

Sophie hurried a bit through the ending hymn. When she finished, the Gloucesters got up and moved toward her, staring intently. Sophie slid her glance downward, avoiding eye contact. She scurried toward the back of the church down the side aisle and stood in back, next to Ian while he greeted the congregants. When he had a moment, she would warn him.

The flustered-looking couple pressed their way forward in line. Sophie’s heart pounded like a drumbeat for someone who was being led to execution. It seemed louder as the Gloucesters drew nearer. Her palms grew sweaty inside her white cotton summer gloves.

Sophie groaned inwardly. Gertrude Wringer seemed to be making their acquaintance. Perhaps the busybody would slow them down for a moment, so Sophie had time to think.

CHAPTER 25

I
an tried to make out what Sophie whispered into his ear as she placed her hand into the crook of his arm. “What?” He leaned toward her, but Gertrude Wringer’s shrill voice kept him from hearing Sophie. The nasty woman pushed forward with his guests in tow.

“Well, Reverend, I am happy to finally meet some quality people around here.” Gertrude’s haughty thin-lipped smile resembled a wrinkle on a prune.

For the second time that day, Ian plastered an unwilling smile on his face. “Yes, well, the Gloucesters are good friends of the Myles family and have been kind enough to consider helping them with the finances of building a school for orphans.” He took some pleasure in sharing such details with her.

“I see.” Gertrude’s nose twitched.

Sophie trembled next to him.

“Mr. and Mrs. Gloucester, allow me to introduce you to a special friend of mine, Sophie …”

She nudged him in the ribs.

He shrugged. “Biddle.”

Sophie positively paled. “H-how do you do?” She held out her hand and leaned closer to Ian.

Mr. Gloucester took hers into his large one. “Young lady, you look so familiar to us.”

“Yes, like our dear friends’ daughter,” his wife added.

“You must be mistaken.” Ian understood. He needed to divert their attention. He put his arm around Sophie. “Perhaps you’d like to move to the lawn for the outdoor reception that’s been prepared for you folks, cold lemonade and cookies?”

“No rush,” Gertrude Wringer piped up. “This is quite interesting. Do tell us more about your friends’ daughter.”

Ian wanted to grab the spiteful woman by the arm and escort her to the door once and for all. He clenched his teeth. If only he could find a way to get Sophie and Caira away from Gertrude’s examination and on the way to the boardinghouse.

“But your name, it’s so close to
Sophia Bidershem.”
Mrs. Gloucester touched Sophie’s arm with a closed fan. “I’ve seen you play and sing before. I’m sure of it.”