The Daughter of Highland Hall (16 page)

“Read the next invitation.” Her aunt lay on the couch with a damp cloth covering her eyes and forehead, nursing a headache.

Kate opened the cream-colored envelope. “Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Poindexter-Hollander request your presence at a tea dance on Friday, the seventeenth of May, at four o’clock.” Kate sighed. “Who are the Poindexter-Hollanders?”

“No one of importance.” Her aunt huffed. “A tea dance. For goodness’ sake. What is the world coming to? Send our regrets.”

Kate rolled her eyes and set the invitation on the regret pile.

Louisa adjusted the cloth. “Are there any more?”

“Just one.” Kate slit open the large, light-blue envelope and pulled out the card. “Lord Matthew Harcourt and Lady Agatha Harcourt request your presence at a ball given in honor of their daughter Laurel Marie Harcourt on Saturday, the eighteenth of May.” Kate scanned the rest of the information. “Didn’t we meet them at the Gleasons’ garden party?”

“Yes, Laurel was the one with the outlandish hair style.”

Kate smiled. “Oh yes, I remember.” She thought Laurel’s hair actually looked quite nice, but she didn’t want to argue the point with her aunt, especially when Louisa had a headache.

“Agatha Harcourt is a high-minded prig, but they’re well connected. Send our acceptance.” Louisa slowly sat up and rubbed her temple. “Oh, dear, it’s almost time to change for dinner. I don’t know how I can manage it with this headache.”

“Perhaps Julia should come with me, and you can stay home and rest.”

Louisa’s eyes widened. “And miss dinner with the Wellingtons? I’d
have to be on my deathbed before I’d let that happen.” Her aunt dropped the cloth into the bowl on the end table. “This is the first time Edward’s parents have invited you to their home. We must both be there. And you must be on your best behavior.”

What would it be like to spend the evening with Edward’s family? Of course she’d met his parents when she attended the ballet with Edward, but being invited to dinner at their home was quite a different matter. “Do you think it will be a large dinner party or small?”

“I don’t know. We should be prepared for either.”

Kate sent her aunt a quizzical look. How did one prepare to attend a dinner?

Louisa stood, her hand on her forehead. “I’m going to ask Mrs. Adams if she has any headache powders, then I’ll go up to dress.”

“All right.” Kate turned back to the desk. “I’ll just finish these responses and then go up.”

“Do them quickly. You’ll need to redo your hair.” Louisa stopped by the library door and looked back at Kate. “Wear the violet silk gown with the silver beading. That one shows off your figure to the best advantage.”

Heat infused Kate’s cheeks. She loved the color, but that particular dress had a rather low-cut neckline. “Are you sure? That one seems a bit risqué for dinner with the Wellingtons.”

“Nonsense! You want to catch Edward’s eye, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I’d like him to look at my face and not my neckline.”

“For goodness’ sake, Katherine. Don’t exaggerate! That dress is perfectly respectable.” Louisa strode out of the library.

Kate sighed and turned back to the pile of invitations on the desk. She took a note card from the box and penned their acceptance to the Harcourts. Then she jotted a quick note of regret to the Poindexter-Hollanders.

“Ah, Kate, there you are.” Jon entered the library. “I hoped I’d see you.”

Kate turned and greeted Jon with a smile. “How was your day at the hospital?”

“Not too bad. I went to the East End after I finished my shift. I found the address for Lydia’s sister.”

“Oh, Jon, that’s wonderful. What’s it like?”

“The building is a bit run-down. There’s a butcher shop on the ground floor, and several flats above that. It’s not a very pleasant place, but I believe I could take you and Lydia there without putting you in too much danger.”

“Thank you. Lydia will be so grateful. When can we go?”

“Tomorrow, if you like.”

Kate turned back to the desk and studied her calendar. “I’m going riding with Edward in the morning, and I have a tea and a dinner tomorrow.”

He crossed to the desk and looked over her shoulder.

She glanced at the events as he read them, and her face warmed. None of them seemed important enough to delay their search for Helen. She scanned the coming week, looking for a few free hours. “If we went on Thursday morning, could we be back by one o’clock?”

Jon rubbed his jaw. “I’m supposed to work at the hospital that day, but Theo might cover for me.”

“Theo?”

“Yes, I worked his shift last Friday, so he might take Thursday for me.”

Kate studied him, wishing she knew more about Jon’s friends and his work at the hospital. The few things he had told her made it sound quite interesting. “It must be wonderful to train for an actual occupation.”

He cocked his head and studied her, a question in his eyes.

“I mean, I know it must take a great deal of hard work and sacrifice to become a doctor, but you’ll be saving lives every day.”

“It probably won’t be that dramatic, but it should be a rewarding career.”

She glanced at her calendar, a wave of uneasiness rising within. “My future doesn’t seem nearly as inspiring as yours.”

“Women may not always have the same opportunities as men, but marrying and raising a family can be just as rewarding.”

“Yes, of course … Still, I admire your dedication and commitment to—”

“Kate!” Louisa stepped through the doorway and glared at Jon. “Look at the time. You have to change. We’re leaving in twenty minutes.”

Kate sent her aunt a pointed glance. “I’m aware of the time. I’ll be along in just a moment.”

“See that you are.” Her aunt turned and stalked away.

Jon stepped back. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to delay you.”

“No. It’s all right. I have more than enough time to change. She’s just in a dither because we’re going to the Wellingtons’ for dinner.”

Jon stilled and met her gaze. “Edward Wellington’s?”

“Yes.”

He studied her for a moment, some undefined emotion shimmering in his eyes. “I hope you have a pleasant evening.” He started toward the door.

“Jon …”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder, his mouth set in a firm line.

“I appreciate you searching out that address. I do want to go with you on Thursday. I’m sure Lydia will as well.”

A muscle in his jaw flickered. “I’ll check and see if I can make the arrangements.”

“So … you’ll let me know?”

He hesitated a moment. “Yes. I will. Good night, Kate.”

She watched him go, her spirit deflating. For some reason she had disappointed him. Was it because they had to postpone their search for Helen until her social calendar cleared, or was it something else?

If only Louisa hadn’t come in and cut off their conversation … but she wasn’t sure that would’ve solved the problem. She had the unpleasant feeling she’d let Jon down, and she didn’t like that feeling at all.

“Good night, Papa.” Millie offered William a sleepy smile and kissed his cheek.

“Good night, Millie. Rest well, my dear, and we’ll see you in the morning.”

She yawned and took Ann’s hand. “All right.”

Andrew hugged Julia, then stood before William. “Are we going to see the changing of the guard tomorrow?”

William glanced at Julia, and she returned the question with her eyes. “I’m not sure, son. It depends on the weather and Kate’s schedule.”

Andrew clasped his hands. “Oh, please. You promised we’d go.”

“I know, but we’ll have to wait and see.” He gave the boy’s shoulder a pat. “Good night, son.”

Andrew blew out a deep breath. “All right. Good night, Papa.”

Ann led Millie and Andrew out the doorway and upstairs to their bedroom.

William eased back on the settee next to Julia, stretched out his long legs, and released a contented sigh. Raindrops drummed softly on the drawing room windows, and flames leaped and crackled in the fireplace, spreading welcoming warmth.

He leaned closer to Julia, enjoying her nearness and savoring the faint trace of lavender in the air around her. What a treat to have a few moments alone together. How much he was looking forward to their wedding day, their trip to Cornwall, and then returning to Highland to build their future together.

She looked up and smiled, the firelight glowing in her eyes. “How was your visit with David?”

William’s happy thoughts of his future with Julia faded as the issues with his brother rose to fill his mind. “Not well, I’m afraid.”

Julia’s smile dimmed. “What did he say?”

“The whole conversation lasted less than ten minutes, and none of it was pleasant.”

“So it’s true? He’s involved with Dorothea Martindale?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so, and he didn’t want to listen to anything I had to say about it.”

“How did you leave it?”

“I told him he should put an end to it. But he insists he cares for her deeply, and he won’t give her up.”

Julia took his hand. “I’m sorry. I know that puts you in a difficult position.”

“Yes, it seems my brother and I are always at odds about something, but this— It cuts so much deeper.” Thoughts of his late wife washed over him in a sorrowful wave. He lifted his hand to rub his eyes, wishing he could wipe away the memories of her unfaithfulness and banish the stain it had left on him and his family, but that was impossible.

Julia’s hand tightened around his. “I know this brings up painful memories from the past.”

William lowered his hand and looked her way. How could she read him so well? “I wish I could say it didn’t, but I’m afraid Amelia’s actions still cast a shadow over our lives, and to see my brother choosing the same destructive path makes it even more painful.”

Julia sat quietly for a few moments, her hand still in his. “There is nothing we can do about the past except forgive Amelia and release those burdens to the Lord, but it’s not too late for David to change course. God can still draw him back to his faith and his family, as He did the prodigal son.”

William sighed. “I don’t know. He seems far away from us and from God right now.”

Julia acknowledged that with a nod. “David has chosen a difficult path, and it may take some time eating from the pig’s trough before he wakes up and sees where those choices have taken him.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” William ran his thumb over the top of her hand, thankful to have someone so wise and caring willing to listen to his concerns. He didn’t deserve the love of a woman like Julia Foster. She was a saint compared to him, but he was learning to live out his faith day by day with her encouragement.

When he thought how he had almost let the painful issues from his past and her lack of social standing keep them apart, it shook him deeply. What a terrible mistake that would have been.

But the Lord had used his sister, Sarah, and her husband, Clark, to help him see the truth. And Julia had been gracious enough to forgive him, sacrifice her plans to return to India as a missionary, and accept his proposal. It
was nothing short of a miracle in his mind, and he would never cease to be grateful.

He looked across at her and squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”

She tipped her head and smiled. “For listening?”

“Yes, and for encouraging me not to give up hope.”

“God has been so faithful to us. That helps me believe He can do the same for David.”

William nodded, his burden easing. Julia was right. God was bigger than all these problems. He could touch David’s heart and turn the situation around for good. Their job was to keep praying and trusting Him. He shifted and focused on Julia. “So, tell me about your day.”

“We received a letter from Sarah this afternoon. She and Clark are back from their honeymoon, and she sounds very happy.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” His sister had married Clark Dalton, the head gardener at Highland, in early April, and the couple had traveled in Scotland following the wedding. Knowing she and Dalton were safely home at Highland eased his mind.

“Sarah interviewed two women for the position of housekeeper, but she hasn’t found a replacement for Mrs. Emmitt … so she is proposing another idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Clark’s mother, Mrs. Irene Dalton, would like to be considered for the position.”

William frowned. “Wouldn’t that be a bit awkward?”

“Perhaps, but Sarah believes it will work. Apparently Mrs. Dalton was a housekeeper for Dr. Laidlaw in Fulton for a few years. But when her daughter and son-in-law passed away, she left and took on the care of her granddaughter, Abigail.” Julia slipped her hand from his and turned to face him. “Mrs. Dalton lives with Clark in his cottage on the estate, but she could move into the main house if we would allow her to bring her granddaughter along.”

William frowned and shifted in his seat. “What about Clark and Sarah? Have they decided where they will live?” He had invited them to live
in the main house with him and Julia, but they had not told him their decision yet.

“If Mrs. Dalton were given the position of housekeeper, I think it might make Clark and Sarah more inclined to accept our invitation and stay with us.”

William glanced toward the fire, turning the situation over in his mind. “I like the idea of Sarah staying close by, but it would be a bit of an adjustment, having the gardener eating in the dining room with us each evening.”