The Daughter of Highland Hall (36 page)

His parents had arrived that afternoon, but he hadn’t had an opportunity to speak to them about his decision to stay in London and work at Daystar. He glanced across at them and tried to push away his concern. Everything would be fine. They would understand. They might even be pleased he was staying in the country and would live only a train ride away.

“Come on, everyone.” Julia rose and crossed to the piano. “Andrew has learned a new song, and he’d like to play it for us before dinner.”

Andrew slowly followed her. “Do I have to play?”

“No, but I’m sure everyone would enjoy it.”

“We would love to hear your song, Andrew.” Jon’s mother joined them.

“Yes, what a fine idea,” Jon’s father added as he rose from his chair.

Andrew sat on the piano bench and swung his feet back and forth. “Shouldn’t we wait for Papa?”

Julia glanced toward the entrance hall, then back at Andrew. “You can play it again for him when he comes. I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”

“All right.” Andrew opened his sheet music and placed his hands on the keys.

Everyone had circled around the piano except Lady Gatewood. She remained seated, tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair and glancing at the clock.

Andrew launched into the song with enthusiasm, but he soon hit a wrong note. Jon winced, and his appreciation for his sister’s patience grew by a mile. Then his gaze drifted toward Kate.

She looked lovely this evening. Her white lace blouse was a fine contrast to her dark-blue skirt. The only jewelry she wore was a small cameo pinned at her neck, but with the light of the chandelier sparkling in her eyes and her face glowing with life, she didn’t need any other jewels.

When he’d first come to Ramsey House, he had been impressed by her beauty but disappointed that her only goals seemed to be making an impression on society and receiving a marriage proposal before the end of the season.

But since David’s misdeeds came to light and her social calendar cleared, Kate’s interests had shifted. Her work at Daystar and her efforts to help Lydia’s sister seemed to have awakened her to the needs of those around her. He hoped they had also softened her heart to the Lord … and to him.

Andrew hit another wrong note, and it drew Jon’s attention back to the piano. The boy tried to find his place, but he made a series of mistakes.

Millie giggled and covered her mouth.

Andrew banged out the next chord, then scowled at Millie. “You don’t even know how to play, so you’ve no cause to laugh at me!”

Millie’s smile melted away, and her chin quivered.

“That’s not kind, Andrew.” Julia shifted her gaze to Millie. “Your brother has worked hard to learn this song. I’m sure you want to encourage him.”

“Sorry, Andrew. Please play some more.”

His scowl eased. He turned back and pounded on the keys again.

“Gently, Andrew.” Julia laid her hand on his shoulder. “Gently.”

Andrew lightened up as he finished the song. They all applauded, and he hopped up and bowed. Twice.

“Good work, Andrew.” Jon clapped the boy on the shoulder.

The clock struck eight, and Lady Gatewood glared toward the empty doorway. “How long are we going to wait for William?”

Julia looked from Lady Gatewood to her parents. “I’m sorry. He must have been delayed at the office, but I’m sure he’ll—”

William strode through the doorway. “I have wonderful news!”

Julia hurried to meet him. “What is it?”

“A man has confessed to Reginald Martindale’s murder!”

Kate’s mouth dropped open. Penny squealed and grabbed Kate in a tight hug.

Lady Gatewood lifted her hand to her chest. “Thank heaven!”

“Come and tell us everything,” Julia said.

He took Julia’s arm and walked to the center of the room. Everyone gathered around. “Our private investigator, Mr. Jeffers, discovered Reginald was behind an investment scheme that defrauded some of the wealthiest and most influential men in London.”

Lady Gatewood gasped. “Good heavens. How dreadful.”

“A man named Ernest Leifstrom, the owner of a ship-building company, had given Reginald huge sums of money to invest. Leifstrom introduced him to other businessmen, who were taken in on the scheme as well. But later Leifstrom’s suspicions were roused, and he decided to go to the Martindales’ home and search for evidence of wrongdoing. That was the night Reginald returned unexpectedly from Spain and found David and Dorothea together.”

Penny lifted her hand. “Wait, you mean Mr. Leifstrom was in the study when Reginald ran in looking for his gun?”

“Yes. Apparently Leifstrom tried to run out, but he and Reginald wrestled their way into the entrance hall. Reginald tried to shoot Leifstrom, but Leifstrom turned the gun away, and it went off. He says he didn’t mean to kill Reginald. He was only trying to defend himself.”

Jon’s mind spun as he took in the story. “Has Leifstrom been arrested?”

“Yes, Mr. Jeffers took the information about the investment scheme to
the police this morning. They brought Leifstrom in for questioning, and he confessed.”

“Has David been released?” Julia asked.

“Not yet, but Mr. Bixby has appealed to the judge, and he hopes David will be free very soon.”

Lady Gatewood clasped her hands. “This is such a relief! As soon as this news spreads, Katherine will be welcomed back into society and invitations will begin arriving again.”

Kate stared at her aunt. “But … do you really think the tide can turn that quickly?”

“Of course! Your cousin has been wrongfully accused of murder, and that will rouse everyone’s sympathy.”

Kate shook her head, still looking stunned by the news. “But his involvement with Dorothea is common knowledge now.”

Lady Gatewood waved Kate’s comment away as though it were an irritating fly. “Reginald Martindale’s schemes and this other man’s confession will overshadow all of that. And I will speak to a few people who will circulate our version of the story. I’m sure that will be all we need.”

Penny took Kate’s hand. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

Kate hesitated. “Yes, I’m happy … for David.”

“And when Edward and his parents hear the news, I think you’ll be seeing much more of him.” Lady Gatewood practically sang the words.

Jon watched Kate, his spirit deflating. Would she resume attending a stream of parties, balls, and dinners with Edward Wellington at her side? If she did, what hope was there for him to win her heart?

Kate’s bedroom door opened, and the sound roused her from a disturbing dream. She had been chasing the Hartman children down a dark alley, but she could not reach them. She blinked a few times, pushed the hazy images away, and rolled over.

Lydia slipped in. “Good morning, miss.” She crossed to open the drapes.

Kate started to reply, but her throat felt dry and painful. “Morning, Lydia.” Her voice came out raspy.

“Are you all right, miss?”

Kate tried to swallow. “My throat feels dreadful.”

Lydia crossed to the bed and scanned Kate’s face. “You look flushed.”

“I do feel rather hot, and my head is pounding.” She sat up, but that only made her headache worse. “I won’t be going down, at least not right now.”

“Shall I bring up a breakfast tray, miss?”

Kate lay back on her pillows, then draped her arm over her eyes to block the light from the windows. The thought of facing eggs and sausages made her queasy stomach contract. “No, I don’t think I can eat anything.”

“Perhaps some warm tea with honey and lemon might help your throat.”

“Yes, thank you.” Kate rubbed her temple. “Would you ask Miss Foster to come up?” She’d much rather ask Julia for advice than Louisa. Her aunt had no sympathy for anyone who was ill.

“Right away, miss.” Lydia hurried out the door.

Kate sighed and closed her eyes. What a disappointment. She had been so looking forward to going with Jon and his family to the meetings of the London Missionary Society. Even if she could stir up the energy, she was most likely contagious, and it would be inconsiderate to expose everyone to this illness.

She would have to rely on Penny to give her a secondhand report about the meetings. Unfortunately, her sister was not known for paying attention to details.

A knock sounded at the door, and Julia looked in. “Lydia said you’re not feeling well.”

“Yes, please come in.” Kate could do little more than whisper.

Julia crossed to the bed, and Kate explained her symptoms. Julia laid her cool, soft hand on Kate’s forehead. “I’m afraid you have a fever.” She frowned and studied Kate’s face. “Perhaps I should ask my father to come up and see you.”

“Oh no, I don’t want to bother him.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“But I wouldn’t want him to catch something from me, not when he’s just regaining his strength after being ill for so long.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Julia thought for a moment. “I’ll ask Jon then.”

Kate closed her eyes and suppressed a moan. “But I look dreadful, and I feel worse.”

“Don’t fret. Lydia can help you put on a dressing gown and brush your hair. Then I’ll come up with him.”

“But don’t you have to leave for the meetings soon?”

“We’re not going anywhere until I’m sure you’re well taken care of.” Julia tipped her head. “I’m sure Jon will insist on seeing you when he learns you’re ill.”

Kate’s face warmed. “All right.”

Julia straightened Kate’s blanket. “May I pray for you before I go?”

“Yes, thank you.” A few months ago that request might have made her uncomfortable. But the more time she spent with Jon and Julia, the more natural it felt to pray and take her concerns to the Lord.

Julia took Kate’s hand and bowed her head. “Father, I lift up Kate to You. I ask You to comfort and strengthen her and bring her back to good health. While she rests and waits on You for healing, please speak to her and draw her even closer to You. In the name of Christ our Lord, amen.” She leaned down and kissed Kate’s forehead.

Hot tears rushed to Kate’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. So few people in her life had expressed such genuine kindness and care that it was difficult to know what to say.

Julia patted her hand. “Rest easy, my dear. I’ll send Lydia up.”

“Thank you,” Kate whispered, and this time it wasn’t only her sore throat that made her words hushed and strained.

Jon clenched his jaw and hustled upstairs, guilt snapping at his heels each step of the way. Kate was most likely sick today because she had been exposed to some illness at the clinic earlier this week.

Why hadn’t he been more careful and thought past his own desire to have her by his side? He should have made her safety a priority and kept her away from patients who might be contagious.

He knocked on her door, determined to do what he could for her now. “It’s Jon. May I come in?”

Lydia opened the door and ushered him inside. Kate lay on her bed, her face flushed and her eyes glassy.

He clenched his jaw, surprised by his response. He dealt with patients every day, some who were gravely ill, and he had learned to hold his emotions in check, but seeing someone he cared about sick and in pain was a different experience altogether.

“Morning, Jon.” Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

“I’m so sorry you’re ill.” He crossed to her bedside and asked about her symptoms.

She quietly listed them in as few words as possible. Her sore throat seemed to be what bothered her the most, though her fever and flushed appearance were a greater concern to him.

He nodded as he did a visual assessment. “May I take your pulse?”

She slipped her hand from beneath the blankets, and he gently took hold of her wrist. He counted the beats and checked his watch. It was a bit fast, but not too abnormal. “I’d like to take your temperature.” He took out the thermometer Mrs. Adams had given him and shook it down.

She opened her mouth, and what a pretty mouth it was. He slid the thermometer under her tongue and shifted his gaze away, scolding himself for that unprofessional thought. But this was Kate, and it was impossible for him to remain detached.

Lydia stepped up next to him. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“In a few minutes we’ll know a bit more.” He looked up. “I was very glad to see your sister at the clinic yesterday.”