When Love Calls (36 page)

“Hello, Courthouse Main. Number, please.” Hannah connected the call and leaned back in her chair. She removed her earpiece and rubbed where the apparatus had chafed.

The light on her panel lit up, and she inserted the plug. “Hello, Courthouse Main. Number, please.”

“The only number I want is yours, Miss Gregory.”

“Lincoln,” she whispered, “you aren’t supposed to call me here.”

Jo cast her a sidelong glance and mouthed it was fine.

“Hey, when love calls, you have to answer.” He was quiet for a second. “I hate to admit this, but I’m a little jealous of my aunt. You’ve spent so much time with her, we’ve barely had a moment together.”

“We’ve been together.”

“Not alone.”

How true that was. She’d wanted to tell him about the call she’d overheard, but there’d not been a good time to do so. She missed him, but Aunt Sam would leave soon, and then they’d have all the time in the world.

She tried to make her voice sound light. “I miss you too.”

“Then how about I pick you up after work.”

“I’m going cycling with your aunt. She has a call she wants to make too.”

“Hannah . . .” he moaned.

“You’ll live.” She leaned close to her mouthpiece. “And I’ll see you in my dreams.”

“If you think that silky voice of yours is helping, you are so wrong. If you’re not careful, I may have to kidnap you.”

“You’ll have to find me first.” She laughed. “See you tonight. I’ve got to go. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

After connecting the next call, she glanced at the clock. Another half an hour and she’d ride her bicycle to Lincoln’s to meet Aunt Sam. Where should they ride today? Ingersoll Park? Hannah’s cheeks warmed at the memory of Lincoln’s kiss on the bridge.

On second thought, perhaps they should stick to the streets.

When Hannah arrived at Lincoln’s house, she took the time to switch into the cycling bloomers she’d brought with her. According to Lincoln, the dark trousers looked quite fetching.

“I’ll go pick up your sisters while you’re out riding.” He pulled her close and pressed his lips to her ear. “And you and I
will
sneak away for some quality time tonight.”

Even in the breeze, her cheeks flamed.

“Is he whining again?” Aunt Sam cast her a knowing glance. “What are we going to do with him? You’ll have her all to yourself tomorrow.” She waved her fingers at Lincoln and started down the path. “Time to fly, Hannah.”

“Like you need any encouragement to fly.” He kissed Hannah’s cheek. “See you later, and be careful.”

“Aren’t I always?” She shoved off and started pedaling behind Aunt Sam. “On second thought, don’t answer that.”

 44 

Since Aunt Sam hadn’t asked Hannah directions as she often did, Hannah was left to assume the woman had a plan and knew exactly where to go on their bicycle excursion.

They turned on Grand Avenue and rode without stopping for several blocks. Hannah marveled at the older woman’s fitness. When they finally paused at a corner, Hannah was puffing, but Aunt Sam had no trouble speaking.

“I apologize for the hilly ride, but I wanted to drop by Elise Williams’s and check on her spirits. Lincoln said Pete mentioned she’d slipped into another one of her melancholies.”

Hannah’s heart thudded against her ribs. Was it because of her worries about the fire?

A short time later, the maid showed them into the parlor, where Elise sat beside her electric machine. She barely glanced up when they entered.

Aunt Sam snagged the footstool and placed it directly in front of the unresponsive woman. “Hello, Elise. I’ve brought Lincoln’s Hannah with me. Remember, you met her at your dinner party.”

She glanced up at Hannah, and recognition flickered in her pale green eyes. “The night of the fire.”

“Yes, there was a fire.”

Tears filled Elise’s eyes. “So many flames. So much smoke.”

“You go right ahead and cry, Elise. Wash the sad right out of you.” Aunt Sam dabbed at the tears with the corner of her handkerchief. “Hannah, why don’t you ask the maid to bring her some water or tea?”

Hannah nodded and slipped from the room. In the hall, she listened for the sound of clanging pots to indicate the direction of the kitchen. Hearing none, she started down the hallway. She paused at the first open doorway—a study.

“What are you looking for now?”

She whirled to see Albert. How had he snuck up on her?

“I was looking for a maid. Your mother needs a glass of water or some tea.”

“My mother needs a lot more than a glass of water.” He pointed down the hall. “The kitchen’s down there.”

Hannah’s pulse raced. Here Albert stood before her. Was God giving her the chance to ask him about the fire?

Squaring her shoulders, Hannah placed a hand on the wall to anchor herself. “Albert, may I ask you a science question?”

Distrust filled his blue eyes. “I suppose.”

“I’ve read about fires started by an infernal device.” She licked her dry lips. “How could one trigger such an explosion?”

His face reddened, and he glared at her. “Did Lincoln put you up to this? Tell him I’m fine now. That’s all behind me.”

“What?” Hannah took a step back. “I didn’t—I mean I don’t mean to offend you. Lincoln has nothing to do with my question. I only thought you’d know because you’re so intelligent.”

“Give your beau a message, Miss Gregory. My father doesn’t need him to be the son I never was anymore. You got that?”

“Yes, but—”

“And you’d both be wise to stay out of my business.”

Chills crept up her spine at the look in Albert’s eyes. How could she define the look? Hatred? Yes, that was it. He appeared to hate Lincoln, and that hatred was rooted in Lincoln’s relationship with Pete. Was Lincoln aware of Albert’s feelings?

She went over the bizarre exchange again as she found the kitchen and asked for water. What had Albert meant about telling Lincoln he was fine now? What was all behind him? Surely if Lincoln knew Albert had any kind of firebug past, he’d have said something.

Halting so fast she almost spilled the water in the glass, Hannah sucked in a breath. What if Lincoln was also covering for Albert? He loved Pete like a father. Wouldn’t he do anything for the man to protect him? And if that was the case, did she really want to share what she’d heard?

We’ve got to learn to trust each other.
Lincoln’s words filled her mind. She wanted to trust him, but if she really loved him, shouldn’t she keep this secret too?

Heat singed Hannah’s scalp, and she pulled away from Maureen’s ministrations. Aunt Sam had suggested Hannah get ready at Lincoln’s home so Maureen could do her hair. Her sisters had come along as well, and Mrs. Reynolds promised to make them a delicious supper.

Aunt Sam had kicked her nephew out of the house, telling him not to come back until it was time to pick them up. How odd it felt to be dressing in Lincoln’s home.

“Sorry about that, lamb. I got a little too close with the curling iron.” Maureen unrolled the device, clipped it back inside the chimney flue on the lamp, and blew on the hot curl. “Can you believe you’re going to a ball at Terrace Hill?”

Hannah pressed a hand to her side. Beneath the fancy stays in her new corset, her stomach whirled like a pinwheel in the wind. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allen Hubbell hosted many events at their mansion, Terrace Hill, but Hannah certainly had never imagined attending one. The only part of Terrace Hill she’d ever seen was the ninety-foot tower on the front of the house, which was impossible to miss from the sidewalk.

“What if I make a fool of myself?”

“And how could you possibly do that?” Maureen pinned another curl in place. “There. What do you think?”

Hannah angled her hand mirror so she could see all of her hair. Maureen had formed a long coil and fastened it at the back of Hannah’s head. More coils added height. She’d also left a generous amount of hair hanging in loose ringlets down Hannah’s neck. She tucked the new jeweled hair comb in like a coronet.

“It’s perfect. How can I ever thank you?” She stood and gathered her dress.

“You can thank me by remembering every detail of tonight. I want to hear it all, from the color of the carpet to how many sconces are hanging on the wall to how many men Lincoln has to fight off to dance with you.” She took the purple dress from Hannah and carefully eased it over her head.

“I’ll certainly do my best to recall every detail.” Hannah shifted the dress into place and turned so Maureen could button the waistband.

Once a bit of cheek color, shoes, jewelry, and gloves were added, Maureen pronounced her ready.

“Oh, wait, do you have any fragrance?” Maureen scanned the top of the dressing table.

“No. I didn’t bring any.”

Charlotte stepped into the room. “I did.” She held out an atomizer. “It was Mother’s.” After giving Hannah a spritz, Charlotte stepped back and smiled. A spicy floral scent filled the room. “Whenever you smell it tonight, think of her as being with you.”

Aunt Sam glided into the room in a gauzy, rose-colored gown. She motioned for Hannah to stand. “Let me take a look at you, dear.”

Hannah stood and slowly turned around.

Aunt Sam applauded. “Maureen, you’ve outdone yourself, and Hannah, you are such a natural beauty.” She drew on her own long gloves, and Maureen hurried to button them.

“Where’s Tessa?” Hannah looked about the room.

Charlotte leaned into the hall and called for her. Seconds later, Tessa bounced in. “He’s coming, but Hannah, you wait up here until he arrives. There’s nothing like a lady’s grand entrance to get a man’s blood flowing.”

The ladies laughed, and everyone departed, leaving Hannah alone for the first time.

Please, God, teach me how to love Lincoln with all of my heart. Show me why I’m not letting him in completely.

Even though the clamor of activity downstairs announced Lincoln’s arrival, she waited until Maureen summoned her. A glance out the window told her Lincoln had rented a fancy carriage. Why hadn’t she considered that she and Aunt Sam wouldn’t both fit in the Reo?

Maureen tapped on the door. “Are you ready, lamb?”

“I certainly hope so.”

Keeping her gaze fixed on Lincoln, Hannah descended the stairs. Dressed in a black swallowtail coat, white waistcoat, and black bow tie, he’d never looked more handsome.

He held out his hand, and at the sight of his smile, a delicious heat spread through her. Her knees weakened under the intensity of his gaze.

“You take my breath away.” His voice was husky.

“Yes, yes. She’s beautiful. You’re handsome.” Tessa placed a hand on each of their backs. “Now go to the ball and come back with some good stories, and I don’t mean who danced with whom. I want real juicy stories.”

Lincoln laughed and offered Hannah his arm. “You heard the lady.”

Hannah glanced at Aunt Sam. The older woman beamed, and Lincoln held out his arm to her too. “I think I’ll be escorting the two loveliest ladies of the evening. Come, your carriage awaits.”

If Hannah didn’t already feel like a princess, she certainly did once she stepped through the front doors of the Victorian mansion.

In the vestibule, the butler greeted them and said he’d show them to the reception room. Hannah and Lincoln trailed Aunt Sam, the guest of honor.

“Look at these!” Hannah whispered as they passed through the massive doors leading down the hall.

Lincoln patted her hand. “According to Aunt Sam, together they weigh around three hundred pounds.”

Because Aunt Sam had to be there before the other guests arrived, Hannah and Lincoln had time to look around after meeting the Hubbells. From the reception room to the drawing room to the music room, every space on the first floor seemed more beautiful than the last. All the doors that linked the rooms opened to create one great hall.

The string quartet played in the music room, and Hannah hoped someone would also play the magnificent Steinway piano. She so wanted to hear it. In the formal dining room, maids rushed to put the finishing touches on the buffet.

As other guests began to arrive, Lincoln reached for a sugared plum and popped it in his mouth. Hannah gave him a mock glare, and he pulled her close and kissed her temple.

She should talk to him now about Albert while they were alone. She swallowed. How did she start?

Before she could say anything, the butler suggested everyone move to the drawing room so the festivities could begin. Hannah sucked in her breath when they entered the room. Both walls and furniture sported a rosy-pink color. The rug had apparently been rolled up and removed to make dancing easier, and the chairs had been pushed to the edges of the room. Everywhere she looked, from the hand-painted mural on the wall to the white marble fireplace, made her feel like she’d stepped into a dream.

And when she found herself twirling beneath the crystal chandelier in the arms of the man she loved, she prayed she’d never wake up.