“Ah, that explains it,” he finally said.
“Explains what?”
“Why you’ve always seemed different from the rest of us, why you seemed so comfortable talking to everyone at the Vanderbilts tonight. Why you seem to be comfortable in any situation.”
“I wasn’t all that comfortable tonight. I’ve just learned to hide my nervousness well. I don’t really know these people. I’m from Boston and...my real name is Elizabeth Anderson Reynolds. My father’s name is Edward and...”
John whistled. “You do come from a wealthy family. I’m familiar with that name. But if that’s the case, then why are you working for a living and living at Heaton House? Did you get cut out of the will?”
“I don’t know. If so, my father hasn’t told me. But he wasn’t happy with me for wanting to live here in New York City, so it’s possible.” He might as well know it all. “However, I do have an inheritance from my grandmother on my mother’s side of the family. That’s what made it possible for me to come here, to make a life of my own. Well, that and the fact that my father didn’t like me helping...” No. There was no need to make John think less of her father. “He worried about my going into some of the poorer sections of town and I like helping people. Anyway, he sent me to my aunt in hopes I’d learn what a lady of wealth should do with her time. But he forgot that I take after my mother and my aunt. My aunt understood my need to be independent and make my own way, and my desire to help others. She sympathized with me and with her help, Papa finally let me stay here.”
“I see.”
His tone was somber and Elizabeth’s chest was heavy. He sounded disappointed and she supposed she really couldn’t blame him.
“I wish you’d told me all this earlier. Why did you feel the need to—”
“I just wanted to be one of Mrs. Heaton’s boarders. I was afraid you’d all avoid me and I wanted so badly to fit in. And then I was afraid that once you found out, you’d all feel I’d somehow betrayed your trust in me. I’m so sorry...” Her voice broke and she turned her head to look out of the window so that John couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. She could hear movement and knew that he’d moved closer to her.
* * *
He’d heard the sincerity in her voice and he slid nearer to her, wanting to comfort her. “Elizabeth, there’s nothing to forgive. You don’t owe me any explanations. You’d fit in at Heaton House no matter what your name was. I do wish you’d let us know from the start, but I suppose I can understand why you didn’t.”
She hadn’t set out to mislead them. And he well understood not wanting people to know every little thing about you. He hadn’t told anyone about the humiliation he’d felt when his dreams had crashed around him. But this wasn’t an easy thing to accept—that Elizabeth was a wealthy woman. Even though she wanted to be like the rest of them, she wasn’t. She had that wealth to fall back on and she’d lived a very different kind of life. Would she want to go back to it eventually? And what if she longed for things a normal working fellow couldn’t give her?
“Then, are we still friends?”
Oh, what he felt for this woman was more than friendship. There was no denying it. But he had even more reason to distance himself from her now. It’d been hard enough to think he might have a chance with her before, but now—well, he’d vowed never to fall for another woman—especially a wealthy one. And even if he wanted to change his mind, she was wealthy and that presented a whole other set of problems. There was no way he could hope to—
“John?” She’d turned to him and he could see tears in her eyes, one escaping to run down her cheek.
He reached out to brush it away. “Oh, Elizabeth, of course we’re still friends. I hope we’ll always be friends.” With all that was in him, he hoped that. For that was all they ever could be now.
“So do I.”
Her eyes were sorrowful and he felt the need to reassure her again. He cupped her jaw in his hand and lowered his head. He kissed her on the cheek—as a friend might do—even though what he truly wished was to kiss her lips. He leaned his forehead against hers. “We’ll be friends for as long as you want us to be.”
That much he could promise. For he wanted this woman in his life and if friends was all they could be, so be it. The rest of the drive through central Park wasn’t quite what he’d dreamed it might be, but he was glad to be with Elizabeth.
“When are you going to tell the others?”
“As soon as I can. It’s been so hard these past few months, realizing I’d made things worse by not just saying who I was from the start. I became afraid someone would recognize me at one of the society functions we’ve covered or that I’ve helped my aunt with and—”
“Your aunt?”
“Yes. You’ve met her. She’s Beatrice Watson.”
“I should have known. She has your smile—or, you have hers. She’s very nice. And...you were the flower girl that helped her at the masquerade party, weren’t you?”
“I was. And I was so afraid you’d find out who I was that night and be angry with me. That was when I knew I had to tell you soon. You and Kathleen first, before anyone else.”
He should have felt some comfort that she’d wanted him to be one of the first to know, but there was little comfort in knowing for certain that he was indeed out of her league. “Have you told her?”
“Yes. I told her last night. I can’t begin to tell you what a relief it is to have it out. And I feel so bad that all this time my aunt could have enjoyed knowing you all and you could have known her. She would love the atmosphere at Heaton House as much as I do.”
“Well, I’m sure that can be remedied now. Mrs. Heaton would be glad to have her for Sunday dinner.”
“Oh, I know she would. She’s told me to invite her anytime.”
“Then she knows?”
Elizabeth nodded. “She does. And so does Michael. I felt I had to tell them when I applied for the room. They understood my reasons for using my mother’s last name at the time. But they told me anytime I wanted to let everyone know they would stand behind me.”
“They are loyal to us all, aren’t they?”
“Yes. I’m very thankful that my aunt had heard of Mrs. Heaton and insisted I board with her.”
“So am I.” John couldn’t imagine not having Elizabeth in his life and he prayed he’d never have to. But the dreams he’d begun to weave would have to come to a stop. “I’ll be there when you tell the others, but I don’t think you have to worry about it. They know the kind of person you are, Elizabeth. They’ll understand.”
* * *
Elizabeth prayed John was right the next morning as she went downstairs early and sought out Mrs. Heaton. She was in her study to Elizabeth’s relief and she looked up when she knocked on the door frame.
“Why, Elizabeth, dear. You’re down very early. Is something wrong?”
“Not really, but I would like to talk to you, if you have time.”
“You know I always have time for you. Come in.”
Elizabeth shut the door behind her and took a seat across from Mrs. Heaton’s desk.
“What is it, dear?”
“Well, I wanted to let you know that I’m going to let everyone know who I really am. I’ve told Kathleen and John and I want the others to know, as well.”
“I see. It became too much to worry about, didn’t it?” Mrs. Heaton’s blue eyes were kind behind her spectacles. Her auburn hair was done up on top of her head and she looked much the same as the day Elizabeth had come asking for a room.
“It did. I finally realized I’d jumped out ahead of the Lord and made a decision that only complicated my life. The more I came to care about everyone the worse I felt for not being totally honest from the beginning. And the more fearful I was of them finding out and feeling as if I’d somehow betrayed their trus
t in me.”
“Oh, my dear. Elizabeth, they aren’t going to think that. You had reasons for not giving your whole name at the time. But I am glad you aren’t worried about that any longer.”
“So am I. And I’ll no longer feel anxious that someone besides me would reveal to anyone I care about who I really am.”
“That is perfectly understandable. Are you going to tell them today?”
“I think so. I’d like to get it over with.”
“I’m proud of the decision you’ve made, Elizabeth. There is absolutely no reason you should hide your wealth. I know firsthand what you do to help others, many who don’t know where the help comes from.” She glanced up at the clock on the wall. “Come, it’s time for breakfast. Let’s go get this all out in the open so you can live your life the way the Lord wants you to.”
Several boarders were already at the table when she and Mrs. Heaton entered the dining room. She breathed a sigh of relief when she was greeted by smiles from John and Kathleen. She fixed her plate and slipped into her chair beside John.
“You all right this morning?” His eyes looked deeply into hers and she nodded.
“I am. Or I will be once breakfast is over.”
It was as if the Lord knew she wanted to do this only one more time, for in just minutes, everyone was gathered around the table—something that rarely happened on a Saturday morning.
She gave them time to eat before tapping the side of her coffee cup to get everyone’s attention. “I’m not sure there is ever a good time for this kind of thing but since everyone is here...I have something I need to tell you all.”
“What is it?” Millicent asked. “You aren’t leaving Heaton House, are you?”
“No. But you might wish I would once you hear what I have to tell you.”
“No, they won’t,” Kathleen assured her as the table quieted, waiting for Elizabeth to speak.
“When I came to Heaton House, I was determined to be independent and make my own way. And I wanted to fit in and be considered just like the rest of you. And I am and I plan on continuing to be, if possible. But there were a few details I left out when I was introduced to you all.”
She had everyone’s attention now. Fear that they wouldn’t accept her for who she was gripped her, but she wanted it over with, no matter how they all took it.
She looked around the table and saw Mrs. Heaton’s encouraging nod, Kathleen’s smile—even Luke seemed to be encouraging, although she wasn’t sure if he knew or not. And John, who whispered, “Go ahead. It’ll be all right.”
The most important ones in her life were still her friends and that was a blessing she wouldn’t take for granted.
She swallowed around the knot in her throat and took a deep breath.
“I am Elizabeth Anderson, but I left off part of my name when I came here. My real name is Elizabeth Anderson Reynolds and my father is Edward Reynolds of Boston. He owns a shipping company and has interests in all manner of other things. I work because I want to, but I don’t have to.”
“In other words, you’re wealthy,” Millicent bluntly said.
“I am. Yes.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I wondered why you always had a little extra cash and offered it whenever one of us was running short. I thought you just managed money a whole lot better than I did.”
“You didn’t think we’d treat you the same as we treat each other if we knew at the start?” Julia’s tone was cool.
“I was afraid you might not. And I so wanted to be accepted by you all.”
“Perhaps we would have treated you differently,” Julia said. “I don’t know, although I would hope not. But still, I wish you’d given us a chance, Elizabeth.”
“I’m sorry, Julia. That’s all I can say. I wish I’d been totally truthful with you all, too. But I can’t go back and do it all over again.”
“No. I suppose not.” Julia sighed and shook her head. “I’d stay mad at you, but you’ve been too good a friend for that. Besides, we know you now, and it doesn’t matter if you have more money than we do. You’re the Elizabeth we love.”
“And the one we know we can come to if we come up short at the end of the month,” Millicent added. Her smile said she was teasing, but Elizabeth was glad they realized she could and would help any of them.
“So you don’t hate me for not telling you everything from the start?”
“Elizabeth, it’s not like you committed a crime. I’m sure you’ve suffered the consequences of not being totally truthful and that you wrestled with it all this time or you wouldn’t be telling us now,” Ben said from across the table. “We all have parts of ourselves we don’t share with others. You are like us in that respect and there’s no way we can hold it against you.”
“Thank you, Ben.” She looked around the table once more. “Thank you all. I’m an only child with no cousins and well, you all mean so much to me.”
She hadn’t told them everything—not about her broken engagement or her mistrust of men. There was no need to go into all of that, at least not now and not with everyone.
Chapter Sixteen
They set out for the ball game that afternoon in high spirits. Elizabeth felt freer than she had in years, now that she’d told her story and everyone knew who she was.
Her heart was light as she walked along with John and the others, enjoying the mild afternoon. The men had all worn light-colored pants, striped shirts and suspenders, with straw bowlers topping off their outfits.
Elizabeth had chosen a dark green skirt with a pale green shirtwaist. Her hat was straw with a large brim trimmed with flowers. The other women were dressed similarly. She liked dressing like the others and not having to change clothes for every different outing. She’d always thought doing so was a terrible waste of time.
When talk turned to the next weekend and what they’d planned for the day, she tried not to feel jealous, but she so wanted to be part of that weekend. If only her father would cancel his trip and come another time. But she knew that wasn’t going to happen and she reminded herself it was only for a few days.
They caught the trolley that would take them to the polo field where the game was being played. When they arrived, Elizabeth saw there were trees around the area and she thought the doubled-deck grandstand was impressive. A line was forming to buy tickets to get in.
“We’re lucky to get here this early, some of the good seats are still left,” John said, grasping Elizabeth’s arm and leading her up into the grandstand.
The seats they chose were midway over and up so as to be able to see everything. Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice several teenage boys on the very top. They all had baseball gloves with them.
“Are they part of the team?”
John chuckled. “No. They’re just hoping to catch a home-run ball before it goes out of the park.”
“A home run?”
John nodded. “That’s when a batter hits a ball outside of the field, where no one on the other team can catch it. The player goes around all the bases, and gets to home without fear of being tagged out. Sometimes the fans get to catch that ball and take it home for a souvenir.”
“Oh! That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure would. I used to be like those boys. Actually caught a few when I was their age.”
Elizabeth had a feeling all the men there might miss some of the game, just trying to teach it to the women. “If I ask a question at the wrong time, I’ll understand if you don’t answer right away.”
“Don’t worry about that. I want you to learn the game. You’ll enjoy it much more if you do.”
She was already enjoying it. There was a soft breeze that cooled the afternoon air and she could feel the excitement all around as the team took to the field and the first batter began to swing his bat.
&nbs
p; “I do hate to show my ignorance, but which team is ours?”
“We’re for the Giants and we’re first up at bat. The other team is the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.”
“That seems an odd name for a baseball team.”
John laughed. “We kind of think so, too. But they are pretty good. They beat us yesterday.”
“And the man behind the plate? The one with that funny mask and breast padding? What is he and why is he wearing all that?”
“He’s the umpire and that mask is to guard his face, the chest padding to keep the impact from hurting him in case a ball comes at him.”
It wasn’t long before Elizabeth understood the precautions. A ball whizzed by the batter and right by the catcher’s face. She held her breath as he reached out to catch it, and then she released a huge sigh. “Oh, I can see why all that is needed.”
John nodded. “They can still get hurt, but not nearly as bad as they could be without the protection.”
“I’m glad they have it. What about the pitcher? I’d think he might be afraid of a ball coming straight toward him.”
“Probably is. And a few have been hurt, but it’s easier for them to get out of the way than for a catcher squatting down behind the batter’s plate.”
“I had no idea it could be so dangerous.”
“It usually isn’t. Hopefully today will be just a regular game.” He smiled down at her and relief flooded her. He was still her friend after all she’d told him and that alone was enough to make the day special. Thank You, Lord.
She tried to follow the game, but when the batter began to walk to first base without hitting the ball, she finally had to ask. “Why is he getting to do that?”
“He gets to walk. After four balls—that means the pitcher threw balls that weren’t over home plate—the batter gets to walk to first base. Good for us because our next batter is really good and we could get two runs out of it.”
“Really? I’m sorry. You must be getting tired of answering my questions.”
“Elizabeth, don’t you know we men love teaching women things?”
A Home for Her Heart Page 17
