“She’s a part of it, I suppose.” Dalton walked to the boat they’d been sanding all morning. “But my life is here. I feel as if . . . well, that it’s a part of me.”
“But you also want to be a part of something more? You said earlier that it was important to meet your brothers.”
Dalton turned back and looked at his friend. “Yes. That’s important, but not because I would want to trade this place for them. I need to know who my people are. You know about yours. You have family in Russia, along with an entire culture. Your mother keeps that alive with photographs and traditions. If you choose to embrace your heritage, it is because it holds value to you. I have no way of knowing what, if any value, there is in my past.”
Yuri nodded. “I can understand. In fact, I wish I could go with you.” He grinned. “We would, no doubt, get into much trouble.”
“That’s exactly why you cannot go with me,” Dalton said, laughing. “It would completely defeat the purpose.” He drew a deep breath and began to gather his things. “I will return as soon as I can. As for Phoebe . . . well, I shall pray that you make no progress with her.”
Yuri laughed. “You’d best pray hard. I find that I like her more every day.”
Dalton ignored his friend, but on his long walk home, he fought the desire to go back to town to see the young lady in question. They’d only seen each other two times since the dance and the encounters had been merely by chance. He’d never dared to say a word about his interest in her. Maybe he should write her a letter before going.
Maybe . . . maybe he should explain how he wanted to know her better—that she had, in a sense, charmed him—that he thought about her all of the time.
“But what good would it do?” he questioned. “I won’t be here.”
Dalton made it home in record time and found his mother waiting for him on the porch as if by an earlier agreement. He could see that she had something on her mind.
“I just knew you would be coming home early,” she told him.
“Father came by the shop and said that Evie had gotten us transportation to catch up with the Corona. I figured I’d best get home and get packed.”
His mother nodded. “First, I need to talk to you about your inheritance.”
He saw the concern on her face. “Of course.” He put his tools on the porch by the door. “Where would you like to do this?”
“Come inside.” She led the way to her favorite rocking chair and took a seat. “Sit here by the fire. There’s a chill in the air today.”
Dalton followed but didn’t mention that he hadn’t noticed any chill. Suddenly his mother seemed so very small and fragile. The thought of his older brother trying to hurt her ignited a smoldering rage deep within his heart. What would he do when he encountered the man who had tried to kill his mother?
“I know that you realize you have an inheritance from the Gray family.”
“You said that you had kept the money given you by my grandfather and some of the money from my father.”
“Yes.” She folded her hands and drew a deep breath. “Dalton, you are a wealthy young man. The money has grown considerably over the years. I’ve had good men watching over it, and they have sent me periodic reports to make sure that I know exactly what is happening.”
“Wealthy?” He couldn’t grasp the thought. They lived comfortably in Sitka—better than most—but he’d honestly never imagined that they were rich.
“You won’t come fully into the money until you reach your majority at twenty-one,” she continued. “However, I am sending you with papers that will allow you to draw funds now. You can see to any need you or Evie have while in Kansas City. You can even arrange to transfer money here or to purchase anything you want to bring back with you. There is more than enough—more than you could ever imagine.”
“Why are you telling me this now?” he asked.
She looked at him, unable to conceal the worry in her expression. “Because I am afraid for you. I fear what your brothers will do. They will know you are well off. They have their spies who will have informed them of the exact totals of your wealth. They have always been greedy, and I have no reason to believe they have changed.”
“Everyone changes, Mother. Who knows if that means they’ve become worse or better.” He smiled. “Please try not to worry. I am not a child.”
“But they will come at you like wolves in sheep’s clothing. They will try to convince you to join forces with them. They will suggest that together you can make the mighty Gray empire they have always dreamed of building. They will appeal to your desire for connecting to the family. They will seduce you.”
Dalton frowned. She was serious. His mother believed his brothers were in league with the devil himself, and that they would somehow have power over him because of this.
“Mother, I will be careful. God will be my guide.”
She shook her head, and her eyes welled with tears. “I’m not at all sure that God lives in Kansas City.”
Chapter 9
Aug ust 1889
Dalton marveled at the Kansas City skyline. He had read about multiple-story buildings that defied gravity but had never figured to see them. The sight was impressive, along with the crowds of people everywhere, all in a hurry.
Wiping his brow, Dalton was grateful for what little breeze they picked up as the carriage made its way through town. The heat was unbearable and already he’d shed himself of the new suit coat they’d purchased in Seattle. Evie fanned herself furiously and seemed more than a little unsettled.
“I’d forgotten how awful it could be—the dampness with the heat just makes a person long for winter.” She shifted uncomfortably. “We used to take a lot of tepid baths, as I recall.”
“It is amazing. It almost seems one can see the heat in the air itself.” He peered out the opposite side. “I must say, this trip has been quite an eye-opener for me.”
She looked at him oddly. “In what way?”
Dalton leaned back onto the thickly upholstered leather of the hired cab. “I feel almost startled to realize how the rest of the world functions outside of our little Sitka. We have truly been isolated and hidden away from the sorrows of the world. Of course, we have our own, but our troubles seem so small and insignificant in comparison. I mean, just look around. Hear it all. There is so much noise—so many people.”
Evie glanced out the window. “It’s as if they’re all fighting for air.”
“It’s very much like that,” Dalton agreed. “I did like the vast open spaces of the western states. The trip through the area they call Montana was quite beautiful. And it amazed me to find such open prairies—miles upon miles of wheat and corn as we drew closer to Kansas City.”
“And now here we are,” Evie said with a sigh. “I grew up here, you know. Of course, it’s all changed. I would bet it has tripled in size.”
“I can’t even imagine. The train station alone held more people than on all of Baranof Island.”
Evie laughed. “I’d never thought of it that way, but I’m sure you’re right.”
Despite her amusement, Dalton could see that Evie was worried. “Should we check into a hotel first?”
She drew a deep breath and shook her head. “I told the driver to take us to the house. We’ll see what news there is of Thomas.
If he has already passed, we will stay there. No sense in renting rooms elsewhere until we know.”
“Do you suppose they will be expecting us?”
“There’s no reason they should. It’s been two months since Jeannette penned that note. She had to realize that the distance would make it difficult to get word to us quickly, and then just as difficult for me to get here in any timely manner. I’ll send one of the servants from the house to take word to our sister. She doesn’t live far away. In fact, she now lives in the house where I grew up.”
“I remember you mentioning that.” Dalton pulled his collar. “What if they’ve changed, Evie?”
“What are you
talking about?”
He shrugged. “What if our brothers are better people now? What if Marston really regrets what he did?”
“What if he does? It doesn’t change the fact that he did it.”
“No, I realize that. But you and Mother only remember him from long ago. They could all be very different now. I mean, think of how you’ve changed over the years.”
Evie considered this for a moment. “Anything is possible, Dalton. I just wouldn’t get my hopes up.”
He frowned. He wanted so much to believe there might be some tiny shred of goodness in his heritage. After all, Evie was a wonderful person. But she isn’t a man, Dalton reminded himself. Gray men were vicious and underhanded, to hear it told.
The carriage turned off of the busy avenue and made its way via a series of twists and turns to a more residential area of town. Here, the traffic thinned considerably and a large canopy of trees lowered the temperature a bit.
Dalton studied the architectural styles of the palatial homes and tried not to think so much about his family. The estates were large and plush. Such houses were not even imaginable in Sitka. Glorious arrangements of marble, brick, and limestone rose up from immaculately kept lawns like shrines to the owners.
“Oh, I wish there were more of a breeze,” Evie grumbled. She, too, had purchased a few more formal clothes in Seattle so that she might better fit in with the society of her family. Dalton could see that she was every bit as uncomfortable as he was.
They finally turned down another long avenue of homes, even grander than the others. “We’re nearly there,” Evie announced.
Her brows knit together, and she bit her lower lip.
Dalton couldn’t help but reach out and touch her gloved hand.
“It will be all right. No matter the circumstance.”
She nodded. “I just wish this day might never have come. I would have been more than happy to go on as I was in Sitka.”
“But if you had done that,” Dalton said in a teasing tone, “you might not have had the possibility of courting Joshua.”
Her head turned quickly as she met his gaze. “What?”
He laughed. “I’ve hesitated to say this, but Joshua Broadstreet is enamored with you, and I’m quite sure you care about him, as well. You have both behaved admirably over the years, but if your husband has died, you’ll be free to marry again.”
“I hardly expected such talk from you.”
“Why not? I see no reason to hide from the truth. I’ve always regretted that you two could not be together.”
She relaxed a bit and lowered her head. “I have missed out on so much. I hardly dare to hope that I might yet know true love.”
“Well, I think it’s entirely possible.” Dalton cleared his throat rather nervously. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
Evie shrugged. “I don’t know why it wouldn’t be possible. People form instant attachments to things, so why not people?”
“I don’t know. I just . . . well . . . I keep thinking . . .” His words trailed off. Maybe he shouldn’t even talk to Evie about it.
“Is this about Phoebe Robbins?”
He snapped his head around to meet his sister’s amused expression. “Why do you ask that?”
“Because I think you have fallen for her.”
“Again, why?”
“I can’t really say. There’s just something about the two of you together.”
“See, that’s the way I feel. I know we haven’t been together but a few times, but I think about her constantly, and when Yuri told me he liked her, well, I wanted to punch him.”
His sister laughed and patted his knee. “Violence won’t win her heart.”
“Neither will being down here in Kansas City. Yuri intends to go out of his way to steal her affections. I just keep thinking of how they’ll have all this time together, and I won’t even be around to make my feelings known.”
“If she’s the one for you, and it’s meant to be,” Evie said in a sympathetic tone, “it will happen. God has a purpose and will for each person. If you are to share your life with Phoebe Robbins, Yuri’s attentions won’t mean a thing.” She sat up straighter. “We’re here.”
Dalton looked out at the massive three-story brick house and tried to forget the image of Phoebe’s gentle smile. “It’s huge. I can hardly wait to see the inside.”
The carriage came to a stop and a uniformed man came down the steps to open Evie’s door. The young man looked up and offered his hand. “Ma’am?”
Evie squared her shoulders and gave Dalton one last glance. “I suppose there is no sense putting it off.” She allowed the man to help her from the carriage. “I’m Mrs. Thomas Gadston.”
The young man’s eyes widened. “The mistress of the house?”
“Yes. I realize you do not know me. Are there any servants still in employment from eighteen years ago?”
“There are. I will take you to them.”
Dalton bounded out of the carriage to walk behind his sister. He heard her hesitate and clear her voice before asking about her husband.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. He is no longer with us.”
“It’s just as I presumed,” she replied in a formal tone.
The front door was opened by an older gentleman. He looked at Evie for a moment, then nodded as if in approval. “Mrs. Gadston, welcome home.”
She nodded and looked around the foyer. Dalton did likewise. It was a wonderment to behold. A heavily ornate marble and gold table with a large arrangement of flowers graced the entryway. Beneath this, a plush, but slightly worn rug of golds and reds accented the room’s crimson wallpaper.
“When did Mr. Gadston . . . die?” Evie asked as the butler took her gloves and hat.
“The thirteenth of June,” a man answered from somewhere to their right. The pocket door slid back to reveal the source.
“Trayton Payne,” Evie whispered.
“One and the same. I wasn’t sure you would recognize me after all this time. The years have not been nearly as kind to me as to you. You could still pass for seventeen.”
“Hardly that,” she replied. “As I recall, you were the one who knew every detail of my husband’s business dealings. I will need a full accounting.”
Dalton was stunned at the way she got right to business. She instantly became someone Dalton had never known. Was this the Mrs. Thomas Gadston from the past? Had she always been like this when it came to running her household? Or was this the woman who was borne out of years of encasing her heart in stone?
“Is this still my home?” she asked.
“Indeed. However, there is a great deal of business to discuss if you are up to it.” Trayton smiled in a way that made Dalton feel possessive of his sister. Evie, however, seemed unimpressed.
She turned to the butler. “Would you have our things unloaded and see that Dalton is shown to the room next to mine? Also, give the driver this and dismiss him.” She handed some money to the man and turned back to Trayton. “I will discuss matters with you now.”
“I can stay,” Dalton told her. He was still uncertain it was wise to let her be alone with this man.
“It’s all right. You go and rest. I’ll be up directly to let you know everything.”
He exchanged a look with Payne and nodded. “And you will send for me if you need me?”
She smiled. “Absolutely.”
Evie knew she was showing far more security in her position than she truly felt. Being in this house again threatened to steal away her breath. She followed Trayton through the sitting room to the back of the house, where Thomas had kept his office.
“You’ll find very little has changed over the years,” Trayton told her. “Thomas liked keeping things as they were.”
“What took his life?”
Trayton turned, looking surprised at her question. “I presumed you knew. He developed consumption of the lungs.”
“I see. There has been much of that in Alaska, as well.”
“Tea would be most welcomed.”
“Have you tried it iced? Sally makes the most marvelous iced tea with lemon and ginger.”
“Who is Sally?”
“She’s been the cook’s assistant for about four years.”
“It sounds wonderful.” Evie took the chair while Trayton rang for the maid.
A young, attractive woman appeared and nodded eagerly at Trayton’s instruction. He introduced her to Evie, and she curtsied ever so slightly. “This is Miss Dahlia Cummings. She is one of the household staff.”
Evie nodded while Trayton finished explaining who Evie was and why she had come. The young woman seemed enthralled. Perhaps there had been a great many stories about Evie and her exploits. She could only imagine. Wives did not often run away from home and never return.
Well, I suppose it’s not a matter of never returning, she thought. I am here now.
Trayton took a seat at the desk and reached into one of the side drawers. “Your sister told me that she had the highest hopes you would come. I’ve tried to keep things readied for just such an occasion. I have remained in your husband’s service as his personal secretary all these years. I know his business dealings probably better than anyone, save his lawyers. I know his personal dealings better than even they do.”
He placed several files atop the desk. “Where would you like to begin?”
“Why did Thomas ask for me? After all these years of silence— why did he ask Jeannette to send for me? Or did he even do that? Was that just a fabrication of Jeannette’s to entice me here?”
“He did ask for you,” Trayton assured her. “While on his deathbed, he dictated a letter to me, which was for you. It was his one and only bit of unfinished business, and he could not rest until it was concluded.”
Evie couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Unfinished business, eh? That’s exactly how I thought of Thomas. It’s the only reason I’m here. I need to put the past to rest once and for all.”
[Song of Alaska 02] - Morning's Refrain Page 9
