City of Secrets

by Victoria Thompson

  “No one at all?”

  “No one that I knew of, at any rate. I’m sure his family must have known her. It would be very odd if they didn’t, wouldn’t it?”

  “I’m sure it would. And they didn’t get married at your church?”

  “No, it was a private ceremony, I believe. His father probably married them, or perhaps they were married in her home. At any rate, there was just a small announcement in the newspapers, and Reverend Honesdale introduced her from the pulpit one Sunday morning and that was that. What does all this have to do with Priscilla?”

  “I’m not sure, but remember, Priscilla told us the Honesdales encouraged her to marry Knight.”

  “Yes, because they thought she was in desperate straits. But she wasn’t, and she insists she had no intention of remarrying again so soon, and Mr. Knight made no effort at all to court her. But surely the Honesdales were only trying to help.”

  “Do you really believe they were trying to help her?”

  “I know it sounds strange, but friends often do step in when they see someone in trouble, and sometimes their help isn’t very . . . helpful.”

  Elizabeth wasn’t sure she wanted any friends like that. “But forcing her to marry him?”

  “I’m sure they didn’t think they were forcing her. And Mr. Knight must have cared for her if he was willing to marry her.”

  “Or else he just saw a vulnerable woman with her husband’s fortune and thought he’d claim it for his own.”

  Mrs. Bates sighed. “Yes, that’s also a possibility.”

  “At least he didn’t force his attentions on her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Priscilla said the marriage was never consummated.”

  “How very strange,” Mrs. Bates said. From the look on her face, she thought it even more than strange.

  “Priscilla thought so, too, although I gathered she was grateful.”

  “I’m sure she was if she hadn’t wanted to marry him in the first place. But . . . I probably shouldn’t be discussing these matters with you.”

  “Because I’m not married? I may not be experienced myself, but I grew up around a lot of men, so I’ve heard about, uh, things.”

  “Then you probably won’t be surprised to learn that it would be highly unusual—not to say unnatural—for a man not to consummate his own marriage.”

  “I do know that, yes, and Priscilla said as much.”

  Mrs. Bates finished off her tea and poured herself another cup while she considered this information. “I wonder . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you sure . . . ? I mean, you said the other person in the photograph was a woman.”

  “Yes, and enough of her was showing to be sure, so it wasn’t that Mr. Knight preferred the company of men.”

  “So you do know that some people do.”

  “Yes.” She’d have to tell Mrs. Bates about her Aunt Cybil and her dear friend Zelda eventually, but this probably wasn’t the right time.

  “I’m so sorry you had to see that photograph.”

  “So am I.” Which was quite true. None of this, however, was what really had Elizabeth worried. “Gideon and I are trying to figure out how to get some of Priscilla’s money back.”

  “So he said. He also said you don’t really have a plan to do that.”

  “We don’t even know who the blackmailer is yet, although . . . I don’t suppose Gideon asked you if Reverend Honesdale has a brother.”

  “No, he didn’t. A brother? I really have no idea. Why does that matter?”

  “Because someone named Matthew Honesdale owns several brothels in the city.”

  “Really? What an interesting coincidence.”

  “If it is a coincidence. What if this Matthew really is Reverend Honesdale’s brother or at least some relation?”

  “It’s not a common name,” Mrs. Bates mused.

  “No, it is not.”

  “But what does this have to do with . . . ? Oh! I see. You think Mr. Knight would have frequented brothels.”

  “The Old Man felt certain he would have, because of his proclivities, so that’s where we’re going to start.”

  “Elizabeth! You can’t mean it. You can’t possibly even think about going to a brothel.”

  Elizabeth bit back a smile at Mrs. Bates’s horrified expression. “I have no intention of it. You can’t think Gideon would even consider such a thing, either.”

  “Oh dear, of course not. What was I thinking? You frightened me for a moment. But you said—”

  “I said we were going to start there, but I meant with Matthew Honesdale himself. Gideon is going to ask to see him concerning an estate.”

  “Gideon is going to purposely mislead him?” Mrs. Bates asked in wonder.

  “Not really. His name truly has come up concerning Mr. Knight’s estate, and that’s what we’re going to ask him about.”

  “We?”

  At last they had reached Elizabeth’s main purpose in coming here. “Yes, we. I convinced Gideon to let me be present when he meets with Honesdale.”

  Mrs. Bates frowned, and for a moment she looked very like Gideon. “Are you sure that’s wise? A man like that . . .”

  “Now you sound like Gideon.”

  “And now I understand what he was talking about last night.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean he asked me to support him if he had to convince you not to put yourself in danger.”

  Now Elizabeth frowned. “And what did you tell him?”

  “I told him his idea of danger and yours would probably be very different.”

  “You were absolutely right,” Elizabeth said wearily.

  “I also warned him not to try to turn you into a silly, empty-headed society matron.”

  “Thank you for that, but do you really think that’s what he wants to do?”

  “I think he doesn’t ever want to see you in danger again. You frightened him very badly the last time.”

  “And I’ll certainly never do that again.”

  “But you can’t blame him for feeling protective, although I suppose I also can’t blame you for chafing at it.”

  “Not when you remember that you and I first met when we were both in jail.”

  “Exactly. I’m just asking you to be patient with him, and before you object, I also asked him to remember who you are and that your background is very different from ours. He must allow you your freedom.”

  “I’m trying so very hard to learn all the rules so I won’t embarrass you,” Elizabeth said in dismay.

  Mrs. Bates smiled wanly and took Elizabeth’s hand in both of hers. “Oh, Elizabeth, you can learn all the etiquette rules in the world, but that won’t change who you are. Just so you know, I wouldn’t change you for the world, and Gideon wouldn’t, either, although he may not realize that yet.”

  “When is he going to realize it?”

  “Very soon, I’m sure. He agreed to let you attend the meeting with this Matthew Honesdale, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, but he’s not very happy about it.”

  “I’m sure he’s not, and I must admit, I’m concerned as well. This man could be very uncouth.”

  Elizabeth almost laughed out loud at the idea of a brothel owner being merely “uncouth.” He surely was much, much worse than that, although she wasn’t going to admit it to Mrs. Bates. “I’m used to uncouth men, Mrs. Bates, and I’ve promised Gideon I’ll leave if he is offensive.”

  “If he’s satisfied, I suppose I must be as well. But how will he explain your presence? He can hardly pass you off as a law clerk.”

  Surely, there must be female law clerks somewhere, but probably not at Devoss and Van Aken. “No, I’m going to pretend to be Priscilla.”

  “Priscilla?”

 
“Yes, it’s logical for her to be there, since it’s her husband’s estate, but we aren’t going to tell her about this meeting until we know more. I’ll wear a veil in case he’s seen her before, but I doubt they would have ever met.”

  “I see, but is it really necessary for you to be there at all?”

  “I’m probably much better at judging if someone is lying than Gideon. I’ve at least had more experience at it, and I’m definitely better at lying myself. I want to know if he knew Mr. Knight, and if so, what he knew about him. Gideon and I agree that we can’t accuse him outright of being a blackmailer, but we can see his reaction when we ask him about Knight, and that will tell us something.”

  “And if he claims he never heard of Mr. Knight?”

  “Then we ask him where Mr. Knight would have gone to satisfy his unusual desires.”

  “Oh, Elizabeth, how sordid.”

  “Nothing about blackmail is wholesome, Mrs. Bates, and we’re fighting for Priscilla’s future and for her daughters’ futures.”

  “You’re right, of course. I just wish . . . Well, I suppose I wish none of this had ever happened.”

  “But it did happen, and if people like us don’t do something, it will keep happening.”

  “You’re absolutely right, and that’s why I’m going with you when you meet with this Matthew person.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Oh, I won’t actually meet with him. I wouldn’t have any idea what to say to a man like that, but I won’t let you go there alone. You’ll come here first, and we’ll go to Gideon’s office together.”

  Elizabeth didn’t need her support, of course, but the thought that Mrs. Bates cared enough to offer it made Elizabeth want to laugh and cry at the same time. Was this how families were supposed to treat each other? How lovely! “I’m so glad you said that. Would you be willing to go with me to see Priscilla, too?”

  “I thought you weren’t going to tell her about this meeting.”

  “We’re not, but she doesn’t know anything about the blackmail yet. She’ll be wanting to know what I found out from Gideon, and I think we at least need to warn her about what might be coming.”

  * * *

  • • •

  GIDEON LOOKED UP TO FIND THEIR YOUNG OFFICE BOY, ALFRED, standing anxiously in his office doorway. His eyes were very large in his freckled face. “I delivered your message, Mr. Bates.”

  “And did you find Mr. Honesdale at home?” Gideon had been amazed to find Matthew Honesdale listed in the city directory.

  “No, sir, but they sent me to . . .” He glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice to a whisper. “I think it was a house of ill repute.”

  Gideon should have foreseen that possibility and sent one of the clerks instead. “I’m sorry, Alfred. I hope you don’t believe yourself compromised in any way.”

  “Oh no, sir. It’s . . . Well, it was all a bit exciting for me. I’ve never even been near a place like that before.”

  That he knew of. Everyone in New York walked past places like that daily without realizing it. No sense in mentioning it to Alfred, though. “And was Mr. Honesdale there?”

  “He was. It was all very proper, too. A maid answered the door and asked me what I wanted with Mr. Honesdale. She had me wait in the hall while she went to see if he was receiving. Then she sent me into the parlor, and Mr. Honesdale was there. He took your note and read it. He asked me did I know anything about the estate you mentioned, and I said I didn’t because I’m just the office boy. Then he said he’d call on you tomorrow afternoon, like you suggested.”

  Gideon nodded. “So if it was all very proper, what made you think it was a house of ill repute?”

  “I . . .” Alfred blushed scarlet. “The pictures, sir.”

  “The pictures?”

  “Yes, well, there were very improper paintings on the walls. Of ladies without any clothes.”

  “Don’t you see paintings like that in museums?” Gideon asked, biting back a smile.

  “Not like these, I don’t.”

  “I see. Well, I apologize for subjecting you to that, Alfred. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

  “Oh,” he said, elaborately casual, “I didn’t mind, sir.”

  “Just remember what goes on in houses like that isn’t as pleasant as you might think.”

  “Oh yes, sir. I’ll remember.”

  As Alfred darted away, Gideon sighed. He needed to have a serious talk with Alfred about the dangers of brothels. Maybe he’d just show him the photograph of Endicott Knight instead. That should scare him into a lifetime of chastity.

  In the meantime, he’d have to prepare for the meeting with Matthew Honesdale tomorrow. What sort of man made his living from prostitution? Not the sort of man he ever wanted Elizabeth to meet, he was sure. And could he really be related to Peter Honesdale and his illustrious father? Surely, such a scandalous relationship would be public knowledge if he were. The father—what was his name? Nathan, he thought—was a moral crusader, famous for all the good works his church did. Was he so fierce a fighter against depravity because his own son promoted it? Such things did happen. But any relationship was secondary to Gideon’s issues. First he had to find out what Matthew Honesdale knew about Endicott Knight, and if he had been blackmailing him.

  * * *

  • • •

  “THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING,” PRISCILLA SAID THAT AFTERnoon when she’d welcomed Elizabeth and Mrs. Bates into her parlor. “You’re wearing your pin, Mrs. Bates,” she added with obvious delight.

  Mrs. Bates touched the rectangular pin on her lapel. It was a small silver replica of a jail door with a tiny chain and a lock in the shape of a heart. “Yes, I’m rather proud of it.”

  “Elizabeth, I never see you wear yours.”

  Elizabeth hated the heat that rose in her cheeks. She shouldn’t be embarrassed, or at least she shouldn’t let anyone know she was. “I just never think to put it on.”

  “Actually, Elizabeth is too modest to wear her pin,” Mrs. Bates said, giving Elizabeth the disapproving look she hated to see.

  “What do you have to be modest about?” Priscilla said. “You should be proud to have been jailed for freedom.”

  Jailed for freedom. That’s what they called it when the suffragists were arrested for demonstrating. “I’m just embarrassed that the very first time I demonstrated, I was arrested and jailed for weeks. All the other women had been working for the cause for much longer before they were imprisoned.”

  “I see. You don’t think you earned it, but that’s nonsense,” Priscilla said. “You were in jail the same as everyone else, and I know you participated in the hunger strike. You have as much right to wear the pin as any of the others. If I’d been able to go with you, it would have been my first demonstration, too, and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear my pin.”

  “There you are, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Bates said. “I hope Priscilla has convinced you.”

  Of course Mrs. Bates knew the real reason Elizabeth had been at the demonstration that day, and it had nothing to do with women’s rights. She should be grateful Mrs. Bates still considered her as worthy as the rest of their fellow prisoners. So maybe she should wear her pin. She’d have to think about that some more. Meanwhile, she would change the subject.

  “I know you must be curious about what I found in Mr. Knight’s papers.”

  Priscilla’s expression instantly grew solemn. “I have been anxious to know if Gideon was able to tell you anything.”

  “He was, but I’m afraid the news isn’t very good.”

  “Quite honestly, I didn’t expect it to be, so you’d best just tell me and get it over with.”

  “It appears that Mr. Knight was being blackmailed.”

  “Blackmailed?” Priscilla frowned in confusion. “Isn’t that when someone knows a secret about yo
u and you pay them money not to tell anyone?”

  Elizabeth blinked. Imagine not being sure what blackmail was. “Yes, it is.”

  “But what secret could Mr. Knight have had?”

  Mrs. Bates sent Elizabeth a slightly panicked glance, but Elizabeth never flinched. “We’re not sure. We, uh, think he may have had a mistress.”

  Priscilla considered that for a moment. “Of course, that makes perfect sense, and it explains why he never . . .” She turned to Mrs. Bates. “Did Elizabeth tell you? Mr. Knight and I never shared a bed.”

  To her credit, Mrs. Bates didn’t flinch, either. “A mistress would certainly explain it, then.”

  Elizabeth was fairly certain at least some men who had mistresses also had marital relations with their wives, but she wasn’t going to suggest that.

  “But how did you know he was being blackmailed?” Priscilla asked.

  This time Elizabeth exchanged a desperate glance with Mrs. Bates. “I found a letter that had recently arrived. It, uh, indicated to me that someone was blackmailing him, and Gideon agreed. You see, I also found a ledger in which Mr. Knight had listed all of his household expenses, going back several years. At some point about three years ago, he started withdrawing large sums of money periodically, but we could find no reason for him to do so.”

  “And did this continue after we were married?” Priscilla asked.

  “I’m afraid so. In fact, it appears that he had spent nearly all of his own fortune by the time he married you.”

  They waited while Priscilla absorbed that information. “Does that mean . . . ? Of course, you can’t know for certain but . . . does it seem to you that he may have chosen me because he knew DeForrest had left me well off?”

  “And that when you married him, he would have complete control of your assets? Yes, that is very much what we suspect,” Elizabeth said.

  As the enormity of Knight’s duplicity became clear to Priscilla, color flooded her cheeks and her eyes grew bright with horror. “And he used my money—the money DeForrest had left for our children—to pay some person to keep his filthy secrets?”