by Jen Turano
CHAPTER
Nineteen
“I believe I found that passage we’ve been searching for, Herman, the one your mother wrote in regard to their plans to venture to the West Indies to explore the possibility of purchasing a plantation there.”
Herman abandoned the journal he’d been reading as Sheldon turned his journal around, pointing to a page written in his mother’s lovely script.
“See? Right there,” Sheldon said. “Her research about the West Indies covers at least ten pages, and her description of sugar plantations is exceptional. It should be enough, when paired with the research books I’ve found, to give you the visual you need to write a credible setting now that you’ve decided to abandon the El Dorado idea.”
Taking the journal from Sheldon, Herman skimmed through the first page. “Mother did take extensive notes about everything, and I think we’re right about the West Indies being a good setting for my latest book. Discarding the few chapters devoted to El Dorado will require a few rewrites, but thankfully, most of the chapters I’ve written so far are setting up the adventure. It would have been more problematic if I’d reached the end of the book and decided to change the location after Grandmother made her concerns known.”
Sheldon sat back in his chair. “Your consideration for your grandmother is, once again, commendable, although it’s a little confusing why she was concerned about the El Dorado idea. Your parents obviously never made it to the West Indies, even though we discovered through your mother’s writings that they planned to go there, and yet Mildred didn’t bat an eye when we broached that location.”
“It’s difficult to understand Grandmother’s reasoning at times, but I don’t want her to become distressed about something that’s within my power to control. It’s of little consequence where I set my next story. My readers are more concerned with the plot than any location I may choose.”
“Have you ever wondered what you’re going to do when we deplete your mother’s journals, and you don’t have those as a resource?”
Herman rubbed a kink that had formed at the base of his neck from sitting so long. “Considering Mother left me numerous journals, I don’t think I need to worry about that for a while.”
“But you have thought about that, haven’t you?”
“It may have crossed my mind.”
“And has it also crossed your mind that you may need to personally travel around the world to discover new inspiration at some point in time?”
“Grandmother would take to her bed for months if I ever boarded a ship to explore a location for research purposes.”
“You’re probably right, but . . .” Sheldon glanced at the journal for a long moment before he caught Herman’s eye. “Returning to your grandmother and her opposition to El Dorado, you don’t think your parents were off to try and find El Dorado on their last trip, do you?”
“I suppose that’s a possibility and would explain Grandmother’s unexpected reaction.” Herman frowned. “As you know, Grandmother never disclosed where my parents were heading on their ill-ated trip. And even though you and I have combed through all forty-seven of Mother’s journals, we’ve never discovered so much as a hint of their final destination.”
“You could always ask your grandmother about that. I guarantee she knows where they were heading.”
“Grandmother’s nervous condition always takes a turn for the worse whenever I question her about that final trip, which is why I quit asking about it. She takes to her bed enough as it is just trying to negotiate through normal days. She doesn’t need me contributing to the frequency of her anxiety attacks.”
“Perhaps not, but I don’t think you’re doing either yourself or your grandmother any favors by avoiding the issue of your parents’ deaths. A great deal of time has passed since they died, time that should have softened the pain your grandmother experienced over their passing, and time that should have her realizing that it’s your right to know what happened to your parents, besides the fact their ship went down in a storm.”
“And those are valid points, and maybe someday I’ll broach the matter with her, but not right now. As you know, she’s taken to her bed again with her smelling salts nearby, stating that the house party, and the results of that party, were too much for her problematic constitution to handle.”
Sheldon raked a hand through his hair. “Well, here’s hoping she leaves her bed soon because I left numerous research books back in the city. It doesn’t appear we’ll be traveling there until Mildred recovers from her latest bout of nerves.”
“You know you can always return to the city without me,” Herman said before he smiled. “That would, of course, mean that you’d be there and Miss Martha Mulvey would be here, now that she’s taken up the position of paid companion to Grandmother.”
“Hmm . . .” was all Sheldon said to that, which was an interesting response. But before he could expand on it, the lady Herman had just introduced into the conversation suddenly wandered into the library, making a beeline for Sheldon the moment she caught sight of him.
“There you are. Mildred’s decided to take another nap. She’s apparently reluctant to have me sit with her while she rests, saying something about how it gives her the willies to think anyone is peering at her as she sleeps.” Martha took hold of Sheldon’s arm when he rose to his feet, Herman rising to his feet as well. “I thought it might be nice to take a stroll along the Hudson or perhaps take a tour of the Gentlemen’s House now that there aren’t any guests staying there. I’ve yet to see the inside of that building and am curious how it’s decorated.”
“It looks much the same as the main house,” Sheldon said. “Except that there’s a billiards table in the library, along with a dartboard.”
“I love a good game of darts,” Martha said before she frowned. “However, if I’m interrupting something, I can always go exploring on my own.”
Sheldon settled a smile on Martha that, in Herman’s opinion, almost seemed forced. “Herman and I just finished for the afternoon, but I’m afraid we won’t be able to explore the Gentlemen’s House today. Agent Bernie Shaw has recently arrived from the city and is currently staying there.”
Martha’s frown deepened. “Who?”
“Agent Shaw. He’s one of the numerous Pinkertons who Cooper requested to help with Herman’s case,” Sheldon said. “What with Daphne leaving three days ago, and then Ann leaving yesterday to see if she could uncover anything yet unknown about the potential suspects who returned to the city, Cooper’s been burning the candle at both ends watching over Herman.”
Martha turned to Herman. “Don’t you find it at all curious that the Pinkertons believe you still need to be guarded all the time? I would have thought with all the suspects having returned to the city that the danger to your life would have decreased.”
“I’m apparently what the Pinkertons consider a high-profile client, and as such, they believe their reputation will suffer if I’m murdered on their watch.” Herman nodded to Sheldon. “I’m off to check on Mildred before I settle down to write.”
“And I’m off to take a stroll with Martha after I put the journals away.”
Leaving Sheldon and Martha tidying up his office, Herman headed out of the room, finding Cooper sitting in a chair outside the door.
“Anything exciting to report?” Herman asked, earning a grunt from Cooper in response.
“I don’t expect to encounter any excitement until we repair to the city,” Cooper said, rising to his feet and pulling out his pocket watch. “Agent Shaw is due to take over for me in ten minutes, but be warned—he’ll be in a surly mood because he’s used to cases where danger is dogging our every step. Clearly, the danger has diminished significantly here on the Hudson these days.”
“Something I’m quite content with since I don’t actually care for experiencing numerous attempts on my life.”
Cooper grinned. “Don’t blame you for that. In fact, I bet you’re enjoying the peace and quiet that’s settle
d over your house now that mostly everyone is gone.”
“I was thinking the house seemed too quiet, especially after Daphne left so abruptly.”
Cooper arched a brow. “Missing the chaos that surrounds Daphne all the time, are you?”
“Oddly enough, I am, which is strange in and of itself because I’ve not known her long.”
“Daphne has a way of worming into a person’s heart from the moment one becomes acquainted with her. I believe it’s because she’s so charmingly unique.”
Herman came to an abrupt stop. “She’s wormed her way into your heart?”
Cooper’s first response to that was a snort. “There’s no need to glare at me, Herman. Daphne and I are friends, nothing more, but that doesn’t mean she can’t own a piece of my heart.” His lips curved. “Given the scowl on your face and given what I’ve observed whenever you and Daphne are together, I don’t think I’m being presumptuous by stating that you’re interested in pursuing more than a friendship with her.”
“You’ve been observing me?”
“I’m a Pinkerton. I observe everyone, and some of the more interesting aspects I’ve observed about you are these—you take the chaos that surrounds Daphne in stride, you enjoy her company, and . . . you find her very appealing. It’s written all over your face whenever you’re in her company.”
Herman blinked. “Is it really, or more importantly, do you think Daphne’s observed that on my face as well?”
“Daphne is oblivious to her appeal, so no, I doubt she’s noticed. Or if she has, she probably thinks you’re looking at her so oddly because you’ve eaten something bad for lunch.”
“That’s how I look when I’m with Daphne? As if I’ve eaten something bad?”
“No, I was merely explaining what Daphne probably thinks. Surely you’ve realized that she doesn’t look at the world as most people do, and because we’ve now brought Daphne into the conversation, I would like to know what your intentions are toward her.”
“Isn’t that a question usually reserved for a lady’s father?”
“Since her father isn’t here to share this rather telling conversation with you, I’m going to take the liberty of acting on his behalf.”
Herman gave his nose a scratch. “Daphne and I barely know each other. That means it may be far too soon to be talking about my intentions toward her with you or with anyone else, for that matter.”
“You haven’t known each other long, that’s true, but I wouldn’t agree that the two of you barely know each other. Even though I’ve been told, mostly by my two sisters, that I’m woefully inept when it comes to understanding women in general, what I have learned in life is this—a certain amount of time is not required for us to know what our hearts want. Some people begin as friends and that friendship grows into something more as time marches on. Others, however, realize from almost a first glance or a first laugh that there’s something special about a person, something that draws us to that person and makes us long to spend every moment from that point forward in their company.”
“I wouldn’t take you for a man who believes in love at first sight.”
“I don’t know if it’s love at first sight,” Cooper countered. “Perhaps more along the lines of the possibility of love after a first sight. That’s what I think you’ve experienced with Daphne.”
“The possibility of love after first sight?”
“Indeed. I also believe Daphne’s experienced that with you.”
Something that felt very much like satisfaction settled deep in his soul. “You really think so?”
Cooper smiled. “From what I’ve observed, she’s very comfortable in your company, even though large men make her nervous. It’s telling that she’s not nervous around you.”
“That could merely be because I’m a client.”
“Or she finds you appealing, perhaps even intriguing. However, that’s all I’m going to say about the matter. Daphne told me in no uncertain terms that friends are supposed to keep matters like that between friends. Since Daphne is my friend and you’re my client, you’re going to have to discover anything else about Daphne’s feelings on your own.”
“I thought we were on our way to becoming friends.”
Cooper grinned. “And we will be friends, but not until I solve your case, at which time we will revisit the matter of Daphne and your intentions toward her at greater length. I’m hopeful that discussion will be sooner rather than later. But in order for us to do that, I need to put your case to bed, which means you need to convince your grandmother it’s time to return to the city.”
“How do you think I could go about that?”
Cooper tilted his head. “That’s a tricky question, but I suppose you could suggest that we’re allowing the suspect to plan a more thorough campaign to get rid of you the longer we languish in the country.”
“That might convince her.”
“She does seem to want to keep you alive.”
“It’s a very grandmotherly thing to do, and on that note, I’ll go see if she’s still awake.”
“Let me know how it goes,” Cooper said before he nodded down the hallway. “There’s Agent Shaw. I’ll fill him in on all the excitement that hasn’t happened, then I’m off to take a nap.”
As Cooper strode away, Herman headed for the upper hallway and walked to his grandmother’s suite of rooms, knocking quietly on the door. When there was no response, he turned the knob and stuck his head into the room, catching a flash of something out of the corner of his eye.
That something turned out to be Mildred, who was racing across the room right before she leapt through the air in a very impressive maneuver, landing on her bed with a bounce. She promptly folded her hands demurely over her chest and closed her eyes.
“For a woman who is supposed to be napping, and also suffering from a horrible case of nerves, that was some remarkable agility on your part,” Herman said, stepping into the room.
Mildred’s eyes flashed open. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to walk in on me.”
“Clearly, but why are you feigning a case of the nerves? And don’t try to deny it. I just saw proof that you’re hardly so overcome with anxiety that you can barely make it out of your bed.”
“I have my reasons.”
Herman settled into a chair next to Mildred’s bed and considered her for a long moment. “Would one of those reasons have anything to do with trying to keep me far removed from Daphne?”
Mildred sat up and stuffed a pillow behind her back. “You do know me well. But I only have your best interests at heart, dear, and I would hate to see you follow in Andrew Ware’s footsteps and hie off after a woman you barely know, as Andrew did with Finetta.”
“I’m fairly certain Andrew has known Finetta far longer than I’ve known Daphne.”
“Unfortunately, I believe you’re right. What he was thinking, though, making off with a lady you’ve had your eye on, is beyond me. It’s also beyond me why you don’t seem put out with him, even though he’s probably left you in the lurch by returning to the city, where’s there’s little doubt he’s neglecting your accounting books as he settles matters with Finetta.”
“I’m the one who encouraged him to return to the city so he and Finetta can settle the unfinished business between them. My accounts aren’t going to suffer if Andrew takes a week or so away from them.”
Mildred waved that aside. “Your encouragement to Andrew to return to New York was very considerate and speaks well of your amiable nature. I, on the other hand, would not have been as considerate. He stole Finetta from you. And while you haven’t said much about the matter, I’m convinced your friendship suffered a direct blow over his actions.”
“Andrew didn’t steal Finetta from me. She was never mine to begin with.”
“But Andrew knew you’d set your sights on her.”
“You set your sights on Finetta, Grandmother. And not that I want to upset you, given your nerves—although I’m convinced there’s not much
wrong with them at the moment—but neither Finetta nor any of the young ladies you decided would suit me would have been appropriate matches. Every young lady you invited to the house party had no interest in me.”
“They had interest in you,” Mildred argued. “They were merely too shy and nervous to let you know of it. Young ladies are often anxious in the company of gentlemen. Your grandfather made me downright queasy when I first met him, but three months later, after we married, that queasiness went away—or almost went away.”
“I don’t want to marry a woman I’ve ever made queasy. Seems rather disheartening. I’d much rather spend time in the company of a lady who isn’t rendered nauseous by the mere sight of me.”
“A lady like Daphne Beekman?”
Seeing no reason to deny it, Herman inclined his head. “Perhaps.”
Mildred sat up a little straighter. “You must realize she’s not an appropriate match for you. She’s been lying to you all along. That, my dear boy, is hardly a mark in her favor.”
“She didn’t lie to me. She merely withheld the full truth about her identity, done so because of a nondisclosure agreement.”
“She attracts trouble like a flower attracts bees.”
Herman’s lips curved. “That’s part of her charm.”
“I would say it’s a recipe for disaster, disaster you’ll find yourself in the thick of if you don’t come to your senses and admit she’s wrong for you.”
He reached for his grandmother’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “After the discussion I just had with Cooper, I’m beginning to realize she’s exactly right for me.”
