Steadfast Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  Then in a flash an idea formed. What if I tell them there’s someone else? The image of Kolbein Booth flooded her thoughts.

  “Mr. Booth is a perfect solution.” She went back to the dressing table and retrieved the necklace. It didn’t matter that Mr. Booth had no idea she found him so appealing. It didn’t matter that it would be a stretch of the truth.

  Lenore fastened the necklace. The glitter of emerald green at her throat completed her ensemble. I’ll tell them there is someone else—that my heart has been captivated and I wish to court another.

  But what if they demanded a name? What if her father insisted on having her court James Rybus until this other suitor made himself known? Oh, it was all so complicated.

  “If I have to lie, I’ll lie,” Lenore whispered. Her mind whirred with thoughts of how the evening might play out. With any luck at all, she would convince them of another suitor’s interest. Then the only problem would be to convince Mr. Booth.

  5

  Lenore glanced across the table to her father and then to Mr. Rybus. Her mother looked uncertain about the entire situation and for once kept her opinion to herself. Lenore wished her mother would have spoken up, but since she refused, Lenore knew she would have to speak her mind or lose any chance of courting Kolbein Booth. She pushed aside her uneaten dessert and cleared her throat.

  “I realize that this is hardly a conversation we would usually have at the dinner table; however, I cannot in good faith keep Mr. Rybus guessing my answer regarding his desire to court me.” She saw that she had their devoted attention and continued. “I have given this a great deal of thought, but the fact is,” Lenore said, hesitating a moment, “I have feelings for another man.”

  “Another man?” her father asked. “No one else has come to ask me to court you. Who is this other man?”

  Mother gave her a startled look. “What man? You’ve said nothing.”

  “He’s a gentleman who showed up at the bridal school looking for his sister. He’s a lawyer from Chicago, and . . . well . . . I would like to give my attention and affection to him.” She looked at James Rybus and smiled. “Please don’t take this as an insult to you, Mr. Rybus. I am honored that you would even consider me. I know what a great woman your wife was and how honored she was in the community because of you.”

  Mr. Rybus lost his shocked expression and nodded. “Eleanor was beloved by many.”

  Lenore nodded thoughtfully. “She was truly a remarkable woman. She gave a great deal of time to charities and the beautification of the city.”

  “That’s hardly the point,” Father interrupted. “I don’t know this other man and—”

  Mother put her arm on Father’s hand. “Josiah, we agreed that Lenore could choose to court whomever she desired. Why not give her young man a chance?”

  “Because he hasn’t the decency to approach me directly.” Her father fixed her with a hard stare. “Why wouldn’t an honorable young man seek me out?”

  Lenore knew better than to suggest that Kolbein had not yet made any declaration of interest. Instead, she chose a safer route. “His sister is missing. She left their home and headed to Seattle and hasn’t been heard from since. Mr. Booth is half sick with worry and came to the bridal school because he had reason to believe his sister would be there. She wasn’t, but everyone at the school is trying to get word out to find her. I feel certain that when the situation is resolved, Mr. Booth will seek you out.” At least she hoped so.

  “Well, while I sympathize, I do not believe it’s fair to keep James dangling on a hook. I will give your young suitor exactly one month from today to seek a courtship. In the meanwhile, I hardly think it can hurt if you were to accompany James on a few social outings. Isn’t that right, Monica?”

  Mother looked to Lenore. “I would say that entirely depends on Lenore, as well as Mr. Rybus. Since he already knows her to be interested in someone else, perhaps he would rather not spend his time trying to woo our daughter.”

  “Nonsense,” Mr. Rybus replied, much to Lenore’s disappointment. “I would be honored to escort your daughter. Perhaps if she gives me a chance, her affection might grow.” He smiled and settled his dark-eyed gaze upon Lenore. “Would it be acceptable for me to take you to the opera and perhaps a musical concert and dinner sometime?”

  Lenore didn’t know what to say. On one hand her mind was quite fixed on her father’s one-month deadline. How could she encourage Mr. Booth to fall in love with her in such quick fashion? However, she realized that Father might have refused her altogether. She didn’t want to shame him in front of his associate.

  “I would be honored, Mr. Rybus. So long as you know my heart on the matter, I do not feel that I would be leading you on.”

  “Thank you, Miss Fulcher. I look forward for a chance to compete for your affection.”

  His study of her face left Lenore feeling a bit confused. He was a very pleasant sort of man, and while he was nearly twenty years her senior, he hardly seemed that old. Perhaps her feelings for Kolbein Booth were merely a momentary attraction. If Kolbein didn’t share her affection, maybe she could reassign her affection on Mr. Rybus.

  “Wonderful. If you aren’t busy this Friday, I should very much like to accompany you to the opera.”

  Lenore looked to her mother. To her surprise, Mother frowned. “We have plans to sail for San Francisco on Saturday next. We hadn’t yet announced this to Lenore, but she will accompany us.”

  Lowering her head so that Mother couldn’t see her expression, Lenore felt more concern about leaving Mr. Booth than accepting an outing with Mr. Rybus. Why hadn’t her parents said anything before now? They knew how much she hated their last-minute plans, especially when they involved her. She wanted to ask why it was so important that she accompany them, but already Mr. Rybus was assuring Mother that they could simply do an early dinner. This seemed to meet with the approval of her parents, and then all eyes were turned to her.

  She pasted on what she hoped was a sweet smile. “Of course. I will be glad to accompany you to dinner.”

  “Wonderful!” Rybus sounded like a man who had just had his fondest desire granted. “I will make reservations for us. Would six be early enough?” He looked to her father.

  “I would think so. So long as you have Lenore home by eight-thirty so that she can finish directing the servants with her packing and see to anything else she needs to attend.”

  Mr. Rybus nodded and Mother rose from her chair. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen, Lenore and I have some plans to make.”

  The men stood and Mr. Rybus even hurried to assist Lenore from her chair. He was a very thoughtful man and his manners were impeccable. Perhaps courtship with him wouldn’t be so bad. After all, Kolbein Booth might not even care for her. And there was that pesky problem of his hailing from Chicago.

  “Then Mother announced out of the clear blue that we are traveling to San Francisco on Saturday.”

  “Saturday?” Abrianna didn’t like the announcement at all. “However long will you be gone?”

  “I haven’t any idea. Father has business there and Mother wishes me to accompany her shopping. You know how she hates to let any of the latest fashions escape her perusal.”

  Abrianna frowned. “I cannot imagine being a slave to such a thing. Aunt Miriam says that idols take many forms. Have you ever thought to suggest to your mother that fashion may well be an idol?”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Lenore said, shaking her head. “Mother may be shallow in her faith, but it isn’t up to me to point that out.”

  Abrianna considered that a moment. Perhaps Lenore was right. It might seem offensive if a daughter were to reveal her mother’s sin. “So you mentioned having a task for me,” Abrianna began. “What might that be and how soon will I need to perform it?”

  “I want you to endorse me to Mr. Booth.”

  “In what way?” Abrianna asked in confusion. “What might this endorsement entail?”

  Lenore gave a heavy sigh. “Honestly, Abri
anna, for a woman of your age, you really should know more about men and women. Haven’t you noticed that I have feelings for Kolbein . . . Mr. Booth?”

  She couldn’t have been more surprised had Lenore suggested that they attempt to walk on water. “You have feelings for him? But you just met him. Aunt Miriam always says that while love at first sight can certainly happen, it is rare and must be evaluated at every turn.” She leaned closer to Lenore. “Have you given it such evaluation?”

  “I have, Abrianna. I can’t help how I feel. I haven’t been able to think of anything or anyone but Mr. Booth since first meeting him. I thought perhaps it was just a momentary fascination, but it’s more.”

  “How can that be?”

  Lenore shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know that I have a deep desire to know him better. I might even call it a longing.”

  “A longing?” Abrianna couldn’t begin to understand. “That sounds most serious.”

  “It feels very serious,” Lenore admitted. “What worries me, however, is that he will find his sister while I’m gone and never know of my . . . affection. I’m so afraid that he’ll return to his home and I’ll never see him again.”

  Abrianna looked around the sitting room for a moment. What exactly did Lenore want her to do if he found his sister and headed back to Chicago? What if his sister turned up sick or even dead? He wouldn’t care at all about Lenore in that case.

  Finally Abrianna looked back to her friend. “I can hardly tie him to a chair. Do you want me to tell him how you feel?”

  “Certainly not!” Lenore toyed with the lace on her cuff and, though clearly vexed, did not raise her voice. “I merely want you to keep my name before him. I want you to speak in a glowing manner of my abilities and personal traits.”

  “I suppose I can do that,” Abrianna replied. “Although I don’t really know much about such things.”

  “Goodness, Abrianna. You’ve grown up in a bridal school. How can you be so clueless about romance and the sharing of affections?”

  Abrianna shrugged. “I suppose because I’ve done my level best to avoid such things. God has better things for me to do. I believe I’m to be about the business of loving all mankind rather than one man. Surely you don’t fault me for that.”

  “No, of course not. Although sneaking around town to take food and blankets to the homeless or to visit the old sailors on the docks seems a most unsettling pastime for a young woman.”

  “I don’t expect you to understand.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure that I understand . . . completely. All I know is that my parents were poor folk who could barely keep food on the table. My father left and most likely died shortly thereafter, and my mother had no choice but to seek out the help of her church. She knew that she was sick and wouldn’t live long, but she had a child to care for. Such things stir in me the desire to help others. Perhaps I shall be like a Joan of Arc.”

  “And lead your people to war?” Lenore asked with a giggle.

  “Well, then maybe a Florence Nightingale.”

  “So now you plan to become a nurse?”

  Abrianna straightened. “If that’s what God wills for me. However I can best help the people is what I want to do. Nevertheless, I will do what I can to see that Mr. Booth remembers you well. Daily—at least if I see him daily—I will endeavor to draw him into conversations that speak of your traits.”

  Lenore giggled. “Tell him only the good things. I’m afraid the bad will speak for itself.”

  “You have no bad traits.” Abrianna plopped into the closest chair. “I’m the one who has all of those.” She heaved a sigh. “I burn more things than I manage to cook. I can sew a straight line, but forget singing or playing the piano. I’m a most uncomely dancer, and my red hair is far too shocking a color to call me fashionable.”

  “You can be fashionable, Abrianna. And I’ve seen you dance. You do quite well. Your hair would fit expectations if you were to pin it up all of the time instead of just on Sunday.”

  “I only pin it up then because my aunts insist. I like having the wind in my hair. Not only that—this mess is difficult to keep pinned in place.” She leaned forward. “Sometimes I give serious consideration to cutting it short like a boy.”

  “Never do that, Abrianna. My father would forbid us any further meetings if you were to do something so questionable.”

  “I know that full well. It is a terrible burden to carry,” Abrianna said with yet another sigh.

  Lenore sat down beside her on the settee. “Abrianna, you could do much to improve the way people see you. I believe you to be one of the kindest and most honest people I’ve ever met. When I look at you, I know that you are authentic through and through. There isn’t even a hint of pretense in your mannerisms.”

  “I know I’m supposed to give the impression of being a well-trained young lady, but the things taught here at the school rarely interest me. I love politics and causes. I fear for the Chinese in the days to come. After all, if the mobs would round them up once, they will be inclined to try again. I am troubled by the hatred people have for those who are different. I want homes and warmth for the cold and weary. I pray for food and healing for those who wander the streets of Seattle. If I had a big building like this, I wouldn’t run a bridal school, I’d have a home for the friendless.”

  “Goodness, that would be a shocking position for a young single woman to take on. You’d be better to carry on the work of your aunts.”

  “I hardly think so. Eventually there will be more than enough women in the West and thus no longer a need for such a place.”

  Lenore folded her hands. “Having young women in town is one thing. Teaching them to be acceptable wives and mothers is an entirely different matter.”

  “Then you can train them, and I shall find homes for those who have nowhere to go.” She sat up, realizing this was the very seed of a desire she didn’t even know she had. She had long taken goods to the old seafarers who were too old to go to sea but had no other place to call home. Abrianna had given blankets to those poor souls on the streets, shared money and food with the street urchins, and had even taken hot soup to ladies of the evening who were suffering maladies. She knew her aunts thought it all very scandalous, but Abrianna knew it to be a calling.

  “We have completely digressed,” Lenore declared. “I want only to know that you will hold up my memory to Mr. Booth and encourage a deeper understanding between us.”

  Abrianna nodded with a weak smile. “I shall endeavor to do my best for you.”

  The Monday following Lenore’s departure, Abrianna hoped to have a chance to help her friend as promised.

  “I have cookies and sweet cakes just like you asked.” Liang pointed to a cloth-covered tray as Abrianna entered the kitchen. The small Chinese servant threw her a toothy smile. “I take roast meat and put with bread, too. You like?”

  “Oh, I like it very much, and the boys will like it even more. Thank you, Liang. You don’t think they’ll be missed, do you?” Abrianna began loading the food into a basket.

  The dark-haired girl shook her head. “You take and help the poor. I will make sure no one worries.”

  Abrianna loved this tiny girl. Liang made Abrianna want to fight all the harder for the Chinese. Why couldn’t they all share Seattle—America, for that matter—and live in harmony?

  “Mr. Booth, he wait in the dining room,” Liang announced as if Abrianna might have forgotten that he was coming.

  “I’ll be going now. If my aunts worry overmuch about where I’ve gone just tell them I’m looking for Greta Booth with Mr. Booth.” Abrianna tucked a cloth over the food.

  The fourteen-year-old gave her a nod. “I tell them.”

  Abrianna swept into the dining room. Kolbein stood at the window, his back toward the room. Tapping him on the shoulder, Abrianna spoke in a soft tone. “I’m ready to go if you are.”

  He turned and smiled. “I am. Thank you for doing this. Here, let me take that.” He reached out for her bas
ket.

  Keeping her voice hushed, she stepped closer and handed him the basket. “I would like to help you find your sister, and I think I have a pretty good plan.”

  He appeared to contemplate her statement. Finally he asked, “And what would that plan entail?”

  Abrianna put a finger to her lips and motioned him outside. “I need to keep my aunts from knowing what I’m about. They won’t worry as much if I’m escorted by you. Although they might think it inappropriate for us to be alone. They often think things to be inappropriate when I see no harm.”

  “Then why all this secrecy and whispering?”

  She hesitated, hoping that Kolbein wouldn’t refuse her or, worse yet, report her. “I have friends who live on the streets. I’ve called upon them for such help more than once.”

  “I can’t imagine how you might have need of them.” Kolbein frowned. “You are a most unconventional young woman, Abrianna.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, if you’ll just accompany me, we can meet up with them and put them to work looking for your sister.”

  “But I’ve already hired a private investigator,” Kolbein protested, but she was already heading down the street. “Abrianna, your aunts would never want you to take such a chance.”

  “I know that,” she replied, glancing sideways, “but I must do what I must do. The street folks are people just like you and me, but most haven’t the same benefits of education or a loving family. Others are old or very young and considered useless by society. I mean to prove that these people are just as valuable as any other. God has put a calling on my life, and I intend to help them.”

  Kolbein’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know it’s God and not the devil himself?”

  She grinned. “Because I know God. He has been a constant source of comfort to me. Believe me, Kolbein, I’ve been a mess most of my life, and only through God’s grace have I amounted to anything.”

  “Who told you that? Surely your aunts would not be so cruel.”