Whispers Beyond the Veil

by Jessica Estevao

  “Has the idea proved popular?” Perhaps such a thing was none of my business but I spoke without thinking. If Honoria was taken aback she did not show it.

  “Remarkably so. Which is a very good thing, since I’ve had to delay our opening for an extra two weeks in order for the staff to arrive.”

  “I wondered why there were so many people in town but it seemed so quiet here.”

  “It was a difficult decision but one that had to be made. The delay was caused by the final member of our company, a medium named Flora Roberts, who couldn’t arrive until tomorrow.”

  “A medium must be important if her absence is enough to delay your opening.”

  “Offering a medium in residence is the reason we’re booked solid this season for the first time in years.” Honoria paused her pacing in front of one of the windows looking out over the beach.

  “I hope my own appearance won’t cause any disruption to your plans. You sound as though there is much to be done.”

  “Your timing is perfection itself. For years I’ve wished for someone to share the hotel with once more. Come, let me show you the rest of the property.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The wind had picked up and the tang of salt filled the air as Yancey hurried back to the police station. As diverting as a visit to the Hotel Belden had proven to be, his workload had become increasingly burdensome over the last few weeks. Not only had pickpockets flowed into town like a red tide, violent domestic incidents, carriage accidents, and liquor-fueled disturbances increased at a similar pace.

  Frank Nichols gave Yancey a raised russet eyebrow as soon as he stepped through the door of the police station.

  “Chief’s been looking for you, and none too patiently, neither,” Frank said through a mouthful of food. “He’s in his office. Said to send you in as soon as you got back.”

  “Did he say what he wanted?” Yancey asked.

  “Nope. But he had Jelly Roll with him so you ought to brace yourself for something rotten.” Frank dabbed at his luxuriant mustache with his handkerchief.

  There was nothing that took the pleasure out of a fine summer afternoon like a chat with the chief. Unless it was a talk that also included the chief’s brother-in-law, Robert Jellison, known to his many detractors as Jelly Roll. Yancey took the time to place his hat on the rack near the door and to check his desk for any new messages. Deciding he could delay no longer, Yancey knocked on his superior’s door and waited until he heard the growl from within.

  “Very good of you to find time to make it in to work today,” Charles Hurley said, his feet propped up on the corner of his wooden desk. Robert Jellison lolled in the chair opposite the desk, sunlight glinting off his bald head.

  “I’ve been out investigating a pickpocketing case, sir. The number of sneak thefts is climbing every day.”

  “Petty crimes. I’ve got more important matters for you to turn your attention to today.” Chief Hurley waved his cigar, trailing a plume of smoke.

  “A young woman was knocked unconscious during the attack.”

  “Anyone important?” Robert Jellison asked, leaning forward with interest.

  “Everyone is important,” Yancey said. “But this young woman happens to be Honoria Belden’s niece.”

  “Really?” Jellison’s forehead crinkled into deep furrows. “I wasn’t aware Miss Belden had any family left.”

  “She must be her prodigal sister’s child,” the chief said.

  “I’d forgotten about her. Wasn’t the hotel left solely to Miss Belden?” asked Jellison.

  “It was. The sister, Delphinia, was disowned more than twenty years ago by her parents,” Chief Hurley said. Disgust filled Yancey as he detected a note of pleasure running in the currents of his boss’s voice. “She snuck off in the dead of night with a man who was in town for the summer. People said she left carrying nothing but her shoes in her hand so as not to squeak the floorboards.”

  “I remember now. It caused an uproar until that other business caused even more fuss,” Jellison said. Yancey had heard enough. His tolerance for family scandals and gossip was lower than most. Perhaps because his firsthand experience with them was greater than average.

  “Chief, you had something you wanted me to take care of?”

  “That’s right.” Chief Hurley stood and strode to the window. “The town fathers have made it clear that Old Orchard is on its way to being a world-class summer resort. In order to maintain that image we need to control the riffraff and undesirables.”

  “Are you planning to increase the size of the force, sir? We could use at least two more men to adequately patrol the increased traffic around the pier.”

  “No. There isn’t any money for more officers. Still, the powers that be want results, not excuses.” Chief Hurley shot a glance at Jellison.

  “What your boss is saying is that the Indians squatting behind my latest hotel purchase need to go. And soon. We don’t want them hanging around in plain sight when the pier opens.”

  “But they’ve been coming here in the summer since before there was a town. I don’t see how we can ask them to leave.” Yancey’s collar felt as though it had shrunk by two inches.

  “We’re not asking for your opinion,” Hurley said. “We’re telling you to make them go.”

  “Sir, I doubt what you’re asking is legal.”

  “You know what people said when I gave you this job. What they still say about taking a chance on you. Was I wrong to do so?” Hurley and Jellison both turned their gaze on Yancey.

  “I know you took some heat, adding me to the force. I’ll have a word with them.”

  “The Orchard Beach Pier Company expects them gone before the pier opens. One way or another,” Jellison said.

  “If you can’t get this done, there are a lot of other men who would be happy to have your job.” Hurley turned his attention to a pile of papers on his desk. “Well, what are you still doing here? Get on with it.”

  • • •

  Honoria moved like a hurricane through the hotel, blowing us from one room to the next. From the wine cellar to the rooftop balcony it was clear she loved every part of her home.

  We concluded the tour in a large room at the top of the hotel. A fine lace spread covered the high bed, and a vanity table set with enameled hairbrushes, combs, and an elegant assortment of hatpins drew my attention. Nicest of all was the window seat, nestled into a turret overlooking the bay. Even with the windows tightly shut the sound of waves crashing on the beach filled my ears.

  “This will be your room.” Honoria said. “I do hope you like it.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need to rent this room to a guest? You said yourself the hotel is completely booked for the season.”

  “Every room but this one.” Smiling, Honoria looked around. “This room was your mother’s and not a thing’s been changed except adding electricity since she left. It’s been waiting here for you all this time.”

  “There is no way for me to thank you enough.”

  “Having you here is entirely my pleasure. I expect you could use some time to rest and to change out of your travel clothes. When are your trunks being sent?”

  “I’m afraid they aren’t. The nature of my leave-taking was so abrupt and I boarded the train just as you see me.” That was the truth, so far as it went. Returning to our tent to pack my belongings had not seemed worth the risk. I shuddered to think what might have happened if I had not listened to the voice and taken what little I had when I set out of the tent for that last time.

  “Quite incredible. We shall have you fitted for some new things as soon as possible, but in the meantime there are some of Delphinia’s gowns hanging in the wardrobe.” Honoria waved to a massive walnut cabinet on the other side of the room. “They won’t be the least bit fashionable but I expect they will fit.”

  “I’m sure they
will be lovely.”

  “Have your rest, change, and come down for dinner at six. I’ll introduce you to the staff then.” Honoria leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I am quite certain your arrival heralds a new era here at the Belden.”

  • • •

  As soon as Honoria pulled the door shut behind her I raced around the room, unable to contain my excitement. Everything was perfect, simply perfect. I ran my hands over the velvet upholstered wingback chair and ottoman, inspected the tiled fireplace set into the wall opposite the bed, stood at the windows, and admired the breathtaking view. I climbed up onto the high bed to test it out and did not even attempt to resist bouncing on it as vigorously as I dared.

  As tired as I was, I felt certain there was no chance I could fall asleep. I awoke an hour or so later with the distinct impression someone had been calling my name and shaking my shoulder. The light in the window was slanting lower, and I hurried to the wardrobe and yanked open the door. Casting off my own rumpled clothing I felt spoilt for choice.

  There were more gowns in the wardrobe than there had been women in the medicine show. I hardly knew how to choose. I felt a surge of anger as I looked around the room and considered what my life would have been like if my father had accepted Honoria’s offer to take me. But then it occurred to me that dwelling on the past would not help me to enjoy my current situation. Anger had given me the push I needed to leave a life I did not wish to lead but it was not going to help me select a gown.

  I wished I had thought to inquire of Honoria as to the formality of the dining room. Meals served in the medicine show’s cook tent were unlikely to have prepared me for life in a hotel, especially one as fancy as the Belden. Just as I began to despair of making the right choice I heard a hesitant knock on the door. I reached for a jewel-toned crazy quilt draped over the wingback chair and wrapped it around myself. Even I knew better than to answer the door in my undergarments.

  I cracked open the door and poked my head through the gap. Standing in the hall, looking down at her shoes was a girl I estimated to be a bit younger than myself.

  “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I’m Millie. Miss Belden sent me to help you get ready for dinner,” she said. It had not occurred to me that such assistance could be available. I had always dressed myself. Certainly there were other women in the show, but since none of them lived in the same tent as Father and me, dressing had always been something I managed on my own.

  Suddenly, I felt quite shy. That was, until I noticed how uncomfortable Millie looked. She stood shifting what little weight she had between her two feet. I was even more sorry for her than I was nervous for myself. I knew I must put her at her ease.

  “Please, come in.” I stepped back and gestured to the room beyond me. “I’m very glad to see you. I have absolutely no idea what to wear.” Millie slowly stepped across the threshold and looked around the room.

  “I’ve never been in this room before now.” Millie lifted a finger to her mouth and nibbled at a hangnail.

  I pressed the door into place and turned the solid brass lock, feeling a thrill at the luxury of doing so. Tents don’t come with locks, and the rooming houses we had stayed in during the coldest months of the year were not given to such things, either. On occasion a better establishment might be fitted with a hook and eye screwed into the door and frame.

  “That makes two of us. You said Honoria sent you. Do you work here at the hotel?”

  “Yes, miss. In the summer, I do. Sometimes I help out in the fall or spring, too, if the need arises. I’m a maid, you see. The housecleaning kind, not the lady’s maid sort. I’m not quite sure I’ll know how to help you get ready.” Millie’s lower lip wobbled and my heart lurched. I would need an ally in the house and the odds were that Millie knew a lot more about living amongst the upper crust than I did. Sharing my own trepidation with her might put us both at ease.

  “May I tell you a secret, Millie?” I asked in a whisper. She dropped her finger from her mouth and nodded.

  “I’ve never had a lady’s maid to help me dress. Why don’t we figure it out together?”

  Millie’s face brightened into an enormous smile. “It’s a deal,” she said. “What a lot of gowns you have.”

  “That’s just the trouble. There are so many of them and in truth, none of them are mine. I arrived with nothing but the clothes on my back and my trusty parasol.”

  “You never did.” Millie’s mouth hung open.

  “I did indeed. So now we’ll have to see what there is in here that fits me. Let’s take a look.”

  We flicked through the choices and then decided the most sensible thing was to first settle on a pair of shoes. There were fewer of those lined up along the floor of the wardrobe, some vastly more comfortable than others.

  “The red satin are certainly the best,” I said, tipping my foot this way and that to admire the daintiest shoe I had ever worn.

  “What about this one, miss? It goes with your name as well as the slippers.” Millie held out a gown of rich red taffeta. “And will look a treat with your dark hair.” I nodded, and between the two of us we managed to wriggle me into the swaths of fabric without damage to the garment or myself. It had to be rebuttoned only twice. It was a miracle.

  “I hope you won’t mind the lack of sleeves, miss.” Millie scowled into the long mirror built into the wardrobe door. “Most of the ladies are wearing sleeves as big as hot-air balloons these days.”

  I stared at my reflection, hardly able to breathe both from the astonishment at what I saw and from the close fit of the bodice. “It is the very prettiest thing I have ever worn. Fashionable or not, I’m delighted with it. And do please call me Ruby.” Millie smiled and moved to the dressing table. She leaned over the mirrored tray covered in brushes and combs, hatpins and boot hooks.

  “Now, let’s see about your hair,” she said, pointing to the upholstered seat in front of the vanity table. I eased myself onto the chair, careful not to step on the flowing hem of the dress. Millie seemed much more sure of herself with a hairbrush in her hand than she had with the layers of undergarments and the complicated mechanics of the evening gown.

  I felt my shoulders pull down from around my ears as she eased the brush rhythmically through my hair until it shone in the beam of light glinting through the turret window. Deftly twisting and patting, she pinned up the heavy mass of it before adding an ornamented comb as a finishing touch.

  “You’ve worked magic, Millie,” I said as she regarded her creation. “Nothing will convince me you haven’t been doing this for years.” A slow blush spread over her fair cheeks as we looked at each other in the mirror.

  “I’ve got sisters, miss, I mean Ruby. I always love helping them to do their hair for dances and such.”

  “I always wanted a sister,” I said. “You’ll have to thank yours for letting me borrow you for the evening.”

  “They’d be happy to share, I’m sure.” Millie’s hand froze in midair as a bell jangled on the wall. I hadn’t noticed the contraption of buttons and a bell on the wall near the bed when I lay down earlier. “We’d best be done. The bell means five minutes until dinner.”

  “I shouldn’t wish to be late. Especially not on my first night here.”

  “No, you do not. Mrs. Doyle would have come up herself to see what ailed you if you had missed her dinner. She’s all het up since she heard you’d come home.”

  “Mrs. Doyle?”

  “She’s the cook and housekeeper for the hotel. Even Miss Belden’s a little scared of her.”

  “She sounds like a force to be reckoned with.”

  “Oh, she is. Nothing gets past Mrs. Doyle.”

  “Then I guess that is all the primping we have time for tonight. I don’t know how I would have managed without you, Millie. Thank you so much.” I pushed back the tiny stool and stood to leave.

  “You won’t than
k me if I let you head to the dining room without a pair of gloves. There have to be some around here somewhere.” I swallowed hard. I was going to have to keep on my toes if there was any way I would fit in here at the Belden.

  I tugged open a drawer of the vanity and found a pair of long black gloves. Pulling them on I rushed for the door. As I hurried down the stairs I gave myself a stern talking-to. After all, the terrors of the dining room could not be worse than those I had left behind.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ben stood silently at the base of the stairs as though he had been awaiting me. He escorted me to the dining room and wordlessly opened the paneled double doors. I looked around, noticing the round tables scattered about the long room. Upon surveying the other diners I congratulated myself on selecting one of the more elaborate gowns from my mother’s wardrobe.

  Honoria had been right about the fit. It might have been made just for me. The satin fabric smelled a bit musty but the rich red color set off my dark hair and eyes, if I did say so myself. One by one, conversations at the occupied tables ceased as the occupants noticed me standing at the threshold. Honoria rose from her seat and met me at the door.

  “Ruby, you are the vision of your mother. I should have known you’d pick her favorite dress.” She smoothed her hands across my shoulders, then drew me into the room. “Friends,” she said to the assembled group, “I’d like to introduce my niece, Miss Ruby Proulx.” Greetings came from all around the room and I nodded to each person in turn. “This is my dear friend, George Cheswick. You may remember him from this afternoon.” Honoria said. The gentleman from the séance who had opened the drapes crossed the dining room and offered me his hand.

  “Such a delight to meet you.” George managed a large smile despite his mouth being weighed down by a staggering mustache.