by Karen Kirst
Lavinia stopped and peered up at him, her breath coming in a white puff. “Is something wrong?”
“I was thinking about your party. It sounds like it’s going to be quite the event. Tell me more about it.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Why the sudden interest?”
“I wasn’t sure it was happening, but since it is…”
She studied him for a moment, and they started up the street again. “I never had any doubts. Of course, I’m not happy about the increase in the rent, but I’m used to dealing with shrewd businessmen. At least I can proceed with my plans. There will be desserts—plenty of them—and presents for all the children. I’m working on entertainment. Norma told me about a visiting concert pianist who could play carols. When I was at the mercantile, I heard that there’s a highly regarded puppet troupe performing in Sacramento City right now. Perhaps they could be persuaded to come to Sutter Creek.”
Gifts for all, a concert pianist and a puppet show? Lavinia’s event was going to have her guests’ mouths gaping. “We have some fine musicians here in town, and I know a miner who used to perform his ventriloquist act at children’s parties. I could ask him if he’d be interested in helping you out.”
“I play passably myself, but I would never think of performing for such a large gathering. And while I appreciate your offer to contact your friend, I’m sure the children would enjoy seeing a professional show.”
Now was probably not the time to tell her that the entertainer-turned-miner had been invited into the homes of some of Boston’s most influential families. Lavinia clearly had a vision for her party, and she intended to see it realized.
Sadly, he feared her extravagance—and expense—might not yield the results she was after. One evening of fun couldn’t compete with years of tradition and treasured memories. But just to be sure, he had a plan of his own that would delight the children and, if all went well, convince a certain woman there was joy to be found in the simple things her sister had come to value. Why that mattered so much to him, he didn’t know, but it did.
Lavinia halted in front of the grocer’s plate glass window. “What is Gladys doing in there? I sent her to the store over an hour ago.”
“It appears she’s talking with Mr. Staples.”
“I can see that, but she should have been back at the house starting supper by now. I need to have a word with her.” She shoved open the door, setting the bell to ringing, and strode over to the counter where her housekeeper was hanging on every word coming out of the shop owner’s mouth.
It didn’t take much to see that the older woman was smitten. The grocer seemed sweet on Gladys, too. Henry followed, eager to see how Lavinia would handle the situation.
Mr. Staples was the first to notice her. “What can I do for you, Miss Crowne?”
Gladys spun around, her eyes the size of cracker barrels. “Miss Lavinia. What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting with that lawyer fellow.”
“I’ve concluded my business and think it’s time you do the same. Where’s Dot?”
“Over yonder.” Gladys waved a hand toward the back corner where Dot sat in one of two chairs flanking a pot-bellied stove.
Dot pulled a peppermint stick out of her mouth, hopped up and dashed over to them. “Aunt Livy! Did you come to get me?”
“You may join us, yes. I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long.”
“It’s all right. Mr. Staples gave me candy, and his cat was sitting with me.”
A gray tabby sidled up to Henry and wove between his ankles. “She’s a pretty one, isn’t she, but not as pretty as you, Dimples.” He hefted Dot into his arms, careful to avoid her sticky fingers.
Lavinia frowned. “How much candy have you had?”
“This many.” She held up three fingers.
Mr. Staples gave Lavinia an apologetic smile. “Sorry ’bout that, miss. I guess I lost count.”
“It appears my housekeeper has lost track of the time, too. School will be letting out soon.”
Gladys clapped a hand to her chest. “Oh my! I had no idea. Emery and I—” she winced “—that is, Mr. Staples and I got to talking, and before I knew it, there you were. I’ll be getting on home now.” She took the brown paper package the grocer handed her, cast him a lingering look and turned to leave.
“We’ll talk later, Gladys.” Although Lavinia’s tone was level, it had an edge to it.
“Yes, Miss Lavinia.” The older woman rushed out of the shop and pulled the door closed with such force that the glass center vibrated.
“Now, sweetie, let’s get you cleaned up.” Lavinia turned from Dot to the grocer. “Do you have a wash basin we could use, Mr. Staples?”
He held out a hand toward a doorway at the back of the shop. “Behind that curtain. You can’t miss it.”
She took Dot and marched away, leaving Henry alone with the grocer.
Mr. Staples speared a hand through his wiry gray hair and blew out a breath. “I didn’t mean to get Gladys in trouble. It’s my fault. We get to talking, and afore you know it, an hour’s gone by. I don’t have to tell you, though, do I? I’m guessing you and Miss Lavinia lose track of time ever’ now and then, too.” The older man chuckled.
Henry didn’t appreciate the insinuation. “Miss Crowne and I have a good deal to discuss, but our conversations are centered on the children.”
“If you say so, but I saw the way you were looking at her. I can understand. That young lady is as purty as she is strong-minded.”
He couldn’t argue with that. Time to steer the conversation in a new direction. “I heard you got a shipment of spices. I hope there was some nutmeg extract. I’m sure the children would enjoy a batch of Bethlehem Stars.” The small star-shaped cakes had been a favorite of his when he was a boy. He’d have fun showing Alex and the girls how to make them.
A discussion of Christmas confections followed, setting Henry’s mouth to watering. Lavinia and Dot returned and listened with interest until he checked his pocket watch and brought things to a close. “Alex and Marcie will be waiting for us, so we’ll bid you good day, Mr. Staples. We’ll have to talk treats again some time.”
“That we will, Mr. Hawthorn.”
Once outside, Henry took charge. “I’ll carry you, Dot, since it’s slippery out.” He hefted her onto his left hip and offered Lavinia his right arm. “If you’ll hold on to me, we can be off.”
She adjusted her scarf and wrapped her hands around his elbow. “Brr. That wind is brisk.”
“Sure is.” Not that he minded. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman at his side, but Lavinia wasn’t just any woman. Bright, beautiful and a mite bull-headed at times, she kept life interesting and him on his toes, figuring out ways to show her that the children weren’t lacking, as she seemed to think they were, while granting her due respect at the same time. Not an easy task, but he relished a challenge.
He left Main and headed west down Spanish Street toward the white clapboard schoolhouse. He shortened his stride to accommodate Lavinia’s. With the high-heeled emerald green boots she wore today, the trek would be challenging. “Are you doing all right?”
“I’m fine. For the most part.”
What was that supposed to mean? “Do we need to slow down?”
“No. It’s not that. It’s the surprise I was just dealt at Mr. Staple’s shop. I didn’t want to believe what you told me, but I saw for myself what I’m up against. I’ll handle it, though.”
He pitied Gladys. The older woman had finally found some happiness, but judging by the set of Lavinia’s lovely features, it appeared Gladys’s budding romance would be cut short.
They made it to the schoolhouse without mishap, picked up Alex and Marcie and were back on Main Street a few minutes later. Lavinia led the way toward Benedict’s building.
Marcie squeezed between him and Lavinia. “Where are we going, Aunt Livy?”
“To see the hall where I’ll be hosting a party.”
“A party?” Marcie peppered her aunt with questions. “When? Where? Do we get to come?”
“Friday after next, that building with the bench out front, and of course, you may come. You, Alex and Dot are the reason for it.”
“We are? Why?”
Henry’s gut clenched. If Marcie was this excited about the party without even knowing what Lavinia had planned, how would the outgoing girl react when she learned more about the lavish event her aunt had in mind? Would she be tempted by the luxurious lifestyle Lavinia could provide and feel like she’d be missing out?
“I thought you might like to see what Christmas was like when your mother was your age.” They’d reached the door to the building. Lavinia pulled the key out of her handbag and slipped it in the lock.
Marcie stood at one of the windows, cupped her hands and peered into the vacant building. “Why will the party be here? This place hasn’t been open in ages.”
“The meeting hall inside will hold all the guests I’ll be inviting. Wait until you see it. There are beautiful chandeliers, lovely brocade draperies and a floor that’s been polished until it gleams in the lamplight, which would make it good for dancing.”
“Dancing?” Alex scoffed. “Who wants to do that? Not me.”
Henry stifled a laugh. His prediction of Alex’s reaction had been on the mark. “Don’t worry, Buddy. Your aunt assured me there won’t be any dancing.”
“Good. I don’t want to get that close to a girl.” He gave an exaggerated shudder.
“Believe it or not, you won’t always feel that way.” Lavinia stepped into the lobby and held the door open. “Come along now.”
Marcie and Alex clomped inside. Henry followed, ducking to make sure his top hat cleared the head jamb.
“Follow me.” Lavinia crossed the lobby, passed through another door and traveled down a dusty corridor.
Dot sneezed. “This place tickles my nose.”
“I’m sorry about that. Here you go.” Lavinia handed Dot a lace-edged handkerchief and continued until she reached a door with a plaque bearing the words Meeting Hall. She opened it, revealing a large room cast in shadows. “It’s dark, so I’ll open the drapes. Wait here.”
No sooner had Lavinia left than three pairs of eyes locked on Henry. Alex looked doubtful, Marcie curious and Dot irritated.
Marcie peered up at Henry. “Aunt Livy said she’s having her party here to show us what Mama did when she was a girl, but Mama didn’t have parties in big ol’ places like this, did she?”
He debated how much to say. He might as well be forthcoming since Lavinia would tell them herself. “She did, actually. Her father has a big house with a ballroom, and he holds a Christmas party in it every year.”
Alex’s jaw dropped. “Mama’s house had a room this big?”
“Yes.” From what Lavinia had said, it was twice as large, but he’d leave it to her to share that detail.
Marcie’s mouth gaped. “That sounds like a palace. Was she a princess?”
Henry smiled. “No, Muffin. Her father just has a big house.”
“Don’t you remember, Marcie?” Alex chided. “Mama told us about him once. He owns lots of hotels, so he’s got piles of money.”
“She didn’t say that!”
“She did, too.” Alex scuffed a boot over the carpet runner. “Well, not the money part, but if he has all those hotels and a great big house, he must be rich.”
Footfalls signaled Lavinia’s approach. “Who are you talking about?”
Henry chose his words carefully. “They were asking about the parties you and your mother enjoyed as girls, and one thing led to another.”
Marcie gazed at Lavinia. “Uncle Henry said you don’t live in a palace, but Alex said if your house has a room this big, your papa must be rich. Is he?”
“My father has worked very hard and has done well for himself, but it wasn’t always that way. When he was a boy, he had to put newspaper in his shoes because he’d worn holes through the soles.”
“He was poor?” Alex asked.
Lavinia nodded. “That’s why he’s worked so hard.” She gazed into the room now filled with light. “He wanted your mama and me to have nice things.”
“You do.” Marcie glanced at her aunt’s outfit and dropped her gaze to the floor, where the toes of Lavinia’s boots peeked out from beneath the hem of her gown. “I only have one pair of boots, but you have five.”
Lavinia opened her mouth but closed it without speaking. She reached back to massage her neck.
Dot shifted in Henry’s arms. “Are you mad, Aunt Livy?”
“No, sweetie. I was just remembering a time when your mother and I took off our boots in the ballroom and went skating.”
“Skating?” Alex asked. “What do you mean?”
“In Philadelphia, the rivers and lakes freeze over in the winter. We wear skates with sharp blades on the bottoms and glide over the ice, like so.” She modeled the basic forward movement. Due to the recent waxing she’d requested when she first offered to rent the place and her smooth leather soles, she could move with relative ease.
“When your mama and I were young, our friends invited us to join them. We wanted to go, but our mother thought ice skating would be too dangerous. We took off our boots and skated over the ballroom floor in our stocking feet instead. Your mama got going so fast that she took a tumble and did three somersaults before coming to a stop.”
“Did she get hurt?” Leave it to cautious Alex to think of that.
Lavinia shook her head. “I think she got a couple of bumps, but she didn’t care. She started laughing, and I joined in. We laughed so hard that we stopped making any noise.”
“I’m going skating!” Marcie plopped down on the floor and removed a boot. She dropped it with a thud and started on the second.
“I wanna skate, too. Put me down, Uncle Henry. Please.”
He deposited Dot on the floor, knelt and helped her take off her shoes. He glanced over his shoulder at Alex. “How about you, Buddy? We can’t let the girls have all the fun, can we?”
A slow smile spread across his nephew’s face. “No, Uncle Henry, we can’t. Are you going to skate, too, Aunt Livy?”
Henry paused. He wasn’t above applying some pressure if it would help Lavinia relax and enjoy herself. She might even release her musical laugh and favor him with another smile or two. “Yes, Lavinia. You need to join us. After all, this was your idea.”
He’d issued the challenge. How would she respond?
CHAPTER SIX
The meeting-room-turned-skating rink faded as images from the past swirled through Lavinia’s mind with dizzying speed. Pauline sprawled across the ballroom floor laughing until tears streamed down her cheeks. Sneaking into her sister’s bedroom in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm and listening to stories that Pauline dreamed up to chase away their fears. Waving to Pauline, a newly married woman, as Jack’s wagon lumbered down the road, leaving Philadelphia—and a grieving younger sister—behind.
Oh, Pauline. I miss you so much.
Marcie slid over to Lavinia, her skirts swishing as she skated. “You have to play, too, Aunt Livy. It’s fun. See?” Her niece raised her arms over her head and spun in a tight circle.
With Marcie’s head thrown back and laughter bubbling out of her, she looked so much like Pauline that Lavinia couldn’t keep from smiling. “You’re definitely your mother’s daughter.”
Marcie came to a stop and held out her hands to steady herself. “Of course I am. She liked to have fun, and so do I. Are you gonna have some, too?”
“I’m having fun watching you.”
�
��That’s not fun. That’s boring. I’m going to skate.” Marcie darted off toward her siblings.
Henry’s sweeping strides brought him to Lavinia’s side quickly. “I’d imagine seeing Marcie like this brings back memories.”
Lavinia nodded.
“You’ve succeeded in your mission then.”
“What do you mean?”
Henry held out a hand toward the children. “You wanted them to see what their mother’s life was like, and they are.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want them to see how we celebrated Christmas.”
“And they will, but isn’t this just as important?”
Before she could answer, Dot barreled toward her. Lavinia braced herself for the impact.
“Why aren’t you skating, Aunt Livy?”
“It’s not la—” She caught herself just in time. How many times had her mother kept her daughters from enjoying themselves by exerting pressure on them to behave in a ladylike manner? Too many. Pauline hadn’t let their mother’s gentle rebukes keep her from having fun. Her sister had embraced life with gusto as her children were doing now.
“It’s not what?” Dot asked.
“It’s not…something I’ve done in a long time.”
Alex drew up alongside her. “If you’re scared of falling, you could hold on to Uncle Henry.”
She glanced at Henry and had to fight to keep her composure. A challenge, along with something that looked a lot like attraction, dwelled in his clear blue eyes. The combination was irresistible—and disturbing. “I can manage on my own.”
Alex smiled. “Then you’re going to do it?”
Marcie rushed over, and the three children lifted expectant faces. “I will.”
“Goody!” Dot clapped.
Lavinia couldn’t bring herself to look at Henry. Instead, she headed for the nearest window and closed the gap between the lacy curtains that had been hidden beneath the brocade drapes. The thin fabric let in the light, but it would keep those outside from witnessing her breach of etiquette. She took a seat on a nearby bench, removed her boots and wiggled her toes. Such freedom. She hadn’t walked around in her stocking feet since she was a girl, and yet here she was prepared to slide across the meeting room floor.
