City of Schemes

by Victoria Thompson

  “I’m sure Miss Fortier will be grateful for your help, Kellogg,” Gideon said by way of dismissal.

  “You should’ve done what she asked the first time,” Kellogg said with what sounded like bitterness. “She wouldn’t’ve had to tell you about the baby.”

  Logan gaped at him in astonishment at the misplaced criticism, and Gideon grabbed his arm before he could instinctively defend himself against such a scurrilous charge. “That’s water under the bridge, Kellogg, and you have no right to question Mr. Carstens’s actions. He did what he thought was right. Can we drop you somewhere?”

  “No, I’ll . . . I’ll be fine on my own from here.” He didn’t look like he’d be fine at all, but Gideon wasn’t going to argue with him.

  “I . . . I appreciate your concern for the young lady, Sergeant,” Logan said, surprising Gideon. Logan must have a great deal of residual goodwill for Kellogg to actually thank him for all of this. “It does you proud.”

  “Uh, thank you, Captain,” Kellogg said as if not quite certain of Logan’s sincerity. “It’s . . . I’m just glad I could help.”

  Kellogg quickly took his leave and scurried away, disappearing into the surge of pedestrians crowding the sidewalk.

  “I hate to think he was less than honest after all we went through together in France,” Logan said, staring after him.

  “Perhaps we’ll find a logical explanation for this when that ship docks,” Gideon said. “Come on, let’s get ourselves some lunch before I have to go back to my office.”

  * * *

  —

  What beautiful horses,” Rosemary said, not for the first time, as they were enjoying lunch at a country inn not far from the Happy Hills horse farm. Roast chicken and fried potatoes and glazed carrots had satisfied their hunger. A roaring fire in an enormous stone hearth helped chase the chill that seemed to have crept into Elizabeth’s bones, but she wasn’t complaining. Everything was going much too well.

  “Yes, they were beautiful,” Percy agreed, although he did not seem to share her enthusiasm.

  “Surely, you’re going to buy them all,” Rosemary said. “I can just picture you riding that stallion across your estate.”

  “He really was a beauty,” Anna agreed. “I don’t know much about horses, but anyone can see that.”

  “I don’t know much about horses, either,” Elizabeth lied, “so I wouldn’t dream of advising you, but I can see you’re concerned about something, Percy. What is it?”

  “I had no idea how much it would cost to refill my stables. I suppose horses have become scarce here in the United States as well because of the war.”

  “Everything was scarce because of the war,” Anna said, “but I suppose England suffered far more, since you were fighting so much longer than we were.”

  “I suppose you lost a lot of your tenants as well,” Elizabeth said.

  “The wives and daughters worked very hard to keep the farms going,” Percy said with a rueful smile. “We desperately needed the crops to feed the soldiers, you know, but you’re right, the rents were affected, and now so many of the men won’t be returning . . .” He shook his head with regret for all the lives lost. “But I’m sure the estate will recover quickly, and it’s not that I don’t have the funds. It’s just that I didn’t arrange for enough capital to cover both the horses and the cost of shipping them home.”

  “But surely, you can make some arrangements,” Elizabeth said.

  Percy smiled bravely. “I can, but I’ll have to return to England to do it. Things are rather chaotic at home now, you see, and these things must be done in person.”

  “But you can’t return to England so soon,” Rosemary said with obvious alarm. “We’ve hardly had a chance to get to know you.”

  “I promise not to leave until after your party, at least,” Percy said with a forced smile. “I’m looking forward to meeting your Logan and Elizabeth’s Gideon.”

  “And who knows,” Anna said, “you might meet some heiress and fall in love and her father will give you the horses as a wedding gift.”

  “Does that sort of thing still happen in America?” Percy asked, highly amused.

  “Not as much as it used to, but I’m sure it still could,” Anna said. “Don’t set your hopes on me, though. I’m not an heiress.”

  “And Rosemary and I are already engaged,” Elizabeth said, earning a frown from Rosemary. “Perhaps Rosemary could help you find a suitable bride, though. She seems to know all the best families.”

  Rosemary did not look at all pleased by Elizabeth’s suggestion, but she had a smile for Percy. “Would you really consider taking an American bride, Lord Percy?”

  “If my heart demanded it,” he said, laying a hand over the organ in question.

  “And how would you entice her to return to England with you?” Anna asked.

  Percy sighed, as if he were already in love. “I would tell her all about Hartwood. Elizabeth, you’re an American girl, so you would know what would please my prospective bride. What impressed you most about my family’s estate?”

  Elizabeth wanted to pinch him, but she said, “I must confess, I never imagined being in a house with more rooms than I could count, and every one more beautiful than the last. The room I slept in—they always gave me the same one when I visited—was only one of dozens of guest rooms. It overlooked the lake, and I used to sit on the window seat and imagine I was the princess who lost her golden ball in the water and had it retrieved by a frog who claimed to be a prince.”

  “Would you have kissed the frog?” Anna asked.

  “I certainly would have,” Elizabeth assured her, then closed her eyes as if she were picturing Hartwood itself. “Oh, and the public rooms were gorgeous, too. Rich, dark woods and all that enormous furniture. There’s actually a full suit of armor in the entrance hall. The first time I saw it, I thought there was a man inside. I was terrified!”

  Percy laughed along with the other women. “And did you enjoy our little rides around the estate?”

  “Of course. The grounds are delightful, as Percy has mentioned. The gardens are very formal, not like the ones here in America. Tell me, have they gone to ruin because of the war?”

  “I’m afraid we weren’t able to keep them up with all the men gone into the army,” Percy said with regret. “Perhaps my heiress bride will oversee their restoration.”

  He gave Rosemary a big smile and she returned it. “Perhaps she will.”

  The waiter came to clear the table and then served them large wedges of warm apple pie with cheese for dessert.

  “What arrangements are you going to make about the horses, Lord Percy?” Anna asked when they had begun to sample the pie. “If you wait until you get back from England, they might be sold.”

  “I will need to return to the farm at least once more before I make a final decision, of course. I’ll want to ride them and have someone who is an expert examine them, too. It’s very important that they are in good health for the voyage. Tell me, Miss Westerly, is your father an expert on horses, by any chance?”

  “Heavens no,” she said with a laugh. “Why would he be?”

  “I thought perhaps he enjoyed horse racing. So many Americans seem to.”

  “Father isn’t much of a gambler, I’m afraid.”

  “That’s too bad. Perhaps he can recommend someone to me then.”

  “You can ask him at my party,” Rosemary said, obviously happy for another opportunity to mention the event.

  “And if he can’t help, I’m sure Logan or Gideon would be happy to,” Anna said. “Although that’s still two days away. I hope no one buys the horses before you can get back to them.”

  “Don’t be silly, Anna,” Rosemary chided. “There are thousands of horses Lord Percy could buy in America. We’ll make sure he doesn’t return to England without some.”

  * * *

>   —

  Elizabeth greeted Gideon with a kiss when he arrived on Friday evening to take her to Rosemary’s party.

  “You look beautiful,” Gideon said when he stepped back to catch his breath.

  She turned completely around, letting him admire her from all possible vantage points. She knew the royal-blue color of her gown looked fabulous on her. “I hope I won’t outshine Rosemary.”

  He gave her a disapproving look. “You don’t hope any such thing, and of course you will.”

  “You may be a little prejudiced.”

  “I may also be right.” He helped her with her coat, and while she was winding a scarf around her throat, he said, “When are you going to tell me the purpose of this party?”

  “It’s to welcome Logan home.” She tried an innocent expression, but he didn’t seem to be fooled.

  “I already welcomed Logan home, and so did everyone else.”

  She pretended to consider this as she pulled on her gloves. “Perhaps Rosemary just wanted an excuse to show off her new friend, the Earl of Hartwood.”

  “That does sound more like Rosemary, but why would anyone care about this earl?”

  “Don’t tell me you can’t guess. Americans love British aristocrats, and we haven’t seen many of them these past few years because it was too dangerous to travel between England and America during the war. Those awful U-boats and mines, you know. Rosemary has captured one of the first British aristocrats of the year, though. This is bound to get her mentioned in all the gossip columns.”

  “Why would she want that?”

  Elizabeth wanted to kiss him again because he really was the most sensible man she knew. “I have no idea, but apparently, it is very important to her. Shall we go?”

  Gideon tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her out to the cab that was waiting for them. When they were on their way, Elizabeth turned to Gideon. “I hope you and Lord Percy will be good friends.”

  He turned to her very slowly and very suspiciously. “What does that mean?”

  “That means I’m sure you’ll make him feel welcome and give him all the assistance that he needs.”

  “What kind of assistance will he need?”

  “Probably very little, but one never knows.”

  “I’m not going to—”

  “—lie. Yes, we know, but just don’t offer any unsolicited opinions.”

  “Opinions about what?”

  “About anything.”

  Gideon sighed. “I’m going to be very sorry I attended this party, aren’t I?”

  “Oh no. I think you’re going to enjoy yourself immensely.”

  He thought about this for a few minutes as the cab threaded its way through the evening traffic. “Do I already know this Earl of whatchamacallit?”

  “Hartwood. It’s possible he will be somewhat familiar to you.”

  “Just familiar?”

  “But of course you have never met the earl.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He knew her too well. “You have never met him as the earl.”

  “I see. I think.”

  “Of course you do, darling.”

  “And you already know him.”

  “We’ve known each other for years. Since childhood, in fact.”

  “Through your father.”

  “Yes. And you don’t have to lie, I promise. You can just avoid Lord Percy if you like. In fact, you should be looking after poor Logan, because I’m afraid Rosemary will neglect him shamelessly.”

  “At his own welcome home party?” Gideon scoffed.

  “If you doubt me, you are underestimating Rosemary.”

  “And Lord Percy, too, probably.”

  Elizabeth patted his arm in approval. “Most probably.”

  * * *

  —

  Elizabeth and Gideon were among the first guests to arrive. He introduced her to Rosemary’s parents, whom Elizabeth recognized from church. Mrs. Westerly was a once-handsome woman who had thickened with age but had failed to accept her maturity with grace. Her mustard-yellow gown would have looked better on a much younger—and less sallow—woman, but she was gracious and welcoming and seemed fond of Gideon. If she eyed Elizabeth a little too critically, Elizabeth was used to that from society matrons. Those with marriageable daughters were always evaluating the competition.

  Mr. Westerly was a bluff, portly man who spoke too loudly and eyed Elizabeth with more interest than a middle-aged married man should have shown.

  Logan was genuinely glad to see them both, while Rosemary greeted them perfunctorily and then returned to watching for the arrival of the real guest of honor.

  “Have you heard anything from France?” Elizabeth asked Logan when Rosemary had stepped away.

  “Nothing. I keep reminding myself that the crossing can take as long as ten days each way, so even if Noelle answered my letter immediately, her reply couldn’t possibly have arrived yet. But still . . .”

  “Waiting is so difficult,” Elizabeth said. “But you’ve done all you can. Gideon told me you’d sent the money and the steamship ticket.”

  “Yes, although Gideon has warned me not to be too optimistic.”

  “And rightly so. You haven’t mentioned any of this to Rosemary, have you?” Elizabeth asked.

  He looked horrified. “Of course not. I don’t want to hurt her.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Elizabeth said quite sincerely, earning a questioning look from Gideon, which she pretended not to see. Logan was a true gentleman and deserved the very best in life. “Where are your parents? I’d like to say hello.”

  Logan took them off to greet his parents, whom Elizabeth also knew from church. Then Gideon introduced her to some of the other guests as more people arrived. They were chatting with someone Gideon had just prepared a will for when they sensed a ripple of excitement going through the crowd.

  “Who is that?” the man with whom they had been talking asked.

  Elizabeth and Gideon turned to look. As she had suspected, it was Anna and the earl. Anna wore a simple gown in Alice blue, which was no longer a fashionable color but was very flattering to her complexion. Her gown didn’t matter at all, however, since no one except Elizabeth had even noticed her. The earl wore evening clothes, like all the other men, but he wore his with somewhat more flair. His jacket was cut in a decidedly different style, and he had a satin opera cape lined in bloodred satin draped over his shoulders. He carried an ebony cane with a silver lion’s head as a knob. His dark curls were elaborately arranged and his short beard had been waxed to a little point beneath his chin.

  “Good Lord,” Gideon muttered, and she didn’t dare look at him for fear she might laugh.

  “Yes, Lord Percy,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster because he really was quite a sight.

  Rosemary could not have been more pleased, if her expression was any indication. She had swooped in to claim him, tucking her hand into his arm and leading him to her parents who greeted him with an embarrassing level of enthusiasm. No one seemed to notice that they had left Anna standing quite alone.

  Elizabeth hurried over to her, Gideon on her heels.

  “Isn’t he amazing?” Anna said, apparently not at all disturbed by the rude way Rosemary had treated her.

  “That isn’t the word I would have used,” Gideon said.

  “Hush,” Elizabeth said. “You promised to be nice.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “But you will be,” Anna said with certainty. “Because you want to watch this as much as I do.”

  Gideon started to deny it, but Elizabeth said, “You aren’t going to lie to Anna, are you?”

  Gideon glared at her, making her smile in triumph.

  “Come along, Anna,” Elizabeth said. “You need to speak to our
hosts even if they have so rudely ignored you.”

  Anna made her way over to where the earl was still being welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Westerly and thanked them for inviting her. They gave her a cursory greeting, and the earl made an effort to include her, but Rosemary was having none of it and dragged him away to introduce him to the rest of her guests.

  Anna was still staring after them when a female voice said, “Did you come with the earl?”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Anna turned to find a rather determined-looking young lady staring intently at her as Gideon and Elizabeth hurried over to join them. At first glance, the young lady seemed to be just another guest, but then Elizabeth realized her gown, while attractive enough, had probably been purchased at the Macy’s department store rather than custom-made for her by a society modiste.

  “Yes, I did arrive with the earl,” Anna said a little uncertainly.

  “Would you tell me about him?” the young woman asked, pulling a small notebook and a pencil from the purse that dangled from her wrist.

  “Who are you?” Gideon asked a little rudely.

  She didn’t seem the least bit offended. “I’m Carrie Decker with The World. I don’t have to mention your name if you don’t want me to, but our readers are desperate to know more about the earl and why he’s in America.”

  “The earl’s visit is hardly something The World would be interested in,” Gideon said dismissively.

  But Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm. “You’re right, of course, darling, but I don’t think Miss Decker reports the news.”

  Miss Decker smiled her gratitude.

  “Are you a gossip columnist?” Anna asked in apparent shock. Her acting skills were improving daily.

  “I’m a society reporter,” Miss Decker said without so much as a blink. She’d been insulted before and by far more formidable foes than Anna Vanderslice. “Miss Westerly invites me to all of her parties, and she especially wants me to report that the earl attended this one, but no one else here seems to know anything about him.”