Ill Repute

by Nanette Kinslow

  “Please come in,” the butler said.

  Alice entered the home, impressed with the lavish interior. It was far more open than she would have imagined from the street. After a few moments she was shown to a private office.

  “May I help you?” A portly man entered and smiled pleasantly. “I am Mr. Johnson.”

  “Hello, Mr. Johnson, I am Miss Ellis. I am interested in the property along the creek, the shop front.

  “Ah,” Johnson said. “The property includes the shop as well as the residence upstairs. Are you thinking of starting a business or simply looking for a home?”

  “Both actually. I would like to see the property as soon as possible.”

  “This is a very desirable location and I am asking a fair amount for the property,” he said.

  “I understand,” Alice said. “It seems perfect. What are you asking?”

  “I am expecting three thousand for both the residence and the shop.” Johnson replied.

  “Can we see it now?”

  “You are comfortable with that amount?” he asked.

  “If it meets my needs. I can pay for it in full immediately.”

  Johnson grabbed his hat and escorted Alice to the property.

  The carriage driver waited as he saw them pass by and then enter the vacant shop.

  Mr. Johnson stood quietly while Alice walked through the place. It was completely empty with a large open area in the front of the shop with sprawling windows and in the rear, a small office and a generous back room that opened to a wide alleyway.

  “May I see the residence?” Alice asked, pleased with what she had seen.

  He showed her the entrance alongside the shop, with a separate doorway and Alice climbed the stairs eagerly.

  The quarters were inviting and bright with tall, wide windows and inlaid, hardwood floors. It featured an inviting kitchen on one floor and up another set of stairs were several fair-sized bedrooms. Alice found it comfortable and to her liking. She was certain that in time she could make it into a home. She wished Joseph was looking for a place with her, but she pushed the thought aside. Johnson followed her down to the front door and locked it behind him.

  Alice looked up and down the street. The sidewalks were swept and maintained and the nearby shops looked successful. The café next door had sets of small tables and chairs on the street where several couples were enjoying light meals and desserts.

  “I’ll take it,” Alice announced. “If you like we can go to the bank right now and complete the transaction. Would that bank do?” Alice pointed up the street.

  Mr. Johnson retrieved the paperwork for the property and met Alice at the bank. The manager helped them complete the appropriate forms and offered to help Alice in any way he could to become part of the neighborhood. When he had seen the amount the young woman was worth he was even more enchanted than he had been when he first watched her enter the bank.

  Johnson handed the keys to Alice and hurried home.

  Alice returned to the carriage. “I am ready to go to the closest hotel please, sir,” she said and he helped her into the coach.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Yvonne changed her clothing and finished brushing her hair following her morning ride. She enjoyed her horses immensely and wanted to ride them every chance now that she had returned from school.

  When she heard her father’s tap on her door she beckoned him in.

  Peter Lambert entered his daughter’s bedchamber wringing his hands nervously.

  “What is it Daddy?” Yvonne looked up as she finished arranging her hair carefully.

  “You have a visitor downstairs. A gentleman.”

  “Is it Jefferson?” Yvonne smiled broadly.

  Lambert had watched a steady stream of young men come and go over the last few years since his beautiful daughter had reached a marriageable age. He was suspicious of every one of them, believing they were only after his money. He had deflected most of them away easily when he made it clear that he would not accept a suitor for his daughter that did not meet particular financial requirements. He never expected any of them to succeed, even Joseph Southers. Still, he knew that Yvonne had been especially fond of Joseph. Yvonne would talk to her girlfriends about how he was the handsomest man in the entire county and because of that he was the one she wanted. Lambert knew that Joseph’s shop was very successful and would have considered him a candidate if only he had come from a financially stable background. He did see that Joseph was devoted to Yvonne but did not think she was ready to marry.

  Despite her age, Lambert feared his daughter was too immature to marry. She seemed completely disinterested in any sort of responsibility that would be required of a wife. Of course, marrying a rich man would make it easier for her, but still, marriage would mean at the very least taking on responsibilities to her husband. Lambert thought Yvonne enjoyed being a beautiful young woman too much but he also hoped that he was wrong. Maybe, he considered, it was time for her to settle down and she could adjust to that. She was nearing twenty now and he did not want to wait forever for grandchildren.

  “It’s Joseph Southers,” Lambert said.

  “Joseph!” Yvonne exclaimed. “He’s here?”

  “In my office,” Lambert said.

  “Oh my! Joseph Southers is back. I must change into a better dress!”

  “He says he found gold in Alaska. He looks different somehow.”

  “Different,” Yvonne said aloud as she hurried her father from her room and began to pull dresses from her armoire. “I’ll receive him in the parlor.”

  Lambert descended the stairs and asked the maid to direct Joseph to the parlor.

  Joseph paced the room anxiously, puzzled by the delay. He expected that Yvonne would rush to see him, now he was being told she would receive him. Maybe all the fancy schools her father had been sending her to had changed her. He eventually sat on the settee and waited for her to enter. He wondered how Alice was doing and tried to put her from his mind.

  Yvonne stopped suddenly while pulling the pins from her hair and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

  She said his name to herself and looked down at her hands. He’s come back, she thought. After all this time. When her father had suggested that he go away Joseph had gotten completely excited. He’d taken to reading everything about finding gold, even ordering that pan for searching from the hardware supplier. It was all he seemed to think about. He said it was all for her and then he had left. The holidays had come and she had no escort, no handsome gentleman to come calling. Yvonne had missed him terribly. Her father said he looked different now. Yvonne looked at her reflection in the mirror and wondered if she herself was different now too. She began to pin her curls up carefully, one at a time.

  She descended the stairs and cursed the maid for not having closed the parlor doors. It completely ruined her plan to pull the doors open and surprise him. Now he could see her coming. She straightened her back and walked down the stairs slowly. Yvonne was usually very comfortable with almost everything in her world, but now she was feeling somewhat uncertain.

  Joseph saw her on the stairs, got to his feet and stepped quickly to the foyer.

  “Yvonne,” he said quietly. She looked as beautiful as ever, even more elegant, he thought, though perhaps a bit detached.

  “Joseph Southers. I cannot believe you are here. I was certain you had completely forgotten about me and turned prospector or something.”

  Joseph stepped up to her and took her hands.

  “You look so handsome,” she said. Yvonne studied his face and although it was familiar he seemed different now.

  “I did it,” he said.

  “What did you do?” Yvonne led him out onto the porch.

  “I found gold. A lot of gold.”

  “You did? Like all those men in the newspapers?”

  “Exactly.” He stepped up and took her hands again.

  “Are you saying you got rich like those men?” Yvonne watched his face.

/>   “I did,” he said.

  “Why, Joseph that’s wonderful! Wait until I tell Betsy and Miranda!” Yvonne announced excitedly.

  “Let’s wait a bit for that. There are more important things it will mean,” he said.

  “What kind of things?” Yvonne smiled up at him sweetly.

  “Your father, remember? He said we could marry if I had enough money.”

  “Yes, of course. He tells everyone that. Let’s celebrate. We can throw a party.”

  Joseph was sure she didn’t understand.

  “Yvonne, I’m asking you to marry me.”

  “Joseph, you’ve just come back after, how long, nearly a year, right?”

  “Two,” he said.

  “That’s right. I got a wire from you just the other day. Oh, heavens! I forgot you wanted me to meet you at the station. Please forgive me, I’ve been so terribly busy. Let’s get Lottie to make us lunch and you can tell me all about it.” Yvonne hurried from the room.

  “Daddy,” she stepped into her father’s den and closed the door. “Did you tell Joseph Southers I was going to marry him right away?”

  “Well, not exactly. He did tell you that he is very rich now, didn’t he? Richer than me, he says.”

  “Richer than you?”

  “He said he was.”

  “Oh, Daddy.” Yvonne kissed her father’s cheek and hurried to the kitchen. Wouldn’t all of her friend be jealous? Handsome Joseph Southers was back and he might be rich. She must have a party, she thought. When they were with all of their friends again like before maybe it would feel like the old days again. She had missed that.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  The hotel room was luxurious and overlooked a wide avenue in the busy town. Alice could see the city hall from her window, stately and elegant in the distance. She changed her dress into something more casual and ventured down to the street. If she was going to make Philadelphia her home and open her shop here, she wanted to know everything she could about it. She found a novelty store where she purchased a simple map of the city and looked through a rack of postcards.

  It seemed no matter how hard she tried she could not get Joseph off her mind. While she looked at the postcards she thought how nice it would be to send him one. She could announce to him that she had already purchased her hat shop and invite him to come see it. As nice as the idea seemed, Alice knew it could never happen. She put the card back in the rack and resumed browsing the shop.

  Later she found an elegant department store and looked up at the sign. Wanamaker’s she read quietly to herself. Alice stepped into the remarkable store and was astounded at the size of it. She quickly searched out their millinery department. Their hats were wonderful, but Alice was sure she could do better. She left the store and ventured several more blocks from the hotel. She stopped at an intersection to wait for a trolley to pass and saw several men walk quickly down a narrow alley. Another man emerged, and then another. The building’s facade was unremarkable and she walked to where she could see the back entrance. The men who were departing shyly tipped their hats to her. She had found a brothel.

  Alice walked away pensively. She’d never had any intention of leaving her life as a prostitute and so she had not thought very much about what it meant to put it aside. Her life had changed and she had fallen in love with Joseph. From that point on, if she imagined being with a man it was always him. She’d find herself daydreaming of doing things with him she knew no man could resist. Alice shook her head and turned her attention back to her exploration of the city.

  She unfurled her map on a bench, found her location and plotted a route to her shop deciding she would dine at the café next door. It was several blocks away and she had begun to tire so she decided that she might attempt riding one of the many passing trolleys.

  She found people who had gathered at a stop and inquired as to the fare. They all waited together until the trolley arrived and she followed their lead, dropping her nickel into the box. Alice studied the way they disembarked and watched for her stop. When she stepped from the trolley car in front of her shop she was thrilled and delighted.

  Standing in front of her new business sparked her imagination. She vowed to make it the most elegant millinery shop in the city. Alice entered the café.

  She chose a seat beside the window in a corner, where she could eat quietly and see the people on the street. It was twilight and she watched couples dressed for an evening out. Alice examined the types of hats they wore and was certain she could impact the local styles.

  “Good evening.” A neatly-dressed young man bowed slightly and offered her a menu.

  “Hello,” Alice said. “Is the café owner in this evening?”

  He smiled broadly, captivated by her open smile and friendly manner.

  “Not only am I your server tonight I am the owner of this upscale establishment. We have foods from around the world, or at least from around the corner. I am Daniel Parker, at your service.”

  Alice giggled at his friendly manner and he sat down in the chair across from her.

  “I can do this only because I own the place, but you mustn’t tell anyone I was sitting down on the job.”

  “I am Alice Ellis,” she said. “I’m hoping you do have the finest food. I just purchased the property next door and would like to make this my home away from home.” Alice had decided she should think of Philadelphia as home.

  “That’s wonderful news! What type of shop will you be opening?”

  “Millinery,” she said. “Specifically, one of a kind bonnets. When I am ready to open perhaps we could discuss a business arrangement where I might offer a sandwich or perhaps a soup with every bonnet purchase, until I am established.”

  “Miss Ellis I can guarantee you that I would be open to any business proposition you might offer.” Parker smiled attractively and resumed his work.

  He was handsome, Alice thought, and certainly friendly and amusing, but he was not Joseph. She cleared her throat and read the menu.

  Le Café Bonsoir, the menu read. Alice liked it, it had a cozy feeling, she thought. The fare was simple, soups and sandwiches, simple pastries, desserts and coffees. She noticed that they did not open until eleven in the morning and considered that many shops may not open until later. She knew practically nothing about the city. She’d have to take notice, she thought. She’d also have to find a place where she could get an early breakfast. She could cook, but did not like the thought of eating her meals alone.

  Alice ordered a roast beef sandwich with an au jus sauce and a coleslaw.

  When she had finished her sandwich, Daniel appeared with a large apple turnover smothered in a rich, whipped cream. He set it down before her and she smiled in delight. Then he pulled another from behind his back.

  “Not only is it on the house, it comes with the company of a local gentleman. It is a specialty that does not appear on the menu.”

  Alice gestured to the empty chair, noticing that he no longer wore an apron. The café was nearly empty and she saw an employee cleaning up for the evening.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Daniel watched her taste the whipped cream delicately. Her accent was unusual. She was certainly not from Philadelphia and, although she seemed casual and at ease, she had an aloof way of looking around, as though watching for someone she knew to appear.

  “You must tell me everything about yourself. My café is now closed and I can’t imagine a more enchanting way to spend an evening.”

  Alice smiled. “I doubt that anything about me is terribly enchanting. I grew up in Montana and now I am here.”

  “The way you say it you make it sound magical,” he laughed.

  “That’s very flattering but I’d much prefer to hear about you and this amazing city.”

  “Philadelphia? Amazing? I’ve lived here most of my life, though not always in the city. Perhaps, you’re right. Some things here are amazing.”

  “I see your menu says you open at eleven. Is that true fo
r most of the nearby shops?”

  “No, I don’t serve breakfast. I don’t care to wake up while it is still dark outside. That’s a fact about me you might like to know.” He winked at her in a friendly manner.

  “Your turnovers are quite delicious, Mister Parker, but I don’t think I know you nearly well enough to know what time you like to rise in the morning.”

  “I can change that,” he offered.

  “I’m sure you could. First I will need to settle in this new city and find out what time I will like to rise in the morning. When that happens we can talk about it, but first I would like to settle in.”

  Daniel answered her questions about the city. When they had finished dining he rode on the trolley with her, escorted her to her hotel lobby and wished her good night, kissing her hand.

  “I will look forward to seeing you in the shop again,” he said.

  “Goodnight, Daniel.”

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Joseph laid the blanket out on the soft grass behind the Lambert house and gestured for Yvonne to sit beside him.

  “Wouldn’t you rather eat on the porch?” she asked, concerned that she would wrinkle her new dress.

  She had instructed the cook to prepare lunch and sent another servant to fetch her friends so that they might know right away that Joseph was home. She was sure they would be completely green with envy.

  Yvonne eventually sat upon the ground, arranging her dress neatly around her.

  Joseph watched her fussing with her gown. Her hair was perfectly arranged and her complexion flawless. She smiled at him sweetly and her eyes sparkled a bright blue. She primped her hair delicately and she looked up at him expectantly.

  “I found it,” he said. “More gold than I ever imagined I could.”

  “Do you have it with you?” Yvonne asked pleasantly.

  “No, it was heavy and I had to carry it out in a backpack. I cashed it in when I got to Portland,” he explained.