Lorna Seilstad

by When Love Calls

  Even in the breeze, her cheeks flamed.

  “Is he whining again?” Aunt Sam cast her a knowing glance. “What are we going to do with him? You’ll have her all to yourself tomorrow.” She waved her fingers at Lincoln and started down the path. “Time to fly, Hannah.”

  “Like you need any encouragement to fly.” He kissed Hannah’s cheek. “See you later, and be careful.”

  “Aren’t I always?” She shoved off and started pedaling behind Aunt Sam. “On second thought, don’t answer that.”

  44

  Since Aunt Sam hadn’t asked Hannah directions as she often did, Hannah was left to assume the woman had a plan and knew exactly where to go on their bicycle excursion.

  They turned on Grand Avenue and rode without stopping for several blocks. Hannah marveled at the older woman’s fitness. When they finally paused at a corner, Hannah was puffing, but Aunt Sam had no trouble speaking.

  “I apologize for the hilly ride, but I wanted to drop by Elise Williams’s and check on her spirits. Lincoln said Pete mentioned she’d slipped into another one of her melancholies.”

  Hannah’s heart thudded against her ribs. Was it because of her worries about the fire?

  A short time later, the maid showed them into the parlor, where Elise sat beside her electric machine. She barely glanced up when they entered.

  Aunt Sam snagged the footstool and placed it directly in front of the unresponsive woman. “Hello, Elise. I’ve brought Lincoln’s Hannah with me. Remember, you met her at your dinner party.”

  She glanced up at Hannah, and recognition flickered in her pale green eyes. “The night of the fire.”

  “Yes, there was a fire.”

  Tears filled Elise’s eyes. “So many flames. So much smoke.”

  “You go right ahead and cry, Elise. Wash the sad right out of you.” Aunt Sam dabbed at the tears with the corner of her handkerchief. “Hannah, why don’t you ask the maid to bring her some water or tea?”

  Hannah nodded and slipped from the room. In the hall, she listened for the sound of clanging pots to indicate the direction of the kitchen. Hearing none, she started down the hallway. She paused at the first open doorway—a study.

  “What are you looking for now?”

  She whirled to see Albert. How had he snuck up on her?

  “I was looking for a maid. Your mother needs a glass of water or some tea.”

  “My mother needs a lot more than a glass of water.” He pointed down the hall. “The kitchen’s down there.”

  Hannah’s pulse raced. Here Albert stood before her. Was God giving her the chance to ask him about the fire?

  Squaring her shoulders, Hannah placed a hand on the wall to anchor herself. “Albert, may I ask you a science question?”

  Distrust filled his blue eyes. “I suppose.”

  “I’ve read about fires started by an infernal device.” She licked her dry lips. “How could one trigger such an explosion?”

  His face reddened, and he glared at her. “Did Lincoln put you up to this? Tell him I’m fine now. That’s all behind me.”

  “What?” Hannah took a step back. “I didn’t—I mean I don’t mean to offend you. Lincoln has nothing to do with my question. I only thought you’d know because you’re so intelligent.”

  “Give your beau a message, Miss Gregory. My father doesn’t need him to be the son I never was anymore. You got that?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “And you’d both be wise to stay out of my business.”

  Chills crept up her spine at the look in Albert’s eyes. How could she define the look? Hatred? Yes, that was it. He appeared to hate Lincoln, and that hatred was rooted in Lincoln’s relationship with Pete. Was Lincoln aware of Albert’s feelings?

  She went over the bizarre exchange again as she found the kitchen and asked for water. What had Albert meant about telling Lincoln he was fine now? What was all behind him? Surely if Lincoln knew Albert had any kind of firebug past, he’d have said something.

  Halting so fast she almost spilled the water in the glass, Hannah sucked in a breath. What if Lincoln was also covering for Albert? He loved Pete like a father. Wouldn’t he do anything for the man to protect him? And if that was the case, did she really want to share what she’d heard?

  We’ve got to learn to trust each other. Lincoln’s words filled her mind. She wanted to trust him, but if she really loved him, shouldn’t she keep this secret too?

  Heat singed Hannah’s scalp, and she pulled away from Maureen’s ministrations. Aunt Sam had suggested Hannah get ready at Lincoln’s home so Maureen could do her hair. Her sisters had come along as well, and Mrs. Reynolds promised to make them a delicious supper.

  Aunt Sam had kicked her nephew out of the house, telling him not to come back until it was time to pick them up. How odd it felt to be dressing in Lincoln’s home.

  “Sorry about that, lamb. I got a little too close with the curling iron.” Maureen unrolled the device, clipped it back inside the chimney flue on the lamp, and blew on the hot curl. “Can you believe you’re going to a ball at Terrace Hill?”

  Hannah pressed a hand to her side. Beneath the fancy stays in her new corset, her stomach whirled like a pinwheel in the wind. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allen Hubbell hosted many events at their mansion, Terrace Hill, but Hannah certainly had never imagined attending one. The only part of Terrace Hill she’d ever seen was the ninety-foot tower on the front of the house, which was impossible to miss from the sidewalk.

  “What if I make a fool of myself?”

  “And how could you possibly do that?” Maureen pinned another curl in place. “There. What do you think?”

  Hannah angled her hand mirror so she could see all of her hair. Maureen had formed a long coil and fastened it at the back of Hannah’s head. More coils added height. She’d also left a generous amount of hair hanging in loose ringlets down Hannah’s neck. She tucked the new jeweled hair comb in like a coronet.

  “It’s perfect. How can I ever thank you?” She stood and gathered her dress.

  “You can thank me by remembering every detail of tonight. I want to hear it all, from the color of the carpet to how many sconces are hanging on the wall to how many men Lincoln has to fight off to dance with you.” She took the purple dress from Hannah and carefully eased it over her head.

  “I’ll certainly do my best to recall every detail.” Hannah shifted the dress into place and turned so Maureen could button the waistband.

  Once a bit of cheek color, shoes, jewelry, and gloves were added, Maureen pronounced her ready.

  “Oh, wait, do you have any fragrance?” Maureen scanned the top of the dressing table.

  “No. I didn’t bring any.”

  Charlotte stepped into the room. “I did.” She held out an atomizer. “It was Mother’s.” After giving Hannah a spritz, Charlotte stepped back and smiled. A spicy floral scent filled the room. “Whenever you smell it tonight, think of her as being with you.”

  Aunt Sam glided into the room in a gauzy, rose-colored gown. She motioned for Hannah to stand. “Let me take a look at you, dear.”

  Hannah stood and slowly turned around.

  Aunt Sam applauded. “Maureen, you’ve outdone yourself, and Hannah, you are such a natural beauty.” She drew on her own long gloves, and Maureen hurried to button them.

  “Where’s Tessa?” Hannah looked about the room.

  Charlotte leaned into the hall and called for her. Seconds later, Tessa bounced in. “He’s coming, but Hannah, you wait up here until he arrives. There’s nothing like a lady’s grand entrance to get a man’s blood flowing.”

  The ladies laughed, and everyone departed, leaving Hannah alone for the first time.

  Please, God, teach me how to love Lincoln with all of my heart. Show me why I’m not letting him in completely.

  Even though the clamor of activity downstairs announced Lincoln’s arrival, she waited until Maureen summoned her. A glance out the window told her Lincoln had rented a fancy carria
ge. Why hadn’t she considered that she and Aunt Sam wouldn’t both fit in the Reo?

  Maureen tapped on the door. “Are you ready, lamb?”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  Keeping her gaze fixed on Lincoln, Hannah descended the stairs. Dressed in a black swallowtail coat, white waistcoat, and black bow tie, he’d never looked more handsome.

  He held out his hand, and at the sight of his smile, a delicious heat spread through her. Her knees weakened under the intensity of his gaze.

  “You take my breath away.” His voice was husky.

  “Yes, yes. She’s beautiful. You’re handsome.” Tessa placed a hand on each of their backs. “Now go to the ball and come back with some good stories, and I don’t mean who danced with whom. I want real juicy stories.”

  Lincoln laughed and offered Hannah his arm. “You heard the lady.”

  Hannah glanced at Aunt Sam. The older woman beamed, and Lincoln held out his arm to her too. “I think I’ll be escorting the two loveliest ladies of the evening. Come, your carriage awaits.”

  If Hannah didn’t already feel like a princess, she certainly did once she stepped through the front doors of the Victorian mansion.

  In the vestibule, the butler greeted them and said he’d show them to the reception room. Hannah and Lincoln trailed Aunt Sam, the guest of honor.

  “Look at these!” Hannah whispered as they passed through the massive doors leading down the hall.

  Lincoln patted her hand. “According to Aunt Sam, together they weigh around three hundred pounds.”

  Because Aunt Sam had to be there before the other guests arrived, Hannah and Lincoln had time to look around after meeting the Hubbells. From the reception room to the drawing room to the music room, every space on the first floor seemed more beautiful than the last. All the doors that linked the rooms opened to create one great hall.

  The string quartet played in the music room, and Hannah hoped someone would also play the magnificent Steinway piano. She so wanted to hear it. In the formal dining room, maids rushed to put the finishing touches on the buffet.

  As other guests began to arrive, Lincoln reached for a sugared plum and popped it in his mouth. Hannah gave him a mock glare, and he pulled her close and kissed her temple.

  She should talk to him now about Albert while they were alone. She swallowed. How did she start?

  Before she could say anything, the butler suggested everyone move to the drawing room so the festivities could begin. Hannah sucked in her breath when they entered the room. Both walls and furniture sported a rosy-pink color. The rug had apparently been rolled up and removed to make dancing easier, and the chairs had been pushed to the edges of the room. Everywhere she looked, from the hand-painted mural on the wall to the white marble fireplace, made her feel like she’d stepped into a dream.

  And when she found herself twirling beneath the crystal chandelier in the arms of the man she loved, she prayed she’d never wake up.

  “Do you have any idea how lovely you are tonight? I think every man here has his eye on you.” Lincoln spun her in a circle. “I hope you’ll squeeze in a few more dances with me.”

  Her skirt swished against her legs. “If it was up to me, you could have them all.”

  “I wish I could. But even with her modern ways, I’m afraid my aunt would point out that faux pas.” He drew her closer. “Just remember who you belong to.”

  Belong to? Normally such a phrase would raise Hannah’s hackles, but she found it stirred something entirely new inside her. She risked a quick glance upward, her heart hammering in her throat when she caught a glimpse of the heat in his eyes.

  All too soon, the waltz came to an end, and Lincoln surrendered her to the next gentleman. To her surprise, Cedric claimed the next dance. He apologized for his boorish behavior at the Williamses’ dinner party and begged her forgiveness.

  Shortly after that dance, Albert asked her to join him on the dance floor. Although reluctant at first, she agreed and found him to be a remarkable dancer.

  Near the end of the dance, he tightened his hold on her. “Did you give Lincoln the message I gave you the other day?”

  Hannah looked into his eyes, trying to guess if this question was coming from the angry Albert or the friendly one who’d been making polite conversation. She decided it was the latter. “He’s not trying to replace you as Pete’s son, Albert. Your father is his mentor and friend. He cares about your whole family.”

  Albert swung her in a wide circle and laughed wryly. “It doesn’t make a difference anymore.”

  “Because you’ll be returning to college this fall?”

  “No, because I’ve got things under control now.” He laughed again. “Miss Gregory, I’ve learned to accept the way things are and deal with them accordingly.” He whirled her around, his eyes alight. “You’re truly a vision. I can see why Lincoln is so enamored with you. He’s a lucky man.”

  “I’m the lucky one.”

  “I suppose that’s true as well.”

  Did he mean that? She studied his features, but he gave nothing away. She found herself relaxing as they danced. None of the strangeness that sometimes accompanied Pete’s son seemed to be present tonight. Was this the young man who’d been accepted to Yale? Perhaps Lincoln was right about him being cured.

  Still, she didn’t want to be naive. If he was the arsonist, she had to know. A few questions and she’d have her answers. Lincoln would chastise her for taking chances, but if Albert were guilty, he’d never do anything to her here.

  “Albert.” She swallowed. “May I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “What kind of person do you believe is setting the fires?”

  His eyes never left hers, nor did his body stiffen in response to her question. He smiled and let out a chuckle. “I suppose the man must be mad. Am I on your list?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Come now, Miss Gregory. I’d understand if I was.” The song neared its end, and their steps slowed. “But I can assure you, my dear, you have nothing to fear from me.”

  Relief flooded over her. Surely she didn’t need to speak to Lincoln about this man if he could speak so sincerely in answer to her question. Lincoln himself had taught her to watch a person’s body for clues to see if they were lying, and she hadn’t seen one flicker that indicated subterfuge.

  She released a slow breath and sent up a silent prayer of thanks. She’d handled the situation without Lincoln ever having to know her fears.

  When the dance concluded, Albert bowed over her hand. “Thank you. And if you find yourself in need of a partner in the future, I’d be happy to accept the position.”

  Needing a reprieve, Hannah sat the next dance out and found an empty chair in the reception room.

  Lincoln spotted her and brought her a cup of fruit punch. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Very much, but my feet needed a break.” She glanced down at her new slippers peeking from beneath the hem of her gown.

  “Yours?” Lincoln laughed. “You didn’t dance with graceless Grace.”

  “That bad?”

  “Worse.” He took her empty cup and set it on a servant’s silver tray. He held out his hand to her. “Shall we?”

  She slipped her hand in his and smiled. “If I step on your toe, are you going to start calling me Hannah the horse?”

  “Nay.” He mimicked the sound of a horse.

  With a giggle, she let the magic carry them away once again.

  Tired but happy, Lincoln helped his aunt out of the carriage, then Hannah. The plan was to drop Aunt Sam off at his home and collect Tessa and Charlotte, who’d spent the evening there with Maureen.

  “We’ll probably have to waken my sisters.” Hannah stifled a yawn behind her gloved hand.

  Beneath the full moon, Hannah’s face shone like an angel’s. What a lucky man he was.

  He started up the walkway toward the house and halted. Why was Albert out for a walk in his neighborhood?<
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  Aunt Sam spotted him too. “Is that—”

  Hannah gasped.

  Boom!

  He flew backward and hit the ground hard. The earth shook.

  Rolling over, he searched for Hannah and his aunt. He found Aunt Sam first. She’d ended up a yard from him. “You okay?”

  “I think so.” She looked around. “Where’s Hannah?”

  He spotted her in the yard—lying dark and still.

  45

  Fuzziness faded. Hannah sat up and rubbed her aching head with the palm of her hand. What had happened?

  “Are you all right?” Lincoln sounded far away.

  She shook her head and it cleared. An explosion. Albert. The house.

  Her sisters!

  She jumped to her feet and stumbled. Lincoln caught her.

  Flames engulfed the porch.

  “Let me go! They’re in there!”

  “You can’t go in that way. I’ll get them.” He thrust her into Aunt Sam’s arms. “Stay here.”

  She fought Aunt Sam’s hold.

  “He’ll get them. Trust him, Hannah.”

  Trust him. The words hit her like a second blast, and her body trembled. If she’d have trusted him, none of this would have happened. Why hadn’t she told him what she knew?

  Aunt Sam pulled her close. “He’ll get them all out.”

  The clang of the fire bell sounded in the distance, but she barely heard it over the din of her own heartbeat in her ears.

  Please, God, don’t take them too!

  Throwing the back door wide open, Lincoln plunged into his home. Smoke billowed toward the opening he created.

  “Charlotte! Tess! Maureen!”

  No answer. What if they’d been knocked out by the explosion? Where would they have been?

  Keeping low, he felt his way through the kitchen and into the dining room. Despite his lungs aching for fresh air, he pressed harder. He’d promised Hannah. “Charlotte!”

  “Here.”

  The voice was faint. In the parlor? Of course. None of the three were familiar enough with the house to know how to get out any way other than the front door.