by Marie Silk
Serena looked weary but still seemed hopeful. “I spoke to the investigator. He is called Giovanni and he will search for Angelina. I think he will find her.”
“The investigator was optimistic, then?”
“I have a good feeling about him,” she replied. “There was something in his eyes that told me he will not give up until he finds her.”
“Then we will pray for his search,” Phillip told her. He turned to the two young children who were playing in the room. “Gabriella, Donnie, go wash up for supper and set an extra place for your Aunt Serena.” The children obeyed, leaving for the washroom.
“I’m going to pay a quick visit to Abigail so I can tell her that I met with the investigator. She will be glad to see that I am back so I may begin helping with the baby.” Serena paused thoughtfully. “It’s the most curious thing—Abigail’s baby reminds me of Donnie when he was newly born. The baby looks just like him!”
Phillip rose from his seat and carried a baking dish to the table. “I suppose all babies look alike,” he mumbled.
Serena laughed. “I suppose they do, but the resemblance is almost startling. Maybe if you saw him, you would see what I mean.”
Phillip shrugged and began re-arranging the plates at the table. Gabriella and Donnie returned to the kitchen, and Serena hurried out the door on her way to Davenport House.
Abigail was having dinner at the tea table in her bedroom with Ethan sitting across from her. Ethan stood up when Serena knocked on the open door. “Serena,” Abigail greeted cheerfully. “You look well! Please allow me to introduce my husband, Ethan.”
Serena gave a shy smile. “Good evening, Mr. Smith.”
“Miss Valenti,” he greeted with a nod.
“Abigail, I want you to know that the trip to Pittsburgh was a success. I think I will hear news of the search very soon.”
“Oh, I hope so,” Abigail replied kindly.
“Would you like me to stay with the little one tonight?” she asked.
“I think I we’ll be alright for now, but perhaps you have heard of Clara’s masquerade ball. I hoped you might care for the baby that evening, so that I may attend the ball with my husband. Could you arrive at 6 o’clock on Saturday?”
Serena nodded. “I am grateful to you for arranging it with me.”
“And I will be grateful for your help. I wished to hire a nurse who I could trust with the baby, and I believe you are the perfect person.”
“Thank you, Abigail. I don’t want to interrupt your meal. I’ll return on Saturday at 6 o’clock sharp.”
After speaking to Abigail, Serena headed down the stairs to the front door. Clara and Lawrence were on their way to the dining room and nearly ran into Serena in the Hall. “Good evening, Serena,” Clara greeted in surprise. She turned to Lawrence. “May I present my husband, Lawrence Collins. Lawrence, here is our neighbor, Serena Valenti.”
Instead of greeting Serena, Lawrence turned angrily to Clara. “I thought I made myself clear. I don’t want her kind anywhere near the house!”
Clara’s cheeks burned in embarrassment. She looked apologetically at Serena, who appeared just as mortified, cowering under Lawrence’s glare.
Serena turned to look at Clara. “I was just leaving,” she whispered hoarsely. She stepped around them and hurried out the door.
“Lawrence, how could you?” Clara fumed. “I’ve never been so humiliated in all my life!”
“It was you who invited her into the house just to vex me, when I told you to have nothing to do with them!”
“I did not invite Serena tonight, but even if I had, the least you could do is be civil! I’m going to take dinner in my room. I will not dine with you tonight after all!” Clara stormed up the stairs, her tears blinding her. She slammed the door when she got to her room.
Ethan and Abigail heard the shouting voices from downstairs and looked at each other with wide eyes. “Is it always like that when he comes home?” Ethan asked about Lawrence.
“It seems to get worse every time,” she admitted, and rose from her seat to close the bedroom door. “Ethan, something happened today. Lawrence came into my room demanding that I pay rent for two, now that the baby is here.”
“What? Lawrence came here into your bedroom? Was Clara with you?”
Abigail shook her head. “I was alone with the baby and it was all very awkward. Lawrence said that he handles the money while he is home, and that I should give him twenty dollars because the baby lives here now.”
“Twenty dollars is ridiculous,” Ethan said. “But I especially don’t like that he was here alone with you. He should know better than to enter a lady’s bedroom.”
“I did not like it either, but I was caught off-guard. I intend to keep my door locked from now on.”
“I’ll have a word with him,” Ethan said. “I don’t care if we haven’t been properly introduced yet.”
“Oh please don’t, Ethan. I don’t want to make things more uncomfortable with him than they already are.”
“He shouldn’t be bothering you, Abigail. You should be able to feel comfortable here without worrying about the door being locked.”
“It is only until the Red Cross is through with our house,” Abigail said. “Then we can move back and not worry about such things. I might speak to Clara about the twenty dollars once the masked ball is over. I don’t believe she is aware that Lawrence asked me for the money, but I also don’t wish to cause strife when she is occupied with the party and already on thin ice with Lawrence.”
Ethan moved his chair beside her and held her hand. “I’m going to bring a pot of strong coffee so I can stay with you tonight. I won’t go to sleep, I’ll just stay by your side and look after you and the baby.”
Abigail’s heart fluttered at his touch. “But when will you sleep?”
Ethan leaned toward her and kissed her face. “Don’t worry about me. What’s important now is that you feel comfortable. If anyone tries to bother you, they’ll have me to contend with.”
At the Valentis’ farmhouse, Serena stumbled through the door of the kitchen where Phillip and the children were waiting to eat their supper. Phillip had a sinking feeling when he saw that his sister was pale and seemed distressed. “What is it?” he asked.
Serena shook her head and walked past the table. “I won’t be working in that house after all,” she replied, her voice catching in her throat. “Go ahead and eat without me.” Serena went to her room and closed the door behind her.
The children looked up at their father and he nodded at them to begin eating. Then he rose from his seat and went to Serena’s door. “What’s going on?” he called through it.
“I won’t speak of it, brother,” she answered from the other side.
Phillip clutched his chest in fright. “Did something happen to the baby?”
Serena hesitated before she answered. “The baby is fine. I just don’t want to face Clara again.”
Phillip breathed in relief and said, “I’ll set aside a plate of supper for you.” He returned to his chair at the table and the children looked at him curiously.
“Are you alright, Papa?” Donnie asked.
Phillip looked at his plate and twirled his fork through the pasta. “I’m alright, Donnie.”
Chapter 4
Ethan felt his eyelids growing heavy while he sat in the rocker near the fireplace. He decided to leave his seat and pour himself another cup of coffee. When he set the pot back on the tray, the baby began to stir from his sleep. Ethan cringed, hoping that the little one might fall back asleep. But when the baby continued to stir, Ethan took him in his arms and returned to the rocking chair so they would not wake Abigail. He held the baby to his chest and leaned against the back of the chair, reminding himself not to drift to sleep. He looked down at the baby’s head and smiled as he stroked the soft hair.
“It’s the most lovely feeling, isn’t it?” Abigail whispered from the bed.
Ethan looked at her apologetically. “I must ha
ve woke him when I poured my coffee. How do I get him to go back to sleep?”
Abigail giggled. “He won’t go back to sleep until I feed him. He usually wakes up around this time.”
“He eats during the night too?” Ethan asked incredulously.
“Why do you think I look so tired all the time?” she replied with a wry smile. “It’s why I wanted to hire a nurse to help me during the day.”
Ethan nodded. “Makes sense.”
“Since we are both awake, maybe we can discuss something I’ve been meaning to bring up. I have spoken to Father Salvestro, and he agreed to have a christening ceremony for us at his home. It would be safer than traveling to the city church while the influenza is widespread.”
“Alright. When will the christening be?” asked Ethan.
“I’d like to have it before we move to the manor house. Perhaps this spring?”
“Whatever you think, Abigail. I don’t know much about how this stuff works.”
“It’s why I hoped we could talk about it. During the christening, we may name who Patrick’s godparents should be.”
“I’m sure it will be Mary and William.”
Abigail smiled shyly. “I would choose Mary and William as well, of course, but they are not Catholic. They could not be named as godparents for the christening.”
Ethan looked confused. “Then who were you thinking about?”
“Well, I thought maybe we could ask Sam to be godfather. What do you think?”
Ethan shrugged. “I suppose we don’t have much choice.”
Abigail laughed. “You don’t sound convinced. I’ll wait to say anything to him until you are certain.” She propped the baby up to her shoulder and patted his back while Ethan yawned and closed his eyes. “Why don’t you go to bed now? I will likely stay awake anyway to work on the christening gown.”
Ethan opened his eyes with a start, embarrassed that he had already begun to drift to sleep. “Are you sure? I can stay if you need me.”
“You’re already falling asleep now,” she giggled. She laid Patrick on the bed and went to Ethan to kiss his cheek. “I think we will be fine. Now go to bed and dream about how much you miss me.”
Downstairs in the servants’ quarters, Fiona addressed the staff at the table while the maids were beginning their breakfast. “Miss Clara tells me that the ballroom has not been used for many years, but of course that will all change on Saturday. Nora will work on the cleaning and polishing while Jane attends to the rest of the house.”
The servants’ door to the outside suddenly swung open. Fiona rose from her seat to see who was there and then tried to hide her astonishment. “Mr Collins—good morning,” she stammered.
Lawrence looked around the room. “I didn’t think anyone would be awake yet.”
“We’ve just begun our day, Sir. How may I help you?”
“I need a place to store these,” he said, pointing to the crates being unloaded from a carriage by two men. They were labeled as boxes of wine and spirits.
“Oh—certainly,” Fiona replied. She led him to the wine cellar.
“I don’t want to store them here,” Lawrence frowned. “Where else can we take them?”
“There’s a storage room just near the laundry…” she said uncertainly.
“Right. Take me to that one.”
Lawrence seemed satisfied when Fiona showed him the storage room. He went back outside and directed the men to stack the crates in the room. Fiona stood by and watched with wide eyes. Lawrence winked at her. “We’re about to have a party, aren’t we? Might as well make it a great one before they make this stuff illegal.”
“This wine is for the party?” Fiona questioned.
“Well, not all of it,” he laughed. “Here, you can start with this one on Saturday night. We won’t serve the good stuff ‘til last.”
Fiona nodded. “Of course, Sir.”
Later that morning, Fiona was delivering the post to Clara in the library. Clara seemed pleased about the tall stack of letters and she opened them quickly. “Nearly everyone in the county will be attending the ball,” she said proudly. “I had no idea so many would respond! I suppose everyone is eager to take part in something cheerful again. Now remember, Fiona. This party must go perfectly. It will be the official introduction of Lawrence and I as a married couple. I am counting on you to ensure that it all runs flawlessly.”
“Of course, Miss Clara,” she answered solemnly. “Nora is polishing the ballroom today and Mrs. Malone has been preparing the party food nonstop. There is one matter that I wanted to discuss…Mr. Collins has given instructions for the party drinks—”
They were interrupted by Lawrence walking into the library. Clara’s mouth was open in surprise. “Lawrence, I’m delighted that you are taking part in planning the ball! Fiona said you have instructions for the drinks?”
“I explained it to her this morning, my dear…if it is alright with you of course,” he replied.
“I’m certain whatever you have planned will be fine,” Clara said, nodding to Fiona.
“Very good, Miss Clara,” Fiona said, then left the library.
Lawrence sat down at the writing desk and pulled some envelopes from his pocket. Clara looked at him curiously. “Did the post come again?” she asked, peering at the letters. “I hope they are more responses for the party.”
“No—these letters are for me,” Lawrence stuttered.
Clara frowned when she saw the address on the top letter. “You still receive mail in Pittsburgh? Why not have it directed to our house?”
“I still have it delivered to my mother’s house since I am there so often. I just haven’t bothered to forward it yet.”
Clara continued to stare at the envelope but Lawrence abruptly moved it from her view. “It is nothing to bother you with, my dear. Just business.”
“I wish you would have your mail sent here. It hardly feels as though we are married, and it’s been over a year.”
“I’ll inform the post office, my dear, if it will make you happy,” he said, stuffing the letters back into his pocket. “Now I really must be leaving. I’ll catch up with my correspondence later.”
“Leaving?” she questioned in disappointment. “Where do you need to go today?”
“Philadelphia.”
“But you will be back in time for the masquerade?” she prodded.
Lawrence chuckled. “Of course I will be here, my dear. I know how important it is to you. I will only be in Philly for a day. Then I’ll be home with plenty of time to spare.” He kissed her on the cheek and headed out the door.
Clara sat at the desk in the library while a strange feeling settled over her. She took out a paper and wrote down the address she had memorized from Lawrence’s letter, then sat there quietly contemplating what she might do with it.
Ethan walked into the library and saw Clara staring blankly at the desk. “Oh, I didn’t know anyone was in here,” he said, turning to leave.
“You don’t need to go, Ethan. I’m just thinking.”
Ethan could tell that she was upset. “Is everything alright?”
“I don’t know if everything is alright or not.”
“Can I help?” he asked. Clara continued to stare blankly. Ethan continued in a quiet voice, “I’m sorry you’re not happy with him.”
Clara looked up at Ethan. “Is it that obvious I’m unhappy? I suppose such a thing is not possible to hide forever.”
“He should be good to you, Clara. You deserve to be treated decently.”
Clara forced a smile. “It means a lot to hear you say that. Thank you.”
“You helped me at a time that I needed it, and I want to help you if you need me,” he responded. Ethan walked by the bookshelves with his hands in his pockets, browsing the selection.
Clara was quiet for a long while and finally decided to change the subject. “Do you have a mask for tomorrow night?”
Ethan remained facing the bookshelf. “Mary picked up some masks i
n town for me and Abigail, but…” he hesitated. “I don’t know if I’ll be at the party.”
“What do you mean? Where will you be?”
He still would not face her when he replied. “I don’t want to be here with Valenti. I’m sure you invited him.”
Clara had a sinking feeling. “I suppose I did invite him. Should I not have? I’m sorry.”
“You should invite whoever you want to your house. It’s just hard for me, that’s all.”
“I suppose I was not thinking of—whatever you might think about it,” she said apologetically.
“It’s strange, really. I thought of him like a brother during the war. The last thing I expected was to come home to him married to my wife.”
“I know it was a shock,” Clara said quietly. “I should have been more considerate when I made out the invitations. I’ll be more aware in the future.”
Ethan turned around to face her, his voice catching with emotion. “You don’t need to do anything special on my account. Abigail and I will be going back to the manor house soon anyway. Maybe you shouldn’t tell her what I said about the party. I don’t want Abigail feeling bad for anything. I feel bad enough for the both of us.” He turned around and left the library empty-handed.
Clara looked after Ethan sadly as he walked away. Then she turned her eyes to the paper she had written the address on. She took the paper and left the library, gathered her coat and hat from the hall closet, and walked next door to the Valentis’ farmhouse.
“ ‘Morning,” Phillip greeted her at the door.
“Good morning,” she said quickly, and held out the paper for him to see. “Can you take me to this address?”
Phillip raised his eyebrows. “I know right where it is. I used to live by this street, but it’s a long drive. Do you plan to stay in Pittsburgh overnight?”
“Would I have to? Or can we be there and back in a day? I just need to check on something. I don’t imagine it will take too long.”
“Sure, I could have you back to the house tonight, but it will be late. Let me just tell Serena that I’m leaving.”
“Very good,” nodded Clara. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”
