A Lady of High Regard

by Tracie Peterson

  She drew a deep breath and stepped out of her room. She hurried down the hall, hoping to avoid everyone, and especially Garrett. It would hardly be appropriate to be seen in her nightgown again. Breathing a sigh of relief as she reached Mercy and George’s bedroom, Mia knew the servants’ stairs were just a few steps more.

  “George!”

  Mia froze in her steps. It was Mercy.

  “Help, someone!”

  Mia went to the bedroom door and called out, “Mercy, it’s Mia. Are you all right?”

  Mia threw open the door. “No. George just collapsed on the floor. He’s too weak to get up, and I can’t move him. Run—get Garrett. He’ll be able to lift his father.”

  Mia fled down the hall without any thought but to retrieve help. “Garrett! Garrett!” she called as she pounded on his bedroom door.

  He appeared still clad in clothes, except he wore no coat and his shirt had been unbuttoned. “What in the world is wrong, Mia?”

  She pointed. “Your father has fallen. Mercy asked me to get you.”

  He pushed her back as he rushed past. Mia felt breathless from her run and from the sight of him. She looked into his room and felt almost intrusive. The chamber was appointed in a similar fashion to her own, but there were rows of books against one wall, and a large desk took up one corner.

  She pulled herself away and returned to George’s room. Mercy was hovering over her husband as Garrett finished tucking him in.

  “You have to get more rest, Father.”

  “I’ll rest soon enough.” The old man’s answer left little doubt in Mia’s mind that he meant something of a permanent nature.

  “What else can I do?” Garrett asked Mercy. “Should I send for the doctor?”

  “No. No doctor,” George said firmly. “He’s already told me there’s nothing to be done. I will not be poked and prodded. By morning my strength shall return. Now just leave me to rest.”

  “Go ahead, Garrett. Get some sleep. We’ll be all right now,” Mercy assured.

  Mia didn’t wait to hear whatever else was said. Although Garrett was not eager to go, Mia knew it was best she not be there when he exited. She hurried down the stairs to the kitchen. Garrett might think to knock on her bedroom door to offer his thanks, but he wouldn’t guess she’d be down there.

  She took up a candle and lit it before heading to the counter. Here, she knew she’d find the cookie jar. She’d seen the cook filling it earlier in the day with freshly baked sugar cookies. She had just reached inside when Garrett called out to her.

  “Caught you sneaking cookies.”

  “You also just scared ten years off my life,” Mia said, her hand going to her throat. “Goodness, but you could have made some noise coming down the stairs or something.”

  He grinned. “What—and miss seeing you jump three feet? Nah. It was worth it.”

  Mia felt suddenly self-conscious. “I’ll just say good-night and—”

  “Nonsense. Sit and eat a cookie with me. Maybe two.” He crossed the room and reached for the jar.

  “It’s not very appropriate,” she said, thinking him without a doubt the handsomest man she’d ever seen.

  “We’ve never let propriety stand between us, Mia,” he said, holding out a cookie.

  Mia did nothing. She felt overwhelmed by the closeness of him. She looked up and for the first time in her life realized that she very much wanted Garrett to kiss her. The revelation so shocked her that she jumped back as if burned.

  Forcing her mind to think on something else, she said, “How’s your father?”

  Garrett took up the jar and brought it to the table. “He’s weak, and he’ll get a lot weaker.”

  “I am sorry. I wish there was something we could do.”

  Garrett sat and motioned her to do the same. “I do too, but there’s nothing to be done. The doctor believes it’s a cancer of some sort, but Father will not allow for any kind of surgery or further attention. I cannot say that I blame him.”

  Mia came to the table, but instead of sitting, she took hold of the back of the chair to steady herself. “Will he die?”

  Garrett looked up with the most solemn expression Mia had ever seen. “Yes. And probably quite soon.”

  She let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, Garrett. I didn’t know.”

  “Sit down, Mia. Sit and share a few minutes with me.”

  How could she refuse him? His father was dying. She knew how terrible she would feel if it were happening to her father. She took hold of her thick hair and pulled it forward as she sat.

  “I never knew your hair was so long,” Garrett admitted.

  Mia met his gaze. “It’s never been cut. Not ever.”

  “It’s beautiful.” He said nothing more, but extended a cookie as an offering of sorts.

  She took it and tried to relax. The single candle flickered between them and cast strange shadows on the wall.

  “I know I made you uncomfortable during the carriage ride home.” Garrett studied the cookie in his hand for a moment, then looked back up. “That wasn’t my intention. There have been so many things I’ve wanted to say to you lately.”

  Mia didn’t want to ask what those things were but felt she had to. “Like what?”

  Now he was the one who seemed uncomfortable. “Well . . . that is to say . . . I know you’ve been unhappy having to leave Godey’s. I know that I was in favor of that and you perhaps felt betrayed by me because of it. I know you want to help other people—especially the seamen’s wives, but I don’t want to see you risk your own safety. There’s very little you can do, in and of yourself. I admire your willingness to try, however.”

  Mia stiffened. She knew she could respond in frustration and anger or she could acknowledge his concern and remain silent. She could even tell him what she’d been up to, but that would of course only further his worries. So instead of saying anything, she took a bite of the sugar cookie and only nodded.

  Garrett seemed satisfied by this and continued. “When your parents allowed you to remain here, I felt I had a certain obligation to keep you safe and out of trouble.” He smiled. “But it was more than obligation. I wanted to see you protected. I hope you understand.”

  Mia swallowed hard. She did understand. Garrett was like a big brother keeping his little sister safe from harm. It was no different than if he’d chosen to watch over Agnes or Bliss. She felt a rush of disappointment. Why couldn’t he think of her as a woman—a woman he might love? Mia struggled to rein in her thoughts. It was senseless to torture herself in such a way.

  “I couldn’t bear to have something happen to you, Mia.”

  “No one would blame you if anything did,” she said, her words sounding harsh even to her own ears. “I am not a child, however. I need no nanny to watch over me—to ensure I eat my vegetables and clean up after myself.”

  Garrett looked at her oddly. “Of course you don’t need a nanny, but neither can you be out there risking your life for a cause you don’t truly understand.”

  Mia put down the cookie. “What do you mean? I’m not a child nor a fool, Garrett, I think I understand the matter quite well.”

  “I didn’t say you were either fool or child. But you need to know that this situation, as is often the case, is far more complicated than it appears.”

  “All the more reason to be involved.”

  “No. All the more reason to stay away.” Without warning, Garrett took hold of her hand. “You must promise me that you’ll stay out of this—stay out of matters that are beyond your control.”

  She pulled back and got to her feet. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Please, Mia.”

  His pleading tone was almost her undoing. She looked at him, then shook her head. “I cannot make you that promise. I care too much about you to lie to you.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Garrett sat in his father’s study, trying to tally the same column of numbers that he’d been working on for the last ten minutes. His mind was far from the task at
hand, however. He kept thinking about Mia. He’d upset her the night before.

  But I couldn’t remain silent on the matter. I know she’s not giving up on her cause. She may no longer work for Godey’s, but just her little stunt with the greengrocer proves to me that she’s just as focused on the seamen’s wives as she’s ever been.

  He’d heard about her scheme from a mutual friend who just happened to be within earshot when Mia suggested her plan to the store’s proprietor. The man wondered if the Wilsons and Stanleys were putting together an aid society for the sailors’ families. Garrett had assured him they weren’t, but it was in that moment that he realized that while Mia may well have resigned Godey’s, she hadn’t resigned Mrs. Hale’s causes.

  He put down his pen and leaned back in the plush leather chair. What could he do to convince her of the danger? He’d been working to gather information—to find out who was truly at the bottom of the oppression experienced by the women of the docks. But in the back of his mind was always the fear of what Mia might do to endanger her life.

  “She’s bound and determined to put her life at risk. I must find a way to keep her safe.”

  A knock sounded on the study door. “Come in.”

  Garrett got to his feet as the butler crossed the room. “This message came for you, sir.”

  Garrett took the missive from the silver tray. “Thank you.” He saw the return address and quickly opened the packet. Glancing over the information, Garrett realized it was what he’d been waiting for: He finally had a name and information related to which building landlords were particularly problematic. Unfortunately, he and his father owned every single building mentioned in the report, and one man’s name continued to surface.

  Mia remained in her room well past breakfast. She had allowed only Ruth to enter, and then only so that her maid could tend to Mia being conservatively dressed in an old walking-out suit of navy serge. Today she planned to go to Mrs. Smith’s house, and she intended to do it on her own. Her plan seemed simple enough: She would slip over to her house, ask Jason to hook up a small buggy, and take herself on the journey. If he complained or asked her about it, she would simply say she was going to a friend’s house and had no idea of when she might return. It wouldn’t be a lie.

  Also, she knew there’d be less risk of exposing Mrs. Smith, with the many festivities going on today due to it being the third of July. One parade in particular would hold the interest of many on the dock. If Mia could hurry and meet with the older woman prior to the parade’s conclusion, no one would need know Mia had ever been to the area. She could only hope that Mrs. Smith would remain home and not participate. Still, it was worth the risk.

  She watched out the front window, knowing that sooner or later Garrett would leave the house to attend to his duties and responsibilities. After he’d gone, she would quietly slip down the back stairs and head home through the garden. It all seemed quite clear in her mind. Simple, really.

  At ten-thirty she heard someone at the front door. She cracked her own door open to see if she might hear who had come, but short of a muffled exchange, little was said. The door closed again and silence reigned.

  Frowning, Mia tried to figure out what she could do. She quietly went back to her window and was surprised when twenty minutes later Garrett appeared on horseback riding past the house and down Walnut Street.

  Hurrying to put her plan into order, Mia slipped down the back stairs and paused only long enough to greet the cook, who was busy separating eggs. Mia raced across the yard and into her own garden. At the far end she approached the carriage house and found Jason checking harnesses.

  “I need you to hook up the buggy. I’ll drive myself so you needn’t be taken away from your duties.”

  “Miss Mia, you surely don’t want to go alone,” he said as he put aside the leather strapping.

  “I’m going to visit a friend and would rather not worry about the time. I can easily drive myself as I have on other occasions. Now, please hurry.”

  Jason didn’t say another word but instead went to work doing as she’d asked. When he appeared with the one-horse gig, Mia smiled. “Thank you so much, Jason. I’ll be back before afternoon.”

  He helped her into the conveyance and said nothing more as she took up the reins. Mia was grateful for his silence. She had no desire to answer questions or waste any more time. She maneuvered the horse and buggy down the drive and onto the main thoroughfare. She headed north, as if bound for Lydia’s or Prudence’s home, so that if anyone saw her they’d think nothing of her actions.

  It was dangerous to go to the docks; Mia knew this full well. But she wanted to ensure that the groceries had arrived and that the older woman had delivered them. Mia also wanted to establish another sewing circle appointment, and it was getting harder and harder to send messages without someone wanting to know what they were about. Besides, now Mrs. Smith would have an excuse if anyone questioned seeing her with Mia. She could simply tell them about the sewing circle. No one, not even a cruel landlord, would think twice about women gathering at a church for such a purpose.

  She took Seventh Street to Market before heading down to Water. There was a rather decent stand of brick buildings where she’d been told the sailors and their families generally rented. There were other tenements that were less attractive, but these appeared quite adequate.

  Mia pulled the horse to a stop and spied a young boy sitting on a stoop outside one of the buildings. “Excuse me,” she said as she stepped down from the buggy. “Could you help me?”

  The boy looked surprised that such a grand lady would lower herself to speak to him. He got up quickly and dusted off his backside. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I wonder if I could pay you to hold my horse. I won’t be long.”

  He looked to the sorrel gelding and nodded. “Sure, I can do that.”

  Mia handed him a coin. “I’ll match this with another when I get back.”

  His eyes widened. “I’ll do a good job, I promise.”

  She smiled and went off in the direction of Mrs. Smith’s house. Before she could get there, however, Mia’s attention was drawn to two gentlemen walking on the opposite side of the street. She recognized both. One was Jasper Barrill. The other was Garrett.

  She shuddered and pressed back into the shadows of the alleyway. Why was Garrett with Jasper Barrill? Not only with him, but he seemed to be enjoying himself. Barrill was talking in an animated fashion, waving his arms in first one direction and then another, while Garrett was nodding and smiling.

  Mia felt sick to her stomach. How could it be that Garrett would keep such company? Now, don’t jump to conclusions, she warned herself. You know it never does any good. Garrett probably knows Barrill because of the Wilson holdings in the area.

  She calmed a bit. Garrett was a good man. He would never advocate stealing children or raping women. Still, it didn’t look good that they were together. Perhaps Garrett had no idea of what kind of man Jasper Barrill had become. She could warn him, but that would mean exposing herself and the knowledge she’d gained from the seamen’s wives.

  Straightening, Mia turned to find Mrs. Smith’s address. She hoped the woman would be at home instead of the parade.

  “Well, looky here. Ain’t you a beauty. Caught us a mermaid, boys,” a grizzled old man called to his friends.

  Mia pressed back against the wall. “I beg your pardon.” She tried not to appear afraid but knew she was doing a poor job of it.

  “You don’t look as much like a mermaid as a fish out of water,” one of the men said, then spit a stream of tobacco that narrowly missed her skirt.

  “I’m neither, I assure you,” Mia straightened to her full height. “I’m looking for Mrs. Smith.”

  “There’s a lot of Mrs. Smiths in these parts. And for good reason,” the first man declared. His companions chuckled. “What’s your name, pretty lady?”

  “That is not your concern.” She tried to edge to the side and back around to the street, but t
he man put his hand on the wall and blocked her from moving.

  “Don’t leave. Our party is just getting started.” He leaned in close and Mia could smell the whiskey on his breath. It wasn’t even noon. What kind of man started drinking before noon?

  Mia thought to call for help, then remembered Garrett. If he found her here, he’d lock her in her room—maybe even bar the windows. There’d be no liberty for her until her parents got home, and even then it would be questionable.

  “I have no desire to share your company, gentlemen.”

  The man reached out and traced his finger along her jaw. “I don’t reckon we much care what you desire. It’s more about what we desire right now.” He jerked open her jacket, sending the buttons flying in two different directions.

  Mia pushed him back hard, but he wasn’t deterred, and he didn’t move far. He took hold of her hands and pinned them overhead with one hand. “I don’t take kindly to uppity women.”

  His friends moved in to assist and Mia felt she might well be sick on the entire lot. But before they could do her any real harm, Mia heard a familiar voice.

  “You boys need to go sleep it off. Get out of here with yourselves.”

  It was Mrs. Smith, and she wasn’t brooking any nonsense from the tribe. She wielded a broom as if it were a weapon. “Get on out of here, now. Don’t make me be tellin’ your wives what you’ve been up to.”

  The men begrudgingly acknowledged the woman and backed off. “

  We was just havin’ a bit of fun, Elsie. No harm done. No need to be talkin’ to no one.”

  Mia composed herself and tried to straighten her jacket. By the time she’d taken a couple of deep breaths, the men were already sauntering down the alleyway. Mrs. Smith looked at her and shook her head.

  “What in the world do you mean by coming here? Do you wanna get me killed?”

  “I needed to talk to you. I thought it might be a good time, given the parade. Besides, you could always tell anyone who questioned that I was inviting you to the sewing circle.”

  “What do you need to talk to me about that couldn’t wait?” Mrs. Smith relaxed her hold on the broom and lowered it to the ground.