“And did she?”
“Yes. And today when I went to speak with Mrs. Hale she told me what had happened. Father, it was just awful. Mrs. Smith told her that we should discontinue trying to help them. Apparently Jasper Barrill felt threatened by our investigation, and to press his point, he severely beat a woman who had been giving me information.”
She saw her father grip the arms of his chair. He was clearly upset to hear the news, but Mia felt it important she stress just how bad things were in order to get his help.
“Can you help us in this, Father? I fear Mr. Barrill will do something even more dangerous if we can’t find a way to stop him.”
“I will do what I can. You know the Wilsons own a great many properties near the docks. I know in fact that many of the apartments rented in the dock district belong to them.”
Mia felt her stomach tighten. “Are you certain?” Surely Garrett and his father would never advocate such behavior. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, however, as she remembered seeing Garrett with Jasper Barrill.
“I’ll talk to Garrett tomorrow. He may know of someone we could talk to—he might even know this Jasper Barrill.”
“He may indeed.” Mia bit her lip and looked away.
“I do hope you’ll practice caution and stay away from these women.”
“But, Father,” Mia began to protest, “I want to help them.”
“Obviously this man is feeling threatened by your interaction with these women. You wouldn’t want to cause them additional harm, especially if you had it in your power to prevent it.”
“But won’t he believe himself to have won this battle?”
“Let him believe what he will. We will know the truth of it. I have powerful friends who will find this situation as abominable as I do. It will not go unresolved, I promise you.”
Mia realized that the time had come to turn the concern over to someone else. “Very well. I do trust you to know best.”
“I assure you, Mia, I have plenty of resources to press for resolution. There is no possibility of my leaving this undone.”
She sighed and leaned back against the sofa. “You will keep me informed, won’t you? I mean, I’ve already seen the worst of it. I never knew people could be so horrid, but I cannot close my eyes to the problem now. I want to see these women liberated.”
“I promise you, my dear, I will keep you informed. But tell me, is this the only thing troubling you? You seemed somewhat preoccupied of late—even when we’d first returned home.”
Mia thought of Garrett and Eulalee Duff. “I’m afraid I’ve lost my heart to someone, but he doesn’t know I’m alive.”
Her father laughed at this. “Mia, I find it hard to believe that anyone could be in your company and not know very well of your existence.”
“Well, of course he knows of my existence, but he doesn’t know of my heart.”
“And why do you not tell him how you feel?”
“Because it wouldn’t be proper.”
He cocked his head to one side. “And why not?”
“As a woman, it would hardly be proper for me to speak out on such things.”
“It was hardly proper for you to work for Godey’s, yet you chose to overlook that. I thought we were putting such antiquated proprieties behind us.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Is he a good man?”
“The best.”
“A man of means—employed successfully?”
“Yes.”
“Is he of good reputation? Does he attend church faithfully?”
“He loves God very much. He’s even considered preaching the Word.”
“But you will not tell me his name?” Her father eyed her with a mischievous grin. “Do I know him?”
Mia nodded. “You know him well. Father, I think he loves someone else. I would tell you his name, but it would serve no purpose. I suppose the hardest part of this is that I’ve never lost my heart to anyone before this, and now that I finally find someone I can admire and respect enough to love, he’s taken.”
“Perhaps he’s not. Do you know for a fact that he’s interested in someone else?”
“Fairly certain. They are old friends.”
“Then that may be all there is to their relationship. Looks can be deceiving. I think you should find a time to talk to this person and tell him how you feel.”
“That’s a very modern way of looking at this. I would not have expected such advice from you, Father.” Mia got up and her father stood as well. She took hold of him and hugged him close. “I do appreciate your advice and your help. I should have known you would know exactly what to do regarding the seamen’s wives.”
“And what of the other matter? Why should my advice be so trusted in one area but not the other?” He touched her cheek as she pulled away.
Mia put her hand over his. “I’ll think about what you’ve said, and I’ll pray about it too. I find I pray a lot more these days.”
Her father laughed. “You find as you grow older that prayer is sometimes the only comfort that remains consistent. God is faithful, my Mia. You may rest assured of this one thing.”
“I am assured of His faithfulness, Father. Just as I am of yours. You have never let me down.”
“Well, there have been times when you’ve been less than pleased with my choices or directions.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the door. “And sometimes God’s ways will seem obscured to you as well.”
“Like now, with the women at the docks?”
“Like that, and even with your matters of the heart. Remember, Mia, God is love. He knows very well what’s best for you. You can trust Him. If this man is the husband God has chosen for you, it will be revealed soon enough.”
Mia watched as Prudence Brighton and Noah Hayes were pronounced husband and wife. In the end, the Brightons had put aside their disapproval and decided to throw their daughter a lovely and elaborate wedding. The church was filled to overflowing and all of the guests seemed perfectly happy to honor the young couple, despite the groom’s low position as a country doctor.
Lydia and Ralph would be next. Before long, Mia would be the only one in her group of friends who hadn’t found a husband.
Throughout the service, Mia had tried to catch a glimpse of Garrett. It appeared, however, that the Wilsons were absent. Mia feared it signaled a turn for the worse in George Wilson’s health, but she couldn’t be sure.
She contemplated her father’s suggestion to speak to the man she loved. Mia cringed at the thought of declaring her love to Garrett only to have him pat her on the head in a brotherly fashion and tell her she was sweet. Still, by the time the wedding concluded and Mia was with her family in the carriage, she had made up her mind that her father was right. When they returned home, she would have the perfect excuse to go next door to the Wilsons. She would simply declare that she should check on Mr. Wilson’s condition.
And if Garrett is there, I will talk to him. I will take him into the garden and explain my heart. I will say, “Garrett, I love you.” She frowned. No, that wouldn’t do. She would have to give him something more foundational than that. I could start by telling him how I came to realize my feelings for him. Perhaps I should tell him how everyone thinks us a perfect couple. Maybe remind him of how we have been dear friends since I was old enough to have memories—that even as a child I adored him.
She shook her head. That would only remind him that eight years separated them—and of all the silly mistakes she’d made and the times he’d had to rescue her. I will simply tell him that I love him. She smiled and looked out the window as they moved into traffic.
I will tell him that I love him, and I want to be his wife.
CHAPTER 22
“This came for you,” Ruth whispered to Mia upon their arrival home.
“I believe I will lie down for a rest,” Mia’s father declared. “I find that weddings have a tendency to make me sleepy.”
Her mother patted his hand. “I am g
oing to busy myself with some much overdue letter writing. Will you be all right?”
“Just fine.” He headed to the stairs. “Tell Cook to plan a late supper.”
Mia smiled at her mother. “I believe I’ll go to my room. I want to change and then perhaps work on some writing of my own.”
Her mother nodded. “I suppose I shall go arrange supper before I start on my letters.” She took off toward the back of the house while Mia quickly unfolded the note. “Who brought this?”
“A young lad. Said he was told to deliver it only to you. I told him you were gone until after four and convinced him to leave the note with me.”
Mia scanned the few scribbled lines. “Oh no!”
“What is it?”
“Come upstairs with me. Hurry. I must change my clothes.”
She raced up the stairs in a very unladylike fashion. She heard her father’s door close just as she reached the top of the staircase. “Hurry, Ruth!”
Mia pulled at her bonnet ribbons and yanked the creation from her head. “I’ll need my blue serge suit.”
Ruth quickly assisted Mia from the gown she’d worn to the wedding. “What’s happened, Miss Mia?”
“One of the women has had her son taken from her in demand of rent owed. I cannot believe how outrageously this Mr. Barrill conducts himself, but I do mean to see an end to it.”
“Will you go to her?”
“Yes. I cannot believe the audacity of that man to harm women and children. And Mrs. Smith is a widow. Poor woman. Her son Davy is all she has.”
“Here.” Ruth handed Mia her blouse, then turned to quickly retrieve her skirt. “I hope you’re able to stop them from hurting the boy.”
Mia suddenly remembered the agreement with her father. But if I delay, things might get much worse, and if I do nothing at all, Mrs. Smith will feel I have deserted her. Mia did up the buttons of her blouse and continued the internal debate. “Surely he will understand that this needs our immediate attention. I’ll simply go to him and explain the situation and he will help me.” She frowned. “But what if he doesn’t?”
“What’s that, Miss Mia?”
“Nothing. I’m just thinking aloud.”
What if her father wanted to do the sensible thing and turn it over to the police? It would be just like him to leave it in the hands of the authorities, thinking that they would protect Davy and Mrs. Smith. With the corruption of some police officers, Mia felt certain it would take the protest of men in power to see this thing resolved.
Mia made up her mind. She couldn’t tell her father. She couldn’t risk his turning it over to some incompetent who would fail to follow through because it was only a seaman’s wife.
“Look, Ruth, I want you to go to the kitchen. That way, if anyone asks you where I am, you can tell them that you last saw me in my room. It won’t be a lie, and you don’t know where I’m planning to go anyway—at least not exactly.” Mia didn’t want to force the woman to tell a falsehood, but she knew that no one would be happy if they knew where Mia planned to go. Especially Garrett. Why, if he found out, he might never speak to her again.
Mia finished dressing as fast as she could, then raced down the stairs. She didn’t want to waste further time by calling for the carriage, so she determined then and there to walk or run the distance to Mrs. Smith’s.
“It’s not that far,” she muttered aloud. She hurried as quickly as propriety would allow without running; society would never forgive her if she dared to perspire. Perhaps I should have taken a carriage. The time it would have taken to hitch one surely would have been quicker than my trying to hurry my way to the waterfront.
This time when she turned down the alley to Mrs. Smith’s house, Mia found no one to accost her. They wouldn’t dare, she thought. Her anger served to drive her onward, and she pitied anyone stupid enough to cross her path.
Elsie Smith opened the door to her home. Her eyes were red and swollen and her face was mottled in patches of pink and red against pale white skin. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.”
“You did the right thing by sending for me,” Mia said, putting her arm around the woman’s shoulders. “Now, tell me everything that happened. Start at the beginning.”
“It was Barrill. He was mad that I’d taken in Deborah Denning. Mad that I would dare to refuse his demand to pay higher rent. I showed him my contract and he snatched it out of my hands and ripped it to shreds. Said it meant nothing. Then he told me my husband owed him sixty dollars. Sixty! Imagine that. I couldn’t get sixty dollars in my hands if I worked from now till I died.”
Mia patted her arm. “There, there. We’ll find a way to set this right. What else did Barrill say?”
“He told me it’s what I got for speakin’ my mind and causin’ him problems. He took my Davy and said I had until five o’clock tomorrow to get him his money, otherwise he’ll send Davy out to friends of his in the West Indies.”
“I want to talk to Barrill. Let’s go to him now.”
Mrs. Smith looked at Mia as if she’d lost her mind. “He’ll kill you if you show your face. He knows you, Miss Stanley. He knows who you are. He called you by name when he threatened me. Told me not to be tellin’ you my problems. Said, ‘Your Miss Stanley can’t save you.’ ”
Mia seethed. She strode purposefully to the door. “I may not be able to help all of the women in jeopardy, but I can help you. I can help one person, and that is enough for me. Will you come with me?”
Elsie Smith straightened her shoulders. “I’ll go.”
On the street, Mia spotted a policeman and motioned to him. “I need you to accompany us. We have a problem with a Jasper Barrill.”
“What kind of problem could a lady such as yourself have with the likes of Barrill?” the man questioned. He stepped in line with Mia’s march but pressed to know more. “I need to know what this is all about.”
“He has taken this woman’s son. He has threatened to sell the boy into slavery for a debt he claims to hold against Mrs. Smith. It’s a false debt, however. He has no proof and has simply done this because he’s angry at me.” She turned to face the man, but never broke her stride. “Do you understand?”
He grinned. “Did you refuse his attentions? Is that what this is all about?”
“Goodness no.” The very thought of Jasper Barrill showing her any sort of attention was distasteful. “He’s angry at me for exposing his ill deeds. He’s been abusing the women in this district. Forcing them to pay monies they do not owe, and when they cannot pay, forcing them to give other things. He’s taken liberties.”
The police officer said nothing as he followed Mrs. Smith and Mia into the dimly lit confines of Barrill’s office. The man sat behind his desk as if expecting them. “Ah, Mrs. Smith. I thought I told you to leave Miss Stanley out of this. You don’t listen any better than your brat.”
“If you’ve harmed him . . .” Mrs. Smith rushed toward the desk, but the police officer held her back.
“There, now, Mrs. Smith, don’t be threatening the man with harm. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
“Officer, this woman is clearly distraught. I understand her condition and pity her. However, her husband died, leaving me a debt of sixty dollars. She cannot pay it and has refused to pay anything at all for these months since her husband’s demise. I was forced to take the only action available to me. I took her son in lieu of payment. However, I gave her one final chance. I told her if she had even half of the money to me by five o’clock tomorrow, I would give her boy back.”
“That’s not true. You never said anything about half of the money.” Mrs. Smith pushed away from the officer and pounded her hands on Barrill’s desk. “You said sixty dollars. I don’t believe my husband even owed you sixty dollars. You’ve got no proof of such a debt.”
“Ah, but I do. I have this—a contract agreed to by your husband.” Barrill held up a piece of paper. “It was witnessed by two other men.”
“My husband didn’t read or write.”
Mrs. Smith puffed up as if she’d caught him in a lie.
“Which is exactly why it’s his mark,” Barrill said, putting the paper in front of them. “The X was his doing, but as you can see the written document explains the rest.”
Mia stepped forward and picked up the paper and read it aloud. “ ‘I, Donovan Smith, do hereby declare that I am pledged to repay a debt of sixty dollars owed to Mr. Jasper Barrill.’ ” It was dated and signed by two witnesses.
“I do not believe this paper is legitimate,” Mia declared.
“Officer, I am a patient man, but as you can see, that debt was owed me for two years. I now find my own resources stretched, and because of this I must collect what is owed me. The man died last winter so I now seek recompense from his widow.”
“Seems perfectly legal to me, ladies.” The policeman turned to Mia with a sympathetic look. “He has a right to be paid.”
“By stealing this woman’s child?”
“The boy is nearly twelve. He will be indentured until the debt is paid. Then he may return to his mother.” Barrill took back the paper and folded it very slowly. “I suppose I could take the mother, but then the boy would be left with no one.”
“You’ll take neither one. I’ll pay you the sixty pounds,” Mia said angrily. “Then I intend to turn over all the evidence I have on you to my father and see you put in jail for the rest of your life. Your kind isn’t welcome in Philadelphia.”
Barrill’s jaw clenched ever so slightly. It wasn’t very noticeable, but Mia instantly saw that her words had hit their mark.
“Bring me the money by tomorrow.” The statement was delivered in a low menacing tone. Mia felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle. This man meant to do her harm. She could feel it.
“Very well. I will return with my father, and perhaps others will join us as well.”
“As you wish.”
“What I wish—what I demand—is the return of Davy Smith. Right now.”
A Lady of High Regard Page 20
