Brian sipped his morning coffee and listened to his children playing in the backyard with Renna. The boys hollered, the girls giggled, and the sound filled Brian’s being with happiness.
However, one obvious thing was amiss.
Sitting back in his chair at the dining room table, Brian glanced at Johanna then peered at Wendell. “She’s not happy, is she?”
“Definitely not.” Wendell took a drink from his coffee cup.
“Holding the reception tomorrow night is imperative.” Brian wished he could get through to Renna. “Richard told me that the gossip has been circulating for weeks. Some say I’m an impostor, after the Sinclair wealth. Others have said I’m a specter since I’ve not yet been seen in public. And the recent talk is that I’m a blind invalid.” Brian stood and walked to the sideboard and poured hot coffee into the lukewarm brew already in his cup.
“Do they think Renna’s your nurse and . . . and nothing more?”
At Johanna Fields’s question, Brian swung around. “No one knows Renna. Another reason to hold a reception here. As for my intentions regarding your daughter”—Brian reclaimed his seat and looked across the table at Johanna—“I’ve stated them before. Nothing has changed—except I hate the pretense.” He glared at the spectacles on the table before peering at the wooden cane leaning against the wall in the corner. “Renna and three of my children believe I’m blind, and I feel despicable lying to them.”
“Soon, Brian.” Wendell’s note of confidence gave him hope. “Soon this will all be over, and you can go public with the truth.”
“The day can’t come soon enough for me.” He suddenly recalled his conversation with Richard at the farm yesterday. “Wendell, how about you and I tour my store, Sinclair & Company, and afterward inspect Great Lakes Shipping? Richard has had his hands full as of late.”
“I’d like that.” The older man smiled and straightened his brown, pinstriped waistcoat. “I’d like that very much.”
“Good. We’ll take my sons with us. Johanna?” He looked her way. “Might you and Renna be up for a bit of shopping with my daughters?”
“We love to shop, and the more the merrier.”
“Thank you.” Brian pulled his pocket watch from his black brocade vest. “We’ll leave in an hour.” Pocketing the gold watch, he took another drink of coffee. “Richard said that Matthew Benchley showed up at Great Lakes Shipping the other day and threatened a lawsuit.”
“Matt? He followed us here to Milwaukee?” Wendell wagged his head. “And to think I tried to pair Matt with Renna. I thought he had such a promising future at the Chamber of Commerce.”
Brian grinned wryly. “Yes, and I’d appreciate it if you’d forever banish that idea.”
“Oh, I have, Brian.” Wendell pulled himself up. “Of course I have! I just mean to say . . . well, you think you know a man, and then he turns out to be nothing but a–a scoundrel.”
Regret pierced Brian’s soul. He felt like a hypocrite. Denouncing Benchley while at the same time deceiving Renna and three of his precious children. If the authorities hadn’t intimated that their lives could be in peril, he’d tell them all the truth this minute.
But for now he’d have to go on living the lie.
•••
As Renna brushed out her reddish-brown hair in front of the looking glass the following morning, she thought of how nice of a holiday it had been thus far. She hadn’t taken a break from nursing since the war began, and she had to admit it felt good.
Yesterday after Brian and Da left, Renna took a walk along the lakeshore. The fresh air must have tired her out, for then she napped most of the afternoon away.
“You lazy creature,” she told her reflection, but smiling all the while. She recalled playing with the children when they arrived home from school yesterday. If she wasn’t mistaken, the boys had taken a liking to her, perhaps because she hadn’t even gasped when they presented their “pet” grass snake to her. She’d even held the thing, much to Gabriel and Michael’s wide-eyed amazement.
The truth was, after bandaging up severely wounded soldiers and oftentimes seeing them die after battle, a harmless grass snake didn’t make her squeamish in the least.
Renna pinned up her hair and then gave her fawn-colored dress one last glance before leaving the room. She met her mother in the upstairs hallway. “G’morning, Mum. Sleep well?”
“Oh, yes.” Mum stretched her arms before they descended the front stairway.
In the foyer, they found poor Hester running hither and yon. “The captain is having a reception here tonight, and he didn’t even forewarn me,” she complained. “Told me just this morning. He invites the entire city of Milwaukee, and he forgets to mention it.” Hester threw her hands in the air. “Hallelujah!”
Mum replied with one of her demure grins. “What can Renna and I do to help you?”
Hester paused, looking surprised by the offer. But then she flung a list at them. “Here. The captain gave me these duties this morning. I’ve got to plan the hors d’oeuvres, hire some more staff—where will I get more people at this late hour? The captain is insisting on a butler and wants several maids too . . . ” Hester shook her head. “Impossible!”
“And he forgot to tell you until now?” Renna didn’t think that sounded like Brian.
Hester nodded.
Mum frowned and glanced from the list back to the harried housekeeper. “Where’s the captain now?”
“Oh, he and Mr. Fields went to his store on the riverfront. They’re meeting Mr. Navis there.”
“And the children?” Renna asked. “Where are they?” She hadn’t heard them awaken this morning, and neither she nor Mum had helped the girls dress. Apparently they hadn’t required any help today—
Or their father had assisted them with buttons, buckles, and laces.
“Oh, the captain and Mr. Fields took the children with them,” Hester replied. “It was the captain’s idea, actually. He told Gabriel and Michael that he’d like them to get involved in his business affairs, little by little if they wanted it.” Hester smiled for the first time since Renna had seen her this morning. “You should have seen those boys’ faces too. Beaming, they were! Even Gabriel, who’s not so easily impressed. Why, the captain made his sons feel real important.” But then her expression fell. “But the man’s going to be the death of me with his lists and last-minute receptions!”
“Now, Hester, we’ll help you,” Renna promised. “Here, give me that list. We’ll divide up the tasks and ask Isabelle about how to go about hiring more hands.”
“Oh, me,” Hester sighed. “I didn’t even think to ask Isabelle for guidance. But that would only make sense. Isabelle has been employed with the captain for quite some time.”
Renna smiled. “Sometimes two heads are better than one, as the old adage goes.”
•••
By three o’clock the food was arriving with Isabelle, the cook, manning the kitchen. With a bit of monetary persuasion, Isabelle agreed to stay until after the reception and clean up. Then she incorporated the help of her thirteen-year-old daughter. Together they polished silver and prepared the hors d’oeuvre trays.
A while later, the children came home and the little girls took a short rest. Brian insisted his children be in attendance tonight. Just as she and Mum finished settling Libby and Rachel upstairs, a flurry of activity ensued as everyone began to dress for the evening.
“Who’s helping Brian dress?” Renna asked when Mum came in to assist her.
“Your father went to see after him just now. But you know men don’t require the attention women do when we dress for the evening.”
“But Brian’s blind.”
“He’ll be fine.”
Mum swept up Renna’s hair and pinned it in an elegant style. Next came the evening gown of golden taffetas with an overskirt of ivory tulle. Mum helped her into it, then Renna adjusted the V-necked bodice. She didn’t care for its revealing cut.
“You’re used to your high-necked hospital dresses.” Mom smiled. “Even though this gown is worn off the shoulders, it’s quite modest, really. I’ve seen much worse, and I’m sure you have too. Just take care when you bend forward.”
“Yes, I should say I will.” Renna rolled her eyes and picked at the shimmering gold shoulder knots, which helped puff the tulle sleeves.
Mum sighed and covered her heart with her hands. “You look stunning!”
“Oh, Mum . . . ” Renna’s cheeks pinked with the compliment, although she had to admit she’d never worn such finery, and its colors did complement her green eyes and auburn hair.
And if she turned her face just so . . .
“No one is going to notice your birthmark.” Mum clucked her tongue. “Not when there’s so much other beauty to notice about you.”
“Perhaps too much.” Renna tugged her bodice up a bit higher.
Wearing a frown, Mum stepped between Renna and the looking glass. “Your hair is so thick and rich, and those crystal-studded pins we found yesterday at the department store sparkle each time you move your head. Your skin is like alabaster, and your dress brings it all together in the most amazing way. I wouldn’t lie to you, Renna. I’m your mother. So think about my words tonight as you stand beside Captain Sinclair. God has blessed you, my dear. Now behave like you’re grateful—because you should be.”
Renna opened her mouth to argue—her parents didn’t understand what it felt like to have a purple mark on her cheek. Except her heart convicted her. Why couldn’t she simply accept the fact her dreams were coming true?
“It just doesn’t seem real, Mum.”
“Shall I pinch you?”
“Mum.” Renna narrowed her eyes and wagged her head.
“Honestly, Renna, the captain thinks you’re beautiful, and that’s all that matters. He’s positively smitten. He’s rich, handsome . . . ”
“But he can’t see, Mum. He’s blind.”
“Oh, he can see quite well. Why, he said just yesterday that he’s only going along with this charade because the authorities suggested it.”
“What? What charade?”
Mum blinked then suddenly paled.
Renna stood statue still. “Are you saying Brian isn’t blind?”
In reply Mum began to wring her hands. “I’ve never been good at keeping secrets—especially from you.”
“Secrets?” Renna hiked a brow. “Charades? What’s this all about?” She came forward quickly and clutched her mother’s shoulders. “Tell me, Mum. Tell me everything right now!”