11

Priam waited for his new client, Anthony Jessup, to make up his mind. The man seemed insistent upon scrutinizing every detail of the contract Welby had drawn up.

Weeks of profitable trade had made Priam Welby wealthier than he could have imagined. Seeing his money accumulate pleased him more than anything else in the world, but waiting for this man to conclude their business only served to irritate him.

He had better things to do with his time, and time was money. With every new goal he met, Priam moved one step closer to stripping his father of all comfort and financial well-being. His latest venture had gained him the majority control of stocks in one of his father’s largest companies. Things were going along just as he had hoped and planned for so many years.

The human commodities he’d supplied to various clients had netted him considerable money; however, shipping people proved more difficult than shipping items of ceramic, glass, or powder. Drugs and artifacts brought him a good price and required no upkeep along the way. And drugs and artifacts couldn’t die. Much to his frustration, Priam became all too aware that sickness could easily claim his fleshly cargo. Four young women had contracted smallpox on the trip to America and died within sight of the coast. The financial loss was great and caused Priam to reevaluate his business. With that in mind, he decided he would put aside that part of his industry after a few more shipments.

Five young Chinese girls, barely women, stood trembling before the men, awaiting their fate. Welby had instructed Carl to tie them together earlier to avoid any escaping while Jessup made up his mind. Carl was standing near the enclosure where the girls were kept, looking just as annoyed at the length of time the transaction was taking.

“I believe things are in order,” Anthony Jessup finally declared. “How long will you have . . . stock available ? I assure you Kansas City has never seen anything like this.”

“I don’t plan to be at this for much longer. Perhaps into the summer. After that I’m getting out,” Priam told the man who stood at his side.

“That’s a pity. I’ve heard wonderful things about your . . . inventory.”

“I think you’ll have to admit my girls are some of the loveliest.” He looked to the man and smiled. “Do they suit your needs?”

“They are definitely a good start. The place I plan to open is going to be filled with exotic women from all around the world. Can you supply me with others?”

Welby motioned for Carl to take the women back to their locked room. “I believe I can. As I mentioned, I intend to receive a few more shipments.” He motioned to Jessup. “Let’s go upstairs to my office and discuss this. I’d like to know what you have in mind.”

Jessup kept abreast as they walked toward the stairs. “I am opening an exclusive club in Kansas City. I want to have some of the most beautiful and yet unusual women in the world. I’ve seen women from India who were quite lovely. From the Scandinavian countries, too. Oh, and from Africa. I’m not talking about those blacks who have been slaves here in America. No, I’ve met some of the African women abroad. They are more subdued and obedient. Not to mention there are some truly beautiful women to choose from. Especially in Egypt.”

“I understand.” Priam led the man up the stairs and down the hall to his office. “Let’s discuss the numbers.”

Jessup nodded and took a seat opposite Priam’s massive mahogany desk.

“Would you care for a cigar?” Welby opened a humidor, and Jessup reached inside.

“Nothing like a good cigar to smoke over business.”

Priam took his seat and nodded. “I agree.”

“Is that piece original?” Jessup asked, pointing to the Chinese statue Priam had kept for himself.

“Yes, it’s from the Jin Dynasty. They call it Guanshiyin.”

Jessup nodded. “I’m familiar. I have quite a collection of pieces from around the world.” The older man studied the piece a bit longer. “It isn’t for sale, is it?”

“No, I’m afraid not. However, I have a great variety of pieces that are. After we conclude our business here, I’ll take you to my warehouse. I think you’ll find enough to interest you there.”

“Sounds good to me.” The man clipped his cigar. “As for the girls, I want the five you showed me downstairs. I’m also going to want at least another ten.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. I’m expecting a new load of girls any day now. And I have made arrangements to bring in a few from India, so that should please you, as well. How long will you be in town?”

“I can stay as long as needed.” The man lit his cigar. “Perhaps I can mix my business with pleasure while I wait. I have a room over at the Arlington Hotel. Maybe you could send some diversion my way?”

Priam chuckled. “For the right price, my good sir, I can send an entire harem your way.”

As April approached, the women at the Madison Bridal School had plans well underway for the June bridal ball. It had been decided some months earlier that this year the theme would be patriotic. The country hadn’t added a new state to the union since Colorado in 1876, and in February, Congress passed an enabling act allowing for Montana, North and South Dakota, and Washington to seek statehood. The prospect excited Abrianna.

“I knew that once we got rid of that preposterous Mr. Cleveland,” Aunt Selma declared, “God would once again bless this country.”

“So true, Selma.” Aunt Miriam nodded her agreement. “It would seem God has trouble with Democrats, just as we do.”

Abrianna placed the eggs she’d just gathered on the counter. “The political party might not be so offensive to Him as is the nonsense each man brings along to clog up the works.”

Aunt Poisie bobbed her head in agreement. “I was just reading the other day that President Harrison’s wife has asked for a large amount of money to renovate the White House. She wants to put in more bathrooms. I fail to understand why two people need more bathrooms. The article stated there were already several bathrooms available in that grand building.” She paused, looking quite confused. “You surely can’t use more than one at a time.”

“It’s true,” Aunt Selma agreed. “It would seem a waste to me.”

“But it is ‘the People’s House,’ as they call it. They have a great many people visiting the White House each year.” Abrianna offered this, although she, too, felt that additional bathrooms were foolish.

Poisie gave a tsking sound. “I say save the money and put up an outhouse for extra visitors.”

“Oh, I can hardly believe an outhouse would be acceptable for the president’s yard,” Aunt Miriam replied. She began to inspect the eggs. “I can’t say that I see any purpose in renovation, however.”

Abrianna shrugged. “I read that there is a terrible rodent infestation.”

“A good cat or two would alleviate that problem,” Aunt Poisie offered. “Do you suppose no one has thought to tell them that? I could write a letter.”

The other two older women looked at her for a moment. Finally Aunt Miriam nodded. “That might be wise, Sister. Write and let them know that there are a great many economical ways to eliminate pests. Perhaps they’ve lived so long in the city that they’ve forgotten the simple things.”

“And cats are so very nice to have on your lap in the winter,” Aunt Selma added. “I do believe we should take up a few ourselves. After all, it would help with our own situation. I haven’t seen the return of that mouse since earlier in the year, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still around.”

“Oh yes, Aunt Miriam. I would love to have a cat.” Abrianna had always begged for pets while they lived downtown, but her aunts refused. It was far too dangerous, according to her aunts, for the animal might well escape the building and rush out into oncoming traffic.

“Then it seems we are all in agreement.” Poisie clapped her hands. “I shall immediately look into it. We should have at least two. Perhaps I can find some for the president, as well.” She grew thoughtful. “Do you suppose they would prefer tiger-striped?”

The delightful thought of getting a pet stayed with Abrianna throughout lunch at the food house. She stood humming and handing out bowls of soup and smiling on all who passed by. Even Wade noted her pleasant mood.

“Usually when a young lady acts this cheery, she has a secret. Do you have one to tell?” he whispered in her ear.

“If I did, it wouldn’t be a secret once I told it.” She chuckled. “But if I had a secret, you would be the first to know.”

“Well, while you are never one for gloom, you seem far happier than usual, Abrianna.”

“I am. My aunts have decided we are to get two cats. I’ve long wanted some pets, and this will suit me just fine. I had thought to seek solace with the cows and chickens, but they simply do not make good pets. I suppose if one had raised a cow from birth it might make an acceptable outdoor pet, but we certainly couldn’t have a cow in the house.”

“No, I don’t think that would work under any circumstances. Although I do recall hearing about an old lady who kept chickens in her house.”

“That would never bode well with Aunt Miriam. First, they would create quite a mess. And then, once we had cats? I do suppose they might worry the chickens. Don’t you think?”

“I do indeed. I’m certain that chickens and cats would not make for lasting friendships. Now tell me, how did this come about?”

She turned her attention to the man who’d come for soup. “Here you are, Captain Johnson. It’s chicken and dumplings, just like you requested.” Brianna pressed the bowl into the gnarled hands. Most of the seamen were missing fingers, sometimes two, but Captain Johnson was missing two on each hand and that, coupled with his age, made it difficult for him to grip. However, Abrianna wasn’t about to shame him by offering to carry the bowl to the table. She’d made that mistake once before with another old sailor. It was best to let them handle the situation for themselves. She knew the men at the table would help him in a manner that wouldn’t make him feel bad.

Turning back to Wade, she tried to remember what it was he’d asked. “Oh yes. You wanted to know about the cats. Well, we were having a discussion and one thing led to another. Aunt Poisie had read about renovations to take place at the White House. Apparently they need extra bathrooms. Although none of us could really imagine why.

“Then I mentioned that there was supposedly a rodent infestation, and we all decided a cat or two would surely handle the problem easily enough.”

He looked confused. “But how does that account for Mrs. Madison getting cats for the school?”

Another group of men straggled up to the table. As they formed a line, each man picked up a piece of bread and waited for Abrianna to serve the soup. “We decided we could probably use a cat or two to ward off mice, and Aunt Poisie volunteered to find us some.”

Ladling the thick soup into a bowl, Abrianna was pleased that she’d mastered the art of talking and serving at the same time. But oh, what would Aunt Miriam say about her pride? Goodness, she always had more lessons to learn. A thick dumpling plopped onto the tablecloth, as if to punctuate the point. A quick glance at Wade and the twinkle in his eye pushed Abrianna to continue her story and cover her embarrassment, lest they both break out into laughter. “Aunt Poisie also said she would see about securing the White House a couple.”

“Did she now?” Wade stifled a laugh. “I’m sure Mrs. Harrison will appreciate that.”

“You can never tell.” She shrugged. “Many of those folks in the Capitol often seem not to have any idea of how to make the simplest decision.”

Jay Bowes approached Abrianna with a smile. “You’re lookin’ like sunshine today, Miss Abrianna.”

She noted her yellow gown, now protected by a large white apron. “I felt like wearing something bright and cheery to go along with our wonderful weather.” She handed him a bowl. “I hope you like chicken and dumplings, but if you don’t, I’m not sure what to tell you. We haven’t yet seen the need to serve more than one kind of soup. I have considered it, though.” She grew thoughtful. Serving more than one kind of soup each day would cause more problems than she cared to think about. They had no way to keep remaining food from going bad. Even if they managed to purchase a large icebox, the papers had made clear there was a shortage of ice in the city.

“Did you hear me?”

She startled. “What?”

Mr. Bowes laughed. “I said the kind of soup doesn’t matter nearly as much as the company. I’m pleased to be here just for the honor of sharing a few words with you.”

“You are very kind, Mr. Bowes. But I did notice you’ve been absent for several weeks. Might I inquire as to the reason? You weren’t ill, were you?”

He scowled. “No, not ill. Just wrongly accused.”

“Oh dear. What happened?”

Mr. Bowes shook his head. “The details aren’t worth hearing for one so innocent as yourself. I was in the wrong place with the wrong people and got hauled off to the jail. I tried to explain that I had nothing to do with the dealings of the others, but the police wouldn’t listen to me. It wasn’t the first time this has happened to me.”

“The company we keep is often our downfall.” Abrianna had heard this from her aunts on more than one occasion. “We must be mindful of those people around us, lest we earn their reputation instead of being allowed to prove our own.”

“That’s the truth of it, Miss Abrianna. But a poor man like me doesn’t get a lot of choices. I sleep where I can, and others do the same. Weren’t my desire to sleep with thieves. One day I’ll tell you a story about just such a mishap that kept me locked up for a very long time.”

“I will look forward to it—if a person can look forward to such a tale of woe.” She shook her head, wishing she could offer him more than a cup of soup. Goodness, but there were so many needs to be met. Maybe she could ask Kolbein and Lenore for additional money to open some sort of sleeping house. Then again, perhaps she could allow men to stay in the food house if they promised to leave come first light. She would have to discuss the idea with the others.

“Please do be careful, Mr. Bowes,” she admonished. “I, that is we, won’t hold against you the wrongful arrest, but as I said, we are known for the company we keep. You should try to find another place to sleep.”

“And what does that say about you, Miss Abrianna? Are you known for the company of all these raggedy sailors and loggers? Men who haven’t got a nickel to their name and have been down on their luck so long they don’t remember what luck is?”

“Oh goodness, I hope so.” She beamed him a smile. “What better company could I hope to be associated with? These men are God’s children, and they are honorable and kind. I know they have issues and problems that cause sinful natures to rear up. Some of them fight and some speak in abominable ways, but they refrain when around me. I believe I am a good influence.”

“I believe you are, too.” He winked. “I know you are for me. You do this old heart of mine more good than you know. Just be careful who you go trustin’.”

“I needn’t be careful. My trust is in God alone. He has never let me down, and He never will.”

The food house closed at one o’clock for cleaning. Thane decided the best thing for him to do was to dry dishes, since Militine had settled herself at the great sudsy pot of water. As they worked at washing and drying the food-house dishes, it was obvious she was troubled by something. Thane determined he would put her at ease by sharing something about his past. Something harmless. Something perhaps lighthearted. But nothing came to mind. His past was not exactly laden with lighthearted moments.

Wade and Abrianna were arguing at the front of the building over something to do with turning the food house into a hotel.

“I don’t know why Wade argues with her,” Thane began, hoping he could coerce Militine into a conversation. “Abrianna never listens to him, and she always gets her own way.”

“I suppose he keeps hoping that one of these days things will change.”

“I suppose you’re right. I heard Abrianna mention getting some cats at the school. Do you like cats?”

Militine nodded and handed him a large platter. “I do. I had several when I was young. They were really rather wild little things, but they seemed to like me well enough to visit from time to time.”

“I had two dogs. They were big and obnoxious. Their names were Rusty and Roper, and they were given to us when they were just pups. No one had any idea they would grow to be the size of ponies.” He paused to note if she was listening.

A small laugh gave him all the encouragement he needed.

“I wasn’t all that big. In fact, I was rather small for my age. When I’d come outside, they used to come running at me and would knock me on my backside every time. If I tried to run from them, that just made it all the worse.”

“I suppose when you got older, they didn’t do that.”

He frowned. “I don’t know. I left home when I was pretty young.”

“Truly?” She passed a glass bowl and actually made eye contact. “How young?”

Should he tell her the truth? What if that just led to more questions? Thane squared his shoulders and dried the bowl. If he opened up to her, at least in part, perhaps Militine would know it was safe to tell her tale, as well.

“I was thirteen.”

For several minutes neither one said anything. Militine passed additional bowls, and Thane dried them, but all the while he hoped he’d not ruined his only chance to draw her out. Finally she paused in her task.

“Thirteen is awfully young. You must have been scared.”

“I was,” he admitted. He wanted to shout for joy that she hadn’t been afraid to share his secret. “I don’t tell many people, but I feel like you and I are good enough friends that we can trust each other.”

To his surprise Militine nodded. “I feel that way, too. I know you care and won’t betray my trust. That’s something I can’t say about any other man.”

“Just men?”

“Well, my experience with women has been quite different. My mother was a gentle woman I could trust with my deepest secrets. But she’s gone now.”

“My mother died just a few weeks after my thirteenth birthday,” he told her.

“Was she ill?”

Once again he was on the horns of a dilemma. Did he tell her the truth and risk her rejection? Something inside him suggested that only by baring his soul could their relationship grow. Was that God’s prodding? Wade was always saying that God’s Spirit would nudge him on all sorts of matters. Was God’s Spirit nudging him to be honest with Militine?”

“She wasn’t ill,” he finally said. He nearly dropped the slippery bowl she handed him. “She was murdered.”

“What are you two whispering about back here?” Wade’s voice made Militine jump. He came to stand beside her, shaking his head all the while. “I’ve been listening to Abrianna ranting and raving about finding beds for those without, and you two seem to be all private and cozy.” He paused. “Should I come back at a better time?”

Militine cast Thane a sidewise glance and shook her head. “No. I was just thinking on the fact that the April reception at the school is next Saturday. I hate them, you know.”

Wade laughed. “No. I hadn’t heard.”

“Well, I do.” She turned back to the pot and began washing the silverware. “I have been desperate to figure some way out of having to attend.”

“And I have come up with the perfect solution.” Thane put the wet dish towel aside to dry and took up a fresh one. “I plan to ask Mrs. Madison if I might escort Militine to Denny Park. There’s to be picnicking and a concert. It’s to start late in the afternoon and run into the evening.”

“I had heard there was to be a band concert, if it doesn’t rain, of course. Sounds like fun.”

“Well, perhaps you can come along, Wade. Abrianna too. We can catch the streetcar and take a picnic lunch. That is, if Militine will pack us one.” He winked.

Wade nodded. “That does sound good. I’m almost sure Abrianna would like to go. Mrs. Madison wouldn’t object to the four of us acting as chaperones for each other. I’ll ask her about it.” He walked off in the direction of where Abrianna was still wiping down tables.

For several long moments Thane said nothing. He wasn’t at all sure what to say. He didn’t want to refocus the conversation on the death of his mother, but he wanted Militine to know his gratitude. “Thank you for saying nothing to Wade.”

She smiled. “Thank you for getting me out of the reception. At least I hope you meant what you said.”

He returned the smile. “I did. I kind of like the idea of asking Mrs. Madison for an afternoon and evening in your company.” He could look at her smile for the rest of his life. If only she’d let him in.

“So long as she doesn’t try to force you into a formal courtship.”

“And what would be wrong with that?”

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped at his comment.

Thane laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. You have to know I enjoy your company. I like the idea of courting you.”