All in Good Time (The Gilded Legacy)

33




DESSA GLANCED at her timepiece more than once, worrying throughout the hymns and sermon about the possibility of the girls’ whereabouts being discovered while she was gone. If that happened, she had no idea what she would do—but she knew she needed to be there if it did.

More than once, she’d stolen a look at Mr. Hawkins. She felt led to talk to him about the situation, but could he help? Would he help? She hadn’t forgotten that he’d been reluctant to extend her a loan in the first place, and although he seemed to have acquiesced in some ways, she wasn’t sure how deeply involved in the care of Pierson House he wanted to be. Would he tell her she’d gone too far? Would he refuse to help—or worse, advise her to avoid trouble and send the girls back?

No, she was fairly certain he would do nothing so heartless.

In between each segment of the service, she sent up pleas for wisdom. She prayed, too, for the girls’ protection because she knew there would be no hurrying home this morning. Not with Mrs. Hawkins and Mrs. Ridgeway yet for her to meet. If only she had nothing but the pleasure of their company on her mind, for she had no doubt they would indeed be pleasant.

After the service ended, the Whites joined them in the vestibule, and following a round of introductions, the women seemed to settle in for a comfortable chat.



Henry pulled out his pocket watch, glancing outside as the rest of the congregation emptied from the church and surrounding area. Perhaps under other circumstances he might have taken pleasure in such slowly passing time. This was, after all, part of what he’d missed all these years. Friends, family. Loved ones.

But, blast it all, he wanted to speak with Dessa and needed to speak with her alone. When, exactly, was he to have that chance? Certainly not now, with his mother and his aunt claiming her and paying her attention she seemed to be enjoying.

And the ride back to Pierson House was to be shared with not only Jane, but now his mother as well, since his carriage could accommodate her.

There was only one answer. He knew it would be frowned upon for Dessa to arrive at his party unescorted. And although Tobias and Etta had already volunteered to stop by to collect her, Henry had decided to ask if he might come for her himself a bit early. Early enough for him to escort her to his own party and be there in time to greet the first of his guests. Yet another hint revealing his intentions—intentions he remained unsure he should offer.

Still, it was the only way to find time alone with her. In his carriage, on the way back to his home before the party began.

Though he would have to wait, it wouldn’t be for long.



During the short time she spent in the company of Mr. Hawkins’s mother and Mr. Ridgeway’s wife, Dessa almost gained a steady pulse and even breathing. Neither of them was anything like the wealthy women Dessa had known while working as a maid. They laughed easily, asked questions about her and others rather than talking about themselves or their own interests, and followed through with such topics as if they were interested rather than merely being polite.

But she knew she couldn’t linger much longer. Mr. Hawkins, too, seemed ready to leave. “We shouldn’t keep Mr. Hawkins waiting, I’m afraid, Jane,” she said with a smile his way. “He must have a number of details to oversee before his dinner party tonight.”

He neither admitted nor denied it, but that was enough to end the impromptu gathering inside the church vestibule. Mariadela said her farewells to Mrs. Hawkins first.

Mrs. Hawkins held Mariadela’s hand in a friendly farewell. “It’s been lovely to meet some of my son’s friends, Mrs. White.”

Being called a friend of Mr. Hawkins brought a smile to Mariadela’s face, and Dessa caught the irony but said nothing. Nothing, either, when Mrs. Hawkins then expressed her hope and delight that she would see the Whites again that evening.

All eyes but his mother’s innocent ones went to Mr. Hawkins.

“I hope that you will come,” he said to William White. “And forgive the last-minute notice. It would be my pleasure.”

Dessa took up the invitation, even if she had no right to do so. “Do come, Mariadela. I’ll welcome another familiar face.”

“We wouldn’t want to make it awkward for your regular investors, Mr. Hawkins.” William spoke tentatively but not coolly, as if only trying to discern the level of discomfort such an evening might cause.

Mr. Hawkins held out a hand to William. “This evening will be like no other I’ve had. If friends are there as well as my mother—neither of which many have known me to have—it’s sure to amaze each and every investor.”

William accepted that hand, then nodded. “All right, Hawkins. We’ll be there.”

Once they were inside Mr. Hawkins’s carriage, his mother patted her son’s hand. “I’m sorry for my social error, Henry. I assumed everyone you knew would be coming tonight.”

“It’s more of a business tradition than a social gathering, but for the first time in its history, it’ll be both.” He took up her hand, kissed it, and let it go.

Dessa watched the exchange, marveling at the affection in his eyes, at the kindness and attentiveness he demonstrated toward his mother. Where was the Mr. Hawkins she’d first met—the cold, impersonal one who ran Hawkins National?

Perhaps . . . perhaps he might have a spot in his heart to help two innocent girls. It was worth a try—especially since she had nowhere else to turn.

So when he detained her outside her front door after Jane had already gone inside, Dessa was happy to linger.

“I wonder, Miss Caldwell, if you might allow me to escort you tonight? It would mean being ready for me to fetch you early, if you would allow me to do so.”

She looked at him, his face earnest. “I would appreciate the ride, Mr. Hawkins.”

He smiled. “I’ll call for you at seven thirty.”

He returned to his carriage, where Mrs. Hawkins waved from the window.

Dessa went inside, worries behind her that anything had happened while she’d been gone. Going to church had undeniably refreshed her, leaving her more hopeful than ever that everything would work out once she had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Hawkins and recruit his help.

But when Dessa tapped on the door to the sisters’ room, all that appeared was a skinny arm: Nadette pulling Dessa into the small room, where the girl took a spot in front of the sisters sitting close together on one of the beds.

Nadette looked anything but happy. “How could ya leave ’em alone? Don’t ya know they’re scared? And ya left ’em with that Remee!”

“Remee can be trusted, and no one knows about—” Dessa stopped herself. Belva knew.

“Ya think nobody knows? Talk in Chinatown is gettin’ worse. Them on this side a Market Street that guess I had somethin’ to do with it ain’t gonna give us away—not to Chinamen, anyway. Don’t think that’ll last forever, though. All it’ll take is for somebody who knows to get greedy. Somebody who’ll tell on us just because they want a free smoke or a few drinks from a Chinaman’s whiskey. Even that old sot you got livin’ in the carriage house can be bought.”

“Mr. Dunne doesn’t know about the girls, and he hasn’t even been here since they arrived.”

“He’s down there in the yard; I saw him myself comin’ out of your kitchen. Looked like he’s been dead drunk for a while, but was hungry enough to swipe some a that bread and stuff.”

Dessa looked quickly at Liling and Mei Mei. “Did he see the girls?”

Nadette shook her head. “But don’t think that Remee won’t tell him, if it suits her purpose. Or that he won’t see ’em himself before long. Ya think they’re going to stay in this room forever?”

“We’ll figure out what to do—I’m working on that. But don’t worry about Remee. She doesn’t want trouble here any more than I do. It’s her home now too.”

Nadette shrugged. “All I’m sayin’ is you got to be careful.”

“I already know that, Nadette,” Dessa said tersely. How was she going to tell the girl that she wouldn’t be home at all this evening? Yet having Nadette stay to take her place guarding the girls hardly seemed an answer, particularly if she was linked to their disappearance. “I think you’d better go. You can keep your ears open and do more to help if you see what’s going on, instead of staying here.”

Nadette plopped down on the empty bed and burst into tears. “I got noplace to go!”

Dessa stepped closer. “What do you mean? What about where you’ve been living, in the back of the Chinese laundry?”

Nadette picked up the bottom of her skirt to wipe her face. “They suspect I had somethin’ to do with the trouble. They kicked me out.”

Dessa rubbed her own face with her palms. She knew it was dangerous to keep Nadette here, but what alternative did she have?

Oh, Lord, keep us safe. Hold all of us secure in the palm of Your hand!