A Lady of High Regard (12 page)

“Do you suppose he’s in love with you?”

“Goodness, Ruth. You’re being far too forward now.”

“I meant no harm. It’s just when a gentleman sends such a magnificent bouquet, it generally implies that he cares.”

“In this case he does care, but only about the harsh words he had for me. These are flowers of apology.”

Ruth shrugged. “Call them what you will, but I think he cares more than you believe.”

Mia pondered her words for several minutes after Ruth took her leave.
Silly girl. Her head is full of nonsense.
Mia gently touched the petals of a rose.
It was a guilty conscience that sent these flowers . . . not a heart full of love.

Mia was touched nevertheless. Garrett was her best friend in the whole world, and she couldn’t bear to have ill will between them. She knew he must have felt the same way or he’d never have sent the peace offering.

“Perhaps upon reflection he even understands how important it is to me to see these women receive proper help.” Mia smiled and went to her window, her final thought a hope that he might know how to help the women through the legal system.

“Mia resigned her position at
Godey’s,
” Aldora told her husband as he changed clothes for dinner.

“Well, of course she did. We demanded it.”

“I feel guilty for taking that pleasure from her.” Aldora sat on a nearby boot bench and frowned. “She is a good daughter. I sometimes find myself vexed with her, but it’s only because I fear she has chosen poorly for herself.”

“You needn’t feel guilty about it, Aldora. The position was improper for her. She’ll be happy enough when she finds something new to turn her attention to.”

“I suppose you’re right. Perhaps England will distract her.”

“I seriously doubt that. She has no desire to be distracted by England or its people. Aldora, I cannot impose an arranged marriage upon her—not if she’s truly opposed to the man.”

“But she won’t know until she meets him and has a chance to get to know him. Our marriage was an arrangement, yet we were quite content.”

“Content because we knew each other long before our parents suggested marriage. I want Mia to marry for love. I fear doing otherwise will stifle all that makes her unique. We have the financial means to not worry about imposing a wealthy suitor upon her.”

“Yes, but my sisters and their families would benefit greatly socially and economically if Mia were to marry the man they have in mind. I think we should encourage her to at least meet him and see if love cannot be developed for both of them.”

“I’ll think on it, Aldora. Better yet, I’ll pray about the situation.”

She nodded. “I’ll pray on it as well.”

The day of Prudence Brighton’s engagement party arrived with blessedly clear skies and moderate temperatures. Mia was quite excited to attend the party. She had remembered in the dead of the night that the Brightons’ cook, Mrs. Williamson, had a sister who was married to a sailor and lived near the Delaware River. Perhaps Mrs. Williamson could arrange a meeting where her sister could share more insight about the woes of women in her situation.

Mia fingered the rose-colored silk of her gown. Trimmed in white lace and green cording, the creation seemed just right for a garden party and dinner. Prudence had raved for weeks about how beautiful their flowers were and about the hundreds of additional blossoms her father was bringing in. The number of people invited to the affair was limited due to the Brightons’ uneasiness about taking on a country doctor as son-in-law, but for Mia, all the important people would be there.

The mirror’s reflection brought a smile to her lips. Mia looked exactly as she’d hoped: small waist, modest neckline, blond hair done up in a fashionable sweep, and a complexion that needed neither powder nor paint. Not that her mother or their society would allow for either one. She twirled to see the lay of the skirt as it might appear while dancing. “Perfect!” she exclaimed.

“Miss Mia,” Ruth called as she knocked.

“Come in.” Mia halted her antics. “What is it?”

“Ah, you do look very fine. I’m sure you’ll have the gentlemen lining up to dance with you. I came to tell you that your father is feeling poorly and has decided to stay home. Your mother wants to stay with him. She hopes that you might go ahead to the party and give their regards.”

“What seems to be wrong with Father?” Mia asked with a frown.

“I couldn’t say, miss, but it seems nothing serious.”

Mia picked up her matching bag. “Very well. Why don’t you go tell Jason to have the carriage brought round?” She raised her brows and gave Ruth a smile.

“I’ll just go do that right away. We’re hoping that soon you’ll need us to go across town for you again.”

Mia laughed. “I’m glad to hear that it’s gotten serious.”

Twenty minutes later, Mia alighted the carriage to stand in front of the Brightons’ three-story brick home. Dozens of people wandered the yard, greeting each other and gathering to talk in small groups. The ladies’ gowns added a rich tapestry of color to the vivid green lawn. They almost looked like flowers themselves in their fashionable bell-shaped skirts. The men were their charming selves in customary black suits that gave them a regal appearance.

Mia looked quickly for any sign of Garrett before making her way to the garden proper. He had postponed his trip—of that she was certain. He would be here. It was just a matter of locating him and then convincing him to accept an introduction to Josephine Monroe.

The scent of the flowers assaulted her immediately as she entered the back garden. It was a glorious wealth of aromas, not to mention a stunning visual effect to behold. The Brightons had long been known for their prize-winning roses, and everywhere there was an abundance of flowering beds quartered off and trimmed with crushed white stone.

“Mia, you came. I’m so very glad,” Prudence said, pulling her aside. The bride-to-be looked very nervous.

“Are you all right?” Mia questioned. She could see that Prudence was shaking.

“Father is speaking to Noah at this moment. I do not know why he chose today of all days, but he’s trying to entice Noah to leave his practice and work for Brighton and Sons.”

“In the boot factory?”

Prudence nodded. “I’ve told Father many times over that Noah loves working to heal people. Of course, Father and Mother think his position lowly and worry that I will never have my needs met properly. I do wish they would stop tormenting us both.”

“I’m sure they simply care what happens to you, Pru. They don’t want you suffering. My mother and father insisted I quit writing for
Godey’s
for that very reason. They care about my reputation, and I guess there have been many comments about my working.”

“You didn’t quit, did you?”

“What else was I going to do? My father insisted.”

“Oh, Mia, I am sorry.” Prudence took hold of her hand. “We are a fine pair today, are we not?”

“Well, we must keep up appearances and be cheerful. After all, your Noah loves you very much. That’s really all that matters.”

“I just fear that he’ll refuse Father and Father will withdraw his blessing.”

Mia patted Prudence’s arm. “Now stop fretting. It would be an embarrassment for your father to do such a thing.”

“That’s true—and Father would never risk social condemnation.”

“Stop now with your worrying or your face will flush and turn blotchy.”

Prudence put her hands to her face. “Oh, I forgot. Is it as bad as last time?”

Mia shook her head and remembered when Prudence had first announced to her family that she’d fallen in love with a doctor. It was at a private dinner to which Mia had been invited. Prudence was just back from visiting her grandmother in the country, where she’d met the acquaintance of Dr. Noah Hayes. Throughout the evening Prudence’s face had seemed mottled in a swirl of peach, pink, and red, all due to her unsettled nerves.

“It’s not yet that bad. You are merely flushed at this point. Now put aside your concerns and enjoy your party.”

“Congratulations, Miss Brighton,” Garrett exclaimed, coming up from behind Mia.

“Thank you, Mr. Wilson. I’m so glad you could come. If you’ll excuse me, I need to attend to something.”

“That is quite all right, Pru. I need to speak with Mr. Wilson anyway,” Mia said, waving her on. Once Prudence had gone, Mia turned to Garrett. “Did you get my note?”

“I did. I’m glad you liked the flowers.”

Mia smiled, remembering Ruth’s comments. “Well, you caused a stir with my maid. She thought perhaps I was receiving a proposal.”

Garrett’s eyes widened a bit. “She thought I was proposing— to you?”

“Yes, isn’t it silly? I set her straight and encouraged her to put her attention on her own affairs of the heart. She is completely besotted with our groomsman. Oh look. There’s Josephine. Come along, and I’ll introduce you.”

She took hold of Garrett’s arm and urged him along. He seemed reluctant, but Mia was sure once he met Josephine, he was bound to relax and enjoy the party.

“Miss Monroe,” Mia said rather ceremonially, “I’d like you to meet Mr. Wilson. He is a dear friend and our closest neighbor.” Josephine curtsied as Garrett bowed. Mia hadn’t bothered to tell Josephine about her plan, so there was no preconceived notion on the part of the dark-haired young woman.

“I have met Mr. Wilson prior to this,”Josephine announced. “But it was some time ago and I wouldn’t expect him to remember.”

As they regarded each other, Mia relaxed. Garrett seemed genuinely taken in by Jo’s grace and style, and it didn’t hurt that Jo looked lovelier than Mia could ever remember.

“Father thinks quite highly of your family,” Josephine continued.

“I share the same regard for your family, Miss Monroe.”

“And your stepmother has just had another little girl, correct?”

“That’s right. They are planning to be here today, although I’m certain they will not bring the baby,” Garrett replied.

Josephine gave an unladylike snort as she laughed. “No, I do not suppose they will. Children would hardly be welcome at an engagement party.”

“If you two will excuse me,”Mia said, spying one of the kitchen helpers laying out a tray, “I need to speak to someone.”

She hurried away before either one could respond. A short, plump girl positioned a new array of delicacies on the table, then picked up the empty tray to return to the house.

“Excuse me, miss, I’m wondering if you would take me to your cook. I need to speak with her.”

“Mrs. Williamson?”

“Yes. I very much need to talk to her.”

The girl shrugged and led the way to the lower level summer kitchen. Mia looked about, keenly aware of how out of place she was among the workers. Their discomfort at seeing such an elegantly clad woman of means among their number was evident.

“You’re Miss Stanley, aren’t you?” a matronly woman questioned.

Mia immediately recognized her. “I am. And you’re Mrs. Williamson. I remember you from several months back when Prudence invited me to take tea. The rest of the house staff was gone and you served us yourself. The dried apple tarts were particularly delicious.”

The women smiled at this. “What can I do for you? Mary said you wanted to speak with me.”

“Yes, but it would be best in private. Could we speak alone? I promise it will only take a moment of your time.” The older woman looked confused, but she nodded and led the way to the pantry.

“So . . . what can I do for you, Miss Stanley?”

Mia gently took hold of the woman’s arm, hoping to put her at ease. “I want to speak of a delicate matter. I am trying to help a group of women who are suffering a terrible injustice. No one must know about my involvement, or I fear my family will put a stop to it. If they do, then I am afraid more women will suffer.”

“I’m sure I don’t understand.”

Mia drew a deep breath. “I am helping the seamen’s wives who find themselves oppressed for payment when their husbands go to sea and leave debt behind. I recall you mentioned a sister who is married to a sailor.”

“That’s true, but they are good people and work hard to keep no debt,” Mrs. Williamson said proudly.

“I am certain they do. However, I was wondering if your sister might be willing to speak to me—perhaps to come here one day while I visit Prudence. Then we could talk about those she knows who are suffering. Are you familiar with
Godey’s Lady’s Book
?”