A Lady of High Regard (14 page)

Garrett thought for a moment. There was no possible way he wanted to lose Mia to an unknown Englishman. Still, he was hardly ready to speak his heart—nor was Mia ready to accept his affection. Then an idea came to him. “Wait. What if we speak to Mercy? She could ask to have you stay with us. I’m sure she’d love the company, and you’d be able to come here to your home when you needed or wanted to.”

Mia’s face lit up. She took hold of his hand and it was all Garrett could do to keep from pulling her into his arms. “Do you really think she’d do that for me?”

“Let’s go talk to her now. We won’t know until we ask.”

“Yes, let’s.” Mia tugged him toward the gate. “I can’t believe the solution was so close to home. What would I ever do without you?”

He frowned but said nothing. Mia dropped her hold on him as they joined the others. No one seemed to notice that they had been alone away from the party.

“There she is,” Garrett said, spying his stepmother. “Let me talk to her alone. I’ll arrange for us to come and speak to you and your parents if she approves. Why don’t you go and find your family and stay with them?”

“Very well. Good luck.” She hurried away, her pale blue skirts sauntering back and forth.

Garrett approached his stepmother, who was just turning from a conversation with two older women. “I wonder if I might speak to you for a moment.”

Mia was chatting with her parents when she finally saw Garrett and Mercy Wilson approach. Garrett’s affirming smile made her hold her breath in anticipation, but she worried that her father would think their solution too late in coming.

“I must say the party is absolutely perfect,” Mia’s mother declared. “I have very much enjoyed the music, despite the warm evening.”

“Thank you,” Mercy replied. She shifted the baby and offered Mia a smile. “I understand you are all leaving tomorrow for England.”

“Yes, my sister has asked us to come on many occasions, and Mr. Stanley has finally agreed to go.”

“It is quite an endeavor,” Garrett offered. “I only wish my plans for travel could have worked out for me to join you.”

“I’d rather not be going,” Mia stated without warning. She figured there was no better time than the present to get the subject out in the open.

“But why?” Mercy questioned.

“I have many friends who are remaining in Philadelphia this summer, not to mention I do not wish to miss the Independence celebration. Mother and Father think me too young to run the house alone, however.”

Her mother quickly added her thoughts on the matter. “It would not be appropriate.” She leaned forward and added, “We would face social condemnation, as you well know.”

Mercy nodded sympathetically. “I do indeed. Society can be so cruel. But I have an idea: Why couldn’t Mia stay with us? I’d love to have her company. I’m not yet able to get out to a great many places. I long for someone to talk to, and if Mia were here with us, she could feel free to check on things at home as well. It might offer a very amicable solution.”

“Amicable indeed,” Mia’s father said, eyeing his daughter curiously.

“But it would be a great imposition,” Mia’s mother said, sounding almost frantic. “I could not allow for that. We won’t even return until late September.”

“It’s no imposition whatsoever. In fact, if Mia were agreeable, she could help me with the children. Our nanny desires to make a trip for a couple of weeks.”

“I would adore that,” Mia replied. “Agnes and Bliss are such sweet girls, and baby Lenore is an absolute delight.”

“Then it’s settled,” Mercy declared. “I will let Mr. Wilson know. I’m sure he’ll be very pleased with the arrangements.”

Mia felt the burden lift from her shoulders in that moment. She looked to Garrett and flashed him a smile.

“If you are certain,” Mia’s father said, still sounding hesitant.

“I am very certain. Mia will be an asset to us,” Mercy replied. “Isn’t that true, Garrett?”

“Absolutely. I am convinced she will take her place here as if she were family.”

Mia nearly danced away as her parents turned to speak with other guests while Garrett and Mercy made their way across the yard. She wanted to sing and shout all at the same time. Not only would she avoid the possibility of an English husband, she could continue to aid the seamen’s wives. Of course, it would be harder to sneak around at night, given Garrett’s watchdog mentality. But with her plans to hold the sewing circle at church and Pastor Brunswick’s approval, Mia would have her opportunities for getting information.

An hour later, Mia was surprised when Mercy approached her. “Why don’t you come with me and make sure the bedroom I have picked is to your liking.”

“It’s not in England, so I know I’ll love it.”

Mercy laughed and shook her head. “I do not blame you for wishing to remain at home. Ocean travel is exhausting. I do not tolerate it well.” They climbed the stairs together to the second floor of the Wilson house. Mia had only been upstairs on one other occasion, and that was six years ago when Bliss was born.

“I chose this room for you,” Mercy said, opening a large oak door at the top of the stairs. “It’s positioned between the children’s room and the bath.”

Mia took in the beautiful mahogany furnishings. The fourposter bed was delicately draped in white muslin to protect against mosquitoes and flies. Opposite the bed was a fireplace with a beautiful Persian rug positioned in front of it. Here a small sitting arrangement had been created with two winged chairs in a dark plum and a Biedermeier table stylishly positioned between them.

“It’s a beautiful room. I should find it quite comfortable,” Mia assured her.

“There is a wardrobe there for your things,” Mercy pointed out. “Of course, if you did not wish to bring a great deal here, you could always arrange with your maid for additional clothes as you needed them.”

“I hadn’t thought about it,” Mercy admitted. Ruth would be staying at the house and helping with the summer cleaning that inevitably took place whenever the family went away on their respite. “I am certain to be able to work out the arrangements with Ruth.”

“Wonderful. Perhaps Ruth could come over each morning to help you dress. My maid is overworked as it is.”

“I’m sure she would be willing. I can arrange for her to come and help me throughout the day. Oh, and you must tell me what kind of help you’ll need with the girls.”

Mercy laughed. “Really very little. Nanny will only be gone for two, possibly three weeks at the most. I so seldom utilize her skills anyway. She feels practically good for nothing at times. Still, it comforts Mr. Wilson for me to have her help. And there are times, especially with the new baby, that her help has been needed. Still, I can’t imagine that I will require much of you. I thought adding that comment might help persuade your father and mother.”

“Thank you so much. I appreciate your help.”

“I couldn’t let you be forced into a loveless marriage,” Mercy said with a wink. “Not when there are so many charming men right here in Philadelphia. Now feel free to look around. I must get back to the party.”

“I’ve seen all that I need to,” Mia said. “The room is wonderful.”

“There you are,” Garrett called from the doorway. “Father is looking for you.”

Mercy smiled. “I can never stray far.” They went into the hall and closed the door. “I was just showing Mia where her room would be. Down at this end of the house is Garrett’s room, and over there is ours.” She pointed the way and Mia nodded. “Now I must hurry. Garrett will see you safely back to the party.”

Mia waited until Mercy was out of sight before throwing her arms around Garrett and surprising them both by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. She pulled back quite embarrassed. “I’m so sorry. You must think me incredibly childish. I was just overcome with happiness. You’ve saved my life and answered all my prayers.” Garrett put his hand to his face and looked at her with such a stunned expression that Mia felt like an idiot. “Please forgive me.”

He shook his head. “Mia, I think there’s something we should discuss.” They moved side by side down the stairs, and when they stopped at the bottom, Garrett took hold of her hand. “I was going to wait, but I think it’s important to talk about it now. Especially since you’ll be staying here in the same house with me.”

Mia sensed he was very serious. But what in the world could he be worried about? Was he sorry he’d invited her? “But of course. So long as I didn’t offend you; I couldn’t bear it if you were angry with me.”

Garrett’s voice lowered. “Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is—”

“Mr. Wilson, I was hoping for a word with you,” a man called from the hall.

Mia watched the emotion play on Garrett’s face. He clearly didn’t want to be interrupted. No doubt he was going to tell her how she couldn’t be sneaking around, risking her life while in his care.

Garrett released her hand. “I suppose our conversation will have to wait.”

“Please don’t fret so. I promise to be well behaved, if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t want to hurt my best friend in all the world—especially after you saved me from a life of misery and marriage to an Englishman.”

Garrett looked as if he wanted to say something more, but instead he turned to join the man who’d called to him. Mia couldn’t figure out why he had grown so very serious, but she figured in time he’d tell her. She smiled to herself and walked back outdoors. The world seemed suddenly right. God had graciously answered her prayer in a very short time.

I am most grateful, Father. Most grateful that you have seen fit to answer my prayer and allow me to remain here to do your work. Those poor women need me, and I need you to show me how best to help them.

CHAPTER 11

“
L
adies, I’m glad you could come today,” Mia announced Friday afternoon as she looked to the dozen or so seamen’s wives who had joined her at the church. Most were dressed in worn out skirts and blouses of coarse cotton. Some appeared to be Mia’s age, but with a look that bore evidence of a much harder life. Mia couldn’t help but wonder where they’d come from and where they would go after this.

She was particularly glad to see that Nancy Lucas, Mrs. Williamson’s sister, had joined them. The woman had spoken freely with Mia about problems her friends were suffering and was perfectly happy to share whatever help and information she had to give.

Clearing her throat, Mia continued. “We have some lovely materials and threads to give you as a way of saying thank-you for your time and trouble.”

The women looked uncomfortable and Mia knew she had to put their minds at ease. She walked to the door and closed it. “You have nothing to fear here. Some of you have already spoken to me about the things going on in your neighborhood. The rest of you are here because your friends have asked you to come and share your plight. My desire is to help you. It is also the desire of those in positions of power. The problem is, we must understand who the men are who are imposing themselves upon you, and what those impositions involve.”

“Like I told you before,” Mrs. Smith began, “we can get in trouble if we say too much. I’ve got my own son, Davy, to worry about. Now that I’m a widow, there ain’t nobody else who’s gonna worry after us.”

“No one is going to know who has said what,” Mia assured. She reached into a crate and pulled out precut sets of material and began handing the bundles out around the table. “You don’t even have to tell me your names. My honest desire is to learn the name of the man or men responsible for such improper deeds. You deserve protection, and I mean to offer it in whatever way I can.”

“How will you put an end to it?” a dark-haired woman asked. Her voice sounded hopeful, but her expression was skeptical. “It’s been going on for the last year. How are you gonna stop it now?”

“I believe by learning the man’s name and the complaints against him, I can encourage legal action to be taken on your behalf.”

Mrs. Denning gave a snort. “Oh, I’m sure the police of Philadelphia are gonna care that Jasper Barrill is charging me double the rent my husband agreed to two months ago.”