Hidden in a Whisper (34 page)

“Someone help! Auntie has fallen down the stairs!”

Liza came running, along with the cook and the butler. They all came running from different directions of the house, but all three stopped abruptly at the crumpled form of their mistress. The aging butler knelt down beside Esmeralda's pale, still form. He shook his head and stood once again.

“I'm afraid she has expired.”

Ivy saw all three servants look up to her as if she might offer some explanation. In an act of instinct, Ivy collapsed to the floor. Her aunt was dead, another accident that Ivy couldn't avoid responsibility in. Thinking of it would only cause her grief and frustration. She had to think of her plans—of her future, especially now that she knew the truth. Now that she was without funds.

She heard the rush of footsteps on the stairs and focused on her purpose. Her obstacles were slowly but surely being removed. They would believe her to be the grieving niece, totally devastated by her aunt's passing, and because she didn't stand to inherit a cent, no one would believe Ivy to have done anything out of line.

“Here, miss,” Liza said, reaching her side first. She fanned Ivy's face with her hand and struggled to raise her to a sitting position. “It'll be all right. Let's get you back to bed.”

Ivy moaned softly and let the trio assist her to her bed. She mumbled something about getting help before closing her eyes and falling back against her pillow.

“Best get the doctor for them both,” Liza said.

“Madam is quite beyond the doctor's help,” the butler replied, “but I'll send for him on behalf of Miss Ivy.”

Ivy lay silent, with her eyes closed tight. This entire thing might just work out to her benefit after all. Braeden might even take pity upon her, but even if he didn't, she knew she could depend on Reginald for support in what had happened the night before. She'd simply tell everyone of Braeden's actions and explain that the shock had been so great upon her aunt that while they were going downstairs, the woman had simply succumbed to the news.

With any luck at all, she'd find herself in a wedding by nightfall.

Now there remained only one question on Ivy's mind.
What should I wear for my marriage to Braeden?

  
TWENTY-THREE
  

BRAEDEN NOTED THE PINK HUES of dawn against the eastern skies. He had hoped to be off with a search party by first light, but since he couldn't locate the marshal, it seemed Braeden would simply have to put together his own group or go off by himself to look for Rachel. Neither choice would probably be anywhere nearly as productive as if he had professional help.

Remounting the horse he'd borrowed from Casa Grande's stables, Braeden made his way back to the resort. He couldn't help but think about the events of the past few days. Casa Grande had begun to hold promise for him, and now with Ivy's manipulation, he wondered if it could represent anything but frustration and regret. People would no doubt think of him differently now. They might even mistrust him and his motives, and that could do nothing but bring misery on everyone. Then, too, if Rachel remained at Casa Grande and refused to listen to his explanation or believe his innocence, he might as well load up and go back to Chicago. There just didn't seem to be any easy answer, and the future was hazy.

Tomas greeted him as he arrived at the stable. The boy looked worried, even fearful. “Have you found her yet, senor?”

“No,” Braeden replied, dismounting. He tossed Tomas the reins. “I'll need your help, Tomas. You know the local people. Can you round up about five or six men to help me search the area for Rachel?”

“Si
, I can do this.” Tomas appeared relieved to have something to 216 do.

“I'll go inside and get some provisions. There's no telling how long we'll be at this.” Braeden said the cautious words, but in his heart he prayed he was overexaggerating the situation. Rachel had probably taken herself to some quiet point of refuge. After all, he didn't know her so well as to predict her every move. Perhaps she had other friends in Morita besides the O'Donnells. It was possible that she had made the acquaintance of someone else and had sought comfort from them when Simone and Jeffery proved to be elsewhere.

He took the side delivery entrance into Casa Grande and made his way through the kitchen. He saw Reginald frown at his intrusion but remained silent. Out in the dining room there were at least twelve Harvey Girls busying themselves with the morning chores. Spying Gwen Carson, Braeden saw the concern in her eyes. She came to him, even as he made his way to her.

“Have you found Rachel?” she questioned.

“No. I suppose you've had no word from her either?”

Gwen shook her head. “Nothing. Ivy Brooks is missing as well.”

Braeden frowned. “Ivy probably won't be in this morning. She was rather unwell last night, and if my guess is correct, she won't feel like putting in an appearance.”

“Is that part of what happened to Rachel?” Gwen asked softly.

“Yes.” Braeden hated to admit it, but there was no sense in denying the truth.

“Ivy hates Rachel. She'd do anything to see her leave Casa Grande.”

“Yes, and had I not been sure of Ivy's whereabouts, I'd wonder quite seriously if she knew anything about Rachel's disappearance.”

“Did you talk to the marshal?” Gwen questioned.

By this time several of the girls had apparently overheard their conversation and had moved closer to learn the truth of what was going on. Braeden sighed. He might as well make some form of public announcement. “Ladies, if you'll join us for a moment, there's something I need to share.”

The girls quickly left their stations and tasks and came to stand beside Gwen and Braeden. “Miss Taylor is missing,” Braeden announced matter-of-factly. “She disappeared last night and no one has seen anything of her since. That is, not unless someone here knows something about it.” The girls shook their heads, their expressions showing their surprise.

“I didn't think so,” Braeden said, continuing. “I'm getting ready to ride out to search for her. In the meantime, Miss Carson is in charge of the dining room. I'd appreciate it if you would keep an eye open for Miss Taylor. If you think of anything that might explain where she could be, or if you overhear something that could help us in our search, then by all means, please come to Miss Carson and give her the information.”

“Ivy Brooks is missing too,” Faith declared. “She was supposed to be here by now, but she never showed up.”

“I wouldn't count on Ivy to show up this morning,” Braeden replied, barely keeping the sarcasm from his voice. “She was a bit preoccupied last night.”

“Oh, Braeden darling!”

Ivy's voice sounded from behind him, causing Braeden to turn in disbelief. He found it unbelievable that she would show her face after such a wanton display the night before. Had she no shame—no shred of embarrassment for her actions?

All of the Harvey Girls were staring at Ivy in disbelief. She was dressed in her uniform, but her hair was down and rather disheveled from what appeared to have been an early morning walk. But even this wasn't as shocking as her approach to Braeden.

Ivy reached out to touch Braeden's arm. “Something awful has happened. Something so very terrible.” She pouted and batted her blue eyes at him, appearing to will the tears that formed there.

Braeden frowned. “Yes, I know.” He despised her touch and moved away a pace to separate from her.

“No,” she practically wailed, grabbing him again. “You don't know.”

Braeden shook her off and raised a brow in question. “Then suppose you tell us what's happened now?”

“Aunt Esmeralda is dead!” she said, tears spilling from her eyes to her cheeks.

Braeden thought her to be a most consummate actress. He doubted the truth in what she said, but even if it were true, Ivy certainly would shed no tears of loss. Not if her actions from the past few days were any indication. He thought her rather hardhearted and callous— too callous to care whether Esmeralda lived or died.

“If Mrs. Needlemeier is dead, then why are you here?” Braeden asked rather coolly. “Shouldn't you be home planning out the funeral?

You certainly aren't expected to work so soon after losing a loved one.”

Just as the words were out of his mouth, Mr. Smith and several other Santa Fe officials, including Fred Harvey himself, appeared in the doorway of the dining room. Their stunned expressions indicated that they had overheard the latter portion of the conversation.

“Mrs. Needlemeier is dead?” Smith and Harvey questioned at the same time.

“Oh yes!” Ivy declared. “It's simply awful. She couldn't take the shock.”

“What shock was that?” Harvey questioned.

Ivy stunned them all by throwing herself into Braeden's arms. “She came home and found us together. I knew it was wrong, but Braeden was most persuasive. I simply couldn't resist his superior strength and ardor.”

Braeden realized she had him exactly where she wanted him. The entire room seemed to turn in unison to him for explanation. “She's lying,” he said, trying to pry Ivy from his body.

“No, she's not!” Reginald Worthington declared. Everyone turned to acknowledge his statement. Seeing he held a captive audience, he continued. “I witnessed the scene myself. A more shameful display of forced attention I have never seen. Your Mr. Parker apparently is quite the rogue. He arranged to meet Miss Brooks when he knew she would be alone and unprotected, and now he scorns her.”

Smith eyed Braeden in contempt. “You dallied with this young lady and now deny it?”

“I deny the entire matter. This young
lady
, as you call her, set up a scene of seduction to rival them all.” Braeden realized how preposterous it all sounded even as he spoke the words. Ivy stood looking wide-eyed and stunned, tears glistening against her pale cheeks. Even Gwen looked at him with a questioning expression that suggested disbelief. “It was entirely her doing, not mine. She has it in her mind that the Harvey establishment is her ticket to finding a wealthy husband. She knew I had no interest in her, but she pursued the matter with a vengeance.”

“Is this true?” Fred Harvey asked Ivy, giving Braeden the briefest bit of hope that she would come to terms with his anger toward her and admit the truth.

Ivy sobbed. “No, it's not true. What woman of proper breeding would allow her reputation to be put into jeopardy in such a manner? After all, such events do bring about consequences.”

Fred Harvey stepped forward, a scowl on his bearded face. “Young woman, are you telling me this man dishonored you?”

Ivy again reached for Braeden. “It wasn't all his fault. I should have known better—I did know better—but I've loved him since I first laid eyes upon him. But I knew about the rules, Mr. Harvey. I remembered meeting you in Topeka, and you said we weren't to date other Harvey employees.” She dabbed her eyes most effectively and gave the slightest hint of a smile. “I know I dishonored my auntie, but Mr. Parker made me forget myself. I'm sorry, but my heart wouldn't listen.”