The Solitary Envoy (22 page)

The parishioners began to walk out, and Erica found herself face to face with Gareth Powers. Only this time she could not bring herself to withdraw at his approach. Gareth seemed to recognize the change, for he bowed and said, “I would be most grateful for a word, Miss Langston.”

Samuel murmured as he slipped by, “Take whatever time you require, my dear. We shall wait for you outside.”

Erica permitted the tall gentleman to draw her into an empty pew. He made a slight gesture, inviting her to be seated, but he registered no surprise when she remained standing.

“I shall not keep you long. But I wanted to take this opportunity to speak of two matters. First, I wished to ask your forgiveness for the most regrettable actions of my men. We were driving them hard. They had marched all night and knew we were entering dangerous territory. The risk of such terrible errors was as great as the threat of attack from any quarter.”

Erica found her voice. “That is no excuse.”

“Nor is it intended as such.” Though he spoke with stiff formality, there was no mistaking the exposed and wounded nature of his gaze. “Nor is there any way I might undo the tragedy. Nonetheless, I wished to offer my deepest regrets for the loss of your father and the hardship this must have caused your family.”

The same silent intensity that had surrounded her while listening to the preacher’s final words remained with her now. Erica shut her eyes, not to close out the church and this handsome gentleman, but rather to heighten the closeness of her father. How she missed him. A space in her life remained empty and exposed, so keen an absence it might have happened yesterday, rather than two years earlier.

She opened her eyes. “Why are you not in uniform?”

Gareth seemed taken aback by her query. He fumbled with his watch chain as he responded, “I resigned my commission in protest.”

“Over the attack on my city?”

“No, Miss Langston.”

She could tell that he wanted to lie, to say what she wanted to hear. Yet for a reason she could not explain, Erica felt great comfort in the honesty of his response. “What, then?”

“It is a long story. One I would rather not recount here in this hallowed hall.”

She heard the resignation in his voice and knew he had accepted that there would be no forgiveness from her—not now, not ever. “You said there were two things you wished to speak with me about?”

“Indeed. I wanted you to know that my men did not start the fire that destroyed your family’s establishment.”

“I … do not understand.”

“I have investigated this very carefully. A number of my men work with me now. I am a pamphleteer. I write—” He checked himself. “That is not pertinent to this discussion. I have sought out as many of my men as I could find, and word has come back from a variety of sources. Not a single man in my regiment carried a lit firebrand. We were instructed to fire the government buildings only. It would have made little sense to race through the streets with burning brands. The men cannot carry a lit torch and handle a rifle, you see.”

Erica’s mind struggled to make sense of what she was hearing. “And you believe them?”

“What reason do they have to lie? We were miles from our destination and had no reason to burn anything that far from the Capitol—much less set fire to one structure in the midst of so many others.”

“But then, who … ?” In her confusion, Erica couldn’t even frame the question.

“I cannot answer that. One of my men claims to have spotted two figures racing off from the blaze, but what with the fact that we were surrounded by the enemy …” Gareth realized what he was saying and stopped short. “Forgive me, miss. I forget my place utterly.”

But she was too caught up in the implications. “This could only mean that someone knew of your plans far in advance.”

“And took advantage of both our presence and our intentions,” he agreed. “My thoughts exactly.”

She started to turn away. But in spite of her thoughts whirling with the implications of what she had just learned, the austere chamber’s silent intensity held her still.

Gareth Powers had already dropped his head in resignation. Which meant he did not immediately see her hand when she extended it. When he did, he slowly lifted his head until she found herself staring back into eyes now filled with hope.

She found her voice had grown somewhat strained, but still she managed to say, “I am indeed most grateful that you would go to all this trouble on my family’s account, sir.”

“Miss Langston …” He grasped at her hand, then bowed so low she thought for a moment he was going to kiss it. Instead, he merely held the pose for a long moment. When he straightened, she saw that his features were struggling to contain a most powerful emotion.

Erica walked down the aisle and reentered the brilliant summer sunshine. She smiled as Samuel and his wife greeted her arrival. She must have spoken some words of parting to the gray-bearded elder. She allowed Abbie to take her hand once more, and they descended the stairs. Yet all she could think of in that moment was how strange it was to feel both lighthearted and burdened by all that had happened inside. Erica lifted her face to the sun and for reasons she could not begin to fathom struggled with a sudden desire to weep. Out of joy or sorrow, she could not say. Only that she fought against tears pressed from an overflowing heart.

Chapter 17

Sundays held to a very stable routine in the Aldridge household. After church the family returned home and ate a light meal of cheese and fruit and bread. Samuel then took what he called his weekly indulgence, which was a nap in the middle of the day. They did no entertaining on the Sabbath nor accepted any visitors. The guard by the embassy gates had been specifically instructed in this regard.

Today as usual Erica spent this quiet hour penning a letter to her mother and her brother. She spoke of the week’s multitude of activities, including her meeting with the banker. She dwelt for several paragraphs on Audley Chapel and how close she had felt to both her mother and her brother. The memories brought a renewed sense of homesickness and longing. Only concerning her meeting with Gareth Powers did she remain silent. Erica sat for a time with her quill poised over the parchment. But her emotions were so tumultuous she finally penned her love, sealed the envelope, and rose from the table.

Afterward she joined Abbie and Lavinia in the kitchen, where she helped wash and scrape vegetables. Erica did not want to assume anything incorrectly, but she sensed a new flavor in their company. She was indeed being treated as one of the family now.

Abbie was seated at the kitchen table cutting out biscuits from dough. Flour streaked her arms and face. “Do you know why we don’t have any servants up here, Erica?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “It’s ’ cause Mama doesn’t want me being raised with any airs. She told Daddy this before she agreed to come. She wants us to be a proper family. She wants us to know our place in this world and remember we are to be servants to our Lord and our nation.”

“Very good, child,” Lavinia affirmed with a smile.

“Daddy didn’t want to agree. He worries about Mama working too hard, especially with my brother. Did you hear Horace cry last night? He woke me up seventeen times.”

“Don’t exaggerate, Abbie.”

“It was seventeen, Mama, really. I counted. Are you sure we can’t ask God for a replacement who is a bit quieter?”

“Quite sure. Are you done with those biscuits yet?” Lavinia turned from the basin and her vegetables and picked up the rolling pin. She did not say a word about how Abbie had managed to flour herself almost as much as the biscuits. “Here, let me take these scraps and roll the dough up for you.”

“Daddy has been in houses with lots of servants, hasn’t he?”

“As have I. Armies of servants.”

“They have gold on the walls and gold in the uniforms.

They have slaves too, don’t they, Mama? Slaves dressed up in fancy uniforms and turbans with peacock feathers and jewels.”

Abbie was too intent upon her biscuits to notice the change in the room’s atmosphere. “Just like little dark dolls.”

They had not noticed Samuel’s arrival. He now stood in the doorway buttoning his waistcoat. “Servants standing at attention in every doorway,” he agreed. “Slaves serving dinner wearing gold waistcoats and curl-toed shoes, as if I were seated in a harem rather than dining with a prince of the realm.”

Lavinia smiled a greeting. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very nicely, thank you. Abbie, you are wearing so much flour I cannot tell if we are baking biscuits or a little girl.”

Lavinia used a clean finger to brush the hair back from her daughter’s forehead. “She has been such a big help. I don’t know what we would do without her.”

“Splendid.” In the same conversational tone he asked Erica, “Speaking of such, I do not believe we have ever asked how your family feels about the slavery issue.”

“We have been part of the abolitionist movement for several generations, sir.”

“Have you indeed.” He nodded slowly, as though checking something off an internal list. “My dear, might I have a word with Miss Erica alone?”

“Of course. We are quite done here.”

“Miss Erica, perhaps you would be so kind as to join me in the parlor?”

As she passed the hall mirror, Erica noticed that her hair was tumbling down once again. She hesitated, suddenly very nervous. She wanted to race into her room and unpin her tresses, brush them out, and re-pin them neatly. No, she decided. It would be best not to make Samuel wait. She hastily tucked the worst of the strands back into a semblance of order, then erased the streak of flour across one cheek.

She had made the proper decision, she saw, for Samuel Aldridge was standing by one of the tall horsehair chairs by the front window. It was here he sat with his wife in those spare moments he was able to wrest from the unending pressures. Now he held the back of the chair for her. Erica seated herself and tucked her ankles in together at the chair’s base, just as her mother had taught her.

“I shall launch straight in, for that is my habit,” Samuel said even before he had seated himself. “Your answer about the slavery issue was a splendid one. But it failed to address the matter of how you yourself feel. And because of what I wish to say to you, I must be very clear on this point.”

“I-I have inherited my father’s despair over the entire issue.” Erica swallowed, trying to erase her nervous tremor. “The United States is a nation founded upon the principle of freedom. My father believed this freedom was intended for all men, of all races and creeds. I share this belief.”

“Excellent.” He leaned back, apparently so pleased by her response he was able to relax. “I regret anew that I never had the opportunity to make your father’s acquaintance. He sounds like a remarkable gentleman.”

“He was indeed, sir. Might I ask why this is so important?”

“I will come to that in a moment. First of all, I wish to address another issue. Miss Erica, might I ask how long you intend to remain with us?”

“I wish I could say myself, sir. I do not wish to overstay my welcome.”

“You misunderstand me. My wife and I have discussed this at length. We would be happy to see you remain with us indefinitely.”

“Remain—”

“Lavinia’s mother was correct. You are a most remarkable young lady. I need a clerk, an official who can help with all the underpinnings of running such an establishment. You are aware that we are building a new residency?”

Erica’s head was spinning from what she heard. “Y-yes, sir. On Grosvenor Square.”

“Work is proceeding at far too slow a pace. No one is supervising either the work or the expenses, which continue to mount at a most alarming rate. You have seen the bills?”

“I paid the carpenter and the bricklayer just yesterday, sir.”

“Indeed so. I can scarcely occupy myself with such matters. I need someone I can trust with the embassy’s finances. I have requested an aide from Washington, but it will take a full six months, possibly more, before someone can be chosen and sent over. I would like you to accept this position.”

“Sir, you do me great honor.”

“Nothing you do not deserve. Think upon it; that is all I can ask.”

“Very well, sir.” Erica started to rise, assuming their discussion was over.

“No, please remain where you are. I have another matter to discuss with you, one of far greater import.” When she had settled back into the chair, he asked, “Might I ask what your relationship is with Mr. Gareth Powers?”

Hearing the name spoken in these surroundings was yet another jolt. “That is not an easy story, sir.”

“I thought as much. Miss Langston, I will be perfectly frank. The Good Book tells us that when we arrive at heaven’s reward, those who have done well with the small things will be given far greater gifts and responsibilities. I find this a solid way to lead my work in the here and now. So I will entrust you with secrets of national import.”

He took out his vest watch, opened the face, shut it, wound the stem, and opened the face a second time. But it was unlikely he even noticed the time. Erica waited patiently. It was remarkable how comfortable she felt at this moment, despite her utter lack of understanding of what was to come. One thing she knew she could say with certainty: she could trust this man. It was a defining moment for her. She could trust Samuel Aldridge enough that it was possible to let him fumble with his watch and collect his thoughts and know that whatever was said, the words he spoke were a gift of trust she would treasure all her days.

“Since George the Third became ill and the prince regent took up the reins of court, this nation’s government has been in turmoil. The ruling elite are a cluster of ne’er-do-wells. They behave in the most licentious manner imaginable. They ignore the desperate plight of many of their own citizens. They are blind to all but their own pleasures and entertainments. I despise them and all they stand for. But I must deal with them. What is more, I am being watched constantly.”

He rose and turned to stare out the front window. “The only reason our embassy has been permitted to open is because the merchants demanded it. They are represented in Parliament by the Whigs, the opposition. The Tories hold power and are steadfast allies of the Crown. But the Whigs are gaining power. They wanted an end to this disastrous war and renewed relations with our country. Reluctantly the Crown agreed. But the Tories would love to see us fail. They watch us constantly. What is more, they have intimated that any connection we are seen to have with the Dissenters will be seen as an act of treachery.”