Chapter 12

CHAPTER12

Later that day, Ellie knocked on the door of the room she shared with Ada before entering—just in case she might already be changing for dinner. Seated at her dresser, when Ada saw it was her, she turned back to her cosmetics. Her lack of greeting confirmed she still smarted from Ellie’s careless comment in the hallway.

Ellie clutched her notebook to her bodice and spoke hesitantly. “I’ve been working on my interview questions. May I run them by you?”

Ada lifted a shoulder. “I suppose.” She dabbed a puff holding rice powder over her face while Ellie read through her list.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t expect any of them to squeeze truth out of the guilty party.”

“Neither do I, but having the same questions allows me to compare reactions during the interviews.” Ellie sat on the edge of her bed. “With whom should I begin?”

Ada sighed and dipped her finger into a pot of balm tinted with crushed geraniums, then applied the mixture to her lips. “Father has gone to the hotel manager. His detective will likely have more success.”

Ellie closed her notebook. “You think I missed too much about Lewis.”

“Certainly, you did. We should dress for dinner.” Ada’s short tone announced no desire for communication. She rose and inspected the gown hanging on the armoire. “Where is Maeve?”

“Ada, I was wrong about Lewis, and it was you, not me, with the discernment to see his fine qualities. I’m sorry for what I said earlier.”

Ada turned to her with her hands on her hips. “So now I’m smart enough to recognize a good man but not to know that man cares for you?”

Ellie shook her head. “Maybe he does in some way, but it wouldn’t outlast the season. I’ve been a companion for Cora, but that doesn’t mean he finds me matrimonial material. He’ll go back to Philadelphia and forget about me.”

“Not if you make yourself unforgettable.”

“And how am I to do that?”

“Go to the ball with him. We’ll make you beautiful, Ellie, and when you show him how you really feel, he’ll make his intentions clear.”

“Oh, Ada.” Ellie blinked and allowed her shoulders to droop. “You think everyone can exude your charm and find success. But I’m not you. I look like a child playing dress-up in a ballgown. I’m a terrible dancer. And I have no idea how to flirt.”

Ada held up a finger. “One of those things, I can fix.” She started riffling through her dresses.

“No, stop, Ada. I appreciate your good intentions, but—”

A knock sounded on the door, and Maeve called out, “I have your gloves from the shop, Miss Ada.”

“Come in.”

Maeve breezed in. “I’m sorry it took me so long. The whole hotel’s abuzz with talk of the missus’s missing necklace. I couldn’t get checked out for several women gossiping with the clerk.”

Ada waved her over. “Help me, Maeve. Where is that silk champagne gown with the turquoise beaded trim?”

Maeve laid the new gloves on the dresser. “Oh, I have it in the dressing room to see if I can alter it. You said it was too small for you.”

“And so it is. You’re going to alter it for Ellie.”

Maeve gasped. “That new Egyptian style will be perfect on her. And the beads are just the color of her eyes.” She whisked into the adjoining room and returned with the dress in question—a sophisticated creation Ellie could never pull off.

“Oh, no…no.” Ellie waved her hands. She completed the sentence she’d started before Maeve’s return. “I’d just make a munge of things and they would end as humiliatingly as with Will.”

“You must put that in the past.” Ada approached, holding the dress in front of Ellie as she turned her to the mirror.

“Land sakes.” Maeve’s hand fluttered to her chest.

Ellie’s reflection momentarily struck her silent. Ada was correct—the hue of the gown lent her an ethereal appearance, and its sleek, simple lines and charcoal-colored embroidery suited her serious demeanor. The bodice’s soft tucking into the empire waist and draped portions to either side might even give her a bosom.

“See?” Ada made no effort to hide her triumph. “Lewis will come to claim his dance and never let you go.”

Maeve clasped her hands together. “Mr. Thornton? Oh, any woman in this hotel would be merry as a grig to be his partner, especially after what he did today.”

“What did he do?” Ellie gently pushed the dress away.

“Why, he just unfurled a banner in the rotunda stating that if anyone found the necklace before the ball, he’ll match the worth with his own donation. He might as well have kicked over an anthill. Folks are looking high and low. It gives me hope that someone will actually find it.”

Ellie veiled her eyes as her unease swelled.

“What is it?” Ada asked.

“I don’t want to believe this, but doesn’t this seem like the perfect publicity stunt?”

Maeve gasped. “You think Mr. Thornton stole the diamonds?”

“Maybe not stole. Borrowed. With Gaspachi.” But wasn’t taking something for even a short length of time, for a good purpose, if not criminal, equally lacking in integrity? If it were true, her estimation couldn’t help but fall—lower than when she’d thought him a womanizer.

“Then you must ask him, Ellie.” Ada laid the Egyptian gown on the bed.

“Your mother did say everyone who accessed the dressing room should be questioned, but I can’t bear to face him after I ran off—not once, but twice.”

“He will forgive you, and he will tell you the truth.”

“Will he? If the success of his friend’s show is at stake?” Lewis had said Giovani was a children’s magician. Perhaps this booking offered his ticket to greater things.

“I hope he did take the necklace. The missus is dead set it was me or Adam.” Maeve flipped around Ada’s dinner gown and started unbuttoning the back.

Ada doffed the satin robe she wore over her undergarments. “Why would Mother think it was you, Maeve? Only Adam and Gertrude have the combination.”

Maeve sucked in her lower lip and gazed at Ellie.

Ada turned to Ellie. “What?”

Ellie sighed.

“You can tell her, Miss Ellie.” Maeve removed the dress from the hanger. “Mrs. Hastings already learned that me da has fallen too ill to work. Gertrude found out and told her, busybody that she is. The missus thinks I have motive, but she doesn’t realize I know the combination to the safe.”

When Ada’s mouth fell open, Ellie grimaced. “The night I came up to get your pearl earrings, Maeve fetched them for me.”

“What did you just say?” The imperious voice coming from the open door to the dressing room froze them all. Aunt Florence had entered from her own chambers and now stood staring at them with gleaming eyes. She drew closer, honing in on the maid. “You opened the safe yourself?”

“No ma’am!” Maeve still stood with Ada’s dress extended. Ada took it and quickly dropped it over her head while the maid stammered, “I—I never did that.”

Ellie stepped forward. “Adam opened it for us.”

Aunt Florence’s gaze cut into her. “And stayed with you the whole time?”

“He…er…” She hesitated too long.

“Go and fetch him.” When Ellie stood there with her hands clasped and her throat closed up, Aunt Florence bellowed, “Now!”

Heart hammering, Ellie stumbled through the dressing room. She found the valet in the main bedchamber, laying out her uncle’s accessories. When they returned to Aunt Florence, she addressed the solemn manservant.

“It has come to my attention that on at least one occasion, you have opened the safe for Maeve. Did you leave her unaccompanied with my jewels?”

“No ma’am.” Adam’s gaze never wavered. “Miss Ellie was with her.”

When Aunt Florence glanced her way, Ellie nodded. “We saw the box for your diamond necklace but did not open it. I believe you said the box is now gone as well.”

Aunt Florence drew herself up. “And yet, with such carelessness among my staff, any of them could have opened the safe. The necklace could have been taken at any time.”

“We didn’t, ma’am. We swear it.” Maeve intertwined her fingers under her chin.

“I suppose you expect me to take your word for that, while you’ve known the combination all along.” Aunt Florence pulled her shoulders back.

Adam moved in front of Maeve. “I take full responsibility for stepping away when I should have remained, but Maeve has never opened the safe.”

“So you think…or say.” Florence measured the two of them with sharp eyes—too sharp.

Maeve ducked her head. “Adam never knew I learned the combination, ma’am.”

“Mother, I think we should take their word. None of the servants have ever been anything but honest.” Someone had clasped the buttons at the back of Ada’s dress. She opened her hand. “If you’re going to doubt them, you should question your own maid.”

“Gertrude has no reason to steal from me. Neither has she ever kept anything from me. I can’t say the same for these two, which is why they will both be on probation until we return to Pittsburgh. We will reassess the matter at that time.” Nose in the air, Florence preceded Adam from the room. He didn’t leave before giving Maeve a reassuring glance.

She wiped tears from her cheeks. “I didn’t do anything wrong, Miss Ada, Miss Ellie. Please believe me. I can’t lose this job.”

Ellie clasped her arm. “Don’t worry, Maeve. I will find out the truth.” Even if it meant turning her investigation in a direction she dreaded.

* * *

Ellie’s spirits lifted as she climbed the grand staircase two days later, the afternoon of the ball. Despite questioning half a dozen people, her investigation had turned up no more than the hotel detective’s, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so valued.

This morning, she’d left Maeve sewing. The girl had whispered that she wanted Ellie to have a chance at love just as she had. Adam had proposed and promised to take care of her no matter what happened with their employment. Ada overflowed with goodwill because Jesse had called on her father and obtained permission to escort her to the ball. And Aunt Florence had announced that she’d made Ellie an appointment at the chiropody parlor—because every woman over twenty-five needed one occasionally. Rather than take offense at the aspersion on her age, Ellie had accepted the rare gift with gratitude. Despite her disparaging words to Lewis on the subject, it had been nice to have her feet soaked, massaged, rubbed with a pumice stone, and her nails trimmed.

So when she opened the door to their apartments and her shoe brushed an envelope on the floor, and that envelope bore her name in masculine handwriting, her heart leapt. She tore the flap open. Sure enough, the missive was signed by Lewis. Ellie, please meet me in the tea garden at five to discuss my invitation to the ball. She clasped the note to her chest.

Should she talk with him? Could Ada be right? Her cousin asserted that Lewis would do nothing to risk Ellie’s good opinion. Even the detective believed the thief to be someone outside their immediate circle.

“El-lie?”

The tremor in Aunt Florence’s voice brought Ellie to her bedroom at a dash. She braced herself in the doorframe with a breathless laugh, for the reason Aunt Florence’s voice sounded odd became clear. Her aunt sat in a wingchair, a towel on her head and another around her neck. Gertrude stood over her with the Hydro-Vacu, massaging her face with the Depurator. “Oh, aunt. I thought you were ill.”

Aunt Florence pushed the machine aside. “Give us a moment, Gertrude.”

“But, ma’am, we only have ten more minutes until the henna processes.”

“Yes, yes.” Aunt Florence waved her away. “Come back when it’s time.”

When the maid retreated to the dressing room with pinched lips, Ellie approached her aunt. “Where is Ada?”

“Having a late luncheon and a stroll with Mr. Bowen. I sent Maeve to chaperone.”

“Oh, that’s lovely.”

“Yes, well, we haven’t much time.” Florence’s brusque tone indicated she’d yet to fully accept her defeat in this particular arena. “Did you learn anything about the necklace?”

“Unfortunately, no. The hotel detective is questioning the employees who work on this floor. I sat in on several interviews—to no avail.” When her aunt’s expression fell, Ellie touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I have another idea to follow up on.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

Ellie twisted her hands. Should she lead Aunt Florence down this path before she knew more? Her aunt’s eyes bored into her, so she continued. “Well…you know Mr. Thornton and Gaspachi were in the dressing room for quite some time last week.”

Aunt Florence scoffed. “And indeed, Mr. Thornton’s financial state makes him a prime candidate.”

“Not for that reason, but…perhaps not Mr. Thornton but Gaspachi took the necklace. For the performance.” She waited until her aunt’s brows raised and comprehension dawned. In fact, it had been Ada who suggested this possibility—one which Ellie longed to embrace. “I’m going to meet Mr. Thornton and see if he’ll take me to Gaspachi.” Her voice firmed as she made the decision. Her sleuthing had gotten her nowhere. Simple and direct might constitute the best approach.

“Why wouldn’t he have just asked to borrow the necklace?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll do my utmost to find out.”

“Very well.” Aunt Florence dabbed excess cream from her face with the edge of her towel. “I never thought it would come down to the day before the ball without any answers, but it’s not for lack of effort on your part. How was your chiropody appointment?”

Ellie smiled. “Wonderful. Thank you so much.”

Aunt Florence flicked her hand. “Don’t mention it. You’ve run all over this hotel and talked to so many people, you needed it.”

“Indeed, I could dance the two-step all night now.” Ellie rocked back and wiggled her toes in her shoes.

“There will be no need for that.”

“Pardon me?” She must’ve misheard her aunt’s abrupt pronouncement.

“The ball—I know you don’t want to go, and I’ve told Ada and Maeve they should leave off any foolishness about it. I had Maeve stop altering that dress.”

A sinking sensation took Ellie by surprise. “But…why?”

Aunt Florence leaned forward with an impatient sigh. “Ellie, we can pardon them for being silly girls, but you and I, we have the wisdom of years, do we not? So we may speak candidly?”

“Of course.” Ellie stiffened. Her aunt’s candid speech normally required emotional armor.

“Lewis Thornton is the most eligible man in this hotel, yet he’s never indicated any interest in a woman. If Ada could not turn his head, are we to suppose…?” Running a finger over her eyelid, she let her question dangle, hooking into Ellie’s midsection. “I’ve not protested your friendship with his niece for the child’s benefit, especially after our little near-incident, but for us to imagine there is more to the liaison, well…”

“Is it so impossible he might find my company interesting?” Ellie pushed the supposition past stiff lips.

“Interesting for what?” Florence’s eyes snapped to hers.

Ellie’s mouth fell open. “You think Lewis Thornton means to debauch me?”

Florence waved her hand, looking away. “Really, Ellie, must you use such vulgar terms? Perhaps he’s considering engaging you as a governess. Whatever the man is seeking, we would be wise to assume it’s not an engagement.”

“And why is that?”

“Thornton is a businessman. He seeks transactions that benefit him. Don’t look at me like that. I’m trying to protect you. I wouldn’t think I’d have to say so after all we went through before.”

Ellie’s heart thudded, and heat swept up from her collar. “Is it so impossible for you to believe those of us not on your social strata might find love? Ada supports me. She believes Lewis is sincere. And Maeve—why, she was working on my dress so that I could attend the ball even though you’ve jeopardized her own future happiness. It will serve you right if she finds love despite you…and me too!” She balled her hands into fists. “I’m going to that ball even if I have to wear my bathing costume. And now, I’m going to meet Lewis Thornton and learn the truth.” All of it. She headed for the door.

“Ellie, do not bring shame upon this family again.”

Ellie glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Aunt. You’ve already done that.” She had to wade through it as she walked away.