“Out of the city, I’m not sure where.” Mrs. Miller guided them down a long hallway to the dining room, walking over a plush red oriental carpet probably brought in from China.
“Forgive me if I’m being too forward, but how will they survive?”
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Miller gestured to a chair, and a servant pulled it out for Cora. Ed sat by her side.
“How will they eat or live beyond the city?” Cora pressed, despite Ed’s warning glance.
Mrs. Miller sat across from her, blinking. She tilted her head to one side. “I’ve never asked. We simply supply funds to help move them.”
“Forgive me if I’ve overstepped. I’m naive on how things are done here.” Cora wanted to state that they lived so far up the hill they had no idea of the life below, but despite the woman’s ignorance, she liked Mrs. Miller. She appeared to have a good heart and strong mind.
“No forgiveness needed. I will ask this question when we meet tomorrow and share the response with you on Saturday at your party.”
“Splendid.” To Cora’s relief, the first course of fourteen was served. The night proceeded without any eruptions from Ed. He even appeared to relax at her side.
Conversation flowed as easily as the wine, and by the tenth course, Cora had to focus on her words and remaining proper. She didn’t want to offend her hosts, but she was never much for drinking.
“Tell me of your voyage,” Mrs. Miller said with a slight slur to her words. “You must’ve been through much and suffered great loneliness.”
“Only the second half of the voyage. The first part was less arduous, and I had Mary for company.”
“Mary?”
Cora choked and coughed as the realization of her mistake lodged in her throat.
ChapterSixteen
Ed handedCora a glass of water and moved her wine away from her reach. Mr. Miller sat with an I-got-you-now grin. “Mary was Cora’s travel companion. I’d sent for both Mary and Cora for William and I, but when Mr. Connor was called away to Wyoming I sent word and Mary disembarked and returned to her family.”
“That’s interesting.” Mr. Miller announced despite the half-chewed ham in his mouth. “Is this Miss Folsom from Folsom Shipping?”
Ed rubbed small circles on Cora’s back, hoping she’d regain her elegant composure and take over the conversation once more. She’d dazzled everyone this evening, even him. “Yes. Mr. Folsom. As you know, I’m planning a joint venture with him. Although, I was surprised at his interest.”
Cora took a sip of water and cleared her throat.
“I would say not after jilting his daughter,” Mr. Miller teased.
“No, I mean after he refused to work with Mr. Grous.” Ed’s hand slipped from her back and lifted his fork, as if speaking about the latest gossip of no consequence, but he dug deep to discredit Mr. Grous before his rumors could take root.
Mr. Miller finished chewing his meat and took a sip of his wine. “Why was that?”
“Based on the rumor that Mr. Folsom didn’t want to expand to Asia, I assumed my offer would be rejected, but apparently it had little to do with the expansion.”
“What did it have to do with, then?” Mr. Miller’s large, graying eyebrow rose like a lion’s mane.
“He stated that he met Mr. Grous once during an unfortunate incident and would never do business with such a man.”
“And the incident?” Mr. Miller asked.
Ed glanced over at Cora and placed a hand over hers resting on the table. “I would not dare say in front of delicate company, but it adds to why Miss McKinnie requires a chaperone at all times.”
“Speaking of a chaperone.” Miss Miller held up her glass as if the servant didn’t move fast enough to refill it. “That marriage must happen soon. You shouldn’t be living in that house unchaperoned. Why did you not put her up at one of our fine hotels?”
“They were at capacity due to some conference and the ships coming in with so many new residents and visitors.”
“That’s odd. We had a family arrive two days ago who have three rooms at the Hotel Nucleus.”
“That is strange. My assistant checked all the hotels and boardinghouses.”
