Elise nodded. “I want us all to be close, and if you have anger or resentment toward Caroline, I know that will cause conflict.” The hall clock chimed the hour. “It’s nine. I’ll go speak with Caroline and see what she would like me to purchase for her. Oswego will have a much better selection than Duluth.”
“I’ll busy myself, never fear,” Nick declared.
Elise took to the stairs with a light step. She was so glad Nick felt the need to tell her what had happened with Caroline. It was one thing for her sister to admit what she’d done, but for Nick to see the need for complete honesty blessed Elise.
“Caroline?” she called, knocking on her bedroom door. Elise opened it, figuring her sister would be putting on the finishing touches to her ensemble. She’d been absent from breakfast, but Aunt Martha said that was often the case when she’d lived with them. “Caroline?”
“I’m back here ... behind the screen. Stay there. I’m sick.”
Elise could hear her heaving and went to her anyway. “Morning sickness?”
“I suppose so, but mine happens all the time. It’s making me miserable. Just when I think I’ve finished with it, it comes again.” Caroline covered the ceramic pot with a towel.
“What does the maid say about it? She must be suspicious of your condition.”
“I told her I always react like this under duress. You know that’s true, so I told her no lie.”
“Poor sweet sister. I had quite forgotten that about you.” Elise recalled many times in their youth when nervous situations sent Caroline to the ship’s rail. “I’ve come to see what articles ofclothing I might purchase for you. I know you’ll need warmer and simpler clothes for life in Duluth, and Nick is going to take me shopping. Since you obviously can’t go, I will pick up anything you need.”
“Has he forgiven me?” Caroline left the pot behind the screen and straightened.
“He has. He hopes, as do I, that there will be no further tests.”
Caroline went to sit by the window. “I give my word. I really can’t believe I did something like that. I don’t know how I would have handled it if he’d wanted to take me up on my behavior. I hope you both will just forget about it.”
Elise heard the embarrassment in her voice and felt sorry for her sister. Caroline had once been confident to the point of arrogance. Now she was a defeated soul. “That’s exactly what we plan to do.”
A commotion rose from downstairs.
“What in the world is going on?” Elise went to the door and opened it to better hear what was wrong.
“And if not here, then where?” a man’s raised voice demanded.
“That’s Nelson,” Caroline said, trembling. “I hoped he’d stay away from here, but with theMary Elisein port, he’s bound to know I’m here.”
“I’ll go see what’s going on.”
“No, just stay with me,” Caroline said, grabbing Elise’s arm. “He’s vicious, and if he should demand to search the whole house again, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“I understand. I’ll stay.”
Elise wished their father were still here. Uncle James and Louis were also gone. At least Nick was at the house. He knewthe circumstances and would keep Caroline’s whereabouts a secret, but how long could he manage if Nelson Worthington got violent?
“I swear,” the man began again, “I will storm this place with the authorities again if need be.”
Aunt Martha rushed into the room. “It’s your husband,” she said in a hushed voice.
“I know,” Caroline replied. “I’m so sorry, Aunt Martha.”
“He’s making me a nervous wreck.” She entwined her arm with Caroline’s. “Whatever are we to do? I sent the maid to the stables to tell one of the groomsmen to go get your uncle. He’s not been gone that long and probably hasn’t even arrived at his office. Hopefully he can just get the driver to turn around and come home.” She pressed a hand to her chest.
“I’m sure Nick can keep Mr. Worthington under control.” Elise patted her aunt’s shoulder. “We’ll just wait it out and see what happens.”
The minutes ticked by, and they no longer heard the harsh voice of Worthington booming through the house. It seemed to take forever, but finally Uncle James’s voice could be heard as he came into the house, demanding to know what was going on.
Elise edged toward the stairs to hear better. It seemed the men had gone into the sitting room.
“Stay here,” she told Caroline and her aunt. “I’ll go see what’s happening.”
