“Yes.You could say we were once as close as family.Why do you ask about her?No one speaks of her anymore, and especially not young men such as yourself.”
The once-comfortable chair turned hard and unforgiving.He should have thought this through more.How was he supposed to voice his suspicions without revealing he believed he’d met the prima donna in an asylum this afternoon?“I recently encountered a woman who claimed to be Mrs.Brisbane.”
“Youmether?Where?”Adler shot forward, his demand harsh and impatient.
Ezekiel frowned.He’d expected surprise, but this was ...different.More unsettling.Like he’d just made a mistake he would regret in unfathomable ways.Drat.He shouldn’t have let his bruised pride interfere with his easy relationship with Graham.Asking him would have been the more prudent choice.Graham would have likely known Constanza, and Ezekiel could have trusted him with the information of Constanza’s location.Now he had to figure out a way to withdraw from the conversation without revealing too much.
“I don’t actually think it was her,” Ezekiel claimed.“Her daughter denied it.”
“Her daughter?A girl with more orange than red hair?”
It appeared Adler knew Miss Davis.But if Mrs.Davis was indeedMrs.Brisbane, why did her daughter deny it?Wasn’t Mrs.Davis’s belief she was Mrs.Brisbane the reason for her committal?Although Miss Davis did mention paranoia leading to dangerous behavior.The name difference could be as simple as a stage name versus her true name.
“Mr.Beaumont, the daughter?”
“I don’t recall.It was just a short conversation while I ran an errand.”
Adler didn’t call him out on the lie, but it was clear he suspected Ezekiel of it.
Ezekiel rose from his chair.“If you’ll excuse me, I have a few things I need to see to before the performance.”
“If you should see her again, please, let me know.I should like the chance to be reacquainted with an old friend.”
Ezekiel acknowledged the request, but he had no intention of granting it.
Chapter Eight
NORA HAD NEVER BEEN SOgrateful for scandal.Because of a suspected embezzlement scheme at a sister company in St.Louis, Father had been asked to immediately audit their books.He left on Wednesday, which meant supper on Friday with his next choice of suitor had been canceled and her plans to invite the Guardians to spend the night heartily approved.Father never liked leaving Nora alone, even for an afternoon.It’s why, even on their limited budget, he hired Lily as their maid of all work.Before he’d left on business, they’d followed their usual routine for preparing Nora to be alone.They’d practiced shooting in Theresa’s carriage house, reviewed safety precautions, then planned for hypothetical situations, including when to seek help from their neighbors, the Jerdens.Once satisfied, he’d rushed out the door, tested to ensure she locked it, then disappeared for what he suspected would be a week.
Thursday and Friday were gloriously quiet and uneventful.After Lily left each day, Nora sang, knit, or worked on a new gray dress that would help her blend in with the sooty cityscape.The frock was simple, but she was pleased with her progress.Or at least she was until the clock chimed the six o’clock hour on Friday evening.Either she should have stopped sooner or worked faster.Now she had to abandon a half-finished seam if she wanted to meet the Guardians on time.Setting the project aside, she flew through a clothing change and hired the first available hack she found.
When she finally arrived, Theresa, Lydia, and Flossie waited on the portico, already resplendently dressed in ruffles, lace, and pastels.Oh dear.So much for her best dress being good enough.The unadorned brown ensemble was a flour sack compared to theirs.Not that flour sacks were bad.Her drab wardrobe and plain hats served their purpose.Most people either didn’t notice her or forgot her when there was nothing noteworthy to remember.
“That’s your best dress?”Theresa shook her head.“With all that brown, you’ll melt into the background.”
“That is the point, you know.”Nora pushed aside the jealousy and joined them.Whatever Theresa had planned, Nora’s clothing choice would be fine enough.
“I knew to come prepared.”Lydia checked the watch pinned to her shawl.“If we hurry, we can change her into her bridesmaid dress.”
“But your wedding isn’t until September.Why is my dress already made?”
“Because I know you and wanted to have something colorful on hand to force you to wear when I needed you to stand out.”
She shouldn’t be surprised by the audacity of her friend.They were more sisters than not.
“I brought the perfect jewelry set for it.”Flossie held up a rolled fabric case.
“You brought me a dress and jewelry?What are we doing?Helping you to elope early?”That couldn’t be the real reason.Lydia was spending too much time designing the perfect event, but why would Nora be required to wear something so vibrant?
“It’s my surprise to you.”Theresa looked far too pleased with herself for the anticipated event to be a welcomed one.“Consider it an early birthday present.”
“My birthday isn’t until November.”
“Good.That gives me plenty of time to forget what I’ve done and give you something else.”She looped her arm through Nora’s and tugged her toward the door.“Come on.We’re playing fairy godmothers.”
By the time Lydia, Theresa, and Flossie dressed her up like a porcelain doll, Nora didn’t recognize herself in the mirror.Lydia had been right when they selected their fabrics for the wedding.Emerald green really did suit Nora’s complexion and hair far better than the chocolate brown she’d originally chosen.Unfortunately there was no place for her knitting needles, meaning she must forgo her primary sense of security.Flossie had created a masterpiece with Nora’s stubbornly straight hair.Faux pearl hairpins secured a crown of braids to the rolls of hair high on her head.With matching earrings, necklace, and bracelets, the effect was stunning.Lydia, Theresa, and Flossie truly had been fairy godmothers tonight.The question still remained, why?
No matter how Nora pressed for an answer, the trio remained silent.It wasn’t until the carriage stopped in line with the others in front of Pike’s Opera House that Nora realized what Theresa had done.
