“I’d be interested to know what’s in that other envelope,” Marshall said, turning the attention to Luke. “Youdidsay you’d received a couple of things.”
“This was sent to Maude, care of me.” Luke pulled the envelope from his pocket. “I was simply going to turn it over to her, when I realized it’s from your father’s sister back in New York, and there’s something in the envelope. It feels like a key.” He handed it to Maude.
“I thought father and Aunt Hortense weren’t speaking to each other.” Frances leaned forward, watching with interest as Maude opened the envelope and removed the contents.
“I wanted to mend the breach between our families and wrote her about our marriages,” Doris said. “I’ll have to send her another letter about yours.”
“Well, itisa key.” Maude handed the object to Charles before unfolding the letter. She read it aloud.
Dear Maude, Doris, and Frances,
Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I feared when I heard about Albert’s death last year that I would lose touch with the three of you completely.
As I’m sure you’re aware, he and William did not approve of my marriage and severed all contact with me. Just prior to receiving news of your father’s passing I received a strange letter from him which I’m including. He was quite cryptic but said he would write more later. Unfortunately, he must have died before he was able to send that communication.
As you will know when you read his short note, he asked that I hold this key in my possession until one of you had wed. Congratulations to you, Maude and Doris. I hope you have found men as wonderful as I did. Albert did not approve of my choice because Philippe’s family owns gaming houses. Regardless of his lower social status, he and everyone in his family are better people than William.
We are moving to Paris in a few days, and I don’t wish to risk losing your father’s note. I hope you understand what the key is for.
I’m including my new address should you wish to write to me. Please stay in touch.
Love,
Hortense Boivin
While the others were passing the small key around, Frances wanted to see her father’s note.
“Do you think your father signed his full name on his letter?” Nick asked, as though he could read her mind.
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Frances called to her sister, “Are you going to read Father’s letter?”
Maude lifted the single, folded page, her hands trembling a little. At the same time Charles put his arm around her shoulders to offer her support, Marshall did the same for Doris. Nick took Frances’s hand again.
Dearest Tennie,
I wish I’d written years ago, but I let William persuade me to break all ties. I have three beautiful daughters I wish you could have met. I’m sorry for the lost years.
After all this time, I know it is presumptuous of me, but I need your help. Something is not right. Along with this note, I’m entrusting you with a key. Should something happen to me, you must keep it until one of my daughters has married. Then, and only then, should you send it to her. I doubt William will try to contact you, but it is of utmost importance that you not let him know you have the key.
All my love,
Your idiot brother, Albert
“He didn’t sign his full name?” Frances asked, disappointed.
Maude, tears streaming from her eyes, flipped the paper. She shook her head.
“May I see it?” Edgar asked, reaching for the letter.
Charles passed it to him.
Rising and still holding Nick’s hand, Frances went over to the chair. She sat on the arm and stared at the earlier handwriting. He stood close, his clasp tightening.
“It confirms Father was suspicious of William,” Frances said, pulling the attention of the others from their individual conversations.
“He must not have expected William to try to marry you three girls to his cronies, though,” Abe said. “It’s a dang good thing the three of you decided to leave. Kind of makes me wonder if you girls would have met with foul play eventually too.” He shot Frances a meaningful look. “Especially those of you who don’t like to be told what to do.”
She wished she could say he wouldn’t have succeeded, but the train trip to Wyoming last year had been an eye-opening experience for Frances. She hadn’t been as prepared to take care of herself as she’d thought. Things were different now, though. She’d learned a lot since working for her brother at the Lucky L Ranch and taking lessons from Mr. Ito.
