Chapter Twelve
The next day, Rose practically ran into the Art Association Committee’s headquarters at the Athenaeum. Claire was in her usual spot by the large window reading letters from would-be artists interested in exhibiting. Of all Claire’s voluntary activities about the city, this was her favorite.
“I need to speak with you immediately,” Rose said, scattering Claire’s papers as she grabbed her friend’s hand. Two other Athenaeum volunteers looked up.
“Not here. In the coat room,” Rose urged.
They ran down the polished floor and sequestered themselves behind the rack of the other ladies’ jackets and capes. Rose noticed Claire’s cream-colored silk dolman with its fetching fringe and felt at once reassured by its familiar beauty. Everything in the world hadn’t changed.
“Have you mentioned our last conversation to anyone?”
Claire’s eyes grew wide. “You mean about Phineas Bennet’s return?” she asked in too loud of a voice for Rose’s liking.
Wincing, she shushed her.Finn Bennet and his return and his kisses!That was what she’d thought about all night long between fitful dreams.
Then Claire giggled. “Don’t tell me he’s dead again.”
“Claire!” Rose protested. “This is not a manner to make a jest over.”
“Sorry, I was simply so shocked the last time that I can’t imagine what you could possibly say to astonish me further.”
“Be serious, dear. You have said nothing to anyone, not even to Franklin?”
“Of course not,” Claire said.
Rose breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew you wouldn’t, but I had to be sure.”
“Why? I thought you were going to tell William immediately.”
“I can’t now. Finn thinks someone isn’t pleased that he’s back.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He thought the ship should never have been launched. He told me so before he left.” She paused, thinking of all the families who’d needlessly lost loved ones — young men in their prime. “And he was right.”
Claire absently straightened a coat hanging nearby before running the silky sleeve through her fingers. “How does that cause a problem at present?”
“He’s not certain,” Rose said, “yet after he went to his old shipyard to speak with the owner, someone may have followed him back. What’s more, he thinks some men tried to abduct him.”
Claire frowned. “Abduct him?”
What did that tone in her friend’s voice mean?
“Now he wants you to keep him a secret from everyone?”
Rose paused. “Well, yes, because it could be dangerous.”
Claire’s lovely eyes narrowed. “Are you certain he doesn’t want you to remain silent because he wants you to stay married to him?”
Rose wrinkled her nose. “That’s ridiculous. If he wants to stay married, he should give me an indication.”
Claire tilted her head. “Or simply ruin your relationship with William.”
“That may happen either way,” Rose pointed out. “If I tell William of my marriage, he may walk away. If I don’t, I’ll have to hide it, and then tell him eventually anyway.” She paused. “Oh, I see what you mean. You think it will be much worse if William learns that Finn has been here for a while and I didn’t tell him.”
“Won’t it?” Claire had moved on to smoothing the collar on a long-forgotten, out-of-fashion gentleman’s frock coat.
Rose pondered her friend’s words. Finn was not the devious type. He’d always been open and forthcoming.Before he pretended to be dead for nearly four years!
