“It’s one of the oldest parishes on Long Island. Because I have a house on Long Island, although it’s on the farthest end, I enjoy taking the train on Sunday mornings to hear Reverend Sturgis’s sermons.”
“You have a house on Long Island?”
“I do, as well as in New York, and a few other places scattered around the world.”
“Goodness, I can’t imagine owning one house, let alone several.” She released a bit of a sigh. “But returning to the idea of a day spent with you on Long Island, and joining you at what sounds like a delightful little church, I’m afraid Mrs. Davenport is a bit peculiar when it comes to churches. She only attends Grace Church in the city and doesn’t bother with church at all when we travel to her cottage in Newport.”
“Would she be opposed to you taking a day off to travel to Long Island with me? She wouldn’t need to be concerned about propriety because my sisters would be with us as well.”
Gertrude shook her head. “It’s not that she would oppose the idea, it’s more that I wouldn’t be comfortable leaving her behind to attend services at Grace Church on her own. Mrs. Davenport can occasionally become, well, I don’t know how to explain it except to say that there have been times when she’s become overwrought during a service, which is why I make myself available to her every Sunday.”
“Overwrought because she’s so moved by the words of the sermon?” Harrison asked.
Gertrude waved his question aside as she nodded to a man who’d just tipped his hat to her. “She barely listens to the sermon, spending most of the time searching for someone.”
“And that someone would be ... God?”
The corners of Gertrude’s lips twitched. “That would be the logical assumption to make, but no, I don’t think she’s looking for divine intervention, although exactly who she’s searching for, well, that’s anyone’s guess.”
“You’ve never asked her about it?”
“I’m Mrs. Davenport’s companion, Harrison. I’m not her confidante.”
Wanting to question her further, but having spotted one of the Manhattan Beach Hotel’s carriages that he’d arranged to transport all the guests from theCorneliato the hotel, he led Gertrude over to it, nodding at the driver, who immediately stepped forward and held open the door.
Helping Gertrude up and into the carriage, Harrison followed, taking a seat opposite her.
“I do hope you know that even though I have to regrettably turn down your offer of a lovely summer excursion, I do appreciate the invitation,” Gertrude said as the carriage lurched into motion.
Harrison smiled. “I’m sure we can find another outing that would be suitable for both you and Mrs. Davenport. Perhaps I can take you down the coast. I have numerous business matters to attend to up and down the coast, and I can’t recommend the beaches strongly enough.”
Considering him for a long moment, Gertrude tilted her head. “You’re a good friend to me, Harrison. And while I know I’d enjoy visiting different beaches, I don’t believe it would be prudent for us to go off on an adventure together, even with Mrs. Davenport accompanying us. The gossips have evidently begun remarking on the friendship we share, and I fear that gossip would increase tenfold if word got out we’d begun taking trips together.”
Harrison opened his mouth, but paused when Gertrude held up a hand.
“You’re a very kind gentleman, Harrison, and I will not abuse that kindness by making you the subject for wagging tongues. It would only ruin our friendship in the end.”
Not wanting to distress Gertrude further because he thought he detected just a trace of moisture in her eyes, Harrison settled for nodding, even though he was less than willing to accept her refusal. He knew she spoke nothing less than the truth—but that truth was not sitting well with him.
“Besides,” Gertrude continued as she summoned up a smile and turned his way, “I don’t know if you are aware of this, but I’ve recently begun teaching classes in deportment at Miss Snook’s School for the Education of the Feminine Mind. Even though school is not yet back in session, due to Miss Mabel and Miss Henrietta generously donating their very large mansion off Broadway to Miss Snook as the new location for the school, I fear my spare time this summer will be spent making that mansion more hospitable for the young ladies who are soon to begin taking classes there.”
“I would be more than happy to lend my assistance to the school if you need someone who happens to be somewhat competent with building things,” he heard himself say before he could stop himself.
Gertrude blinked. “That’s a very generous offer, but I was under the impression you have limited time at your disposal.”
Realizing he was acting rather curiously, what with his being so tenacious about trying to secure Gertrude’s company through one invitation after another, Harrison felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead and begin sliding down his face.
Dashing it aside, and wondering what in the world was wrong with him, he forced a smile when he noticed Gertrude was watching him somewhat warily, then breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage suddenly turned onto the drive that led to the hotel. With that turn, Gertrude stopped watching him, turned to the window, then let out a bit of a gasp as she pressed her nose to the glass.
“Good heavens, I had no idea the Manhattan Beach Hotel would be so very fine, nor did I imagine I’d see such a wonderful manicured lawn leading up to the hotel. Why, even though it’s quite dark outside, I would have to imagine that grass takes hours to tend to, and ... goodness ... I do believe I see a croquet field, and ... on my word, it looks like there are guards up ahead, and ... are they stopping the carriage?” she asked right as the carriage began slowing down.
Harrison looked out the window. “Those aren’t simply guards, Gertrude. They’re Pinkerton detectives.”
Gertrude drew in a sharp breath and pressed her nose against the glass again. “Why in the world would Pinkerton detectives be lurking around the outside of the Manhattan Beach Hotel? Has there been some type of disturbing incident that requires their presence here?”
Moving over to join her on her side of the carriage, Harrison reached for her hand. “There’s no need for such concern, Gertrude. The owner of the hotel regularly hires Pinkerton men to protect it. I’ve been told that man feels it’s well worth the cost because it gives his cherished, and need I add wealthy, guests peace of mind.”
If anything, his disclosure had Gertrude looking less than peaceful as she began smoothing out the folds of her skirt in what could only be described as an agitated manner.
