“She refused to give you money?” Gertrude asked.
Temperance waved that aside. “No, she gave me money immediately, but after she discovered you’d been arrested, she turned rather peculiar. Instead of agreeing to travel with me back to the jail to see you released, she dashed out of the house, saying she’d never be able to forgive herself, and then ... I lost her as I tried to chase after her, and ... I’m very much afraid that something horrible is about to happen.”
Chapter
Nineteen
“I don’t believe I thanked you for threatening Agent McParland with bodily harm when he wouldn’t step out of my way as I was attempting to leave the interrogation room.”
Harrison gave Gertrude’s hand a squeeze. “And here I was concerned you’d be annoyed with me for threatening the man with physical violence.”
Gertrude turned her head and peered out the narrow window of the hansom cab they were riding in, looking past where Harrison’s horse, Rupert, was attached by his reins to the back of that cab. “I’m sure Agent McParland is suffering quite nicely in the cab following us.” She grinned and turned front and center again. “I never imagined Temperance possessed a fiery nature underneath that meek attitude she’s presented to the world over the past few years. It certainly was a fortuitous circumstance for us that she turned that nature Agent McParland’s way. He was so taken aback to find himself bearing the brunt of her temper that he stepped right out of my way, which then provided you with an excuse to refrain from punching the man.”
“I’m somewhat disappointed about losing that opportunity. He was behaving completely untoward, and don’t get me started on that nonsense he spouted about you being a wholesome young lass. That is an observation the gentleman should have kept to himself.”
Gertrude blinked. “I thought he meant that as a compliment.”
“Well of course he did, but a gentleman simply cannot go around tossing compliments out at his leisure, especially when those compliments are directed to a young lady’s ... charms.”
Gertrude’s mouth dropped open. “Agent McParland was referring to my charms?”
“Indeed, but then he threw in that bit about you being a chameleon who is deceitful and manipulative, and I knew he’d hurt your feelings.” Harrison squeezed her hand again. “You might recall that I was with you when we arrived at the Manhattan Beach Hotel and witnessed you practically leaping out of the carriage to ascertain if Agent McParland was on duty that evening.”
To Harrison’s surprise, instead of agreeing with that, Gertrude wrinkled her nose. “On my word, Harrison, that almost sounds as if you think I hold Agent McParland in great affection. I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. In all honesty, I was panicking after learning Pinkerton detectives were employed by the Manhattan Beach Hotel. As you’ve recently learned, Mrs. Davenport has a few issues when it comes to helping herself to items that don’t belong to her. Knowing she could very well be up to her usual shenanigans, and not wanting her to draw the interest of the detectives, I had no choice but to rush to find her. Although given what Agent McParland disclosed, the detectives were already suspicious of Mrs. Davenport and had been for some time.”
“Because she’s been actingsuspiciously for years,” Harrison said, leaning forward to look past Gertrude and out the window, settling back against the seat when he saw they were still some minutes away from their destination. “You’re certain we’ll find Mrs. Davenport at Grace Church?”
Gertrude nodded. “Relatively certain. Grace Church is the one place Mrs. Davenport travels to on a regular basis. Since Temperance said she was distraught, I have to imagine she’ll seek out a place that’s very familiar to her.”
“Then I hope wedofind her there because I have to imagine the peaceful atmosphere at Grace Church will soothe her distraught nature.”
“As I mentioned to you a few days ago, I don’t believe Mrs. Davenport attends church because she’s looking for peace. If you’ll recall, I think she’s looking for someone instead.”
Harrison frowned. “I do recall you mentioning that. But tell me this, why are you so convinced she’s looking for someone instead of searching for God?”
Gertrude returned the frown. “Because she’ll visit Grace Church numerous times per week, but barely attends any services when we travel to her cottage in Newport. That’s not a decision a person embracing her faith would choose to make. She also sends her butler to Grace Church while we’re in Newport, demanding he send written reports to her regarding the members of the congregation who attend each service we miss.”
“That does seem to suggest she’s looking for someone.”
Nodding, Gertrude added, “It worries me to think about what she’ll do when she finally decides that certain someone is never going to be at Grace Church, which is why I wish there wasn’t so much traffic crowding the streets today. As the minutes tick away, I can’t help but agree with what Temperance said—that something horrible is about to happen.”
Harrison raised Gertrude’s hand and placed a kiss on it. “What are you afraid we’ll find?”
For a moment, Gertrude didn’t answer him, but then her eyes brimmed with tears, and to his very great concern, those tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m afraid we’ll find her with no hope left, which might very well encourage her to do what my mother did and end her hopeless state once and for all.”
Abandoning the expected proprieties because he couldn’t bear the idea of Gertrude suffering, Harrison turned on the seat, then pulled her straight into his arms. To his surprise, she didn’t balk at the embrace, but burrowed right into his chest, releasing what sounded like a sigh. Gathering her closer, he rested his chin on top of her head and simply waited, allowing her the time she evidently needed to regain her composure.
When she shifted, he drew back, brushed the tears from her face, and placed the lightest of kisses against her forehead, knowing that was hardly proper, but unable to resist. When she sent him the wobbliest of smiles, he leaned closer.
“What happened with your mother?” he asked gently.
“It’s not a pleasant story.”
“I believe I once encouraged you to use my strong shoulders to unburden yourself, Gertrude. That offer is still good, and one I believe you should take advantage of right this very second.”
“But you won’t want to remain my friend if I tell you the sordid secrets of my past.”
