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“You’ve endured a great deal,” Leah said, crossing to where Natasha stood. “But so has Brigette. Why don’t we let her sleep, and I can speak with you in your room?”

“I don’t want to talk to you or anybody else.” Natasha pushed Leah away and turned to go. She stopped and glanced back at Brigette. “I just came to say you were lucky, and I envy you more than I can say. I pray that God will do the same for me.”

Leah shook her head as Natasha marched back to her own room. Nurse Foster had been standing in the hall and apparently heard the discussion. She followed Natasha to her suite and would no doubt talk to her. Leah relaxed, realizing the nurse would deal with the girl far better than she would.

She looked back at Brigette. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that.”

Brigette adjusted her blanket. “I feel bad for her, Miss Leah. She endured so much and is just a child. Not only that, but it wasn’t just one time.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“She’s terrified to go home because she says it will just happen again and again. Do you suppose God will ever give her peace?”

Leah thought about that for a moment. She’d had no idea that the threat was still there awaiting Natasha. What could she do?

“We must pray for her and continue to do what we can to encourage her. This will not be easy for her. Maybe in the meanwhile I can figure something else out. She’s clearly under her father’s authority, and without legal help, I’m not sure what we can accomplish, but I won’t give up.”

“Me either,” Brigette said, sliding down into her bed and drawing the covers up high. “Instead of thinking about my lost baby, I’m going to start praying regularly for her and hers. That poor baby is living in the middle of all Natasha’s fury. It can’t be easy.”

“No, I don’t imagine so.” Leah reached for the light switch. “I think we should all pray extra hard for the both of them.”

Leaving Brigette, Leah headed toward Natasha’s room, then paused. What could she say? She could hardly bring up the subject of her abuse without revealing Brigette’s comment. It was hard to imagine that one’s own home should be the place where the threat of harm and danger were the greatest.

Grandfather had said that the man responsible was powerful and wealthy and had threatened Natasha’s father. The well-being of their family was at stake, not to mention that if the man was truly as influential as it had been told, he probably had control of the authorities as well. Leah had heard stories of her own great-great-grandfather James Ashton. He had been one of those ruthless men who managed to do pretty much whatever he wanted without repercussions.

So how do I help her?

16

Leah read the Minneapolis Morning Tribune and jotted down notes on a few sales. It was going to be a busy day. She had promised to go shopping with her mother and then to lunch. What she really wanted to do was see her grandfather. He was slowly recovering from his bout of pneumonia but still not feeling very strong. Erik had forbidden anyone to visit, saying it was important to keep Grandfather isolated during the worst of his situation. Everyone understood, but still, Leah wanted to see her grandparents.

Meanwhile, there was plenty to keep her attention. A letter had come to Leah from a family in Boston regarding their daughter. They wanted to bring her to Turner House for her confinement. She was two months along in her pregnancy, and it was imperative to hide her condition from their friends and family. Leah planned to write to them before leaving for the day.

Added to her already busy schedule, tonight was a fund raiser for the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Randolph had been asked to speak on the conditions and difficulties currently being faced by the Belgian people. He would elaborate on what the CRB was able to do and urge those gathered to donate to the cause.

What news Leah had read in the papers regarding Belgium certainly wasn’t good. Over ninety-five percent of the country was under German occupation. There were horrific stories out of the country that spoke of unimaginable tortures. Leah had to stop reading as the articles hinted at things she could never imagine possible. How could people become so animalistic?

Randolph had asked her to accompany him to the gala, and Leah had agreed without thinking about it. She knew the very heart of his desires was to find ways to help his family, and she admired the way he worked tirelessly for the effort. Herbert Hoover, who headed up the CRB, was lauded and praised for all that he’d been able to accomplish with the project, but there was still so much to do, and Leah wanted to help see it accomplished.

“Here’s what I need for the kitchen,” Cook said, bringing Leah her list. “It should see us through February.”

“We’re going to be taking on another girl soon,” Leah said, remembering her recent letter. “However, that’s not yet certain, so we can get more supplies delivered at a later time.” Leah looked over the list. There was one for the butcher, another for the grocer.

“I heard there’s still trouble getting fresh produce up from Mexico because of the fighting,” Cook added. “I figure we’ll be using more canned vegetables and fruit.”

“That’s all right. Mother told me the other day that she found a great source for citrus out of California since a frost has increased Florida’s prices. I’ll get the information from her today over lunch and let you know what I learn.” Leah handed the list back. “Go ahead and place the order for delivery.”

Cook nodded. “I’ll get it done today.” She exited the room just as the housekeeper entered.

“Good morning, Mrs. Astor. What do you have for me today?”

The no-nonsense woman handed Leah another list. “These are the household needs.”

Leah reviewed the paper. “Oh, I just saw that The Dayton Company has seven rolls of toilet paper for twenty-five cents and Sunbrite Cleanser is three cans for the same. Mother and I plan to go there today, so I can take your list with me and arrange for these things to be delivered.”

“Perhaps with things on sale, we should stock up,” Mrs. Astor suggested.

“I believe that would be wise.” Leah wrote down the increase. “Also, as I mentioned to Cook, we will probably have a new resident by the middle of February.”