Page 71

Mrs. Turner returned with a warm, damp cloth. “Maybe this will help rally her.”

Erik nodded and put the mug to one side before touching the wet towel to Leah’s cheeks. She opened her eyes, seeming just a bit more aware. This time she managed to keep her gaze on Erik.

It took over two hours before Erik felt she was finally shaking off the drug’s hold. By then, everyone in the household was checking in to see how she was faring. Somewhere in the process, someone brought Dr. Turner and his wife to the house. Dr. Turner checked his granddaughter over just to reassure himself and Mrs. Turner that she was all right. In the meantime, Erik tried to explain all that had happened that evening. When Leah was finally able to speak, she shared what little she remembered.

“He wasn’t at all himself. He demanded I marry him, and I remember him saying something about forged papers that would implicate my family in support of the Germans.” She seemed to come wide awake. “He’s working with the Germans!”

Erik put his coffee cup aside. “Yes, we already know that for certain. The police were there with two men from the government to arrest him. It seems he’s been funneling CRB funds into support for German war efforts for some time. They’ve been watching him and trying to figure out who else was involved.”

“What of his family in Belgium?” Leah’s grandmother asked.

Leah frowned. “I remember something about them dying last year. It is just a blur. I don’t remember the details clearly, but I know he threatened my family. That made me so angry.” She shook her head. “He should know better than to threaten anyone I love.”

They laughed at this, but something else was on Erik’s mind. “I do have an answer for that question you asked.”

Leah looked at him oddly. “What question was that?” Everyone else looked to Erik for an answer.

He grinned. “You asked me to marry you.”

Leah’s eyes widened. “I did?”

“Yes, indeed. We were in the car on our way here.”

“That sounds like something Leah would do,” Dr. Turner said, nodding with a grin.

Evan and the others burst out laughing, while Erik kept his gaze fixed on Leah.

Leah considered this for a moment and without any seeming concern shrugged. “Very well. What’s your answer?”

This caused everyone to laugh all the more. Erik took her hand. “Well, I need to ask your father to be sure it’s all right, but my answer is yes. I will happily marry you.”

22

On March first, the front page of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune bore bold, large type announcing that the kaiser had plotted to draw Mexico and Japan into war with the United States. Leah read the newspaper with a sinking feeling that this would certainly send America into the fracas. Her heart ached at the thought of what was to come, and she set the paper aside.

She wondered how Randolph’s deception and underhanded funding of the enemy had helped to bring them to this place. More information was being learned about his operations every day, and Leah was startled to realize he was a major enemy of the Allies.

Added to that, news had come regarding Carolina Hancock. She had eloped. Apparently the young man who had caused her situation had managed to find her. Leah was troubled that the two hadn’t had any difficulty connecting, given her desire to keep her patients guarded and safely out of the public eye. Still, she was glad that there was something of a happy ending for the spoiled girl.

“Miss Leah, you have a visitor,” Mrs. Astor called from the door to Leah’s office. “Mrs. Cornwall.”

“Show her in,” Leah said before realizing she didn’t know anyone named Cornwall.

She rose to receive the visitor and waited as a well-dressed woman looking to be around the age of Leah’s mother entered the room. Leah stepped forward. “I’m Leah Garrison, Mrs. Cornwall. You asked to see me?”

“Yes, it’s of utmost importance.” The woman removed her gloves. “I’ve come to speak to you about my daughter.”

Leah gave a slight nod. “Is she in need of Turner House?”

“She’s here with you now. I’m Natasha’s mother.”

“Oh, I apologize. I completely forgot Natasha’s name isn’t Smith. Please have a seat.”

Leah waited until the woman sat before reclaiming her chair behind the desk. “I must say, I’m rather glad to see you. Natasha hasn’t been herself. She’s not eating much, and her spirits are quite low.”

“Yes, Dr. Turner contacted me. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here, but I had to make plans.”

“Plans?” Leah had no idea what she was talking about.