Kilpara Page 8

  “Did he—did he penetrate?” Astelle asked.

  There was a sob, and then Maureen answered shakily. “No. No—he ripped my clothes and tried to fondle me.” She began crying.

  I let out a low sigh of relief. The incident had shaken Maureen and it would take time for her to forget, but I was grateful there would be no long-lasting reminders. I peeked around the door to see Astelle take Maureen in her arms and gently rock her. I felt the swell of anger inside me again. If Shanley were near, I would have thrashed him.

  I was too agitated to sleep, so I took a hansom cab to The Metropole. I must have appeared strange because Rudy stared at me openly when I sat down at the bar. He didn’t pry, just took a bottle of whiskey from the shelf and motioned me toward a table where he poured two drinks. The liquid relaxed me and I found myself telling him what happened.

  “This is not good,” he said, gulping the liquid in his glass.

  I stared at him. “Of course it’s not good.”

  “I mean it’s not good for Astelle. It’ll raise bad memories. You know she ran away when she was a kid?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  He twirled his empty glass for a moment, then shrugged decisively and began to talk. “I caught her sneaking out of the house that night,” he said. “She told me she was going to Cleveland and was never coming back. She said she’d send for me when she got settled.”

  “She did, didn’t she?”

  “Eventually. She left on foot, and along the way asked a farmer named Joe Pruett for directions. He told her about a shortcut, but instead it was a road that led straight to his house. He lay in wait, assailed her, dragged her indoors and chained her to his bed. That’s where he kept her—bringing just enough food to keep her alive and then he raped her continuously.

  “She was there a couple of weeks when, one evening, he brought her a meal of deer steak. He had told her all along, if she promised not to run away he’d let her loose. Until that evening she showed only hostility, but she realized if she was to escape, she’d have to get on his good side. She spoke sweetly to him, complimented him, and convinced him she needed a knife to cut the steak. He had been drinking heavily and carelessly granted her request. She forced herself to eat everything and when he took her plate away she praised his cooking, enough to distract him and hold on to the knife.

  “He was in no condition to bother her that night and passed out face-up on the bed. He didn’t bother to undress like he usually did. She knew the keys were kept in his shirt pocket. Bolstered by the knife hidden under the covers, she waited until he was out cold, then she carefully slipped the keys off his person. She unchained herself, took the knife and stabbed him over and over. Not waiting to find out if he was wounded or dead, she grabbed his rifle and beat it out of that house.

  “She coaxed a horse into the night and rode till she came to a Quaker community. They took her in and she stayed there over a year. Every day she wondered if the farmer was still alive and if he’d find her. He never did. When she was finally strong enough to leave the Quaker community, she went to Cleveland and found a position in Maurice Linden’s club... You know the rest.”

  Rudy took a deep breath. This was a long speech for a man who spoke little. He poured himself another drink. “Astelle only told me the story once,” he continued. “She wanted me to know why she hadn’t sent for me sooner. We never talked about what happened after that. But this situation with your young friend, it could bring all that back again. I thought you should know.”

  I stared at the liquid in my glass thinking today had been a day for shock.

  The sun was up when I awoke. Maureen was sitting across from me in the leather chair, staring out the drawing room window, her eyes boring into something invisible. I rose from the divan where I had spent the latter part of the night under a light blanket. Gingerly, I put my arm around her.

  “What did I do wrong?” she asked, not turning to look at me.

  “You did nothing wrong, honey.”

  “I must’ve. He wouldn’t have attacked me if I hadn’t tempted him.”

  “Maureen, Shanley’s gotten something mixed up in his head. If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been someone else.”

  “If I hadn’t tried to be someone I wasn’t. Hadn’t gone into those gardens—”

  “Honey, it’s not your fault.”

  She brushed away tears with the back of her hand. “I’m being punished for not staying where I belong. That’s why this happened. I should never have left Stonebridge. I should’ve listened to Mams and Pa.”

  Astelle entered the drawing room in time to hear Maureen. Her eyes glistened with pity. “You’ve had a terrible shock, Maureen,” she said. “But don’t let that man make you live in fear.”

  “I’ll never forget this, ever!” Maureen said. She mumbled something about last minute items for our departure, and began moving about the room in a trance.

  I motioned to Astelle to follow me into the library and closed the door. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she said. “Why shouldn’t I be all right?” She stared at the desk, moved her hand along it, as if trying to erase something.

  “I talked to Rudy last night,” I said. “He told me everything about Joe Pruett.”

  “I wish he hadn't…” She faltered, the usual warmth in her voice replaced by coldness.

  “Shhhh,” I said, taking her in my arms.

  “You can’t imagine. I was so young. He forced me, just like Shanley tried to force Maureen. I was a child, at the mercy of that man. In that horrible prison.”

  “You got away. That’s all that matters.”

  “I killed him, I think. I was only fourteen and I killed a man.” She shivered.

  “He had it coming.”

  She put up a hand, as if the words had been hurled at her, deflecting all the emotions the memory erupted. Revenge, anger, guilt, and remorse were visible in her face, emotions that had torn at her heart and soul and were buried deep within her.

  “I had to make sure he never again did to someone else what he did to me,” she said after a pause. “When I got away, I scrubbed and scrubbed for ages afterward to get rid of his touch, and couldn’t. It wasn’t until I met Maurice, and knew his kindness, that I started to forget.”

  She began to sob. I stroked her hair, her tears soaking my rumpled shirt.

  Ulrich was deep in a world of figures when I walked into the office. I had left Astelle and Maureen to comfort each other.

  “Hello, Mr. O’Donovan,” Ulrich said, cheerfully. His confidence had grown during the last week. He looked at me steadily. “I won’t let you down,” he said.

  “No doubt, you’ll do fine,” I said.

  “Mr. Emmons is here, isn’t happy by the look of him. Said he wanted to see you when you came in.”

  I took a deep breath and went to Emmons’ office. I knocked on the door and opened it when he gruffly responded “come in.” He was bulked in a large leather chair behind the big polished desk, and when I entered, he swung sideways to stare at a bookcase.

  “You’re leaving tomorrow,” he said, without looking at me.

  “Yes.” I sat down across from him.

  He turned back slowly until he directly faced me, his gaze cold and staring.

  “Unfortunate incident with Shanley yesterday,” he said deliberately. “A simple man. Had no interest in women, till now. That scheming harlot bewitched him, made him crack. She bewitched you, too, Ellis. It’s one thing to take her into your bed, but to flaunt her in public? To bring her into my home of all places—stirring up all that commotion. She ruined Clara's party.”

  He waited for me to agree and when I just held his gaze and said nothing, blood rushed to his face. He stood upright and banged his fist on the desk. “What the devil were you thinking, Ellis! You deceived me. I must let Shanley go because of this. My wife demands it. He’s been a good servant all these years. The trouble that bitch has caused.”

  “It’s not Maureen’s fault,”
I said, keeping emotion out of my voice. “Shanley was like a powder keg, ready to go off. She just provided the spark. She’s nothing more than a naïve, innocent country girl, for God’s sake.”

  “Don’t protect that little slut,” he demanded. “Her type belongs among the beggars and whores of the world. She'll spend her life scrounging for scraps. Falling all over herself to get into a gentleman’s bed. She’ll do anything to improve her lot in life.”

  “Maureen is honest and decent,” I insisted. “I would never seduce her. She’s like family. I’m to blame for the pretense. I put her in harm’s way.”

  “She blinded you, Ellis. You just can't see it. Keep her behind locked doors where she belongs and spare the rest of us from her kind.” He waved a hand in indignation. “If Shanley wanted a whore, all he had to do was ask. Why he wanted this one, I don’t know. Now I have to discharge him and find another driver, one who is—

  “The strumpet is trouble, Ellis. Send her back to where she belongs and leave her there. Stick to your own kind. Like my Clara.”

  We were back to that. Emmons was trying to humble me for having dishonored him and saw an opportunity to force the issue of his daughter’s spinsterhood upon me.

  I broke in quickly. “Consider her gone. Matters concerning my mother will be uppermost in my mind from now on.”

  “Er, yes, yes, your mother. Illogical, absurd. Makes no sense. Confront the situation. Deny her request.”

  “I’ll do my best,” I said agreeably.

  Emmons tapped his fingers on the desk, and when he spoke next, his voice was calmer, almost engaging. “You know, Ellis, business in the south will require much of my attention in the future. Industry is about to boom there, cities need to be built, but it’ll command a watchful eye. I had every intention of asking you to take over the agency here while I pursued those interests. I have always had faith in your abilities. With a good woman at your side, like my Clara, there’s no telling how far you can go.”

  He leaned back in the chair. It squeaked under his weight. He was quiet while he let the implication set in. After a moment he said, “You know, Ellis, you’re like the son I never had. I’ve always admired your ambition. You have an aptitude for this business and stand to make a fortune in your lifetime.”

  “Thank you,” I said, neither acknowledging nor disagreeing with him.

  “If you can't change your mother's mind, then take care of this unreasonable request and hurry back. You have a lucrative future here.”

  “I will. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

  “We’ll celebrate when you do. Clara will like that. You know she's very unhappy that you’re leaving.”

  His words were said with emotion, but I detected transparency in their meaning, an attempt to seal the deal between Clara and me. Wrap us up like a neat business package. The fact was she only showed mild curiosity about my journey to Ireland.

  “I’ll look forward to it,” I said.

  Doctor Mellott was leaving when I arrived back at the apartments. He had checked Maureen and professed mild pleasure with her progress. As I handed him his coat he said, “Keep an eye on her, and be patient with her.”

  After he left, Astelle also prepared to leave. She hugged Maureen, and their eyes moistened. “Stonebridge is not so far away. I'll come for a visit,” Astelle said.

  “The door will always be open.” Maureen smiled bravely at the older woman.

  I walked Astelle to the door. She ran her hand over my face. “Darling Ellis, I’ll miss you so.”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She kissed me lightly. I pulled her into my arms. With a sigh, she clung to me for a moment. Then silently, she put her cloak around her shoulders, touched my lips with her fingers and went outside to where her carriage waited. I stood in the doorway looking down the empty street long after her carriage disappeared from sight.

  True to his word, William Travers and his wife stopped by. I was glad to see them. I had attempted to make conversation with Maureen but had gotten nowhere. Mrs. Travers took Maureen’s hands in hers and exclaimed. “You look so pale, dear child. What a terrible fright you’ve had. That awful man.”

  “It was my fault,” Maureen said, her voice quivering. “If only I hadn’t gone outside alone. I became so absorbed in all those beautiful paths, and plants, and fountains. I spoiled the party for everyone.”

  “Nonsense, child. It was that man’s fault. The authorities should deal with him so young ladies like you are safe.”

  Maureen winced. “I couldn’t face the authorities. I felt so guilty. They would've asked all kinds of questions. I couldn't bear it.”

  “Don’t fret, child. You’ll only make yourself sick. You’ll leave Baltimore tomorrow, and you’ll never have to set eyes on that horrible man again. Before you know it, this whole affair will be forgotten.”

  “I’ll never forget.”

  “Of course, you will. Oh, but I shall miss our walks, my dear. If only things were different...”

  I owed William Travors an apology for my deception, so I offered him a drink in the library. When he was comfortably settled, I told him Maureen’s story. He sipped quietly as I spoke.

  When I finished he said, “I suspected something like that.” I didn’t have to ask how he knew, he was a shrewd man. “You had a predicament, Ellis. You did what you thought was best. I’m sure I would’ve done the same thing in your place. You were just trying to help the girl.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Shame, though, my wife seems to have taken a real liking to her. Says her enthusiasm is refreshing. Don’t tell my wife about this right now. I’ll do it myself later.”

  He stroked his beard quietly. When he spoke again he said, “There’s a small matter I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. I apologize for bringing it up at such a distressful time, but you’ll be leaving tomorrow—”

  “Please. Go on,” I said.

  “My grandson is old enough to learn to ride. I've been thinking about getting him a pony for his eighth birthday. I’m looking for one with a good temperament and I understand Stonebridge has many remarkable animals.”

  “There are lots of ponies at Stonebridge,” I said, glad to be of service to this man who was so generous. “Dan and Mark should be able to find you an amiable mount.”

  “Good.” Travers seemed pleased. “My wife and I will stop by when we visit our son and his family in Hagerstown next month.”

  “Please, plan to stay at Stonebridge when you do. You'll be made very welcome. It’s small compensation after everything you’ve done.”

  We returned to the drawing room where Maureen and Mrs. Travers sipped tea. Mrs. Travers was talking about her children as usual. Maureen asked questions automatically. But her eyes were dull, her mind withdrawn into itself.

  “Mother,” Mr. Travers said, catching his wife’s eye. “You know, I’ve been saying it’s time young Johnny had a pony of his own.”

  “Oh?” Mrs. Travers set her cup down and gave her full attention to her husband.

  “Yes,” Mr. Travers continued. “Ellis has invited us to stay at Stonebridge when we visit Hagerstown. We could select a pony for Johnny then. Maybe even send Tom out ahead of us. He knows horses and could narrow down our choices before we arrive.”

  “That’s a fine idea,” Mrs. Travers agreed.

  Throughout this discourse, Maureen looked more desolate than ever.

  “It’s settled then,” Mr. Travers said.

  “My brother Dan will write you a letter,” I said.

  “Very good.” Mr. Travers nodded to his wife and they stood up to leave. At the front door, I handed him his overcoat and Mrs. Travers’ cloak, which he immediately draped over his wife’s shoulders.

  “Try not to worry so,” Mrs. Travers said to Maureen as she prepared to ascend the carriage. She pulled the girl into her arms and kissed her cheek. “Goodbye, my dear.”

  Tom seated his passengers inside the carriage then hoisted himself up in front. From hi
s perch he said, “I’m sorry about what happened, Miss.”

  Maureen attempted a smile. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  “Pleasure was all mine, Miss.” He grinned, cracked the reins and the carriage moved away.

  CHAPTER 6

  Seamus stood waiting for us on the platform when the train pulled into Hagerstown. Maureen ran to him and flung herself into his arms, almost bowling over the little man. She stood inches above her father, but she didn’t seem to notice. Seamus beamed at his daughter’s show of affection, delighted by her happiness to see him.

  “Hang on there, girlie,” he said, untangling himself from her embrace. “Let me look at ye.” He searched her face for signs of ill effects.

  “I missed you, Pa.” Maureen’s eyes begged forgiveness. “Sorry for taking off like I did and only leaving a note. I know you and Mams must've worried about me.”

  “Aye, that we did,” Seamus said, his voice reproachful. “Your Mams will give ye a good talking to for such silliness.”

  “I deserve it, Pa.” Maureen sighed. “It was foolhardy. You forgive me, don’t you?” Her tone was doleful and caused Seamus to stare at her. Perhaps he expected her to be rebellious and her meekness surprised him. He turned to look at me through narrowed, suspicious eyes. I deliberately kept my face impassive.

  When the train had gotten underway from Baltimore, Maureen had extracted a promise from me not to report the incident with Shanley to her parents or anyone else at Stonebridge. I responded that she wasn’t at fault, but she brushed my words aside. If nobody knew, she decided, it would be easier to forget the whole incident ever happened. She feigned tiredness soon afterwards and remained silent throughout the rest of our journey.

  Seamus turned back to Maureen. “Is there anything ye need to tell me, girlie?”