Читать книгу Through the Shadows - Karen Barnett - Страница 10

Chapter 3

3

Charles stepped away, giving Miss Cameron and Miss King privacy to discuss their plans. He’d clearly misjudged the young woman. Here she stood, committing a year of her life to God’s service in one of the darkest sections of San Francisco. Did she understand what she was volunteering for? The Presbyterian Mission was no ladies’ academy. She’d be teaching prostitutes and maltreated waifs. He shook his head. Likely as not, Miss King would be the one receiving an education.

The women concluded their discussion and walked toward the children. Miss Cameron collected them and departed with hearty farewells to Charles and Miss King.

Charles took a deep breath, the day’s obligations weighing on his shoulders like the heavy hay bales he used to heft into his father’s barn years ago. A night’s sleep before returning to the city would be welcome, indeed. The firm’s secretary had made reservations for him at the Heritage Hotel. The sumptuous accommodations would be a nice change.

He glanced at Miss King as she fastened a wool cloak over her slight shoulders. His client shouldn’t return home unescorted, especially with those blue eyes shining like an overly excited child. His heart jumped at the sight of her flushed cheeks. “May I see you home?” He offered the crook of his arm with a flourish, praying the gesture displayed the admirable presentation his uncle desired of him.

She pulled the garment close, as if to shield herself from his attention. “My friend has a cab waiting outside.”

Charles dropped his elbow, unsettled by the disappointment brewing in his gut. He’d just met the woman, why did he already feel a sense of responsibility toward her?

Miss King adjusted a tiny hat atop her sleek blonde hair. He could almost feel the smooth strands under his fingers. He shook away the thought, burying his hand in his coat pocket.

As he walked her to the door, Charles considered the future she’d chosen—a path that led her straight to the city he now called home. Would he be seeing more of her? He cleared his throat. “I admire your fervor, Miss King, but I hope you haven’t allowed your feelings to sweep you into a situation you may regret.”

Miss King’s brows drew low over her eyes. “What do you know of regret?”

“More than you can imagine.” The words slipped from his mouth before he could reel them back. His sister never strayed far from his thoughts. Remember why you’re here. “There is no need to rush your decision.”

“Endless equivocation is more your area of expertise, Mr. McKinley. I assure you, I am quite resolute.” Her eyes flashed. “My family’s situation has changed, as you well know. I understand this teaching position will not undo our loss of income, but at least it will prevent me from being a further drain on my mother’s meager resources.”

“I told you, there are ways—”

“More investments?” She sighed. “You expect us to entrust our remaining savings to your untried expertise? After what happened under your uncle’s supervision?”

He bit down a retort. She had every reason not to trust him—the numbers in Uncle Silas’s reports had left unanswered questions in Charles’s mind as well. “I understand.” He reached out and touched her arm, a second wave of protectiveness sweeping over him, perhaps a result of Josephine’s memory. “I live not far from the Mission. If you should need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

The expression in her blue eyes softened. “I appreciate your concern. But I can watch over myself. And if anything happens, my brother and sister will be nearby.” She moved toward the door.

“Of course.” He pressed the derby onto his head and touched the brim, a hollowness opening in his chest. “Sometimes even brothers and sisters aren’t enough to keep the world at bay.”

She cast a steadfast glance across her shoulder. “Then it’s a good thing I can take care of myself.”

***

Elizabeth hurried down the sidewalk, regretting the falsehood she’d told Charles McKinley. Something about the man triggered unwelcome flutters in her chest. Gooseflesh spread down her arms as she considered his strong shoulders and easy smile. She’d not even shaken off the sensation of Tobias’s touch and now a handsome attorney turned her head? What would become of her? Lord, help me.

Let him believe her decision was triggered by her family’s economic situation. She couldn’t bear for him—or anyone else—to know the truth.

She hustled down the sidewalk, determined to be out of sight before the lawyer noticed no cab awaited her. Elizabeth ducked into a shadowed alley, easing between wooden crates and cans of refuse lining the back doors of businesses. The sun had long disappeared from the evening sky. Pulling the cloak tight about her shoulders, Elizabeth walked as fast as her stiff shoes allowed.

A man stepped out of one of the narrow doorways, light spilling out around his bulky form. “Miss? You lost?”

She jerked back a step. “No. I—I’m just taking a shortcut. I turned down the wrong street.” Her throat constricted. Her mother would be furious to discover her here. Only disreputable women skulked around in dark alleys at night. My reputation is all I have left, and even that’s hanging by a shoestring. Her gaze flitted down the path to the street beyond. Elizabeth gestured with a shaking hand. “My father is waiting out there.” Another lie. God must have already given up on her.

The man stepped out of the glare and grinned, displaying a row of crooked teeth. He slapped a hand against the metal can. “You got nothing to worry about from me, Miss. I’m just taking out the trash. You hurry on, though.”

Elizabeth bobbed her head, her hat sliding to one side. “Yes, thank you. If you’ll excuse me . . .” She picked up the edge of her skirt and dashed through to the main street. She slowed her pace, quelling the commotion in her heart as she turned toward home.

The attorney’s words flooded back into her thoughts. “I hope you haven’t allowed your feelings to sweep you into a situation you may regret.” She folded her arms, gripping her elbows as she walked. Her emotions had led her down every single path she’d ever walked. Why change now?