LITMIR.BIZ

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transition period since the move. She wants to get the girls on a regular schedule as soon as possible.”

      “I’m claiming your next free day, then.” Her sister sighed, taking Elizabeth’s coat over her own arm. “The Mission’s new building looks beautiful. Did you know Abby has friends there?”

      The mention of her sister-in-law’s name brought a fresh smile. Elizabeth had spent a couple of weeks with Abby before she and Robert wed, and they’d become immediate friends. “Yes, I remember seeing Miss Cameron at the wedding.”

      “Of course. Abby is over the moon about you going to work there. She’s always wanted to volunteer, but . . .” She glanced at Gerald, falling silent as they approached the Larkspurs’ automobile, parked at the curb.

      He helped the porter wedge the trunk into one of the rear seats and handed him a tip. “Your brother has concerns about the Mission.”

      Elizabeth jerked her head up. “Concerns?”

      “It’s nothing.” Ruby squeezed her hand.

      A light danced in Gerald’s eyes as he helped Elizabeth into the car. “When he heard your plans, he looked as if he’d swallowed a toad.”

      Ruby frowned. “Hush now. You’ll frighten her.”

      He chuckled as he walked her around to the opposite side. “Robert’s an opinionated fellow. Elizabeth knows that.”

      Elizabeth folded her hands in her lap, her mother’s objections jumping to mind. “Seems to run in our family.”

      He gave Ruby a hand up into the driver’s seat. “I never said that. But I agree with the overall sentiment.”

      Ruby touched his cheek. “Which is why you love us all so much, right?”

      He patted her leg. “Of course. Robert was my assistant and then my partner for a year before I met either of you lovely ladies. I know all about the King temperament.”

      Ruby’s laugh rang out. She drew a long filmy scarf from her bag and tied it around her hat.

      Elizabeth sucked in a breath, Robert’s qualms forgotten. “Ruby, are you driving?”

      Gerald inserted the crank handle and started the motor, the engine roaring to life. “She’s a fine driver. Taught her myself.” He strode to the rear of the vehicle and climbed into the passenger compartment.

      “I thought I was the modern-thinking suffragist in the family. Here you are driving an automobile while your husband sits with the luggage. I don’t believe it.” Unless. She glanced back at her brother-in-law. “Is it because of your—your arm?”

      Ruby smiled. “No, dear one. Gerald still drives, even with one hand. But then I couldn’t show off for my baby sister.”

      Gerald hooked one ankle over the opposite knee. “She’s not only a wonderful wife and a talented nurse, she’s an excellent chauffeur. I’ve been feeling a bit tired lately, too. It’s probably best she drives on days like this.”

      Ruby pulled away from the curb and into traffic, guiding the vehicle around a passing delivery wagon.

      Elizabeth studied her sister’s profile. Her demeanor had shifted with Gerald’s last comment. Had his cancer returned? Ruby had taken a huge risk marrying a man with an uncertain future, especially since she’d already lost one husband. Elizabeth wrapped her arms about her midsection. The idea that her sister could lose Gerald was almost too much to bear. Elizabeth wasn’t certain if she’d have chosen to marry a man with such health problems. She sighed. Likely as not, she wouldn’t marry at all.

      Chapter 5

      5

      Charles sat at a desk in the corner, oblivious to the people conversing nearby. For all of his uncle’s talk about a rising star, Charles still merited little more than the cluttered desk of a junior attorney. He gulped down the last mouthful of coffee, the taste of the tepid brew not even registering as he flipped through the stack of legal briefs. He scratched down notes on a pad. How many questions could he ask before people pinned him as a fraud?

      The words swam before his weary eyes. Charles dropped the papers into a stack and pressed the heels of his hands against his brow. He’d thought law school would prepare him for the job, but he’d learned more in the past six hours than during the last term at college. At least he’d only be observing during tomorrow’s cases. Perhaps after watching the other attorneys in action, he’d figure out the appropriate dance steps.

      Uncle Silas and the other senior partner—Ambrose McClintock—had already gone home for the evening, but most other desks were lit, heads bowed over stacks of papers and books. Charles leaned back in his chair and glanced about. Didn’t anyone ever leave? A throbbing ache built behind his temples.

      Charles swiveled the wooden chair and gazed at the man seated at an identical desk behind him. The heavy-set young fellow had slumped forward, bracing his forehead against his hands, elbows propped on the desk. With fingers hooded before his eyes, it was impossible to know if he was staring at the stack of paper or dozing.

      “Excuse me?” Charles tapped the front of the desk.

      The clerk jerked upright, a glazed expression on his face. “Ye-yes?”

      Charles choked back a laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m new today, and I was just curious—how late does everyone stay?”

      The man glanced around at the other desks. “Well, at least until all the partners leave. And Spencer—he’s the senior attorney, next up to be partner. You don’t want to be seen leaving before any of them.” He wiped a huge hand across his face as if to remove any spittle from his chin. “And you’ve got to wait for the lead attorney working on your case. After that, it just depends on how much you still have to do. But it’s important to look industrious, even if you finished up hours before.”

      Charles grinned. “Is that what you’re doing?”

      “I’ll never be finished. I’m the most junior man here—well, until you arrived, that is. Name’s Henry Thurber. What’s yours?” He stuck out his hand.

      Charles shook it, the friendly welcome bringing a sense of ease. “Charles. Charles McKinley.”

      Henry’s eyes grew large behind the round spectacles. “You’re the golden nephew!”

      The serenity vanished like steam from a mirror. “Just because I share a last name with a partner doesn’t mean I’m anything special.”

      “I beg your pardon, but I must disagree.” Henry straightened, running a quick hand down his shirt front and adjusting his tie. “That’s not what I heard. Talk in the office is your uncle’s got you on a quick road to partnership. No wonder everyone’s working so late today. They’re all waiting for you to go home.”

      “For me? Whatever for?”

      “You’re the next in line. What are you doing out here with the commoners?”

      “This is my desk.” Charles studied the room again, noticing the furtive glances in his direction. “Is that unusual?”

      Henry’s countenance relaxed a hair. He lowered his voice, leaning forward so only Charles could hear. “The old man’s got to keep up appearances, I suppose. Can’t move you to the private offices too soon. Wouldn’t be seemly.” He nodded, twirling a fountain pen in one hand. “I’ll give you three months before you leave the rest of us here in the sticks.” Ink splattered across his paper. “I’m just a clerk, anyhow. No partnership in my future, no matter how much I impress folks.”

      Charles reclined in his chair, the reality of the situation tightening about his neck like a noose. How would he ever make friends if everyone had him pegged as a privileged creature? “Look, Henry . . . I don’t expect to be shepherded through the lower ranks like a crown prince or something. I aim to work my way up like any other fellow. How can I set everyone at ease?”

      The

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