A Changing Light by Edith Maxwell (pdf ebook reader .txt) 📗

could get a scoop, they might start taking me seriously around here.”

I would hate to put her in danger by encouraging her to snoop around. On the other hand, she was nineteen, a married woman, and had brave ambitions. After all, I’d put myself in danger more than once in the pursuit of justice.

“I will,” I agreed. “Kevin did mention that the senior Bailey reported some plans having gone missing. You might keep an ear out for information regarding those.”

Her eyebrows went up. “There’s been nothing in the newsroom about that. The Baileys must want to keep it quiet for now.”

I nodded. “And here’s something else thee can do. One of the reasons Kevin values my counsel on cases is because I can go places he never will be able to.”

“Like women’s bedrooms, for instance?”

“Precisely.” I bobbed my head. “Go to the Spring Opening social events. Take notes on who acts suspicious, who talks to whom. Introduce thyself to the ladies. They all love having their names in the newspaper. Thee might overhear a newsworthy confidence or a tidbit thee can use.”

Faith gave me an impulsive hug. “Rose, thee is brilliant.”

I laughed. “Not by any stretch of the imagination. But I am a wee bit older than thee and somewhat more experienced in these matters.” I sobered. “See if Luthera Harrington attends.”

“Does thee suspect the wife?” she whispered.

“I don’t know. By rights Luthera shouldn’t be going out, as she presumably is in mourning. But she seems to be invested in her father’s firm.”

“Montgomery Carriage Company.”

I bobbed my head. “Luthera might well attend,” I said. “Has thee seen her?”

“No, I don’t think so. Or if I did, I didn’t know it was she.”

“She has lovely pale skin like a creamy bleached linen and light hair the color of flax.” I pushed my glasses back up the bridge of my nose. “When I met her yesterday, she was quite stylishly dressed. She should be easy to find. I’m sure all the ladies will be clustering around her offering their sympathies.”

“And hoping to pick up pieces of gossip, I daresay. You know, Rose, I’ll bet Nellie Bly never has to cover balls and teas.”

“The intrepid lady reporter?”

“Yes.” Faith’s face gleamed. “Did thee hear she recently arrived back from her trip around the world?”

“I didn’t. She circumnavigated the entire globe?”

“She did. She traveled alone and sent back reports all along the way. It was quite the feat.”

“Mrs. Weed?” The fresh-faced runner popped his head around the corner, his voice cracking. “Boss wants to see ya.”

“Thank thee,” Faith said to him, but to me she rolled her eyes. “Maybe if I were Nellie Bly, I’d get some respect from my peers.”

An amused snort slipped out of me. “Thee will be more respected even than her in time. Mark my words, Faith Bailey Weed.”

Chapter Nine

Alma set down a bolt of a sprigged lawn fabric she’d been showing me after I left the newsroom.

“I know this one is too colorful for a good Quaker. But it’s quite lightweight for summer, Rose.”

“It’s pretty, I’ll grant thee, but I shouldn’t be wearing flowers,” I said. “And the colors must be muted to conform with our custom of simple dress. Does thee have a lawn in a pale gray or green, perhaps?”

“I don’t here, but I can order some in.”

“Any plain color will do.”

“I wish some of those fancy ladies liked simpler garments.” Alma shook her head. “One of them was in this morning. She’s a new widow and demanded I make her a black dress, but with puffy sleeves as well as the bodice shirring and slimmer skirt profile of this year’s fashions.”

Luthera. “Does she have skin like fine china and light hair?”

Alma scrunched up her nose. “How did you know?”

“I met Luthera Harrington yesterday. She’s a new widow because her husband was murdered last night.”

“Murdered?” Alma nearly screeched, then clapped her hand over her mouth, glancing downstairs toward Orpha’s room.

“Alas, yes.”

“I guess I didn’t attend to the news today. Anyway, she said wanted the dress by tonight. I told her that wasn’t possible, but that I had a new dress close to that style I made for a slender lady whose husband had died. Unfortunately, the lady passed, too, before she could pick up the garment. Mrs. Harrington was reluctant, but she had no alternative.” She glanced at the clock. “I have two hours to finish the alterations.”

Luthera must be determined to attend tonight’s function. Which was unseemly for a widow, but at least she’d be dressed appropriately.

“May I visit with Orpha?” I asked.

“Always.”

We moved through the quiet house. “Where are thy daughters?”

“My husband took them to stay with his parents in Kittery, Maine. Between my work and caring for Nana, I have my hands full, and Mr. Latting was overdue for a visit, anyway. He’ll be back on Sunday, but the girls will stay on another week.”

“Is it thy father or thy mother who is Orpha’s child? I would have thought he or she would want to be here during her last weeks.” Or days. Especially a daughter might long to care for her aged mother as she passed from this world.

Alma cast her gaze upward. “It’s my father who is her son. He’s a rather difficult man, unfortunately. My mother loves Nana, and she would be here. But she obeys her husband, and he wants his wife by his side. If they still lived in Amesbury, I’m sure Mother would find ways to pop in. But they moved down to Ipswich after I married, and it’s too hard for her to get away unnoticed.”

Good heavens. “That’s too bad.”

“Yes, it is.” She gave a quick laugh. “If my husband tried to keep me from doing what I wished? I would no longer be married.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” I thought it was a blessing Alma had not adopted her parents’ ways in this regard.

Before we stepped into Orpha’s room, Alma grabbed my hand, stopping me. “Rose, you see babies into the world. Will you be so kind