“Sorry. Yes, of course you are right.”
She shrugged off his apology. “No, please forgive me. Here you are, telling me Rosalind’s story, and instead of listening I seem to be doing my best to give her story my own ending. What does she intend to do?”
“She’s determined to keep asking questions and sleuthing.” He couldn’t help it. He had to smile. “She’s determined to save the day, Mother. I find her goals both terribly laudable and extremely sad.”
“Is that what you told her?”
“Of course not. I told Rosalind I’d help as much as I could.”
“You were concerned about giving her false hope?”
“Mother, I know you think this is a fool’s errand, but my heart goes out to her. Besides, she is a nice girl. She hasn’t been poisoned by the city yet. I’m afraid if I don’t reach out to help her, she is going to be prey for some other man of her acquaintance whose motives will not be as upstanding as mine.”
She gazed at him a long moment. Then, at once, her expression softened. “I think you are doing a brave thing, son. And a kindness that she will always remember, whatever the outcome. I am proud of you.”
He inclined his head, a mocking expression on his face, for they both knew he’d done nothing yet to be proud of. “Thank you.”
“You’ll keep me informed if you find any information—or if I, too, can help?”
“You, Mother?”
She looked chagrined. “I have to admit that my interest in Rosalind’s investigation far surpasses my latest goal.”
“Which is?”
“Finding you a wife, of course.” Her smile sparkled now. “Of course, lately that has seemed to be my own fool’s errand. Actually, at the moment I fear that finding a missing maid might be far easier than finding the perfect wife for you. You are proving to be a rather difficult man to bend to my will.”
Thinking about the parade of debutantes in whom he had no interest, he inclined his head. “I fear you may be right about that.”
Three mornings later, Rosalind gaped at Nanci. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Why on earth would the family be giving us tickets to see the fair again? You know how expensive they are. And an unexpected day off too.”
Nanci pointed one leg out and straightened her black stocking. “You might be the type of girl to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I certainly am not. Mrs. Abrams handed me the two tickets and said they were for the two of us to use today. So you had best get out of that black dress and into your best gown.”
Rosalind grinned at Nanci’s statement. The last time they’d gotten paid, Nanci had tried to get her to keep a portion of the monies and buy a more flattering day dress. Though she’d been tempted to do the same, so far she’d resolutely sent the majority of her paycheck home each Friday. Any monies she did keep were for emergencies.
Her family had sent her here to discover Miranda’s whereabouts, and, of course, assist her as best she could. She would never spend those precious dollars on a new gown, even though she had to admit that the idea of wearing a new dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves did spark a bit of longing deep inside of her.
Returning to the present, she watched Nanci adjust her bustle, then step into a lovely gown in a deep cerulean blue. What was the right answer? Did she accept the ticket and accept the day off without question? Or did she dare ask the housekeeper about it?
“Rosalind, you have no choice in the matter. If you don’t accept the gift, you are going to look very ungrateful. Now, come help me button this.”
Rosalind stepped behind her and efficiently began fastening the long row of buttons. “I suppose you’re right,” she said.
“I know I am.” When all twenty-eight buttons were fastened, Nanci opened up a box and pulled out a beautiful bonnet with feathers the exact shade of her dress.
Rosalind now felt completely green with envy, and was completely curious as to how Nanci could afford such an ensemble. “Where did you get that dress? And that hat? Did your family send you funds?”
Nanci shook her head. “Of course not. It was a gift.” She smiled slightly. “Now, let’s go. I want to make the train.”
Nanci not only had been given two tickets to the fair, she also had obtained money for them to take the South Side Rapid Transit train. This time, instead of standing for an eternity with other service workers and tourists on a trolley, they were sitting in comfort as the elevated train sped its way to Jackson Park.
In no time at all, they were walking among the multitudes, fixing their eyes on the White City in awe. And just like last time, the crowds were from all walks of life and many nationalities. Foreign tongues mixed with more familiar ones at just about every corner. Ladies in their finery were escorted by fine gentlemen in their top hats. Children in their perambulators and nannies and older men and women mixed with tourists from almost every country in the civilized world.