“Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn’t contraception be bad for your business?”
Darkness passed over Cass’s expression and she focused her gaze on the pile between them. “A child can be the most glorious gift a woman ever receives, or so I’ve heard. But to others, it can be a curse.”
“How so?”
“Most women in the Heights struggle to feed and clothe themselves, let alone handfuls of children. If they are looking after their children, they can’t work and fall farther behind. A child means another mouth. Another failure for its mother.”
“I see.” Rose did not see, not at all. Her father’s favorite pastime was singing the praises of his five daughters and regaled everyone in earshot with stories of how blessed he was to have his “bouquet” of girls. “I assume the fathers wouldn’t want the burden of additional children, either.”
“Most fathers begin and end their responsibility to their offspring when they spill their seed.” She raised her eyes and fixed Rose with a steady gaze. “Women come to me in hysterics, wishing for their pregnancies to fail because they can’t afford to feed the children they already have. Others are beaten because their husbands don’t want more burdens and put the blame in the hands of their wives.” Her breath shuddered. “I’ve watched women die delivering children, their bodies too weak to carry another baby, and leave their children behind to starve.”
The weight of Cass’s struggles over Rose’s shoulders like a funeral shroud. How did Mrs. Restell and Cass manage to keep working, keep striving every day, when the entire world seemed turned against them? “Is there any hope for change?”
“If women can vote, they will elect people who will protect their interests. But unless that happens, or men decide they’re willing to part with some of their precious control, women will continue to die.”
Rose’s eyes burned with unshed tears. She wanted so badly to look strong to Cass, to impress Abby’s formidable partner. “Is that what happened to Ben’s wife?”
Cass nodded as she dropped her gaze. “He’s never told me all the details, but I’ve pieced together enough.” She took a centering breath, as though gathering herself to deliver terrible news. “Aiko was told she could not bear children, that her body was too weak after an illness. They strictly enforced the laws where they lived, and Ben couldn’t find any way to protect her.”
Shifting in her seat, Cass began stacking the condoms in neat piles, higher and higher until they toppled to the surface of the table. “They used all the natural methods, but she fell pregnant.” She swallowed thickly. “Around her seventh month, Aiko began to bleed. The closest hospital—”
Rose narrowed her gaze as Cass stopped. “What happened?” She barely pushed the words out, but Cass nodded once.
“The only hospital they could reach wouldn’t treat her. They were turned away for being Japanese. Aiko and the baby died in a filthy rented room across the street from the hospital.”
Rose’s gut clenched and threatened to cast out its contents. “I can’t—there are no words.”
Cass pinched her lips together. “He’s far too good a man to have suffered so much. He could have hidden from the world, but instead he’s here, helping others.”
Yes, Ben was helping others, but from Rose’s perspective, hehadhidden himself away, keepinganything that would bring him happiness at arm’s length. His entire existence was given to others, but he claimed nothing for himself. How long would it be before he had nothing left to give?
“Regardless,” Cass said, “I’m glad he can have a bit of comfort with you while you’re here.”
She shook her head as heat climbed up her neck. “No, he—we’re not—”
“I won’t get into your business.” Cass stood to pile the acceptable tins into a larger box. “But Ben isn’t like the men you’re accustomed to. He doesn’t have time to court you or do anything fancy.”
Rose’s voice was low when she finally responded. “But he’s not—”
“Everyone here would give everything they have to protect him.”
“So would I,” Rose said, her spine straightening.
Cass gave her a long, appraising look before her lips curled into a smile. “I knew I liked you.” Rose grinned, but Cass continued. “But if you break his heart, I’m going to change my mind.”
Chapter 16
LeaveittotheEnglish princess to eat Irish stew like a queen. He could have balanced a book on the top of her poised head, and she never varied from her motion, her spoon traveling in a smooth arc from the bowl to her lips without spilling a single drop. His shoulders slumped over as he shoveled the thick broth and lumps of potato into his mouth, and although he attempted to keep his eyes on his bowl, he couldn’t help stealing glances of Rose as she ate.
He had no intention of sharing a meal with her, but a moment after Mrs. Flannery had arrived to deliver Ben his meal, and a reminder that her windows needed cleaning, Rose had walked in from helping Cass. Mrs. Flannery had insisted on setting out a proper dinner for the two of them, sending Ben significant looks and even winking before she departed, humming a cheerful tune.
The table had been transformed, covered with a linen tablecloth—the only good thing Mrs. Flannery claimed to have gotten from her marriage, aside from her children—a single taper in a tarnished silver candlestick, and Ben’s set of chipped earthenware bowls a previous tenant had given him. Rose had not said a word past a cursorythank youwhen he handed her a piece of soda bread.
Ben had never minded silence; most things were better left unsaid. But in this circumstance, the words that bounced around his mind like frenetic insects were begging to be spoken. And, as if this dinner weren’t uncomfortable enough,Rose wasn’t talking. More than once he had seen her pull in a breath as though she intended to speak, but stopped.
What was she holding back?
When he had finished his stew, sitting back and dropping his napkin on the table, Rose immediately did the same, although she had eaten very little. She stood and took his bowl, lifted it gingerly and carried it to the kitchen as though it were an explosive set to detonate at any moment. When she returned and reached for her plate, he couldn’t bear the silence anymore.
