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“I suppose there are many Americans who feel just as you do.” Leah returned her gaze to the road. They were back at Turner House. The driver slowed and entered the drive.

Randolph seemed lost in his thoughts as the driver brought the car to a stop. He immediately jumped out and came around to open Leah’s door, while Randolph continued to brood.

“I had a lovely evening, and I hope your donations prove plentiful.”

He glanced at her, then gave a nod. “I would invite myself in, but I understand you’d rather not have visitors.”

“Not this late, anyway. Perhaps we can arrange it for another time.”

Leah exited the car and hurried into the house. She’d been giving much thought to the fact she couldn’t invite Randolph or anyone else in for a casual visit without first ensuring that the girls were safely upstairs and out of sight. She didn’t want the girls to feel they must hide away, but neither did she want people asking questions about them. Perhaps she should discuss this with her parents and figure out how to resolve the matter. Maybe there would be a way to close off a few rooms. Maybe Erik would have an idea.

The house seemed unusually quiet as she made her way inside. She put aside her coat and gloves and gazed for a long moment at the staircase. She was anxious to have a long talk with Natasha, but the time never seemed to present itself. Still, Leah had been gravely concerned about the child returning to her home in St. Paul. How could her parents allow for the abuse to continue? Leah knew there were extenuating circumstances, but their daughter’s well-being surely took precedence over their political and social ambitions.

Leah made her way upstairs with this heavy on her heart. She paused for a moment in front of her bedroom door, then turned and walked down the hall to Natasha’s room. She knocked lightly on the door and was greeted momentarily by Agnes.

“Yes, Miss Leah?”

Leah smiled. “Is Natasha still awake?”

“She is. Come in.”

“Thank you.” Leah entered the room and saw Natasha sitting by the fireplace, a book in hand. “I wonder if we could speak for a moment. Alone?” She looked to Agnes, who nodded.

“I was just leaving for the night. You ring for me if you have any needs, miss,” she said, looking to Natasha.

Natasha said nothing but put the book aside. “I suppose you’re upset with me for all the things I said about wishing I’d been as lucky as Brigette.”

“No. I’m not upset with you at all, Natasha. Your situation has been uppermost on my mind.” Again the girl looked so young with her pigtail braids and rosy cheeks. The doll was set aside on the nightstand, but Leah had no doubt it would be in Natasha’s arms later that night.

Leah moved to where Natasha sat and claimed the empty chair beside her. “I’ve been worried about you. I know you’re deeply troubled over all that you’ve endured. I know that you’re worried about what will happen once you’ve given birth to your baby.”

Natasha frowned. “Well, you would be too if your father was a lowly coward. He’s far more concerned with his political ambitions than what happens to me. He and my brothers have their sights on running the country and can’t be bothered to help me escape the clutches of their evil ally.”

“I am sorry for that. You must feel quite beside yourself.”

“I was glad they sent me away. I’ve not been afraid even once while staying here. Do you know how refreshing that is for me? I’ve lived in fear for two years. Does that shock you? Yes, it’s been two years of watching and waiting for when that monster might attack. He first came to me when I was just fourteen.”

“I’m so sorry. That must have been terrifying.”

Natasha pulled her knees up close, then encircled herself with the shawl. It was as if she had formed a safe enclosure around herself. “It was. It still is. It’s never going to stop. I told my mother that I couldn’t bear it, that I wished I were dead. Do you know what she said?” Natasha didn’t wait for Leah to reply. “She told me it was something we women had to endure and that I should just remain silent about the matter.” The girl’s voice broke, and she looked as if she might burst into tears.

Leah could hardly blame her. She wanted more than anything to show the child support and offer encouragement, but what could Leah say that would help?

Natasha took a moment to compose herself. Once again, her hard resolve returned. “It’s of no matter. Certainly not any of your concern.”

Leah thought of all the times she’d used that phrase to put people in their place. “But it is my concern. What’s happening to you is wrong, and I promise to help you in whatever way I can. I don’t know what we can do, but, Natasha, you have my word that I will seek an answer for you.”

“Don’t bother. They’re all too powerful. You cannot fight them. My father has made that clear to me over and over.”

“I won’t leave you in this. I will fight for you.” Leah reached across to take Natasha’s hand. “I don’t have an answer for you just yet, but I want you to know that you don’t have to face this alone anymore. I will do whatever I can to see that you never have to go back to that again.”

Natasha didn’t pull away. Instead, she looked at Leah with wide eyes and an expression that wavered between disbelief and something else. Was it hope? Leah prayed it might be.

Please, Lord. Help me to know what to do. Show me a way to protect this child.

17

February had barely begun when the temperatures sank once again. It seemed impossible to keep the house warm without both the furnace and fireplaces constantly engaged. Leah was grateful her father owned several large logging camps. Getting firewood was not a problem. Keeping up with it, however, was beginning to be a full-time job for Vera. Perhaps Leah would speak to her father and see if he might be able to arrange for the wood to be split prior to delivery.