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“I pray that won’t be the case, but why should it cause you trouble even if we do? I thought our allies were anxious for us to help them.”
Randolph shook his head, still not looking her way. “It’s too complicated.”
Leah was uncertain what more she could say. She wanted to ask Randolph about the details of their discussion, but since she wasn’t even supposed to know about the matter, she held her tongue.
They rode in silence for several minutes while Leah continued to ponder Randolph’s activities. There was really no reason to suspect him of conspiring with the enemy. Even in his work for the CRB, secrets were necessary. She didn’t know why she jumped to the conclusion that he was up to no good. Maybe it was his general attitude and negativity?
“Will I see you at church in the morning?” he finally asked.
“I’m not sure. You know the pastor comes to the house to speak to the girls, so I may just wait and spend the day with them. Speaking of which, we’re getting a new young lady on Monday, so I’ll be quite busy.”
He murmured an acknowledgment but was already brooding once again. Leah said nothing more, and they finished the ride to Turner House in silence. Something was most assuredly going on with Randolph. She just didn’t know what it was or how it might affect them in the future.
Carolina Hancock was a spoiled and opulent seventeen-year-old. She came accompanied by her father, who acted equally entitled. Once papers were signed and money paid, Mr. Hancock bowed to Leah and his daughter and declared that he would return to retrieve Carolina after the “disagreeable event” took place.
“You are welcome this once to join us for dinner,” Leah told him. “We generally have no men in the house, but given the hour, I don’t want to send you out without the opportunity to dine with us.” She supposed she could arrange for the others to eat in their rooms, even though they were no doubt already gathering in the sitting room.
“No, thank you.” He grimaced as if she had suggested he help dig a ditch.
Leah found his attitude cold and indifferent. He had a complete lack of kindness or love for his daughter, not that Carolina seemed to know any different. Leah couldn’t imagine her own father leaving her anywhere for any reason and not lavishing her in love. This man was more than eager to leave Turner House and his child without any sign of affection.
“Very well.” Leah rang for Mrs. Astor, and she was there in a matter of seconds. “Please get Mr. Hancock’s coat and hat. He’ll be leaving now.”
Mrs. Astor nodded and looked to the unpleasant man. “Come this way, please.”
Leah resisted a shiver of distaste. The man didn’t even give his daughter a backward glance. Carolina let go a sigh and gazed at the ceiling.
“Come and I’ll introduce you to the others,” Leah said after he’d gone. “Supper will soon be served, so we’ll hold off on your tour of the house until afterward.”
Carolina spoke for the first time. “I’ve not changed for dinner. I can hardly come to the table in travel clothes.”
“You will be perfectly fine. There isn’t time for a formal change. You may dress for dinner and bejewel yourself in any way you please after tonight, but we won’t ask the others to wait because of your attire.”
“I was assured I would be living with the same refinement and elegance that I left at home.”
“We offer the best of food, furnishings, and servants,” Leah replied, moving toward the door. “Your father agreed to our arrangement, and now I must ask you to do the same. We can speak about it after dinner if you have further questions. For now, please come along. Your things are being delivered upstairs and taken care of. Come to the sitting room, and I’ll introduce you to the others.”
To her surprise, Carolina followed without further protest. Leah knew this couldn’t be easy for her. She might well live with an unfeeling father, but she was still taken from her home and all that she knew to face an impossible situation on her own. Leah had sympathy for her despite her privileged attitude.
Leah entered the large sitting room and waited until Carolina drew alongside. “Ladies, this is Carolina Hancock.” The seventeen-year-old looked at them with a blank stare.
“Carolina, this is Nurse Foster. She will be in charge of your health care. Natasha Smith is an expectant mother, much as yourself.”
“Pleased to meet you, Carolina,” Nurse Foster declared. “I believe you’ll find your care here to be superior to that of anywhere else.”
“Call me Miss Hancock,” the young woman countered in a curt manner.
“Carolina, around here we go by our first names with exception to Nurse Foster. We call her by that name to distinguish her role. You may call me Leah, and this is my assistant, Brigette.” She nodded toward where Brigette stood near the fireplace.
“I prefer to be more formal.”
“I understand that has been your way in the past, but you’re now living under my care and with my rules,” Leah countered. “This is the way it will be done. In time, you will hopefully see the sense in it. We wish to create a family-like atmosphere.”
Carolina looked as if she might say something more about the matter but remained silent.
“Now, it’s nearly suppertime.” Leah glanced at the clock. “In fact, Cook will no doubt send for us momentarily. Before then, I want to say you are most welcome here. We will do our very best to see to your every need. I will speak to you more after dinner and let you know what is expected and how we function. I will also give you a tour of the house.”
“I’d prefer to see my room and have a tray brought there.”
