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“I pray they do. There are so many special times we’ve shared. Weddings and Christmases, summer parties.” Grandmother sounded almost wistful. “Which reminds me, we have quite a few extra people coming to our Thanksgiving dinner. Your grandfather has deemed it necessary not only to utilize both dining rooms, but also to have the billiards room transformed into a place to eat as well. This old house was once a silent museum of antiques when my grandfather owned it. And while it has returned to quietness most days, the holidays are always so grand.”

“And the fund raisers are as well.” Leah thought it the perfect way to bring up her plan. “People all over Minneapolis cherish those events. You have made such a difference, and that’s really what brings me here today. I want to make a difference, and I have an idea I’ve been thinking about for over three years.”

Grandmother smiled. “Let’s hear it.”

“Well, I need you to keep part of it in confidence and tell no one other than Grandfather.”

“Is it something that could cause you harm by my remaining silent?”

Leah frowned. “Oh, certainly not. I assure you. And once you hear what I have to say, you’ll understand.”

Grandmother nodded. “Very well. I will do my best to keep your secret.”

“Thank you. It involves the confidence of another and given the situation, it’s important to remain silent.”

Grandmother smiled. “You’ve definitely intrigued me.”

“Do you remember what happened to my friend Susanna Anderson?”

“How could I forget?” It was Grandmother’s turn to frown. “You experienced a great loss.”

“Ever since, I’ve thought of how she might have lived if she’d had proper care and understanding. Her parents, however, were cruel and put her out of their sight and sent her to some place where I just know she was treated badly.”

“You can’t be sure of that, Leah. Just because Susanna died doesn’t mean she was ill used. Some women aren’t strong enough to bear children. I lost a couple of dear friends in childbirth when I was younger. It happens. Far too often, as your grandfather would say.”

“Especially when the women are unmarried. And that’s why I’ve come to speak with you. I want to open and take charge of a home for unmarried women who find themselves in a family way. But not just any women,” she said, holding up her hand as her grandmother started to speak. “I want a home for upper-society women. Those of refined homes who have allowed themselves to be questionably used. Those like Susanna who made errors in judgment while believing themselves in love.

“I realize there is Bethany Home, but that has always catered to women of questionable reputation and impoverished positions where they found themselves forced to make bad choices. I’m proud to be part of that ministry, helping those women have a second chance, but women of refined upbringing can hardly go there. I want to buy a beautiful home like yours and furnish it with lovely things and beauty and a staff to serve. These girls aren’t used to working at hard labor or even minimally difficult jobs. They were brought up to be ladies, and while it might sound somewhat arrogant, I don’t mean for it to. It’s just that I know how I’d feel if I were in need and I had no choice but to go to a place like Bethany Home.”

“I completely agree with you, my dear. It has long been on my heart. There are a handful of places around the country who do cater to the upper class, but generally speaking young ladies such as you’ve described are cared for by aging relatives who live elsewhere. They are hidden away, give birth, and give their children up for adoption without the truth ever being told. But of course, it’s always suspected.”

“If Susanna had been able to go somewhere and have proper care, she would have lived. I suppose that sounds silly, but I’m just sure of it. I want to do this in her memory. I want to advertise the place in larger cities and in magazines that wealthier women might read.”

Grandmother smiled. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Have you spoken to your parents yet?”

“No. I wasn’t sure where to start. You see, here is where I need you to remain silent. Brigette is in a family way. The father of her child has left her, and now she finds herself in a terrible situation. I know you watched over her when she was a little girl and her mother worked for you. I knew you would understand.”

“Oh, my heart breaks.” Grandmother patted her hand over her heart as if it truly pained her. “Brigette is such a sweet child.”

“Well, she’s no longer a child. In fact she’s older than me. Nevertheless, Brigette has only known the finer things of life. You saw to her education growing up, and then she moved to our house and became a lady’s maid. While she’s worked hard, she’s had a very good life with finery all around her, never knowing the seedier side of life. For her to go somewhere like Bethany Home . . . well, it wouldn’t be at all comfortable.”

“Of course not,” Grandmother agreed. “Oh, she must come here.”

“Or to the house that I create. I feel that it would be acceptable to have ladies from wealthy families and their maids come there.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Grandmother smiled. “Of course I will keep your secret . . . her secret. And I will speak to your grandfather as well.”

“Thank you. I knew that if I had you and Grandfather on board, then Mother and Father would most likely support the idea.”

The older woman chuckled. “I’m not sure I can promise that, but I believe they will be proud to back your idea. They know it comes from a heart of love. I believe God has called you for such a purpose.”

“Even if I am still angry that He took Susanna?”

“Is it really anger as much as a sense of betrayal, a wounded heart? You feel God failed to do things your way. He failed to honor your desires, and so you punish Him now by refusing to speak to Him or have much to do with Him.”

Leah was surprised to hear her grandmother speak that way. She knew exactly how Leah felt, and it offered great comfort.

“I suppose I do feel betrayed. God could have saved Susanna and her child and yet didn’t. What kind of a loving God allows for the death of a woman who sinned and made a mistake but repented of it? Susanna told me she was heartily sorry she believed Terrance and his lies. She thought they would soon be married. I’m sure that she made her peace with God regarding her sin.”