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This room had been Papa’s favorite place. Many times in her years growing up, she and Papa would sit by the fireplace in the evening and read. When she was younger, he’d read to her, and as her skills improved, she’d read to him. They shared a love of the same authors, so it was not a problem to select a book for them to enjoy together. The room never seemed the same with him gone.
“Yes, Angelina.” Sylvia waved the twisted handkerchief around again. “There are matters we must discuss. They relate to your father’s estate.”
Legal matters beyond her, Angel waited patiently as her stepmother composed herself.
“While your father was ill, he left the operation of the bank to his assistant, Mr. Reynolds.” She closed her eyes briefly. “Had I been aware of this, I would have taken steps. However, your father never confided in me about his business.” Her words dripped with derision, but she left unsaid what steps she would have taken.
“What I’m trying to tell you, is this.” Sylvia paused to take a dainty sip of the cooling cup of tea on the table next to her. “When your father died, questions about illegal transactions arose and ultimately, missing deposits were discovered. Large deposits, from wealthy customers. Consequently, the bank was no longer solvent. Now the attorneys tell me your father’s personal assets must cover these discrepancies.” She finished the last part in a breathless rush.
Angel didn’t grasp what she meant, yet the pain in her stomach had grown. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what this all means. If Mr. Reynolds was in charge, why would Papa be in trouble?”
“Because Mr. Reynolds brought papers to your father to sign, which he did because he trusted the man. The police tell me Mr. Reynolds has apparently vanished.”
Sylvia closed her eyes briefly. “What I’m doing such a bad job of telling you, Angelina . . .” She sighed, touched her handkerchief to her nose. “We are penniless.”
Angel stared at her stepmother. Obviously, from her strained expression, this was a serious situation. “What exactly does that mean?”
“It means we have no money. Nothing. No money, no income.” Sylvia rose and paced in front of the fireplace. “I don’t know how else to put it.” She turned and faced Angel. “The clothes you have on your back and in your closet are the only things you own.”
This didn’t sound good. Now Angel would have to return the two hats she bought from the milliner just yesterday. And that was a shame, because one of them matched her new walking coat so well. “So, what will we do?”
“Well, as much as I would love to continue to provide for you, I can no longer do that.” Even in her distraught state, Sylvia remained the lady. She turned, back straight, head held high, slender fingers clutching her handkerchief. “I have received an invitation from my sister Louise in Virginia. She has offered me a place in her home.”
Angel’s head shot up. “I don’t want to live in Virginia. All my friends are here in New York. Surely something that drastic is not necessary.”
Sylvia stopped pacing, took a deep breath, and rubbed her forehead. “You misunderstand, dear. I’m going to Virginia. There is no room for you. My sister’s home is small, with a limited staff.”
Dry mouthed, Angel struggled to process this information. “You mean to go to Virginia and leave me alone here? I would be un-chaperoned. My reputation would suffer immensely.” She furrowed her brow. “I don’t think the staff would qualify as chaperones.”
Sylvia continued her pacing. “No, Angelina. This house is being sold, and after all outstanding debts are settled, there will be just enough money to get me settled in Virginia. I will only be able to bring one lady’s maid with me, which I find most inconvenient.”
If Sylvia would be traveling with only one lady’s maid, the situation was more dire than Angel realized. Her mind was in a whirl.
Despite years of training, Angel slumped against the back of her chair. All her life, money was never an issue or concern. Things were provided before she even asked for them. She was accustomed to shopping at the finest stores, never checked prices; put everything on Papa’s account.
This can’t be happening. Surely there’s money somewhere. Where will I live?
She swallowed, posed the question. “I assume I will have to move to another house?”
Once again Sylvia sat on her chair, and avoided Angel’s eyes. With shaky hands she took another sip of tea. “No, dear. There is no money for any sort of house.” She opened and closed her mouth to speak several times, and finally drew in a deep breath. “I have arranged for you to be married.”
“Married?” Angel sat back up. Some of the fear seeped out. That would not be so bad. She had many suitors to choose from. Hopefully, Sylvia had picked one she could at least tolerate. “Then there is enough money for a wedding, and possibly a small dowry?”
The woman glanced at her, then looked away. “No.” The cup rattled as she set it on the saucer.
Her stepmother’s face grew even paler. She fussed with the timepiece pinned to her shirtwaist, her gaze darting around the room. It was obvious she had more to say that Angel would not like.
Her fear returned with a vengeance. “Sylvia, you’re scaring me. This is all so puzzling. I’m trying to understand, but something doesn’t seem right. How will there be a wedding if there is no money for it? And who am I to marry?”
Sylvia took a deep breath, and picked up a piece of paper lying alongside her teacup. “You are to travel to Oregon City to be a mail order bride.”
The silence in the room had a roar of its own. Wide-eyed, Angel gaped at her stepmother. A loud buzzing echoed in her ears and black dots swam in front of her eyes. With a soft sigh, she slid to the floor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In her semi-conscious state, Angel fought her return to reality. She flinched when the smelling salts were waved under her nose. Her eyes fluttered, opened, and she coughed at the pungent odor. The concerned eyes of Walker, the family butler, met hers.
“Is she all right?” Her stepmother’s voice grated as Sylvia leaned over the butler’s shoulder.
