Chapter 19
My confrontation with Carrie left me unsettled, and I found myself wishing I didn’t have my appointed cleaning day at the McLeans’ that afternoon.
Sighing, I wrapped Evalyn’s headband in paper and tied it with ribbon.
I hoped she’d like the gift at least. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I owed her another token, despite all that Carrie had said about her.
And yet Carrie’s warning echoed in my mind.
She’s not your friend. You are her employee. We all are.
The others seemed perfectly willing to let Evalyn hold court and to lavish her with constant praise. Perhaps somehow, they felt beholden to her as the queen bee. But it was the last of Carrie’s warnings that had left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Be careful with Ned.
I couldn’t remember a time when she’d been with us in the same room for more than a moment.
Perhaps some flirtation had happened between Carrie and Ned in the past, and it hadn’t ended well, or maybe…
Evalyn had said something about Ned offering me a ride home, about our time on the patio while we waited for her.
The thought of Evalyn talking about me with Carrie made my insides swim with unease.
I arrived at Friendship promptly on time for my appointment, but to my surprise, Evalyn wasn’t at home.
Instead, Jerry showed me inside, set me up with her collection, and, as instructed, stood watch as I scrubbed and polished each piece and placed the precious items back in the case that would be locked away in her safe when I’d finished.
Once again, Evalyn wore the Hope Diamond, and once again, it would go without servicing.
Though I was disappointed not to have the chance to examine it closely again, perhaps it was for the best.
The anonymous note I’d received a few days before sprang to mind, and the disquiet I’d felt earlier returned.
I didn’t know who could have sent the note other than someone from Evalyn’s circle, but that seemed absurd, given they’d all spent plenty of time within proximity of the Hope Diamond themselves.
And yet I couldn’t think of a single other person in my life who could have taken a strong enough interest in my clients, or me for that matter, to warn me about the curse.
Then again, the note could have come from a perfect stranger.
I wondered if any of the others had received a note, too.
If only I could study Evalyn’s notes, perhaps I might find some similarities to mine…
I recalled what Marjorie had said about the police requesting that the McLeans keep the letters should they need them for evidence for an investigation.
“Has all been well, ma’am?” Jerry asked as I packed up my tools about an hour later.
“Well enough, I suppose, thank you.” I didn’t dare mention the troubling note or the visit from Carrie.
While I liked Jerry and he genuinely seemed to like me, I didn’t know if I could trust him.
I surmised he understood the inner machinations of Evalyn’s circle quite well, and he clearly enjoyed the gossip.
He also seemed perfectly comfortable in the presence of those above his station.
I had the feeling he would enjoy a glass of champagne with Evalyn if she invited him to join her.
The rest of the staff seemed to interact with Evalyn and her friends in the most professional yet perfunctory ways and nothing more.
Most important of all, I knew Jerry felt a strong sense of loyalty to Evalyn.
I admired that; it was as it should be, but it also meant I needed to tread carefully.
“Where are the others?” I asked. “I thought Evalyn was going to be home today.”
“There’s an event on the other side of town. I don’t know where precisely, ma’am, but Mrs. McLean asked me to invite you to stay for supper at seven o’clock.”
I glanced down at my dress, glad I’d worn one of those I’d been gifted.
There was no telling who would show at her dinner table, and to be underdressed, as I’d learned, was simply too embarrassing.
But it was only five o’clock, and I couldn’t imagine what I was to do while I waited for her.
Amble around the house? It was best I go.
I had more than enough to do waiting for me at home.
I shook my head. “I couldn’t be an imposition tonight. I have a lot of work to do.”
“A working woman with work to do. You are different from Mrs. McLean’s other friends.”
Oddly, the comment stung. I knew I was different from them, and yet hadn’t I spent the last weeks trying to adapt, trying to be more like them? Jerry didn’t miss my expression.
“I’m such an oaf,” he said. “I’ve offended you.
” He looked over his shoulder and lowered his voice.
“You aren’t like them, ma’am, but that isn’t a bad thing.
Quite the contrary. And not to worry. Mrs. McLean should be home any moment should you decide to say hello before you’re on your way?
She asked me to convince you to stay if you needed a little encouragement. ”
I contemplated another long evening of too many drinks with Evalyn and felt a twinge of exhaustion. Yet I also still had the gift for her, too… Perhaps I could stay a bit longer to give her the gift and head home shortly after? I could plead a headache.
“All right. I’ll stay. I’ll stay to say hello and give her the present I’ve brought for her and then be on my way.”
“Very good, ma’am. Make yourself at home. Mrs. McLean would want it that way. Can I do anything for you in the meantime?”
“I’m fine, Jerry.”
But after thirty minutes of sitting in the parlor, I stood and began to walk around the room, examining Evalyn’s beautiful things.
Eventually, I wandered into the hallway, admiring the paintings and vases there, the gilded mirror, and continued on to the study.
I peered inside. The anemic light of early evening streamed through the window, casting much of the room in shadow.
Books packed the large case spanning the back wall, and a beautiful cherry desk dominated the middle of the room. A stack of papers sat atop the desk.
I wondered if Evalyn kept the threatening letters in the study… Pulse quickening, I ventured inside and walked to the desk, pausing once to throw a furtive glance over my shoulder.
I didn’t dare flick on the lamp. The usual guards had likely followed Evalyn and Ned or perhaps had been sent with the children somewhere, but I didn’t want to risk it should I be wrong and one still lurked about.
I yanked open each of the desk drawers, heart hammering in my chest. If I were caught, not only could I lose my job, but I’d be thrown off the property and potentially be forced to face the police.
By now I knew the McLeans had everyone at their disposal should they wish them to be, and should an employee be accused of stealing.
I slid the middle drawer open. An assortment of envelopes and letters were jammed inside it.
I covered my mouth with my hand. This was it, the pile of letters.
I examined each quickly. I didn’t recognize the handwriting or stationery, and nothing else leapt out at me.
When I’d finished sorting through the middle drawer, I opened the bottom.
It was packed with more envelopes. I couldn’t believe how many Evalyn had received.
To live in constant fear of someone threatening you or your children, warning you, attempting to blackmail you, had to be terrifying.
I rifled through them, again not finding a connection between her letters and my own.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway.
I pushed the letters inside the drawer and closed it swiftly—just as a large, lumpy form filled the doorway.
“Ma’am? Can I help you with something?”
I jumped a mile at Jerry’s voice. “You frightened me!” I laughed nervously.
“I confess, I grew a little bored, so I started roaming around.” I blushed deeply.
“I saw this desk lamp and stopped to admire the abalone inlay. It’s gorgeous.
Abalone can be quite fragile to work with because it’s brittle, so whoever made this spent a lot of time assembling these pieces.
” I rambled nervously a moment about where abalone came from and how to harvest it, forcing myself to relax, to try to act natural.
“It was a gift from an Australian diplomat, I believe,” he said.
“You need to see it on! It’s magnificent.
” He pulled the dangling chain that switched on the bulbs.
As a pool of light poured over the abalone shell, its blue-green iridescence came to life.
Traces of red and swirls of white and black appeared to move over the curved belly of the lamp. “Isn’t it exquisite?”
I unclenched my hands, relieved Jerry had believed me.
“It really is,” I said, leaning over it as if to study it more closely.
The lamp resembled a Moroccan mosaic in style but was made with a hundred pieces of abalone shell instead of tiles.
I could easily imagine the hours of meticulous work that went into its construction.
As he led me back to the parlor, he asked, “May I bring you anything? Some refreshments while you wait for Mrs. McLean?”
“I’m fine, thank you, but I’d like to go for a walk in the garden if that’s all right?” I needed to catch my breath and to calm my shredded nerves.
“Of course, ma’am. As you wish.” He held open the French doors leading to the back garden.
As I stepped outside, my pulse slowed, and suddenly I longed to walk barefoot on the tender new grass. The weather was still glorious, despite the sun making its descent toward a blazing horizon. I always enjoyed fresh air regardless of the season, but spring held a magic all its own.
“Mind if I join you?” A voice came from behind me.