Free Murder in Murray Hill (Gaslight Mystery) by Victoria Thompson Page A

selling herself in Hell’s Kitchen, and I’d really like to catch this Milo Pendergast, too. But I know better than to think Pendergast will go to jail or that Grace Livingston will live happily ever after.”
    “Will they even let Maeve try to help find her?”
    “I don’t know.”
    They walked on in silence for a time, and Sarah tried to think of a way to help Grace Livingston. By now she should have been used to the injustice in the world, particularly when it involved females, but she hoped she would never become so jaded.
    “Will you at least see her father and let him know what’s happening?”
    He sighed again. “First thing tomorrow.”
    Sarah tried to imagine what he would tell the poor man and decided she didn’t want to know.
    • • •
    S aturday morning finally arrived, and Catherine woke up before dawn, too excited over the pending visit from the Malloy family to remain in bed. Sarah had spent two sleepless nights with a mother whose baby had been reluctant to enter the world, and she had been hoping to sleep in a bit. Maeve, bless her, had spirited Catherine off to the kitchen to keep her busy, but after what seemed only a few minutes of respite, someone again tapped on her bedroom door. Maeve stuck her head in.
    “Mrs. Brandt? So sorry to bother you, but Mrs. Ellsworth is here. She got a letter from that Pendergast fellow.”
    Instantly awake, Sarah threw off the bedclothes and snatched up her robe. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she padded barefoot after Maeve. Mrs. Ellsworth and Catherine sat at the kitchen table, chatting about the menu for the day’s planned festivities. Catherine was reminding their neighbor of all the things they’d been baking the past few days, even though Mrs. Ellsworth had been present for all the preparations.
    The letter lay on the table between them, giving no indication that it might mean life or death to a young woman.
    “Good morning, Mrs. Ellsworth.”
    “Good morning, Mrs. Brandt,” she said with barely suppressed excitement. “This letter came for you in this morning’s mail.”
    “Why did you get a letter for my mama?” Catherine asked.
    “It came to me by mistake, my darling.” She glanced back at Sarah. “I thought you’d want to see it at once.”
    “Thank you so much.” Sarah picked it up, noting the neat handwriting. Milo Pendergast had learned penmanship in school. “Catherine, would you keep Mrs. Ellsworth company for a few minutes while I read my letter?”
    Using the last reserves of her restraint, Sarah walked out into the front room, when she really wanted to rip the envelope open instantly. Maeve followed, her hands clutching each other anxiously until they reached Sarah’s desk. Sarah found her letter opener and slit the envelope. The cheap paper yielded easily to the blade, and inside Sarah found one sheet of matching letter paper. She unfolded it with unsteady hands and read with Maeve looking over her shoulder.
    My dear Miss Smith
, it began.
I am most grateful for your prompt reply to my advertisement. I am flattered that you feel I might make you a suitable life mate. I understand your desire for haste, but even a man as anxious as I am for a suitable wife would find it difficult to woo and win a bride in a fortnight. I do enjoy a challenge, however, and I must confess I am curious to meet you and to learn if we might suit. If you are agreeable, may I suggest we meet on Sunday afternoon at two o’clock?
He went on to describe the location of the park where he had met Grace Livingston. He had signed it
Milo Pendergast
.
    “It worked,” Maeve said in wonder.
    Sarah could hardly believe it herself. She actually felt a little breathless. “He must have picked up your letter not long after Malloy left it. I guess no one bothered to let him know.”
    “And the fellow didn’t waste any time getting back to me. I knew it was a good idea to mention my inheritance.” Maeve took the letter and reread it, excitement bringing