Free In the Company of Secrets by Judith Miller

hat more firmly atop her brown curls.
    Albert slapped his knee. ‘‘Then you’ll be in good company. Martha works at the Hotel Florence—she supervises the maids.’’ He grinned. ‘‘You’ll like her. I know you will.’’
    Olivia nodded. ‘‘I’m certain you’re correct.’’ She stole a look at the clock. Charlotte would be furious if she didn’t soon return. Besides, she felt as though she might drown in the steady stream of questions. She needed to come up for air. ‘‘Charlotte will be wondering what’s happened to me. Perhaps you could come over this evening for a visit?’’
    The question had been directed at Albert, but the three of them nodded in unison, and it was Mrs. DeVault who answered first. ‘‘We’d love to meet Mrs. Hornsby.’’ She patted Albert’s shoulder. ‘‘And you can bring Martha along and introduce her, too. Olivia will already have a friend at the hotel when she begins work in the morning.’’ She seemed pleased with herself and beamed at Olivia. ‘‘Won’t that be nice?’’
    What could she do but agree? Too late she thought of several responses that might have forestalled the arrival of the extra uninvited guests. She hurried toward home, anxious to add notations to her list of lies—necessary documentation of who had been told what. If she didn’t keep everything straight, this house of cards she’d built would soon tumble around her.
    As expected, Charlotte greeted her with an angry jibe, and although Olivia offered a flowery apology, Charlotte insisted upon detailing every tiny incident that had occurred during her absence. She trailed behind Olivia like a newborn pup fearful of losing its mother. How could she possibly concentrate on her notes while Charlotte continued her incessant jabbering?
    She shook her pencil at Charlotte and furrowed her brows. ‘‘Please give me a few minutes of silence so I may think.’’
    Charlotte dropped onto one of the chairs that had been delivered during Olivia’s absence and assumed a childish sulk.
    So be it. Olivia could deal with Charlotte’s pouting so long as she remained silent.
    When she finished writing, Olivia handed her notes to Charlotte. ‘‘The furniture looks very nice, and you’ve had it arranged in a lovely fashion.’’ She tapped her finger to the paper. ‘‘You have little time to read and memorize what I’ve written. We’re entertaining guests this evening.’’

CHAPTER SIX
    While Albert raced upstairs to wash and change clothes before supper, Fred remained settled at the table, watching his mother move about the kitchen. She was humming a soft tune as she worked.
    Fred rested his chin in his hand and peered across the room. ‘‘What did you think of Albert’s cousin?’’
    His mother offered a brief glance. ‘‘She’s a beauty, no doubt about that, and she seems nice. The question is, what did you think about her?’’
    Fred laughed. ‘‘Much the same as you, although she seems a poor judge of character. And I thought her quite young to be hired as an assistant chef.’’
    While his mother wanted nothing more than his marriage to a suitable young woman and grandchildren she could spoil, Fred thought ample time remained for such life-altering events. All the same, he considered Olivia an engaging girl with a charming smile. He’d be more than willing to show her about town—unless Mr. Howard had already claimed that opportunity.
    His mother shrugged. ‘‘Martha is near the same age, yet she holds a position of responsibility, even supervises maids older than herself.’’ His mother bent down and peeked in the oven to check the dinner rolls. After opening the oven door, she shifted the tin baking pan and quickly stepped back, her cheeks rosy from the heat. ‘‘And what do you mean she’s a poor judge of character? You’ve only just met Miss Mott.’’
    ‘‘Appears as if she may be keeping company with Mr. Howard. At least he escorted her to our front door.’’ Fred