Eleven
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his blue eyes dull and unblinking, as the drug Lilly had administrated, robbed his soul of thought and function. He had been this way for hours. Kitty would check on him periodically as she went about her chores. For brief moments throughout the early morning, she would stop to study him, looking for some sign of the man she knew and loved. "I can be strong," she would tell herself, "I can take anything life deals out as long as I know Matt will come back to me."
Lilly remained in the chair next to the bed, watching over Matt, as she had watched over her `fellas' back at St. Vincent's. She would offer Kitty a crooked smile of reassurance, showing off a yellow jagged- tooth grin. "I reckon, when he's like this his head `n body is a'healin'."
Kitty's nerves were raw. The pressure had caught up with her, without an ally of some sort she knew, she would never be able to see Matt through this. Lilly seemed like God's gift, and while Kitty had no intention of allowing Lilly to become her confidante, she felt Lilly had developed a bond with Matt and would do everything in her power to help him heal. The warning Mr. Wilcox had made in the carriage ride to Davis Port repeated in her mind, "Trust no one." Surely this admonition didn't apply to a `ten-day girl'.
"I'm mighty glad you're here, Lilly." Kitty told her, but as she said it she had to force her nose not to react. Lilly smelled. It was clear, Kitty would have to do something about her hygiene, for the woman seemed even dirtier here than she been at the county asylum. She would need clothes, undergarments, decent shoes, but most importantly soap and water. There were things that Matt needed too. If she couldn't get shoes on his feet, than at least socks and carpet slippers. After an hour of personal debate, she made the decision to leave Matt in Lilly's care, so that she could do some shopping also admitting to herself that a good walk, fresh air and a little distance might provide the perspective to master the predicament.
It was a good two-mile walk to the business district. Not a great distance to travel, but one that would require proper shoes and clothing to make the hike manageable. She changed into her sturdy riding boots, and a black-skirted frock, topped by a simple but elegant black and gray striped sateen cape, which had been included in the clothing of Mrs. Barger. Kitty pulled her red hair into a simple arrangement and topped it with the small gray plumed hat. She added a touch of rouge to her lips and cheeks. Even in time of great crisis, Kitty took pride in her looks.
"I won't be gone long." She explained to Lilly, as she pulled on a pair of gloves.
"Kin I do fer ya whilst you're gone?"
"No, no, you keep an eye on him, perhaps you should put the straps back on and keep him tethered to the bed until I get home."
"Yes'm, but he ain't gonna no where, not like that he ain't, leastwise not for a few more hours."
GS GS GS GS
Kitty Russell stepped out onto the front porch, closing the door behind her and took a deep breath. The air was fresh with the gentle bite of early fall. She sighed and moved forward feeling some of the weight of responsibility lift from her shoulders, as she marched down the street.
As she walked she made some mental notes of things she needed to purchase. Matt had proven some ability with language and common sense told her this was the door to his mind and heart. She decided she might pick up some simple picture books and a writing tablet or slate to aid with their learning sessions.
Traffic picked up as she neared the commercial district and the town square. A large stone courthouse stood in the center of a park like lot, mature elms, oaks and maples dressed in their early fall colors provided shade on the sunny day, fountains and flowers added to the esthetic appeal. Four streets framed the square. Small shops occupied two sides; these included a bakery, barbershop, a small cafe and a butcher shop - Yeoman Meat Market. She recognized the name from a calendar, which hung by the back kitchen door, and from an advertising card that had been sitting on the table, when she had arrived at the cottage. She glanced at the cafe and noticed red gingham curtains framing the windows and thought immediately of Delmonicos and home. She heaved a sigh, thinking life had been much easier on the harsh frontier than it was here in the relative luxury of civilization. The Grande Port Hotel and Opera House took up most of the third side. An immense brick building towering five stories in height dominated the fourth, aptly named Davis Street. The words "Davis Port Emporium 1869" identified the structure in shining gold gilt letters atop the roofline. This was her destination.
The Emporium was a hub of activity. Ladies in fine dress, gentlemen in business suits, servants, and farmers were all doing trade in the same store. The main level was a symphony in white. White walls, white counters, white marble floors, it would have been painful to look at, had it not made the merchandise stand out in wait for the consumer's eye. The ceiling stretched two stories in height. In the center of the large showroom was a magnificent open staircase with a plush red carpet runner, which led to the second floor mezzanine, and to the side of the staircase was an elaborate Victorian styled, white iron birdcage elevator. This conveyance was trimmed in gold and operated by an elderly, dark skinned man, wearing a red Zouave jacket, decorated with military braiding. This store was vastly different from those businesses, which assumed the same moniker on the western frontier. Every possible item imaginable was here to purchase, from ladies corsets to farm supplies, separated by department and location so that a shopper for either item need never feel embarrassed for a purchase.
An austere woman of middle years, dressed in white, moved forward, "Mrs. Barger," she said in greeting. "We didn't expect you back so … " She stopped in mid-sentence as she realized it was not Mrs. Barger to whom she was speaking. She pulled on the spectacles, that had been hanging on a cord at her neck, and took a closer look at Kitty. Her face registered brief surprise before she continued speaking. "Excuse me Madame, I mistook you for someone else, may I be of assistance?" Kitty felt a twinge of uneasiness but she concealed it behind her practiced poker face. With calm assurance, she repeated her list to the woman and was given directions to the various departments. In Lady's Ready to Wear she quickly selected a modest, but complete wardrobe for Lilly, in another area she perused the toiletries, picking up a brush, comb and two cakes of Cashmere Bouquet, hoping that the sweet smelling soap might have an effect on the ten-day girl's offensive odor. On the second floor in the furniture department, she came across a small cot with soft feather ticking, which could fold up when not in use and decided this would work as a bed for Lilly. She shopped for Matt next, and found a pair of carpet slippers in a size large enough for Matt's big feet. She also picked out several pairs of thick wool socks, a leather belt, and a warm wool shirt, which could serve as a jacket until a more suitable garment could be purchased. Next she stopped by the fabric and sewing notions, here she chose lace, netting and other accessories to act as disguise for Mrs. Barger's clothes, for she didn't want to take any more chances at having her wardrobe recognized again. Back on the lower level, to the far left side she found sporting goods, and picked out two simple fishing poles and basic fishing gear.
It was as she was looking at a selection of children's literature on the main level, that she had the odd feeling someone was watching her from behind. She turned around quickly, and scanned the store. Nothing seemed amiss and no one appeared to have her under surveillance. All she saw were the two gentlemen dressed in white jackets, working behind the main counter; their balding heads and sloping shoulders reflected in a large paneled mirror to the rear of them. The clerks were busy at a cash register ringing up the totals for a woman and her young son, and showed no proclivity toward curiosity for her presence. She gave herself an inward scold, `don't be so jumpy,' she silently rebuked. She braced herself from within and went back to the books trying to decide which ones might make some sense to Matt's muddled mind. Only seconds later, the feeling hit again almost as strong as the touch of a human hand, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she shivered as her heart trembled in her chest. She fought against a feeling of panic, akin to an attack of anxiety.
She picked up the books with shaky fingers and carried them to the counter to set down with the other items she intended to buy. She opened her handbag to find her money and when she looked up again it was to the face of Beaumont T. Davis. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit and silk bow tie. His hair perfectly in place and his tanned face flawless, Kitty thought wryly, `He's prettier than I am.'
"Mrs. Kent, what a sincere honor to have you in our humble mercantile. I trust you found everything you needed."
Kitty smiled, "Why yes Mr. Davis. But, I'd hardly call this place humble."
He smiled and his white teeth gleamed with the effort, "It is rather grand isn't it?" He walked around the counter and took her elbow in his hand, guiding her a step or two away from the register. "After all this shopping you must be famished, allow me to escort you to the tea parlor, for refreshments."
She shook her head, "I need to get back to Matt. I can't leave him alone for long."
"The `ten-day girl' is with him, isn't she?"
Her mouth dropped open and it took her a moment before she asked, "How do you know about Lilly?"
"Mrs. Kent, there isn't a lot that goes on in Davis Port that I don't hear about sooner or later." He offered a congenial smile meant to ease her concerns. "My carriage was passing by your home this morning when you opened the door to let her in. Everyone in town knows Lilly is a perennial offender and because of her bad leg, serves out her sentence at St Vincent's. I merely put two and two together. Seeing you here today, confirmed my suspicion." She was not that easily appeased, and a sense of wariness caused her to proceed with caution, "Be that as it may, I do not feel comfortable leaving him along for long, especially since I have just found him again. I'm sure you understand, you could help me though, I have all these packages to see to..."
She didn't finish her sentence before he interjected, "Not to worry my dear, I will have them delivered, and then I will drive you home after our meal."
There was something tenuously comforting about a big strong man exercising control over her frantic life. Still, she'd learned throughout her years, not to rely on men, "I would appreciate having these items delivered, but I can't ask you to go out of your way driving me home, I'm sure you have more important things to do."
His handsome grin all but radiated its own light, and like an unsuspecting moth to a flame Kitty was drawn to it, "What could be more important in life than spending time with a beautiful and intelligent woman?" This was a novel attitude, for even on Matt Dillon's best days, Kitty knew, he considered quite a few things more important than their time together, for duty and the badge always came first. Beaumont turned to the clerk ringing up the bill, "Mr. Starkey, see that Mrs. Kent is given the, `family discount' and have her purchases packaged and delivered to her home." Beaumont grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled out Kitty's address and handed it to Starkey.
"Come my dear, our tea room is on the third floor, we shall employ the aid of my new hydraulic passenger elevator." She permitted him to escort her to the unique contraption. She had seen no one else use the machination since she had entered the store, although the staircase was quite busy with activity. "Is it safe?" She questioned.
"Yes'm. Safe as any you's gonna find." Answered the man in the red jacket.
Beaumont concurred, "Perfectly trustworthy, modern technology my dear, this is a marvelous new age we're living in."
She couldn't keep the trepidation from her eyes, but there was also excitement shining through. He took her hand in his. "I would never let harm come to you, you must believe that." He assured her.
They stepped in the cage as the elevator man worked the controlling levers. They started up with a jolt. Kitty closed her eyes against a sudden swell of dizziness, when she opened them again and looked down it was to see the main lobby growing smaller and smaller. By the time they reached the third floor and the doors opened up to the tearoom, she had to admit it'd been a thrilling experience. The tearoom itself was charming. Ladies out for a day of shopping were taking a break from the exercise, enjoying delicate petit fours, and cucumber sandwiches, served with tea so richly aromatic that its scent filled the room. The pitch of female chatter and the clink of china and silver added melody to the scene.
The four waitresses dressed in gray gowns with starched white aprons, and cream puff hats resting atop their heads, stopped what they were doing to offer a royal curtsey, and a "Good day, Mr. Davis."
"Ladies." He greeted with a regal nod, before turning back to Kitty."Come Mrs. Kent." He led her through the dining room to double doors and a grandly furnished suite beyond, "My private rooms." He advised."I conduct my business meetings here." The wall adjacent to the public room was glass a fact that struck her curiosity, for she had not noticed such from the other side, she recollected only mirrors lining the wall of the public room. Beaumont quickly pulled a cord, which closed the red velvet draperies, thus hiding the public room from view.
A young attractive woman dressed as a servant entered from a door at the back of the suite, "Bonjour Monsieur Davis."
"Colette, we'll have the usual please."
The usual was like no usual Kitty had ever been accustomed to before. Champagne and caviar were only the beginning to a five-course meal, each course served with a wine finer than the last. Even Kitty's somewhat sophisticated palette was in awe of the cuisine. He was adept at the social graces and kept her amused by his lively conversation. It was three hours later that they made their way back down the elevator.
At the rear of the building standing in wait, was Beaumont's Cabriolet carriage, pulled by a matched team of gleaming chestnut Hackneys. The driver dressed much the same as the elevator operator, jumped down from his perch to assist Kitty into the carriage. She sank down into the rich velvet upholstery and murmured a contented sigh, giving voice to a warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that an afternoon of pampering can bring. Beaumont looked at her as if drinking in her presence.
"Mrs. Kent." Davis began as the carriage made its way down the street in style. "I feel I have come to know you so well, in such a short time." There was nervousness in his practiced voice, "I wonder if I might presume to call you by your given name and if you might feel equally comfortable to use mine?" Wine and luxury were potent relaxants, "My friends call me Kitty." She replied with out second thought. "Kitty, lovely it suits you." He chuckled, "The name conjures mental images, delightful, playful, soft, warm, not to mention that gentle purr of contentment a little pampering can bring." He paused, and ran a tongue over his lips to moisten them, "but I think there is a little of the cat in you as well, proud independent, and able to defend yourself by claws or wit as the need arises. My dear lady, you should not have to. You deserve to be taken care of, indulged and cherished."
He leaned closer, and she felt his breath, as he moved toward her lips. At the last moment, she backed away, raising her gloved hand between them. "Mr. Davis, perhaps we had better remain on a more formal basis."
"My dear, I apologize for rushing you. I am an unforgivable cad.I can only hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I will wait for you to make the next move." The driver pulled his matched team to a stop in front of the cottage on Lincoln Avenue. Beaumont's voice took on a sudden urgency that betrayed his playfulness; "I want to see you again. Soon."
She shook her head, "I, I have responsibilities. Matt needs me."
"You have the girl now to see to his needs. Kitty, you are young, vibrant, and too much alive to be buried in a tomb of despair." He forcefully brightened his voice, making it less intense, "Come visit me tomorrow at my home. I will send my carriage."
"I don't think so."
"Come now, I won't take no for an answer."
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to."
He was a man used to having his own way. He replied as though he hadn't heard her speaking, "My driver will be here at One O'clock."
She shook her head in frustration, but allowed him to help her from the carriage and escort her in the house. The front parlor was filled with brown paper wrapped packages. The newly purchased cot had been set up. They proceeded through the house to the sun porch. Lilly and Matt were sitting quietly on the wicker settee.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long." Kitty apologized.
Lilly's voice held a trace of recrimination, "The man who brung the cot `n packages said you `n Mr. Davis was eatin' fancy Frenchy grub."
Beaumont's refined nose curled at Lilly's strong smell, but he managed a gracious reply, "And a most delightful meal it was." He turned to Kitty and made a formal bow. "Mrs. Kent. Kitty, I will take my leave from you, until tomorrow."
"Mr. Davis, I appreciate today, and I don't mean to be rude but ..."
He turned and was already on his way to the door, "Tomorrow my dear Kitty-Cat." He called.
When they heard the front door shut, Lilly said. "He's a sweet talker, ain't he?"
Kitty nodded, but her concern was directed at Matt. "How's he doing?"
"He's over the funk, leastwise he is for now. Don't rightly know when or what will set him off again."
Kitty sighed, feeling the weight settle back on her shoulders, "I brought you some new clothes and soap of your own, if you'd like to clean up, I'll sit with Matt."
"Yes'm" She said and headed for the parlor to open up the packages containing the items Kitty had purchased.
When Lilly was in the washroom, Kitty brought out one of the new picture books and sat next to Matt. He didn't change his facial expression but she felt his body weight shift away from her. Under normal circumstances, she would have felt he was showing displeasure, maybe even jealousy, for the time she had spent with Beaumont. She discounted the emotion. "I have a surprise for you." She opened the book in her lap to the first brightly colored plate. "A is for is an apple." She said pointing to the picture. "B is for Ball. C is for Cat."
"Kaa aaa t." He repeated in a poorly formed deep-throated drawl.
"Yes!" she encouraged, well pleased at his attempt. "Cat."
"Ca at." He said again, looking at her until their eyes met. His were clear and she could see the light of intelligence beginning to shine through, "K it tee-Ka at." He said and she heard more than a hint of accusation in his artlessly formed words.