Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. All original characters and plot are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.
Elise had hardly slept. Now as she rode to the post office to wait for Willie's phone call she was overclouded with all that had happened last night.
She had heard something of the fire but it seemed a painful memory for the whole community. Willie had never mentioned it. How was it he had never told anyone for this long? Keeping something like that burdening his conscious all this time. As a child, she could see him being too frightened to admit to it but surely as he'd gotten older he would have come forward with a confession. It was obviously an accident, a horrible accident. Still she didn't know what Albert had written and in what spirit. That sort of thing could make all the difference. She just needed to talk to Willie.
It was ten minutes until 3 o'clock when she walked into the little room preoccupied.
Mrs. Foster greeted her with a smile and Elise asked her if she could wait for the phone call. Directing her to sit in a chair they talked for a few minutes until another customer came in and Elise was left to herself and her troubles. The minutes ticked by swiftly with only one call buzzing the switchboard. Standing up immediately Elise was at the counter, her eyes locked on Mrs. Foster who sat at the switchboard and turned to her shaking her head.
Elise waited for a half an hour and was about to leave to get to the school for choir practice when Carrie came in with a handful of letters. Looking in her purse she didn't notice Elise sitting as she went to the counter.
"Carrie! My my you look lovely today. Is that a new hat?" Dotted Mrs. Foster.
"Thank you Mrs. Foster no, I haven't worn this one but once. I'm glad it suits me, I feel like a musketeer in it." The two women laughed together. Then she gave the woman postage for her mail.
"Carrie?" Elise stood up behind her.
Carrie didn't turn around but cinched up her purse with a jerk. "Hello Elise."
"I came by yesterday to go riding but nobody was home. I wanted to talk to you." Said Elise.
Mrs. Foster raised an eyebrow at the obvious tension between them.
"Oh? Was that after you sent Willie on his way to Chicago having gone after him behind my back?" The Ingalls girl said sweetly then headed out the door.
Blushing, Elise closed her eyes sighing then followed after her.
"Carrie wait please it wasn't like that." She hurried down the steps to catch up to her.
Stopping abruptly, Carrie turned and gave her a frozen glare, "How was it then Elise? You knew I'd been stuck on him for years before you'd even met him. Then suddenly in church you two are shamefully making sheep's eyes at each other all through the sermon? I thought you were my friend. I guess it doesn't matter as it seems he goes from one girl to another at the drop of a hat."
Elise knew she deserved everything she was getting from Carrie. If she had any decency she would have talked to her first. "You're right Carrie, I'm so sorry. I didn't plan it, I think I'd been denying it for a while and…"
"I really don't want to hear it." Carrie cut her off. "I think you two are just perfect for each other. I'll be in Paris in the spring and could care less what you and Willie Oleson are doing back here in this measly little town."
Carrie started to walk again but Elise came around to block her path.
"Carrie I understand if you never speak to me again, but first there's something I need you to tell me please if you do care for Will." Elise looked at her intensely. Carrie's jaw set and Elise pulled her over to the creek, away from the building and its frequent customers.
"It's about the blind school fire." Elise said lowly and saw the falter in Carrie's face.
"Carrie, Albert said that Willie started that fire even though he took the blame for it. Can you tell me that it's true or not? Please, the truth."
Carrie's eyes slid away almost dreamily in recollection. "I...I was still very young but, I saw Willie take the pipe from the old man. I followed him and saw him go into the basement. I went and told Albert and then went back to the picnic. That's the truth."
It was true then. Elise didn't know what to do. Part of her felt like it shouldn't be so concerning; that it happened so long ago and people would understand why Willie said nothing while Albert took responsibility. Another part of her was almost upset at Willie for not being here to deal with this but she would protect him however he needed her to. If she could just persevere until she could talk to him, he would tell her what he wanted her to do. That meant she would be singing tonight.
With a ragged sigh Elise looked down at the melting snow. "Alright, thank you Carrie. I know you have no reason to forgive me but I hope you know I never wanted to upset you."
Carrie just looked at her wistfully then turned and walked towards New Town.
Moving over to the thawing creek, Elise stared into the water, wrapped up in her thoughts. Her eyes fell on the reeds bent and smashed by the heavy snowfall that only now were poking out of the drift on the slope.
Remembering back weeks ago, Nancy had said she'd dropped a necklace Mrs. Oleson gave to her here somewhere. It was a completely random thought in the midst of all she had to think of but it was almost welcome to her tired mind. She scanned the edge of where the water had melted the snow near the bank but didn't see anything. It was probably sunk in the mud by now and practically impossible to recover. She frowned and turned to go to the school, forgetting the necklace quickly.
Albert waited outside the Nocturne, looking at his timepiece for the tenth time in the last five minutes. It was attached to his silk vest that set under his light grey, pinstripe suit. It was just before 8 o'clock and he raked through his hair with nervous fingers as he looked up and down the street. What if she didn't show? He didn't have anything to fill in her time but the pianist It would be a major blow to the ambiance when his investor showed up in an hour.
The truth was he hadn't had anything written up. Like poker, he'd bluffed his way into getting what he wanted and Elise was the kind of player that would never risk anything, at least not when it came to Willie. It made him jealous just thinking about it. Willie?! Bow-legged, idiotic, loud-mouthed Willie? The girl was mad.
That was when she came out of the darkness on Titan who blended into the night around him.
Albert caught his breath as he quite often did when he saw her. She was dressed as she normally did, conservative coat and a plain dress. Her hair was pulled back in a normal bun under the simple bonnet she wore. His memory flickered back to last night, seeing it down on her shoulder but he forced himself to push it away. Stepping forward he reached up to help her down but she slid off the other side defiantly.
Swallowing the twinge of annoyance he turned to a man who stood at the door, "Take the horse to the stable."
"I'd better do it. He won't go with him." Elise informed him flatly.
Rolling his eyes Albert waved the man back to where he was posted and began to walk around the side of the building, down the alley way. He could hear the horse's heavy breathing and hooffalls behind him. Albert lit a match to give off some light. The large horse barely fit in the stall and Elise took her time tending him.
"Come on Elise. We've got some things to do." Albert urged her impatiently having lit multiple matches and burning his fingers.
She didn't reply but finished settling the horse and turned to follow Albert again, refusing to walk along his side.
They went in the Nocturne and Albert led her upstairs to a finely finished room. On the bed was an elegant dress and fittings.
Elise gave him a resistant look, "You never said anything about this. I said I'd sing and that was the agreement."
"Elise, you can't go on looking like a washer woman you know that. Don't be difficult and just put it on. It's for an hour. I'm sure Willie's worth an hour of your time. You've got fifteen minutes to get ready. I'll send in a girl if you need help." He pushed.
"Send her, I can't tighten a corset like that on my own." Elise retorted resentfully, unbuttoning her coat.
He paused for a moment, studying her then he shut the door behind him as he left.
Hot tears filled her eyes as she shed her blouse and skirt. She sniffed them back, telling herself to just get the job done.
She put on the bulky skirt and slipped on the loosened bodice. As she was tightening up the bindings as much as she could, the door opened again, Nancy Oleson stepped into the room, still looking behind her and giggling, "What is it Albert? What's the surprise?"
Elise grabbed her own skirt from the bed and pulled it around her shoulders to preserve her modesty.
Nancy looked in and froze at the sight of Elise. "What's she doing here?"
"That's a good question…" Elise mumbled to herself.
She couldn't see Albert but could hear him.
"I need you to help Elise get dressed." He said from the hall.
Scowling, Nancy shook her head, "I will not! Is that the dress I wanted from Minneapolis that I told you about?" She gasped.
Sighing, Elise didn't think the night could get any worse.
"Nancy, look, no one knows how to dress like you do. I need your help. If you behave, I'll let you roll for me in roulette and the dress is yours." His charming voice oozed with persuasion.
Still looking narrowly at Elise, Nancy submitted, "Well, alright…"
Right as the door was closing, Albert caught it and added facetiously, "And check for horns." Then the door shut firmly.
Trying to hide a smirk, Elise couldn't help but wish Nancy had brought a jar of preserves to slosh the dress with.
She had never worn a bustle and the bodice of the dress was tight as it laced up in the front with wide black ribbon. Elise was unsure of if she could sing at all in such a restrictive outfit. It was dark burgundy silk that ombred black along its folds. The square neckline wasn't as high as Elise wished but there was a bolero that would button up to her neck and long sleeves. Still it left a slit of skin showing just above the bodice that Elise couldn't get to stay covered.
A little too roughly, Nancy pulled her hair up onto her crown, leaving some to hang down her back. Then she powdered her face and lined her eyes with charcoal to tie into the dress. Elise hardly recognized herself which she actually found comfort in hoping nobody else would either.
A quick knock on the door and Albert's voice came in, "Hurry it up Elise. You've only got twenty minutes to practice."
"I don't need it Albert." She nipped back at him but stood up and went to the door opening it sharply.
Albert looked her over, a smile playing at his lips. "Well, we have a prima-donna here after all. In attitude and form."
She slapped him hard but he only flinched and then grinned back at her. Her chest rose and fell with pent up anger as he turned, waving for her to follow.
Nancy stood in the doorway, her mouth agape as she watched them go.
The stage held only the piano, a slender man sitting at it, playing beautifully as he warmed up. Albert helped Elise go up the stairs even as she shied away from his touch then went straight over to the piano. Albert couldn't hear what she was saying to the pianist but the man smiled faintly and began to nod. He would play a line of music here and there.
The knots in Albert's stomach began to ease and he turned to survey the finishing preparations. He was to meet the man named Jaron Daily in ten minutes at the doorway of the Nocturne and it looked as though it would be a promising night.
He heard Elise's first notes as she began to warm up.
"Get these stage lamps lit!" Albert called out, and he began to round the room finishing the touches of decor and giving last instructions to his staff.
He had been a lot more direct about his being in charge the last few days as he had hoped to hurry and sell the building and be done with it. It might be reckless. Would it get back to his father that he was involved here? Right now he didn't care.
"Make sure there's enough ice this time Murdock." He was instructing his manager when an off note brought his head around to watch Elise again.
He could hear her mumble her apologies and had the pianist start over again, again faltering in the same place.
Turning to Murdock he said solemnly, "Better bring me a sherry."
Soon he took the little glass up to Elise who was obviously flustered and leaning on the piano with her head in her hands repeating foreign words over and over again under her breath.
"Here, to calm your nerves." He held it out to her.
Her almond eyes only glanced at it and she turned back away, "I'll be fine if you just leave me alone."
"You can't bungle this Elise…"
"I won't!" She looked back at him fiercely. Tears were making the charcoal begin to streak down the outsides of her cheeks. He started to pull out a handkerchief but then looked at the strange, alluring aspect it gave her and he lingered in appreciation.
"It's amazing. You look exquisite no matter what." Albert left the cloth next to her and left.
The regular string quartet was opening as Albert walked into the busy back auditorium some time later. At his side was an older, heavyset man with almost snow white hair and a calico beard. The man held a large cigar and an observant eye. Albert ushered him to a central table and bringing a waiter over immediately to serve them.
"Always my favorite part, tasting of the spirits. You can always tell a man's worth by the quality of his spirits." Daily rumbled as he sat in the padded chair.
"You know, I've been considering men with much more experience than you Mr. Ingalls to invest in. You're very young and I have to consider these things when I'm writing large bank notes. I expect to get a healthy return immediately." He spoke lazily as he looked around at the filled room.
Albert felt the perspiration on his temples but kept his eyes calm and his smile self assured.
"Mr. Daily, considering the size of Walnut Grove and the lack of expendable income in this area, this turnout is above average for any entertainment establishment. That's because I've worked hard to take every aspect and have it work together just so, like a symphony. Just imagine what I could do with a larger building and a wider patron base?"
Daily shrugged at the argument. The quartet finished their short set and packed up quickly as the piano was brought out. Then, on the arm of the pianist Elise came out, grave faced as if going to a funeral.
Albert frowned also, suddenly realizing that despite all his best efforts, Elise could destroy everything.
The gentleman next to him took a sip of his drink and squinted at the stage.
"Rather simple entertainment Ingalls. I've seen almost full ballets performed for me during these interviews son…"
The piano began in a jubilant flow of accompaniment. Elise started in bold and vibrant, emotion translating the language to the ears of those listening.
Mr. Daily had quieted listening intently to the slight soprano. There were no words spoken by him through it and the second number, a slow and haunting aria. Finally the man looked around him at the others clients who were enjoying the performance. It was easy to see he was impressed.
"Makes me want to buy an opera house just to have her sing there." Chuckled Daily.
Albert gave the stage a sidelong glance as he opened a fresh pack of cards and began to shuffle them. "She'd never go. Doesn't like cities or theater houses."
"How'd you get her to sing here then?"
Without missing a beat Albert answered straight faced, "I blackmailed her."
There was a short pause as they considered each other, then they both started laughing.
The older man's stomach bounced as he wiped at his eyes, "I think I'm getting to like you Ingalls."
Retaining his modest smile, Albert tossed him a card, "The point is sir, I require all my shows to be as tasteful and memorable. Singers are two bits a bushel and I can easily replicate it. You'd be investing in my skills as an arranger of such. Now come on, let's play some poker."
Touching his own nose, Daily grinned slyly, "I see. Play poker while your siren sings me into a stupor and you rob me blind? So do you ever have parlor piano and the such?"
"If you want common tavern music or tacky shows you can go to the circus." Albert suppressed his feeling of insult and spoke smooth as glass.
Jaron Daily considered him with calculating eyes and then picked up his cards.
An hour later the theater rang out in applause as Elise nodded curtly to the pianist then lowered her head as she hurried through the maze of tables and out of the room.
Albert had finished the card game just minutes before and stood up, excusing himself.
He went up to Elise's room finding the door closed and he knocked.
"You come in here Albert Ingalls and I'll scratch your eyes out!" Elise's growl was muffled but discernible.
Having had a few drinks Albert found it slightly humorous and couldn't help himself, "Post performance jitters I understand. You were perfect."
There was no response but the rustling of cloth.
"I have your money for the night, or do you want it all at once?" He called into the door.
Still there came no reply so he waited until the door opened and Elise, who had changed back into her own clothing, even her coat and bonnet, shoved the armful of silken material into his face and pushed by. "I don't want your money."
He tossed the dress back into the room and followed after her. "Well I can't leave but I'll have one of the boys drive you home so you're safe."
Without breaking her pace down the stairs Elise said bitterly, "I'd feel safer down a rattlesnake hole. Don't even pretend to have a chivalrous bone in your body."
Albert looked around the parlor with an awkward smile at the people who obviously could hear their conversation.
The cold of the night rushed around them as they exited and Elise made for the stables at a jog.
"When you come back in two days, try to do some different songs if you can." He came to a stop as she untied Titan and backed him out. Besides the dull white of the snow it was too dark for them to see each other with any definition.
"Remember, this is just between us. I think it would be better for Willie if you didn't say anything to him while he's studying. Last time he got wound up he dropped everything and came right home. You don't want to ruin this chance for him do you?"
"You don't think he'll find out?" Elise muttered as she climbed up onto a bale of hay to mount her horse.
"Maybe sometime. But it's much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission Elise." He said with a laugh.
He had to jump back as she turned Titan towards the road, "I don't think that's going to be the case here Albert."
And she kicked the horse into a trot, leaving Albert in the dark alone.