Thirty -five
Sebastian opened the carriage door and Beau assisted her inside. Two gaslights lit the interior of the lavish conveyance. There, to Kitty's great surprise, sat Louisa Barger. "Come in." Beaumont's grandmother invited. She patted the spot next to her. "Sit by me, dear."
Kitty did as requested and settled herself beside the elderly lady. Louisa smiled and her grandson's dimples appeared in her cheeks, "I hope you won't mind an old woman imposing her presence where she's not desired. But I so wanted to see the Opera tonight and since the performers will be moving on after this evening's show. I persuaded Beaumont to let me join you.
Beau shrugged his shoulders, "It is difficult, if not impossible to say 'no' to Grandmother."
Kitty smiled for she had a genuine liking for Mrs. Barger, especially considering the fact she had tried to help an injured Matt. "I'm happy you can't say 'no' to her Beau." She grabbed Louisa's hand in hers, "It will be like a party then."
Grandson and Grandmother exchanged a quick glance. "That reminds me Beaumont, you have invited Kitty to our little soiree, haven't you?
Beau ducked his head and looked up with dimples and gleaming smile, "I haven't yet Grandmother." He turned to Kitty, "My dear Mrs. Kent - we're having a rather elaborate gathering. It's political in nature - just business really, with the same people you met at Grandmother's tea - rather a boorish crowd, who fancy themselves the height of the upper crust. I've not invited you because I didn't want to embarrass you. Considering the circumstance which brought you to Davis Port to begin with, I was afraid you wouldn't have anything appropriate to wear - and might feel out of place."
"Nonsense, Beau!" Louisa scoffed. "Look at Kitty - she is exquisite! She doesn't need a fancy ball gown to prove that fact. I daresay she confirms my statement this evening. A simple black suit has never looked more elegant." Louisa turned and lifted a kid-gloved hand to caress Kitty's cheek. "You will come my dear, won't you?"
Kitty gave a conspiratorial wink at Beau and softened her voice to sweet submissiveness, "If you'd like me to Mrs. Barger, I'd love to come."
She gave a triumphant thump with her cane to the carriage floor, "Good, then that matter is settled. Have you seen La Travaiota before?" Louisa asked.
"Yes," Kitty lied. "It is my favorite of Verdi's works, although it is a bit scandalous isn't it?"
"Yes dear, one of the things I love most about the arts, it makes that which is considered immoral, sophisticated, so those who deem themselves cultured can enjoy something that in any other form might be judged crude and in poor taste. There is a lesson to be learned of course. The woman of easy morals dies in the end."
GSGSGS
Matt had listened to Beau's entrance from the hallway. He paid attention to the nuances in the other man's voice. His concern for Kitty's safety heightened. After Beau and Kitty left, Dillon approached Frankie. His tone was demanding. "I want you to have Charlie get me a gun and holster."
"Well there's a good idea." Frankie replied sarcastically. "Have you forgotten where you are? Men in the East don't go around with a six-shooter strapped to their hips, especially those so recently discharged from the insane asylum. They'll have you back in St Vinnie's so fast, not even Homer Wilcox will be able to get you out."
"A gun Frankie. I need a gun. I need to start practicing with something besides my thumb and forefinger."
"Alright ... we'll talk with Charlie about it tomorrow. I guess a shoulder holster would be acceptable, you can hide it under your flannel jacket, provided you can prove to Charlie and I you're up to handling it."
"I want Kitty to have a gun too."
"Matt, you know as well as I that a gun in the hand of someone who doesn't know how to use it is more dangerous than not having a weapon at all."
"Kitty can handle a gun."
"Alright, we'll speak to Charlie about it." She put a gentle hand on his arm and gave him a reassuring smile. "You wanna play a game of checkers to pass the time until she gets home tonight?"
"Nah … I don't think I can concentrate on anything right now."
"She'll be fine. Beau wouldn't harm her … not yet anyway."
"Yeah … not yet …"
GS GS GS GS
The town square was a flurry of activity. Fancy carriages moving slowly around the block, stopping at the Davis Port Hotel to leave the theater goers off and then continuing the procession.
Sebastian pulled the carriage to a halt. Beau jumped down and then assisted Kitty and his Grandmother out.
"I thought we'd dine at the Hotel this evening. They have a new French chef and an excellent menu." With Louisa on one arm and Kitty on the other they approached the building. The double doors were flung open by two dark skinned attendants.
"G'evening Mr. Davis."
Beaumont responded with a nod of his elegant head. "Boys …"
The restaurant was teaming with fancy dressed customers. The main dining room was full, with several groups waiting in the lobby for a free table. This was not to be the case for the Beaumont Davis party, they were immediately led to a table in the back that was semi secluded by lattice work.
The ladies were settled in their chairs and the waiter in attendance appeared with a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild in a bucket of ice and a silver platter laden with a variety of very fancy Hors d'oeuvres. "Compliments of the house, sir."
With great show the waiter expertly popped the cork and served Beau a glass to taste. He deemed it fit and another glass was poured for Kitty. Louisa declined saying, "I'm tipsy enough without the aide of inebriations."
They sat having a pleasant conversation and drinking their wine when presently another party came parading into the restaurant taking the table on the other side of the lattice work.
"Well look who's here?" Frederic Deuth exclaimed, popping around the divider. "Lady Lydia, did you see, it's Beaumont and his two lovely companions. "Beau, won't you join us this evening? There's plenty of room here. The Merriwether's and the Rice's will be coming as well.
Louisa held up her hand, "Now, before Beau says a word, Mr. Deuth, I want your promise that no business will be discussed, at least until after dinner."
"My dear Mrs. Barger, how could we possibly discuss something as mundane as business when in the company of such captivating ladies."
Beau held out the chair for his Grandmother and assisted her in the move to the new table. Kitty followed taking a seat to the right of Beau. Within the next several minutes the rest of the dinner party arrived. And Kitty surmised it would have been a difficult thing for the men to discuss business amid the cackling going on between Mrs. Meriwether, Lady Lydia Van Klack Deuth and Mrs. Rice. Each woman had an opinion about the opera they were about to see and as the various courses were served, each with a different wine, their sentiments grew louder and more opinionated. For her part, Kitty was not feeling well and only picked at her food.
Lady Lydia remarked, "No wonder you are so thin Mrs. Kent, you eat like a bird."
Kitty replied with a faint smile. She felt slightly dizzy and more than a little bit queasy. She didn't say anything to Beau for she didn't want to spoil Louisa's evening. But, she did notice that Beau seemed a little green beneath his tanned skin.
When dinner ended, they left the restaurant to walk to the Opera House. Kitty found herself relying on the support of Beaumont's arm. Their seats were on the main floor center, Kitty was thankful to sit down for the dizziness was becoming more pronounced. There was a ringing in her ears that was exacerbated by the orchestra tuning up and the din of the audience waiting for the performance to begin. Her head began to pound and it felt like she was losing the ability to think. Suddenly she stood up, "Beau, I have to leave, I'm going to be sick." And that was her last clear memory of her evening.
GS GS GS GS
There was a knock at the door of the cottage around 1:00 am. Frankie answered the door. Sebastian stood supporting a very pale Kitty Russell.
"I'm afraid Mrs. Kent and Mr. Beau took ill. It must have been something they ate. Miz Louisa wanted Mrs. Kent to spend the night at Summerhaven, but she insisted I bring her back here. Would you like me to assist her to her bedroom?"
With sleeping arrangements such as they were, Frankie shook her head. "No sir, I reckon, she ought stay right here in the parlor on the sofa. I kin look after her better out here."
"As you wish." Sebastian said, if he thought her request was odd, he didn't say so.
Kitty slumped against the couch, Her skin was clammy, her hair sweat drenched, her clothing in some disarray.
When Sebastian left, Frankie drew the curtains at the windows and waited until the carriage drove away, before she motioned Matt into the room.
He dropped to the floor in front of Kitty, taking her hand in his. "Kitty, what did they do to you?"
She tried to focus on him. "ssSick." She replied with difficulty.
"Let's get her to bed." Frankie said.
Matt still wasn't strong enough to pick her up, but between the two of them they managed to get Kitty to the bedroom. Frankie eased Kitty out of the black suit jacket and then took her arm, turning it so she could view the inside. There was some bruising visible and in the center of the bruising a mark left by a needle.