Rescue or Recovery

PT.6

Kitty made her way to an open garden area, just down the long hall. She was trying to calm herself in her host home. Wiping a hand across her forehead, holding her hand on her stomach and inhaling deeply, she was thinking slightly aloud. "I just can't believe the audacity."

Suddenly she heard the soft voice of Claudia Lemp. "Ah, Kitty?"

Now smiling at her, turning, looking at this woman standing before her. She was petite, blonde and her meekness matched her size.

"Claudia? What am I missing? You have to know your daughter is not happy. She doesn't love this… this Louis Shaw."

Placing her tiny hand on Kitty's arm, directing her to sit on a small settee. "Kitty, my dear, William knows what is best for Hilda. He is her father after all."

"Claudia, please. This is your daughter too. She's told me she doesn't want to marry this man."

"Kitty, we women have always had to depend on the men in our lives to know what is right. You know?"

Shaking her head, "NO! No, I don't know. Hilda has her whole life ahead of her. She's a very smart girl. John and William can be very proud of the strides she's made to fit into your family business. Not let this Mr. Shaw…" now getting frustrated, "Claudia, Hilda is young and bright and has a lot of fire in her."

Nodding, "Oh, we know. That's where a husband will do some good."

Furrowing her brow, confused. "Do some good?"

"Oh, Louis Shaw will settle Hilda and keep her in her place and keep her presentable to represent our families in society."

Kitty couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Claudia, will you excuse me, please?" Kitty walked back through the house shaking her head. Kitty was so riled, she found herself unable to sleep. Deciding to put on a robe and quietly make her way down the stairs, towards the back garden area, she stopped just outside the library at the sound of two raised voices.

She was not wanting to eves drop, but the voices became louder. Now she realized, the voices were William and Louis. Louis was questioning John about Kitty's presence.

"Look, William, I told you how this will go. Unless you want this business to collapse, you will follow my orders to the letter. We don't need any outside interference and that is exactly what you've brought with Miss Russell."

"Oh, now, Louis, Kitty is a business associate and a family friend. Hilda thinks a lot of her, as do Claudia and I."

"Need I remind you of several things here, William? You need me! Your latest endeavor may have cause you to go belly up. I hold the purse strings now. As long as you stick to the deal and keep Hilda in line we can't afford, or should I say, you can't afford to have Miss Russell asking too many questions."

William, refilled Louis' glass. "Ah, now Kitty isn't a problem as long as we follow through. She loses nothing and no one is the wiser. Hilda will do what I tell her. She'll do what right for the family."

"Well, William, you'd better hope so. Just how well do you know this Miss Kitty Russell?"

Turning and looking at him in deep question, "What are you asking, Louis?"

"I'm just warning you, I did some checking of my own. Kitty Russell maybe a strong single outspoken woman, but wherever she goes, she walks with a very large shadow."

"Louis, you're being cryptic. A large shadow?"

"Yes, one United States Marshal, Matt Dillon."

Laughing, "Marshal Dillon? Yes, he's Kitty's friend. Good man. Claudia and I met him when Kitty was here last and you're right. He does seem to look out for her." He now smiled.

After hearing their conversation, Kitty was now putting the pieces together. Now she really needed to talk to William alone.

TBC