Something Borrowed (Borrowed Brides 3)

"According to Anne, Mrs. Millen knew Caroline kept a daily journal. Caroline gave the book to Anne so her mother wouldn't be able to find and read it."

"But Anne Greenberry knows David Alexander isn't Lily Catherine's father," Lee said.

"Yes."

Lee smiled. He took another drink of his Irish coffee. "If Caroline Millen told her best friend about her actor lover, then it's possible someone else knew about him. Someone like Senator or Mrs. Millen, or…"

"James Sarrazin," Willis continued David's train of thought. "The senator's personal secretary. And Sarrazin was in a position to know exactly how much embarrassment and political damage Lily Catherine's existence could cause the senator if the word got out that his daughter was carrying the illegitimate child of an actor and that Senator Millen had deliberately destroyed David Alexander's Washington career because Alexander refused to marry Caroline."

"But we have to prove James Sarrazin was blackmailing the senator. You've followed him to Pennsylvania and to Mrs. Millen's Georgetown home following the senator's death. What can we prove?" Lee asked.

"Word is that Senator Millen was spending rather large sums of money on a regular basis, but I haven't been able to prove it," Willis said.

"If we could tie the money to Sarrazin and to the Millens, I'm sure I could get an audience with Mrs. Millen." Lee finished his coffee.

"I've tried to call on her twice," Willis said, "to offer my condolences, but she's refusing all visitors."

"Except James Sarrazin," Lee mused aloud.

Willis drained his beer mug. "But Sarrazin was the senator's secretary. He may have had a very legitimate reason for calling on Mrs. Millen."

"Keep an eye on Sarrazin just the same," Lee instructed. "See if he's spending more money than usual, and find out where he banks. If he's not spending it, he must be depositing the money somewhere—either in Washington or in Philadelphia. Oh, and find out if any other members of the Senator's staff have visited Philadelphia or the surrounding area since the distinguished gentleman's demise. Find out if any little girls Lily's age have been left in any of the orphanages in the vicinity of Philadelphia."

Willis groaned. "Do you know how many two-year-old female orphans there could be?"

Lee thought of Maddy. She was just a bit older than Lily Catherine, and orphaned, too. Maddy had him and Mary to love her and to take care of her. Lily Catherine might be alone. Lee shook his head. "I only know that if we work hard enough, there might be one less orphaned little girl."

Willis nodded. "What are you going to do while I'm visiting foundling homes?"

"I thought I might pay a visit to Mrs. Warner Millen."

"She won't see you," Willis warned.

"I think she might," Lee said. "If she thinks I've come about her husband's account at the bank. But first, I have to contact a friend of mine," Lee said, "at the Treasury Department."

Willis smiled. Lee Kincaid had his own impressive connections.

* * *

Chapter Eighteen

The morning after Lee left the house, Mary began a frenzy of activity. While Louisa kept an eye on Maddy and Judah, Mary made a trip down Main Street to Sherman's General Store.

A big, broad-chested man came around the counter to greet her as she entered the store and Mary noticed he walked with a pronounced limp.

"Hello, welcome to Sherman's General Store. I'm Jed Buf

ord, owner and operator." He extended his hand. "And you must be Miz Gray's sister-in-law." He repeated Louisa's earlier greeting in a slow, southern drawl.

"I'm Mary Kincaid." Mary stepped forward to shake hands with him. And as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit interior of the store, she discovered Jed Buford was much younger than she thought. Mary had been expecting an older man, but found Jed Buford to be around her own age. He had bright red hair that was thinning on top and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were bright blue and they seemed to radiate with humor and intelligence. Mary liked him immediately.

"We've—" He stopped and smiled. "I mean the people here in town have been expecting you for a while now, Miz Kincaid. Tabitha said you would come to take care of the little one and old Mr. Crane. We were a bit worried about your leaving once you learned the mine was closed, so you can imagine how happy this whole town is that you and your husband have decided to stay and make Utopia your home."

"Thank you," Mary said. "We're glad to be here." She made the polite response even if it might not be the entire truth. Mary opened her purse. "I've come to settle the Ettinger House account and to order a few things."

Jed shook his head. "The only bill I've got for Ettinger House is the one for the groceries Lou picked up yesterday. And that comes to three dollars and sixty-eight cents."

Mary handed Jed three dollars and the change. "What about Tabitha's account?"