Daughters of the Lake(59)

“I completely understand.” Addie hugged her husband. “Did you tell Harrison our news in return?”

“I did.” Jess smiled. “He was so pleased. I told him to go ahead and tell Celeste. It’ll be easier coming from him.”

And indeed it was. The next day, Addie answered the knock at the front door to find the Connors’ driver, hat in hand.

“I’ve been sent by Mrs. Connor to bring you up the hill to the mansion for lunch, ma’am,” he said, handing her a note from Celeste. “If you’re able.”

Addie didn’t much like automobiles, but she accepted the invitation, knowing that Celeste was going to announce her condition and the secret would be out in the open at last. When Addie arrived at the mansion, she was led into the parlor, where Celeste sat on the couch surrounded by freshly cut flowers.

“Addie.” Celeste smiled, holding her arms out wide. “Harrison told me your wonderful news. We couldn’t be happier for you.” Addie crossed the room and hugged Celeste, as summoned.

“Thank you.” Addie smiled, intending to say more about how thrilled she and Jess were about the baby, but something about Celeste’s face silenced her. There was a darkness behind Celeste’s eyes. Addie could see that her friend was not at all pleased with the fact that she was not the only expectant mother in the room. And then it hit Addie. I’ve stolen her spotlight. She didn’t know what to say.

“I have happy news of my own to share,” Celeste broke the silence.

“No!” Addie cried in mock surprise, grasping her friend’s hands.

“It’s true,” Celeste said. “I’ve planned a little celebration lunch for the two of us. Imagine, both of us expecting babies at the same time!”

“Oh, Celeste, I’m so happy for you—for us!” Addie gushed. “You and I can go through this together. How wonderful!”

Over lunch, the pair talked about baby names and doctor visits, and gradually, Addie began to think that she had just imagined the animosity behind Celeste’s eyes. She’s probably just worried about delivering a healthy baby.

Celeste reached over and grasped her friend’s hand, and just for a moment, the veneer that shrouded her real feelings vanished. “I hope—I believe—things will be different this time,” she whispered. Her voice trailed off, and Addie could see the tears begin to well up in Celeste’s eyes. Her friend would worry every day until the baby was born.

“Of course they will, my dear Celeste,” Addie said. “Our children will grow up together, the best of friends.”

She put her other hand on top of Celeste’s and said a silent prayer.

Addie thought of that months-ago day now, as she and Jess entered the Connor house for dinner.

Throughout the meal, Addie could see that Celeste was pale and drawn and breathless. The men made conversation about work matters, mostly, but instead of her usually animated repartee, Celeste only quietly smiled, as though the expression was painted onto her face. It made Addie wonder why on earth her friend should be going to the trouble of arranging these dinner parties and luncheons, especially tonight when she clearly would have preferred to be curled up in her own bed rather than entertaining visitors. As the men adjourned to the porch for cigars after dinner, Addie took Celeste’s arm and led her to the sofa in the parlor.

“You are not feeling up to this tonight, dear Celeste,” she said.

“Nonsense.” Celeste smiled. “We must maintain our social obligations. A man in Harrison’s position—”

“—should know when his wife has had enough of company,” Addie interrupted. Addie knew that she should end this evening now, for Celeste’s sake. She patted her friend’s hand, stood up, and said, “I’m going to find my husband and tell him it’s time to go home.”

“But the men haven’t had their Scotch,” Celeste protested.

“I, for one, am not feeling well,” Addie stated, raising her eyebrows. “I am going to have to beg my hostess’s kind indulgence and take my leave earlier than expected.”

Celeste sighed and leaned against the back of the sofa. “You are such a dear,” she said.

Addie followed the sound of the men’s voices from the parlor through the big double doors and onto the porch. It was a beautiful, peaceful evening signaling the coming of spring.

“Darling,” she said to Jess, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to be going now.”

“So soon?” Harrison protested. “But you’ve only just arrived! I do so enjoy your visits.”

“I hope you won’t think me rude, but the baby is dictating my actions these days.” Addie took her host’s arm and whispered, “On our way down the hill, we will stop at Dr. Maki’s house. I think he should come up and have a look at Mrs. Connor.”

“It’s not . . . time?” Harrison looked from one to the other of his friends, his smile melting into a look of concern.

“Not yet,” Addie said. “Celeste seems frightfully tired, however, and just as a precaution—”

“Yes, yes, good thinking.” Harrison squeezed Addie’s hand. “You are always so kind, my dear.”

“We’ll see ourselves out, Harrison,” Jess said.

As they walked down the steps, Jess and Addie heard Harrison calling to his wife and assumed all was well.