The Mistletoe Kiss

She especially loved the ones of the Statue of Liberty and the others showing the landscape out from the top of Park Row. After she finished the developing, she cleaned up her equipment and left the photos to dry completely while she went down to breakfast.

Almost everyone was there and she hurried to fix her plate at the sideboard before joining them around the table.

“Slept in, did you?” Stephen teased.

“No, I’ve been working. I wanted to get the Park Row photographs developed before we take off for the day.”

“Take off? Where are you all going today?” Joe asked.

“I have to work but Julia and Millicent are going to the Ladies’ Mile and out and about,” Emily informed him.

Millicent hoped Emily didn’t mention the suffrage meeting she and Julia were going to before they went shopping. But Emily put her fears to rest when she turned the conversation around. “What are you men doing today? Got another ball game lined up?”

“As a matter of fact, we do.” Matt’s gaze caught Millicent’s and his smile made her chest tighten. He seemed to be in a very good mood. “How did your shots turn out? I’d like to see them before you hand them over to John and Elizabeth.”

“I’d be glad to show them to you once they are completely dry. I want to get them to the Talbots before Monday.” And then she could forget about going back to Park Row for a few days at least.

“I’ll be glad to walk you over, if you’d like,” Matt offered.

Why was he being so nice? He didn’t like any of this and it’d been obvious yesterday. “I’ll telephone Elizabeth now to ask if this evening or tomorrow will be better—unless you have plans?”

“No, after dinner or tomorrow will be fine with me.”

Millicent nodded and hurried out of the room and asked the operator to ring through to the Talbots. Elizabeth picked up after only two rings and was quite excited to hear the photos would be ready that evening.

“Oh, please do bring them over tonight, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Not at all. Matt said he’d walk me over, so we’ll be there after dinner.”

“Wonderful. We look forward to your visit.”

Millicent hung up the receiver and turned around to find Matt standing behind her. She placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “Oh! I—”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Emily just left for work and Julia has gone upstairs to get ready for your outing, so thought I’d save you a trip back to the dining room. When did she say would be best?”

“This evening.”

“Good. I’m sure they’re eager to see them.”

“I think so. I’m excited about showing them. You can look at them at the same time since you’re escorting me over.”

“That will be fine, as long as I get to see them.” He grinned. “I’m sure you got some great shots. It was interesting to watch you at work.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

He seemed almost as surprised at his answer as Millicent was at his comments. She shrugged. “Well, I do love what I do and I hope it shows in each photograph I take.”

“I understand. That’s how I feel about what I do, too.”

“Millicent!” Julia called. “Are you down here? I’m ready to go when you are.”

“Yes, I’m right here.” Millicent hurried into the foyer, with Matt right behind her. “I’ll go get my hat and reticule.”

Julia looked surprised to find Matt with her. “Oh good. We don’t want to be late.”

She turned back to Matt. “Have a good day.”

“You, too.”

Millicent started up the stairs as she heard Matt ask Julia, “How can you be late for shopping? The stores are barely open.”

Her steps slowed as she waited for Julia’s answer. “We don’t want to be late for any sales. Things fly off the shelves if it’s a good one, and they usually are on Saturdays.”

“Oh. That makes sense.”

Millicent took a deep breath and hurried up the rest of the stairs. At least he didn’t ask if they were going to another one of those meetings.

He’d been so agreeable this morning, she didn’t want to start anything up about the suffrage movement. If she thought he’d listen, she’d gladly have a conversation with him, but Matt and the other men’s minds seemed to be made up about it. And their stubbornness about it all was a reminder of why she needed to guard her heart from any man—and she must keep it in mind at all times. Particularly on those days Matt was so nice to her!

Millicent pinned on her favorite autumn hat, a brown straw trimmed with green-and-blue ribbon and peacock feathers, grabbed her reticule and hurried back downstairs. She breathed a sigh of relief to find only Julia in the parlor waiting for her. “Did the men leave already?” she asked.

“Yes. Although I don’t know where they were all going, only that Stephen went to work and Joe and Matt were going to meet at the Polo Grounds for the ball game later,” Julia said.

“Why is it they don’t seem to think they need to tell us where they are going, but they want to know every little thing we’re doing?” Millicent asked.

“Good question. I’d like to know the same thing.”

“My dears, it could be my fault,” Mrs. Heaton said, entering the foyer.

“Your fault? How could that be, Mrs. Heaton?” Millicent asked.

“Well, you know I opened this boardinghouse in order to give young women a safe place that felt like home away from home, but I wanted you safe when out and about after dark, too. That’s the reason I opened it up to men, too. Julia can probably remember when there were almost no men living here except for my son Michael.”

“Yes, I do. But it didn’t last long, once I told you I was walking to the soda shop that first summer.” Julia chuckled and shook her head.

“That’s when I made the rule that women must be in a group or ask a man to escort them to and from wherever it was they wanted to go at night. Michael was called into service that night.”

“And he was quite gallant about it.” Julia chuckled. “But he was only one man and there were around six ladies living here at the time. Soon thereafter—the next day, I think—you put an ad in the newspapers and that’s when Ben and John and Luke arrived.”

“Quite true, Julia. And I inform the men who live here of my rules when they move in and perhaps they think of themselves as your protectors.”

“Maybe so,” Millicent said, her heart sinking just a bit. If she were going to have a protector, she’d much rather it be because the man cared about her and not because he’d been asked to. But Mrs. Heaton’s explanation made sense. “But we don’t want them to know about the meetings, Mrs. Heaton. They get all riled up when they’re mentioned.”

“I understand, and I support you not telling them about the meetings you’ve been going to, as they are all in the daytime. But should you ever decide to go to one at night...” Mrs. Heaton’s brow wrinkled as she paused. “I think it might be time I spoke to the men about all of this.”

“Oh, Mrs. Heaton,” Millicent said. “The last thing we want is for you to feel you must defend us or—”

Their landlady chuckled. “Dear ones, I think each one of you is capable of taking up for yourselves, but I don’t think the men residing here quite understand your interest in the suffrage movement. Perhaps it’s time for them to learn that even though they do not have to like it, they must learn to accept your interest in aspects of the movement.”

“Would you like to come with us?” Millicent asked.

“Not today, I’m going to visit little Marcus. But I’d like to go soon. Let me know when the next one is.”

“I believe there is another in a few weeks, but we should find out more today. We’ll see you this evening.”

* * *

Stephen took off in one direction and Matt and Joe took off in the opposite one. Then they split up at the next corner. Joe worked for Michael Heaton’s investigative-protection agency and needed to finish up some paperwork. They’d all meet up later at the Polo Field for the last game of the season. For now Matt was off to explore the city. He loved looking at the architecture of the downtown buildings, the mansions on Fifth Avenue and the neighborhoods not far from Gramercy Park.

Much as Matt loved working on the high-rises, lately he’d been wondering what it would be like to work on remodeling the inside of an old structure or building new ones from his own design. He didn’t want to work for someone else for the rest of his life, but he’d wanted to get all the experience he could before striking out on his own.

But with all Millicent’s talk of opening her own business, he’d begun to realize he’d like to do the same thing—to be his own boss and be able to work on his own designs instead of someone else’s. He’d put the dream off, but he’d been giving it more and more thought lately.

He was eager to get a look at the photographs she’d taken from the Park Row Building. The views were spectacular, the building was one of a kind and he wanted to see if she’d done it all justice. He knew Millicent was talented but wished she weren’t so independent—way too much so for him to be thinking about her as much as he’d been doing. He didn’t want to have feelings for such a strong-willed woman.

And yet, his chest tightened as he thought of her. In spite of his resolve not to care about her other than as a friend, her smile seemed to shoot straight through to his heart and just touching her hand to help her out of the elevator sent sparks up his arm.

Something about her made him want to be her protector—when she’d declare that was the last thing she needed. Still, as long as he was responsible for her at his workplace, she’d have to accept that he would be looking out for her. She had no choice. And neither did he.

Chapter Five

Millicent and Julia left the suffrage meeting more excited and hopeful than ever that one day they might get the vote.

They were in high spirits as they stopped at one of the small cafés, which catered mostly to women who were out shopping. They were given a menu and decided on the lobster salad with rolls and English tea.

Millicent looked around the room and smiled. “We don’t have anything like this back home in Virginia. Most women don’t go out for lunch at all. I think there’s a tearoom, but that’s all. After living in a small town where everyone knows what everyone else is doing, it’s very refreshing to go shopping, even if it’s mostly window-shopping, in so many stores in one trip. To be able take lunch out instead of rushing home.”

“The only time constraints we have are those of Mrs. Heaton and they do make perfect sense when you think about it,” Julia said. “This is a large city and many women do go missing each week. We just don’t hear about all of them. Sometimes it makes the news, but then only if they’re from a well-known family. Others seem to disappear never to be heard from again.”

Millicent shivered at the thought. She knew dangers lurked in this city—there were times when Mrs. Heaton took in women as temporary boarders who had no place to go and paid nothing until they could decide what to do or where to go. And she realized, from talking to others, most boardinghouses were not run like Heaton House.

“I do hope she’ll come to a meeting with us one day,” Julia said.

“So do I. Wonder if any of our married boarders would want to go, too,” Millicent asked.

“They might,” Julia said. “I’d think Kathleen would be very interested and possibly Rebecca. I’m not sure about Violet or Elizabeth, but we could ask them.”

“It will probably depend on how their husbands feel about the suffrage movement. Surely they wouldn’t object to their wives getting the vote. But then, consider how Matt and the other men feel.” Millicent looked at Julia. “They’ve made us very aware they don’t like the movement.”

“But perhaps it’s not the voting they have a problem with. Some of the women want more than that...” Julia sighed. “I can understand why men aren’t thrilled with the movement as a whole, but all we want is the right to vote and I can’t understand why that would upset them so.”

“It would help if they cared to find out what is truly important to us about it. But there’s no sense in stirring up friction at Mrs. Heaton’s. They’re her boarders, too.”

The waiter brought their lunch and after they finished eating they headed out to shop. Millicent loved going to the Ladies’ Mile. Even if one didn’t buy anything, they could find what the latest fashion was and try to adapt their wardrobe in the least expensive way. Sometimes a new accessory or some new trim to put on a hat would do the trick.

They headed for Macy’s, where they spotted Emily from afar. She waved to them and hurried to keep up with the man beside her.

“Wonder who he is,” Julia said.

“Probably her supervisor.”

“Most likely. He’s not bad looking,” Julia replied. “No wonder she never seems to mind putting in long hours every once in a while,” she quipped.

“Now, Julia, Emily is quite good-natured and she seems to truly love her work.”

“That’s true.”

“Emily’s hours will be longer as Christmas nears and they start on the window displays Macy’s is known for,” Millicent said.

“I worked some evenings when I first started at Ellis Island, but thankfully, once I was promoted, I’ve rarely had to work evenings or weekends,” Julia said.

“At least Emily doesn’t have to stay late now. I think she said November would be bad, but she seems to be excited about working on the window displays,” Millicent said. “I’m glad she lives at Heaton House. At least she knows she’ll have a warm meal waiting when she gets home.” Mrs. Heaton always made sure her boarders were taken care of no matter what hours they got home.

As she and Julia visited the ladies department, Millicent realized how blessed she was to be able to set her own hours. But there was a downside, too. She did need a regular income so as not to dip into the money her grandmother had left her. Money she was saving to use to set up her own shop.

“You’ve grown awfully quiet, Millicent. What’s wrong?” Julia asked as the stopped in front of the lace collar display case.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just hoping John and Elizabeth and their boss like the photos I’m taking of the Park Row Building. If I can make enough on this assignment, the extra money will go a long way in helping me be able to open my shop sooner.”

“Do you like the photos you’ve taken so far?”

Millicent grinned. “I do.”

“Then you don’t need to worry. You’re more critical of your work than anyone and their boss asked for you to be in on the assignment. I’m sure they’ll love them.”

“Thanks, Julia. I needed your encouragement.”

Julia handed the salesclerk the lace collar she’d been looking at and paid for it. They waited while the young woman wrapped her purchase and handed the small package to Julia. Then she turned back to Millicent. “You’re a silly goose, you know? How can you not realize what a good photographer you are?”

“I just want to be able to make a living for myself.” They strolled over to the millinery department to browse the newest styles.

“I understand. Believe me, I do,” Julia said. “I want to get married one day, but I don’t know if I ever will and even if I do, I want to be sure I can take care of myself. I’ve seen too many women marry only to have a man to provide for them, and most of them aren’t happy. Nor are their husbands, I’d think. When—if—I ever marry, I want it to be for love and I want the man I marry to respect me as much as I want to respect him.”

“I feel the same way.” But Millicent wasn’t sure finding that kind of man was possible. Suddenly, Matt came to mind, and she was surprised that she thought of him when talking of marriage. They were as opposite as two people could be.

And yet, her heart quickened thinking about Matt taking her to Elizabeth and John’s that evening. Would he like the photographs she’d taken? Why did his opinion matter so much to her? She wished it didn’t, but for some reason only the Lord would understand, it mattered a lot.

“Ready to go back to Heaton House?”

“Mmm, yes, let’s go home.” They hurried to the El, hoping it would be quicker than the trolley.

“We’ll be home long before the men get back from their game. They’ll have no reason to question why we were late getting back for dinner,” Julia said.

And unlike last weekend, there’d be no reason for any tension on the way to the Talbots’ tonight. Millicent settled back in her seat and sighed with relief.

* * *

Matt and Joe came home just in time to freshen up for dinner. They were in high spirits—the Giants had won their game and they’d had a great day.

“How did your shopping go?” Matt asked as he held out Millicent’s chair for her.

“Wonderful. Julia and I bought trim to dress up our Sunday hats for winter after looking at the newest styles in Macy’s.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Mrs. Heaton said as Maida and Gretchen began to serve dinner.

As always it was quite good. Mrs. Heaton’s menu tonight was fried fillets of halibut, shredded potatoes and slaw, with lemon cake for dessert. Filling, but not too heavy for this time of year.

Conversation covered the shopping trip and the baseball game before Mrs. Heaton said, “We have a new boarder joining us soon. Do any of you remember Georgia? She’s the daughter of a friend of mine.”

“The one who was Michael and Violet’s houseguest?” Matt asked.

“Yes, that’s her. She’s a teacher and wants to find a position here in the city.”

“I remember her,” Millicent said. “She seemed very nice.”

“She’ll be taking Rebecca’s old room. I’m sure you’ll all welcome her.”

“Of course we will. It’s always fun to get to know new boarders,” Julia said. “And it will be good to fill out the table once more. Especially when Emily and Stephen begin working longer hours getting ready for Christmas.”

Millicent couldn’t argue with that. “We’ll do our best to make Georgia feel welcome, Mrs. Heaton. But she’ll feel at home here from the start and that’s because of you.”

“Why, thank you, Millicent dear.”

As everyone finished his or her meal, Matt turned to Millicent. “Let me know when you’re ready to go to the Talbots’.”

“I just need to get the photographs and we can go.”

“So, you two aren’t going to be here, either?” Julia asked as they all headed toward the foyer.

“We won’t be gone long. We’re taking the photos to Elizabeth and John. I’m sure we’ll be back before Emily and Stephen get home. She had a meeting. He’s escorting her home tonight, isn’t he?”

“He’s supposed to. I’m sure he’d telephone if there’s a problem, and I’m needed,” Joe said.

“He would,” Matt assured him.

“I’ll go get the photos and be right back.” Millicent went upstairs, but took a quick moment to neaten her hair and pinch her cheeks before grabbing the photos she’d placed in an envelope earlier. She hurried back down to find Matt waiting for her in the parlor with Julia and Joe.

“Do you two want to go with us?” Millicent found herself asking. “I’m sure Elizabeth and John would be glad to see you.”

“Want to go, Julia?” Joe asked.

Julie shook her head. “Not this time. They want to talk about the articles and if we tag along they might think they need to entertain us.”

“Are you sure?” Millicent didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed that she and Matt would be alone on the way over and back to the Talbots’.

“What about you, Joe?”

“Nah. I’ll stay and keep Julia company.”

“We won’t be long.” Millicent turned back. “You tell Joe about our plan while we’re gone and I’ll tell Matt.”

“That’s a good idea—but they must promise to keep it secret.”

“Secret?” Joe said. “Hmm, now my curiosity is up.”

“I’ll tell you, but maybe we should take a walk, though, so we aren’t overheard.”

“Julia, there’s no one here but us and—” Joe broke off when Julia placed her finger over her lips.

“Shh. I’ll tell you later.”

“Well, I can’t wait to hear what this is all about. Come on, Millicent, let’s get going.” Matt touched Millicent’s elbow, sending a current of electricity flying up her arm as they headed toward the foyer.

“See you after a while,” Julia said.

“Yes, later,” Millicent said, giving a little wave as Matt hurried her out of the house and down the street.

“Now, tell me, what’s all this secrecy about?”

“I will, but I might as well wait until we get to John and Elizabeth’s, because we want their help, too.”

“Their help? What is this all about?” Matt sounded almost impatient.

“You’ll see.” They turned the corner and she continued, “We’re almost there and I’ll only need to tell it once.”

“Oh, all right. I suppose you’re right.”

Millicent giggled. “Why, Matt, did you actually admit I might be right about something?”

“I never said you couldn’t be.”

“No, but—” She shook her head.

“But what?”

“Nothing. It’s not important.” She didn’t want to ruin the evening. He’d told her she was right—there was no need to rub it in. “Let’s hurry so I can let Elizabeth and John in on the secret, too.”

Matt grasped her elbow and did as she asked, causing her to pick up her pace to keep up with him. She was almost breathless when they arrived at the Talbots’, but John opened the door as soon as she knocked and they were quickly welcomed inside.

* * *

Millicent and Matt were shown into the Talbots’ parlor, where Elizabeth had tea ready to serve.

“How did you know when we’d be here?” Millicent asked. “I forgot to telephone and let you know.”

“I took care of the task while you were upstairs.” Matt grinned at Millicent.

“Thank you for minding my manners for me, Matt,” Millicent said.

He chuckled. “My pleasure, I assure you.”

“And I’m glad you put on the kettle, Elizabeth. I think I could use a cup of tea.” Maybe it would calm her nerves. “But first, I want to give you these. I hope they’ll fit your first article.”

She handed the packet of photographs to John and he lost no time in opening it. Millicent watched as he looked at the first one and handed it over to Elizabeth. John did the same thing with each photo, all without saying anything. Then he and Elizabeth both looked up at the same time and grinned.

“These are wonderful, Millicent. It’s going to be hard to choose which ones to use,” John said.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Elizabeth said. “I really like the one you got of Matt talking to his men, and the shot of John and I speaking to Burl—and the ones of Central Park and the Statue of Liberty from up so high. What a view!”

“Oh, I’m glad you like them. I was worried you might not find any that would work.”

“May I see them?” Matt asked.

Millicent’s heart began to hammer in her chest and only then did she realize it was his opinion that mattered most to her.

Elizabeth handed them to Matt and then began to pour their tea and pass around the tea cakes she’d made.

Millicent took her cup with trembling fingers as she watched Matt study each photograph. It was impossible to decipher what he was thinking. He began to nod his head and when he looked at her, there was an expression she couldn’t read. She waited for him to speak.

“Elizabeth and John are right. These are very good. I’m glad I’m not the one having to make the decision on which ones to use.”

His words soothed her jitters and surprised her at the same time. She looked at John and Elizabeth. “Maybe I don’t need to take any more for a while?”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Elizabeth handed her the plate of teacakes to choose from. “You aren’t getting out of this assignment.”

“Besides, there will be changes each time we go. Small or large, we want to capture the progress as it goes,” John said.

Millicent chose a small iced cake, took a bite and sighed. She’d agreed to do this and she wouldn’t back out—no matter how much she might want to.