Through the Shadows. Karen Barnett

to recover from his misstep. “Yes. Well. I apologize for my uncle’s absence, but he’s given me responsibility over your father’s estate.”

      The lady’s eyes widened. “You must be joking.”

      An older woman stepped into the hall. “Is Mr. McKinley here already, Elizabeth?”

      “Mother, this is Mr. Charles McKinley. Mr. McKinley’s nephew.”

      Charles dried his hand on his jacket before grasping the widow’s outstretched fingers. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. King. My uncle speaks highly of your late husband. He told me they were friends.”

      Mrs. King’s eyes lit up. “He has spoken of you with high regard, as well, Mr. McKinley. Top of your class at Oregon Law, I hear.”

      Charles swallowed, his mouth as dry as blotting paper. Second. A moment of integrity had cost him top honors, a fact his uncle ignored at will. “Well—”

      “I thought your uncle would be joining us. I hope he’s not ill.”

      “No ma’am. He’s quite busy, as you know, and he thought I could take care of any questions regarding Mr. King’s trust.”

      “Dr. King.” The daughter corrected him.

      “Of course—Dr. King.” Charles averted his gaze from her flashing eyes and focused on the young lady’s mother. He patted his satchel. “I’ve been reviewing the papers, and I have some ideas that might be of assistance.”

      Mrs. King waved a dismissive hand. “First we dine, then we will talk business.” Her lips curled as if she found the final word distasteful. “How wonderful to have a young man at the table. It’s been some time. I only have the one son, Robert—Dr. Robert King—but he’s off and married now, living in San Francisco. Most of my daughters are married, as well. Only Elizabeth remains.”

      The young woman seemed to deflate at her mother’s words, a frown darting across her lovely face. “Not everyone marries these days. It’s a new century. It’s no longer the disgrace it once was.”

      Her mother sniffed. “So you say. Those suffrage meetings put outlandish ideas in your head. I never should have allowed them.” She turned to Charles. “Are you married, Mr. McKinley?”

      “Um, no. I haven’t had the pleasure.”

      Mrs. King clicked her tongue. “A bachelor attorney? You’ll need to remedy the problem posthaste if you expect to be respected in the legal profession.”

      Uncle Silas had said something similar just yesterday. Unfortu-nately, as today proved, every woman Charles met seemed concerned with little more than dinner parties and peacock feathers. Could he really survive a lifetime with such a companion?

      The young lady gestured toward the dining room. “Perhaps we should go in to supper?”

      Mrs. King’s brows drew together as she scrutinized her daughter. “I’ll entertain Mr. McKinley while you dress, my dear.”

      Elizabeth King’s rigid posture seemed lost on her mother. With a huff, she turned on a heel and disappeared up the main staircase.

      The tension left the room as if attached to Miss King’s backside. Charles exhaled, shaking such thoughts from his mind. How would he survive as a court attorney if one young woman could rattle him so? Lord, grant me focus.

      Hetty King leaned close, her voice low. “Don’t mind my Elizabeth. She’s the youngest, and I’m afraid we indulged her whims far too much.”

      Charles stifled a chuckle. Only a family member could burrow under one’s skin with such ease. He should know. His uncle had the same talent.

      ***

      Elizabeth took another bite of the dry chicken, following it with a quick sip of water to wash down the stringy morsel. Her mother’s cooking always left much to be desired.

      Mr. McKinley sawed at the meat with his knife. She almost felt sorry for the man. Growing up in one of San Francisco’s privileged families, he’d probably never imagined life without a housekeeper and a cook. The fine fabric of his suit suggested he was cut from the same cloth as his uncle.

      Even so, the odd contrast between the softness in his brown eyes and the firmness of his jaw drew her gaze. At least he didn’t look like Silas McKinley, one mark in his favor.

      She’d chosen the blue gown after all—not to impress the pretentious attorney, but rather to deflect any more of Mother’s pointed remarks. Elizabeth pushed the cooked carrots around the dish with her fork. Now that she didn’t have daily rehearsals to take up her time, she’d be at the mercy of her mother’s meddling. If she weren’t careful, Mother would see her married off to the first eligible bachelor she could sink her claws into. Elizabeth’s gaze returned to the young man sitting across the table. Unfortunately, she wasn’t marriage-worthy. Tobias had assured as much.

      Mother smiled as she passed Mr. McKinley a basket of rolls. “How long have you lived in San Francisco?”

      He accepted the container and added a piece of bread to his plate. “Only a few days, actually. I grew up near Redding, but I attended law school in Oregon. My uncle recently brought me into the firm. This is my first assignment.”

      “Your first?” Tiny lines formed around her mother’s mouth.

      Elizabeth twisted the napkin in her lap. “I’d have thought your uncle would show more respect for us than to bring in an inexperienced attorney.”

      The young man glanced up, one brow cocked. “I believe he meant it as a compliment. Uncle Silas would only commit your situation to a trusted family member.”

      Mother took a sip from her water glass, recovering her composure in less than a heartbeat. “Silas worked diligently for this family for years, Elizabeth. We shouldn’t be questioning his intentions. I’m sure young Mr. McKinley will be a breath of fresh air.” She patted his arm. “Youth doesn’t always mean ignorance. And it comes with certain benefits.” Mother smiled, her pale eyes gleaming as if she’d already convinced herself. “Energy. Drive. Ambition. All of which I expect Charles, here, has in abundance. May I call you Charles?”

      “Of course.”

      Leave it to Mother to side with the enemy.

      An eager smile brightened his face. “I’ve been looking over your files. I have some ideas to help with your new situation.”

      Situation. The word squeezed around Elizabeth’s heart. “Our destitution, you mean?” As soon as the accusation escaped her lips, a prickle crept up her cheeks. She’d never learned her mother’s gift for subtle conversation.

      “Elizabeth!” Mother’s face pinched.

      The young man frowned. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. It’s a highly complex matter. I’m afraid you might not understand, Miss King. ”

      Elizabeth’s mouth fell open, his condescending tone snapping her control like an overtightened piano string. “I understand more than you realize, Mr. McKinley. For one thing, I know your uncle assured my father the buildings in which he invested were well-insured—he insisted there was little risk.”

      “My uncle couldn’t have foreseen an earthquake of this—”

      “Mr. McKinley also claimed to invest in the same properties, and yet he’s still living in one of San Francisco’s nicest homes. He doesn’t appear to have endured the same level of economic ruin.” The words tumbled from her mouth faster than she could collect them.

      The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Um, no. He—”

      “And explain this to me. My brother, Robert, visited your uncle’s office three times during the last month and Silas McKinley refused to see him. Now he sends you here to Sacramento?” The heat in her chest increased with each subsequent thought. “If he believes a fast-talking, handsome man with a fine suit will somehow