CHAPTER TEN
OCTOBER 1868
Tennie and I scampered up the front steps of 17 Great Jones Street, arms interlocked at the elbows, giggling, hands full of parcels from a morning of shopping. Our levity faded, however, when we nearly tumbled into Katherine on the porch, barring our entrance.
“Katherine, what’s this?” Tennie asked sweetly. “We’re paid up for the next two months, and I don’t believe we’ve broken any rules.”
“No, no. ‘Tis nothing of the sort. I thought you’d like to know,” she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “that there’s a gentleman to see you in the foyer.” She tilted her head in the general direction of the front door. “Claims to be your father. I can have him removed if you like.”
Tennie stiffened and pulled away from me, edging backward toward the steps, but
