Page 92 of The Missing Pages
Violet looked at Theo. “Lynnewood Hall?” she mouthed.
“He’s also saying something about a key… you need to bring a specific key with you.”
“But what is the key for?” Violet blurted out. “A room? A safe? A box?” Her voice had escalated to a fever pitch. “Can he give us any more information?”
Lux clenched her fists to her lap and squinted again, straining to get more information from the other side. “I’m seeing the letter A,” she said. “Does that mean anything to you?”
“Ada?” Violet asked.
“No,” Lux said, shaking her head. “He’s saying the name ‘Amalie.’”
CHAPTER SEVENTY
AMALIE GREETEDROSENBACH ANDADA AT THE DOOR.
“Welcome,” she said. “I apologize that we have limited staff today with it being Sunday, but Mrs. Widener wanted me to personally greet you.”
“I’ve brought these for Mrs. Widener,” Ada said. She handed over a bouquet of lavender roses to the maid.
They walked into the great hall with its vaulted ceiling. Corinthian columns carved in high relief encircled the room, and several arched niches were adorned with carved garlands. In one of them, an enormous imperial vase was proudly displayed on a bronze pedestal.
Ada noticed a brocade tapestry hanging from the second floor, above the grand stairwell lined in rich red carpet. And flanking either side of the wrought iron stairwell were towering gilded candelabras, creating an opulent entranceway fit for royalty.
“She’ll meet you in the reception room,” Amalie said. “This way.”
The two of them followed her to a room just off the great hall; Amalie gently pushed open the French doors.
The room was exquisite, decorated in rich Louis XVI furniture and details. Wooden panels were embellished with ornate gold carvings and upholstered in dark green velvet.A large oval mirror hung from above the marble fireplace. Amethyst chandeliers hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in a soft lavender light.
“Doctor Rosenbach,” Eleanor said quietly. “It is so very kind of you to visit.” Her voice was barely a whisper; it sounded like it had been wrapped in cotton.
“It is my pleasure,” he said and lowered his eyes out of respect.
“Please, both of you sit down.”
They each took a seat on one of the two Pekinese-yellow silk sofas. The bright color seemed at odds with the somber feeling that engulfed the room.
“I must apologize, Doctor… The last time you visited, I was not myself.”
She straightened herself up, then turned her head to look out the window. “One cannot prepare themselves for grief. It overtakes a person, the way a vine can choke even the hardiest tree.”
“You have been incredibly strong, Mrs. Widener. And the world admires your strength.”
“What does the world know of my strength—or my tears,” she said harshly, before catching herself.
“Amalie, will you be so kind as to put those flowers in some water and bring some refreshments for our guests?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Amalie said as she left the room.
“Thank you for the flowers. You needn’t have brought me anything,” she said to Rosenbach.
“They were actually Miss Lippoldt’s idea… She was kind enough to inform me that lavender is a special color. It compliments any complexion or any room,” he said with a chuckle. “I had no idea.”
“A wise woman.” Eleanor smiled.
“Indeed,” Rosenbach agreed. “Miss Lippoldt is working with me at the moment,” Rosenbach introduced her. “She actually worked with Harry on his last purchases from Mr. Quaritch in London.” He paused. “And she was on theTitanicas well.”
Eleanor’s eyes locked with Ada’s. “You knew my Harry?”
