by Leah Conolly
“Oh yes, indeed,” he said. “But I am afraid that my ships only go to France.”
Charlotte’s heart sank. Of course, it would be exactly her luck that the one way out of her predicament would put her in the very place she was trying to avoid.
The gentleman was paying much closer attention to her reactions than Charlotte would have preferred. He was studying her with great care, and she did her best to hide her disappointment. She could not blame him for his close scrutiny. She could not imagine how she might feel if she were in his position, but she felt her cheeks growing hotter and wished that he would either turn them in to the authorities or let them go.
At last, the man spoke.
“What is it about the New World that was so important?” he asked.
“It’s a new world,” Charlotte muttered without thinking.
“I beg your pardon?” he asked.
Charlotte shook her head, the additional embarrassment of her careless utterance infuriating her.
“I know that I have no right to press you, as we are certainly in no position to demand anything of you at this moment,” Charlotte began.
“You are correct about that,” the gentleman said gently, cutting her off. “But that does not mean that you do not deserve the chance to speak your piece.”
Charlotte took a deep breath, wondering at the motives of this kind, handsome gentleman.
“What I mean to ask is, what do you plan to do with us?” she asked. “We have caused a spectacle for long enough. If you wish to arrest us, we could hardly blame you, but, if not, I think that we would all benefit from a quick end to this public display.”
The gentleman chuckled.
“I can appreciate the way you think,” he said, “and you are not wrong.”
Charlotte felt relief wash over her. She could not begin to guess what their fate would be, but at least the man seemed reasonable and rational. Not wanting to push her luck, she remained silent and watched the man with careful eyes.
Instead of answering her inquiry right away, however, he clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing. Charlotte thought that her heart might explode in her chest, and one glance at Ruth told her she felt the same way. She bit her lip to keep from repeating her earlier questions, praying that the situation would be resolved quickly.
All at once, the gentleman looked at her again. For the first time, Charlotte noticed the kindness in his eyes, and how prominent the laugh lines around his mouth were. A shiver went down her spine, and she found herself relaxing more than anyone in her position probably should. She sighed and awaited his next words.
“Here are my thoughts,” he said.
Charlotte and Ruth both nodded, neither daring to exchange looks again.
“The two of you are apparently not thieves,” he continued. “Nor, as I see it, are you criminals.”
Ruth uttered a quiet sob. Charlotte bit her lip and stayed silent, opting to send up silent prayers of both gratitude and wonder at this turn of events.
“What I think I will do is offer you employment,” he said at last.
It took Charlotte a moment to understand what he had said. She had expected many things, but the offer of a job was not one of them.
“I beg your pardon?” she asked.
The gentleman chuckled again.
“You said that you wanted to go to the New World in search of employment,” he said.
Charlotte gave herself a mental shake, furious with herself for forgetting the story she had told.
“Yes, my lord,” she said.
The man nodded.
“Well, it just so happens that I am looking for an assistant,” he said. “I need help organizing the many details of my business ventures.”
Charlotte lifted her head and looked at the man curiously. She had only just met him, and he was offering her employment. Who was he?
As though he read her mind, he smiled.
“I assure you that my business ventures are all proper and legal,” he said. “I would not ask you to do anything that was otherwise.”
Charlotte nodded.
“I was merely wondering why you would offer such an opportunity to a perfect stranger,” she said honestly.
The gentleman nodded.
“That is a fair question,” he said. “It is because I feel that the debt of your transgression would be better addressed in my service than at the hands of a cold justice system.” Before she could respond, he ceased his pacing and looked directly into her eyes. “Especially since it seems that this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Do you not agree?”
Charlotte swallowed the sob of relief she felt building in her throat. She stood up straighter and met his gaze.
“I would certainly agree,” she said.
The man nodded once more.
“Very good,” he said. “Do we have an agreement?”
Despite the great kindness this stranger was offering her, Charlotte still felt some reluctance to give up her scheme of escaping to the New World. She knew that if she stayed in London for too long, someone would surely identify her and inform her father. She was not sure if she could risk it, for either herself or for Ruth.
The gentleman smiled.
“Fret not, Miss Becker,” he said. “If you should find work in my employ not to your liking and still wish to go to the New World, I will endeavor to help you reach there.”
Charlotte gasped, embarrassed that her face had betrayed her thoughts. She collected herself quickly and squared her shoulders.
“If it means that we shall not see the inside of a jail cell,” she said, “then I suppose I will gladly accept your offer, kind sir.”
Chapter 4
Duncan watched the women closely, waiting for Christine’s response. There was something about her, about her story, that seemed false, but he could not quite put his finger on it. He did not believe she was a criminal evading justice, but he felt certain that Christine was not being entirely honest with him.
He was also certain that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He could not begin to guess what secrets she could be harboring, but he was fascinated by her, and he wanted to get to know her better. He felt that, when she was ready, Christine would learn to trust him and tell him her secrets.
At last, Christine took a deep breath.
“Well, if it means that we do not see the inside of a jail cell, then I suppose that I gladly accept your offer, sir,” she said, with a slight curtsey.
Duncan found himself releasing a breath that he did not realize he had been holding. He smiled at the blond woman and bowed deeply to her.
“It has certainly been a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Becker,” he said, not realizing how true the words were until he said them aloud.
Both women curtseyed to him, but only Christine met his eyes.
“A pleasure, indeed,” she said. “When will I begin my work?”
Duncan froze. He had not considered anything further than extending the job offer. He had half expected her to reject him at once and flee when his guard was down. After a brief second, however, he recovered.
“Tomorrow morning, if that is agreeable,” he said.
The women exchanged another look, one which he was pleased to see was more curious and thoughtful than distressed and fearful.
Christine cleared her throat.
“Tomorrow morning would be perfect,” she said.
Duncan nodded, pleased that she had decided to stay instead of running. If he were honest with himself, he would not have thwarted any further attempts to flee.
In fact, he would hardly have blamed them. He felt certain they both knew that had he chosen to press charges, he would have done so by that point. And he knew that, scared and confused as they were, they had at least determined that he intended them no harm. However, he found himself glad that they did not run, nonetheless. “Very well,” he said. “Then let us move this discussion away from all these curious eyes.”
“May I escort you ladies from the docks?” he asked.
Christine looked at him, apprehensive but curious.
“I suppose that you have every right to insist we accompany you,” she said. “Where are we going?”
Duncan smiled, his plan forming second by second as he spoke.
“If you will place as much trust in me as I have placed in you, you shall soon see,’’ he said.
With a hesitant nod, Christine gave him a small smile. As tense and worried as the expression was, it made her seem even more beautiful, and his heart skipped a beat. He smiled back politely, wondering at the effect that the lovely blond woman was having on him.
Duncan called for a carriage to take the women and himself to his inn, which was not far from the docks. The relief on the women’s faces was almost tangible, and Duncan knew that whatever they had been through, it must have been difficult. He was grateful that it was he who had found them, and not some other ship owner. He also found that he was very glad to have met Christine. The more he looked at her, the more beautiful she seemed, and he could not wait to learn more about her.
Moments later, the carriage pulled up in front of his well-appointed inn. The women gasped in unison, and Duncan relished the slight flush that came to Christine’s cheeks as she looked in awe at the building.
“This is yours?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the building.
“I am proud to say that it is,” he said, feeling his own cheeks grow warm.
“It is beautiful,” Ruth said, her look of wonder matching her mistress’s.
“You are very kind to say so,” he said. “Would the two of you like a tour?”
The women looked at him simultaneously and gave him enthusiastic nods in unison. Their giddiness was infectious, and he could not help but laugh. He helped the women out of the carriage and escorted them through the doors that led to the inn’s lobby.
“I thought you exported wine,” Christine said absently, taking in the lobby décor.
Duncan laughed.
“I do,” he said. “I am also an inn owner, and the ninth Duke of Willeton.”
The two women gasped and looked at him.
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” Christine said, blushing. “I did not realize.”
Ruthie stared at him, seemingly unsure of what to say.
“Do not worry,” he said. “I shall not have you arrested simply because you do not know who I am.”
Christine looked at him, her face pale and eyes wide, until she saw the twinkle in Duncan’s own eyes. Then, she began to laugh.
“I wonder if I could convince them to arrest you for attempting to give two young women heart attacks,” she teased.
Duncan laughed heartily.
“Perhaps, if the young women in question had not first given me a heart attack by falling out of one of my shipping crates.”
Both women laughed along with him, as he led them toward the staircase. He watched with delight, as they looked at the deep purple and blue drapes and upholstery in awe. The brass fixtures had just been polished and shined brilliantly.
Duncan finished the tour by leading the women to the polished wood desk in the lobby, behind which sat an older woman. She looked up at the duke and gave him a small, professional smile.
“Good day, my lord,” she said. “Do you have some additional duties for me?”
Duncan shook his head.
“No, Hilda,” he said. “However, I would like you to ensure that these two women have a room as quickly as possible.”
Hilda nodded.
“Will they be paying for the room now?” she asked.
Duncan held up his hand.
“They will be staying here as my guests,” he said.
Hilda looked at the trio with a curious expression, but she simply nodded.
“Yes, my lord,” she said. “I will see to it that there is a room prepared at once.”
When Hilda left the desk, Christine turned to Duncan, her cheeks red.
“You are too kind, my lord,” she said.
Duncan smiled kindly.
“Not at all,” he said. “I am happy to be of service.” He paused, reaching into his pocket and fishing out several shillings. “This should be enough for some food for the two of you for the next couple of days.” He held out his hand to Christine.
The women gasped, and Christine held up her hand.
“We could not possibly accept such generosity,” she insisted. “Especially as you have already been so kind.”
Duncan shook his head.
“You misunderstand,” he said. “This is not charity. This is an advance on your salary. As you will be starting work tomorrow, I have decided that giving you a little bit of the money you will be earning to purchase food would only be prudent.”
Ruth put a hand to her mouth. Christine blinked and glanced away. At last, however, she reached out and took the shillings from Duncan’s hand.
“You truly are most gracious, my lord,” she said.
“You will be helping me every bit as much as I am helping you, I assure you,” he said warmly.
Their attention was drawn to Hilda as she reentered the lobby.
“The room is ready,” she said. “It will be the third room at the top of the staircase.”
Duncan smiled kindly at the receptionist.
“Thank you, Hilda,” he said. Then he turned back to Ruth and Christine. “Would you ladies like me to show you to your room?”
Both women blushed, but Christine looked at him, her eyes full of gratitude and awe.
“That would be wonderful, Lord Lancaster,” she said.
Duncan escorted the women back up the stairs. He had already shown them the upstairs during their tour, but he did not miss how the women still surveyed their surroundings with admiration.
His heart swelled with pride that his establishment had them such awe. He was also amazed that they had turned into such different women from the two he had discovered trying to steal aboard his ship. He especially admired the flush that came to Christine’s cheeks as she looked around the inn. It was clear that simple things brought joy to her heart, and that made her even more beautiful to him. He could not guess at why she felt she had to flee to the New World, but it pleased him to see that she could still feel safe and happy in his inn.
Unable to resist, he took a deep breath.
“So, Miss Becker,” he said, as he opened the door to the room that would belong to Christine and Ruthie. “Would you care to tell me a little about yourself? You will be starting to work for me tomorrow, after all.”
Christine seemed to barely hear him, staring at the lavishness of the room with rounded eyes. Duncan was beginning to believe that the women truly had never seen such lavish décor, though he still doubted that it was because they were entirely unfamiliar with the upper ton.
Christine said nothing for several long moments, as she and Ruth surveyed the room. They shared a few glances, but no words were exchanged.
At last, Christine turned to face him.
“I have told you all that you need to know for now,” she said. “I am a foolish girl who trusted the wrong man and was cast out of her home for it. I would prefer to focus on the future.”
Once again, Duncan found himself taken by her. She was mysterious and apparently both proud and diplomatic. He thought that, even if he did not know every single thing about her, she was someone he wished to have working for him. And her beauty was certainly unmatched.
“Fair enough,” he conceded at last. “Will you at least promise to be forthright with me from tomorrow? I must know that I can trust those in my employ completely.”
Christine seemed to pale, but she looked him in the eye with little hesitation.
“I promise you, my lord, that I will never do anything that would c
ompromise your reputation or your business,” she said.
Duncan thought for a moment. He understood there were things she was not saying, but he also knew that he trusted her.
“Very well,” he said reluctantly. “I suppose that is all I can reasonably ask of someone in my employ. I do expect full honesty from you, and you can expect the same from me.”
Christine flushed deeply, and once more Duncan found himself wondering what it was that the lovely young woman was hiding.