They had been spending time together more and more often in the past several months. Connor tried to tell himself that it was due to his attachment to the family, a leftover remnant of affection from his childhood. But he knew it was the grown-up Caitlyn that was drawing him back so often. That was knowledge he ought to resist. Or actually, it should move him to distance himself rather than drawing closer.
The solution to his dilemma was presented by Caitlyn herself. She had her small, gloved hand tucked into his elbow as they strolled along another day. As he looked down the street, he saw that it was filling with newly planted oak trees. It was a comfortable scene. The silence between them became charged suddenly, and Caitlyn’s hand tightened as she began to speak hesitantly.
“Connor, I have a tricky question to ask you.”
“You know you can ask me anything.”
She paused for a moment. “I know, but this might be too much.”
“I doubt it, but try me.”
“Do you think you might possibly have a position for me at Dalton Industries?” She blurted out the entire sentence in one blur of words, as though she needed to get it all out before she lost her nerve.
Connor stared at her while he tried to process his immediate flurry of reactions. They were a mottled mixture to be sure. Part of him thrilled at the thought of having her in his offices. Another part repulsed the thought instantly.
“I’m not sure there’s a place for a female in my company,” he had begun, regretting it immediately as he witnessed the hurt feelings that filled her expressive face. “And it’s certain your mother wouldn’t allow it.”
“How could you refuse outright just because I’m a girl, Connor? Don’t be like everyone else! Be different, Connor, please, I know you can be.”
“But what about your mother?” He could hear that his tone sounded almost desperate, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“Never mind about my mother. That can be my problem to deal with. But could you please at least consider the possibility? I swear to you that I would work very hard and diligently. You know I would be loyal. And even though I’ve had a limited amount of education, I would like to think I’m not unintelligent.”
Now, Connor knew he would have to find her a position, at least on a trial basis. Otherwise it would feel as though he had drowned a kitten, as that was what the expression on her face reminded him of. And he could never court an employee. So, hiring her would be the solution he needed to his conflicted feelings about her.
“Very well, Caitlyn. If you can convince your mother of its propriety, I will find you a position.”
“Oh, Connor, thank you so very much. I swear to you, I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
Well, she hadn’t been able to make that miracle happen, Connor thought as he came back to the present. But he couldn’t really say it was entirely her fault.
Connor growled low in his throat. This contract wasn’t going to read itself. He needed his full focus to be off Miss Doherty and on his business. Maybe he really should fire the girl. But that would hardly be fair. It wasn’t her fault he was finding her to be such a distraction. Besides, he would probably lose business if he let her go. All of his business associates enjoyed her answering their calls. She had such a friendly and polite demeanor on the telephone. And she took quick, detailed notes when he wasn’t available. Everyone appreciated her efficiency. Even Connor’s clerks, for all their education and experience, didn’t seem as able to get to the heart of the matter when someone called him and wanted to relay a message. And she was just a slip of a girl.
Giving up on his contract, Connor picked up his sandwich and walked to the window. The view always settled his mind and inspired his ambitions. He loved looking out at the bustle of industry as the train station and part of the docks could be seen from his third-floor window. And now he could see the work being done to convert the gas lighting to electric. Electricity was the future, and Connor was thrilled to be a part of it, even if the lines weren’t the most attractive thing ever seen. If anyone wanted to get away from the modern conveniences, they were welcome to move outside of the city. Toronto was doing its best to keep pace with an ever advancing, globalizing world. Bringing in electricity was just the start. Connor had travelled the world. He knew there were more, newer, better things out there. If only he could, he wanted to be a part of it all. But as just one man, he couldn’t do everything, but he had every intention of doing the most he could.
Glancing at what was left of the sandwich in his hand, Connor allowed himself one moment to silently gloat over how far he’d come. It was difficult for him to contemplate the hunger he had experienced at times as a child. It had shamed him to go to school empty handed. When they were little, it seemed no one had noticed. But the teacher had known and thought less of him for it. It had finally affected how the other children had treated him. Until Dylan Doherty had befriended him. That had changed everything in Connor’s life. He often felt like he owed Dylan his life. Not only had the other boy treated him as an equal despite his obvious poverty, he had shared his abundance of food with Connor and taken him home with him at times.
Seeing how the well-to-do family lived had filled Connor with a determination that had continued with him to this day. He wanted to be more than comfortable. He would be wealthy. Wealthier than all those boys put together if he could manage it.
And if putting up with a beautiful woman being the one to answer his phones was going to help him get there, then that’s what he was going to do. But he would never give her his heart. Getting married and filling a nursery would only slow him down. One day, once he had filled enough bank accounts to feel secure. And this particular woman was extra off-limits as Dylan’s sister, he reminded himself yet again.
Hardening his heart and his resolve, Connor turned his attention back to his contract and actually got it done.
~~~
“I’m thinking about ending Miss Doherty’s employment.”
“You are? Whatever for?” Connor was surprised by the degree of dismay in his clerk’s voice. It was mid-afternoon and while Connor had managed to get through the contract he had been perusing, it had taken far more effort than it should have.
“I don’t see that it’s imperative that we have someone dedicated solely to answering the phone. Since Miss Doherty has no trained skills and can only work in the morning, I thought it might be better to hire another clerk to assist you who could also answer the phone throughout the day.”
Connor’s clerk, Curtis, smiled briefly. “I would, of course, appreciate an assistant, but as your primary clerk, I must tell you that it would be a terrible idea to get rid of Miss Doherty.”
Connor could feel his eyebrows creeping higher on his forehead. “I am surprised by your reaction considering how vehemently you opposed the idea when I hired her. I thought, in fact, that you would be delighted and be striving with difficulty to prevent yourself from saying ‘I told you so’.”
Curtis chuckled. “No, boss, I think you actually are the one in a position to say, 'I told you so.' And I think it would be a mistake to turn her off. Every single one of our contacts enjoys having her receive their calls. I never would have expected it, I must tell you. Some, of course, won’t tell her anything about why they’re calling, but have you not noticed that the phone almost doesn’t ring at all in the afternoon? It rings nonstop during Miss Doherty’s hours. And then we have blissful quiet wherein we can work for the rest of the day.”
Connor stared at his clerk. “I hadn’t even noticed. I suppose it’s because I’m not the one answering the thing. So, you think she’s of value to us, then?”
“I absolutely do. Just in the aspect of our greater productivity throughout the day, she is more than earning whatever wage you’re paying her. I’m certain you would need to pay whoever you wanted to hire to assist me much more than you’re paying her for her few hours.” Curtis paused briefly before adding in a more delicate tone. “And then there�
�s the fact that she has already received numerous offers of being hired elsewhere.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“As you know, she is popular with the men who call here. All our contacts enjoy her polite manner on the telephone. I don’t want to speculate that if you were to turn her off and one of our competitors was to hire her, some of our business might go along with her.”
“I never would have expected this about face from you.”
Curtis shrugged. “You hired me to be your assistant. It would be foolish to be so set on my ideas that I cannot see an opportunity before my face.”
Connor laughed. “Are you saying I’m not seeing what’s in front of my face?”
The young man flushed. “I would never say such a thing, sir.”
“No, of course you wouldn’t,” Connor chuckled. “But I appreciate your thoughts on Miss Doherty as well as your flexibility.” He paused before asking, “Do you not think she is a distraction within the company, though?”
Curtis shrugged again. “The first week was rather dismal, and I thought I had been justified in my thoughts about your hiring her, but she is very professional for someone who has never been trained nor employed.”
“Being a debutante might have prepared her for this aspect, I suppose.” Connor’s grin faded as he prompted his clerk further. “And now? How do you think the others feel about having her here?”
“It seems to me as though it has quickly become commonplace. Although she is a beautiful young woman, it seems the men have accepted her presence and recognize that she is to be respected as a valuable member of the company. I’ve even heard some correcting others who might have a different opinion.”
Connor sighed. “Well, that’s good to hear,” he said, but even he could hear the skepticism in his voice.
Curtis laughed. “You sound so convinced.”
His sarcastic tone made Connor smile despite his misgivings. “To be honest, I didn’t realize she was such an asset. And I find her to be a distraction. But if you think she’s so valuable, I will try to work through my own concerns.”
Curtis frowned. “Well, you are the boss. If you think she ought to go, then she ought to go.”
Connor appreciated the other man’s loyalty but shook his head. “No, I’m most concerned about our bottom line. If you think she is helping it, I will at least give it a bit more time. I definitely wouldn’t want to give our competitors an edge over us by sending her to them.”
Ever a good employee, Curtis obviously gave the matter some thought before answering. “I can’t say for certain that she would go to someone else. She has never hidden the fact that her parents are not happy about her accepting the position. It’s only your friendship with the family that makes it slightly acceptable to them. So, it’s entirely possible that they would forbid her taking another position.”
Connor couldn’t disagree with his assistant. But then his heart clenched as he realized how disappointed Caitlyn would be if she were to be forced to return to her previous routine. He knew she loved coming to work each day even if it meant defying her mother. But he rather suspected Curtis was right. He didn’t think she would have the fortitude to challenge her mother further, no matter how much she might want to. He quickly corrected his own thoughts. Connor didn’t actually think the girl lacked fortitude, but she wouldn’t put her own desire ahead of her mother’s wishes to such an extent, he didn’t think. So, she was an asset to his company, and this was the only opportunity the girl had to have the adventure she craved.
With a sigh, Connor realized he would have to keep her around. At least for one more week. If by next week he couldn’t find a way to put her from his mind during the workday, she would have to go whether it broke her heart or not. He felt his lips twist. Even his subconscious knew he wouldn’t be able to find it in him to break her heart. Maybe he could have her desk moved where he couldn’t see or hear her. Then it wouldn’t be such a distraction.
Satisfied that he had found a workable solution if it were required, he dismissed the subject and attempted to get the rest of the work finished before the day had completely slipped away.
Chapter Three
“You’re late!”
Caitlyn cringed as she hurried through the house. “Sorry, Mother. One of the horses threw a shoe.”
“If you weren’t out gallivanting, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
“I have time to freshen up. I promise, I’ll be ready when Mr. Westridge arrives.”
“He has already arrived,” her mother practically hissed.
“Well, arriving early is unusual behavior, Mother, and I cannot be blamed for that. I will only be a moment,” she promised as she swept up the stairs.
Caitlyn was grateful that the household maid was in her room waiting for her. “Thank you so much, Helen. I wouldn’t normally want you to be troubled with me, but I’m so late.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Miss. I knew your mother would want you to be changed and tidied with that young gentleman calling.”
Caitlyn tried to keep her face from twisting into a grimace, but it was a struggle. While Rafe Westridge seemed to be a likeable enough man, she didn’t want to entertain his courtship. He wasn’t likely to appreciate her interests and would expect her to change to suit him. And Caitlyn was well aware that her mother would be in full agreement with him. With a sigh, she pushed the uncomfortable thoughts from her mind. It mattered very little how she felt at that moment. There was a guest in the house, and she needed to be presentable in order to entertain him.
Within moments, and with Helen’s help, Caitlyn had changed her clothes and her hair was tidied. After washing her hands and face and pinching her lips and cheeks, a quick glance in the mirror showed she was as ready as possible. Caitlyn shrugged at her reflection and hurried from the room. She wasn’t sure which would irritate her mother more, her tardiness or a less than perfect appearance. It was best to ensure neither was any more than could be helped.
Upon entering the receiving room, Caitlyn hoped her smile appeared sincere as she greeted their guest.
“I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting.” She tried not to allow her eyes to stray toward the clock, but she knew she wasn’t later than he was supposed to be. Caitlyn felt the injustice of her mother’s anger. It wasn’t Caitlyn’s fault the man had arrived early. But she knew her mother would be glad for Westridge’s eagerness. It would be further ammunition in her mother’s war against Caitlyn’s employment.
When Westridge stood respectfully, Caitlyn could understand a little better why her mother liked him so much. He was handsome, well-off, and sophisticated. And the fact that his father was some sort of nobleman back in England was just the icing on the cake for Mrs. Doherty. Caitlyn understood all that, but he still didn’t make her heart race. Not like Connor, Mr. Dalton, she corrected herself, did. Caitlyn shoved that little thought out of her mind. It didn’t matter who was making her heart race, she didn’t want to consider marriage at this time. She was only being polite with Mr. Westridge to appease her mother. Mrs. Doherty wouldn’t accept her refusal to be courted by Westridge if her mother didn’t consider that she had at least given the matter a moment’s thought and consideration. By agreeing to this luncheon, she was doing that. And then she could refuse any further attentions from him. What harm could one meal do?
It turned out to be more than one luncheon. After the meal, Mr. Westridge asked her to go for a walk. The sideways glare her mother had cast her assured Caitlyn she could not refuse. It was a reasonably innocuous request on his part, even though she felt quite strongly that it was going to be awkward.
“Allow me to collect my coat and hat,” Caitlyn answered with a carefully mustered smile.
It was a beautiful late Spring day as they strolled along the tree-lined streets of her neighborhood. Birds were chirping; the trees were budding. Caitlyn would have loved every moment of it, if not for the expectant silence emanating from the man by her side. Caitlyn wondered wheth
er she should tell him about herself and try to get him to lose interest or just ask him about himself. A lifetime of social training answered her question for her.
“How is your family faring, Mr. Westridge? Do you find it a challenge being here on your own?”
“Thank you for asking, Miss Doherty. The last letter I received from home was full of accounts of how well they all are doing without me. I believe I’m much better off here, on my own, than if I were back there trying to make my way in a stuffy society that doesn’t think highly of third sons.”
Caitlyn couldn’t help her chuckle. “Surely you exaggerate. Being the third son could hardly be blamed upon you.”
“Clearly you haven’t spent time in London Society, Miss Doherty.”
Caitlyn wondered if she should feel insulted by his words. Despite her mother’s fascination with all things associated with the United Kingdom, she had not taken Caitlyn on the exhausting journey there in order for her to make her appearance before the queen. Caitlyn had been relieved when her father had finally decreed that he wouldn’t allow it two years previously. Her mother had wept for weeks while Caitlyn had danced a jig every time she had been out of her mother’s sight. While she was well aware that her mother’s desire to see her married well was mostly out of concern for her future, Caitlyn couldn’t work up any interest in being a Society debutante. Especially not within a Society with which she had so little experience. Did her mother not realize that making her London debut would have probably resulted in her marrying an Englishman and never returning to Canada?
Torn in Toronto Page 3