“Well now, if you want attention you must seek it out. ‘Twill not find you while you’re lurking in the corners. Not to mention that dress!” Bernadine stopped waving the fan, looking over Henrietta’s gown. “Although the color is quite becoming with you light hair and fair skin tone, all that lace covers up your best assets. You need something with more flair and a lower neckline.”
“I have already tried my best gowns and all Dillon did was reprimand me for not looking like a lady.” She sniffed. “Can you believe he prefers that pasty, redhead over me?”
“’Tis no comprehension for taste.” Bernadine smiled slyly. “But you must not give up just because of a setback. You must fight harder.”
“What else can I do?” Hopelessness carved a hole in her heart.
Patting Henrietta’s forearm she advised, “Why not go ask Dillon to dance?”
“He’ll turn me down and I will look like a fool in front of the whole town.”
“If there is one thing I know about Dillon, it is that he’s a gentleman. ‘Twould not be chivalrous to turn down a poor maiden who has sat alone all night.”
“But I did have one dance, and with the sheriff no less.” Henrietta could kick herself now. What if that one dance ruined Bernadine’s plan?
Bernadine thought hard. “Perhaps we can convince him it was out of pity you danced with him. That is how desperate you are.” Her eyes brightened as the plan formulated in her head.
“What about Caitlin? She will never allow him to dance with me. She has always hated me.”
“That, my dear, can work to our advantage.” Standing, she ordered, “Now you sit here looking as forlornly as possible. Leave the rest up to me.” Walking toward the small crowd that had gathered around Dillon and Caitlin, she smiled to herself. Let’s see that little Irish trash out smart me now. She would certainly win now that she had an ally on her side.
“Dillon may I speak with you for a moment?” Bernadine interrupted the conversation.
“I am in the middle of something.”
“‘Tis terribly important.”
Dillon rolled his eyes then followed her to a quiet corner. “What is the matter?”
“I have been noticing a young maiden, sulking in the corner most of the night. I thought perhaps you could ask her to dance.” Bernadine smiled.
“Have you forgotten that I am a married man?” He should have known she was up to no good.
“’Tis only one dance. ‘Twill make her feel better to have at least one dance. It would be very chivalrous of you.” She batted her long, black lashes.
“That coy look will be of no use.” Dillon crossed his arms in front of chest. “Besides, are you not getting too old for that eyelash thing?”
“Why Dillon Cade, how rude you are,” she huffed. “However I will not let personal insults stand in the way of someone’s happiness.”
“I do not care about any other woman’s happiness besides Caitlin’s.”
“I am sure that if Caitlin saw this poor, dejected girl she would insist on one dance, just to cheer her up.”
“I do not think that possible,” he sighed. “Where is this girl, perhaps I may have a chat with her without risking gossip.”
“Right over there.” She pointed. “In the yellow dress.”
“Henrietta!” He crossed his arms. “Absolutely not. Besides she already had a dance.” His eyes turned hard. “With the sheriff. Whatever game she is playing, I will not be a party to it.”
“’Tis the problem.” Bernadine fretted her raven brows together. “You see, she had no idea he was the sheriff until they were in the middle of the dance. She was positively horrified when she found out. Poor dear,” she looked sorrowfully in her direction, “she now is worried that the whole town will be angry with her over a simple misunderstanding. She also fears that people will think she is associated with him, and that she had something to do with your arrest.”
Dillon quietly sighed, not saying anything. He was not sure Henrietta hadn’t had something to do with his arrest.
“Do you not see that one dance from you would alleviate the suspicion of the entire town?”
“’Tis not my problem or responsibility.”
“Dillon, I am ashamed of you,” Bernadine declared very loudly. “Where is your sense of Christian duty?”
“My Christian duty is to my wife only,” he sighed.
“I cannot believe that Caitlin would be so heartless as to not help a poor soul in need.”
“You do not know the circumstances. Besides, since when do you care about anything besides fashion and yourself?”
“I will have to speak with your father about your behavior. You are positively ill mannered.” The black and purple material of her gown stretched taut across her small chest. “I have had enough of your insensitive remarks. You have not seen me or your father in thirteen years, yet you stand there and judge me.” Pulling out her fan, she frantically waved it. “I am a most generous person.”
Dillon arched his brows in skepticism. “Only when it serves a purpose.” He was not about to be taken in by her act, or her use of guilt. He would never feel guilty about moving away. Not when her advances had been the reason for leaving in the first place.
“I do declare,” she acted faint. “I am not sure if this colony has given you a monstrous heart, or if it is your new wife?”
“You leave Caitlin out of this,” he demanded.
“If your marriage is so unstable that one little dance with a poor maiden would cause so much turmoil, then maybe you shouldn’t be married to that particular girl.”
Dillon stepped closer, his tone icy. “Do not think that I underestimate you. I realize that your only purpose here is to destroy my marriage. I will not allow anything or anyone to come between us.” His brown eyes turned almost black. “Is that clear?”
“Quite.” Bernadine stiffened. “Let me make myself clear.” Her blue gaze challenged him. “Caitlin is nothing but a mere mushroom, who has transplanted herself from the lowly middle class into high society. I will not stand to have our good reputation soiled. You must start thinking with your head and quit these romantic notions.”
“You have no right to speak to me of soiled reputations. You were merely middle class before you married my father. And your reputation has not improved one bit since then.”
“How dare you!” Bernadine gasped. “I was much better off than that Irish chit. And I worked hard to improve our name and reputation after all the devastation your mother caused by having that affair and getting herself killed.”
Dillon had to restrain every muscle in his body in order to keep from slapping her. “’Tis only that we are in front of the entire town that I will not hit you for that remark, but, be assured that if you ever speak another lie about my mother, I will not hold back my temper.”
“I realize that as a young boy you would want to cling to the fantasies of your mother. However, you are a grown man now, and must face the truth.” Bernadine did not back away from his advance.
“If you do not keep these corrupt lies to yourself I will tell my father the real reason I left England.”
“Is something the matter?” Caitlin hastily approached, placing herself between the two.
“We were just reminiscing about old times.” Bernadine tried to make her voice sound lighthearted. “If you will excuse me, I need to go make apologies to a young maiden.”
Caitlin waited until Bernadine was out of ear range before asking, “What was that all about?” She rubbed Dillon’s shoulder. “You are more taut than the strings on a violin.”
“That woman is the most irritating beast I have ever known.”
“A beast?” Caitlin laughed. “Truly you are upset.” She’d never seen him like this before. Not even when she was the one causing the quarrel.
* * *
Henrietta watched Dillon through the plate glass window of his shop, as he worked over the press. Pulling the silver timepiece from her reticule she checked
the hour, hoping Bernadine would be on time. After all this was her idea. The two of them hatched the plan early this morning, and had already begun spreading rumors about Caitlin.
Bernadine had told everyone she met how Henrietta had sat all alone, except for the one dance, which turned out to be the sheriff. Then, explained how mean-spirited Caitlin would not allow Dillon to have one dance with the poor, miserable maiden. “Can you imagine being that heartless and selfish,” Bernadine drawled in her shrill tone.
Smiling at the memory, Henrietta took a deep breath and pushed open the door, bracing her ears for the shrill jingle of the bells. “Dillon may I speak with you for a moment?”
“If you have something you want printed, forget it.” His flat tone sent stronger chills through her body than the December winds.
“’Tis not about writing. But it is urgent.” She glanced around the shop. “Is Johnny still here?”
“In the back.” He stopped his work, finally meeting her gaze. “Why?”
“I wish to speak with you privately. Could you send him on break or something?”
“Nay. Whatever you have to say can be said in his presence.”
“I have something important to tell you, and cannot afford to have anyone else overhear.” She pleaded with him.
“I cannot think of anything you have to say that is so secretive. Bernadine already informed me that you did not know the man you danced with was the sheriff. I am sure everyone in town will believe you.” He wiped his ink stained hands on a dirty rag.
“I wish that was all I had to tell you.” She nervously licked her dry lips. “But I have something else I must confess.” Henrietta wasn’t sure she wanted to inform of her part in his arrest, but she had no other recourse to get him alone. “Please, Dillon. Send Johnny to lunch so we may speak alone.”
* * *
Caitlin was tired of hearing Bernadine whine. She was bored. The workers’ pounding was giving her a headache. The tea was too strong. The scones were cold. Caitlin didn’t have the faintest idea how to run a proper house.
“Caitlin go put on a proper promenade dress and let’s go to town,” Bernadine suggested.
“I have too much work. Mr. Barclay is working non-stop to finish your room.”
“So let him work, ‘tis why you are paying him. I do not understand why you insist that you must be here. Is he not competent to handle the job alone?”
“He is completely dependable. But since Dillon cannot be here to oversee the work, the responsibility has befallen to me.”
“Pish-posh!” Bernadine waved her gloved hand. “Let the men do their work, and we will go shopping.” Wrinkling her nose, she set the lemon square down. “Besides I need some supper.”
“If you wanted to be in town so bad why did we come out to the house?” Roderick white brows wrinkled in confusion.
“I wanted to spend time with Caitlin. We cannot do that if we are in town and she is here.”
That statement drew surprised glances from everyone in the room, including Mrs. White, who was serving the tea.
“We do not have much time,” Bernadine admonished. “Now hurry and change. I am not taking no for an answer.”
“I truly am too busy,” Caitlin protested.
“Nonsense.” Bernadine crossed her arms, her stare penetrating. “Either you change your garments, or I shall drag you into town as you are.”
Caitlin mentally counted as she vigorously brushed out the wrinkles in her gray cotton gown. She could not figure why Bernadine was so against her appearance. The simple empire style was easy to move in. The pink flounce added style and she topped the outfit off with a pink cottage cap. It was most appropriate for morning. However, she did concede to the fact that it was almost noon.
She wished the woman would just leave her alone. Her chores would consume most of the day. She had no desire whatsoever to go into town. But, she did want to get into good standing with her mother-in-law. Biting back her temper, she merely smiled. “I will have Lucy help me change into more appropriate attire.”
“Very well.” Bernadine twisted her lips into a smug smile. “Make it quick.”
“Why are you in such a rush?” Roderick asked.
“I want to get something decent to eat,” she snapped.
“I will be down before you can miss me.” Caitlin ran up the stairs.
Lucy helped her don a blue and yellow checkered, taffeta gown. After adding a blue hat with yellow plumes and blue gloves, Caitlin was most suitable in promenade attire.
Roderick whistled as she descended the staircase. “’Tis the fastest and most beautiful transformation I have ever seen.” He was amazed how young she looked in the simple gown and ruffled cap, and how she now looked like an adult dressed in a fashionable gown. “’Tis the most beautiful young woman I have seen in years.”
“I can now see where Dillon gets his flattering tongue.” Caitlin curtsied.
Bernadine’s impatient foot tapping and folded arms told everyone she was not elated by the metamorphosis. “Can we move it along before I faint of hunger?”
After loading into the carriage and wrapping tightly with the blankets to keep the chill away, they head down the bumpy, dirt road.
“Has no one heard of stones,” Bernadine mumbled. “I miss the cobble stoned roads in England,” she sighed. “’Tis much easier to drive on.”
“Speaking of home.” Caitlin smiled sweetly. “When do you plan on returning?”
“Why, I never.” Bernadine pointed her beak into the air. “We have only just arrived and you are already throwing us out.”
“I do not think that is what she meant,” Roderick commented. “She was merely asking a question.”
“And what do you understand of the female mind?” Bernadine quipped.
“Apparently not much,” he grumbled. “At least not when it comes to you.”
“Exactly what does that mean?” Bernadine crossed her arms. “I have done nothing but try to be the perfect wife all these years.” She dabbed her eyes with a gloved hand. “And all I have ever gotten from you is disrespect.”
Roderick rolled his eyes and looked out the window. He’d learned to not even defend his words and actions or it led to more squabbling. Instead, he tuned her out and concentrated on the scenery. “’Tis beautiful countryside.”
“’Tis nothing now.” Caitlin waved a hand. “You should see it in the springtime. ‘Tis most beautiful in the autumn.”
Bernadine narrowed her eyes in anger. She hated being interrupted more than being completely dismissed. The two of them acted as if she were not even in the same carriage.
“We are near town. Where would you like to go?” Caitlin asked.
“I thought we could stop by the shop and ask Dillon to join us.” Bernadine smiled which looked more a lopsided frown.
“’Tis a lovely idea,” Caitlin brightened at the idea. She needed his moral strength to make it through another minute with her. Why had she deluded herself into thinking she could win over Bernadine? Any remote notions of them ending up like Ruth and Naomi fled.
The carriage pulled alongside of the boardwalk and the driver helped the ladies out. They crossed the street a few buildings down from the printing shop. Caitlin was explaining who owned what shops and giving a brief history lesson of the town as they strolled along the boardwalk.
The cold wind blew through Caitlin chilling her to the bone. It stung her nose and checks turning them red. However when she looked through the window of the printing shop and saw Henrietta in Dillon’s arms, it was more than the winter weather making her shiver.
Roderick almost collided with Caitlin when she abruptly stopped. His eyes followed her gaze.
“Don’t those two look cozy?” Bernadine’s smug smile added more insult. She walked passed them, her steps so light it almost looked like she was skipping.
Roderick laid a consoling hand on her forearm. “Try to keep in mind that things are not always what they appear.”
“I sha
ll try.” Her smile was weak, but she knew his words were true. She trusted Dillon. His loyalty and love were without measure. Henrietta was not going to destroy the bond that had begun between them. Whatever Henrietta was up to, she would find out.
“Dear Lord, give me wisdom and strength.” She quietly prayed, before following Bernadine through the door.
At the jingling of the bell Henrietta gasped and pulled away from Dillon. She nervously patted some loose tendrils of hair back into place and adjusted the flounce on her sleeves. Her actions the perfect picture of a woman caught red handed. Her guilty look briefly turned deceptive when her eyes met Bernadine’s.
“What on Earth is going on here?” Bernadine asked with as much disdain as she could muster.
“’Tis not what it looks like.” Henrietta met Caitlin’s eyes. “Dillon ‘twas just being a gentleman. I started crying and well…” she wrung her hands fretfully. “He was only trying to comfort me.”
“I assume, at the very least, you have your apprentice on hand.” Bernadine’s tone turned sharp. “So you two are not completely alone, and able to do who knows what?”
“Actually, Johnny went on break.” Henrietta rushed on to explain. “I had a matter of utmost importance, and requested a private word with Dillon.”
“Dillon I am ashamed of you.” Bernadine clucked. “One would think that since you are now a married man, you would respect your wife’s reputation.”
Dillon was about to remind her that it was she who wanted him to dance with Henrietta the night before. However, his defense was interrupted by Caitlin.
The Unwilling Bride Page 28