by Darcy Burke
“I came over to see if you ever found who you were looking for,” his mother said with a tone that would suggest she was innocent of any wrong doing.
“Not that,” he said, with a scowl. Though he didn’t like it, he’d grown accustomed to having her come by his house at varied times since he’d come back to London. He should have known she’d come today and warned Lucy.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re asking, then,” she said.
Giles’ face heated. Of course she didn’t. He tried to think of a better way to word what he wanted to know, but all that came out was, “Why?” He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to push away the feeling of embarrassment that was threatening to overtake him.
“Why did I hire her?”
Giles shook his head. “Debt.” The word tasted bitter on his tongue, but nonetheless, he was glad he’d been able to form it.
“It wasn’t a real debt,” she said slowly.
He stared at her. Not a real debt? What did that mean? “She’s not—” He broke off and let out a ragged breath.
“She’s not what, Giles? Your mistress?”
Giles’ eyes widened and he shook his head vigorously. “No.”
“I never thought she was.” She pressed her lips together and a crease formed between her eyes. “Giles, I know you don’t trust me. Or even know me, for that matter. But if nothing else, I want you to know that I don’t think poorly of you or Miss Whitaker for anything.” She reached for him, but before she touched him, she pulled her hands back. “I don’t care what your relationship with Miss Whitaker is or isn’t. She’s in need of employment and I’m in need of help. That’s all there is to it. If she truly doesn’t wish to work there, she doesn’t have to. I’d never force her to or threaten to bring trouble to her doorstep if she didn’t.”
Giles stood silently as he tried to understand everything she had said.
“If you’d prefer I don’t employ her, then I won’t,” she said quietly a moment later.
All of his unease and discontent with her was stolen with those words. She was being genuine. He couldn’t explain how he knew it just then, but something in his heart told him she was. “Where will she live?”
A smile pulled the corner of her pink lips up and a tear ran down her cheek. “There’s a small apartment above the library. It’s been used for storage, but it can be cleared out and she can stay there.” Her smile widened. “That is if this arrangement is acceptable to Lord Norcourt seeing as he’s the one who owns the library and the building.”
“It’s acceptable.”
“Shall we go confirm that this is acceptable to Miss Whitaker?”
It took some convincing, which thankfully Lady Norcourt handled, to persuade Lucy that she didn’t need to rent a room from a boardinghouse and she finally agreed to stay in the apartment, but only in exchange for lower wages. Lady Norcourt immediately agreed with the terms. Seth seemed rather pleased with the arrangement, too. Almost as pleased as he was with the lemon pastry he devoured.
Because it was Thursday and one of the two days each week—the other being Monday—the library was closed, Mrs. Appleton had suggested that Lucy spend the afternoon cleaning up the little apartment and settling in.
There really wasn’t much to settle, but she could use some quiet time.
Unfortunately, her quiet time was cut short with the appearance of one Mr. Simon Appleton. As soon as he arrived, Seth could no longer be subdued.
“Can I go see him?” Seth begged excitedly.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Lucy hedged.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” He cocked his head to the side. “Shouldn’t we at least see how he’s faring?”
Lucy playfully wagged her finger at him. “You’re a sly one.”
He sent her an impish grin and darted from the room.
Lucy chuckled and followed after him. After her attack she’d been terrified that it would take a while for him to be the carefree lad he’d been. She was glad to be proven wrong.
Downstairs, she made her way over to the pair slowly so not to distract from their conversation.
“What did your mother say?” Seth asked through his laughter.
“She told him he’d better find a new home for his new pet bunny before he ate anymore of it or she’d make stew of him,” Mrs. Appleton supplied with a shudder, leading Simon to join Seth in his laughter.
“What’s that?” Lucy asked.
Simon sobered instantly and removed his felt hat. “M-miss Whitaker,” he stammered. “Just a biology lesson, that’s all.”
“Did you know that rabbits eat their own waste?” Seth asked loudly.
“No.” She looked to a red-faced Simon. “But my day has been made complete now that I’ve been made aware.”
“I knew it would be,” Seth clipped. “Do you know any other fascinating facts I can share with my mother, Mr. Appleton?”
“No.” He glanced up at Lucy. “Why don’t you go find a storybook while I talk to your mama for a minute?”
Disappointment shadowed Seth’s face, but he didn’t voice it and went to search for a novel.
“I’m glad you finally decided to come to London. I’ll have to make a point to come by here more often now that I know I’ll get to see you.”
It was all Lucy could do to keep her face expressionless at his obvious attempt to flirt. It wasn’t that he wasn’t trying. He was, and that was the problem. She was at least eight years his senior. Much too old for him to be pursuing.
“I don’t know if she told you or not, but my mother usually closes the library on Mondays. I’d be honored if I could show you somewhere in London that might be of interest.”
Lucy bit her lip. “I—I don’t know.”
Simon drummed his fingers on the table. “Seth can join us.”
From where Katherine Appleton stood behind a tower of books that needed to be put away, she saw Lucy bristle at Simon’s words. A pang of sympathy for Lucy formed. Of course, most mothers should reserve their sympathy for their own child who was being rebuffed. But after having a child who was only welcome as an afterthought, she couldn’t help but empathize with Lucy.
Likely though, Simon didn’t realize how his words had sounded and this could still be salvaged. She paused. Did she want to salvage this? It was obvious that Simon was quite taken with her from the way he’d reacted the moment she’d told him that Lucy was in London and would be helping her at the library. But what of Lucy? Did she return that interest?
Katherine peered at the duo again. Lucy seemed quiet and reserved, just the way she had around Giles. Perhaps she was wary of both of them and their intentions. Even Katherine didn’t yet know the extent of Giles’ interest. He might be her son, but he hid his feelings well except when he was frustrated. Simon, though the dear boy tried, just couldn’t hide his feelings no matter what they were.
She shook her head ruefully and looked to Lucy again for any sort of clue of her feelings. Nothing. Katherine tapped her toe quietly as she tried to make sense of it. Considering Lucy was an unmarried mother who went by Miss rather than Mrs. she likely had reason to be guarded around both of them.
“Lucy,” she called in a tone louder than necessary. When Lucy looked her way, she continued. “Would you and Seth be interested in joining us at my house for dinner tonight?”
“Oh, no, Mrs. Appleton. I don’t want to be any bother.”
Katherine waved her hand through the air. “It’s no bother. I invited Giles, but he declined so we’ll have more than the three of us can eat.” She watched Lucy’s face to see if she detected any change at the mention of Giles, but was distracted when Simon let out an exaggerated gasp and threw his hands up to his chest as if he was horrified.
“Mother, surely you aren’t implying you think this little slip of a lady could eat near as much as Lord Norcourt, are you?”
Katherine chuckled. “Of course not, but I think that growing boy of hers might.”
; “Yes, ma’am, I can,” Seth added from beside her. “Especially if that includes three helpings of dessert.”
FOURTEEN
Lucy scolded herself for wishing that Giles would join them for dinner. Giles? Since when had she started thinking of him as anything other than Lord Norcourt? It’s because that’s what his mother calls him, she reasoned with herself.
If only she believed that.
Seated on the red settee to her left, Seth asked Simon if he’d explain piquet or some other card game to him.
“How about another time?” Simon suggested as he brushed some imaginary dirt or lint from the top of his brown trousers.
Seth shrugged and asked if Simon had ever read a certain book.
Thankfully Simon had and it gave the two of them something to talk about. Lucy, however, could think of nothing to add to the conversation and tried not to notice the way Simon’s eyes kept straying to her every few seconds.
“My husband isn’t usually so late,” Mrs. Appleton commented. “He must have had an important matter come up, but I don’t think he’ll be too much longer.”
Lucy hoped she was right. Otherwise she might go mad.
Lucy was spared such a fate when not two minutes later the front door creaked open and heavy footfalls sounded in the hall. Trying not to appear too eager or nervous, Lucy kept her eyes trained on Seth until she was certain Mr. Appleton was in the room. Then she turned around and gasped.
She coughed quickly to recover her error, but it was too late and Mrs. Appleton watched her with an amused expression on her face. “I told you that my own scandals were more than enough to scare away certain patronage. Perhaps you believe me now?”
Lucy nodded but couldn’t take her eyes off of the solemn-looking Mr. Appleton. She’d thought Giles and Simon had a striking resemblance and just assumed they had to look like their maternal grandfather, but seeing Mr. Appleton, if she didn’t know better she’d say Giles looked identical—but with fewer wrinkles.
“Lucy, I’d like you to meet my husband, Walter Appleton. Walter, this is Lucy Whitaker and her son, Seth. Lucy has agreed to help me down at the library.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucy,” Mr. Appleton greeted. He flashed a smile in Seth’s direction. “Seth.”
Lucy greeted Mr. Appleton and nudged Seth to do the same.
“Well, now that we’re all acquainted, shall we go down to dinner?” Mrs. Appleton chirped, killing the tension in the room.
“May I?” Simon murmured at Lucy’s elbow.
Lucy placed her hand on the crook of his elbow the way she’d witnessed other ladies doing. From the corner of her eye she noticed the set of his jaw. Was he upset? Did he have some sort of hostility for either of his parents? No. It wasn’t her place to ask.
The dining room was small compared to Giles’. Which was to be expected since Giles was a lord and was expected to have a bigger home. Their table had enough seating for eight rather than twelve. There was a large red runner that went down the center of the table and a large silver vase overflowing with tulips in the middle. Five place settings had been laid out. Mr. Appleton sat on the end with his wife on his right side and Lucy on his left. Mrs. Appleton had asked Seth to sit beside her leaving the chair to Lucy’s left free for Simon.
Dinner was tolerable, if not awkward. Simon eventually started to relax and carried on a conversation with his father about their business, using the words investments, recoup, gain, and other such words she only vaguely understood.
Across the table, Seth sent her fleeting glances. He was disinterested in the conversation. So was she, but he didn’t need to know that. She flashed him her best smile. Perhaps this was what it’d take for him to stop being so darn eager to spend time with every unattached gentleman.
Just then, the only male servant Lucy had seen since arriving excused himself from the room. When he came back a moment later, he set down a folded piece of paper at Mrs. Appleton’s elbow, then went back to serving.
Mrs. Appleton murmured an apology to the table then read the note to herself before passing it to Mr. Appleton. The two exchanged a look, then Mrs. Appleton made her excuses and left. That was the oddest exchange she’d ever seen. Both Simon and his father must have thought so, too, for neither spoke of business again after she left.
Of course that could have been because Seth pounced on the opportunity of momentary silence to engage Simon in another conversation. This time about what it’d be like if carriages had wings and could fly. Simon was clearly stupefied by the very thought, and relied on logic to explain why this could never work.
Lucy pretended to listen and from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a distant look on Mr. Appleton’s face. She followed his line of vision to the window. Nothing seemed amiss at first glance; then she saw it. Along the far right side of the window, next to a tall wooden pole that supported the awning across the street was a carriage with the Norcourt crest emblazoned on the side. Though she hadn’t been told everything about this family’s history, she knew enough and while Mrs. Appleton was anything but subtle in her feelings for her eldest son, Mr. Appleton clearly felt the same way his wife did.
Her heart ached for him and without realizing it she reached forward and touched his arm comfortingly. She pulled her hand back before either Seth or Simon could see what she’d done, chastising herself for her foolishness.
Slowly, Mr. Appleton turned to look at her. Her face heated to what felt like one thousand degrees. He wouldn’t say anything about her informal action, would he?
He didn’t.
With glistening green eyes, he offered her a half-smile and whispered, “Thank you.”
Giles clenched his fists and exhaled. “I’m sorry.”
A small crease formed in the skin between his mother’s eyes. “For?”
He released another deep exhalation. Then another. “Being cruel.”
“I suppose I deserve some cruelty.” She blinked her eyes rapidly. “I—I want you to know that I never—” She broke off with a sniffle, then sank into the chair nearest her.
Giles remained standing. She appeared to be in need of a hug. But not from him. He’d spent the afternoon trying to form an apology. That was the best he could give. Not that he was too sure she’d want a hug from him anyway. Most didn’t. In fact, the Sisters had scolded him and told him to stop touching the others. That it was inappropriate and made others uncomfortable. He stiffened. He’d hugged Lucy. Had she minded? She didn’t pull away, but neither did she hug him back.
His mother’s voice pulled him from his fog. “Pardon?”
“We’ve already had dinner, but would you care to join us for dessert?”
Giles studied the tops of his black leather boots. Simon wouldn’t like that. Simon didn’t like him. He shook his head. “No.”
“It’s custard,” she said, smiling.
His mouth watered. He loved custard. Always had. Some of his fondest memories with his mother were when they’d picnic together on the grassy hill by their country estate. She’d always let him eat his bowl of custard before the main meal—so it wouldn’t get warm—then she’d complain of being too full after their meal and insist Giles eat her portion.
“Come,” she urged. “Seth said he could eat three bowls—perhaps the two of you could have a race?”
“Seth?” Did that mean Lucy was here, too?
“I invited him and his mother over for dinner. They’re here with Simon and…er—” she cleared her throat— “Mr. Appleton.”
Giles pulled back. “No.”
“Can you give him a chance?”
Not if it meant he had to witness the man paying attention to Lucy.
“Please? If not for me at least for the sake of Seth. The poor boy looks like he’s on the verge of going mad with tedium at any moment.”
Giles cracked a smile. He liked Seth. He was smart, but still needed to have fun. Not to mention, a firm hand. Giles still didn’t like how those men in Shrewsbury had handled Seth, b
ut it hadn’t escaped his notice that the boy could get unruly without boundaries. “All right.”
As soon as he agreed, he wished he could take it back, but couldn’t when his mother clapped her hands, then reached for the blue sleeve of his coat and chirped, “Come along.”
Reminding himself to breathe, Giles followed his mother to the dining room. He could do this. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. At the door to the dining room he halted.
“It’ll be all right,” his mother whispered, giving his sleeve a gentle tug. She stepped into the threshold. “I wanted to say that I appreciate Lucy and Seth for coming to be our dinner guests, and now we’ll be joined by a dessert guest.”
Even before Mrs. Appleton had finished her statement, Lucy’s heart was hammering out of control. It must have been the older woman’s smile that had given her away to Lucy. Giles was about to join them. Lucy fidgeted, praying that her face didn’t betray her.
Beside her, Simon grew as rigid as a church steeple as he just stared at his mother while Giles lowered himself into the empty chair beside Seth.
“We’re ready for our custard now, Daniel, please bring enough for both Seth and Lord Norcourt to each have three bowls.”
“Whatever for, Mother?” Simon burst out.
“They’re to have a race.” She looked at Lucy and playfully wagged her finger. “He might be eight-and-twenty, but I still have faith my boy can out eat yours when it comes to custard.”
“And what of your boy who is eight-and-forty?” Mr. Appleton asked, a hint of a smile pulling on the corner of his lips. “Does he not get a chance?”
Mrs. Appleton’s sparkling blue eyes widened. “I didn’t think—” She closed her mouth with an audible snap. “Of course.” Looking to Simon, she asked, “Would you like to compete, too?”
Lucy thought he might decline and was shocked when he agreed.
A moment later, the four of them each had three generous bowls of custard in front of them.
“You’ll all be sick tonight,” Mrs. Appleton commented.