He entered the dining room after bringing the dessert plates to the butler’s pantry, and the men were sitting around the table in a much more leisurely fashion.
“Ah, Eli.” Mr. Alexander rose and put his hand on Eli’s shoulder. “I’d like to introduce you to our guests. They’ve been eager to meet you.”
So he would be introduced as the fumbling footman, instead of the competent automobile mechanic. No matter. He’d make the best of the situation.
Five gentlemen were seated around the table with Mr. Walker and Mr. Alexander. All of them looked in Eli’s direction with keen gazes and calculating observation.
“Mr. Caruthers,” Mr. Alexander said, “I’d like you to meet Elijah Boyer, the young man I’ve been telling you about.”
Mr. Caruthers rose from his chair and offered Eli his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Alexander has been singing your praises for over a year. He seems to think you’re the man we should be investing our hard-earned money into.”
Eli wanted to look confident, but it was hard to feel like an equal standing in his footman’s uniform. “I’m pleased to meet you, sir.”
Mr. Alexander introduced Eli to the other men, and they all seemed cordial and interested in his driving skills.
“We plan to go out tomorrow and show you what Eli is capable of,” Mr. Alexander said. “He’ll race the Duryea and hopefully beat his personal record, and then he’ll give each of you a ride. Afterward, he’ll show you the improvements he’s made to the original design, as well as the drawings he’s made for his own automobile.”
“I’m most eager to speak with you,” Mr. Caruthers said. “I’ve been looking for a competent man to partner with. I want to invest in automobiles while they’re still young.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Tomorrow then.” Mr. Walker stood and motioned toward the door. “Shall we join the ladies?”
The others rose and left the dining room, while Eli stayed behind to help clean up.
As soon as they were gone, the pantry door opened and Lucy poked her head into the room. “That was exciting.”
“Either in or out, Miss Taylor.” Mr. Timmons stood with a large platter in hand.
Lucy opened the door all the way and allowed Mr. Timmons to leave the dining room.
“Mrs. Walker said I’m invited to come out and watch you race tomorrow.” She began to clear the silverware from the table. “I’ve never seen an automobile race.”
For some reason, the thought of Lucy being there made Eli more nervous than knowing the five possible investors would be there.
“Do you think I could have a ride someday?” she asked, following him around the table, picking up more silverware.
“It’s not my automobile.”
“If Mr. Alexander doesn’t mind?”
He didn’t think Mr. Alexander would mind—but Eli had no wish to be alone with Lucy. It was hard enough to keep his mind off her when she was in a room full of people. Yet, he couldn’t deny that he wanted to take her on a ride. He saw the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about automobiles. It reminded him of his own passion. Why would he deny her the pleasure of a ride? If he tried hard enough, he could control his growing attraction to her—couldn’t he?
“If Mr. Alexander doesn’t mind, I’d be happy to give you a ride after the investors leave.”
Her eyes sparkled and she clutched the silverware. “Do you think you could take me to my mama’s house? I’d love to show the automobile to my sisters.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was so beautiful, it hurt. At the moment, he’d say yes to anything she requested. “Of course. I’ll even give them a ride, if your mother approves.”
Her lips parted and she slowly smiled. “You will?”
His voice refused to work properly, so he simply nodded.
“They’ll be so excited.” She picked up the rest of the silverware, her footsteps light and her face shining. “Thank you, Eli. You’ve made me very happy.”
Her happiness meant more to him than he knew it should.
Lucy held a lacy white parasol overhead, yet she still needed to squint to keep the bright sunshine from hurting her eyes. The day could not be better for Eli’s exhibition. The cloudless blue sky was striking against the thick green foliage of the countryside, and the air was warm, yet not too hot to be uncomfortable.
Mrs. Walker sat next to her on the picnic blanket, while the other wives either stood or sat with them, their pleasant conversation filling Lucy with a sense of well-being. It felt good to be among women she had always considered peers—even if she was there as Mrs. Walker’s lady’s maid.
“Mr. Boyer looks much more comfortable near an automobile than he does at a dinner party,” Mrs. Walker said with a smile in her voice.
Lucy watched Eli, who stood a little ways off with all the gentlemen as they inspected the Duryea. The motor puttered and jumped, causing the vehicle to bounce as Eli pointed out various parts of the contraption. He had driven it out after the picnic ended. Lucy hadn’t had a chance to talk to him, but he’d glanced her way when he’d first arrived, and the butterflies that had filled her stomach made her realize she needed to stay as far away from him as possible. She couldn’t risk falling in love and losing her position with Mrs. Walker. Her job was the most envied position in Little Falls and she couldn’t give it up, especially when her mother and sisters depended on her income.
Eli stepped into the automobile and the other men backed away. After a few moments, it started to roll, and Eli turned it around and drove it down the country road, farther and farther away.
Lucy’s stomach began to fill with nerves as she watched it pick up speed. The landscape all around was flat, with few trees, and it was easy to see the vehicle, even as it grew smaller.
He turned it around again, and this time it went faster and faster as it came near. Lucy stood, speechless, as the car kicked up dust. She’d never seen anything like it. Everyone had become quiet as they watched, but the tension had built up in Lucy’s chest until she wanted to cheer or shout for joy.
The automobile sped by in the blink of an eye, throwing dust in the air, and everyone clapped as Eli slowed and turned back around. He pulled to a stop near the gentlemen again, but this time, the ladies went out to join them.
“Well done, Mr. Boyer.” Mr. Caruthers reached out and shook Eli’s hand. “Your speed was remarkable.”
“It was a new record,” Mr. Alexander said, holding up a stopwatch. “Forty-two miles an hour.”
“Unbelievable,” said another man. “Most automobiles average around twenty-eight in long races.” He drew closer to Eli, his face serious. “Do you think you could maintain your speed over a fifty-mile course?”
Eli’s eyes were shadowed under his bowler as he looked over the Duryea. “I believe I could keep it somewhere in the midthirties over a longer course, but pushing it to the forties probably wouldn’t be wise.”
The men began to talk among themselves. Eli looked up and caught Lucy’s eye.
She couldn’t stop herself from grinning—or walking toward him.
He smiled back, his blue eyes as bright and brilliant as ever. His face shone with joy and the passion he felt for automobiles was palpable.
“That was wonderful.” She felt breathless as she stopped near the vehicle, though whether it was from the excitement of the race, or seeing him look so handsome, she wasn’t sure.
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Boyer will now give all of you rides,” Mr. Alexander said to his guests, drawing Eli’s attention away from Lucy. “Mr. and Mrs. Caruthers, would you like to be first?”
Mr. Caruthers grinned and nodded, but Mrs. Caruthers put her hand to her chest and looked at the Duryea with a bit of fear. “Is it safe?”
“Perfectly safe,” Mr. Alexander said. “I’ve spent hours in this vehicle and have not suffered a single scratch or bruise.”
She straightened her spine. “Very well.”
> Mr. Alexander helped them inside and Eli turned to Lucy again. “Mr. Alexander has said I may take you riding on our next day off. Would you like that?”
Lucy held her breath, the excitement more than she’d anticipated, yet she felt a catch in her conscience. She couldn’t deny her attraction to Eli, and feared it would only grow stronger if she spent time with him. But she wanted a ride more than anything. “I would like that.”
He tipped the brim of his hat. “So would I.”
“All set, Eli.” Mr. Alexander nodded at Mr. and Mrs. Caruthers, who were crammed onto the bench seat beside Eli.
Lucy stepped back, her heart pumping wildly as she watched Eli pull away with his passengers. To think that she’d sit beside him and have his undivided attention as he drove her in an automobile seemed too good to be true.
The women congregated as they watched Eli give Mr. and Mrs. Caruthers a ride.
“Your young man is very handsome,” Mrs. Powell said to Lucy with a kind smile. “I’m eager to take a ride in his motorized carriage.”
Heat filled Lucy’s cheeks and she glanced at Mrs. Walker to see if her employer had heard the other lady. “Mr. Boyer is not my young man.”
Mrs. Powell was a pretty woman, not much older than Lucy. She lifted her eyebrows now. “He’s not? I’m so sorry. I just assumed, with the way I’ve seen you two look at one another.”
It was Lucy’s turn to lift her eyebrows. Were her feelings that plain? “Mr. Boyer and I have only recently met,” she said quickly, drawing Mrs. Walker’s attention. “The admiration you see on my face is for his automobile and nothing else.”
Mrs. Walker was now listening intently. “What’s this?”
“I made a mistake,” Mrs. Powell quickly told Mrs. Walker. “That’s all. Please forgive me, Miss Taylor.”
“Of course.”
Mrs. Walker studied Lucy for a moment, though there was no censure in her gaze—just curiosity.
“I hear you’re participating in a sporting competition,” Mrs. Powell said to Lucy, clearly trying to change the subject. “How interesting.”
The ladies turned their gazes on Lucy. A month ago, she would have been completely comfortable with all of them—yet now she wasn’t sure how to behave. Mrs. Walker had been kind and gracious, treating her more like a friend than an employee, and the others had followed her behavior, but it didn’t seem quite right. She wasn’t their equal any longer—at least not socially—and she would be wise to remember that.
Chapter Five
Eli ran the rag over the dashboard of the Duryea until it shone. He cared more than he should what Lucy thought of the automobile. Even though it wasn’t his, it still reflected him and his work in every way. In a few minutes, he’d pick her up at the Walker mansion and take her for her first ride. He said a quick prayer, hoping they wouldn’t break down—though the thought of a few extra hours in her company was entirely too pleasant to wish away altogether.
He had put on his best suit of summer clothes and made sure his hair was combed. While cleaning the Duryea, he took care not to get any grease or dirt on his light-colored suit. It was the one thing he owned that hadn’t been ruined by automobile grime.
He gave the hood one more swipe, chiding himself for putting more effort into the vehicle today than he had before the investors came.
“I thought I’d find you here.” Mr. Alexander entered the barn, his hands in his pockets, his face serious.
“Where else would I be?” Eli tried to smile, but he sensed Mr. Alexander hadn’t come for pleasantries—especially not in the middle of the morning when he was usually at work.
“On your day off, I thought you’d be with Miss Taylor.” Mr. Alexander went to the Duryea and ran his hand along the fender.
Eli chose not to comment. They’d been given permission by both their employers to go driving, but he didn’t want Mr. Alexander or Mrs. Walker to think it was a romantic rendezvous. Not only to protect his own job, but to protect Lucy’s. He couldn’t let anything jeopardize her position. He smiled to himself, realizing he’d given up on the idea of his sister becoming the lady’s maid. Someday, he’d find a way for Jessie to leave domestic service.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m home.” Mr. Alexander leaned against the workbench and crossed his arms. “I had a phone call from Mr. Caruthers.”
“You don’t sound too happy.” Eli stood motionless, afraid of what Mr. Alexander had to say.
“The group has come to a decision—more or less.”
Eli’s heart pounded, though he tried to act calm. “What does that mean?”
“They were very impressed with you and the Duryea—as well as your designs for manufacturing an automobile. Mr. Caruthers said if you were the only man they were considering, they wouldn’t hesitate.”
“They’re considering someone else?”
“Apparently they wanted to keep that bit of information to themselves.”
“May I ask who?”
“His name is Edmond Lerke. You’ll meet him in two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
“At the company picnic.”
Eli was confused. He tossed the rag onto the workbench and faced Mr. Alexander. “The investors are trying to decide between you and Mr. Lerke. They want to see you two race side by side. Since Noah and I already have the company picnic race advertised and marked out, I invited all the investors back to Little Falls with Mr. Lerke. Noah has agreed to let Mr. Lerke race on his team, since he couldn’t find anyone else who could actually beat you.”
“I’ll be racing against Mr. Lerke?”
“Yes. He’ll bring his own custom-made automobile—the one he’d like to manufacture.” Mr. Alexander took a deep breath. “If Mr. Lerke wins the race, they will make him a partner in their venture. If you win, then they’ll pick you, with one condition.”
“What?”
“They believe, as do I, that if we’re going to partner with you, we want you to invest some of your own money in the venture. That way, you’ll have a stake in the company.”
“My own money?”
“You don’t need to worry. If you win, you’ll have the hundred dollars in prize money to put forth.”
“And if I lose?”
Mr. Alexander looked at his feet for a moment. “I’ve spent several years working with these men, and I believe that they are capable of building a promising automobile company. I will go along with whatever they decide, either way.”
The air filled with the weight of his declaration. “If I win, I’ll have it all—but if I lose?”
“You can remain as my footman—though I don’t believe you’d enjoy serving in that capacity for much longer.”
Mr. Alexander was right. If Eli lost, he would be forced to look for employment elsewhere, which meant he’d probably have to leave Little Falls altogether.
“I don’t think I need to tell you that this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Mr. Alexander said. “There will be a lot riding on that race now, but I know you can do it, Eli.”
He hoped so.
“Now.” Mr. Alexander moved away from the workbench, his voice less austere. “I imagine you have better things to do with your time. Go take Miss Taylor on a ride and try to forget about all this for the afternoon.”
Without another word, Mr. Alexander left the barn.
Eli stood for a moment absorbing all the information he’d just been given. It was vital that he win the race. His entire future depended on his performance.
He went to the large barn door and opened it wide, then he turned the crank several times before the Duryea began to run. He climbed into the automobile and backed it out of the barn.
The day was overcast and windier than he’d like, but it would still be pleasant enough to ride with the top down. Just thinking about Lucy sitting beside him, the wind blowing through her dark red hair, brought a strange warmth to his gut.
He tried to push aside any romantic notions he had for the attractive lad
y’s maid and drove the Duryea up the hill, backward. If he drove up the hill front first, the gravity-fed engine would not allow gasoline to flow properly and would sputter out.
As he pulled up to the Walker mansion, Lucy stood at the servants’ entrance, a warm smile on her pretty face. The moment he came within sight, she stepped out and walked toward the circular drive in front of the two homes.
Today she wore a green skirt and a white blouse. A matching green bonnet sat on her curls. Her dimple appeared as he jumped out of the vehicle and met her halfway.
“Are you ready?”
“I’ve been counting down the hours.”
“Here.” He offered his hand, just as he would if helping her into a buggy. In all truth, the Duryea looked like a buggy, without the horses attached.
She slipped one gloved hand inside his and lifted her hem with her other. With a glance of excitement in his direction, she stepped into the vehicle and let go. As she arranged her skirts, he went around and climbed in beside her. The tiller came up over the dashboard and stuck out between them. Eli rotated the tiller handle and the Duryea went into motion.
“Oh, my.” Lucy grabbed his arm as the automobile jerked forward.
He grinned as he watched her face.
Several emotions played over her features as they rolled out of Basswood Hill and onto Highland Avenue. Surprise, apprehension, and then pure joy. She shook her head as she smiled at him. “I can hardly believe I’m in a horseless carriage. Can you go faster?”
He laughed and lifted the tiller into second gear, allowing it to go about ten miles an hour.
They left Basswood Hill and followed the road out to the countryside where Eli usually raced. He rotated the tiller handle again, letting the Duryea go even faster.
Lucy’s gaze swept over the landscape, her eyes shining as she laughed in amazement. “This is incredible.”
He could watch her all day.
“Can we show my sisters?”
Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection Page 59