by Jen Turano
“I’m going to put Ben down for a nap,” Eliza said, taking a step forward only to come to a stop when Hamilton placed his hand on her arm.
“I’ll take him,” he said.
“I’ve got him.”
Hamilton frowned. “May I ask what I’ve done to upset you, Eliza? You’ve been cold to me all day.”
Since Eliza had no intention of telling Hamilton he’d hurt her feelings by warning her about Gloria’s matchmaking efforts, she settled for sending him a shrug and then busied herself with handing Ben over to him.
“I did do something to upset you,” Hamilton said as he settled Ben against his shoulder.
“It’s nothing,” she mumbled. “I’m just a bit out of sorts today. It’s not my normal tendency to become involved in a bout of brawling with a deranged nanny.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not being completely truthful with me?” he asked.
“I have no idea,” Eliza said, turning on her heel and looking back over her shoulder at him. “I really should go and join Agatha.” She set her sights on the library, feeling Hamilton’s gaze on her back with every step she took.
Honestly, what did the man expect? He’d made his feelings, or lack thereof, perfectly clear. She needed to keep a distance between them, but that was a bit difficult to do when the man seemed to appear at her side every other minute. She strode into the library, smiling when she discovered Gloria and Agatha still continuing their discussion of Theodore. She hurried to join them on the settee.
“. . . and to think I actually considered the man a good match for Arabella,” Gloria was saying. “Why, Arabella would never forgive me if I put her into contact with such an old-fashioned and less than progressive gentleman, although they would make an incredibly pretty pair.”
Eliza noticed the now-familiar speculation residing in Gloria’s eyes. She exchanged a grin with Agatha and returned her attention to Gloria. “Am I to assume Arabella is an attractive lady?”
“Attractive doesn’t begin to describe her,” Zayne said, stepping around a tea service and handing Eliza a cup of tea. “Arabella has been blessed, or cursed, as she claims, with incredible beauty, but her disposition is hardly one of complacency. She’d eat Theodore up and spit him out within minutes.”
A tingle took that moment to sweep down Eliza’s spine, but she refused to look up and acknowledge Hamilton’s presence, knowing if she caught his gaze the man would probably see that as an invitation to join her and . . .
“Eliza, don’t you agree?”
Eliza blinked and discovered Agatha smiling back at her. “Agree?”
“That you should come and visit me tomorrow, seeing as how my parents won’t be at home and I’ll be left all alone.”
“And to think you had the nerve to call poor Theodore a menace,” Zayne muttered.
Eliza snorted into her tea when Agatha tilted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “What could you possibly be implying?”
Eliza’s snort turned into a hiccup when Zayne narrowed his eyes right back. “Do you honestly think anyone in this room doesn’t know the real reason you want Eliza to keep you company tomorrow night? You’re intent on a bit of subterfuge.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Agatha said with an innocent batting of her lashes.
“Is it?” Zayne returned. “Perhaps we should employ a nanny tomorrow night to keep an eye on you.”
“Nannies are bad, and you shouldn’t tease Miss Agatha like that, Uncle Zayne,” Piper said.
Zayne blinked. “Why are nannies bad?”
“Eliza and our former nanny got into an altercation today over the fact that the woman got violent with Ben,” Gloria explained.
“Miss Eliza pulled her hair,” Piper said.
“Yes, thank you for bringing that up again, Piper,” Eliza said before noticing that Agatha was beaming back at her.
“This is marvelous,” Agatha exclaimed, “and I must state here and now that I’m going to have to take a bit of credit for your improved circumstances.”
“How in the world do you reason out that getting into a brawl with the nanny is an improvement in my circumstances?” Eliza asked.
“Well, you’ve clearly formed lovely attachments to Ben and Piper, which I would have to assume has improved your life. Only think, if I hadn’t interceded on your behalf, sending up a special prayer to God to assist you with your situation, well, poor little Ben wouldn’t have had a champion to rescue him from the clutches of a deranged nanny.”
“I’m the one who hired the woman in the first place.”
“Hmm . . . true, but no matter, it’s all still a part of a bigger plan for you.”
Eliza released a sigh. “Agatha, I’m perfectly willing to accept the possibility of God’s provision, but your reasoning is a bit odd in this particular instance. My life is still unsettled, I have yet to be reunited with my fortune, and I’m now missing a chunk of hair from my spat with the nanny. I don’t believe God is currently guiding my path.”
“Of course He’s guiding your path, child,” Gloria said. “You might not realize it yet, but all of these trials you’ve experienced are happening to you for a reason. You simply need to wait to see what the outcome will be.”
Eliza chanced a glance to Hamilton and found him watching her from his position by the fireplace. He sent her a smile and then turned to Gloria. “It’s clear this isn’t a conversation Eliza’s comfortable with, Mother. May I suggest we change the subject?”
Gloria looked as if she wanted to argue the point, but finally nodded and smiled at Eliza. “Forgive me, dear. I did not mean to upset you. I sometimes forget that not everyone believes as I do.”
Eliza leaned forward. “Mrs. Beckett, I didn’t take offense at either your or Agatha’s words. It’s apparent the two of you are women of strong faith, but at the moment, my journey is not as clear. I willingly admit I harbor anger toward God for allowing my life to take such a turn, but I do hope you and Agatha are right and that there is a plan for me. It’s a lovely thought, but one I can’t embrace wholeheartedly at this particular time.”
Agatha reached out and patted Eliza on the knee. “Fair enough. I, for one, will not say another word about the matter.” She grinned. “So, did you want to come over tomorrow? I know my sisters would love to see you.”
“I’m not certain your parents would approve of having me in the house,” Eliza said slowly.
“Excellent point,” Zayne exclaimed as he got up from his chair. “That settles the matter nicely.”
Agatha raised her chin. “I’ll have you know, my mother would not be opposed at all to having Eliza visit. Grace and Lily have been bereft without her, and Mother has come to believe that she may have been a bit hasty in agreeing with Eliza’s dismissal.” Agatha turned to Eliza. “My sisters claim their new governess is hardly proficient at anything, and I understand she flatly refuses to read any books with pirates in them.”
“Lily and Grace can’t be too happy about that,” Eliza said.
“That’s why you must agree to come over tomorrow,” Agatha said. “We’ll pull out the pirate books and have a lovely evening with the girls.”
Before Eliza could respond, Gloria made a tsking sound, drawing everyone’s attention. “Surely you don’t think we believe that piece of nonsense. Your sisters, Miss Watson, will be in bed by nine at the latest, and that leaves all sorts of time for the two of you to get into mischief.”
She ignored Agatha’s huff and continued. “I already have a solution.”
“This should be good,” Eliza muttered.
Gloria sent her a stern look, took a deep breath, and smiled. “I do believe I might have forgotten to mention this, but we’ve been invited to the Murdocks’ for a night of dinner and dancing, and I’ve taken it upon myself to accept their invitation.”
“Excuse me?” Eliza sputtered.
“We’re going to a ball tomorrow night.”
“A ball?” Eliza repeated weakly.
“Yes, de
ar, and do not attempt to convince me you’ll be uncomfortable, as I know full well you attended many balls back in England.”
“Yes, but I was not attempting to go unnoticed at the time, which, if you’ve forgotten, I am attempting to do at the moment, and I hardly see how I can remain inconspicuous if I show up at a ball. Besides, I have nothing suitable to wear.”
“I took the liberty of ordering you a stunning gown from B. Altman’s,” Gloria said.
Eliza opened and closed her mouth, but couldn’t think of a single reply to that. She exchanged glances with Agatha and then turned back to Gloria. “What of Agatha? I can’t simply leave her by herself. You know perfectly well she’ll—”
“I suggest you don’t finish that sentence,” Agatha grouched.
“She’ll come with us,” Gloria declared. “The more the merrier, I always say. We’ll make it a party of . . . let’s see. Me, Eliza, Miss Watson, Hamilton, and Zayne—five.”
“I don’t remember responding to an invitation to the Murdocks’,” Hamilton said.
“I replied for you,” Gloria said with an airy wave of her hand.
“I didn’t receive an invitation to the ball,” Agatha said. “It wouldn’t be proper for me to simply show up there.”
“I’ll secure you an invitation, dear,” Gloria said. “I’m good friends with Mrs. Murdock, and I know she’ll be only too happy to include you in the festivities.”
“I’m not certain my father is willing to allow me my freedom just yet,” Agatha said. “He was most distraught that I landed myself in jail. In fact, I overheard him speaking with Mother, and he’s contemplating sending me off to stay with my aunt Mildred.” She grinned at Eliza. “You saw Aunt Mildred’s gown. Her personality is much like the garment you wore.”
Eliza returned the grin.
“Your father won’t balk in the least if I send him and your mother a personal note,” Gloria said. “The Murdocks are a well-known society family, and with three eligible sons, your parents will be only too happy to allow you to go with us.” She stood up and made her way to the door, looking over her shoulder. “I’ll go and pen a note to your parents now, Miss Watson. You may take it with you when you leave.”
Eliza noticed Agatha sneaking a look at Zayne before she raised her head and smiled at Gloria. “May I suggest you send a note with a servant instead of sending it home with me? Our efforts might be for naught if my father discovers I’ve been anywhere but the orphanage today.”
“Good point,” Gloria said. “I’ll send Matthews with it and instruct him to wait for a reply.” She nodded once and then strode from the room.
Eliza leaned closer to Agatha and lowered her voice. “Why did you agree to go to the ball when only a few minutes ago you were determined to spend the evening with me?”
Agatha turned an interesting shade of pink. “I’ve always wanted to go to one of the Murdocks’ balls. I hear they’re very entertaining.”
Eliza lowered her voice to a mere whisper. “You haven’t completely put your infatuation aside, have you?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“What are you two talking about now?” Zayne asked. “You’re not trying to figure out a way to sneak from the ball and continue with your investigation, are you?”
“They were talking about inflabulations,” Piper said.
“Good heavens, Piper, I forgot you were here,” Agatha said, her color deepening to a lovely shade of purple.
“What are inflabulations?” Zayne asked.
In order to rescue Agatha from an incredibly mortifying situation, Eliza decided it was time to change the subject. “You know, since Agatha has agreed to attend the ball, there really isn’t any need for me to go. It’s not as if anyone needs to be concerned I’ll try to sneak out of the house.”
Apparently, that had been a concern, as Eliza found herself the next day sitting in a chair while Mabel worked on her hair. “I hope your face doesn’t freeze like that,” Piper said as she skipped into the room.
Eliza narrowed her eyes at the child, who had been instrumental in convincing Hamilton of the fact that Eliza should not be left alone in the house while everyone else attended the ball.
“Aren’t you supposed to be playing with Ben?”
“He’s fine. Miss Jamison is playing war with him.”
“Do you think he likes Miss Jamison?” Eliza asked.
“Yes, because she’s a cook, not a nanny,” Piper replied.
“That makes sense in a Ben kind of way.”
“I told Grandmother she should ask Miss Jamison to be our nanny after you leave,” Piper said, leaning closer to Eliza as she lowered her voice. “She’s not very good at cooking.”
Eliza exchanged a smile with Mabel before returning her attention to Piper. “It would hurt Miss Jamison’s feelings if she heard you say that.”
“She’s the one who told me she’s a horrible cook. She only took on this assistant cook job because her aunt is a head cook and talked her into it.”
The way people opened up around Piper really was amazing. They obviously overlooked the fact that, even though she was only five, she was incredibly intelligent.
“Why did you say Miss Jamison could be Ben’s nanny after I left?” Eliza asked.
Piper rolled her eyes as she plopped down on a nearby chair. “He won’t like her if he thinks she’s his nanny while you’re still here.” Piper apparently believed that settled the matter because she switched topics and began launching questions at Eliza on topics ranging from the latest fashions to whether or not Eliza had ever been fortunate enough to ride a tricycle.
Time flew, and before Eliza realized it, Mabel was assisting her into her corset and bustle with Piper flitting around her, trying to help.
“Why do ladies wear these bustles?” Piper asked as she eyed the contraption tied to Eliza’s back. “It looks like you have two behinds.”
“Exactly the effect I was hoping for,” Eliza said as she lifted her arms to allow Mabel to slip the gown carefully over her head. Mabel tugged the gown into place and buttoned up the back.
“You look a sight,” Mabel proclaimed.
“Thank you, Mabel,” Eliza replied, turning her head as she heard the door open.
“Oh, wonderful, you’re ready,” Gloria said, bustling into the room and beaming at Eliza. “You will be the most beautiful woman in attendance tonight. That blue really brings out the color of your eyes.”
“I was hoping to remain inconspicuous.”
“No chance of that, my dear,” Gloria replied as she surveyed Eliza. “That gown fits to perfection, and Mabel has outdone herself with your hair. You are enchanting.”
Before Eliza had an opportunity to glance at her reflection, Gloria took her by the arm and maneuvered her out of the room and down the stairs. She was so intent on watching her every step that she wasn’t aware Hamilton was waiting for her until Gloria came to a sudden stop and Eliza noticed a pair of men’s shoes only a few feet away. She raised her gaze and felt all the breath leave her in a split second.
Hamilton was the most handsome gentleman she’d ever laid eyes on, but that wasn’t what caused all the air to leave her lungs. No, it was the look in his eyes—a look that was admiring, warm, and held a hint of something Eliza didn’t quite understand.
It certainly wasn’t a look of disinterest.
She felt the strangest urge to flee back to her room.
14
Hamilton was unable to move.
The sight of the gorgeous creature who was obviously Eliza, but not the Eliza he was accustomed to seeing, made even the simple act of breathing impossible.
The woman who was more often than not streaked with smudges from Ben’s grubby little hands was nowhere to be found, and in her place stood a woman who was elegance personified.
Eliza’s glorious red hair was swept off her face and pulled to the top of her head with gleaming ringlets cascading around her shoulders and framing her delicate features. Her eyes sparkled, a
nd there was a delightful flush to her creamy skin. His gaze traveled along the soft, exposed expanse of her shoulders, and he wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch the softness, if only to ascertain she was real.
It came to him then that the woman standing beside his mother was someone he knew relatively little about.
The thought took him aback.
He’d been trying, unsuccessfully of course, to maintain a bit of distance from Eliza, as she’d been more than vocal regarding her intention to return to England. Unfortunately, the woman drew him in a manner he couldn’t ignore. He’d been driving himself mad trying to figure out what he’d done to annoy her, because annoy her, he most certainly had. She’d been a bit cool with him over the past two days, but she wouldn’t explain the reason behind the coolness. He’d assumed she was trying to maintain distance from him as well, but at times, he was quite sure he’d detected a small trace of hurt in her eyes.
A loud cough from his mother had him blinking back to awareness. He stepped forward, but was thwarted from extending Eliza his hand when his brother brushed past him and beat him to it.
“You look absolutely lovely, Eliza,” Zayne said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. He dropped it and turned to his mother. “As do you, Mother.”
“Charming as ever,” Gloria said before arching a brow at Hamilton.
He cleared his throat. “The two of you make a pretty picture.”
Gloria’s brow arched higher.
Now that was less than eloquent. He tried again, this time directing his comments to Eliza. “Your appearance is very regal this evening, Eliza,” he said, attempting not to wince when he heard the words come out of his mouth. What was wrong with him? He was normally perfectly capable of turning out a pretty phase when the occasion called for it.
Eliza’s brow now matched his mother’s, and there was a distinct touch of annoyance in her gaze.
“Lovely?” he offered.
“I already used that word,” Zayne said.
“Different,” Hamilton proclaimed. “You look different.”
Gloria rolled her eyes, handed Eliza over to Zayne, and sniffed when Hamilton offered her his arm, walking out of the house on her own rather than accepting his assistance.