Auggie looked up at Mr. Smith, amused by the look on the man’s face. The rumor mill will be grinding away by the time it’s dinner if I don’t clarify why Elizabeth and I are together. I hate having to explain myself or my actions. But I have her reputation to think of, not mine.
“Mrs. Hamilton is employed at the Grand as its new seamstress. Please add her name to the hotel account so that she may acquire what she needs in the future,” Auggie said, signing the credit slip.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Raines.” Mr. Smith nodded, making a note on the hotel’s account book.
“Thank you.” Auggie offered Elizabeth his elbow again as they left the dry goods store with the purchases.
“You do realize this is going to get all over Blessings Valley before the end of the day.” Auggie patted her hand, just before it slipped away.
“I hadn’t thought of that. In the future, we must not step out together like this again. You are my employer, Mr. Raines.” Elizabeth spoke so low, he had to tip his head toward her in order to hear. “It isn’t proper for you to appear too friendly with your employees. Especially if they are female—and widowed.”
“Yes, you are right, of course. I was raised that a gentleman should always escort a lady, you see, and that’s only what I am doing. Even if said lady is my employee,” Auggie explained as they neared the hotel. “However, there is one thing I must insist on, Mrs. Hamilton. With your blessing, of course.”
“What is that, Mr. Raines?” She gazed up, her eyes sparkling with wonderment.
“Please call me Auggie. It would be easier than Mrs. This and Mr. That. With your permission, may I call you Elizabeth?” Auggie held his breath for a moment, waiting for her to say yes, hoping that she’d agree.
“The way I see it, I’m your employee.” Elizabeth gazed at him, then lowered her lashes. “Since you asked, you may, but only when no one else is present.”
“Of course, Elizabeth.” Auggie agreed happily as they entered the hotel and parted ways in the lobby. He was surprised how her name rolled off his tongue with natural ease.
A few hours later, Auggie smiled all the way back to his office from the seamstress’s room with his suits draped over an arm. He liked Elizabeth. She was a determined and self-sufficient woman. There were no society airs about her one bit.
Willa Alexander had given him a gift when she suggested taking on Elizabeth as a seamstress for the hotel. Her personality was gentle, and her skill in repairing garments was amazing.
He could barely see the stitches she’d made. No one would notice unless they were close enough to actually inspect the stitches. And there’d never be anyone that close to him, so there was no need to worry about out it. He doubted even Willa would be able to tell the difference.
His repaired coats in hand, Auggie strolled into his office, whistling. The tune was as cheery as his mood.
“Mr. Raines, are you all right?” Stewart asked, concern on his face. “Should I get the doctor? Or Mrs. Hall and her tonic?”
“I couldn’t be better, Stewart!” Auggie smiled, closing the door to his office.
Elizabeth sat across the table from a patiently waiting Willa. Waiting for Elizabeth to report on how her first day at the Grand had been.
Elizabeth sipped her tea and then smiled, placing the glass in front of her.
“Well?” Willa sat back, her hands gripping a sweating glass. The cool morning had turned sweltering as the clouds gave way to the sun and clear, blue skies.
“It went well.” Elizabeth began feeling her heart warm as she pondered what to say next. “Mr. Raines is a soft-hearted, kind man. His staff seem eager to please him and are equally as nice. Mrs. Hall, the cook, knows quite a bit about Mr. Raines.”
“And the work? Was there any for you today?” Willa poured more tea into their glasses then offered Elizabeth one of her famous coconut cream cookies.
“No, thank you. I am full after eating Mrs. Hall’s cooking. She made a hearty chicken soup with biscuits for lunch.” After months of scrimping, Elizabeth had not felt this full after eating only two meals in a day.
“Yes, she likes to make sure no one leaves the table hungry.” Willa chuckled. “Was there any work for you today? Or did you only eat all day?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the gossip by now, Willa.” Elizabeth felt warmth seep into her cheeks. Why should she be embarrassed for having taken Auggie’s elbow when he’d offered it? He was only being a gentleman, nothing more.
“You mean the one of you hanging onto Mr. Raines’s arm? Yes, I have. I know there is a logical explanation for it even though the busybodies in town may think otherwise since you are recently widowed.” Willa huffed. She never did have much use for gossips, and Elizabeth was right there with her on that feeling. Which was why she wanted to explain the situation to someone who would listen and know it was the truth.
“There is. Mr. Raines brought me two of his suitcoats in need of repair.” Elizabeth concentrated on the amber liquid in her glass, afraid her friend may see more than what was there.
“I bet I know which ones.” Willa laughed, nodding her head. “Go on, Elizabeth.”
“Anyway, I needed a matching thread for one of them.” Elizabeth took a sip of tea, smiling to herself. The new memory of being on his arm brought comfort to her soul somehow.
“That doesn’t explain how you ended up on his arm, Elizabeth. If I’m to stop the tongues from wagging, I need the facts.” Willa waved her finger in the air at her.
“Oh Willa, it was very innocent. He offered me his arm as we left the hotel and walked over to Smith’s. Mr. Smith had been giving both of us that look. You know the one that makes you feel like you’re doing something wrong. On the way back, I refused his arm, but Mr. Raines took my hand, placing it at his elbow. He told me that he was raised to be a gentleman, and he would remain so, regardless of what anyone thought.” Elizabeth sipped more of the cool tea to hide the grin threatening the corners of her mouth.
“Very noble of him, Elizabeth. He decided that it was more important to be respectful than to give in to idle gossip,” Willa observed, grabbing a cookie off the plate. “And did you repair his coats?”
“Of course, I did!” Elizabeth gushed, aghast that Willa would even have to ask such a question. What did she think? That once they returned to the hotel, that she’d get her things and run home like a little girl? She was far from a little girl. She was a grieving widow who had known love and kindness at one time in her life. “When we got back, I took the jackets to the sewing room and set out repairing them. I doubt even you would be able to tell the difference.”
Both laughed aloud as Willa gathered up their empty glasses and crumb-filled plates.
“I guess that says it all then, Elizabeth. Unless there is more.”
“More? No, there isn’t more,” Elizabeth reassured, not mentioning that Auggie and she agreed to be less formal with each other whenever they were alone. It didn’t seem important enough to mention.
“I must go, Willa. Thank you for the tea.” Elizabeth rose then gave her friend a hug. “I have things to do at home.”
“Are you returning to the sewing room at the hotel in the morning?” Willa asked.
“Yes, I made a commitment to a thirty-day trial. I’m a woman of my word.” Elizabeth squeezed her friend’s hand then left the boardinghouse.
She strolled peacefully along the pathway. It had been a glorious day. She found she enjoyed being out among people again. The hotel staff were both generous and friendly, making her feel she’d been a part of their lives for a long time. Even Auggie had made her feel—how did she feel?
As if out of habit, her steps paused at the church for a moment. Compelled to look up, the sun lowering in the west illuminated the cross on the roof. She shivered as a tear slipped down her cheek.
How could she ever forgive herself when she couldn’t forgive God? She never should have taken Auggie’s elbow this morning. People would get the wrong idea. They would think she was ste
pping out, looking for a man to replace Steven. And that was far from the truth. No one could ever replace her beloved husband and the love they’d shared.
Turning from the cross, she finished the short trek home. Home was an empty house filled with echoes of her life with Steven.
A house empty of the love and happiness that they’d shared for so many years.
A home where an old life was fading and a new one seemed to be taking shape.
And Elizabeth had no way to stop it from happening.
CHAPTER 7
“Has Mrs. Hamilton gone home for the day, Auggie?” Mary stood in the doorway of Auggie’s private quarters, a dinner tray in her hands. He’d been so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t heard the dumbwaiter arrive.
“Yes, she has, Mary.” Auggie stood, retrieving the tray from the elderly woman. “Please come in and have dinner with me, won’t you?”
Mary smiled and nodded. “You haven’t asked me that in a very long time, Auggie.”
“Too long, I think.” Auggie placed the tray on a side table as she took a seat at the small but functional dining table. “It has been a while since you came upstairs as well. I can only think there is something on your mind.”
Auggie placed a dinner plate on the table for each of them. Then he retrieved the pot of coffee and two cups, followed by the creamer and sugar bowl.
“You know those stairs have gotten to be a bit much for me the older I get.” Mary smiled, pouring coffee for them both. “And since you had the dumbwaiter installed, there’s been no need for me to come up to your private apartment.”
“Maybe it was a mistake to have one installed,” Auggie teased, taking the chair across from her. “It has made life too easy for my staff.”
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d give you a tongue-lashing, Augustine!” she scolded, a twinkle in her eye.
Auggie laughed, watching her slowly spoon some of the corn into her potatoes. He never could understand mixing plated food together; he preferred his food not touching and eating one item at a time. He knew it didn’t make sense to others, but it did in his mind.
After several minutes of comfortable silence as they ate, Auggie put down his knife and fork, then dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
“What is on your mind, Mary? And don’t tell me this is a friendly social visit. I know you all too well to believe that lie.” Auggie folded his napkin back onto his lap. He took a drink of coffee, waiting for her to state why she had made the unexpected visit.
“Mrs. Hamilton seems like a very sweet woman. Wouldn’t you agree?” Mary smiled, grinning at him as if she knew something he didn’t. And in most cases, it was true.
Auggie sputtered on the coffee stuck in his throat. “Ah, yes, she is. And very punctual as well.”
“And attractive.” Mary was probably fishing, hoping to catch him unaware of what she was up to.
“My gawd, Mary. You of all people know I have no interest in starting up with a woman. Especially a beautiful widow who is still mourning the loss of her husband,” Auggie reminded her, praying she would stop this line of conversation. It was making him uncomfortable to be talking about Elizabeth in this manner with his longtime confidant.
“Beautiful, is she?” Mary smiled, sipping from her cup.
“Come on. I’m not blind, just not interested.” Auggie sat back in his chair, refusing to take any more of her bait. “Elizabeth is an employee of this hotel.”
“So now it’s Elizabeth. How interesting,” she observed, her hands folded on the table in front of her.
“Blast it, Mary!” Auggie jumped out of the chair and began pacing the floor. “Must you always look for something that isn’t there?”
“When it comes to my duty and your happiness, Auggie—yes!” Mary patted her lips, a tender smile on her face. “I took an oath when you were but a young boy to protect you. To always make sure you were happy. And loved.
“What I saw today in your eyes I haven’t seen since that dreaded horse race. Life has found its way back into your soul, Auggie.”
“You are imagining things,” Auggie protested, pointing at her from across the room.
“As you wish, but it doesn’t make what I saw in you today go away.” Standing, she smoothed down her apron. “I’ll leave you to put the tray in the dumbwaiter. I can find my own way back downstairs.”
“Mary, I didn’t mean to—” Auggie was sorry for snapping at the woman who’d been his champion longer than his own parents ever were.
“I’ll say goodnight, Augustine.” Mary turned and left the room, but not before Auggie spotted the tears in her eyes.
He’d hurt her. Something he’d never done before in his life.
And all because Mary spoke the truth. He did find Elizabeth Hamilton a very pleasing woman.
“Hello, Elizabeth.” Vera Baldwin called out from her front stoop, looking a bit weary.
“Vera, are you home early today? Is everything all right?” Elizabeth asked, not really knowing what time it was or what time Vera normally got home from Nana’s. Elizabeth seemed to have lost track of time while at the Grand.
“No, I got done same time as usual. I had to make a stop at Smith’s for a few items on the way home,” Vera said, her eyes downcast. “I heard something while I was there you may want to be aware of. I know if it were me, I would want to know what people were saying about—”
“Vera, you know gossip can hurt an innocent person.” Elizabeth’s heart drummed quickly. Although she tried to stay clear of idle gossip, she had a feeling this piece of information needed to be heard. And most likely, had everything to do with her new position at the Grand Hotel.
“I know, which is why I feel the need to tell you what I overheard.” Vera blushed slightly. “You may not like it, so I am not sure whether to tell you or not now.”
“All right then, spill it, Vera,” Elizabeth urged, wanting to know what it was she had to deal with in the coming days. Or weeks. Most likely months, being employed at Auggie’s hotel.
“Well.” Vera took the steps one at a time until she stood on the ground next to Elizabeth. “It has to do with the new seamstress at the Grand Hotel.”
“Hmm, yes, well, that would be me, Vera,” Elizabeth said, sucking in a breath. So far, it’s nothing but the truth. It can’t be all that bad, can it? Auggie already suggested that there may be some gossip after we’d stepped out together this morning. We are employer and employee, not even friends.
“Yes, your name was mentioned in that capacity. I am happy for you, Elizabeth. I know how good it feels to be doing something other than sitting around in a cold and lonely house.” Vera looked sad and about to cry before her demeanor shifted back to being strong—on the outside.
“Go on, Vera.” Elizabeth shuffled from one foot to the other. If this took much longer, she’d have to sit on Vera’s stoop as the story unfolded. She didn’t want to be rude, but Elizabeth just wanted to go home.
“I’ll just ask you point-blank,” Vera sputtered. “Did you walk over to Smith’s on Mr. Augustine Raines’s arm?”
So, there it was. A gentleman acting like a gentleman and the rumor mill churns.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Elizabeth answered, taking one of Vera’s hands in her own. “Mr. Raines was being a gentleman. He explained to me that he was raised to escort a woman and that’s all he did. Escorted me to Smith’s in order to retrieve a few items needed to repair a suitcoat. He also needed to add my name onto the hotel business account. I doubt there will be any need for him to go to the dry goods, or any place for that matter, with me in the future.”
“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I should have known you weren’t husband-hunting so soon, so soon after—” Tears spilled over Vera’s cheeks. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”
“I miss my Steven every day, Vera.” Elizabeth squeezed her friend’s hand, smiling away the pain. “But that doesn’t mean that life has stopped for us because we are widows.”
“Do you mean t
hat you’ll marry again someday?” Vera asked, shock registering across her face. “I don’t think I could ever marry anyone again. No matter the reason.”
“No, Vera, I’ll not marry again. Steven was my one true and only love of my heart. There isn’t a man alive who could ever take his place. And I don’t want one to,” Elizabeth said, feeling the ache in her heart for her beloved. Where once there was fullness, now an emptiness had settled in where their love had lived.
“But you are working at the hotel as the seamstress, and Mr. Raines is a bachelor,” Vera pointed out.
“I got the position totally by accident, Vera. I had gone to the newspaper to place my own advertisement as a seamstress when Mr. Wagner mentioned the Grand was looking for one to hire. I went there straight away. Mr. Raines interviewed me, then hired me on for a thirty-day trial,” Elizabeth explained, even though she felt it unnecessary to defend her actions to anyone. “As for Mr. Raines being a bachelor, I have no intention of being anything more than his employee. I’m not interested, and I’m positive he’s not interested either.”
“Alright, as long as you know what you are doing.” Vera smiled then walked back up her stoop steps.
“Vera, thank you for caring,” Elizabeth called out, a small smile on her face. It felt good to have another care about her wellbeing in their own sorrow.
Vera turned, her hand on the porch railing. “If we don’t look after each other, who will?” she asked then walked back into her small but functional house.
Elizabeth stood rooted for a moment. Vera was right in many ways. They only had each other who understood the pain and sense of loss since that day. Seven women experiencing it at the same time but in different ways.
It was a bond no one else could ever understand.
Auggie stood looking out the window of his hotel apartment, watching the town of Blessings Valley, except for the saloon, begin to close for the night. Had Elizabeth gotten home safely? Should he have escorted her home? Maybe he should have insisted she stay and have dinner at the hotel and then accompanied her back to her house.
Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1) Page 6