Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

R ebecca Harrington didn't like to lose. So, when she spied her precious Dalty leaving the skating area with that brown-haired woman, she all but seethed. "What could he possibly see in her?" She turned to Jospeh as he munched on a hot potato he'd just purchased. "I'm flummoxed."

"You're angry you mean. But if you'd like an honest answer, I'll give you one." He took another bite of the buttery potato and grinned.

"I'm not sure I want to hear it but go ahead." She sighed and narrowed her eyes, bracing herself.

"She's pretty for one. And those big doe eyes of hers. Mmm, so warm, so meek… so… easily controllable."

"You're awful," she spouted. "But perhaps you're also right." She smiled to herself. Meek and shy people were easy to control and trick. "Go on."

"From what I observed at dinner the other night…"

Rebecca spun to him. "You had dinner with her?! I thought you ran into her and Dalty on the street somewhere."

He grinned again. "At the Pettigrews'." He took another bite of potato and smiled as he chewed.

Rebecca hit his chest. "You abomination!"

He laughed and almost dropped the rest of his potato. "Isn't it irksome to find out your family wasn't invited? But if it's any consolation, only Dalton came. I have no idea where his parents were."

"They were dining with mine last night!" she spat. "Not that it did any good. They didn't talk about Dalty at all, and whenever I brought him up, they skirted the question and changed the subject."

Joseph popped the rest of his potato into his mouth and licked butter from his fingers. "Did it ever occur to you that perhaps Dalty isn't interested?"

Her jaw dropped. "How dare you say such a thing! Of course he's interested. He speaks to me, dances with me at balls and parties, and…"

"He's just being polite."

She sucked a lungful of air through her nose and seethed. "He is interested, and I'm going to make sure he stays interested."

"And how do you propose to do that?"

She brushed at her coat. "That's none of your concern."

"Oh, but it is," he cooed and drew closer. "Why don't you look at me the way you look at Dalty ?"

"Don't say his name like it's a curse word."

"Perhaps to me it is."

She studied him. Joseph Bradshaw was handsome enough, but not good enough for her. No, she wanted Dalton Simpson and the fortune he would inherit one day. She would be queen of Denver society, surpassing even Mrs. Pettigrew's popularity. All would seek invitations to her social functions and beg and grovel to get one.

"Rebecca…"

Her eyes flicked to his and she smirked. "Go away. You bore me."

He stiffened, but she ignored it. "Very well, you can return your own skates and freeze on your walk home." He stomped off, returning to the ice, and skated toward Mr. Ross' skate shack.

Rebecca watched him go, a smug look on her face. She liked him better when he groveled and begged, but apparently, he was done with that. Besides, he'd only done it once.

Rebecca returned to the bench behind some trees and sat. She had to figure out how to get an invitation to at least one of Mrs. Pettigrew's parties. Even if she didn't meddle in Dalty's doings with Miss Eastwick, she could at least be seen at one of the coveted gatherings, and that would tell Denver's elite she was special. But with her eyes on Dalty, what did it matter? She wasn't interested in anyone else.

She left the bench, emerged from the trees that shielded her from view, and went to return her skates. Mother would be furious she walked home alone, but of course it was all Joseph's fault. She was sure he'd get an earful from his father once her parents gave Mr. Bradshaw his own earful. She did, however, hope this didn't make Mother force her to take her lady's maid Hilda wherever she went. The little snitch told her parents everything!

She managed to get her skates off without incident, returned them and started home. Perhaps she'd call on Mrs. Pettigrew and wheedle an invitation out of her that way. Yes, the idea had merit.

Rebecca smiled and thought about when she should slip off to the Pettigrew mansion. She could bring her a gift of some sort, the perfect excuse to call on the rich widow. Then she'd worm her way into her good graces and ask how she could win the heart of the man she loved. If anyone would know how she could get her hands on Dalty, Mrs. Pettigrew would!

Pleased with her plan, Rebecca smiled all the way home.

The next day at breakfast, Mrs. Pettigrew was once again waiting in the breakfast room. Today, Abigail dressed Chastity in a lilac-colored outfit that consisted of a skirt, blouse and jacket. Everything she wore was in the latest fashion, and she realized how far behind her wardrobe was. But no matter, once she got her blasted maid's uniform, she wouldn't have to worry about being fashionable.

"Good morning, ma petite ," Mrs. Pettigrew greeted. "Fill your plate and join me."

Chastity noticed her employer was half done with her breakfast and hurried to get her own.

There were cranberry muffins, eggs, ham, and fruit. The food was incredible, and she would have to see if Mrs. Fraser would part with any of the recipes. She didn't plan to be a maid the rest of her life, but then, working for Mrs. Pettigrew did have its perks.

"I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself yesterday, ma chérie ," Mrs. Pettigrew said. "Today you have two errands to run."

"Two?" Chastity said between bites.

"Oh, yes. The bakery to order the cake for my ball, and of course seeing to the Christmas tree."

Chastity nodded. "Dalton said something about your tree yesterday. You want it in time for the ball, correct?"

"Of course, which means I'll need help decorating it."

Chastity smiled. "We thought that item on the list would involve the tree." Excitement coursed through her. She loved decorating a Christmas tree. It was her favorite thing about the holiday.

"Then you'll be happy to learn that it's not just my tree I wish for the two of you to decorate, but the entire manse."

Chastity almost spewed coffee. "Wh-what?"

Mrs. Pettigrew smiled. "What's wrong dear? Do you think it will be too much work for you?"

"N-no, it's just that between the two of us, I'm not sure how much we'll be able to get done."

"Oh, don't worry," Mrs. Pettigrew said with a dismissive wave. "Tugs and Abigail will help."

Chastity forced a smile and cut off a piece of ham. "That will help."

"Of course it will. And I'll help too." She returned to her meal, and they ate in silence a few moments.

"Mrs. Pettigrew," Chastity said. "Am I… on a trial basis?" The thought occurred to her last night in bed and had bothered her ever since. Maybe that's why she hadn't been given a maid's uniform yet.

"My dear sweet girl, of course not. I have hired you, ma petite , and you work for me now. That is, until some handsome young gentleman whisks you away."

She laughed.

Mrs. Pettigrew's eyebrows shot up. "Is the idea so far-fetched?"

She put a hand to her chest. "Oh, Mrs. Pettigrew, you have no idea."

Her employer smiled. "Don't I?"

Chastity's own smile vanished. "Oh, um, well…"

"Do not trouble yourself over it. You are a beautiful young woman, like Abigail. It is only a matter of time before a young man takes you from me. But that is the way of things." She sipped her coffee then sighed in contentment. "Now, before Mr. Simpson takes you from me this afternoon, we shall walk the grounds. I'm sure you wish to see them?"

She smiled, glad for the change of subject. "Yes, I would. How much land do you have?"

"Five acres. We shall enjoy the maze if you wish, though Tugs may have to come find us. It's been a while since I've been in it."

Chastity laughed at that. "Then perhaps we can explore it another day. But I would like to see your… lake," she was careful to say.

"Xavier's lake," Mrs. Pettigrew said on a sigh. "How he loved it. You could go fishing with Mr. Simpson."

Chastity shivered, catching Mrs. Pettigrew's attention. She smiled at her and took another sip of her coffee, trying to decide if the shiver was brought on by the thought of fishing in the snowy cold, or from spending more time with Dalton. As her belly did another little somersault at the mere thought of him, she suspected it was the latter. Oh dear.

When they finished their breakfast, they went into the main drawing room where Mrs. Pettigrew went over a few letters she'd received yesterday, then called for Abigail to fetch their coats. After a few moments, Abigail returned with everything they needed to bear the cold outside when a knock sounded at the door. Tugs went to answer it.

"Now who could that be?" Mrs. Pettigrew mused. She faced the grand foyer and waited as Abigail finished pinning Mrs. Pettigrew's hat in place.

Tugs appeared at the entrance to the drawing room. "A Miss Rebecca Harrington is here to see you, madame."

"Oh, bother," Mrs. Pettigrew said under her breath.

Chastity hid a smile. She obviously didn't care for the rude woman either.

"Show her in, Tugs."

That got Chastity's attention. "Are we not going outside?"

Mrs. Pettigrew grinned. "Oh, we are. But I suppose this means we'll have to take Miss Harrington with us, seeing as how she's shown up unannounced."

Chastity thought a moment. "Well, I suppose it is still calling hours."

"True, but no one calls on me unless I want them to."

Her face screwed up in confusion. "Then, why see her?"

Mrs. Pettigrew smiled. "Because sometimes people need to be reminded of my wishes, ma chérie ."

Chastity wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but she also wouldn't mind seeing the rude Rebecca put in her place. Did the young woman even know what she was getting herself into?

Mr. Tugs brought Rebecca to the entrance of the drawing room. "Miss Harrington, madame."

Rebecca waltzed into the room like she owned it, a small box in her hands. She took one look at Chastity and smirked before approaching Mrs. Pettigrew. "Dear Mrs. Pettigrew. My mother and I have been so worried about you. Forgive me for taking such a liberty, but I had to know you were all right."

Mrs. Pettigrew arched an eyebrow at her. "If your mother was so concerned, then why isn't she here with you?"

Chastity bit her bottom lip. Rebecca had no idea what she was in for.