Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

T heir mugs empty, Chastity and Dalton returned them to the cider stand and returned to the ice. They skated toward the barricade and when they were within twenty feet, Dalton stopped them. "Stay here where you'll be safe."

She nodded and watched him continue toward the barricade. He reached it and slowly examine the area around the barrels and the poles nailed to the tops of them to form a fence. He must be looking for cracks in the ice.

"Having a good time?"

Chastity stiffened and forced herself to turn around. Rebecca stood, a smug look on her face. "Yes, we are."

Rebecca's eyes flicked to Dalton and back. "So, tell me, what exactly are you doing at Mrs. Pettigrew's? How do you know her?"

"Does it matter?" Joseph asked as he skated toward them. He can to an abrupt stop, almost bumping into Chastity. He probably did it on purpose.

"Of course it does. We wouldn't want our friend skating about with undesirables. You understand, don't you?" She gave Chastity a sweet smile.

Chastity wanted to smack it off her face. Could the woman's disdain for her be any more obvious? "Mrs. Pettigrew and I have business to discuss. I'm here to do that." Sure, they had the business of wealthy widow in need of a new maid, and she had yet to get all the particulars of the position. So far all she'd really done was gather herbs from a garden, run a few errands, attend a dinner party, and now she was inspecting ice with the woman's handsome rich neighbor. There was nothing unusual about that. It was all business.

She smiled at Rebecca, then Joseph, feeling rather smug herself. Everything was true. At least she had that.

"Now Rebecca, it's not polite to pry," Joseph scolded. "But I would like to know if you could coerce Mrs. Pettigrew into inviting us to her skating party. It's a coveted invitation, and everyone who's anyone gets invited."

"I'll see what I can do," Chastity said. "But I can't guarantee anything."

Rebecca looked her over. "Joseph tells me you're from Philadelphia, is that correct?"

She stood a little straighter. "It is."

"Hmmm, I don't recall any Eastwicks of Philadelphia. What class are you?"

"Rebecca," Dalton all but barked. "Don't be rude." He joined them and once again turned to study the barricades.

"What's wrong?" Joseph asked with concern. "Is the ice thinning?"

"Perhaps, but you know the weather at this time of year. It should still be good by the time Mrs. Pettigrew's skating party comes around."

"Miss Eastwick promised to get Joseph and I an invitation. Isn't that wonderful?"

Dalton arched an eyebrow at Chastity as an angry blush crept into her cheeks. "I did not promise. I said I would try."

Dalton scowled. "Putting words into other people's mouths again, Rebecca?"

Rebecca didn't bat an eye. "A promise is a promise."

Joseph laughed. "Why you little viper."

Rebecca gave him a playful smirk. "You should know."

He scoffed at the remark. "I'm going to get some cider. Coming with me?"

Chastity watched Rebecca's eyes rake over Dalton. "In a minute. But do buy me one."

"As you wish." He skated off, and Chastity swore she heard him say "snake," as he did. Good grief, Dalton was right. They really were made for each other.

Rebecca closed the distance between herself and Dalton and looped an arm around one of his. "Care to join us for a cup of hot cider?"

"No thank you, I've already had some." He shot Chastity an apologetic look and half rolled his eyes.

She pressed her lips together, trying not to giggle. It was ridiculous the way Rebecca threw herself at him. Did she not realize how obvious it was?

"Well, that's disappointing." Rebecca glanced at Chastity. "Have you inspected the ice around the barricades yet? You should do that while Dalty and I get a snack."

"She isn't inspecting anything," Dalton snapped.

Rebecca's eyebrows shot up. "My, my, seems I struck a nerve. Well then, I'll do it and then tell Mrs. Pettigrew if it's safe or not." She let go his arm and started to slowly skate that way.

"Rebecca," Dalton said in warning and pinched the bridge of his nose.

She stopped and gave him a coy look over one shoulder. "Yes, Dalty?"

He faced Chastity, his back to Rebecca, and squeezed his eyes shut. "Don't go near the barricade."

"Why not?" she asked innocently.

He opened his eyes, a stoic look on his face, and turned around. "Because I don't want to have to be the one to tell your parents you fell through. I doubt they'd be happy."

Rebecca frowned. "Fine," she snapped and skated off.

Dalton sighed. "That woman."

Chastity wasn't sure what to say after that. "Um, is the ice near the barricade really in trouble?"

"Not yet, but if it rains, who knows what will happen? I'll keep a close eye on it and check it every few days. Mr. Ross is also good about checking it. Between the two of us we'll know whether to move the barricade closer."

She surveyed the skating area. "It's such a large space, I don't think people will mind if it shrinks a little."

He smiled at her and took her by the hand. A delicious tingle went up her spine at the contact. "No, they won't, but Mrs. Ferguson is still sure to complain. She lives to complain."

Chastity laughed. "I have yet to see it."

"It's only a matter of time," he said ominously.

She laughed again and noticed he hadn't let go of her hand yet. "Are… are we finished?"

He looked around. "Not quite. Let's skate and check the rest of the ice. I'm sure it's okay, but better safe than sorry."

"Of course." Chastity let him wrap her arm around one of his and they were off.

They skated around the outside perimeter and narrowed their circle each time they went around until they reached the middle of the skating area. Chastity lost sight of Rebecca and Joseph and wondered if they'd left. "Why is Rebecca so rude?"

Dalton laughed. "She's always been like that. One reason is the way her parents have spoiled her. She thinks she can get away with anything and usually does. Her family isn't as wealthy as my own or Mrs. Pettigrew's…"

"I'm beginning to think no one's is," she cut in.

"Indeed, they're not. Mrs. Pettigrew is the richest person in Denver. But… Rebecca thinks she can have anything she wants, which makes her the way she is."

"And she wants you?" Chastity caught the hint of jealousy in her voice and hoped he didn't notice.

He rolled his eyes. "She's been pursuing me for two years now. I keep trying to steer her toward Joseph, but the Bradshaws sit on the fence between the upper and middle classes, and in Rebecca's eyes, he might be as spoiled as she is, but he's not near rich enough for her."

Chastity shook her head in disbelief. "How can anyone be so…"

"Yes, I know." He took her by the hands and faced her. "That's one of the things I like about you, Chastity. You're honest, sweet and kind. You don't boast about yourself or flaunt your beauty."

Her breath caught. "You… you think I'm beautiful?"

He gave her a tender smile. "You're very beautiful," he said softly. "Didn't you know that?"

She looked away as her cheeks heated. "My mother and father told me I was passable and should be able to secure a husband one day."

His jaw dropped. "Why, that's a terrible way of putting it."

She shrugged. Mother and Papa were honest folk who had no problem speaking their minds. They weren't big on pretty language and said exactly what they thought.

Chastity swallowed hard. "So… passable is…"

"Beautiful," he finished. "Yes. I'm sorry they never told you in the conventional way."

She met his gaze. Was that a hint of desire in his eyes? Goodness! Chastity glanced away, and he tucked a finger under her chin and brought her face back to his. "You are beautiful, Chastity. Never let anyone make you believe otherwise."

She gave him a single nod. He let go of her chin and looked across the ice at Mr. Ross' skate shack. "Are you ready to go home?"

Chastity nodded, unsure of what to say. She was all warm and fuzzy inside, and his earlier words made her heart melt. No one had ever called her beautiful before. No man, at least. Mrs. Pettigrew called her pretty, but…

Mrs. Pettigrew. As unconventional as it was, she worked for her as a maid, and being here with Dalton Simpson was only part of her job. A delightful part to be sure, but they weren't here for pleasure. Now she just had to keep reminding herself of that. Otherwise, she'd wind up with a broken heart.

They returned their skates and left the pond. They stopped at the cart with the man selling roasted nuts and bought some. They munched them as they strolled back to Mrs. Pettigrew's. "What's our next task?" Dalton asked and offered her the bag.

"If I remember right, it was ordering a cake from Baumeister's Bakery." She ate a few more nuts. They were delicious.

"We'll have to bring Mrs. Pettigrew more cream puffs," he said with a chuckle.

"Of course," she agreed. Work or no work, she was having a good time and enjoyed his company. Still, if she didn't guard her heart, she could be in big trouble. Should she tell Mrs. Pettigrew she didn't need an escort? Or perhaps Abigail could accompany her on the rest of the errands from the list?

The idea made an ache form in her heart. She didn't like it, so pushed the thoughts aside. She'd think on it later. For now, Chastity just wanted to enjoy what little time she had left with Dalton.

"I also recall decorating," he said, breaking into her thoughts. "What do you think that's about?"

"For the ball, perhaps?"

"Hmm, maybe. She doesn't have a tree yet. The Pettigrews always have one delivered. Christmas is fast approaching. I hope she gets her tree soon. If her ball is only a few days before Christmas, she'll need to get it in the next day or two."

"Does she get a large tree?" She thought of the high ceilings in the main drawing room. They had to be fourteen feet at least.

"Oh yes. The Pettigrews always do everything on a grand scale. I don't see Adelia changing that."

"Except for her ball," Chastity pointed out. "From the sounds of it, it's more a dance she's holding at her home considering the size of the guest list."

He stopped and faced her. "You're right, but there's nothing wrong with that. She's been grieving, our Mrs. Pettigrew, and if she wants to slowly rejoin society, then so be it." He smiled, wrapped her arm around his, and took the bag of nuts from her. "The rest are mine. You've eaten over half. Now I'll have to buy us another bag when we run our errands tomorrow." He winked, smiled, and they continued on.

Chastity couldn't be happier.