Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

T he next day Mrs. Pettigrew dressed Holly in a light green velvet outfit trimmed in brown. Even the big brown buttons down the bodice were covered in velvet. Holly couldn’t get over how good she looked. She stared at herself in the full-length mirror in her room, mouth agape for several moments before Abigail shooed her to the vanity where she styled Holly’s hair. She was a little tired afterward but still wanted to venture downstairs. If her guess was right, Joseph would call on her and read to her in front of the fire. She looked forward to his visits, the more strength she gained. He had a pleasant voice, and the fact he was nice to look at made the experience even nicer.

Once downstairs in the drawing room Holly put her feet up on an ottoman Mr. Tugs provided her with but didn’t cover up with a blanket. She found the fire sufficient to keep her warm.

Mr. Tugs served Holly and Mrs. Pettigrew tea, and Holly noted a third cup and saucer on the tray. Was Chastity joining them this morning, or had he put it there for Joseph?

Mrs. Pettigrew caught her looking at the tea tray. “Chastity is out with Dalton running a few errands for me. Soon you’ll be doing the same thing.”

Holly cringed. “Wh-what?”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve already arranged an escort for you, just to be on the safe side. I did tell you I have someone tracking down your brother, didn’t I?”

Holly sucked in a breath. Had she? Joseph managed to wheedle more information out of her, but she was too tired to resist his questions. “I’m not sure…” She sounded like an idiot. Did the woman still want to hire her as an assistant?

“Not to worry, ma petite . You have been through much and are not recovered. It wouldn’t surprise me if you forgot half our conversations.”

Holly blushed. She was right, she didn’t remember everything they talked about. Probably because she fell asleep while Mrs. Pettigrew was speaking to her. She’d done the same thing with Joseph, come to think of it.

The doorbell rang, and Holly watched as Mr. Tugs shuffled his way across the grand foyer to answer it.

“That’s probably Mr. Bradshaw,” Mrs. Pettigrew commented. “I hope you’ve been enjoying your time with him. It’s nice to have someone read to you, is it not?”

Before Holly could answer, Joseph glided into the room, a huge smile on his face. “You’re out of bed already. That’s wonderful!” He approached, a book in his hand. “How are you feeling this morning?” He pulled a chair closer to Holly’s and sat.

She watched him, cup and saucer in hand and smiled. “Good morning.”

“She is better,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “But don’t wear her out. We don’t want her to have a relapse.”

“No, of course not,” Joseph said. He gave Holly a warm smile, and her heart skipped a beat. “Would you like to continue The Princess and the Pirate , or would you like me to read you a little Jane Austen?”

Holly’s eyes lit up. “Jane Austen? I love her books.” She smiled. “You read Jane Austen?”

“My mother did. She has all her books,” Joseph said.

“Did?” Holly asked in a small voice.

“She passed on more than five years ago.” He held the book up. “ Pride & Prejudice ?”

“That would be lovely,” Holly said and held up her cup. “Tea?”

He glanced at the tea set. “Don’t mind if I do.”

“I’ll leave you two to the delights of Miss Austen,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “There’s something I need to speak to Mrs. Fraser about.” She left the drawing room and once again, Holly realized Mrs. Pettigrew had left them alone. Abigail or Mr. Tugs must be hovering about in the grand foyer. It was the only thing she could think of. Surely Mrs. Pettigrew wouldn’t leave them completely unchaperoned.

Holly almost laughed at the thought. Randall had no sense of propriety. Especially as he was going to sell her to the highest bidder. Joseph was much different. A real gentleman.

“Holly,” Joseph said with concern. “Sweetheart, your hands are shaking.”

She looked at her teacup as she raised it to her lips. It was true, her hands were shaking. She lowered the cup to its saucer with a clink, and wanted to let go of it to hide her hands, but with her luck, she’d spill her tea.

“Holly?”

She looked at him and locked gazes. His eyes were a mix of concern and admiration. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” He scooted to the end of his chair. “What can I do? Should I fetch the doctor?”

“Oh, mercy no. There’s no need for that.” She put a hand to her chest and tried to draw in a deep breath. “I… was thinking of things I’ve been trying not to.”

Joseph sat back. “Regarding what happened to you?”

Holly looked away. “Yes.”

He reached out, tucked a finger under her chin and brought her face to his. “You’re safe here, remember that.”

Holly nodded. Randall had no idea where she was. How could he? “Yes, you’re right. But…”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to talk about it.” He sat and watched her, his eyes still full of concern. She remembered asking him why he cared. And… did he call her sweetheart a few moments ago?

“How about I read to you for a bit, then if you’re up to it, perhaps Mrs. Pettigrew will let me show you the rest of the mansion.”

She smiled. “Do you think she would?”

He shrugged. “It won’t hurt to ask. The library has a lovely view of the back of the property. She has a huge rose garden, a maze, and there’s even a large pond. Mr. Pettigrew loved to fish and kept it stocked. I don’t know if it still is.”

“How did he die?” Holly asked, curious.

“Influenza. Poor man. He made his fortune with a huge gold strike.” He glanced around the drawing room. “He built this house for Mrs. Pettigrew, and they’ve been here ever since. Well, Mrs. Pettigrew has. Xavier died a couple of years ago.”

Holly gave him a sympathetic look. “You miss her, don’t you. Your mother?”

“Of course.” He glanced at the book in his hands. “What about your parents?”

“They died about a year ago.”

He gave her a slow nod. “I’m sure you miss them very much.”

Her lower lip trembled. “I do.”

Joseph reached over and put a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to worry, Holly. You can start a new life here.”

“But…”

“Don’t doubt Mrs. Pettigrew’s intentions. Nor mine.” He went to the first pages of the book. “Chapter one…”

Holly listened to him read and tried to relax. But in her experience, if something was too good to be true, it usually was. That meant either Mrs. Pettigrew would decide she didn’t want to hire her after all, or by some chance, Randall would find her and carry her off to finish whatever transaction he’d already started with his highest bidder. What a nightmare that would be!

“You’re pale,” Joseph commented, drawing her out of her thoughts.

“Oh, sorry.”

He chuckled. “You’re apologizing for turning pale? You don’t need to be sorry for being ill. Do you need to return to bed?”

She shook her head.

“Do you require a blanket? Are you warm enough?”

Holly marveled at the man in the chair so close to hers. “Are all men like you? Men that live like you do?”

He sat back, eyebrows raised. “Well, no. Not all.” He closed the book and ran a finger up and down the spine. “I… I’ve had to mend my ways.”

She made a scoffing sound. “I find that hard to believe. You’ve been nothing but kind to me.”

He smiled. “Thank you for saying that. But I’m afraid there was a time I would not be sitting here reading Jane Austen to you.”

Holly wasn’t sure if she should comment on his statement or not.

“Have I shocked you?” he asked.

“No, it’s just, you’ve mentioned that before, I think. But I still don’t see that in you.”

“Trust me, it was there.” Joseph looked at the fire. “Still is. I’m not a changed man yet, Holly. Just so you know.”

Her heart fluttered at his honesty. “Were you terrible then?”

He gave his attention back to her. “You would have no patience for me. In fact, you’d think me a cad.”

She swallowed hard. He didn’t know the meaning of the word as far as she was concerned. “But you’re not.”

Joseph gave her a warm smile. “I’m glad you think so. Maybe I’ve changed my ways more than I thought.” He set the book on the low table and picked up his cup and saucer. “I’d like to take you on an outing when you’re up to it. Perhaps lunch and the book shop.”

Her cheeks heated. No man had shown any real interest in her except the unwanted kind.

“Here now,” Joseph said and left his chair. He set his cup and saucer down and knelt before her. “You’re trembling.”

A chill went up her spine, and she hardly noticed when he took her cup and saucer and set them on the table next to his. “Holly, what is it?”

She swallowed hard. “It was awful,” she rasped. “I can’t help the shaking when I think of it.”

He took her hands in his. “You’re safe here, remember that.”

She nodded. “I still fear my brother will come knocking on Mrs. Pettigrew’s door and drag me away.” A tear fell, then another. She felt so weak, but didn’t care.

“It’s alright,” he said and wiped a tear away with his thumb. “If I must guard Mrs. Pettigrew’s front door to make you feel more secure, I’ll do it.”

Her eyes widened as her heart melted into a puddle. “You… you would do that?”

“If it would make you feel more secure. Yes.”

She smiled. “I hardly think it necessary. But I can’t help how I feel. Randall has no idea where I am. I’m… I’m being irrational.”

“Maybe so, but can anyone blame you?” He gave her hands a squeeze and drew closer. “You will always be safe with me.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she noticed he didn’t so much as flinch hearing her own brother was the culprit. Had Mrs. Pettigrew already told him? “Thank you, Joseph.”

He gave her a nod and squeezed her hands again before returning to his chair and picking up his book. He cleared his throat. “Chapter three.”

Holly sat back, closed her eyes, and listened, feeling so much safer than she had before.