Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

J oseph fought against a sigh. Simpson probably didn’t mean anything by the way he said his name a moment ago, but even if he did. Well, he deserved it. “Simpson, a word?” He smiled at Holly, let go of her arm, and steered her to the nearest chair. “Sit, rest. I won’t be a moment.”

She smiled at him as he and Simpson headed for the fireplace, and out of earshot.

“What is it?” Simpson asked.

Joseph, his eyes on Holly, turned to him. “I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

He hoped Simpson didn’t want to accept his apology with a punch to the nose later, just to make himself feel better. “For the way I treated Chastity. Everything that happened with Rebecca… all of it.”

“Oh, that,” Simpson drawled. “Chastity mentioned you apologized to her. I’m glad of it.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Miss Turtledove…”

“At Mrs. Pettigrew’s request,” he added.

Simpson smiled. “Still not allowed to call her Adelia, eh? Despite the amount of time you’ve spent here, and now tomorrow too?”

“Don’t rub it in,” Joseph said and fought an eye roll.

“No, I suppose I shouldn’t.” He glanced at Holly. “What are your intentions toward Miss Turtledove?”

Joseph’s jaw went slack. “What?”

He shrugged. “It’s a legitimate question. Why else would you be spending so much time with her?”

“I am spending time at Mrs. Pettigrew’s request.”

Dalton Simpson stared at him like he’d grown a third eye. “Oh?”

“Miss Turtledove finds herself in a predicament, and I was asked to watch over her. Is that so hard for you to believe?”

Simpson blinked a few times. “Yes and no, but if Adelia thinks you’ve come around, then I’ll not argue. Just, don’t lead the poor girl on. She’s been through enough.”

“I would never…”

“You have in the past.”

He had him there. “That was the past.”

“Then strive for a better future,” Simpson advised. “Apology accepted.”

“Thank you.” He gave his waistcoat a little tug. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to attend to Holly.”

Simpson smiled. “Calling each other by your Christian names, are we?”

Joseph didn’t fight this eye roll. “She needs protection.”

“Yes, I understand. But protect her heart as well, that’s all I’m saying.” He leaned closer. “And yours for that matter. Do not play with either of your feelings. Now that you have some, I’d hate to see you abuse them.” He patted Joseph on the back a couple of times, then headed for the women.

He watched him go, noticed Mrs. Pettigrew eyeing him, and approached her chair. “Good evening.”

She smiled at him. “Good evening, Adelia.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“You’ve earned it.”

He sighed. “Then why don’t I feel like it?”

She rose from the chair. “Don’t feel like you have to make amends to everyone, Joseph.”

“You’re right, there are far too many people.”

“Come now, you were never that bad. You recognized the path you were on was the wrong one and took a different one. Some will never leave the path they’re on. Take the Harringtons for example.” She glanced at Holly across the room speaking with Simpson and Chastity. “Rebecca Harrington and Randall Turtledove may never mend their ways. I dare say, of the two, I’ll take Rebecca any day.”

He nodded his agreement. Rebecca may be a witch at times, but she wasn’t completely heartless.

Mr. Tugs shuffled into the drawing room. “Dinner is served, Madame.”

“Very well, thank you, Tugs.” She smiled at Joseph. “Best fetch your lady, sir.”

Joseph’s heart swelled at her words, and he crossed the room to do just that. Simpson’s words also echoed in his mind with each step. They were wise words that he never would have heeded a month ago. But that was his old self, and he was coming to like his new self very much. But Simpson was right. He needed to realize what his feelings were for Holly and act appropriately.

She looked up at him as he came to her chair and offered her his hand. “Thank you.” Holly let him pull her to her feet.

He extended his arm. “Shall we?”

She blushed, and he realized how becoming it was on her. “Thank you.”

“Escorting you to the next room is hardly taxing, m’lady.”

She giggled. “I mean for everything. I don’t know how…”

“To repay me?” he finished.

“Yes.” She stopped them in the middle of the drawing room. “I’ll earn a wage, but I’m afraid I don’t know what that is yet.”

He smiled then realized what she might be saying. “Are you talking about paying me back for my time spent with you?”

She tucked her neck into her shoulders a little, reminding him of a turtle. “Well, yes…”

“Absolutely not.” He didn’t mean to snap and let go a patient sigh. “Holly, I’ve enjoyed our time together. You’ve… been a bright spot this week. I can’t begin to tell you how much. Please don’t think you owe me. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be.” He drew closer, and against his better judgement, kissed her on the forehead.

She sucked in a tiny gasp of surprise and blinked at him a few times in response.

“Now, we’d best join the others before Mrs. Pettigrew comes looking for us.” He adjusted her arm around his and led her from the room.

By the time they reached the dining room, everyone else was already seated. He pulled out Holly’s chair, got her settled, then sat next to her.

Mrs. Pettigrew sat at the head of the table with Joseph on her left, Simpson on her right. “Well, isn’t this cozy?” She rang a little bell, and Abigail the maid entered and began to serve the first course. At home Capra would serve, and a footman would be present. To have a maid serve wasn’t following proper decorum, but Mrs. Pettigrew never was one to do so. With her money, she could do whatever she wanted. Including hiring half-frozen ragamuffins found curled up in one of her carriages.

Dinner was seven courses, and Joseph kept a close eye on Holly, who took in the elaborate place settings with a combination of awe and trepidation. She watched Chastity and copied her every move when it came to the silverware, and it was apparent to everyone that the poor girl didn’t know much about table etiquette. It was a silent lesson they all helped with amidst smiles and pleasant conversation. Holly, trooper that she was, didn’t become flushed with embarrassment or make any sort of fuss. It was refreshing, and he found he didn’t think ill of her lack of etiquette. It was a skill she could learn, like so many other things.

By the time the meal was over, Joseph could tell she was growing tired. “Would you like to retire to your room?” he asked.

Holly put a hand to her forehead and nodded.

“Are you feeling feverish?” Joseph left his chair.

“Holly dear,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “Are you quite alright?”

“I’m tired is all.” She closed her eyes a moment and it was all the cue Joseph needed.

“Come, let’s get you upstairs.”

“Ahem,” Simpson cleared his throat.

“Let him be, Dalton,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “Joseph is quite adept at looking after Holly.”

“Yes, but I think I’ll accompany them,” Chastity said.

“Fine, the two of you take Holly upstairs. I’ll send Abigail up in a moment,” Mrs. Pettigrew said.

Holly opened her eyes, and she looked paler than before. “Are you feeling unwell?” Joseph asked with concern.

“I’m… very tired.”

She gave him a helpless look and his eyes widened with concern. “Shall we call the doctor?”

Holly put a gloved hand to her forehead. “No, I…”

Joseph removed her hand and put his against her forehead. “You’re warm. You’ve done too much today.” He helped her out of her chair, walked her out of the dining room into the hallway, and scooped her into his arms. “Allow me,” he said with a smile.

She smiled back, looking as if her eyelids were growing too heavy for her to keep open. “Seems I have little choice.”

“It’s my pleasure to serve you, m’lady.” He carried her upstairs to her room, and just before he set her down, her head fell against his shoulder. He took the liberty of holding her a moment longer, then lowered her to the bed. “There now, Chastity will take good care of you. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll play games, I can read to you, and if we play our cards right, we can get a rise out of Mrs. Fraser.”

She smiled as she slowly fell to one side and closed her eyes. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Come now, you can’t sleep in that gown,” Chastity said and tugged on one of Holly’s arms.

Abigail came into the room. “Well, she lasted longer than Mrs. Fraser thought she would. Let me help ye now.”

Joseph stepped around the bed to the door, his eyes on Holly as she limply let Abigail and Chastity pull off her gloves. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Chastity said. “And thank you for all your help.”

“It was my pleasure.” He smiled and left the room. Joseph noted Holly didn’t say goodnight, and hoped she was alright. People could relapse, and many did and died. He prayed that wouldn’t be the case here, that she only did too much today. He didn’t think he could stand it if something happened to her. He’d grown more than a little attached to the young lady.

He pondered that as he descended the stairs. Is that what Simpson was warning him about? But why warn him against falling in love? Other than the fact she was from the poorest of the poor. Yet, she was everything he’d want in a wife as far as sweetness went. She was also a decent conversationalist and laughed at his jokes.

Downstairs he headed back to the dining room to let Mrs. Pettigrew know Chastity and Abigail were putting Holly to bed and that she was more than a little tired. He’d suggest she have the doctor come by and check on Holly. He for one, would feel much better if the doctor did.