Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

A week passed and Holly was feeling much better. She joined Mrs. Pettigrew and Chastity in the breakfast room. “Well, ma petite ,” Mrs. Pettigrew drawled. “You are much improved.”

Holly eyed the sideboard and the platters of food adorning it. “Yes,” she said absently. Her appetite had also improved, and the sight of so much delicious food made her mouth water. There were scrambled eggs, fruit, potatoes, sausages, bacon and ham. Good grief, it was more than enough for the three of them. Did the servants eat whatever was left over for their own breakfast?

Mrs. Pettigrew laughed, catching Holly’s attention. “I’m sorry, did you say something, ma’am?”

Mrs. Pettigrew exchanged a look with Chastity. “No, but I will say something now. I think you are ready for a little outing. Are you up to going to the bookshop and picking up something I ordered?”

Holly cringed. “Bookshop?”

“Yes, it’s not far. About six blocks. There are all sorts of things in the business district of our little neighborhood. Shops and eateries that I’m sure you’ll love to see. You can take the carriage if you think the walk might be too much for you.”

Holly stared at her benefactor, her heart in her throat. “I’m not… sure.”

“Joseph will accompany you of course.”

Holly’s shoulders slumped in relief. “He will?”

“Naturally. I don’t expect you to go out by yourself in a neighborhood you’re not familiar with.” Mrs. Pettigrew eyed her, a smile on her face.

Holly was nodding before she realized it. “Fine then.” She turned to the sideboard, took a plate, and began to fill it. So long as Joseph was with her, she’d be fine. He knew the area, probably knew the bookshop’s owner, and would protect her in case…

Holly drew in a shuddering breath as she spooned eggs onto her plate. Would Randall even recognize her? She wore a dress of robin’s egg blue with dark blue embellishments. Abigail said the outfit had a matching hat and gloves and was typical of the wardrobe Mrs. Pettigrew’s assistant would wear.

“Is there anything else Holly can do for you today?” Chastity asked. “That is, since she’s going out?”

“Well, let me think,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “I should send a tip to Mr. Ross for being so gracious at my skating party.” She smiled at Holly. “If you take the carriage, do you think you could handle that small task as well?”

Holly came to the table and sat. “You want to send money with me to give to a man?”

“Yes, he runs the skate shack at the pond in the park,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “He rents skates to people who don’t own any of their own.”

Holly had never been entrusted with money before. What if she lost it?

“Don’t look so worried, ma petite . Joseph will be with you. It’s not as if you’ll be accosted with him along.”

Holly put her napkin on her lap and nodded. “No, of course not.” She said a quick blessing over her food and began to eat.

“Then it’s settled,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “We’ll consider this your first day of work. You are now on the clock.”

Holly choked down the next bite of food. “Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Pettigrew smiled. “Come now, ma petite . Don’t look so frightened. You will be fine.”

Chastity, who was sitting next to her, reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. “She’s right. And I’ll help you, remember.”

Holly smiled at Chastity. “Thank you. It’s just that, I’ve never had a job like this before and want to make sure I get things right.”

“I’ll have Mr. Prosser prepare the carriage,” Mrs. Pettigrew said and left her chair. She started for the door. “If you’re feeling up to it, you and Joseph can have lunch somewhere.” She left the room and disappeared into the hallway beyond.

Holly set down her fork, a hand to her chest, and tried to breathe.

“Why, Holly, what is it?” Chastity asked with concern.

“I’m… I’m…” She gave her a panicked look. Holly didn’t know what was happening. Only that part of her was terrified to leave the mansion.

There came a knock on the door jamb, and Joseph swept into the room. “Good morning. It’s good to see you eating breakfast downstairs.” He stopped up short. “Holly, what’s wrong?”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

He took the chair on the other side of her and pulled her into his arms. “Darling, do you need the doctor?”

“She’s frightened,” Chastity stated.

“What? Why?” he asked.

“Mrs. Pettigrew wants me to run an errand for her,” Holly said into his chest. She shouldn’t let him hold her like this, but he made her feel safe.

Joseph pulled back, as if realizing it too. “Errands. Then I’m going along.”

“Of course you are,” Chastity said. “Mrs. Pettigrew was going to ask you.”

“I just saw her as Tugs let me in. She only told me that the two of you were in here and to have some breakfast.”

“She’ll get around to it,” Chastity said. “Or expected me to tell you, which I’ve done.”

Holly took a deep breath, feeling more settled now. “Thank you.” She gave him a tiny shrug. “I’m sorry, I… don’t know what came over me.”

“I do,” he said. Joseph tucked a finger under her chin. “There’s no shame in being afraid. Not after what you’ve been through. If you don’t want to go out, then we won’t.”

“But Mrs. Pettigrew asked me to. I start work today.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Oh, I see. Well then, we’ll work together.”

“Do you have the time to spare?” Chastity asked.

“Yes, I do,” he said with a smile. “Now, eat your breakfast, and I’ll join you.” He left his chair and went to the sideboard to fix himself a plate.

Holly watched him, her nerves settling with each passing moment. What were the chances of running across Randall in a posh neighborhood? Slim to none. She had to stop worrying. He was probably long gone by now and heading west. That is, if he had any money to do so. If not…

Joseph sat next to her and ate heartily. The last few days he’d spent less time with her as he had business to attend to, but the man still showed up and read to her, told her stories, and took tea or a meal with her. But how attentive was he going to be once she was well and on her feet? While working for Mrs. Pettigrew, would he still come to tea? Would he still read to her? Part of her didn’t think so, and she’d be wise to quell any thoughts of having anything more than friendship with this man.

Yet, there were a few times they were together that she thought there could be more. She had to have been mistaken, he pitied her, nothing more.

After breakfast Mr. Prosser brought the carriage around to the front of the house wearing a driver’s livery. Holly stood in the doorway and pulled on her gloves. Mrs. Pettigrew had given her an envelope with some money in it to give to the man at the skate shack, and money for the bookshop owner. It was in her reticule, which of course matched the rest of her outfit.

“Are you ready?” Joseph asked beside her.

“Yes.” She took a deep breath and stepped outside into the crisp, January air. “It’s so cold.”

“You’ve been cooped up too long,” he said. “But I dare not let you linger in the cold either. Come along, let’s get you settled.” He took her by the elbow and led her down the walk to the waiting carriage.

Mr. Tugs opened the door, and Joseph helped her inside. As soon as she was seated, he climbed in himself and unfolded the blanket next to him and placed it over her legs. “There, that ought to keep you warm.”

Holly stared at the blanket. It was the same one she’d wrapped herself in that fateful night. “Thank you.”

Joseph smiled as Mr. Tugs closed the carriage door then waved at Mr. Prosser. The carriage lurched forward, and they were off.

“Will the carriage slide down the hill?” Holly asked with concern.

Joseph chuckled. “No, darling.”

She thought she heard affection in his voice. And why the endearment? Was it because they’d become friends? Holly brushed at the blanket with her gloved hand. “Is it far?”

“Not at all. I prefer to walk, myself, but none of us wants to see you tire yourself out.” He looked out the window and sighed. “Where shall we dine?”

“We just had breakfast,” she pointed out. “Don’t tell me you’re hungry again already?”

“No, but after we pay a visit to Mr. Ross at the skate shack, and visit the bookshop, I’ll have worked up an appetite.”

She smiled. “I suppose those two things would take some time.”

He winked at her, making her heart flutter. “Especially the bookshop.” Joseph let go a sigh. “Seems it doesn’t matter how big one’s library is, there’s always the need for more books.”

Holly blushed. She’d never been much of a reader. There was never enough time in the day for it. That and her family didn’t really own any books. But since living at Mrs. Pettigrew’s and discovering the library, Holly had been able to start reading for pleasure and found she adored it. Even if she was allowed to read all day every day, she couldn’t begin to read everything in Mrs. Pettigrew’s library.

They passed mansions for blocks that eventually gave way to businesses. Mr. Prosser knew to take them to the park first, and when they reached it, Holly noticed more than a few eyes on their carriage. “Why is everyone looking at us? We haven’t even left the carriage.”

“Because of the big “P” on the carriage doors. Everyone knows this is Mrs. Pettigrew’s private carriage.” He opened the door and got out. “Here, let me help you down.” Joseph extended a hand to her, and Holly slowly took it.

When she stepped out, more than a few heads turned. One young woman’s eyes grew wide, then quickly narrowed before the look was replaced by a bright smile.

“Well, if it isn’t Joseph Bradshaw!” The woman sashayed her way up to them and looped an arm around one of Joseph’s. “What brings you to the park, and in Mrs. Pettigrew’s carriage no less?” She looked Holly up and down. “Friend of yours, Joseph?”

Holly turned to him. Joseph looked like he was counting to ten. “Rebecca Harrington, meet Mrs. Pettigrew’s new assistant.”

“How charming,” Rebecca said before he could say Holly’s name. “I suppose she had to get a new one seeing as how Dalty snatched up the last one. The fool.”

Joseph extracted his arm from the woman’s. “If you don’t mind, I’m assisting the young lady with some errands Mrs. Pettigrew has tasked her with.”

The young woman all but sneered at Holly, then gave Joseph a pouty look. “We should have lunch together while the assistant goes about her business. She doesn’t need you.” She eyed Holly. “Unless of course Mrs. Pettigrew doesn’t trust her.”

Holly let go a sigh.

“Rebecca,” Joseph snapped. “Mind yourself.” He took Holly by the arm and steered her toward a large shack near a huge frozen pond. “Now if you don’t mind, we’ve business to attend to.” And with that, they marched off, leaving the woman behind.

Holly smiled, unable to help herself, and let Joseph pull her along.