Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

H olly picked out a romance novel. She just couldn’t help it. She was enthralled from page one of Pride and Prejudice the minute Joseph started reading it to her. Though she was familiar with some of her books, she didn’t own any herself.

“Find something that suits you?” Joseph asked from the other side of a bookshelf.

Holly pulled a few books out and peeked through the hole at him. She giggled, giving herself away, but didn’t care.

He moved a couple of books and peeked back, a wide smile on his face. “Whatever are you doing?”

She laughed. “Looking at you.”

“I can see that, but why?”

“You spoke to me, for one. It would be impolite to call things to you through a wall of books, don’t you think?”

His smile grew. “Indeed, it would, darling.”

Her heart fluttered. He’d been calling her that all day. He probably didn’t mean anything by it, no more than when she thought about the endearment earlier that day.

Holly licked her lips and glanced at the book in her hands. “I found a book.”

“You did? You must show me.” He put the books back on the shelf and came around the wall of shelves. “What is it?”

She held up the book so he could read the title.

“A good choice. I must not be reading it to you fast enough. But doesn’t Miss Pettigrew have all her books?”

A dull ache started in her heart. “Yes, but… I want my own collection. I’ll buy Pride and Prejudice , then Emma .”

“I own them all,” he said as he stared at the book.

“You? But… they’re romances.”

“Indeed, they are.” He ran a hand over the cover. “I inherited them from my mother. I mentioned before she owned them all. I read them because she loved them so. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with reading a little romance, now is there?”

Holly stared at him in awe. He was so unlike any man she had ever known. “You… like romance?”

He took a step closer. “Indeed, I do.”

She held the book to her chest and looked into his eyes. “Why?”

Joseph smiled. “Because it reminds me that romance exists. That there is good in it. And that no one should be alone.”

Tears stung the backs of her eyes at his words. She never thought she’d find love, and here she was, staring into the eyes a man that… oh dear. Had she fallen in love with Joseph Bradshaw? “No one?” she echoed, her voice barely audible.

He took one of her hands in his. “No one, Holly.” Joseph raised her hands to his lips and kissed it. He let it go just as quickly and backed away.

She stared after him as he reached the end of the aisle and went down the next. Holly let out the breath she was holding and looked at her hand. If she didn’t think she was in love with him before, there was no doubt now. Her heart was beating like a hummingbird’s, and she couldn’t speak! And all the man did was kiss her hand! What was to become of her now? He belonged to the highest social class in the city! His people didn’t mix with hers. Ever. She’d be a fool to think he’d ever have any sort of romantic notion for her.

But… he’d just kissed her hand in the aisle of a bookshop!

Holly swallowed hard and shook her head. He was rich; rich people did whatever they wanted. Joseph Bradshaw would be no exception. For all she knew he was toying with her.

Her heart thudded in her chest, the ache in it growing. What a horrible thought! But that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Maybe he was bored, and she had become some sort of challenge for him to practice doing good. She would become bragging rights, nothing more.

She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Holly hated thinking such things, but she had to consider it. Maybe spending so much time with him wasn’t such a good idea, but she was too afraid to wander this area of the city by herself. She didn’t know her way around yet, and though the chances of Randall looking for her here were slim, there was still a chance. And with her luck, he’d find her.

A hand flew to her chest at the thought, and she quickly pushed it from her mind. She had to think about her job and pleasing Mrs. Pettigrew. Nothing else mattered.

Holly straightened; her book held to her chest and thought of putting it back. But… she so wanted to own her own books…

“Still here?” Joseph teased as he showed up at the end of the aisle. He looked at the book she had clutched to her chest. “Let me take that to the counter for you.” He held out a hand for it.

Holly looked at the book, his hand, then forced herself to give it to him.

“You look as if that strained you,” he quipped. “Are you alright?”

She nodded, but didn’t say a word.

Joseph watched her a moment then smiled. “Are you through browsing?”

She shook her head. “I’d like to look some more if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He turned and left and once again, Holly’s shoulders slumped. This was becoming too nerve wracking! And what if she found another book she wanted?

She blew out a breath and left the aisle she was in. She dare not choose another book. Besides, it would be better to be organized about this and start with buying her own set of Jane Austen books. Yes, that was the wise thing to do.

Holly browsed through several more aisles before finding Joseph. He was at the counter hovering over a small stack of books, one of which was hers. “Are you buying those?”

“I am.” He held his three books up for her inspection. One was on gardening, the other two looked to be adventure novels.

“You garden?”

He blushed. “I admit I do. My mother loved to garden, and I do my best to keep everything up the way she would want it.” He shrugged. “What can I say? Gardening relaxes me.”

The ache in Holly’s heart increased. Joseph Bradshaw seemed every inch the nice man she thought him to be. But what if she was wrong? What if, this self-reformed rake went back to his old ways? Could she trust him not to, even if all she had was the pleasure of his friendship?

“Holly?”

She started. “Sorry, I… was thinking.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I can see that. Hungry? Perhaps you’ve worked up that appetite we knew you’d have earlier.”

She started again. “Me? We were talking about you!”

He laughed. “You are precious. And I admit, I could do with a snack. How about you? I know a lovely little café not far from here. We could walk.”

She nodded. Mrs. Pettigrew did suggest they have some lunch while they were out. Did she know how long they’d be out running a couple of simple errands?

Joseph purchased their books, thanked Mr. Troeh and they were off. They left the books with Mr. Prosser and the carriage and started up the street after asking him if he’d like anything from the café.

Holly stole glances at Joseph as they walked and wondered if all men of his class were like him. Randall told her rich people were cruel, heartless, and treated all servants abominably. But that wasn’t the case at all. Not so far as Holly had witnessed being in Mrs. Pettigrew’s care. But maybe the eccentric widow was the exception to the rule. Maybe being “nice” is what made people think she was eccentric.

They each ordered a sandwich and bought one for Mr. Prosser. As soon as the waitress took their order, Holly studied her surroundings. The café was quaint, charming, just the sort of place Randall might try to rob, using her as a decoy. Which… made her an accomplice. She shut her eyes against the thought.

“Holly,” Joseph said gently. “Are you not feeling well? Do we need to return to Mrs. Pettigrew’s?”

She looked at him, her chest tight, but it wasn’t from being sick for so long. No, this was caused by something else entirely. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? We can take our food with us if you’d like.”

She glanced at the café’s front windows and thought of Mr. Prosser sitting atop the carriage’s driver’s seat. “Well, we could do that. It’s awful cold out.”

“But we’re inside where it’s warm, darling.”

Her heart melted at the endearment. “Mr. Prosser isn’t.”

Joseph sat back in his chair. “No, he’s not. Very well then.” He left his chair, found their waitress, and spoke a few words to her. That done he returned. “There, all taken care of.”

“Thank you.” She breathed easier, and realized he’d done this for her, but maybe, for a shivering Mr. Prosser too. She hoped.

Their waitress brought them a bag with their sandwiches in it, and as soon as Joseph paid, they left. “We’ll give Mr. Prosser his when we return to the mansion,” Joseph said.

“Thank you. I’m sure you don’t go around buying your staff lunch.”

“No, because I know they’re doing their job, and that they have scheduled meal times like most of us.” He stopped and smiled at her. “You don’t have to feel sorry for him. If you were running around in the cold for Mrs. Pettigrew as part of your job, are you not going to then sit down with her later and have a meal?”

Her eyes became downcast. “Oh, I see what you’re saying. I’m… sorry.”

“Well, it is chilly out, and I’m sure Mr. Prosser will appreciate the gesture. But I also suspect he’ll wolf down this sandwich, then go have whatever lunch Mrs. Fraser’s whipped up for the staff today.”

She sucked in a breath. “I hadn’t thought of that.” Which only drove his point home even more. “Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said. “You have a big heart, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But be wise.”

He wagged a finger at her for good measure and she smiled. “I will.”

“See that you do.” They reached the carriage. “Take us straight to the carriage house, Mr. Prosser.”

“As you wish, Mr. Bradshaw.”

Holly smiled up at the older man. “We bought you a sandwich.”

Mr. Prosser beamed. “Did you now? Thank you, Miss Turtledove!”

She smiled then let Joseph help her into the carriage. It didn’t take long for them to be on their way, and Holly thought about everything Joseph said. She learned things today, some of which were of her own making, and Holly wasn’t sure if she should put much stock in those thoughts. And she realized she fell woefully short of knowing everything there was to know about dealing with people belonging to Denver’s high society. But with Mrs. Pettigrew’s help, and hopefully Joseph’s, she’d learn and quickly. Holly just hoped she didn’t completely lose her heart to the man sitting across from her as she did.