Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

W hen they returned to the manse, Joseph helped Holly from the carriage then showed her the expansive grounds behind the house. It was one thing to view them from the mansion itself, quite another to look at the back of the mansion from across the acreage. “Is that a pond over there?” she asked.

“Yes, Mr. Pettigrew liked to fish. It’s stocked.” He gave Mr. Prosser his sandwich then wrapped her arm around one of his. Joseph began to escort her toward the mansion. “The rose garden is over there, and the hedge maze is beyond that.”

“Oh, how lovely! Have you ever gone into it?”

“Not me. It’s bigger than it looks. But one of these days I’ll brave it.” He winked at her. “Perhaps you’ll brave it with me?”

She blushed and smiled before she caught herself. Was he flirting?! No, toying. He could just as easily be toying with you!

Either way, she had to stop this somehow. Her heart was already gone; to lose it completely would be devastating.

“I’d show you the pond, but you’ve been out in the cold long enough as it is. Best I get you inside where it’s warm, and you can have a nice hot cup of tea.” He took them down a snow-covered path and he was right. She was cold. A shiver went through her, and he stopped. “Here, hold this.” He handed her the bag with their sandwiches.

Holly took it. “What are you doing?”

Joseph took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. Warmth engulfed her and she went a little weak in the knees. The masculine scent of him surrounded her, only making it worse.

“Here now, are you okay?”

She would never be okay again. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” He got them walking. “You must be hungry by now. You’ll eat as soon as I get you inside.”

She nodded and hoped he didn’t hear her stomach growling over the crunch of the snow beneath their feet.

When they reached the French doors, Joseph smiled as he ushered her inside. “Let’s see if there’s a fire going in the dining room.”

They made their way to the room, and to Holly’s delight, a fire was going. “Oh, how wonderful.”

He led her to the table, had her sit, then headed for the door. “I’ll give these to Mrs. Fraser to serve. If we’re lucky, there’s soup to go with them.” He disappeared and Holly sat, staring at the fire across the room.

“There you are , ma petite ,” Mrs. Pettigrew said as she glided into the room. “Did you get my book?”

Holly held up the book wrapped in brown paper. “Joseph bought some books too.” She nodded at the bundle of wrapped books tied together with string. “He… bought me one.”

Mrs. Pettigrew gave her a warm smile. “Did he? How kind. Joseph Bradshaw is coming along nicely.”

Holly frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sure he’s told you he wasn’t always this nice?”

“He’s mentioned it.”

“Well, it’s true. I’m glad to see he is truly changing his ways. It makes my heart glad to see him dote on you.”

She stared at the fire again. “Perhaps I’m his… project?”

“Oh no, ma petite .” She pulled out a chair and sat. “He genuinely cares.”

Tears stung the backs of Holly’s eyes. She wanted to believe her, but how could a man like Joseph Bradshaw ever come to really care for her? She was a practice in kindness, nothing more.

“Why the long face?” Mrs. Pettigrew asked.

Holly wiped a tear from one eye. “I was… cold.”

Mrs. Pettigrew took in the coat she was wearing and smiled. “I see. But how could one be cold when she is wearing a handsome man’s coat?”

Holly’s cheeks heated, and she wished she could slide under the table and hide. She was contemplating how to do just that when Joseph returned. “Mrs. Fraser will be serving lunch momentarily.” He smiled at Mrs. Pettigrew. “Errands are done.”

“Thank you, Joseph for accompanying Holly. Nothing unusual happened?”

“No. I’m happy to report all was well.” He made a face. “Except of course when we ran into Miss Harrington in the park.”

“Oh, how unpleasant,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “I hope she didn’t harass the two of you.”

“Rebecca was simply Rebecca.” He took a seat across the table from Holly and gave her a warm smile. “Better?”

She began to shrug out of his coat. “Yes, much.”

“Leave it on for now, keep warm,” he said. “Mrs. Fraser is bringing soup to go with our sandwiches.”

Holly turned to Mrs. Pettigrew. “We brought some home, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, but why didn’t you eat them where you bought them?” She turned her inquisitive expression to Joseph.

“Holly was worried about Mr. Prosser sitting out in the cold,” he explained.

Mrs. Pettigrew smiled. “I see.” She turned to Holly. “You are a benevolent soul, my dear. There is nothing wrong with that. But Mr. Prosser knows his job.”

Holly nodded as her cheeks heated again. Her first day was riddled with mistakes!

“Fear not, I’m sure he enjoyed his sandwich very much,” Joseph said with a chuckle.

“I suspect he’ll be in the kitchen soon for his mid-day meal,” Mrs. Pettigrew assured.

Holly blushed even more. Hadn’t Joseph told her the same thing?

Mrs. Fraser entered the room carrying a tureen of soup. She pulled bowls from a fancy hutch, served them, and left the tureen on the table. When she entered the room again it was with their sandwiches on a plate for each of them. Mrs. Pettigrew had her own sandwich and ate as she asked Joseph questions about his father. “You should both come to dinner tomorrow evening,” she said.

Joseph’s eyes darted between the two women. “Tomorrow, I’ll check with him, but it might be too short of notice.”

“Nonsense,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “I’m sure he’d much rather eat here. He’s been after Mrs. Fraser for years to come work for him. Who am I to deny him another opportunity to shower her with compliments on her cooking?”

“Well, when you put it that way,” he laughed. “How can Father refuse?”

“Besides, it’s time he met the young lady his son rescued.”

Holly blanched. “What?”

Mrs. Pettigrew gave her a wide smile. “Well, of course, ma petite . A parent wants to know with whom their offspring spring has been spending their time.” She patted Holly’s hand. “He’ll love you, I’m sure.”

Holly swallowed hard. She couldn’t say the same. Joseph might be practicing kindness, generosity, and all that, but would his father? She came from the gutter, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d be tossed right back into it. She could not jeopardize her new position with Mrs. Pettigrew.

They finished their meal then Joseph offered to show Mrs. Pettigrew the books he’d bought. The three retired to the drawing room where he unwrapped his purchases and showed their hostess each one. Holly sat in her usual chair by the fire and soaked up the warmth as the two spoke. Meeting his father made her nervous, and she had no doubt that if he found out where she came from, he’d insist Mrs. Pettigrew toss her out of her home!

Holly squeezed her eyes shut against the thought. She shouldn’t think such things. If Mrs. Pettigrew didn’t want her here, she would have sent her on her way already.

“Holly…”

She looked up at the sound of Joseph’s rich, warm voice. “Yes?”

“Your book.” He handed it to her then knelt near the chair. “I must go now. I’ve some work to do, but I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner.”

She looked at him and couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you for accompanying me today.”

“It was my pleasure.” He took one of her hands and kissed it. “Until tomorrow.” He let go her hand, stood, and left the drawing room.

Holly stared after him with wide eyes. If only…

“He enjoys your company, ma petite . Very much.”

Holly turned in her chair to look at her employer. “He is just being kind.”

“By kissing your hand?” Mrs. Pettigrew said and sat in the chair Joseph usually occupied. “Do you even know how a gentleman acts when he is interested in a woman?”

Holly’s cheeks flamed. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“My poor, sweet child. You have so much to learn.” She patted Holly on the leg, making her open her eyes. “I will teach you.”

“You will?”

“But of course. You must learn the actions of a man who is in love! Especially if you are to work for me.” She rose from her chair and went to the small desk and sat. “I have some letters to write. Read your book ma petite . Rest. You have done enough for one day.” She turned in the chair and smiled at her. “Tomorrow will come soon enough, and you will see your handsome Joseph once again.”

Holly gasped. “Oh, but Mrs. Pettigrew, he’s not, that is, there’s nothing…”

Mrs. Pettigrew laughed but said nothing more.

Holly sat back in her chair, her book in her hands, and watched the fire. She didn’t belong here, never would, and tomorrow night she would probably be reminded of the fact by Joseph’s father. Rebecca Harrington looked at her with hatred today. She’d seen that look before on Randall’s face and wasn’t sure if it stemmed from jealousy or something else. She only knew that the woman despised her immediately.

She tried to read but couldn’t concentrate. Holly let the book sit in her lap as she went back to watching the fire. It would be nice if Joseph had stayed and read to her, but she was going to have to remind herself that all this was coming to an end. She would work for Mrs. Pettigrew, learn all she could from the woman, and keep this job for as long as possible. It was a dream come true, and it would have to be enough.

She thought of Randall again and pondered where he might be. Jail? Some dingy hotel somewhere? San Francisco? In the time she’d been here, he could have gone anywhere. Yet that same hateful look she saw on Rebecca’s face gave her pause. Randall didn’t like to lose, and especially not to her. If he was mad enough, his hatred might be enough to make him look for her until her found her. And if he did, he would probably kill her.