Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

I rresistible , Holly learned, was a dressing gown trimmed in lace, her hair brushed and cascading over one shoulder, being propped against pillows followed by Abigail pinching Holly’s cheeks. “Ye look pale and need some color,” the maid said in explanation.

Holly gaped at her. “Mrs. Pettigrew…”

“Now, now, ma petite , do you not wish to look good for visitors?”

“But we were just having tea downstairs,” Holly said then coughed.

“Do not speak. Let Mr. Bradshaw read to you, then rest.” Mrs. Pettigrew turned toward the door. “I’ll have tea sent up.”

Holly was quickly learning there was no use arguing with the woman. She watched Mrs. Pettigrew slip from the room, followed by Abigail. She hadn’t seen Miss Eastwick and figured she must be spending time with her betrothed, Mr. Simpson.

She sat back against the pillows with a sigh, coughed some more, then tried to catch her breath.

“Here now,” Joseph said as he hurried into the room. He pulled her forward and rubbed her back. “Relax and it will pass easier.”

Holly coughed a few more times, which didn’t detract from the fact the man’s hand was gently going up and down her back. It was relaxing, and she didn’t sit as rigid as before.

“There, you see?” he said in a soothing voice. “Let me get you some water. Mrs. Pettigrew said she was having tea sent up.” He turned toward the dresser to pour her a drink.

She watched him a moment, and before she could stop herself, said, “Why are you being so kind to me?”

He turned, pitcher in hand, and arched an eyebrow at her. “As I said downstairs, you were in a bad way, still are from what I can see. We’re just trying to help you.”

“But you don’t know me,” she pointed out.

“Do we need to know a person in order to help them?”

“What if I was wanted by the law for some heinous crime?” She was pushing him but couldn’t seem to help herself. He made her nervous. In her experience, no one was this kind.

“Are you?”

Holly blinked. “Uh, what?”

“Wanted by the law?”

“Of course not.” But she knew who was. Holly looked away. Randall had done things and never told her what. But then, she didn’t want to know. Knowing what he was about to do to her was bad enough.

“You’re growing pale,” Joseph said and brought her the glass. “Here drink this.”

She did as he asked and handed the glass back. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulled a chair up and sat. “Do you need rest?”

Holly looked in his eyes. They were full of concern, and she didn’t know what to say. “I… don’t know how long it will take me to recover.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “Mrs. Pettigrew will let you take all the time you need.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. And she’s to train you up as her new assistant, I’m told.” He sat back and studied her. “When you’re up to it, we can walk to the park, drink hot cider and watch the skaters.”

“Skaters?”

“Yes. Mrs. Pettigrew has been planning a skating party. She was going to have it at the end of the month, I hear, then decided to hold it on New Year’s Day.”

“I’ve never skated.” Holly folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. She’d never done a lot of things, but when you grew up poor like she did, there wasn’t a lot of opportunity for things like skating.

“We’ll remedy that.” Joseph reached for a book on her nightstand. “Shall we continue where we left off?”

Holly sat back. “To tell you the truth, I don’t remember where that was.”

“You fell asleep.”

Her mouth curved into a smile. She didn’t want to enjoy his company so much, but it was hard not to. “No one’s ever read to me before.”

“No one?”

Holly shook her head. Now that she thought of it, her life had been miserable, full of toil and angst. She had a chance to have something better here working for Mrs. Pettigrew. She’d be a fool not to take the woman up on her offer.

“Holly,” he said, voice soft. “Perhaps you should rest.”

She looked at him. Her eyelids were growing heavy. “Perhaps so.”

Joseph put the book back on the nightstand, then scooted his chair closer. “Do you wish to lie down?”

“No, sitting up I don’t cough as much.” Holly looked into his eyes. There was that concerned look again. “I barely escaped.”

He gave her a sage nod.

She didn’t know why she said it, but there it was. “After I climbed out the window, I had to jump and landed in the back of a passing wagon. Then I ran and ran.”

Joseph’s jaw tightened ever so slightly as he put a hand over hers. “You’re safe here. And you’re going to get well. Then you’ll work for Mrs. Pettigrew and live in this mansion and…” he smiled. “Well, who knows what will happen then.” Joseph gazed into her eyes and for a moment, Holly saw a glimmer of hope that maybe her life could be so much more than what it had been all these years.

“Thank you for your kind words,” she said.

“You’re welcome.” He patted her hands. “Rest now, princess.”

Her heart skipped at the endearment and an odd tingle went up her spine. She didn’t say a word, she couldn’t!

Without taking his eyes from hers, Joseph stood, gave her a warm smile, then left the room.

Holly leaned against the pillows and had the sensation that her heart just went out the door with him.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Bradshaw.”

Joseph fought an eye roll as he turned to face Rebecca Harrington. “Good afternoon.” He tipped his hat and made to leave. He’d gone to the park and was watching the skaters. He wanted to plan his outing with Holly down to the minute detail. Should they have cider or hot chocolate? Should he take her to lunch first? Would she be well enough to walk or should they take the carriage?

“You’re awful quiet, Joseph,” Rebecca purred. “That’s not like you. You’re not even insulting me.”

He sighed. “I apologize for that.”

She laughed. “Apologize? What’s gotten into you? I enjoyed exchanging barbs with you.” She sidled up to him. “Trouble brewing?”

“No.”

“Then what is it? Your father said you needed comforting.”

Joseph’s eyes went wide. “He said what?!”

Rebecca laughed. “I knew that would get your attention.” She wrapped an arm around one of his. “Let’s go skating.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Then what are you doing here? You look like… hmm, I’m not sure what. I’ve never seen you like this before.” She turned and leaned against the fence that bordered the pond near the skate shack. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing. I’m just…” he turned and also leaned against the fence. “… trying not to be myself.”

She laughed. “What?”

He frowned. “You’d do well to change your ways too, Miss Harrington.”

She gaped. “Miss Harrington is it? Well!”

He tried not to roll his eyes. “Try being nice for once. It will do you good.”

Rebecca laughed like it was the most ludicrous idea she’d ever heard. “Oh, that’s something coming from you. That tongue of yours is just as wicked as mine. You set your sights on something, and you do what you have to in order to get it, just like me.” She waved a hand between them. “We’re a lot alike, you and I. We don’t change our stripes overnight.”

Okay, she had a point. He was going to have to work on this. And she was right when it came to doing what needed to be done to get something he wanted. But he wasn’t going to be ruthless about it like she would. “One can change if they wish.”

“Ha!”

“You should try.”

She laughed again. “You are so naive.”

“No, just tired of being an idiot.” He turned around and leaned against the fence again.

“I hear Mrs. Pettigrew has a houseguest.”

He stiffened. “Who told you that?”

“Mother.”

“How does she know?”

“She spoke to your father.”

Joseph sighed. Figures. “So what of it?”

“He said you’ve been spending time over there.”

Joseph gave her the side-eye. “I’ve paid Mrs. Pettigrew a visit.”

“And her guest? What is she to you?”

He eyed her again. “What do you want, Rebecca?”

“Gossip, I’m bored.”

He came away from the fence. This wouldn’t bode well for poor Holly if Rebecca started spreading rumors. “Then I suggest you take things up with Mrs. Pettigrew and ask her about her guest.”

“But you’ve been to the Pettigrew mansion, you’ve seen her.”

“Speak to Mrs. Pettigrew if you’re so curious,” he reiterated. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to be getting home. I have some work to do.”

“Good, I’ll accompany you.” She grabbed his arm again.

He sighed. “Rebecca…”

“Ah, we’re on a first name basis again. I knew you loved me!”

He glared at her which only made her laugh. “You’re so easy to manage, Joseph!”

He extracted his arm from her hold. “You’re not going home with me. I’ll accompany you home, but nothing more.”

She frowned back. “Fine, you may accompany me. But only if I can be on your arm.”

“What?”

“Oh come now, you’re a gentleman, aren’t you?” she shot back.

“Are you a lady?”

“Joseph Bradshaw!” She gasped loud enough to wake the dead. More than a few heads turned in their direction.

He sighed again and offered her his arm. “Behave. Or you’re walking home by yourself.”

She looped her arm around his. “Never.”

He started walking, the sooner he was rid of her the better. It rankled that he wasn’t much better than Rebecca, and that he still needed to do so much to right the wrongs he’d done. But at least he was trying, unlike the viper on his arm. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever change. After this, he’d have to avoid her as much as possible. He didn’t want to risk slipping into any of his old ways. Not when…

He stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Rebecca asked.

He glanced her way. “Nothing.” Joseph started walking again and finished his thought; … not when he was interested in courting a sweet, innocent, woman like Holly Turtledove.