by Janet Woods
‘Oh, my pardon! I beg you not to pursue this conversation any further. Eat your cabbage, else it will fall into your lap.’
He did as he was told and his glance became a mixture of exasperation and amusement. ‘To save you further embarrassment, and working along the lines that I obviously cannot be of personal service, what would be acceptable to you?’
She opened her mouth to protest, and then closed it again.
‘For instance, do you need a dog to guard you and a ginger cat to chase off any mice that creep out of the wainscot to menace you?’
Head to one side she regarded him, and then a soft little giggle sent his grumpy mood skittering away. ‘You’re so thoughtful at times. I’ve always wanted a dog, but it must be small – and I would prefer the cat to be a tabby.’
He couldn’t decide whether she was being sarcastic or if her pleasure was genuine. There were several tabbies living in his brother’s barn, and one of the gamekeeper’s ratters had dropped a litter before Dominic had left. No doubt his brother would be relieved to get rid of a pup.
He dispelled a quick squeeze of homesickness by clearing his throat. But why was he pandering to Grace like this when scores of people could do the same job just as easily as she? ‘Tell me … how long do you want the cat’s tail to be?’
‘Fifteen inches, at least.’
‘I’ve never seen cat with a tail as long as you require, my dear. You might have to settle for less.’
Her smile was irresistible. ‘I like you, Dominic LéSayres, even when you’re wearing your serious face. Eat your dinner before it gets cold and you begin to suffer from the gripe.’
He did as he was told, and though the meal had lost some of its heat he retained an inner glow from her unexpected and inelegant compliment.
Not usually given over to fancy he was poised for the next delicious mouthful with a forkful of dangling rabbit meat when an insidious little voice inside him suggested: if you wed the girl yourself she wouldn’t cost quite so much.
‘A silly idea,’ his more logical side advised out loud.
Her eyes came up to his. He loved the way she looked in the candlelight, her eyes glowing like those of a sleepy cat. Her gown had collected a small tear.
‘What’s a silly idea?’ Her smoky voice sent warm trickles into places better left undisturbed at the moment.
‘It was a passing thought, nothing serious.’
So why did he feel so breathless? He never did anything important without serious consideration, and here he was on the verge of proposing marriage to a young woman he hardly knew.
When the tip of her tongue emerged to moisten the delectable pink curve of her mouth his own tongue dried. What was it she’d said earlier about wicked thoughts? At the moment he seemed to be on the verge of bursting into flames.
He hoped the grin he sent her way wasn’t too easily interpreted as lecherous intent.
Closing his eyes he inhaled a deep, calming breath, murmuring as he exhaled it, ‘If only I hadn’t promised to behave.’
She placed a finger across his mouth. Her touch was as gentle as the fan of a butterfly’s wing as she outlined the curve, leaving his lips sensitized beyond belief. ‘But you did promise, Dominic, and I trust you to behave like the gentleman you so obviously are.’
Damn it! This woman was a contrary creature, and she wasn’t playing fair.
But then, neither was he, and at least she was playing.
His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her, contemplative. She was fast becoming his nemesis.
When the rabbit slid from his fork and plopped into his gravy she couldn’t quite stifle her laughter.
Six
Grace and Jessie were in the laundry room alone when Grace broached the subject of Jessie’s condition. It had been puzzling her.
‘Brian said you were with child.’
A sharp glance came her way. ‘Did he now; what of it?’
‘You haven’t mentioned it before.’
Jessie lowered her eyes. ‘I don’t have to tell you everything.’
‘But I remember you had your menses a couple of weeks ago, and you complained about getting the cramps. I gave you something to relax the pain.’
‘You’re mistaken.’
Grace knew Jessie was lying. ‘Has your stomach felt uneasy in the mornings?’
‘Why should it; do I look as though I’m sick?’
‘I think Brian is mistaken.’
Hands on hips Jessie swung round and said, ‘A lot you know …’ and then she sighed. ‘It was Brian’s idea. He said you were soft hearted and it might help you make up your mind if we told you I was with child. When I told him you wouldn’t agree, he said you didn’t have to agree.’
Although a thought began to niggle at Grace, her sympathy for Jessie overrode it. ‘Perhaps you could adopt an orphan when you get to Australia. I’ve heard there are plenty of them in need of parents.’
Jessie shrugged. ‘Brian wants a brat of his own … that’s why he wants you to come with us.’
‘What’s that got to do with the problem?’
‘He reckons he could talk you round … and well, I wouldn’t mind so much if it were you. Everyone would think the child was mine if you carried it in secret.’
Jessie’s child? Half his … carry it in secret? Grace stared at the woman, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. She coloured when realization slapped her, and she gasped. ‘Does he really think I’d agree to take part in such a scheme?’
Jessie gave a bitter laugh. ‘Saving yourself for the right man, are you?’
Goosebumps rioted up Grace’s spine and she pressed her hands across her ears, not that it muffled them from much noise. ‘I’m surprised you’d go along with such a dishonest plan.’
‘It’s no more disgusting than being tied to old Crouch for his money, or becoming an amusement for a man who will abandon you when he tires of you. Still, I suppose some wealth comes with that first option. Not that it will happen. The moneyed classes marry money, not servants.’
So why was she more inclined towards becoming the mistress of Dominic LéSayres? It was not that he’d proposed such an event, but he would eventually.
Grace felt like slapping Jessie for exposing such thoughts inside her but held the urge back. Her family pedigree was perfectly sound, with a baron or two on her mother’s side. But Jessie was right. Money was a definite motivator. Beside that, after she’d struck Dominic and observed the wounded expression in his eyes she’d promised herself she’d never slap anyone again, however sorely tried she was.
Jessie shrugged. ‘I told Brian you wouldn’t agree to it. You’ve been brought up as gentry, not in the gutter like Brian and I have. There were times I was forced to sell my wares else we’d have died of starvation.’
Grace turned away, shocked. ‘It’s a pity you didn’t leave your vulgar practices in the gutter, where they belong. I don’t want to hear any more.’
‘Oh, that’s all right for the likes of you. You’ve never gone hungry, or had to suffer the attention of some stranger’s hands pawing at your body, or worse, and just so you could have a hot meal in your stomach.’
Revulsion shuddered through Grace at the thought.
‘Brian and me vowed we’d be rich one day, however long it took. Now, with the old lady gone our dream is a step nearer. Everything was there for the taking. I’ve never had a friend to talk to before. That’s why I wanted you to come. Besides, you’re educated and could teach me to write, like you did Sam. Then I could be employed as a nursery maid and get married to Brian, properly.’
The speech was edged with a false note, an underlying pitiful whine, as though it had been rehearsed.
Grace fought back a flare of sadness for Jessie and for Brian. She no long trusted them. ‘If I followed the course you’re suggesting it would ruin my life. I cannot go with you under any circumstances now.’
Jessie shrugged. ‘It makes no difference to me, girl. I just didn’t want you to have to fen
d for yourself. We can soon find somebody else. Which reminds me, you’d best go into town and shop for the next few days.’
‘I can’t, I’ve got some work to do for Mr LéSayres today. Besides, that’s usually your job.’
‘Not this time. Mr LéSayres won’t be in residence for the weekend and I’ll be sorting out things and packing our trunks. We’ll be taking it to the ship while we’ve still got the donkey cart to use. Brian has business to do in Southampton, as well, and will be out and about. So if you think I’m waiting on you hand and foot while you play the queen bee, you can forget it. It will be the opposite. As far as I’m concerned we’re equals. You can do the cooking and wait on us for a change.’
‘Mr LéSayres won’t like it.’
‘He won’t know, lessen you tell him, and you always was a sly little puss. I wouldn’t advise you to tell him, and if I were you I’d be very careful. Men aren’t fussy over who or what they use to satisfy their appetites. He’s well connected, you can tell by the quality of his clothes and the way he talks. Men of his ilk know how to get round a woman and they’re used to having their own way, see. If you marry the brigadier you’ll soon find that out for yourself. They say he’s not quite right in his goings on.’
Grace gasped, and then found some courage before saying as calmly as she could, ‘Why do you constantly try to undermine me, Jessie? I’ve had approaches made to me from men before, and I’m quite capable of turning them aside.’
‘You might be able to say no but that doesn’t mean they’re going to listen. Don’t forget you’ll be here by yourself, with him, and you’d better keep out of my man’s way as well.’
Grace’s skin crawled at the thought of Brian touching her.
‘Then I won’t be by myself, will I? Take my word from it. Mr LéSayres is a perfect gentleman.’
Jessie snorted. ‘He may be a gentleman but he’s far from perfect.’
‘That goes for all of us, Jessie.’
‘By the way, where is his lordship today?’
‘He’s gone to see Mr Archibald.’
‘What for?’
‘I have no idea. Business, I expect, after all he was Lady Florence’s attorney. I think Mr LéSayres was going to buy Sam a warm coat at the market to wear for the journey to Dorset. ‘She picked up a scuttle full of coal, a handful of kindling and a lit candle in a glass protector. ‘Now, I must get on. He’s given me some documents to copy and wants them ready to take with him tomorrow. I can go shopping early in the morning.’
‘Is there anything of interest in the documents?’
‘They are of no interest to you, and even if they were I wouldn’t tell you. Whether I take up the offer of a clerkship with him, or not, the contents of anything he gives me to do in the meantime will remain absolutely confidential. Now, go away and leave me in peace, so I can get some work done.’
‘You can cook the dinner, as well.’
‘I can’t do everything, and you’ve already been paid for today’s work so get on with it. Close the door behind you on your way out. I don’t want to be disturbed.’
Jessie slammed it shut and a clod of soot fell from the chimney into the hearth and then puffed out of the fireplace and on to the rug.
‘Curse the woman,’ Grace muttered, then quickly took it back. She didn’t want any harm to come to her. All the same she was bitterly disappointed by what had taken place between them.
Soon, Grace began to be absorbed by her work. In the back of her mind she was vaguely aware that Jessie was being as noisy as possible. Things thumped down the stairs. Their trunks, she supposed. Then there was a muttered conversation, followed by another door being banged. The donkey cart’s wheels rolled over the carriageway, the contents rattling and then the noises faded to a blessed silence.
It reminded her that she’d probably never see Brian and Jessie after the weekend, and she didn’t want them to part less than cordially. She must make it up to them. She went to the kitchen to find a dustpan and brush to clean up the soot.
She started when Brian looked up from the table. ‘I thought you’d gone out.’
He grinned. ‘You needn’t believe what Jessie said. We had a bit more brandy than we should, and we were thinking of you and our imaginations ran riot and we got a bit silly. I never thought Jessie would take it to heart. You don’t think I want to swing at the end of a rope, do you? You’re not worth it.’
It did sound rather stupid. ‘You don’t have to be so rude, Brian.’
He shrugged. ‘I’m sorry you’re not coming with us, Grace. If you change your mind let me know in the morning. In the meantime you needn’t be scared of me, and I hope you don’t take Jessie’s word as gospel. I want us to part as friends.’
She nodded. ‘Thanks.’
‘What’s the dustpan for?’
‘Some soot came down the chimney.’
‘I’ll clean it up, while you make yourself some tea. Jessie made some gingerbread to go with it. She knows you like it. Sit in the kitchen where it’s warm.’
‘I heard the donkey cart.’
‘Jessie’s gone to the farm to get some smoked ham to see us over the weekend. It will make a change from chicken and rabbit.’ He picked up the dustpan and brush and was gone.
The kettle was hot and she filled the teapot, and then taking a slice of gingerbread she seated herself at the kitchen table. The door was closed to keep the warmth from escaping. When she heard the low rumble of voices she wondered if Dominic had arrived.
Fetching another cup and saucer she picked up the tray and crossed the hall to the morning room. There, she nudged the door open with her foot. Grace stared at the man who stood there with Brian, but not with any pleasure. He hadn’t changed and his face still wore a sly smile. Her late mistress had banned him from entering the house ever again.
Pawley, Lady Florence’s former secretary, had been leaning over the desk with Brian. Now they stood upright and turned to gaze at her. The last time she’d seen this man he’d been walking off down the carriageway. ‘I’d heard the old lady had died and I came to offer my respects,’ he said.
‘To the servants? How very odd.’ She placed the tray down and approached the two men. Rolling up the documents she’d been working on she hugged them against her chest. ‘You were not welcomed here by Lady Florence and I’m inclined to respect her wishes in this, Mr Pawley.’
‘You’ve got a neat hand.’
‘I’m not interested in your opinion of my handwriting, and the books are no longer your business, unless you want to explain the peculiarities of your accounting system to Mr LéSayres. He’ll soon be home, and I’m sure he’d be interested. Neither are they any of your business, Brian.’
‘I can’t understand the numbers anyway. It’s all gobbledegook to me. I’d rather have a penny in my pocket than a paper one.’
Flush mottled Pawley’s cheeks and his lip curled. ‘You’ve become a bit high in the instep, missie. Be careful your pride doesn’t bounce back on you one of these dark nights.’
Annoyance overtook her prudence. ‘That’s enough from you, Pawley. You no longer work here so please leave.’
Stepping forward he ran a dirty finger down her face, lightly scratching the surface. He took her by the collar of her dress, fisting it so tightly she had to fight for a breath. ‘You should be careful, Miss Ellis. I’d hate to see that flawless skin of yours scarred for life.’
She kicked his shin as hard as she could and he hopped on one leg, cursing. He began to shake her and she began to choke.
Brian intervened. ‘Release her, Pawley. We can sort out that other business later, and Jessie said there’s to be no violence.’
Pawley thrust her backwards as he let her go, snarling, ‘Who cares what a woman says? I know my way out, and I know my way in, even when the doors are locked. Just you remember that, princess.’
A chair captured her body safely and her breath left her with a gasp.
After Pawley had gone Brian poured her a cup of
tea. ‘You look pale. Drink that while I clean up the soot.’
‘What was Pawley really doing here?’
Brian’s eyes flickered her way, his expression slightly reptilian. ‘He was passing through. He’d heard about Lady Florence’s demise and thought he’d drop in. I doubt if we’ll see him again.’
‘The time to pay her respect was when she was alive. Mr LéSayres might have to know about him threatening me.’
‘I wouldn’t read too much into that. It was just hot air. I didn’t hear any threats.’
‘But he pushed me.’
‘I didn’t see no push neither. Besides, LéSayres would probably take him before a magistrate and then you’d have to go to court and be a witness, which would place a stain on your reputation. They might even say you were flirting with Pawley.’
‘But I wasn’t. He came here to steal what he could, and you’re helping him. I’ve noticed lots of pieces missing.’
‘The court doesn’t know that, and they’ll need proof.’
‘But surely you …’
Brian smiled as he looked at her. ‘I didn’t see or hear a thing, Miss Ellis.’
‘You mean you’d lie?’
‘I mean nothing is going to get in the way of my plans, and I’ll be long gone before it came to the attention of a magistrate. Besides, I owe Pawley a favour.’
‘What if they found him guilty anyway?’
‘Pawley would be sent to prison, or fined, something he can’t afford, since he has a wife and a youngster to support. You wouldn’t get anything out of it except a guilty conscience when they’re starving on the street. Sometimes it’s better to just let things slide, girl. It will be all over in a few days, and what I don’t want is some silly girl making me miss my sailing date.’
She saw the logic in that. ‘All right … I won’t take it any further, but promise you won’t take anything else.’
‘Good. Just keep your eyes and mouth shut until after we’ve gone.’
‘But if I tell the authorities then, they will accuse me of taking part in a robbery.’
