by Gordon, Rose
“I’m sure you did the best you could, my lady,” Lucy said, offering her what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Mrs. Appleton returned Lucy’s smile with a watery, wobbly one of her own. “Thank you, but I do believe you are now in my debt.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. Surely Mrs. Appleton hadn’t been sincere in demanding Lucy pay her recompense.
“I should mention that while both of my sons are very genuine and sincere, so am I,” Mrs. Appleton said as if she could read Lucy’s mind. “As it would be, I truly do need some help over at the lending library and think it’d help you remember my name better to spend some time with me there.”
“Thank you, but I—”
“Am in my debt,” Mrs. Appleton reminded her, a sparkle in her blue eyes. She winked. “I can be just as stubborn.”
Lucy released a breath and mindlessly twisted her skirt between her fingers. “I don’t know if either of your sons told you this, but I have a son of my own, ma’am, and I can’t stay in London. He’s eleven and prone to trouble.”
Mrs. Appleton chuckled. “I remember those days.” She waved her hand through the air. “Just bring him with you. We have plenty of books he might enjoy.”
Lucy stared at the woman, dumbfounded. Clearly she didn’t understand Lucy’s situation. “I don’t want to drive your patronage away.” There, that was tactful, wasn’t it?
“Madam, I shan’t drive you to tedium by recounting for you all of the ways I’ve scandalized the ton over the years.” She gave Lucy a pointed look. “I’ll only say, the patronage I have left are the ones who care far less about who they’re borrowing the book from just as long as the book itself is more exciting than their own story. Your presence won’t hinder them any more than we could get a third person on this settee.”
Despite herself, Lucy laughed. “All right. I relent. I shall start working off my debt post haste.”
Mrs. Appleton opened her mouth to say something, but whatever it was, died on her lips when the deep, gravelly voice of Lord Norcourt filled the room, “What debt?”
Chapter Thirteen
Giles didn’t think it’d be possible to be more surprised and dare he admit excited than he was when he opened the door to his townhouse and heard girlish laughter. But all of his good humor fled when he reached the drawing room to see Lucy sitting next to Lady Norcourt. Not that Lucy sitting and laughing with her had ruined his good humor; it had been her mention of a debt that made bile burn the back of his throat.
Every muscle in his body tensed as he demanded to know what trap his mother had ensnared Lucy into.
“Miss Whitaker has agreed to help me at the library,” Lady Norcourt explained.
Giles searched Lucy’s face but didn’t know what he was looking for. “Do you want to?”
She nodded once. “Yes. Unless you don’t want me there.”
He shrugged. Why would he not want her there? It was his mother he didn’t trust, not her. “In the hall, please?”
Lucy and his mother exchanged a look.
“I’m assuming you’d like to talk to me privately?” Lady Norcourt asked, standing.
Giles nodded and handed the box of tarts and other bakery goods to Seth.
The wide-eyed boy took the food and walked over to his mama while Giles’ mother excused herself from the room and followed Giles into the hall.
Giles clenched his hands into fists. He wanted to know what her game was. Why she was manipulating Lucy this way. It was one thing to manipulate him, but Lucy didn’t deserve to be used. “Why?”
“I came over to see if you ever found who you were looking for,” his mother said with a tone that would suggest she was innocent of any wrong doing.
“Not that,” he said, with a scowl. Though he didn’t like it, he’d grown accustomed to having her come by his house at varied times since he’d come back to London. He should have known she’d come today and warned Lucy.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re asking, then,” she said.
Giles’ face heated. Of course she didn’t. He tried to think of a better way to word what he wanted to know, but all that came out was, “Why?” He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to push away the feeling of embarrassment that was threatening to overtake him.
“Why did I hire her?”
Giles shook his head. “Debt.” The word tasted bitter on his tongue, but nonetheless, he was glad he’d been able to form it.
“It wasn’t a real debt,” she said slowly.
He stared at her. Not a real debt? What did that mean? “She’s not—” He broke off and let out a ragged breath.
“She’s not what, Giles? Your mistress?”
Giles’ eyes widened and he shook his head vigorously. “No.”
“I never thought she was.” She pressed her lips together and a crease formed between her eyes. “Giles, I know you don’t trust me. Or even know me, for that matter. But if nothing else, I want you to know that I don’t think poorly of you or Miss Whitaker for anything.” She reached for him, but before she touched him, she pulled her hands back. “I don’t care what your relationship with Miss Whitaker is or isn’t. She’s in need of employment and I’m in need of help. That’s all there is to it. If she truly doesn’t wish to work there, she doesn’t have to. I’d never force her to or threaten to bring trouble to her doorstep if she didn’t.”
Giles stood silently as he tried to understand everything she had said.
“If you’d prefer I don’t employ her, then I won’t,” she said quietly a moment later.
All of his unease and discontent with her was stolen with those words. She was being genuine. He couldn’t explain how he knew it just then, but something in his heart told him she was. “Where will she live?”
A smile pulled the corner of her pink lips up and a tear ran down her cheek. “There’s a small apartment above the library. It’s been used for storage, but it can be cleared out and she can stay there.” Her smile widened. “That is if this arrangement is acceptable to Lord Norcourt seeing as he’s the one who owns the library and the building.”
“It’s acceptable.”
“Shall we go confirm that this is acceptable to Miss Whitaker?”
It took some convincing, which thankfully Lady Norcourt handled, to persuade Lucy that she didn’t need to rent a room from a boardinghouse and she finally agreed to stay in the apartment, but only in exchange for lower wages. Lady Norcourt immediately agreed with the terms. Seth seemed rather pleased with the arrangement, too. Almost as pleased as he was with the lemon pastry he devoured.
***
Because it was Thursday and one of the two days each week—the other being Monday—the library was closed, Mrs. Appleton had suggested that Lucy spend the afternoon cleaning up the little apartment and settling in.
There really wasn’t much to settle, but she could use some quiet time.
Unfortunately, her quiet time was cut short with the appearance of one Mr. Simon Appleton. As soon as he arrived, Seth could no longer be subdued.
“Can I go see him?” Seth begged excitedly.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Lucy hedged.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” He cocked his head to the side. “Shouldn’t we at least see how he’s faring?”
Lucy playfully wagged her finger at him. “You’re a sly one.”
He sent her an impish grin and darted from the room.
Lucy chuckled and followed after him. After her attack she’d been terrified that it would take a while for him to be the carefree lad he’d been. She was glad to be proven wrong.
Downstairs, she made her way over to the pair slowly so not to distract from their conversation.
“What did your mother say?” Seth asked through his laughter.
“She told him he’d better find a new home for his new pet bunny before he ate anymore of it or she’d make stew of him,” Mrs. Appleton supplied with a shudder, leading Simon to join Seth in his laughter.
Simon sobered instantly and removed his felt hat. “M-miss Whitaker,” he stammered. “Just a biology lesson, that’s all.”
“Did you know that rabbits eat their own waste?” Seth asked loudly.
“No.” She looked to a red-faced Simon. “But my day has been made complete now that I’ve been made aware.”
“I knew it would be,” Seth clipped. “Do you know any other fascinating facts I can share with my mother, Mr. Appleton?”
“No.” He glanced up at Lucy. “Why don’t you go find a storybook while I talk to your mama for a minute?”
Disappointment shadowed Seth’s face, but he didn’t voice it and went to search for a novel.
“I’m glad you finally decided to come to London. I’ll have to make a point to come by here more often now that I know I’ll get to see you.”
It was all Lucy could do to keep her face expressionless at his obvious attempt to flirt. It wasn’t that he wasn’t trying. He was, and that was the problem. She was at least eight years his senior. Much too old for him to be pursuing.
“I don’t know if she told you or not, but my mother usually closes the library on Mondays. I’d be honored if I could show you somewhere in London that might be of interest.”
Lucy bit her lip. “I—I don’t know.”
Simon drummed his fingers on the table. “Seth can join us.”
***
From where Katherine Appleton stood behind a tower of books that needed to be put away, she saw Lucy bristle at Simon’s words. A pang of sympathy for Lucy formed. Of course, most mothers should reserve their sympathy for their own child who was being rebuffed. But after having a child who was only welcome as an afterthought, she couldn’t help but empathize with Lucy.
Likely though, Simon didn’t realize how his words had sounded and this could still be salvaged. She paused. Did she want to salvage this? It was obvious that Simon was quite taken with her from the way he’d reacted the moment she’d told him that Lucy was in London and would be helping her at the library. But what of Lucy? Did she return that interest?
Katherine peered at the duo again. Lucy seemed quiet and reserved, just the way she had around Giles. Perhaps she was wary of both of them and their intentions. Even Katherine didn’t yet know the extent of Giles’ interest. He might be her son, but he hid his feelings well except when he was frustrated. Simon, though the dear boy tried, just couldn’t hide his feelings no matter what they were.
She shook her head ruefully and looked to Lucy again for any sort of clue of her feelings. Nothing. Katherine tapped her toe quietly as she tried to make sense of it. Considering Lucy was an unmarried mother who went by Miss rather than Mrs. she likely had reason to be guarded around both of them.
“Lucy,” she called in a tone louder than necessary. When Lucy looked her way, she continued. “Would you and Seth be interested in joining us at my house for dinner tonight?”
“Oh, no, Mrs. Appleton. I don’t want to be any bother.”
Katherine waved her hand through the air. “It’s no bother. I invited Giles, but he declined so we’ll have more than the three of us can eat.” She watched Lucy’s face to see if she detected any change at the mention of Giles, but was distracted when Simon let out an exaggerated gasp and threw his hands up to his chest as if he was horrified.
“Mother, surely you aren’t implying you think this little slip of a lady could eat near as much as Lord Norcourt, are you?”
Katherine chuckled. “Of course not, but I think that growing boy of hers might.”
“Yes, ma’am, I can,” Seth added from beside her. “Especially if that includes three helpings of dessert.”
Chapter Fourteen
Lucy scolded herself for wishing that Giles would join them for dinner. Giles? Since when had she started thinking of him as anything other than Lord Norcourt? It’s because that’s what his mother calls him, she reasoned with herself.
If only she believed that.
Seated on the red settee to her left, Seth asked Simon if he’d explain piquet or some other card game to him.
“How about another time?” Simon suggested as he brushed some imaginary dirt or lint from the top of his brown trousers.
Seth shrugged and asked if Simon had ever read a certain book.
Thankfully Simon had and it gave the two of them something to talk about. Lucy, however, could think of nothing to add to the conversation and tried not to notice the way Simon’s eyes kept straying to her every few seconds.
“My husband isn’t usually so late,” Mrs. Appleton commented. “He must have had an important matter come up, but I don’t think he’ll be too much longer.”
Lucy hoped she was right. Otherwise she might go mad.
Lucy was spared such a fate when not two minutes later the front door creaked open and heavy footfalls sounded in the hall. Trying not to appear too eager or nervous, Lucy kept her eyes trained on Seth until she was certain Mr. Appleton was in the room. Then she turned around and gasped.
She coughed quickly to recover her error, but it was too late and Mrs. Appleton watched her with an amused expression on her face. “I told you that my own scandals were more than enough to scare away certain patronage. Perhaps you believe me now?”
Lucy nodded but couldn’t take her eyes off of the solemn-looking Mr. Appleton. She’d thought Giles and Simon had a striking resemblance and just assumed they had to look like their maternal grandfather, but seeing Mr. Appleton, if she didn’t know better she’d say Giles looked identical—but with fewer wrinkles.
“Lucy, I’d like you to meet my husband, Walter Appleton. Walter, this is Lucy Whitaker and her son, Seth. Lucy has agreed to help me down at the library.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucy,” Mr. Appleton greeted. He flashed a smile in Seth’s direction. “Seth.”
Lucy greeted Mr. Appleton and nudged Seth to do the same.
“Well, now that we’re all acquainted, shall we go down to dinner?” Mrs. Appleton chirped, killing the tension in the room.
“May I?” Simon murmured at Lucy’s elbow.
Lucy placed her hand on the crook of his elbow the way she’d witnessed other ladies doing. From the corner of her eye she noticed the set of his jaw. Was he upset? Did he have some sort of hostility for either of his parents? No. It wasn’t her place to ask.
The dining room was small compared to Giles’. Which was to be expected since Giles was a lord and was expected to have a bigger home. Their table had enough seating for eight rather than twelve. There was a large red runner that went down the center of the table and a large silver vase overflowing with tulips in the middle. Five place settings had been laid out. Mr. Appleton sat on the end with his wife on his right side and Lucy on his left. Mrs. Appleton had asked Seth to sit beside her leaving the chair to Lucy’s left free for Simon.
Dinner was tolerable, if not awkward. Simon eventually started to relax and carried on a conversation with his father about their business, using the words investments, recoup, gain, and other such words she only vaguely understood.
Across the table, Seth sent her fleeting glances. He was disinterested in the conversation. So was she, but he didn’t need to know that. She flashed him her best smile. Perhaps this was what it’d take for him to stop being so darn eager to spend time with every unattached gentleman.
Just then, the only male servant Lucy had seen since arriving excused himself from the room. When he came back a moment later, he set down a folded piece of paper at Mrs. Appleton’s elbow, then went back to serving.
Mrs. Appleton murmured an apology to the table then read the note to herself before passing it to Mr. Appleton. The two exchanged a look, then Mrs. Appleton made her excuses and left. That was the oddest exchange she’d ever seen. Both Simon and his father must have thought so, too, for neither spoke of business again after she left.
Of course that could have been because Seth pounced on the opportunity of momentary silen
ce to engage Simon in another conversation. This time about what it’d be like if carriages had wings and could fly. Simon was clearly stupefied by the very thought, and relied on logic to explain why this could never work.
Lucy pretended to listen and from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a distant look on Mr. Appleton’s face. She followed his line of vision to the window. Nothing seemed amiss at first glance; then she saw it. Along the far right side of the window, next to a tall wooden pole that supported the awning across the street was a carriage with the Norcourt crest emblazoned on the side. Though she hadn’t been told everything about this family’s history, she knew enough and while Mrs. Appleton was anything but subtle in her feelings for her eldest son, Mr. Appleton clearly felt the same way his wife did.
Her heart ached for him and without realizing it she reached forward and touched his arm comfortingly. She pulled her hand back before either Seth or Simon could see what she’d done, chastising herself for her foolishness.
Slowly, Mr. Appleton turned to look at her. Her face heated to what felt like one thousand degrees. He wouldn’t say anything about her informal action, would he?
He didn’t.
With glistening green eyes, he offered her a half-smile and whispered, “Thank you.”
***
Giles clenched his fists and exhaled. “I’m sorry.”
A small crease formed in the skin between his mother’s eyes. “For?”
He released another deep exhalation. Then another. “Being cruel.”
“I suppose I deserve some cruelty.” She blinked her eyes rapidly. “I—I want you to know that I never—” She broke off with a sniffle, then sank into the chair nearest her.
Giles remained standing. She appeared to be in need of a hug. But not from him. He’d spent the afternoon trying to form an apology. That was the best he could give. Not that he was too sure she’d want a hug from him anyway. Most didn’t. In fact, the Sisters had scolded him and told him to stop touching the others. That it was inappropriate and made others uncomfortable. He stiffened. He’d hugged Lucy. Had she minded? She didn’t pull away, but neither did she hug him back.
