Color of Danger (Sullyard Sisters Book 3)

by Ruth J. Hartman

  His beautiful, dark-haired, blue-eyed head.

  She let out a sigh. Best get back to work.

  Chapter Four

  Patience was tired, as she always was after a day away at a panorama commission. Her back ached and a slight headache nagged at her temples. A nap sounded wonderful. What were her chances of sneaking away to her bedroom to take advantage of one?

  As soon as she and Walter stepped inside the house, he gave her a wink and headed toward the library. She wondered what he was doing, but wasn’t about to follow him. Though a part of her really wanted to.

  She set her bag down on the floor in a corner. A footman stepped forward to take it. She smiled. “Leave it, if you would, Joseph. I’ll just need it again early tomorrow.”

  He bowed. “Very good, miss.”

  She shook her head as he walked away. It was still hard to get used to having so many servants around. When she, Kitty and Lydia had lived with Cousin Robert, they’d never had any. Were told by their cousin that they couldn’t afford the luxury. That they could barely afford food to eat. He’d pushed the girls so hard with their painting and selling of the panoramas. They’d been desperate to keep him happy, afraid of being tossed into the street if he became upset with them. Too bad the man had been lying all that time. He really did have a lot of money, though he’d attained it from ill gotten gains. Hence the reason he now resided in Newgate prison. The money had been discovered beneath a shed in their back yard by the authorities, who then confiscated the funds. It had taken the kidnapping of poor Kitty for anyone to find out what Robert had really done.

  Patience went to her room and removed her pelisse. A quick check in the mirror had her scrambling for her hairbrush. Some tresses were flying about, others twisted in the wrong direction. Perhaps the whipping breeze had been the culprit. Had her hair been so disheveled all day? What had Walter thought of it?

  It doesn’t matter. He only sees you as another potential conquest. But did she know that for sure? Though he flirted and winked, lately there’s been moments where he’d come across as sincere and caring. Either he was changing, or she was too tired to be able to differentiate between what he seemed to be and what he was.

  The maid had left a pitcher of water, so Patience poured a little on a cloth and wiped the dust from her hands and face. Her hands had been filthy. Probably a combination of handling her pencil and coming in contact with the dusty falconry. As beautiful as the birds were, they were quite messy.

  She changed into a clean gown and exchanged her boots for slippers. Her next thought was to tidy the room, but after a quick look around, saw it was spotless. All those years of her and her sisters keeping house for themselves was a difficult habit to change.

  It seemed such a long time ago that she, Lydia and Kitty had to do all of the panoramas, selling their wares and completing all the cleaning and cooking besides. It was a wonder they ever found time for sleep with everything they had to accomplish in any given day. But then, Robert would have hounded them had they not gotten all of their work done. Come to think of it, he hounded them anyway.

  She went back downstairs. Voices carried from the large parlor. It sounded like her entire family was in there.

  Patience rounded the corner into the room and stopped. Walter sat on a far chair, holding baby Andrew. And cooing to him. Her heart nearly ceased beating. Had there ever been a more precious sight since the beginning of time? His head bent low to the baby’s, Andrew appearing happy and secure in his uncle’s embrace. Walter appeared so natural doing so, like he’d done it for years.

  “There you are.”

  Patience jumped at Lydia’s exclamation which came from her left. “Um, yes. What’s everyone else doing in here?”

  “Waiting for you.” Lydia patted the empty seat next to her on the brown settee.

  “Why are you waiting for me?” She sat down in the required place.

  Kitty grinned at Walter holding her son, then addressed Patience. “We wanted to know how things went today.”

  “Went?”

  “Yes, your progress on the panorama. Mr. Wycliff has many influential friends. If you do a good job for him, it may lead to more commissions in the future.”

  Patience scowled. When hadn’t she done a good job for people? Besides, why were her sisters so concerned now about getting commissions now? It wasn’t like it used to be when Robert was so demanding. They didn’t need the income it brought as they used to. “My progress was fine. As to be expected.”

  She watched her sisters as they nodded to one another. Like there was some unspoken message that only the two of them knew. Oh, so that was it. It had nothing to do with Patience’s performance at her job. This was more about her. And their control of her life.

  Kitty eyed Patience. “You got home lately today. What took so much time?”

  “I didn’t take notice of the time. It didn’t seem to me I was any later than usual.” She glanced around at all of them. “I haven’t missed dinner, have I?”

  Nathaniel smiled. “No. You’re in time.”

  Lydia tapped Patience on the arm three distinct times. “Were you late because you got lost? It isn’t that far from here, you know.”

  Patience huffed out a breath. “We were not lost. Not even once.”

  “How far did you get on the panorama?” continued Kitty.

  Patience, agitated from all of the questions, twisted her fingers together in her lap. “Um, I got the initial sketches done.” They didn’t need to know it was just the rough sketch, not the final ones. Hopefully they wouldn’t ask to actually see them.

  Lydia gave three more taps on Patience’s shoulder. “How long do you think it will take you to complete the commission? We need to keep Mr. Wycliff happy, now don’t we?”

  Why were they so concerned about a man they didn’t even know? Did they still think their financial situation was dire? That their children would starve and have to live in the streets? She longed to shout, Look around! Look at the house where we reside. The clothing we wear. The servants who do our bidding. “I don’t know exactly how long it will take me to finish. About as long as most of the others, I assume.”

  Stratford asked, “Are you certain you didn’t get lost? If can be easy once riding in the words.” His brow furrowed in concern.

  “Yes. I’m quite sure. No one was lost.” She pointed across the room. “See? Both Walter and I are safe and sound.”

  Nathaniel leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Mr. Wycliff is a subscriber to the magazine, which of course, affects all of us.”

  Patience raised one eyebrow. “Yes, of course.” Why was her family quizzing her incessantly with every little thing? A person might think she’d never done a commission before.

  Then it struck her. It was her first time without one of her sisters along or Great-Aunt Anne. It had just been her. Well, her and Walter. Speaking of whom, why weren’t they questioning him the way they were her? He was there the entire time and had even pointed out that Patience had been in his care while they’d been at the falconry. He ought to be able to satisfy their curiosity about some of their questions. Besides that, wasn’t it his turn to take the brunt for their inquisitive relatives?

  Patience folded her hands in her lap, attempting to be the picture of serenity. Capable and confident. “Let me assure all of you, everything went well. I made good progress on my drawing. Mr. Wycliff even took time out to tell us more about his birds. They each have their own distinct characteristics.”

  Kitty leaned forward. “Did he? How thoughtful.”

  Patience gave her a false smile. “Yes, a good day indeed.” Now leave me alone. Aside from this interrogation, it didn’t seem promising that she’d get a nap either.

  Lydia edged toward her. Was she waiting for more detail?

  Instead of doing that, Patience nodded her head in Walter’s direction. He wasn’t paying attention, but instead was tickling Andrew’s feet. Time to let Mr. Rake answer some of their many questions.
“Ask him how he thought the day went since he was there too. Walter?”

  As if caught doing something wrong, his hand stopped movement in midair. He looked at every face in the room, finally stopping at Patience. “Um, pardon?”

  Patience settled against the back of her chair and relaxed, ready to let Walter have his share of the questioning. He was part of the reason she hadn’t gotten as far as she should have after all, with his flirting and interruptions. His questions, comments… and too-handsome-for-his-own-good face.

  Walter repositioned Andrew from his lap to his shoulder. When did he get so experienced holding a baby? He gently bounced his nephew a few times and then said, “I thought the day went marvelously.”

  Patience’s mouth dropped open. He did? All she remembered was him complaining when she tried to work instead of talk to him. And all the flirting.

  Lydia eyed him. “Is that so? In what way?”

  Here it comes. Patience steeled herself for his jabs of humor. If he said anything too out of sorts, her sisters would jump on him quicker than George the cat on a beetle. That’s the real reason she deflected attention to him. She wanted to see him squirm a little. Then maybe he’d know how it felt to be under her sisters’ thumbs all the time.

  Walter tilted his head toward Patience. “Your sister does such beautiful work. The drawings of the falcons were exceptional. The way she captured each bird’s personality was remarkable. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be that much different, but after Mr. Wycliff pointed out the various ones, I could tell them apart. When Patience sketched them in with her pencil, it was easy for me to see which one was which. I would have known them anywhere.” He gave a shrug, causing the baby to grunt. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am anxious to accompany her again tomorrow.”

  Her sisters and their husbands all wore satisfied smiles, giving appreciative nods in Walter’s direction. How in the world had the Patience done all the work, received the interrogation, but with one answer, Walter now seemed to be the family’s favorite?

  Chapter Five

  Glad to have his family’s approval of his praise for Patience, Walter handed the baby to Kitty. He smiled at her and headed toward the hall as the women departed. Perhaps he could find Patience later and they could talk privately or—

  “Wait.”

  He halted in his tracks and turned. Stratford and Nathaniel had remained behind and stood beside the fireplace at the other end of the room in identical poses, arms crossed over chests, eyes intently watching Walter. “Yes?”

  “Have a seat.” Stratford nodded toward a grouping of chairs in the corner.

  Hmmm. That didn’t sound promising. At all. His brother’s tone sounded too much like their father’s when one of them had done something wrong. He was surprised their father wasn’t here now if a lecture was in order. Father loved giving those. Then Walter remembered that his parents and sister, Annabelle, had gone to London for some shopping. At least he’d only have to face the two of them this time. But that was little consolation considering the way his brother and cousin studied him right then. Uneasiness in the back of his mind warned that whatever they wanted to see Walter about wouldn’t be pleasant.

  With a shrug, he chose a chair on the end. He had no desire to sit in the middle of those two. Their serious expressions bore testament to a coming discussion that Walter wanted no part of, yet wouldn’t be able to avoid.

  Nathaniel sat to his left, leaving the other chair for Stratford.

  Stratford crossed his arms over his chest. From Walter’s experience that was never a good sign. For Walter, at least. “We’re glad you’re accompanying Patience to her commission.”

  He nodded and waited. There would be more.

  Nathaniel turned slightly in his chair, now facing Walter. “And while this pleases the family, there is something else.”

  Of course there is. Walter held in a sigh.

  “What we’d like to discuss with you is the magazine,” continued Stratford. “And your involvement with it.”

  “I haven’t any.”

  “That’s the problem.”

  “What do you mean? I have just recently finished my education, you know. It isn’t like I’ve had an opportunity to work there. You make it sound as if I’ve been slacking off, not doing my job.”

  Then, it hit him. Probably wasn’t the best thing to say, as until last year, Nathaniel often complained of Stratford never showing up for work leaving Nathaniel to do the work of both. It wasn’t until Stratford had confessing to not being able to read that they understood the problem. Thankfully, Lydia had been able to help him. Walter clasped his hands in his lap. Perhaps his thoughtless words would go unnoticed.

  Stratford’s face reddened. From anger or embarrassment? “Be that as it may, you’re home now. And as soon as Patience is finished with her work at the falconry, your days will be quite free of responsibility.”

  Free of responsibility. While that sounded divine, it certainly wouldn’t last. At least not with these two constantly checking up on him.

  Nathaniel tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “There’s much to do at the office. We need your assistance.”

  “I don’t see how I could be of any help. What do I know of the magazine?”

  With a smirk, Stratford nodded. “That’s why we’ll be training you in the very near future. As in, the day after you’ve finished with Patience.”

  Finished with Patience. He didn’t wish to end his time with her. On the contrary, he’d half-hoped her commission would last a year so they could be alone together with the family interfering.

  “So,” said Nathaniel, “be ready to dive right into your job responsibilities soon.”

  “Fine.” Walter sighed. If that was all they had to say, he wanted to leave and go find Patience, perhaps engage her in conversation, or if he was lucky, something more. He stood and brushed the wrinkled from his jacket.

  Stratford stood and grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”

  “I… thought you were finished.”

  “No. Sit.” He removed his hand from Walter’s arm but kept a steady eye on Walter until they both took their seats again. “There is something else.”

  “What’s going on?” They’d already questioned Patience about her progress today and even included Walter as well. Then, the warning about working for the magazine in the very near future. What else could there be?

  Nathaniel glanced at Stratford and back to Walter. “You being over twenty-one now, we feel you need to think about settling down.”

  He blinked. “I get your pardon?”

  “Well,” said Nathaniel. “Now that Stratford and Kitty are married with a child, and Lydia and I are soon to be parents, we thought—”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You’re back home now, will be working at the magazine with us. It’s time for you to settle down too.”

  Walter lowered his eyebrows. “Why are you pushing me for this? I’ve barely had time to relax since coming home. I haven’t spent the last year roaming Europe, as some of my friends have done. I came directly back here, as Father directed.”

  “True,” Stratford said. “But you’ve had your opportunity for fun. Quite enough time.”

  Walter laughed. “You of all people have no room to talk. How many years were you a notorious rake about London before you married Lydia?”

  “Maybe that’s why Nathaniel and I feel it would be better if you chose a wife and took to domesticity now, before you get into much trouble.”

  Walter huffed out a breath. “I don’t suppose I have any say in this?”

  “No,” said Stratford. “Except, of course, in your choice of wife.” He held up one finger. “Although, she would have to be acceptable to us. To the family.”

  “Naturally.” His sarcasm earned him no points with the other men, instead it was nearly comical the way they both formed identical scowls at the same moment.

  “Don’t take it so hard,” said Nathaniel. “M
arriage, as your brother and I have discovered, is wonderful.”

  “That’s because both of your found the perfect women for you.”

  “And so shall you.”

  Walter clenched his hands into fists on his lap. It wasn’t so much what they were saying as how they said it. Demanding. Overbearing. Smug. Controlling. Walter chaffed at the verbal ropes they tied him with. He wondered if they’d discussed all of this with Father. Probably. And knowing Father, he would have done whatever Stratford wanted. That’s how it had always been.

  Being the youngest in his family hadn’t bothered Walter too much before. He’d been left to his own devices. Own choices. But not now. No, now they’d teamed up to boss him around. He’d liked it much better when they’d systematically ignored him for the most part. Why were they choosing now to do it? Didn’t they both have enough with which to occupy them that they wouldn’t have time to bother about his life?

  Apparently not.

  “So,” Nathaniel went on, “we suggest you start the process of finding a suitable wife.”

  Walter pointed in the direction of the back of the house. “You make it sound like I’m choosing a horse from a stable.”

  Nathaniel’s face reddened. “Of course not. It’s just…” He waved his hand but didn’t finish his thought.

  “What our cousin is trying to convey,” said Stratford, “is that you won’t find a wife sitting here in the parlor.”

  He gritted his teeth. “I wouldn’t even be sitting here at all if you two hadn’t—”

  He held up his hand. “Very well. Just please take what we’ve said to heart.”

  Walter nodded. What else could he do? He knew from past experience that arguing with these two would get him nowhere. “Is that all?”

  Stratford chuckled as he and Nathaniel stood. “For now.”