Chapter 4
Four
O n the front stoop, Sage held herself as motionless as possible, wishing she could disappear. All along she’d wanted to give Augusta privacy for her reunion with her brother and had offered to wait in the hired carriage. But Augusta had insisted on including Sage in everything like always.
The moment Jackson Lennox had thrown open the front door and greeted them with a scowl, Sage had retreated several steps. He was fiercer and wilder than any man she’d ever met, certainly not the sensitive soul Augusta had claimed that he was. With his tall and imposing build, he wasn’t overly muscular, but neither was he as lanky as Sage had pictured for an educated, aristocratic man. In fact, with his midnight hair sticking on end and his thick dark brows and bushy beard, he was what she imagined a dangerous pirate looked like.
He was just missing the bandanna and eye patch. And the sword.
With the surprise and consternation on Augusta’s face, clearly she’d been taken aback by the state of her brother’s home and appearance. Did his unkemptness have to do with the bridge accident they’d heard about at the livery?
“Well?” Augusta persisted. “What is going on here?”
Jackson’s shoulders slumped, and he hung his head as though defeated, sadness rolling off him in waves. For several long heartbeats, he didn’t reply. Then he straightened his shoulders and faced Augusta, a hint of belligerence returning to his demeanor. “I called off the wedding.”
Sage wasn’t entirely surprised by the news. She couldn’t imagine too many women who would find a man like Jackson appealing—not with how disheveled he was. And intimidating. Not only that, but he had an air about him that was off-putting, as if he had no desire to interact with anyone.
Of course, he did seem genuinely glad to see Augusta. But already, just minutes after being reunited, he’d encouraged them to stay at a hotel.
“What do you mean you called off the wedding?” Augusta’s tone was controlled and calm, and Sage had learned that nothing ever ruffled the woman, that her inner strength was as stiff and strong as a ship’s main mast.
“I broke my engagement with Meredith—Miss Hodges.” Jackson’s back remained rigid. He had that in common with his sister. “Now she’s married to someone else.”
According to Augusta,Meredith Hodges was the daughter of Vancouver Island’s Surveyor General, a titled Englishman who’d brought his family to Victoria about the same time Jackson had moved there.
Had Meredith secretly been seeing someone else the same way David had with her? Was that what was causing the sadness that emanated from Jackson?
Augusta cast a glance at Sage, her eyes filled with tenderness. Sage hadn’t intended to bare her heart to Augusta about all that had happened with David, but the long days and weeks together during the ship’s voyage had provided too much time, and eventually Augusta had been able to pry the sad tale from her.
“I’m sorry, Jackson.” Augusta spoke gently. “That must have been difficult.”
“Not at all. I was not suited for her and am relieved she’s found someone else.”
“Oh.” One of Augusta’s narrow brows rose.
“She deserved someone better than me.”
Augusta didn’t immediately respond. She was probably trying to understand the disparaging comment and was also probably wondering if it also had to do with the bridge accident. Although Augusta was refreshingly direct at times, she was still polite and wouldn’t push for more information right away. She would bide her time and learn more details soon enough.
“Either way, I’m sure recent months have not been easy on you.” Augusta surveyed the disorderly entryway as if making her point. “Now that I’m here, I shall assist you with putting things in order.”
“I do thank you for the offer.” Jackson’s voice took on an edge. “But that is not necessary. I’m managing just fine.”
“Miss Rhodes and I would like to help, wouldn’t we, Miss Rhodes?” Augusta picked up a discarded hat and placed it on the coat-tree.
“Yes, of course. I’ll do anything that is needed.” Sage would be relieved to make herself more useful and to feel as though she were actually earning her money, since her duties with Augusta had been so light and infrequent thus far.
“I shan’t need anything.” Jackson tossed Sage a glare, one that gave her full view of his eyes, which were a chilly gunmetal blue, fitting for an ill-tempered man.
“Come now, Jackson.” Augusta retrieved another hat and hung it. “We’ve arrived just in time, for it is quite clear you could use the help as well as some cheering up.”
The scowl furrowing Jackson’s forehead only deepened.
Sage had the feeling he wanted to grouse at Augusta too, the same way he had at her. But he clearly loved his sister enough that he seemed to swallow his retort. “I meant what I said. You really should stay at a hotel.”
“Nonsense.” Augusta motioned at the carriage driver who had placed one of the trunks on the floor. “We’re staying with you, Jackson. That’s all the arguing about it I want to hear.” With that, she picked up her full skirt and started up the steps, calling to the driver. “Come along.”
The carriage driver hoisted the trunk and began to tromp up the stairway.
Sage guessed she ought to follow after Augusta to situate them into their new accommodations. But to do so she would have to pass by Jackson, who still took up half the doorway.
He jammed his fingers into his overlong hair, narrowing his gaze on Augusta as she ascended.
It was becoming more obvious with every passing moment that he really didn’t want them here. It was also becoming all too obvious to Sage that she didn’t want to be here either, not in a home where the master was like a caged feral animal who might strike out at any moment.
“Make haste, Sage.” Augusta was nearly to the top of the stairway. “We have a great deal to do today and cannot dawdle.”
Sage scurried forward, not wanting Augusta to think she was incompetent or lazy or even scared. She’d done her best to prove herself so that Augusta wouldn’t have regrets about bringing her, and she didn’t want to fail the dear lady now that they’d reached their destination.
As she sidled past Jackson in the doorway, she murmured, “Excuse me, sir.”
He didn’t budge except to stiffen.
She made it two steps past him into the front hallway before his low voice stopped her. “Don’t get comfortable. You will be gone before too long.”
Sage faced the stairway only a few feet away. Augusta was already heading down a second-floor hallway, and the carriage driver was on her heels.
Was Jackson threatening to have her dismissed from her position?
If so, he didn’t know who he was dealing with. She wasn’t easily pushed aside or intimidated. After all, he wasn’t her employer and wasn’t in charge of her.
Augusta was the only one she had to listen to, the only one she needed to please. She didn’t have to impress Jackson or to try to win his admiration. In fact, he could end up disliking her for all she cared.
Slowly she turned and lifted her chin. She might not be anything more than a poor woman from a poor family from a poor Manchester neighborhood. But she wouldn’t let this overgrown grizzly bear make her feel worthless.
“I’m employed by Miss Lennox.” She spoke with a firmness she’d always used on her sisters when they were misbehaving. “If you have any complaints, please address your concerns to her.”
With that, she finished crossing to the stairs. As she ascended, she could feel him watching her, probably scowling at her. She waited for him to demand that she stop and leave. But other than a huff of clear irritation, he didn’t say another word.
* * *
Sage worked tirelessly for hours, and the labor felt good. Even when Augusta took a break from their cleaning and organizing to visit with Jackson, Sage kept on with a new list of tasks she’d made with Augusta’s input.
The list was long, filling two sheets of paper. The first page contained the most pressing needs like getting the guest rooms ready, airing out the mattresses, washing sheets and covers, beating the rugs, dusting the furniture, and wiping away the cobwebs that seemed to fill every corner.
While Sage washed the sheets, she also laundered the basic necessities out of her and Augusta’s clothing. Sage had washed their clothing as best she could for the duration of the voyage to Victoria, and now their garments were past ready for a full and thorough laundering.
Although Sage had suggested sleeping on a pallet on the floor until a dormer room could be made ready, Augusta had insisted that Sage take the guest room directly connected to hers, both rooms already having a sparse amount of furniture, including beds.
The bed in Sage’s room was bigger than any she’d ever seen, and she was too embarrassed to admit to Augusta that she’d never slept on a real bed before. Even the tiny bunks in their ship’s cabin had been an improvement from her usual pallet on the floor in her family’s flat.
The rest of the week became a blur of work. Every inch of the enormous house was in need of cleaning, especially the kitchen, which had to be scrubbed and rescrubbed from top to bottom. Augusta promptly fired Jackson’s servant because it became clear that the fellow hadn’t done anything but cook for Jackson, and even that task had been poorly done.
While Augusta assisted with some of the chores, she spent most of her time organizing her brother’s affairs—especially looking for hired help. Her efforts to find suitable staff were difficult, and Augusta lamented the lack of qualified personnel, which was the opposite of Manchester where so many people needed work.
Augusta not only took charge of Jackson’s affairs, but she also seemed to make it her mission to finish furnishing and decorating the rooms of his house. Sometimes she brought Sage along to help with the shopping at the few stores in Victoria that supplied household goods.
On those occasions, Sage inquired about Willow and Caleb. But no one recognized the names, and no one could give her information about her sister. Although the bride-ship women had stayed at the Marine Barracks when they’d first arrived, now, all these months later, the women had either married or been employed.
Even though Sage had no luck in finding Willow, she knew it was still early and that she would eventually track her down. After all, Victoria wasn’t nearly as big as Manchester, and once she was no longer so busy, she would take more time to investigate Willow’s whereabouts.
While she admired Augusta for her willingness to bring order to her brother’s life and to help him establish his household, Sage didn’t quite know what to make of Jackson or why he was so helpless to take care of himself.
She saw little of him, except in passing. He spent most of his days closed in the dining room, creating a model suspension bridge. If not there, then he was in his study. It was evident from the hallway that both rooms were messy and would need cleaning eventually.
Nevertheless, she made good progress with the rest of the house so that by the end of the first week, the rooms were organized and spotless. Augusta finally found a cook who had been working in one of the restaurants in town but who was more than willing to take the private job with better pay.
With the cook now established and the kitchen stocked with most of the supplies that were necessary for a household such as the Lennoxes’, Augusta made it known that she was determined to have meals together, even if they had to eat them in the smaller and cozier breakfast room because Jackson’s model took up the dining room.
So Sage hadn’t protested Augusta’s request to join her and Jackson for the evening meal.
With as busy as she and Augusta had both been during their first week in Victoria, they hadn’t been able to enjoy each other’s company the way they had during the voyage.
For the meals on the ship, Augusta had asked Sage to accompany her as a companion and friend rather than merely a servant. At first, Sage had felt out of place whenever she took the role of Augusta’s companion. But she’d quickly learned the social requirements, and thankfully, Augusta was kind and never put on airs.
With the waft of their first proper evening meal in the air, Sage helped Augusta dress in a fine gown and styled her hair. Then Sage donned one of Augusta’s tailored castoffs, a lovely pale peach silk with small bows on the skirt and matching bows on the off-the-shoulder collar. She adored the gown more than any others for how it complemented her hair.
When Sage finished, Augusta was waiting in the parlor, and they ambled into the hallway like two friends rather than a lady and her servant.
“I’m told the furniture will come from San Francisco in a matter of weeks,” Augusta said as they approached the breakfast room. “A console, candlestand tables, a waterfall bookcase, and armchairs for the formal parlor.”
As they stepped into the room, Sage halted at the sight of Jackson already sitting at the oval rosewood table. Although he was still shaggy-looking with his overlong hair and unshaven face, at least he’d taken the time to put on a freshly laundered and ironed light-blue dress shirt and matching cravat that complimented his tan suit.
He started to rise from his chair as men did in the presence of a lady. But as his gaze landed on her, he halted halfway up. His eyes widened, revealing the gray-blue more distinctly.
Obviously he hadn’t been expecting her to come to dinner with Augusta, perhaps believed the extra place had been set for a guest. And obviously Augusta hadn’t informed him that guest was her lady’s maid. Why? Because the dear woman knew she was crossing social boundaries by including Sage and guessed Jackson might oppose it?
Sage’s stomach dropped with a sudden thud. She was an imposter, and Jackson would have no qualms in telling her so in spite of Augusta’s kindness.
Augusta didn’t release her grip on Sage’s arm. Instead, she smiled at Jackson, who finished standing. “Thank you for taking time away from your work to join us. Even if we are in the far-flung outpost of civilization, we cannot neglect behaving as civilized people and having civilized meals together.”
Jackson’s gaze hadn’t budged from Sage. He was scanning her simple chignon that she’d hastily fashioned after putting on the peach gown, and then his gaze swept over her face before drifting lower.
She’d drawn the attention of men before. That was nothing new. Even on the ship voyage, men had stared at her and paid her compliments.
But this was Jackson, Augusta’s brother, and she didn’t quite know what to make of his silence, his intensity, and the full focus of his steely eyes. Beside her, Augusta had grown quiet, her brow furrowing as she watched Jackson.
What was Augusta worried about? Jackson showing an interest in her?
Not that he was interested. Such a prospect was laughable. Of course, he might be noticing her appearance tonight. The gown was truly flattering, and she knew she looked especially pretty in it.
But beyond a mere acknowledgement of her beauty, a man of Jackson’s class and wealth would never seriously consider someone like her of an inferior status. It was one thing for Augusta to befriend her, but it was another thing altogether for a gentleman like him to form a relationship.
Unless the relationship was illicit.
Embarrassed heat rushed through Sage at even the prospect. Was Jackson the sort of man who might consider it though?
He hadn’t struck her as such. Then again, she hadn’t spoken more than a few dozen words to him since arriving. He’d been a recluse, and the sadness from the first day she’d met him hovered about him all the time.
Even so, this awkward moment was a glaring reminder that she didn’t belong in the fancy gown, didn’t belong at a formal dinner, and most definitely didn’t belong in either Augusta’s or Jackson’s life.
She was from another world entirely, and she couldn’t forget it.
She took a rapid step back, breaking free from Augusta. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be here. I’ll leave the two of you to dine together.”