Mrs. Pettigrew’s Easter Match (Holiday Matchmakers #4)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

M rs. Adelia Pettigrew smiled at her elderly butler, Mr. Tugs. She watched as he arranged flowers in a vase, then brought them to the low table that sat between the sofa and Adelia’s favorite chair.

“When will Mr. Bailey arrive?” Chastity asked. She lowered the book she was reading and gave Adelia an expectant look.

“Any moment now,” Adelia replied. “Remember your manners, ladies, and please don’t overwhelm the man with questions.”

Mr. Tugs smiled at the three brides seated on the sofa. Each had been an assistant to Adelia, and she’d matched each one with a handsome man. Two of them wealthy, the third a lawyer. Now she was in the process of helping them plan their weddings.

“Mr. Bailey has a charming way about him,” Mr. Tugs said. “I trust you’ll find him most agreeable.”

“We’re all looking forward to meeting him.” Adelia admired the flowers in the vase. “As soon as he arrives, have Abigail bring some tea.”

“Of course, Mrs. Pettigrew,” Mr. Tugs said.

“I hope he’s not too handsome,” Holly chimed in. “We’ll lose him to one of the neighbors if Adelia has her way.” She smiled and winked at their benefactor.

Adelia smiled in return. She’d matched them with handsome men. But more importantly, they were kind, gentle, strong, and of good moral character.

“Handsome or too dashing,” Chastity added and winked at the other two.

Adelia laughed. “I’m afraid there are no young ladies in the neighborhood to match him with, so you may allay your fears.”

Holly grinned mischievously. “What if he catches someone’s eye at a ball or party?” She looked at the others. “Let’s face it, we all attended a ball or, in Hattie’s case, a dance. Adelia, are you going to take Mr. Bailey to different social events with you?”

Hattie, who’d been fiddling with her engagement ring, shot Holly an amused glance. “Perhaps he’ll be a gawky writer who hates social gatherings and prefers the company of his desk, paper, and ink. Didn’t you mention he liked to write, Mr. Tugs?”

Mr. Tugs nodded. “I did indeed, Miss Winslow.”

Hattie laughed. “He must be a barrel of excitement.” Her teasing was met with chuckles from the others, including Adelia. Tugs already informed her that Mr. Ewart Alexander Bailey was a fine candidate for an assistant and appeared efficient and detail-oriented, especially after he’d explained to Tugs his research methods for writing a novel.

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the grand hall. Everyone looked toward it in unison. Mr. Tugs straightened his jacket and cleared his throat. “If you’ll excuse me, ladies, I must answer the door.”

The three brides giggled again. Tugs was being very formal this morning. Adelia gave him a regal nod. Usually, she interviewed applicants, but with three weddings to plan, she hadn’t had time. Tugs had taken care of the interviewing and finally settled on Mr. Bailey.

Tugs shuffled toward the door. Adelia had to admit she was just as curious about Mr. Bailey as her giggling brides on the sofa.

Tugs opened the door, and Adelia caught a glimpse of Mr. Bailey’s brown hair poking out from beneath his hat. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, and she could just make out the green of his eyes from where she stood in the drawing room. Mr. Bailey, it seemed, was both handsome and dashing. The man was going to cause quite the stir should she decide to dress him up and drag him along to any balls or parties.

“Mr. Bailey,” Tugs greeted. “Mrs. Pettigrew has been expecting you.” He stepped aside and motioned him to enter.

Mr. Bailey removed his hat with a nod, revealing his tousled brown hair and a bashful smile. “Thank you, Mr. Tugs.” She caught his British accent and smiled. She hadn’t told her brides the man hailed from England.

Adelia eyed the three women on the sofa. Each was staring at Mr. Bailey, having caught his British lilt just as she had. The man had a dreamy voice, and she was beginning to rethink taking him out with her at all. She’d not have a moment’s peace if she did. That is, until Denver’s elite discovered he was nothing but her assistant.

Adelia rose to greet him as he approached. He wore a neatly tailored suit, and she detected a slight ink stain near his cuff. Had he spilled it?

As he entered the room, Holly, Chastity, and Hattie exchanged glances of amusement and admiration. Adelia knew well they were each madly in love with their fiancés, but of course, that didn’t mean they couldn’t appreciate the handsome specimen now standing before them.

“Welcome, Mr. Bailey,” Adelia said. “Please join us.” She gestured to the empty armchair next to hers.

He gave her a nod and settled into the chair, his eyes taking in the room with interest. Adelia noted how they lingered on the bookshelves and the framed map on the far wall. Mr. Bailey adjusted his spectacles and gave the ladies a polite nod. “I appreciate your letting me join you today. I believe Mr. Tugs has been thorough in preparing me for the job of becoming your assistant, Mrs. Pettigrew.” He turned to her and smiled.

Adelia arched an eyebrow at him. “You’re joining us at a busy time,” she said. “We have three weddings to plan.”

“And no unmarried ladies in sight,” Chastity added with a giggle. “I guess there won’t be four.”

Mr. Bailey, oblivious to her inside joke, blushed and chuckled along gamely. “I admit I’ve never planned a wedding, but I’m sure I can get everything done that you ask of me. As Mr. Tugs has probably told you, I’m very detail-oriented.”

“Indeed, he has,” Adelia said, delighted by his pleasant demeanor. “But I’m afraid it won’t be easy work.”

Mr. Bailey leaned forward, a gleam of determination in his eyes. “I assure you, Mrs. Pettigrew, I’m fit for the task.” He glanced at Chastity and the others on the sofa and smiled. “Ladies,” he said with a nod. “All I need are lists of what’s to be done.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Hattie said.

“Does this mean he’ll be helping with the weddings on top of everything else you need him to do, Adelia?” Chastity asked. “What about your correspondence and appointments?”

“Come now, ma petite ,” Adelia said. “How often do I have appointments? Though I do like a visitor now and then. And I suppose we should plan a ball.”

“A ball?” Holly said in surprise.

“Why, yes,” Adelia said. “It’s spring, Easter is but a few weeks away, and I do love a good garden party. Perhaps we should have an outdoor ball. If the weather cooperates, that is.”

Her brides exchanged the same look of surprise. Chastity cleared her throat, often the spokesperson for the three. “Adelia, we can help if needed. I’m not sure if Mr. Bailey…”

“Mr. Bailey will be fine,” Adelia said, cutting her off.

But Adelia hadn’t heard the last of it this time. “What if it becomes too much?” Holly said. “All three of us are happy to help.”

“Trust me, my dears. The three of you will be helping to a certain extent. I don’t want to wear you out before your weddings, you know.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Holly said and slumped back on the sofa.

Adelia frowned at her, and Holly immediately sat up straight. “That’s better, ma petite . Remember your new station. That goes for you too, Hattie.”

Mr. Bailey sent Adelia a look of confusion. “Is there something I should know?”

She smiled at him. “Holly and Hattie have both had interesting adventures since coming into my household. I’ll let them tell their stories in their own time.”

“I see,” Mr. Bailey said, then pushed his spectacles up his nose.

Adelia noticed how they kept sliding down and smiled to herself. He was boyish in a way, yet still masculine. Any woman would be proud to be seen on his arm. The problem was, he was not a wealthy man, so she might have trouble matching him, that is if she found a suitable young lady among Denver’s elite. Some were away at school, others abroad. Very few were left behind until the social season started after Easter.

Abigail entered the drawing room, pushing a tea cart. “Thank you, Abbey,” Adelia said. “You may serve us.”

Abigail gave her a single nod and prepared a cup of tea for each of them. After she passed the cups and saucers out, she offered cream and sugar. When she reached Mr. Bailey, he locked gazes with her for a moment before giving her a light smile and spooning sugar into his cup.

Adelia watched with interest. Was he attracted to her Irish maid? And if so, should she let it go anywhere? But then, men were often attracted to Abigail. She was a pretty young lady with red hair, big blue eyes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. But Abigail also had a fire in her that some men didn’t like, while others appreciated the spark inside.

Finished serving, Abigail stood before Adelia. “Ring if ye need me, Mrs. Pettigrew. I’ll be in the kitchen helping Mrs. Fraser with lunch.”

“Thank you, Abigail, but I’m sure we’ll be fine for now.”

Abigail bobbed a curtsy and left the drawing room. As soon as she was gone, Adelia turned to Mr. Bailey. “So, young man, you have the honor of being my first male assistant. Let us start by having you tell me more about yourself.”

Before he could utter a word, Adelia noticed Chastity, Holly, and Hattie sitting a little straighter. She smiled to herself and gave her full attention back to Mr. Bailey.

“I’m sure Mr. Tugs has told you some about me,” he said. Unfortunately, Tugs was nowhere to be seen to confirm it. “Well, I come from England. That should be obvious with my accent.” He chuckled, then pushed his glasses up his nose. Was it a nervous habit?

“My father is a baron, my mother a baroness, and I’m here partly because I’ve always wanted to come to America and partly because I don’t exactly…well, my parents, you see…”

Adelia cocked her head. “They don’t think being a writer is a good enough profession for you. They see it as beneath you, or more importantly, beneath them.”

He nodded and looked at the floor. “Something like that, yes. But here I am.”

She smiled. “Indeed. And let us see how long you will be here.”

He blanched, but she merely smiled again and sipped her tea.