Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
E wart didn’t mind playing the hero when it came to Abigail. He could tell she was upset by the stiffness in her shoulders and the red in her cheeks. She was angry, no doubt about it, and maybe a little embarrassed. And he could just imagine why.
“Come, Mr. Bailey, sit by me,” Rebecca purred. “Enjoy some tea. When that idiot maid brings more, that is.” She giggled and took a sip from her cup, eyeing him over the rim.
He plastered on a smile and went to the chair on the other side of the low table, putting space between them. He sat regally and stared her down. “What are you doing here?”
She set her cup in its saucer and laughed. “I told you I’d be by today to see what I could do to help. So here I am. Have you forgotten already?”
“Oh yes, you did mention something. I was on my way to do an errand for Mrs. Pettigrew with Abigail.”
Her eyes narrowed at his use of Abigail’s name. “Mrs. Pettigrew’s note, as I recall, clearly said you were to perform the errand.”
“I decided Abigail could help me, so she came along.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you would doanythingwith the likes of her. You’re soaboveher station. And frankly, I still can’t understand why you insist upon being an assistant to Mrs. Pettigrew. Surely your family has more money…”
She let the question hang and leaned ever so slightly in his direction.
So that was it. Rebecca Harrington was a gold digger. It figured. But he was used to those. And once he told any potential gold digger that his family, though they had money, were nowhere near as rich as someone like Adelia Pettigrew, they often went in search of an earl or a viscount. And if they were lucky, a duke would be in attendance. But that was his world back in England. Here in America, things were much different.
Rebecca took another sip of her tea and looked a little nervous now. His lack of response must be getting her flustered. Good.
Adelia glided into the room, a smile on her face. “Why, Miss Harrington, what a surprise!” Her eyes flicked to him, and he saw the sympathy there. It was all he could do not to laugh. He could handle himself around someone like Rebecca. No problem.
“I’ve asked Abigail to bring more tea,” she told him.
He gave her a nod and looked at the scattered lists that had been left on the table. “Did you look at these?” he asked Rebecca.
She sat back. “What?Me?” she said innocently. “Why, of course not. Those aren’t mine.”
Yeah, she looked at them . He nodded, then smiled. “So, what questions do you have? We’ve just come from looking at the grounds and deciding where to put things.”
“Yes, your maid told me.”
“Why, you should have joined us,” Adelia said.
“No,” Rebecca replied flatly. “I don’t need to do the work you’ve already done. Now that you know where everything is going, you can tell me whereI’llbe.”
Adelia exchanged a look with Ewart. “We were thinking of putting you in charge of the kissing booth.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Really? That wasn’t a joke?”
“Not at all, my dear,” Mrs. Pettigrew said. “Someone has to run it. Why not you?”
“But…do I have tobe init?” she asked.
Ewart tried to hide a smile. “I suppose that’s up to you.”
“Who’s on the guest list?” Rebecca asked.
“Oh, the usual; people from the neighborhood and around.”
“So that means Mr. Simpson and Mr. Bradshaw will be in attendance, among others...” She let the implication hang.
Good grief. Was she hoping to kiss the fiancés of Adelia’s brides?
“Though I shouldn’t man the booth myself,” Rebecca said. “Other than to collect the money, of course. But I think your maid would be perfect for it.” She ended with a laugh. “After all, it’s probably the only time she’ll ever get kissed in her life.”
Ewart’s gut knotted. “You will leave Abigail out of this. She will be needed elsewhere.”
Adelia glanced at him. “What Mr. Bailey says is true. Abigail is going to be kept quite busy with all of this.”
“Oh, I see,” Rebecca said. “Well, in that case, perhaps you’d like to assign her tome . ”
Adelia sat back in her chair. “And why would I do that, ma petite ?”
Rebecca set her cup and saucer down. “Well, I’ll need someone to help me decide ifI’mgoing to be in the booth…”
Ewart cut in. “Abigail willnotbe in the kissing booth with you. If you wish to find someone to do the, um,kissing , other than yourself, then you’ll kindly look elsewhere.”
Rebecca sat back, looking him up and down. He could tell she didn’t like being told what to do. Too bad.
“I see. And what aboutyou ? ” she asked coyly. “Wouldyoulike to run the kissing booth with me? I’m sure there are plenty of ladies who’d love to kiss you.”
His eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”
Adelia coughed to hide her smile. He could tell by the way her mouth twitched. “Now, now, Mr. Bailey. Though it might be amusing to have you take a turn, you don’t have to if you don’t like the idea.”
“Oh, he likes it. He’s just too bashful to say,” Rebecca said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
He looked at her squarely. “I have no intention of being part of your kissing booth, Miss Harrington. Let us make that perfectly clear.”
She pouted. “Oh, but Mr. Bailey, I think you’d begoodat it.”
Adelia drew in a breath. “That will be enough,” she said. “My heavens, what would your parents say?”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “They wouldn’t notice, for one.” She picked up her teacup and took a sip just as Abigail entered the room with a fresh pot and more cups and saucers. Without a word, she began to serve them, never taking her eyes off the tea tray. Was she avoiding looking at Rebecca?
He noticed how red her cheeks were. Abigail must still be angry, poor thing. Well, he’d have to take care of that later. He didn’t like seeing her this way. His gut knotted again at the thought of how upset she was.
He eyed Rebecca, who misunderstood the look and smiled sweetly at him. “I suppose I could help with other things too,” she said breezily, “and assign someone else to the kissing booth.”
“You won’t be doing any assigning,” Adelia said coolly. “I believe one job is enough for you to handle. Besides,” she added with a smile, “I thought it might be fun for you.”
Rebecca glanced at Abigail, a smile slowly forming on her face again.
“Well, I suppose you know best. Perhaps I can find someonelikeyour maid to tempt your guests.”
“Tempt ? ” Adelia asked, arching an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”
Rebecca shrugged. “I’m sure someone can be hired from certain establishments to see the job done.”
Abigail sucked in a breath but still didn’t look at her. Ewart didn’t think it possible, but her cheeks were getting redder, and so was her neck.
“That’s enough about the kissing booth,” Adelia said firmly. She reached for the scattered papers on the table and began sorting them into a pile. “We have other things to discuss. I need to speak with your mother. I’m sure she’d like to do something to help.”
“Oh yes, of course,” Rebecca said dryly. “But you’ll have to ask her.”
“I thoughtyouwere going to ask her,” Ewart pointed out.
Rebecca simply shrugged and took the fresh cup of tea Abigail had poured for her.
“Well, let’s move on, shall we?” Mrs. Pettigrew said.
They went over the lists and the different booths and games they planned. To his surprise, Rebecca listened and even gave a few decent suggestions. Still, she narrowed her eyes at Abigail and stiffened every time the maid entered the room. She, too, was angry, and Ewart was sure that if he and Adelia were not in attendance, Rebecca would tongue-lash poor Abigail. Hmmm, is that what happened earlier?
“All right, now let’s see what else we can do,” Adelia murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. She sat back in her chair and eyed the stack of lists, which she’d rearranged several times as they worked through them.
“Mr. Tugs is seeing to a small acrobat act. They’re friends of his from his circus days.”
“I thought he was in the carnival,” Mr. Bailey said.
“That too,” Adelia said. “He’s done both. But he did so love the circus, and he was quite good at what he did. I can’t wait to meet his friends.”
“Yourbutler?” Rebecca said in shock.
“Of course, dear,” Adelia replied. “Didn’t we mention that the last time you were here?”
Ewart noticed the guilty look in Rebecca’s eyes. Had she even paid attention to half of what was discussed on her last visit?
“Probably not.” Rebecca waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Oh, what does it matter? With all this planning, I’m bound to forget a few details.”
Adelia gave her the sly smile Ewart was coming to know well.
“Yes, dear. I have no doubt.”
Her eyes flicked to him, and her smile broadened. Uh-oh. What was she thinking?
“Ewart, I have several things you should take care of for me. Abigail can help.”
Rebecca stiffened but said nothing.
He smiled and turned to his employer. “Of course. Whatever you wish. Do you have it written down?”
“Not yet, but I’ll take care of it.” She turned to Rebecca. “Rebecca, dear, are you ready to go home? It’s getting rather late.”
“Oh, but I thought maybe I’d stay for lunch, and we’d keep working.”
“There’s no need to, dear. Besides, it would only be the two of us, and I can’t do this without Mr. Bailey, Mr. Tugs, and Abigail. They must take care of a few things for me, or we’ll fall behind schedule.”
“Well… if you say so,” Rebecca pouted. Her eyes fixated on him, and that sickeningly sweet smile returned to her lips. “Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. I would love to help you.”
He cringed and hoped it didn’t show. “Yes, you’ve made that quite clear, Miss Harrington.”
She beamed, then stood. “Well, if Imustleave, I suppose I should prepare myself for the chill outside. Would you walk me home, Mr. Bailey?”
Good grief. Did the woman never stop? “I’m afraid I will be otherwise engaged. However, if you wish an escort, I’m sure Mr. Tugs or Mr. Prosser would be happy to walk you home.”
“No need,” she huffed. “They’re both old, and I’m afraid their arthritis might kick.” She stepped away from the sofa.
“Good day to you, Mrs. Pettigrew. I’m so happy you’re letting me help.” She glanced toward the grand hall. “Whereisyour butler?”
“Oh, he’s about,” Adelia said. She stood, went to the ring-pull, and gave it a tug. “He’ll get your things.” She looked Rebecca up and down. “Oh, wait—he doesn’t need to, does he? You’re all ready to go. Except for your gloves. Better put them on, dear. Youdidsay it was cold outside.” She turned to Ewart. “Ewart, you’d best get going. Fetch Abigail.”
Once again, Rebecca stiffened, and Ewart made a mental note: he was going to have to ask Abigailwhat went on between them earlier. This was starting to bother him more than he liked.
He was sure Abigail could hold her own, but would she? Would his pretty little Irish woman fight back?
Wait a minute… his pretty little Irish woman? Great Scott.When did he start thinking of her ashis? Ewart ran a hand over his face. He had to get a hold of himself. He couldn’t afford to become overly attracted to Abigail. Nothing could come of it.
“Are you all right, Ewart?” Mrs. Adelia asked.
“Yes, of course,” he said quickly. “I was just thinking of everything I have to do.”
“Then I hope what I’ve asked of you isn’t going to be too taxing,” she said.
He smiled at her. “No, not at all.”