Seven #2
“Almost never,” he said with a smile and caught her hand with his, kissing the backs of her fingers before he strode over to the workbench and retrieved his hat. “I believe your admirers have moved on, and so must I. Be careful, Lucy. You never know whom you can trust.”
Before she could say a word, Branch settled his hat on his head and left.
Half an hour had passed and she was still attempting to unravel the meaning of Branch’s words when a diminutive woman dressed in a robe à la Fran?oise made of cream silk embroidered with blue and red flowers stepped into the shop.
Lucy had never seen the woman, but there was no question she was wealthy. The truth of it nearly oozed from her fashionable hat perched at a saucy angle on her powdered wig to the toes of her heeled shoes, embroidered to match her gown.
“Hello,” Lucy said, smiling in greeting, then politely bowing her head to the woman. “May I be of service?”
“I believe you may. I was seeking a cup of sassafras tea, but it seems I’ve entered a shop of glorious wonders.” The woman smiled at her and slowly walked around, looking at each display. She fingered a set of shoe buckles set with glittering diamonds. “I must have these.”
“Of course,” Lucy said, and took the buckles, setting them into a small leather box.
The woman didn’t flinch when Lucy relayed the cost. She merely handed over coins and signed the ledger where Lucy indicated.
The woman’s name was written with so many curls and flourishes, it was impossible to read, which was likely what she intended.
“Although we don’t carry sassafras tea in the shop, I have been known to enjoy a cup or two,” Lucy said, bringing the conversation back to what she hoped was the reason the woman had entered the shop. “I could make a cup for you, if you like.”
“That’s very kind of you, dear, but I mustn’t tarry. However, I would take whatever you might like to tuck into the box with my shoe buckles. It’s such a liberating experience to do business with a woman such as you. Such a freedom.”
The words the woman spoke assured Lucy she was, indeed, the courier.
“Of course,” Lucy said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the locket.
With the workbench to hide her movements from anyone who might be watching through the window, she tucked the locket beneath the velvet lining of the leather box, set the buckles back in place, then handed the box to the woman.
“I am deeply grateful you came in today.”
“And we are deeply grateful for Miss Sassafras.” The woman grinned at her before she turned and left. Lucy leaned over the workbench to better see out the window and watched as the woman climbed into an expensive carriage pulled by two sleek, black horses.
“That’s fancy,” a voice said from beside her.
Lucy swallowed a yelp and swiveled so quickly, she nearly knocked Theo off the workbench, where he had climbed while she had been watching the woman depart. “Theo! What have I told you? You must learn to mind your mischief!”
Her little brother grinned and shrugged. “I can’t help it if you don’t pay attention.”
“One of these days, you are going to land in a heap of trouble sneaking around like that.”
“Probably,” Theo agreed and hopped down, racing over to the doorway to better watch the carriage as it rolled down the street. “Who was she?”
“I have no idea, Theo.”
“Did she ask for … your special tea?” Theo whispered when he returned to her side.
Lucy nodded. “She did.”
Drained from nerves, the discomfort she had experienced from the two ruffians staring at her earlier, and her encounter with Branch that had ended with him kissing her fingers, Lucy sank onto her stool.
She could have gone to her room, climbed on her bed, and slept away the rest of the day, but that wasn’t an option.
Before she could gather the edges of her composure together, her father strolled into the shop, looking quite pleased with himself.
“Did I see Mrs. Reed’s carriage?” Ward asked as he ruffled Theo’s hair, then removed his hat and hung it on the peg behind the workbench.
“She didn’t state her name, Papa, but she purchased the diamond shoe buckles, and paid with gold coins.”
Both of her father’s eyebrows shot upward and he smiled widely. “Well, that’s a reason to celebrate. Theo, my boy, run down to the tavern and ask Solomon to prepare four meals for our dinner.”
Ward tossed Theo a coin, and the boy caught it with a grin before he ran out the door.
“That was kind of you, Papa. Both for the meal, and to allow Theo to fetch it. He likes to think he is quite grown up.”
“I am aware,” her father said with a wink, then went to let Cleta know she wouldn’t have to prepare a meal in the heat.
The rest of the day plodded quietly onward, for which Lucy was thankful. A body could only take so much excitement at a time.
A few days later, as her family sat at the table enjoying their morning meal, her father cleared his throat and looked to Cleta. She nodded and reached over to squeeze his hand.
“We think it would be beneficial for both of you to get out of the city. Your grandfather is delivering a load of produce to the market this morning. You’ll ride back to the farm with him, and will remain there for a few weeks.”
“Huzzah!” Theo shouted, and jumped out of his chair. A quelling look from Cleta had him back in the chair, looking only slightly less animated.
Lucy welcomed the opportunity to see her grandparents and rest from the ongoing stress of spying on their customers, but she wouldn’t get to see Branch. He hadn’t been in the shop since the day the two men had been watching her through the window. His absence had been acutely felt.
If she were out at the farm for a week or two, she wondered if missing him would grow into a thing of physical pain. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t think of him at all.
Additionally, if she were absent from the shop, she would feel as though she had abandoned her post. Who knew what useful information might trickle through the shop that she wouldn’t be able to hear and share in a coded message?
“Papa, shouldn’t I—” Lucy started to speak.
“Go, and enjoy yourself,” her father interrupted, holding up his hand to stop her from arguing.
“There is nothing in the shop that can’t wait until you return, Daughter.
Time at the farm will do both of you a world of good.
Take your journal, if you like, and work on designs for those earrings Mrs. Solomon ordered. ”
Lucy knew once her father’s mind was made up there was no changing it. Part of her didn’t want to try. Instead, she looked to her mother. “Will you come with us, Mama?”
“No, Luce. I’ll stay here with your father.”
The private smile her parents shared made Lucy realize they were likely looking forward to having the place to themselves without her and Theo underfoot.
“Then I guess Theo and I should pack a few things and get ready to go. What time will Grandpapa be here?”
“Likely, in an hour or so,” her father said, finishing the last of his hot chocolate, a little luxury they enjoyed occasionally. This morning, when Lucy had seen the copper pot setting out, she knew they were in for a treat.
“May I take my water warble, Papa?” Theo asked of the new whistle Branch had given him last week.
The whistle was shaped like a little bird, painted white with spots, and had a tiny little pipe that went into Theo’s mouth.
When water was added to the center of the bird, the air Theo blew into the whistle made it seem like the bird was chirping.
The little boy had been utterly fascinated with the toy and had blown it so many times, they all had grown weary of the sound.
“It’s best you leave it here, Theo,” their father said in a kind, patient tone. “It might get broken on the way to the farm or coming back.”
“I don’t want to break it. My friend gave it to me.” Theo gulped the last of his chocolate, shoved the final bite of his bread in his mouth, then looked to his mother. “May I be excused?”
“You may, Theo,” Cleta said. “Be sure to wash your face and hands, and comb your hair.”
“I will!” he said, hopping up from the table and racing upstairs.
“I’ll help him pack,” Lucy said, imagining the odd assortment of things Theo would likely take to the farm if left to his own choices.
“Thank you, Luce. I’ll take care of the dishes if you want to gather your things,” Cleta said, looking from Lucy to Ward.
Lucy drained her cup of chocolate, finished her meal, then carried her dishes to the large tin basin, where her mother would add hot water from the kettle set over the fire and a little soap before scrubbing them clean with a rag.
She kissed her mother’s cheek, then hurried up the stairs to her room to pack a bag.
“Are you excited, Luce?” Theo called from his room when he heard her footsteps on the landing.
“I suppose I am,” she said, unwilling to share the inner turmoil she was experiencing. She loved spending time with her grandparents and being out at the farm, but she felt such a pressing need to be present in the shop lest some pertinent detail be shared that could help the Patriots.
Well, there wasn’t any help for it. She would just have to go and not let her concerns steal the joy from spending time with her mother’s parents.
John and Katherine Danvers were kind, caring, and loving.
Her grandfather was often quiet, but her grandmother was lively and teasing, often full of mischief.
Lucy supposed her mother took after Grandpapa.
She wondered if Theo got his inclination for mischief from their grandmother.
Rather than go straight to her room, Lucy instead went to Theo’s and helped him decide what to take to the farm.
A few changes of clothes along with his favorite book and his bandalore would suffice.
He only put up a small fuss when she told him it would be best to leave his tin soldiers at home so they weren’t accidentally misplaced or lost.