Читать книгу The Marriage Bargain - Angel Moore - Страница 10
ОглавлениеEdward prayed he’d misunderstood Lily. “What do you mean, ‘you caused’?”
“It seems the fire was my fault.” Lily pointed to the wall near the back door where the most damage appeared to be. “I was working late, trying to make a few extra hats. I had set a lantern on this workbench.”
She didn’t seem the irresponsible type. “Surely you didn’t leave a lantern burning when you went to bed. You’d have noticed the light.”
“No.” She jerked her head to stare at him. “Of course not! I took the lantern with me.”
She pointed to a small stack of charred kindling near the stove. It was considerably smaller than the amount he’d cut and placed there before her arrival. Normal circumstances wouldn’t have caused her to use so much kindling.
“Right before I went upstairs, I swept up the trimmings from around the workbench. Bits of ribbon and feathers. Things like that. I swept them into a pile near the door, intending to dispose of it this morning. Then I checked the stove. Some embers must have blown out and landed among the trash. It must have smoldered and caught when it got near the kindling. I don’t know how else it could have started. I’m so sorry.” Another cough stopped her from speaking. “I’ll pay for the damages.”
Edward stirred the kindling with the toe of his boot and studied the scorched wood and the wall in the corner of the room between the stove and the door.
“It’s possible a gust of wind blew under the door and carried the embers back to the kindling.” He turned to Lily, who was coughing again. “No one was hurt. That’s the most important thing.”
“Please forgive me. I never meant to start the fire.” She covered her mouth again to cough.
“You took in a lot of smoke. Have you been to see the doc?”
“No. I’m fine. There’s too much work to do to stop for a minor cough.”
He knew how much smoke had been in her rooms. The stairwell had acted like a chimney and drawn the smoke upward. No doubt a draft around the windows had pulled the dangerous fumes under the door at the top of the landing.
“I’m taking you to see Doc Willis.” He headed for the front of the shop. “Where’s your coat?”
When she didn’t follow, he turned and waited.
“You are not taking me—” a cough interrupted her words “—anywhere.”
He raised his eyebrows. Would she be so stubborn as to refuse medical treatment? “Then I’ll have to ask Doc Willis to come here.” He opened the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. “We need to get this place ready for you to open your business. The sooner you get that cough taken care of, the sooner that will happen.”
“Wait, please.” She coughed again. “If it will set your mind at ease so we can get to work on the repairs, I’ll go.” She shrugged her arms into the sleeves of her coat and turned up the collar.
The January wind whipped around him, and he rubbed his arms against the cold. They walked briskly in the direction of the doctor’s office. “I’ll feel better knowing you aren’t making yourself worse by not resting.”
Lily turned to look at him. “You must be freezing.”
“I’m fine.” He dropped his hands to his sides.
“Your coat was ruined when you put out the fire.”
“It was time for a new coat anyway. I’ll go by the general store after lunch and get one.” She walked beside him across the main intersection in town. He hoped she didn’t notice the curious glances being sent their way. It was obvious to him that the events of the night before were on everyone’s mind this morning.
“You must allow me to pay for it.” She seemed too focused to notice the people who turned their heads to whisper when they passed. He wasn’t sure that was a good thing. It might be better if she were more aware of what went on around her. If she were, they wouldn’t be the object of town gossip. He knew it wasn’t fair to blame her, but he didn’t like the idea of anyone gossiping about him. Ellen would be harmed if he was cast in a poor light. And it wouldn’t do Lily’s new business any favors to open the shop in the midst of swirling lies smearing her name.
“I’ll pay for my coat. And the repairs.” He opened the door to the doctor’s office.
She opened her mouth as she entered the building, most likely to argue the point with him, but quickly succumbed to another coughing spell.
* * *
Lily continued to cough while Edward called out, “Doc. I brought you a new patient.”
Lily sank unceremoniously into a chair near the door. The smell of camphor and dust assaulted her senses. A curtain rustled and parted. The man who’d kept her from running back into her shop during the fire came into the room.
“Hello, Edward. Finally find yourself a wife?” The short man with spectacles looked from the blacksmith to Lily.
“A wife?” What was this man thinking?
“No, Doc. She’s my new tenant. You probably saw her last night. I went by to start the repairs this morning.” He pointed to Lily as she interrupted them with a cough. “This is how I found her. I think the smoke got to her. She’s been hacking away.”
“I saw her. Actually had to restrain her to keep her from following you into the burning building.” The doctor motioned for her to have a seat on the table in the center of the room.
“I’m not injured, Dr. Willis.” She moved to the table and sat stiff with her hands in her lap.
He seemed to ignore her. “Are you light-headed?” He peered into her eyes and checked the pulse at the base of her neck.
“I am not.” She glared at Edward, who had retreated to stand near the door. “I told Mr. Stone this trip was unnecessary, but he insisted.” She slid toward the edge of the table, but the doctor prevented her from getting up.
“Just the coughing?” He assembled his stethoscope and pressed the bell against her back. “Take a deep breath.”
She drew in a breath, and the coughing began again.
He moved to the opposite side of her back. “Again.” The results were the same.
“I don’t think you’ve done any major damage to your lungs, but it’s probably going to take a few days for you to recover from taking in so much smoke.” He paused to look at her. “Your color is good. I think it’s just a matter of getting some rest.”
“I don’t have time to rest. I’ve got a business to open.” She coughed into her handkerchief again, hating that her body was betraying her so. She needed to work. There would be time for rest later.
“A hard worker, are you?” The doctor tilted his head to one side and studied her.
Lily straightened her shoulders. “I am. It’s how I was raised. We Warrens don’t cotton to laziness or excuses.”
He turned to Edward and nodded his head in Lily’s direction. “She looks as good as any other lady around here. You oughta think about this one.”
“I don’t think so, Doc.” Edward seemed to be laughing at her from his place in the corner of the room. First he’d insisted on bringing her here, and now he was a party to her ridicule. She wouldn’t stand for it.
“I don’t need a doctor.” Anger gave her fresh strength, and she turned her eyes to the blacksmith. “Or a husband.”
“As you wish.” Dr. Willis backed away from the table. He turned toward the curtains where he’d made his entrance.
Another coughing spell overtook her. Between coughs Lily said, “Wait a minute, Doctor.”
The doctor stopped with a hand on the curtain and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t got all day, missy.”
“I’m sorry. Can you give me something for the cough?” She hated to submit to the man but had no time for setbacks. Her father and sister would arrive in a few short weeks. She needed to have her shop open and bringing in business before then.
The doctor went to a glass cabinet against the back wall. Lily caught Edward looking at her with a grin of satisfaction. He was enjoying having been right about insisting she see the doctor.
“I want you to use this flaxseed to make a tea.” The doctor handed her a bottle. “You can do it several times a day. It will help with the cough and clearing your lungs.”
She took the bottle reluctantly. “Thank you.”
Dr. Willis nodded. “Sensible, too, Edward. You need to reconsider this one.”
Lily might submit to his ministrations but not to his attitude. “Really, Doctor, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to discuss me as if I’m a prize horse.”
“I didn’t say you were a prize. Just worth a second consideration.” He looked at Edward standing with his back to the door. “But only if she’s given to moments of quiet.”
The blacksmith laughed then. “I haven’t seen one yet, Doc.”
Lily scowled. “If you’ll tell me your fee, Doctor, we’ll be on our way.” She hoped this ordeal was drawing to an end. How was it possible for her to be at the mercy of not one, but two belligerent men?
* * *
Edward waited while Lily paid the doctor, then held the door open for her to walk through before him.
“I’m coming back to the shop to get started on the repairs.”
“Thank you for being so eager. I’m going to have to work harder than ever to get ready to open.”
“Just don’t try burning the candle at both ends.”
“Very funny.” She gave a tiny giggle. Then, in a fashion he could only imagine a cactus flower able to perform, her prickly expression transformed into beauty with a smile like none he’d ever seen. Golden hair framed her face. Vibrant blue eyes sought him out. His heart jolted. Nothing could lessen the power of her grace.
He shook his head. What was he thinking? She was beautiful all right. A rare beauty. But gentle and graceful? Not with the sharp tongue and feisty resistance he’d witnessed in the short time he’d known her.
Lily Warren might be named after a gentle spring flower, but her cactus-like thorns could prove dangerous, if not deadly, to a man not on his guard.
And Edward Stone was a man who would not let his guard down. Ever again.
“Possum run over your grave?”
“What?” He had to pay better attention.
“You’re shaking your head and shivering.” Lily’s expression teased him, but he wouldn’t tease back.
“No. Just a bad thought.” He turned away from her and continued down the sidewalk. “Nothing to worry about.” He’d make certain of that.
Lily picked up her pace and left him to follow. When they arrived at the shop, she opened the door, and the bell announcing their arrival clanged to the floor and bounced.
She sighed. “Great. Something else to be fixed.”
“Be careful not to break anything else.”
Her eyes widened in question. “Oh, so that’s my fault? I see. Looks like our relationship will be one of blame and accusation.” The smile was there again, but Edward was determined to thwart its power.
“Our relationship will be landlord and tenant.” He stooped to retrieve the broken bell from just inside the doorway. “And the fault of this was mine, so I’ll be responsible for the repair.”
“You think it can be fixed?” Her uncertain gaze met his.
“Sure. It’s a simple repair.” He turned the bell over in his hand. “I should have made it stronger in the first place.”
Blond brows lifted. “You made it?” Disbelief crossed her face.
“Don’t look so surprised. I am a blacksmith.”
“I’m sorry. The blacksmith in East River made horseshoes and wagon wheels. Not art.”
Was she complimenting him? Did she realize it?
“I make horseshoes and wagon wheels, too. And iron gates, and farm tools...”
“I understand. Sort of a jack-of-all-trades, are you?”
“Are you suggesting I’m master of none?”
“Well, the bell did break...” Her smile was the only clue she was teasing him. Tormenting might be a better word, given the tightening of his gut when she looked at him.
“I wouldn’t call myself an artisan. But I do enjoy creating unique things.” He drifted into the past looking at the bell. It had been a gift for his sister, Jane. One she’d never taken the time to enjoy.
A swift movement had the bell in his pocket. Hidden with the memories it evoked.
When he raised his eyes, he found Lily staring with open curiosity.
“I best get to work, Miss Warren.” He stepped into the center of the room. The late-morning sun lit the street beyond the deep windows. Windows Jane had dreamed of filling with pastries and cakes.
Lily breezed through the opening, which led from the large front room into a work area, with a lightness he’d never seen in any woman. If he’d had to describe it, he’d say her steps floated across the floor.
He followed her, and together they came up with a plan for the repairs. He would tear out anything damaged beyond repair. She proved a strong helper by toting all the charred boards out to the alley behind the shop.
They stopped at midday, and he made a list of the supplies he’d need to get the shop back in good shape.
He prepared to leave. “I’ll stop by the lumber mill and order what I need before I go to the general store. I’ll get a quick bite of lunch and come back.”
“What about your coat?” she asked.
“That’s why I’m going to the general store.”
“Let me come with you so I can pay for it. You wouldn’t need a coat if there hadn’t been a fire.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“I insist.”
Edward turned to look her full in the face. “Miss Warren, what do you think Mrs. Croft would think of that? After all she insinuated last night?”
Lily’s cheeks went pink.
He looked over his shoulder out the front window. “I’ll bring my wagon when I come back. We can use it to haul away the debris.”
“I can help with that.” She was unlike any other woman of her type, and Edward was impressed by how determined she was to help. At first glance, she gave the appearance of a lady accustomed to fine things. But she hadn’t shied away from any of the work brought on by the damage from the fire.
“No, ma’am.” He still wouldn’t let her help load the rubble piled in the alley.
Lily smiled. “You must be as strong as an ox.” Shock covered her face almost before the words left her mouth.
“I can haul my share of a load.” He couldn’t resist teasing her. As hard as he tried, his reserve kept slipping. “Most people don’t call me an ox.”
“Maybe not to your face, Mr. Stone.” At least she had the decency to blush when she said it.
Edward heard the rumble of laughter in his chest. It had been a long time since he’d laughed out loud. “I’ll be back after lunch.” He tipped his hat and escaped through the front door.
He sobered immediately on seeing Mrs. Croft exit the post office next door. Her scowl spoke louder than anything she could have said before she turned and walked in the direction of her store.
Dust stirred in the street as his boots beat a path away from Lily Warren and her shop. He’d only rented it to her father out of desperation. The mortgage on the shop needed to be paid, not to mention the cost of providing for Ellen. He couldn’t afford to let the shop stand empty any longer. When Jane came back, they’d make new arrangements. Until—or unless—she did, he needed the money.
He had to protect Lily’s reputation, because if her shop failed, he could lose the building to the bank. He turned the corner and headed to the general store. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, but the cold of the day was biting at him. Or maybe it wasn’t the cold of the day, but the cold realizations storming his thoughts.
Life was complicated now. More than he’d ever wanted it to be.
In the back of his mind was a growing dread crying out for his attention. As a single man, if something tragic had happened to his sister and her husband, he’d need to marry. A young girl shouldn’t be raised by her lone uncle. Ellen would need a woman’s hand. Someone who was strong and gentle at the same time.
Someone like Lily.
* * *
Lily opened the door and wrapped her older sister in a hug. Could it be eleven years since Daisy had married and moved away from East River, their childhood home? When they’d reunited on her arrival in Pine Haven, Lily understood why their father had come home after his recent visit to Daisy’s family wanting to sell everything in East River and move here. When he and Jasmine arrived in the spring, he’d have all his daughters together again. They’d been apart too long.
One look at Daisy’s face and Lily prepared herself to be scolded. Even at twenty-four years old, her sisters still treated her like the baby of the family.
“What happened?” Daisy shifted baby Rose onto her shoulder and looked around at the destruction left by the fire.
“It was an accident.” Lily knew Daisy wouldn’t be satisfied without some explanation.
“How did it happen?”
She pointed to the chair she’d set up in front of the hall tree so her customers could view their hat selections in the mirror. “Have a seat, and I’ll explain.” She pulled up a stool and told her sister all that had happened.
“So Edward Stone saved you?” Daisy pushed Rose’s bonnet away from her face and handed the child to Lily. “Handsome, isn’t he?”
Lily lifted the baby and took in the sight of her chubby face. “She’s so like Momma. I’m glad you named her after her.” She pulled Rose close and breathed in the sweet baby smell. Rose twined her fingers into Lily’s hair and gave a firm yank.
“Ow... She’s a strong one, too.” Lily loosed the tiny hand and nestled the babe in the crook of her arm.
“That she is.” Daisy’s face shone with love for her daughter. “You didn’t answer my question about Edward Stone.”
“Did you ask a question?” She hoped to avoid this kind of question about any man, let alone one who was already being accused of paying her too much attention. She couldn’t risk feeding those rumors. Not even to her sister, who obviously hadn’t heard them yet.
She jostled the baby. “Where are the twins?”
“They’re in school.”
“I can’t believe they’re nine years old. Seems life has begun to move at such a rapid pace.”
“It comes from growing older, I suppose.” Daisy looked her square in the face. “Lily, what do you think of your landlord?”
Lily stilled and answered. “He’s my landlord. Yes, he saved me, but he also saved his building. That’s all there was to it.”
Daisy turned first one way then another and surveyed the shop. “If you say so.”
“I do.” Lily swept her free arm toward the open space. “I wanted to have it in better shape, but I wasn’t planning on a fire. What do you think?”
Daisy reached for Rose as the child started to whimper. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Edward will have the repairs done in no time.”
“I hope so. I’ve got to make this place work, or Papa will insist I live with him and Jasmine when they come.” Lily fought back the fear of being isolated again. She’d spent too many years taking care of her sick father at home while all her friends had married and started families.
Daisy paced the floor, gently rocking the baby. “That wouldn’t be so bad, would it? You’ve always lived with Papa. Why is this shop so important to you now?”
“It just is. You wouldn’t understand. You have your life. A family. A farm. I didn’t have anything.” Anxiety sent her voice up a notch. “Until now.”
She put a hand on Daisy’s arm and stopped her motion. “Daisy, you have to pray for me. Papa isn’t convinced a woman my age should be on her own. But I’ve just got to do this. I can’t live in the shadows anymore. I want my own life.”
“You talk as if you’ve been locked away as a slave. I know that isn’t true. I lived there, too, you remember.”
“It’s not that at all. It’s just...well.” Lily wasn’t certain she could articulate her thoughts. “I love Papa, and I’m so pleased he’s well now. We weren’t sure for so long that he’d ever get better. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.” She willed Daisy to understand. “But I need this for me.”
“Of course, I’ll pray for you, sweetie. I’ll even make sure all my friends come see you as soon as you open.”
That was encouraging. She could almost see the unknown ladies milling around the shop, fingering the lace on a handkerchief or smiling at their reflection wearing a new hat. “Are the ladies of Pine Haven ready for fancy hats and parasols?”
Daisy chuckled. “What ladies aren’t?”
Lily was grateful for the support she saw in Daisy’s expression. “Thank you. I promise I’ll make you proud. Papa, too.”
“The thought of having all of you here in Pine Haven is more than I ever dreamed. Your shop is like an extra blessing on top of that.”
“I’ve got a lot of work to do to replace the things that were ruined. Thankfully, I hadn’t opened all of the crates I brought.” She indicated the crates stacked around the front of the shop. “These things are undamaged.”
After lunch she’d gone over everything in her mind. Hopefully a couple of days would see the shop repaired. Maybe two more days after that and she’d be back on schedule for her new life.
She prayed the insinuations made by Mrs. Croft had been forgotten by those who heard them last night. That was the one detail she hadn’t told her sister. If God answered as Lily wanted, she’d never hear of those accusations again.
She shook off the doubts that threatened from the recesses of her soul. A new life full of promise. She would do everything in her power to make it happen.
