Butterfly Palace (20 page)
The gaslights cast a warm glow over the parlor. She pulled her hand away and hurried to the chair. He’d started for the sofa and stood with a bewildered expression when she didn’t join him.
He pointed to the cushion. “I’d like you to sit here beside me.”
His dictatorial tone put her back up, but she smiled to cover her anger. “We’re alone, so I thought it best to maintain appearances.”
He glowered, then cleared his throat. “Soon it won’t matter, my dear.”
His intent was clear, and her cheeks burned. “I heard there was a robbery at the bank today. Is there any news about it?” Surely he would be derailed by such important news.
“I heard it as well, but I believe they caught the robbers. I saw two men in handcuffs being marched into the police station.”
The tension eased from her shoulders that her ploy seemed to have worked, but then he cleared his throat and stood. Her chest tightened when he stopped by her and dropped to one knee. “Why, Stuart, have you hurt yourself?”
He pressed his lips together. “Of course not, Belle, what a notion. You’re being very skittish when I’m trying to say something to you.”
There was no help for it. She would have to listen to his proposal. “Of course, Stuart.”
He took her hand. “You’re a lovely young woman, and I’ve come to care for you a great deal. I’ve already spoken to your uncle, and he’s given me permission to ask for your hand in marriage. I think we would suit very well, and you would make a lovely senator’s wife. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
A senator’s wife
. Washington would be hers. Even so, she badly wanted to refuse him, but there was no one else offering for her, especially no one of this caliber.
“Belle?”
She’d left her answer a fraction too long. “Of course, Stuart. Forgive me for being so tongue-tied. I’m overwhelmed with how dear you are.” She cupped her hands around his fleshy face and looked into his eyes. “I would be honored to become your wife.”
His florid face grew redder, and he leaned forward to press a kiss against her lips. She recoiled just a little. Would she always feel such distaste? She hoped not. It would be a hard marriage if she wanted to turn away every time he approached her. She forced herself to hold still and accept the caress until he pulled away.
He was breathing harder, and his smile made her feel soiled. She wanted only to get away so he couldn’t kiss her again. She jumped to her feet. “We must tell my aunt and uncle the happy news!”
He heaved himself to his feet as well. “Of course.”
His jovial tone was at odds with the disappointment in his eyes, and she knew he’d hoped for more kisses, something she planned to avoid at all costs. “They’re probably still in the dining room. I’ll call for some champagne, and we’ll bring them back here to toast our engagement.”
“Wait one moment. I nearly forgot.” He thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. “Allow me.” He opened it and lifted it into the light for her perusal.
The most exquisite ring she’d ever seen glittered in the light. She gasped and touched it. “It’s so lovely, Stuart.”
He beamed. “It’s three carats, Belle. Only the best for my wife.”
That sounded good to her. The finest of everything might make up for what she’d have to endure in the bedroom.
Might
. “Would you put it on me, please?” She held out her left hand.
He lifted the ring from its box and slid it onto her finger. It went over her knuckle easily. “Does it fit properly?”
She tugged on it with her right hand, and it stayed seated nicely. “I think so.” Her hand felt heavy and unfamiliar with the ring on it. Her friends would gasp when they saw it. Their admiration would go far toward making her at peace with her choice.
Mrs. Marshall’s eyes were kind as she looked Jane over. “We think a lot of Lily, Miss White. Ordinarily I wouldn’t consider employing someone of questionable character, but on her recommendation, I’m going to hire you. Please don’t make me sorry.”
The approving glance the mistress of the house sent her way made Lily square her shoulders.
Jane clenched her hands in front of her. “I won’t, Mrs. Marshall.”
Mrs. Marshall glanced at Mrs. O’Reilly. “Please arrange for the old carriage house to be cleaned and repaired. Get it done as cheaply as possible.”
“I can clean it myself,” Jane said.
“I’ll help her on my day off,” Lily added. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Marshall. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.”
“I certainly hope not.” Belle called for her aunt from the dining room, and Mrs. Marshall turned toward the door. “I’d like you to start as soon as the place is habitable.” She paused and looked back. “And I assume there will not be a repeat of your, um, indiscretion?”
Color ran up Jane’s neck and into her cheeks. “No, ma’am.”
Lily exhaled when Mrs. Marshall left and Mrs. O’Reilly followed her out. Jane’s eyes were shining. “Nathan will be so relieved. I don’t mind admitting things have been very hard lately. It costs money to raise Hannah.”
“After I’ve cleaned the kitchen, let’s go take a look at the carriage house and see what needs to be done.”
“I’ll help. Hannah won’t need to be fed for two hours.”
Emily and the other housemaid had already done most of the dishes when they stepped into the kitchen. “We’ll finish,” Emily said. “The lantern is by the back door. I’ll join you soon.”
Warmed by her friend’s kindness, Lily nodded and went to the back door where she lit the lantern, then turned down the wick until the soft glow beamed into the night. “This way.”
Holding the lantern aloft, she followed the stone path around the side of the house and past a gate into an area where she’d never been. She’d caught glimpses of the structure over her weeks here, but she’d assumed it belonged to a neighbor since no one ever went this way.
She stopped in front of the stoop and stared. The front door hung ajar, and animal droppings littered the steps. “This is disgusting.” Craning her neck, she looked up at the low-slung roof. Slate shingles appeared to be missing, and Lily wasn’t sure she wanted to go in while it was dark.
“It will be fine, Miss Lily.” Jane mounted the single step and pushed on the door. It creaked open the rest of the way.
Lily held the lamp higher until the light pushed back the edges of the darkness. She followed Jane across the threshold. Debris crunched under her shoes, and shadows danced on the stained walls. The room was about twelve by twelve. A dry sink was against one wall. There was a doorway to another room on the left, so she stepped forward to inspect it. The other room was smaller, about nine feet square.
“This is a bedroom, I think. It’s all in rather bad shape. I’m not sure Mrs. Marshall knows what condition it’s in.” Then Lily took another look. The bedding was new and fairly clean. “It seems like someone might have been living here.”
Jane was smiling. “Probably someone with nowhere else to go. He’ll see it’s occupied.” She glanced around. “A little elbow grease, and it will be as good as where I’m living now.”
“You’ve got a very good attitude about it. I don’t think I would want to live here, but maybe it will look better in the daylight. I’ll slip out and take a gander tomorrow. There’s really nothing we can do tonight. It’s too dark.”
“At least I have a position.” Jane’s smile was brilliant. “I can’t thank you enough, Miss Lily.”
“Just call me Lily.” Smiling, she turned to go when she heard a slithering, sliding sound. “What was that?”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
The door creaked open from somewhere, and a breeze touched Lily’s flushed cheeks. “Who’s there? Emily, is that you?”
The darkness felt thick and menacing. Lily raised the lantern higher, but it only pushed back the shadows about five feet. “Emily?”
A soft laugh came to her left. It was a male voice. Gooseflesh prickled along her back, and she took a step back. Jane’s hand squeezed her arm hard as she exhaled.
“We have to get out of here,” Jane whispered. “Run.”
Lily felt frozen in place. The hostility in the man’s laugh made her chest squeeze. What if it was the man who’d already attacked Jane once? Who attacked her? They shouldn’t have come out here in the dark without a protector.
“Go, Lily.” Jane gave her a little shove.
Lily leaped for the dim glow of moonlight coming through the door. As she raced forward, a scuffle sounded behind her. Whirling, she held up the light and saw Jane pinned to the floor by a man. He faced away from Lily, and she couldn’t see anything but the breadth of his back.
She screamed at the top of her lungs. “Help! Somebody help
us!” She looked around for a weapon. There was a broken chair and she put down the lantern, then grabbed it. She slammed it down on his back.
He cursed and rose toward her, but it was still too dark to see his face.
“Lily?” Drew’s voice came from outside the carriage house.
“Drew, in here! Help us!”
The man growled, then turned and lunged away. Moments later a back door slammed.
Drew burst into the building and snatched up the lantern. “Lily, are you all right?”
She staggered toward him, and he caught her with his left arm. Leaning into his strength restored her courage. “I’m fine. He got away.”
She snatched the lantern from him and held it high. Jane sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. “Jane, did he harm you?”
“Not this time.” Jane took the hand Drew extended and got to her feet.
Lily swallowed and lowered the light. “You mean it was the same man who attacked you before?”
“I think so. I never saw his face either time, but I smelled his breath.” She shuddered. “It was minty just like the man who attacked me.”
Drew took the lantern from Lily’s unresisting hand. “Let’s get out of here and summon the police.”
T
hough the night was warm and moist, Lily couldn’t stop shivering. The policeman who had looked at her with such disdain on Monday had taken down the particulars, but she saw his skepticism. And he’d eyed Drew as well. The police had escorted Jane home, and the kitchen was nearly empty now.
Mr. Marshall put his big hand on her shoulder. “You go on to bed, Lily. You’re still pale.”
“I need to see to Miss Belle.”
“Miss Belle can see to herself tonight. You go on up.”
“Yes, sir.” She glanced at Drew. They hadn’t had a moment alone to talk, but there would be no opportunity tonight.
“If Mr. Hawkes needs anything, one of the other maids will see to him.”
“Yes, sir. Good night.”
She slipped through the doorway of the back stairway and went up the steps to the second-floor landing where she paused. Belle would be expecting her, and the thought of going to her dark, cramped attic bedroom was unappealing. She needed company, someone to distract her from what had happened. Her mind made up, she hurried down the dark hall.
Belle’s door was half open. She was sitting in front of the dressing table with her hair down on her shoulders. She hadn’t taken off her evening dress yet.
Lily tapped on the door. “Miss Belle? Sorry I’m late.”
Belle turned. “Lily, are you all right? I heard there was a dreadful attack tonight. I was frightened for you.”
Lily shut the door behind her. “Jane and I escaped unharmed.” She began to unbutton her mistress’s dress. “You look a bit flushed.”
Belle extended her left hand. “Look.” An enormous ring sparkled on her hand.
Lily bit her lip. Any warning she might offer was too late. “You accepted Mr. Vesters?”
Belle gave a hollow laugh. “Don’t sound so disapproving. It’s not your place to approve of my choice.”
“Of course not, Miss Belle. I—I just think you could do better.”
“Like who? Mr. Hawkes?” Belle wrinkled her nose. “He came rushing to your defense again tonight. I won’t have it, Lily. I’ve warned you about setting your cap for him more than once.”
“I haven’t, truly.” Picking up the brush, she avoided Belle’s gaze and began to run the bristles through her mistress’s silky dark hair.
“You must admit it was most peculiar he turned up tonight when you screamed. Was he following you?”
“I’m sure he just happened to be in the yard taking some fresh air.”
“Or maybe you and he had an assignation.”
She couldn’t let Belle go on with that line of thinking. Not if she wanted to keep her job. “It’s not true. Not at all. I was helping Jane, the new cook’s assistant, see what needed to be done to make the carriage house habitable. You can ask your aunt.”
Belle held her gaze in the mirror. “I hope you’re telling me the truth.”
Lily refused to look away. “I am, Miss Belle.” Belle rose, and Lily helped her out of her dress and into her nightgown. “When is the wedding?”
“We haven’t set a date. I hope it’s a long way off.” Belle wrinkled her nose and sighed. “I don’t much care for his kisses.”
Lily’s cheeks burned at such talk, but she heard a forlorn note in Belle’s voice. “It’s not too late to refuse him.”
“And why would I do that? He’s rich and politically minded. He’ll be a senator someday. Exactly what I was looking for.”
“You’ve tried to avoid him for weeks. You can cover up your feelings with others, but I know better, Miss Belle.”