Page 8 of His Perfect Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #3)

Eight

A ugusta was shrewd. She hadn’t asked him about Sage’s beauty without having an ulterior motive.

As Augusta’s question stretched out unanswered, Sage lowered her head, but not before Jackson caught sight of the mortification in her expression.

He muttered a rebuke to himself under his breath. He was making the situation awkward by not answering, likely making her believe that he didn’t think she was beautiful, which wasn’t the truth. But the truth wasn’t any of Augusta’s business.

He spoke the next best thing that came to mind. “Sage is a very capable and sturdy woman.” Once the words were out, he realized he sounded like he was lauding the capabilities of a new mare. “What I mean is that Sage—Miss Rhodes—is intelligent and very organized and has been a great help to me this afternoon.”

One of Augusta’s narrow brows rose into a look upon him that said he’d never get away with hiding anything from her.

“Would you like me to draw a bath, Miss Lennox?” Sage asked quietly. “At the very least, I can lay out your evening gown.”

“That would be fine.” Augusta didn’t take her gaze from Jackson. “Thank you, Miss Rhodes. I shall be up shortly.”

Sage hurried away through the hallway and up the stairs. As soon as her footsteps faded, Augusta faced him with a frown. “Please do not toy with Sage.”

Toy with Sage? A rumble of anger formed low in Jackson’s gut. “You think so little of me that you believe I’m capable of toying with your lady’s maid?”

“I have seen the way you look at her.” Augusta spoke as frankly as always. “The way you were looking at her just now.”

“I’ll not deny that she is fine-looking.” She was more than fine. Every time he saw her, either in passing or even from a distance, he noticed her beauty. It was difficult not to, not when everything about her was so stunning—the unique reddish-blond shade of her hair, the wide blue of her eyes, the full shape of her lips, the slender length of her neck, the lushness of her curves.

“She’s exquisite, and you know it.” Augusta spoke in a low, warning tone. “And I shan’t have you taking advantage of her, Jackson.”

The anger thundered more loudly inside him. “I have never taken advantage of a woman, and I do not plan to start with Miss Rhodes.”

Augusta’s lips pinched together severely for a moment. “You do like her.”

“She was helpful today. That’s all.”

“According to Gustave, she yelled back at you yesterday. What other woman has ever done that?”

None. Not even Augusta, even though he’d probably deserved her yelling at him plenty of times. “And what’s your point exactly?”

“She has the backbone to stand up to you, and you like it.”

Maybe he did like it. He certainly had warranted Sage’s wrath because he had behaved like a child throwing a tantrum—one of her allegations. And he’d also behaved like a shaggy beast—another of her very true accusations.

“Not only do you like her backbone, but you like her .” Augusta was clearly determined to make him admit to liking Sage. “The more you get to know her and see all her wonderful characteristics the way I do, the harder it will be for you to resist her.”

“I’m not interested in women right now.” He was focused on fixing the bridge. That’s why he’d called off his engagement to Meredith—or at least one of the reasons. “So please, let us drop the matter.”

“Not before you give me your word that you will not do anything untoward and will treat Miss Rhodes with the utmost of respect at all times, even when I’m gone.”

Gone? Augusta made it sound as though she was going on a trip and leaving Sage behind. Or maybe she was merely referring to times like today when she was absent and the two of them were alone together at the house.

“Vow to me, Jackson.”

“Vow what?”

“Vow to me that you will never take advantage of her.”

“I’ll never take advantage of her.” He might not have gotten along well with his father, but he did respect his father’s faithfulness and loyalty to his marriage vows and the way he’d always set a good example in treating women respectfully, even the serving staff.

“Thank you.” Augusta’s gaze softened. “I like Sage a great deal. She’s incredibly smart and sensitive and caring and giving. I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“I won’t hurt her.”

“I shall hold you to that, brother.” This time she gave him a tender smile.

“You have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.”

After Augusta headed upstairs, Jackson pivoted and faced his desk, now immaculate and organized. Immediately his thoughts filled with the vision of Sage as she’d looked sitting there bent over his drawings, listening to him with rapt attention as he’d rambled on and on.

She’d been genuinely interested in what he was saying and had asked him astute questions in return. Augusta was right in saying she was incredibly smart—smarter and more interesting than any woman he’d ever talked to before. Most women didn’t care about his engineering or his work. Admittedly, it was technical and complicated and probably dull to most people. But Sage had seemed to want to understand it.

In addition, she’d been humble enough to come to him today and apologize even though he’d been the one who needed to apologize to her. He’d been working up the courage to talk to her all day, had tried on a couple of occasions, had known he needed to tell her he was sorry for being such an oaf. Because it had taken him all of five minutes after she’d stormed out of his study yesterday for him to realize how proficient and organized she truly was and what a benefit that would be.

Even though he’d apologized to her today, his words had been weak and insufficient. He’d have to try again, and this time make sure he was clearer. If he could find a way to show her he was sorry, that would be even better.

* * *

The next morning, Jackson’s stomach pinched nervously as he squinted through the darkness of his bedchamber at his outline in the dresser mirror and attempted to straighten his cravat.

The heavy draperies were closed to block out the sunshine, just the way he preferred so that he didn’t have to view himself. First of all, he didn’t want to waste time worrying about his appearance. Secondly, he loathed seeing the man he’d become.

Why, then, this morning was he straining so hard to take in his image through the darkness? Because he wanted to appear his best when he located Sage and apologized to her again?

He snorted and backed away from the mirror. That was ridiculous. He didn’t give a dash how he looked around Sage. Not in the least. She’d already made it clear that she saw him as a shaggy beast.

He combed his fingers through his hair, the strands wiry and wild and in much need of a haircut. Then he brushed his fingers over his beard, the hair coarse and long and requiring a trim, or even a shave altogether. In the past, he’d always kept his face cleanly shaven the way most gentlemen of his rank did. Maybe it was time to return to his daily shaving and grooming.

With one of the draperies in reach, he yanked it open, letting light spill into his chamber. Then he faced the mirror again and forced himself to stare at his reflection.

An overgrown moose peered back. He looked worse than he’d realized. Today it wouldn’t matter how well he tied his cravat or what color suit he wore. None of that would diminish the fact that he resembled a wild creature who belonged more in the mountains than in an elegant home like his.

He scowled at his reflection. Then he spun away, stalked across his room, and threw open his chamber door.

Passing through the hallway, Augusta paused with Sage halting directly behind her. Both of them startled, as if they hadn’t expected to see him in the doorway. He supposed that was only natural since he hadn’t spent much time in his chamber in the weeks they’d been visiting Fairview.

“Good morning, Jackson.” Augusta recovered quickly and smiled at him tersely. She reached for his arm, tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, then guided him down the hallway toward the stairs. “Will you join me for breakfast?”

The two women were attired in lovely day gowns, their hair perfectly fashioned, ready for the morning ahead. Somehow today, at the sight of them together, he felt even more like a moose, or perhaps a buffalo.

He could hear Sage’s quiet footsteps behind them, and he wanted to stop and greet her and allow himself a longer view than the brief one he’d taken in passing. But after Augusta’s warning yesterday about treating Sage with respect and not taking advantage of her, he didn’t want to give his sister any reason to call into question his motives.

As he took his place at the table in the breakfast room, he couldn’t keep from hoping Sage would stay. But she disappeared before he could manage even a nod, leaving him alone with Augusta to eat the simple fare of poached eggs, fruit, and oatcakes.

After they finished, he retired to his study. For a reason he couldn’t explain, he left his door open, so that when she passed by later with his sister, he halted in sketching his newest diagram and listened to their conversation about how Augusta would be fine on her errands without a companion. Augusta was rattling off a list of things that yet needed to be done before the upcoming dinner party the following evening.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you?” Sage’s voice held a note of concern. “I can assist you this morning and work on the list for the party this afternoon.”

“No, no.” Augusta spoke as firmly as always. “I shall be just fine on my own. My errands will only bore you.”

Augusta had hired a driver to take her around town but was looking for a permanent coachman. She’d mentioned the previous evening that she was also still attempting to hire another maidservant.

Maybe he ought to get involved and locate a Native woman. He’d built relationships amongst the Songhee who had been helpful to him during his explorations of the colony during his first years here. Of course the smallpox epidemic of the past year had brought death to many Natives, and he didn’t know if his acquaintances had survived. If so, he suspected at least one of the wives or daughters would appreciate an opportunity to work in his house.

As it was, Sage shouldn’t have to do so much. In fact, as Augusta’s lady’s maid, she wasn’t supposed to be carrying the bulk of the housework and should be free to focus solely on Augusta.

With consternation rising inside, Jackson pushed back from his desk.

“Don’t worry about me,” Augusta insisted from near the front door. “The men aren’t interested in me the way they are in you.”

“That’s not true,” Sage chided softly, probably assisting Augusta into her coat and bonnet.

Men interested in Sage? Of course all the fellows in town were ogling her just the way he’d predicted. Who wouldn’t notice her? Even he was interested in her, although he had no plans to act upon that interest and not just because he’d vowed to Augusta that he wouldn’t.

Moreover, Sage wasn’t the type of woman he would consider, at least for a serious marriage relationship. Men of his social standing didn’t marry the hired help. They might have dalliances with maidservants, but that’s as far as such relationships ever went.

Jackson wasn’t the dallying type. Even if he were, he’d vowed to his sister he wouldn’t have a dalliance with Sage. Maybe he hadn’t said so in those exact words. But he knew as well as Augusta that’s what they’d been talking about.

“You’re a fine catch.” Sage spoke earnestly. “And the men would call on you if you spared them a moment of your time.”

Augusta huffed. “I don’t have time to spare.”

“You have to make the time.”

He hadn’t thought to ask Augusta about her relationship history, and she hadn’t spoken of any man in particular. But surely a woman like her from a prestigious family and with an extremely large dowry would have attracted many men. So at thirty-one why wasn’t she yet wed?

Yes, Augusta had been away from London for long months at a time with her traveling. But that wouldn’t stop Mother and Father from finding a suitable man for her to settle down with. Most likely, they had tried, but Augusta had refused their efforts for one reason or another.

“Let’s not focus on me,” Augusta said. “Let’s focus on you instead.”

“I already told you. I’ve decided to become a spinster.”

A spinster? Jackson couldn’t hold back a scoffing sound.

The two women grew suddenly silent.

He knew he should feel remorseful for eavesdropping, but he felt only irritation at himself for getting caught.

“Nonsense.” Augusta spoke again. “You’ll never be a spinster. You’re much too young and pretty and kind. You’ll make a lucky man a wonderful wife, and you’ll be a wonderful mother.”

“No, I’ve already decided I won’t get married.” Sage’s tone was kind, but her voice contained a note of determination that was oddly jarring.

“Not every man is like David.” Augusta’s voice dropped to a whisper.

If she thought by whispering he wouldn’t be able to hear, then she was wrong. And if she thought he’d ceased eavesdropping, she was wrong about that too. This conversation about Sage was much too important to ignore.

Who was David, and what had he done? Sage had obviously conversed with Augusta about her past. Did he dare ask Augusta about it the next time they shared a meal together, or would it be impolite of him to pry into Sage’s private life?

“Thank you, Augusta,” Sage whispered back. “But I’m happy as your lady’s maid, and I have no wish to do anything else.”

“You will eventually when the right man comes along.”

The front door opened, and moments later, Augusta stepped outside, and the door closed behind her. Sage seemed to linger by the door before her footsteps padded quietly down the hallway, drawing closer.

Jackson bolted up from his chair and frantically eyed his study. Should he sit back down and pretend to be busy? He certainly couldn’t stand frozen in place. If she glanced inside, she would find him gaping like an idiot and doing nothing.

Before he could make up his mind over what to do, she was passing by. She didn’t spare a glance his way but continued down the hallway as if she didn’t realize he was there.

A strange desperation seized him. He couldn’t let her go past without talking to her. He had to at least use the opportunity to apologize again for his bad behavior from the previous day.

“Miss Rhodes?” he called out.

Her footsteps came to a halt.

He hastened to the doorway of his study and found that she’d paused near the servants’ hallway that led to the rooms at the back of the house.

“Yes, Mr. Lennox?” She had one hand on the door handle, obviously in a hurry to get to work. Or maybe she was in a hurry to get away from him.

Now that he’d initiated contact with her, what should he say?

Awkward silence settled between them. He tugged at his cravat which suddenly felt like it was strangling him. Without any windows, the back area of the hallway was shadowed, and he couldn’t see her expression. But if he’d been able to, he expected that he’d find aversion. After all, he’d been disgusted seeing himself.

“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Lennox?” She spoke hesitantly, as if she was afraid he might lash out at her for saying the wrong thing.

“Yes, I do need help.” As soon as he spoke the words, he wanted to slap a hand to his forehead. What was he doing? Making up a reason to be near her?

She released her hold on the door handle and took a step back his way. “After how much I imposed upon you already?”

“You did not impose. Quite the opposite.”

“I’m relieved you see it that way.”

His mind scrambled to come up with any help he might need. But what? After she’d already organized everything, what was left? As oblivious as he was most of the time, he probably wouldn’t be able to spot a need even if it walked up to him and slapped him in the face.

With an exasperated breath, he scrubbed a hand down his shaggy beard. What could he possibly have her do?

Why did he need her to do anything? He could just ask for her forgiveness and let her be on her way. That would be the logical and sound thing to do. On the other hand, the desire to spend time with her was beginning to overshadow the need to do anything else today.

“I would be happy to help again, Mr. Lennox.” Thankfully her tone was genuine.

He slid his hands into his overgrown hair and tried to make himself think of something. But with her pretty blue eyes upon him waiting so expectantly, he couldn’t formulate any ideas.

Not only wasn’t he proficient in carrying on conversations with most people, but he’d been especially inept in talking with the fairer sex.

He jabbed his fingers deeper into his hair. “My hair.”

One of her eyebrows quirked. “Your hair?”

“Do you know how to cut hair?” The moment the question was out, he knew he needed to retract it. “No, no. I shouldn’t have asked. Forgive me. It’s ludicrous?—”

“Yes, actually. I can cut hair.”

He shook his head. What had he been thinking to ask her to do such a task? That was the trouble—he hadn’t been thinking. Even though he could solve the world’s most difficult mathematical equations, sometimes he felt like his brain couldn’t function well with normal, everyday things.

“I always cut my dad’s hair, and my sisters’.”

“I cannot subject you to mine. It is in a terrible state?—”

“I don’t mind.” She took a hesitant step toward him.

“Please forget I even mentioned it.”

She was silent a beat. “You would make Augusta very happy if you shaved and got a haircut before the dinner party tomorrow evening.”

“I would?” Augusta had suggested it on a couple of occasions, but he hadn’t known his doing so would actually make her happy.

“She truly cares about you the way you are,” Sage said quickly as though to reassure him. “But she has mentioned how much a haircut and shave would please her.”

He didn’t need reassurance of Augusta’s love. He knew his older sister loved him and always would, no matter how he looked or behaved. Yet, if he could do this one little thing to please her, then maybe he ought to do it.

“Very well,” he said before he could find an excuse. “Let us proceed with a haircut.”