Page 11 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)

Eleven

If your brain is so full and so busy that you cannot attend to the little civilities, cheerful chit-chat, and light amusements of society, keep out of it.

“J ust as I am,” Juliet whispered the sentence printed on the front page of her grandfather’s worn journal before closing the book. Why those four words? It wasn’t the first time she’d asked herself the question, and it probably wouldn’t be the last since she had no answer.

Sighing, she deposited the journal on top of the chest of drawers, exchanging it for the letters she’d written to Willow, Daisy, and Sage. Since leaving Vancouver Island five days ago, she’d had little time to write to her friends. They’d want to know how to reach her. One day, and hopefully soon, she’d invite them for a visit.

Eager to show off the tearoom upon its completion, a little thrill rolled around inside her as she left the bedroom, descended the back staircase, and entered the kitchen. Tabitha handed her two more envelopes. “The post office is inside the workplace of Stipendiary Magistrate J.B. Elliott. Go straight down the hill until Main Street, one block from the river, and turn right. Keep going until you reach 10 Seventh Street on the corner.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Icala turned from the stove, a knife and a loaf of fresh bread in one hand. The yeasty aroma smelled like heaven. “There’s a rumor someone in this house adores chocolate cake, and that person might find it on the menu tonight.”

“Really?” Juliet recalled her recent conversation with Gray. The man kept surprising her in the best possible ways. Maybe she’d pegged him wrong from the start. “I can barely wait, and I thank you both.”

After too many lean years in England, her stomach always craved more. Maybe one day, her gut would stop grumbling.

As she stepped outside, the mid-morning sky matched a pewter goblet. A sharp northern wind from the mountains snuck inside her scarf. She tightened the knot below her chin and rounded the house to reach the street. Children frolicked in Royal Park across the road, their laughter carrying on the wind.

Juliet strolled down the hill. Perhaps she’d bump into Gray on his way back from the dock. He’d hoped to learn what ships had arrived in Everly the day before he regained consciousness. But how much time had passed between his attack and her rescue? Based on the dried leaves and brush atop his form, a couple of days, maybe.

Ideally, he’d begin laboring in the carriage house as early as this afternoon, and then they’d all discover his level of carpentry skills.

When she reached downtown, only a few folks roamed the raised wooden platform that served as a sidewalk. She paused to wait as a buggy crossed the muddy street, spitting up sludgy dirt. She strode past a watchmaker’s shop, a law office, and a tannery before reaching a sky-blue hotel on her side of the road.

The fancy three-story structure featured a balcony with a decorative cast-iron rail, towering snow-white pillars, and a macadamized drive to reach the large front entrance. The place created an inviting picture, and she considered stepping inside. Hotels had always intrigued her for a good reason. Her father had labored as an innkeeper, where he’d met Juliet’s mother.

But there was no time for snooping around today. Livy had lessons planned on proper posture, proper letter writing, and proper books to read to polish her mind. Truthfully, much of what Livy deemed critical teachings ranked far from necessary in Juliet’s opinion.

However, she wasn’t an authority figure on manners, now, was she?

Juliet soon passed a twin-spired church. Its white stone walls, steeply pitched roof, and three gorgeous stained-glass windows in a row impressed her at first glance. Was it the sisters’ house of worship? Tomorrow was Sunday, and she would learn the answer firsthand.

Then she reached the intersection she sought and squinted at the address proudly carved on the two-story, brick-fronted building. 10 Seventh Street. Juliet hurried forward but paused at the sight of an older man slumped on the bottom step.

Wearing a loose sack coat, he doffed his beat-up straw hat, revealing scant white hair. His blue eyes held a piercing sharpness that was difficult to ignore. “Good morning to you, miss.” When he inhaled, he faintly wheezed. “I’d stand, but I have an achy leg.”

“No need, sir, but thank you.” She sidled past him up the rest of the steps into the lobby with welcoming chairs of light oak and apple-green seats. Nobody would mind if she brought the man on the steps inside, would they? The blustery November day better suited the birds.

In less than two minutes, she handed the postmaster her mail, received a passel of letters for the sisters, and returned to the fresh air outside. The older gentleman still occupied the steps.

Twisting toward her, he smiled, revealing a large gap between his upper front teeth. “That was quick.”

She descended the stairs until she reached his side. “I don’t tend to dawdle.”

“And I seem to do it endlessly these days.”

Did he need assistance due to his hurting leg? “May I assist you somehow, sir? Fetch a family member?”

“Kind of you to offer, but I’m alone now. Wife died two years ago, and then my brother and I built a cabin in the mountains, which we share. The name is Cy Kelly.” On closer examination, he was as thin as a scarecrow, his cheeks chapped from the wind, and his coat threadbare. “Came to see the doctor about my leg, but he’s out of town.”

“I see. I’m Juliet Dash, and sorry about your wife.” A light sprinkling of rain was beginning to fall.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Dash.”

“How long have you been in town?”

“Close to a week. With the weather changing up in the mountains, I’m told the passes have blown shut with snow, which means I’m probably stuck here until spring.”

She wiped the raindrops off her face with the end of her headscarf. Based on appearance, Mr. Kelly partially resembled her grandfather, particularly his straight nose, slight build, and midnight blue eyes. “Can you stay at a boarding house?”

“I have been, though it’s too expensive to continue. God will provide.”

“Once upon a time, I had nowhere to stay either. But I’m a servant at a fine house up the hill these days.”

Although she occasionally grumbled to herself about the strict and seemingly random lessons, she had few complaints. And then there was Gray, who’d compared her laugh to music. He was a little too interesting and more than a bit mysterious. It was hard to say what she liked more—his good looks or his charm. Undoubtedly, a toss-up.

Yet she had no designs on the man. For one, he was a gentleman and above her class. And two, if he was Alex Sherwood, he had a criminal past. Sure, people changed—and he seemed decent enough. But what if, after he recovered from amnesia, he decided to return to his crimes?

She’d had enough lawbreaking in her past and didn’t want it in her future.

“Ideally, I’d raise an umbrella to shelter us from this rain,” Cy said. “But I have nary a one. This confounded dampness troubles my gout, I’m afraid.”

“Sounds like you’re down on your luck.”

“’Tis true, but don’t fret over me. I’m what you call a survivor.”

Juliet’s stomach muscles tightened. “Me too.”

“Years back, I labored as an architect and builder. Then my Elizabeth got sick, and I had to care for her. At about the same time, I was swindled out of a large sum of money. Yet I always land on my feet.”

“My grandfather used to say the same thing until he fell off a roof.” She glanced at the nearby hitching post where three horses stood tethered. Did one belong to Mr. Kelly? Surely, it must. She doubted he could amble far in his condition.

“I’ve been asking around town about work. Even with my bad leg, I can still manage.”

An idea began to take shape. “So, you know something about building and carpentry?”

He laughed. “I don’t just know something. I know everything.”

“Then I might have a job for you.” In Gray’s weakened condition, he could use the help. Wouldn’t that be a blessing? And how could the sisters object to having Mr. Kelly assist, especially if they hoped to be ready for the open house on schedule?

The idea was growing by the second. What if Tabitha and Livy didn’t only hire Mr. Kelly to help with the tearoom but also allowed him to stay at their place for the winter months? After all, they had three empty bedrooms upstairs.

Juliet had no business meddling, but how could she ignore someone in need?

When she’d been homeless, how many times had she prayed for a helping hand? Did Mr. Kelly whisper the same prayer?

She tucked the sisters’ mail under her cloak to shield the bundle from the rain. “I’m not promising anything, but I might return for you.”

His eyes twinkled. “I’d be much obliged, and you know where to find me.”

“That I do.” Outside on the cold, lonely street. A place she knew all too well.

Juliet turned and trudged back up the hill, growing rain-soaked with every step and growing more convinced not to ignore Mr. Kelly’s need for help. At the very least, she’d ask the sisters if he could stay in their home until he found other accommodations. She was a great judge of character, had learned to be over the years, and something about the man told her that he was good and kind but just down on his luck.

“There you be,” a voice called from behind Juliet.

Lost in her thoughts, she jumped and twirled around, dropping the sisters’ mail onto the street alongside the park.

There, a few feet away, stood a soggy Ruby. A new bluish-black bruise had swollen her eye, reducing the opening to a slit. “Surprised to see me?”

“What are you doing here?” Juliet’s heart thundered as she gathered the envelopes, wiping the grime on her skirt. “And how did you find me?”

“I have a way of getting information.”

Blame it all. Who had given away her whereabouts to Ruby? Indeed, not Mrs. Morseby. Had Ruby paid for the information, or had someone assumed she and her foe were friends?

Juliet scoffed and stood. The pesky woman was anything but a friend.

A young woman approached, pushing a rattly pram, the child wailing as the drizzle soaked them both. Juliet turned her shoulder, not wanting anyone to catch her conversing with Ruby. Everly was supposed to be Juliet’s fresh, clean start, away from all the problems chasing her from Victoria.

Neither of them spoke until the lady and child moved beyond earshot.

“I just got to town. Seems nice enough.” Ruby glanced around as if truly admiring the lovely homes that bordered the park. “Who was that old man you was yapping with?”

Chitchat? Did Ruby seek chitchat? Juliet fastened her hand to her hip. “Nobody of your concern. Now tell me why you’re here.”

“To fetch what’s mine. I need the Queen’s brooch, all the jewels, actually.” They both knew the valuables belonged to the Firths.

But Ruby watched her expectantly, wiping her nose with her cape.

Juliet wouldn’t have recognized Ruby’s lack of manners not long ago. But life had changed. She’d changed and didn’t want Ruby causing problems and jeopardizing her new position with the sisters.

Juliet rubbed the tight muscles in her neck. “For the last time, I didn’t take what you buried, and I don’t know what happened to the jewels.”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “You sure found me in the yard quickly that night we got fired. That can only mean one thing. You followed me the other times, too.”

Juliet could claim her innocence twenty times a day for a year, and Ruby probably would continue to ignore her. But she had to try again. “I don’t have the jewels, and I promise I have never touched them. Why don’t you please let this go?”

“Can’t. My life just might depend on me getting them back.” Ruby glanced around warily as if she expected someone to jump out and blacken her other eye. “Either you help me find who took the jewels or give me the money they’re worth, I’m thinking.”

“What?” Juliet could only gape at the young woman’s nerve to make such a demand. “You can’t be serious. We both know servants don’t make big sums, especially whatever that brooch was worth.”

“Somebody has to pay for it. Why not you? Get the money from your new fancy employers.”

Juliet tightened her grip on the mail. Did Ruby know where she lived and who she worked for? Was she suggesting Juliet steal from the sisters? Never. She’d walk away before harming Livy and Tabitha.

Hardening her face, Juliet dropped her hand onto Ruby’s shoulder. “You need to leave and not return. Or I’ll tell the local constable you swiped Mrs. Firth’s jewels.”

Ruby wiggled out of Juliet’s clutch. “Mrs. Quinborow didn’t believe you. The constable won’t none neither. I’m mighty convincing when I put my mind to it.”

Ruby spoke the truth for a change. Hadn’t she wept genuine tears in front of the housekeeper? Of course, she’d stoop to the same shenanigans in front of Everly’s constable. But who would the lawman believe? “For the last time, I didn’t take what you seek.”

“Prove it.”

She couldn’t prove anything and wouldn’t let Ruby come to the sisters’ house and rummage through her belongings. That would raise questions Juliet didn’t want to answer. And besides, when Ruby didn’t find anything among her possessions, she’d assume Juliet had hidden the jewels.

Ruby crossed her arms. “Since I’m nice, I’ll give you some time to raise the money.”

“That’s not gonna happen, Ruby?—”

“I’ve spoken my piece, so I’m catching the next boat out of here. If you don’t give me back the jewels or come up with the money, you’ll force me to take revenge one way or another.” Looking mighty satisfied with a smug grin, Ruby turned on her heel and began to stroll down the hill.

The rain continued to drench her, yet Juliet remained rooted, waiting until Ruby disappeared from view. Her shoulders slumped. What was she to do? She couldn’t allow Ruby to return and possibly steal from the sisters and disturb Juliet’s new life.

But she had the feeling that’s exactly what would happen.

Juliet raised her chin to heaven. “Please help me, God, and don’t take Everly away.”

As usual, no answers arrived, only the splat of a raindrop on her upturned forehead.