“Did something happen?” Grace dropped the poker. “I didn’t mean… Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. Yes. I’ll make sure.” She replaced the poker onto its hook and fled the room.
Cora couldn’t help but stop herself at the mirror and pinch her cheeks. She’d look her best and show no sign of the pain of his rejection or vulgar offer. With head held high, she made her way downstairs and found Ghost waiting in the parlor.
“You didn’t enjoy Woodward Gardens?”
“On the contrary. I found it enlightening.” Cora remained guarded, even with Ghost. She needed to keep her wits.
“Enlightening? What did Mr. Neal say wrong this time?” Ghost shook his head.
Too embarrassed to speak of such things with Ghost, she chose not to answer him. “Did you find the man and his wife I told you about?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. Did Cook, Grace, and the rest of the staff agree to help clean them up and get them ready to help with the party?”
“Yes, but how’ll you use them? What if they’re recognized?”
Cora laughed aloud. “They’ll help Cook and serve and decorate. Don’t worry about anyone recognizing them. The rich would have to look down at the people on the street before they would remember seeing them. Although, we’ll have to find a job for Captain Wilkins so he isn’t seen due to his deformities, but his wife’s fine. We can have him help in the kitchen, and the others can help serve perhaps. Tell them we’ll pay them once the funds are secure.”
“They agreed to work for food. They’re grateful to eat.”
“Perfect, but I’ll still see they are paid once we have the funds. They deserve honest wages for honest work.” Cora dared a quick glance to the hall to make sure Ed wasn’t lurking. “He can’t know what we’re doing. He’d never agree to let those people into his home. He’ll only allow the rich. He barely toleratesmebeing here.”
“That ain’t true. He’s just confused and not skilled in the arts of talking to women. He likes you.”
Cora gritted her teeth. “I can assure you his only attraction is of the carnal nature. He has no real feelings for me.”
Ghost’s nostrils flared. “What?”
She couldn’t tell him the truth. “Nothing, except Ed Neal cares about one thing and one thing only. Money. Anyone who doesn’t have it isn’t of use to him. He’s only tolerating me because of the mix-up with the betrothal.”
“Something happened.” Ghost stiffened. “He didn’t try nothin’, did he?”
Cora brushed him off. “We only have a week. Please take care of this. I’ll get the rest of the supplies, make the dress, and be ready to set up come Saturday morning.” She went to the dining room and found Ed standing with a chair pulled out for her.
She walked to the far end of the table with Ghost by her side, and he tucked her into her seat. He waved over the man in the corner, who moved the place setting from next to Ed to her current position.
“I’ll be just outside the room if you need anything, Miss McKinnie.”
Ed shot Ghost a stern look but then cleared his throat and faced her. “I hope you were able to rest some,” Ed said in a polite tone.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Cora, I didn’t mean to—”
She dropped her silverware to her plate in the most undignified manner. “Don’t.” She glowered down the table at him. “We have an understanding. There’s no reason to discuss it further.” She retrieved her cutlery, cut into her chicken, and tried to savor the lemon and garlic flavors, but she found it difficult to focus on the food with Ed staring at her every move.
Grace entered the dining room. “A man stopped over with Mrs. Miller’s card and invited you both to her home on Tuesday for dinner.”
Ed looked to Cora with a hopeful raise of a brow.
“Please send a response that we’d be delighted to accept,” she said.
Grace curtsied then left. Cora counted the minutes until the clock struck half past the hour and then pushed her chair back. “If I’m going to have another dress made in a few days, I should get to work.”
He rounded the table. She stood to make a quick escape, but she wasn’t fast enough and collided into him. His hands went to her waist in that comforting I’ve-got-you way of his.
The house stood quiet, as if no dishes were being washed or horses passing outside.
