“What’s going on, Dimity? Why were you in that hellhole?”
She clung to her anger to stop the fear from making her shiver, to stop the reality of her life from crowding in on her again.
Her father had died a painful death wracked by fever. His last words to her had been ramblings about his Bible and his insistence she always keep it close. She’d hidden it in her things when her brother forced her from the house she’d grown up in with a single bag, and her father’s last wish had been granted.
“I like working there.”
“No, you don’t. No one likes working in such a place. Actually, that’s not true, that other woman seemed happy in her employment. You, however, were miserable.”
She would never show weakness in front of this man of all people.Stay strong, Dimity. She’d told this to herself over and over since her life had changed beyond recognition.
“Please accept my condolences for the loss of your father. I understand he died suddenly.”
She nodded.
“Talk to me, Dimity. When last we met, you were a piano teacher and my sister’s friend. Abby told me you had students. What changed?”
What indeed, Dimity thought. Even she found it hard to explain how her life had changed so swiftly.
“Please take me home.”
“Where is home?”
“Chadding Street.”
His body stiffened, if that was possible. The man had the best posture of any person she’d ever met. Broad shoulders always back, chin raised as he strode about the place lording it over everyone.
“You cannot be serious. That is not a place for a lady to live.”
“How fortuitous that I am not a lady then,” she snapped. “Just give your driver my address if you won’t let me d-down.”
“You’re shivering.” He pulled a thick blanket out from beneath the seat, and with a flick of a wrist had it opened. Dimity nearly moaned as he lowered it over her. It was blissful. Pulling it to her chin, she huddled into the warmth. Money, she thought, was etched in every thread.
She watched as he rose and lifted the hatch above his head and spoke to his driver. When he sat again, his eyes returned to her.
“If you need money, I can give you some.”
One thing that had not been taken from Dimity yet was her pride. She would not be relinquishing it now.
“I don’t need your money. I want you to drop me at my home and go away, never to return. You’ve cost me my job, so tomorrow I’ll have to start searching for another.”
“I will find you a position.”
“I want nothing you can offer me.”
“A position in a household.”
“No, thank you.” The lure was there. She’d be a fool if it weren’t, yet she would not take it, not from this man.
“Let me help you, Dimity.”
“Why? You hate me and have done so since you employed me as your sister’s piano teacher. Why play the Good Samaritan now?”
“I never hated you—”
“Don’t lie to me!” The words exploded from her. “You disliked me and hated the influence I had on your sister.”
He sighed, which told her she was accurate.
