A whimper slipped out at the thought of enduring hours of cold from a shower and wet pack.“All I wanted was a priest.”She’d said it to herself, but Nurse Ingram was more than happy to further crush her.
“Not even God Himself can save your crazed soul.Insanity isn’t welcome in heaven.”
Constanza hadn’t thought it true, not after Mrs.Beaumont’s words, but now she wondered.Maybe thiswasher punishment from God.Why else would He keep her from the one who could grant her the forgiveness she so desperately needed?Had she already been condemned to this hell on earth and then the one beyond?
Chapter Eighteen
WHAT HADNORA BEEN THINKINGto invite Mr.Beaumont to return during his break hours?All night long she berated herself—between checking and rechecking all the locks and traps with each noise.How was she to maintain her reputation if he visited her home during the day when Father was not there?A paid employee did not count as an acceptable chaperone.Worse, what would Father say or do when he discovered she’d befriended a man not of his acquaintanceandconnected to the forbidden opera world?And why was she already thinking in terms of Mr.Beaumont visiting her more than once?
Good gracious.How had she let him get to her so thoroughly?So much for running so hard he couldn’t catch her.It appeared she’d tripped and fallen flat on her face.Or was it into his arms?The charmer certainly would prefer her to land there.
But the invitation had been extended, and she couldn’t rescind it—which meant she needed a chaperone.Her best chance for one at the last minute lay in asking her elderly neighbor.
Nora rubbed the cameo pendant at her neck as she stood inside the woman’s front door.“I’ll be honest, Mrs.Jerden, it isn’t merely the enjoyment of your knitting company I seek.”Oh, how she hated admitting the next part.“I have a gentleman friend who might visit me this afternoon, and it’s only Lily and me in the house ...”
“Say no more, dear.I am happy to keep the young man in linewhile encouraging more visits.With all the children grown and Mr.Jerden at the office, my days are often too quiet.”
Nora winced.She should have invited Mrs.Jerden over long before now.They’d been neighbors for over a decade, and she’d always encouraged Nora’s help with the garden or eating the harvest.In return, Nora had been too preoccupied with herself and keeping her family’s secrets to see Mrs.Jerden might be lonely.
“Besides,” the woman continued, “we can’t allow you to become a spinster.You’re already dangerously close.”
At twenty-three?Hardly, but Mrs.Jerden was not the only one who considered any unmarried woman over twenty destined for spinsterhood.
“I will happily be available most afternoons if your beau should decide to become a frequent visitor,” she generously offered.
“I hate to disappoint you, but Mr.Beaumont and I are merely friends.”
“Pish.That’s what a woman says when she’s afraid it won’t go further.But don’t you worry.We’ll make certain an offer of marriage comes before too long.”
How embarrassing, but arguing proved pointless.
Mrs.Jerden arrived at Nora’s doorstep promptly at one, intent upon making good on her word.Nora’s usual brown work dress was met with emphatic disapproval.Catching a man required bright colors and something other than a plain chignon.Thankfully, Nora’s only ensemble not brown, black, or gray was the too-fancy bridesmaid dress, and Mr.Beaumont had already seen her in that.The light-gray day dress didn’t please Mrs.Jerden, but she conceded it was the best option.However, she refused the sensible chignon.By the time Mrs.Jerden finished brushing, twisting, braiding, and pinning, Nora had a dull headache and a hairstyle no reasonable woman would wear on a daily basis in her own home.
“This isn’t about being reasonable or everyday.A man likes to know you took extra care with your appearance for him.Now for a little color.”Mrs.Jerden pinched Nora’s cheeks hard and then took her to the mirror.“Bite your lips together.They’re a mite pale.”
Nora snorted at her reflection.The formal pile of hair screamed of trying too hard, especially atop a dress that passed for the uniform of a maid of all work.No matter how she protested her attraction to him, Mr.Beaumont would no doubt take unnecessary encouragement from all this pomp and fuss.This was absolutely dreadful.Especially since she enjoyed his attentions a little too much for a woman who knew better than to form an attachment with a man who would eventually reject her.
Mr.Beaumont arrived with Tristan in a new basket twenty minutes later, complete with fresh scratches on his hands and his signature disarming smile.“Good afternoon, m’lady.”
She hadn’t expected anything less than his usual outpour of charm, but she certainly couldn’t let him think she approved.The fact she did approve was yet another secret she’d have to keep from everyone.The Guardians included.
She collected his hat and hung it on the wall hook.“Has anyone ever told you that you smile too much?”
“Never.Most people like my debonair grin.I believe the problem is you smile too little.It is your one fault I aim to correct.”
“My one fault?”She’d have to promptly rid him of that misconception.She had more faults than the average person—ones that would make him flee if he could see inside her mind.
“Well, perhaps not your only fault, just the one I aim to correct.”
“You can’t court a person with the intention to change them, sir.”Mrs.Jerden stepped into clear view.
Mr.Beaumont straightened, his smile faltering.
Before he could speak, Mrs.Jerden continued.“However, I do agree that our Nora could benefit from a good deal more smiling.”
“I believe we agree upon both points, madam.I merely wish to see her so deliriously happy that she lights the world with the brightness of her countenance.If I may be so bold as to introduce myself, I am Ezekiel Beaumont, stage manager for Pike’s Opera House.”
Oh no!Nora should have made the introductions sooner.Now Mrs.Jerden might share Mr.Beaumont’s profession with Father.Nora intervened before anything else could be said that might cause her trouble.“Mr.Beaumont, this is Mrs.Jerden, my neighbor.”
