Page 31 of A Rogue to Forget

Wiping tears away, they both sniffed at the same time. Hannah forced a smile. “Has the detective found out anything?”

“Evan is meeting with him this very afternoon.” Her friend studied her for a long moment. “Tell me about the redecorating? I have something for you.”

Felicity stood, pulled a cord, and moments later George appeared. “Yes, Missus?”

“Be a dear and bring the bolts of fabric that were delivered,” Felicity asked the man who hurried away.

Moments later, he appeared with Silas, who carried four bolts of different fabrics. It was obvious Felicity did what she could to distract her and, for the moment, Hannah allowed it.

“They are beautiful.” Hannah examined each one. “What are you planning to do with them?”

Her friend gave her a mischievous look. “I saw them when I visited Evan at work the other day. I asked for four. With two, I will have draperies made for the upstairs and gift you two bolts for your house.”

Hannah smiled, her mood lifting just a bit. “I will be using this one in the parlor.” She touched one with a floral design in corals and greens. The other was a bit darker with a design of a fleur-de-lis. “Dining room.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon having a leisurely meal while discussing Hannah’s plans for redecoration and they decided Felicity would return with Hannah to her house and await Evan.

*

It was nearlymidnight before Hannah went to bed. She’d spent the evening annoyed that although the detective had found out information about Jules Brown, Evan refused to tell either her or Felicity anything. He was afraid they’d go off and try to find him themselves, which in actuality, was not much of a stretch.

Upon arriving home, Marta waited with two women who wished to apply for the maid position. In the end, she’d hired the younger one, mostly because she needed the job more.

The house was too quiet now, and Hannah wondered if it had always been so. When living there with her parents, it did not seem so. At least she never considered it to be eerily silent like it was in that moment.

Throwing the blankets off, she went to the window and peered out. There was nothing or no one on the street. Through the darkness she spotted a small figure trotting into the yard and sniffing around. A dog perhaps.

She threw on her robe and hurried down the stairs. In the kitchen, she grabbed a piece of leftover meat and hurried out the back door into the garden.

Upon spotting her, a small dog lifted its head and made a noise, something akin to a growl. Being it was either a tiny breed or a puppy, it wasn’t at all intimidating.

“Here, sweet. Have this.” Hannah broke off small pieces and tossed them close to the dog. Although wary, the dog gobbled up each piece then waited for another.

Bit by bit, she kept feeding it until it neared. Lowered to the ground in a pose of submission, the animal neared, its head low.

“You need a friend, do you not?” Hannah said, sliding her hand over the furry pup. It was a young dog, no more than a few months old. “How did you end up here all alone?”

Startling the animal, she scooped it up and brought it into the kitchen. Then after warming milk, she set a bowl of it on the floor.

The little dog lapped the milk, its tail wagging with happiness.

After finding an old blanket, she folded it, placed it in a corner of the room, and left. The dog would have a warm and safe place to sleep for the night.

Moments later as she once again peered out the window, the pup entered her bedroom and gazed up at her. Perhaps she imagined it, but there was gratitude in the dog’s gaze that melted her heart.

“Fine, you can stay here tonight.” She lifted the little creature to the settee on the end of her bed. After a few circles, the pup settled and fell into a content slumber.

Once again, she climbed into bed. The truth of the matter was that she was avoiding it because immediately, the fact of losing Henry became real. Although it was not unexpected that he would find himself attracted to someone and having to marry.

There had been no time to prepare. After asking him to not visit as often, she’d expected a few months at least to prepare herself for the inevitable.

But on the very day? That had been totally unexpected. Yes, she loved Felicity like a sister, but her friend had no idea how much the news of Henry’s kiss with Una Steward would affect her. Or it could be she did and that was why she made sure to tell her immediately.

Giving into the pain, Hannah turned to her side and cried. Life was so very cruel. And yet, there she was still in the middle of it, doing her best to live each day, to survive past every circumstance.

Her mother’s disclosure, strangers demanding things, someone in her house, and yet, she had refused to buckle. Her body shook when she gave into the sadness that enveloped. Henry would no longer be there for her and just the thought of it tore through her.

Just then, shifting beside her caught her attention. With a soft whimper, the little dog nestled against her back. Hannah swallowed a cry. It had to be her father who’d sent the small creature to comfort her in his stead.