Butterfly Palace (11 page)

Her mistress turned from her place by the window. “Nearly
everyone is here. I shall make a grand entrance, which isn’t all bad.” A smile lifted the corner of her full lips. “Help me dress.”

Lily hurried forward with the dress. “Yes, Miss Belle.”

She hoisted the skirt over Belle’s head and settled the bodice over her slim shoulders. When Belle turned, Lily laced up the back and cinched in the waist.

Belle spun around, and the dress swirled around her ankles. Her long neck rose from creamy bare shoulders, and the dress accentuated her figure. “How do I look?”

“Lovely, just lovely.” Belle would attract the attention of every man in the house. Even Drew. Lily pushed down her dismay and managed to smile. “Your aunt will be fretting. I’m sure they’re waiting the meal on you.”

“Of course.” Belle grabbed a wrap and draped it over one arm. She started for the door, then turned. “Oh, and, Lily?”

“Yes, Miss Belle?”

“Let us be clear. The only reason I didn’t discharge you on the spot is that I like the way you do my hair. But if I find you dallying with Mr. Hawkes again, no amount of hairdressing skill will save you. Are we clear?”

Lily held her gaze. “I understand. Thank you for giving me another chance. It won’t happen again.”

“I should hope not. You may accompany me downstairs, but keep your distance from him tonight as well. Another maid can bring the food to the table. If he even looks your way, I’ll hold you responsible for the consequences.”

She inclined her head toward the door, and Lily sprang forward to open it. Her throat ached from holding back the tears as she followed her mistress down the sweeping stairs to the first floor.

How was she to help bring her father’s killer to justice if she couldn’t help Drew?

TEN

D
rew managed to get seated to the left of Vesters. The man was a veritable endless pit. The amount of food he consumed turned Drew’s stomach. Vesters had ignored him for much of the meal, concentrating instead on his plate. It was going to take a few days for Vesters to come around to admitting Drew might be able to help him. No one liked his secrets being laid bare.

He’d seen Lily only once when she came to the doorway bearing pies that she transferred to another maid. When he’d tried to catch her attention, she turned her head and slipped away.

On his left Belle took a sip of her wine. “Uncle Everett, have you heard from the police?”

Across the table from her, her uncle put down his fork and frowned. “They did not find the villain.”

“Did you tell them about the man I saw in the park?”

Drew tensed. He’d asked her not to say anything. Now the Whites would think he and Lily had turned them in. They would be unlikely to give them any other aid.

Everett shook his head. “Not yet. I will when they report back to me.”

Maybe he could get to Everett and convince him to stay silent, but in the meantime, Everett might have other knowledge Drew
needed. “You know everything about butterflies. Have you seen live butterflies encased in glass?”

Everett picked up his glass of port. “Oh yes. One of my companies makes them. The butterflies are common, of course. Why do you ask? I can arrange for you to have one if you like.”

Drew couldn’t imagine anything worse than trapping a living creature in glass. “I saw one today. The woman who was attacked the other day received one anonymously.”

Belle shrugged. “Probably a suitor. The globes are quite popular, Aunt Camille says.”

But Everett was frowning. “The police came to see me. The other three women who were killed had a globe among their possessions. I examined them, and they seem to have come from my business.”

“A warning from the killer?”

“So the police suspect. The woman should report it to the police.”

“And she should make sure she’s not alone. The killer might come back,” Belle said.

He eyed her. He would have pegged her as totally wrapped up in her own little world with no thought for those disadvantaged outside her small circle. She took a small bite of her pie, then dabbed her lips and smiled at him. The gleam in her eye made him uncomfortable. He was using her to get close to her uncle, and it made him feel like a cad. But then, wasn’t he? It was clear he’d practically ruined Lily’s life, and he had never intended to bring her harm. Quite the contrary, he’d wanted to protect her.

Instead, he’d destroyed any chance they had at a future. She should have had several children clinging to her skirts, instead she was slaving away in this big house. Lately he’d been questioning everything he’d done in the past few years. What had he accomplished
with his life since he left Larson? Nothing really. He hadn’t brought Ballard to justice, and the man’s victims were still unavenged.

Lily entered the room and carried more dishes to the sideboard behind him. He tensed and wished he could speak to her.

He realized Belle had spoken to him. “I’m sorry?”

Her lips smiled but her eyes didn’t. “I asked if you’d like to accompany me and my uncle on a ride along the river tomorrow afternoon. He’s taking me for ice cream.”

“I’d be delighted.”

A light came on in her eyes. “We plan to leave about two.”

“I’ll be here.” He watched Lily hurry from the room with her face pale. Had she overheard him making plans with Belle?

Chairs scraped as the guests rose. Everett beckoned the men to follow him to the smoking room while the ladies retired to the parlor. Drew took the opportunity to excuse himself for a moment. He had to find Lily to see what had happened when she’d gotten back. Something was wrong. He’d seen it in her tense shoulders and averted eyes.

Belle was speaking with another guest when he slipped out of the dining room and made his way down the hall to the kitchen. If he could just get Lily’s attention without any of the other servants noticing . . .

But the kitchen buzzed with activity when he peeked in. He ducked back before anyone saw him lurking. The last thing he wanted was for it to be common knowledge that Lily and he were acquainted. It would elicit too many questions.

He took another glance into the room. This time he saw Lily scrubbing the big wooden table. She looked up just as his head poked into the room. Her eyes widened and she glanced around. He motioned to her, and she shook her head. Frowning, he motioned again. She sighed and took a step in his direction. He ducked his head
back and went to stand in a small alcove in the pantry. Moments later footsteps sounded on the wood floors.

“Are you trying to get me fired?” she whispered.

“Fired?”

Her eyes sparked fire. “Miss Belle said I was not to speak to you again or she would let me go. We’ll have to meet secretly.”

His pulse leaped at the suggestion that she wanted to see him. “When and how?”

Confusion clouded her eyes. “I need to find out what Jane and her brother know. I’ll visit them and manage to get a note to you.”

She was talking about investigating, not anything personal. “Of course.” He managed to hide his disappointment. Did she have no feelings left for him? Could he blame her after what he’d done?

“I have to go. If Belle catches me, I’m in trouble.” She shot him another glance from her blue eyes. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”

“Just fine.” He wasn’t about to let her know she’d just stomped all over his heart.

The guests had departed, and the kitchen was clean. Lily stood in the housekeeper’s small parlor with her hands behind her back. The scent of cinnamon from a bowl of potpourri filled the air. Her pulse hadn’t stopped throbbing in her throat from the moment she’d been summoned here.

She glanced around the room. The brown horsehair sofa was threadbare. A battered lamp stand held a picture of Mrs. O’Reilly with a young man who had to be her brother from the resemblance. Two other chairs were crammed into the small space, and a basket of yarn and knitting needles sat beside the rocker. When did Mrs.
O’Reilly have time to knit? Lily had rarely seen her when she wasn’t attending to household duties.

Mrs. O’Reilly stepped through the door. Her apron was spotless, but a few tendrils of red hair had escaped the tight bun. She gestured to the hardback chair. “Sit.”

Lily obeyed. The hard wood bit into the back of her thighs, and she clung to the discomfort to sharpen her senses. “You wanted to see me?”

Mrs. O’Reilly sat in a rocker and clasped her hands in her lap. “I did. You’re new here, Lily. You’ve never been in service before, so I think you need some things explained to you.”

Lily sagged back in the chair. She wasn’t getting fired. It was just a reprimand. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll admit it’s all quite new.”

“Miss Belle can be a demanding employer. She has a good heart, but she’s had everything handed to her. I’ve known her since she was a girl. You’ll do fine if you keep your wits about you and mind her. One bit of sass and you’re gone, though. I’d hate to see that happen.”

“I don’t plan to sass her, ma’am. I’m trying my best to please her. If she’s complained about something, please tell me so I can do better.”

“She hasn’t complained, but when she wants something, she goes after it. And right now she wants Mr. Hawkes. If you get in her way, it won’t be pleasant.”

Heat scorched Lily’s cheeks.
And what if there’s a prior claim?
She bit back the retort. “I won’t get in her way.”

Mrs. O’Reilly lifted a brow. “I saw you go to town today with Mr. Hawkes. And then you left the kitchen tonight to speak with him. Miss Belle specifically told you to stay away from him, did she not?”

“She did. Mr. Hawkes insisted I ride with him to town instead of walking, and he had a question tonight about an incident in town.”

“Hawkes is not your employer.”

Lily clenched her hands together. “No, ma’am. He was insistent, and I didn’t know how to refuse.”

“Next time simply say you’ll be fired if you fraternize with the guests.” Her brown eyes sharpened. “And make no bones about it, Lily. If it happens again, you
will
be let go.”

Lily wanted to tell the housekeeper that Drew had been hers. That he wasn’t what he seemed. But she clamped her lips together and nodded. “I’ll do that.”

Mrs. O’Reilly studied her for a long moment. “Unfortunately, you’re an attractive young woman. Mr. Lambreth seems to have noticed those attractions as well. Mrs. Marshall has plans for him. You’d do well to steer clear of him too.” Her expression softened. “I like you, Lily. You’re a hard worker, and you’re trying your best with Miss Belle. That goes a long way with me. The poor child has been through so much, and I’d like to see her happy and settled. If she wants Mr. Hawkes, I intend to see she gets him.”

Lily ignored the burst of pain in her chest. “Through so much? You mean her father’s death?”

“Not just that. Her mother had little time for her, and when she died, Belle’s father was gone a lot with his business. Her older brothers moved away as quickly as they could, and Belle was left alone too much. So now that she has her aunt and uncle catering to her every whim, she’s spreading her wings a little. It’s understandable.”

Poor thing. Lily might not have had a lot of money, but she’d had her parents there to love and guide her for her growing-up years. “I’ll try to help her all I can.”

Mrs. O’Reilly’s eyes narrowed. “With Mr. Hawkes as well?”

Lily managed a smile. “Her love life is not my business, but I will see she looks her best. The rest is up to her.”

“And you’ll discourage Mr. Hawkes’s pursuit of you?”

Lily’s cheeks warmed. “He hasn’t been pursuing me! It’s all quite innocent.”

“An innocent friendship can quickly change to deliberate seduction.”

Lily gasped and rose. “Really, Mrs. O’Reilly. Mr. Hawkes has no designs on my virtue.”
He already took it
. At the housekeeper’s quelling stare, Lily sank back onto the uncomfortable chair.

Mrs. O’Reilly plucked up a speck of lint as if outraged it had dared to appear on her sofa. “And you’re naive if you think that. I’ve seen the way his gaze follows you around the dining room. If Miss Belle notices, you’ll be out on the street. You must discourage him once and for all.”

Lily swallowed. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I know I sound harsh, but this is for your own good.”

“And I’m grateful. I won’t let you down.”

“I hope not.” Mrs. O’Reilly rose and moved to the door. “You’re dismissed.”

Lily escaped the close room and pulled the door shut behind her. She leaned on the wall and exhaled. How was she going to help Drew and keep her job? She needed the job, but she
had
to help avenge her father.

Drew was staying here. How could she stay out of his way? A small pulse of rebellion flared. And why should she? He’d been hers once. Belle had no right to lay claim on him just because she was wealthy. Drew wasn’t a man who could be bought. At least Lily didn’t think he’d changed that much. And what of his avowal that he still loved her? She hadn’t dared to bring out his words and examine them.

She would not be hurt again.

ELEVEN

T
he air was chilly when Lily awoke, but the birds were singing in spite of the rain pounding at the windows and drenching the yard. She felt a dull sense of unhappiness when she remembered her reprimands the day before. She’d only been here a week, and already her mistress was unhappy with her. Through no fault of her own. It seemed very unfair, but she should be used to unfair. It was unfair her father had been killed in the prime of his life. It was unfair her mother had been taken from her.