Hunter's Prize (22 page)

“Excuse me?”

“Freshening up inside, too.”

“Oh my, that seems too close.”

“Don’t fret, dear. Between you, me, and Delilah, we won’t let Ceddy out of sight for a moment.”

If Priscilla knew the true reason Addie felt uncomfortable around Pearson, she’d be stunned.

“I don’t want you to worry, honey. Together we’ll see this through.” Drawing away, she wrinkled her nose. “Oh my. What’s that horrid smell?”

Addie held out her skirt. “I fear it’s me, courtesy of Ceddy.”

Priscilla waved her toward the door. “Go on and freshen up forlunch. I’ll stay with him until you return. Delilah is laying the table, but I’ll send her up the minute she’s finished.”

“Where are the men?”

“In typical male fashion, they couldn’t wait until after the meal. They’re tramping through the cottages out back, deciding which one is fit to occupy.”

“Can’t Delilah bring a tray upstairs for Ceddy and me? Surely you don’t need me at the table.”

A shocked look crossed her face. “Of course I do. I’ll need you to spend as much time as possible with Mr. Foster, Addie. How else will you help me decide if he’s to be trusted?”

Pearson patted the beam in the center of the room, flinching when plaster rained down on his head. “She warned us they were in disrepair. I’m afraid she wasn’t kidding.”

Theo, far handier with a hammer and nails, scurried around the room like the only ant at a picnic. “They’re not so bad. Nothing that can’t be fixed.”

“So this is the one, boys?” Reverend Stroud asked.

“Yes, sir,” Theo said. “It’s the most structurally sound of the three.”

Pearson dared to look up again. “Can you do something about this ceiling? I don’t relish paint chips as a complement to my meals.”

The reverend laughed. “Oh, but you heard Priscilla, son. You won’t be taking your meals out here.”

Pearson studied his face. “I think the lady said a lot of things she didn’t want to say. Are you sure we’re welcome to stay?”

The reverend patted his shoulder. “Don’t mind her quirky ways, son. I’ve known Priscilla for many years, and her heart is good. If I had to guess, she’s worried about how others will view your presence on the estate. I’m sure she’s intent on protecting the reputation of that pretty little governess.”

Pearson nodded. “That’s high on my list of priorities, too, sir. If you think there’s any chance of talk in town, we’ll make other arrangements.”

“It’s not like you’re sleeping under the same roof.” He shook his head. “Leave the gossips to me. Once I place my seal of approval, no one will dare speak a word against them.” He motioned toward thedoor. “I think we’ve seen enough. Now that you’ve picked your cabin, I suspect I can commandeer a work force from the congregation.”

Theo grinned. “That would be a big help, sir. I won’t get much out of Pearson.”

“I’m sure they’ll be happy to lend a hand.” He patted his stomach. “Fellows, by now the table is groaning with platters. Delilah’s the second-best cook in Harrison County. Let’s go sample her wares, shall we?”

“Second?” Pearson asked. “Who’s the best?”

He waved his index finger. “Never mind, for now. I may let you in on the secret someday. For now, let’s keep that comment between us.”

Miss Whitfield met them in the hall and ushered them to the dining room.

Addie, already seated, glanced up as they entered, offering a smile to Reverend Stroud and Theo, a curt nod for Pearson.

True to his word, the reverend seemed eager to try every steaming dish as soon as the ‘Amens’ were said.

Not to be outdone, Theo took a healthy serving from every bowl passed to him.

His conscience raw from feeling he’d forced himself on the gracious lady seated at the head of the table, Pearson had no appetite.

“Is everything all right?” she asked, her troubled gaze on his hands, lying still next to his plate.

He ducked his head and picked up his fork. “Oh yes, ma’am. It looks delicious.”

She watched him for several minutes, her mouth fidgeting as if she couldn’t find the words she wanted to say. “If there’s anything else you need, please say so, and I’ll get it for you. Delilah is busy with Ceddy today. He’s ill, I’m afraid, and confined to his room.” She studied his face, as if waiting for his reaction. “The poor child isn’t the same after his frightening ordeal. Of course, we won’t be leaving him alone anymore.” She cleared her throat. “That is, there will be someone with him at all times.”

Pearson felt the need to squirm under her attentive gaze. “I think that’s a wise idea.”

She took a bite of sweet potato and nodded thoughtfully. “Can you imagine the sort of man who would deliberately injure a child?”

He met her eyes. “No, ma’am, I can’t.”

“It’s a deplorable act, don’t you agree?”

“I do indeed.”

“You mentioned a little brother….”

Pearson laid down his fork.

“If anyone had ever harmed him, how would it make you feel?”

The room stilled. The others stopped eating to watch the exchange.

“I can answer that question from experience.”

Her brows peaked. “Oh?”

“You see, someone did harm him. In fact, he lost his life.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. “I thought your family died in a storm. No one is responsible for that.”

He shrugged. “Maybe not. Then again, they might not have died if I’d been there to help.”

“Oh, Mr. Foster,” Addie said from across the table, “you mustn’t think that.”

Her unexpected sympathy surprised him. He longed to look at her, but shame kept his eyes on his plate.

Theo leaned past him to see Miss Whitfield. “No one could’ve saved them. Not a soul from the neighborhood survived. If he’d been there, instead of on holiday with my family, he wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Reverend Stroud reached across the table and gripped Pearson’s hand. “I’m sure Pearson knows that in his head. Sometimes the heart is slow to follow.”

Embarrassed and angry with himself for displaying his emotions so openly, Pearson cleared his throat. “I’d love a piece of that cake now, if nobody minds.”

Her cheeks damp with tears, Miss Whitfield stood. “Coming right up, dear. Along with a nice hot cup of coffee to wash it down.”

A
ddie sat quietly in the parlor, the first peaceful moment she’d had all day. Muted sunlight, peeking around the edges of the drapes, a single lantern, the wick turned down low, and a waning fire in the fireplace provided meager light in the heavily shaded room.

After the meal, the others retired to the coolness of the garden. Addie hurried upstairs to relieve Delilah. Finding her napping on the floor by Ceddy’s bed, she’d covered her with a blanket then tiptoed out and shut the door.

Addie tried hard to match the mood of the house, but her restless heart was anything but quiet. She didn’t want to ache for Pearson Foster’s plight, didn’t want her mind consumed by thoughts of a man attracted to a married woman.

The parlor door swung open. Pearson stood on the threshold, blinking against the dimness. His squinted eyes came to rest on her then widened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.”

He began to back out the way he came, but she held up her hand. “It’s all right. Can I get you anything?”

He smiled, the sight of it stirring her heart. How could a man with such an appealing face be capable of any wrongdoing?

“They’re asleep.” He pointed toward the garden. “The reverend nodding in a chair, Miss Whitfield in the swing, and Theo sprawled on the ground in the sun. I didn’t want to wake them, so I thought I’d wait inside.”

She motioned. “Won’t you come in?”

He cocked his head. “You don’t mind?”

“It’s a little too quiet in the house. I could use the company.”

The shock on his face pained her, but why wouldn’t he be surprised? She’d been anything but cordial. “Besides, there’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

He propped the door open with the stop and crossed the room. “Fancy that. There’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you, too.”

“I suppose the only question now is who shall go first. Have a seat, please.”

Settling into Priscilla’s overstuffed chair, he stretched out his long legs and crossed his ankles. “No question there.” He waved in invitation. “Ladies first.”

Not nearly so confident with him sitting so close, she folded her hands in her lap. “This is awkward. I’m not sure where to begin.”

“If you start by apologizing for last Sunday’s outburst, it will save us a lot of time. Then we could dispense with both of our topics at once.”

She gaped at him. “You’re joking.”

He shook his head, not a hint of teasing on his somber face. “That’s my first rule. When it comes to my reputation, I never jest.”

Scowling, Addie crossed her arms and sank against the sofa, at a loss for words.

He suffered no such impediment. “What is it with you, Miss McRae? How have I so thoroughly offended you?”

Her chin jerked up. “I should think it would be apparent.”

“Well, it’s not in the least.”

The passion in his tone startled her. She pressed deeper into the cushion.

“If I knew what I’d done”—suddenly smiling, he drew in his feet and sat forward—”I would shower you with apologies until you forgave me.”

Surprised, she glanced away.

“A word of warning, Miss McRae. The more you withdraw, the more determined I become to win your friendship.”

She raised flashing eyes. “I can see how some women find your flattery appealing, but I assure you, it won’t work with me.” The burning in her chest intensified. “Or with my mother.”

He cocked his head. “Your mother again? What does she have to do with anything?”

As absurd as it seemed, his offhanded attitude toward Mother made Addie madder than ever. “Have you so quickly forgotten her charms? What do they say? Out of sight, out of mind?”

“Mrs. McRae is a delightful woman. A kind and gentle soul. I haven’t forgotten her at all.”

Addie pushed off the couch and stormed to the hearth. “I suppose you penned all those compliments in the letter you sent her?” She hugged her waist. “Mr. Foster, sir, what were you thinking?” In the silence that followed, tiny hairs stood up on her neck.

Pearson angled his head. “So that’s what this is about?

Insufferable blatant arrogance! She spun. “Do you presume to suggest I’m jealous of my own mother?”

Pearson’s eyes flew wide. “Jealous?” He scooted to the edge of the chair, his wide stare closing to slits. “I think I’m beginning to understand now. When was the last time you heard from her?”

“Not since she left, if it’s any of your business.”

He nodded slowly then stood. “I expect you’ll be hearing from her soon. At that time you may regard me in a different light, but I fear this conversation will be the source of stinging embarrassment.” He drew a shallow breath. “For both of us.” With a curt nod, he strode for the door.

“You’re just going to walk away?” Addie called. “Without bothering to explain your deplorable behavior?”

“That’s my second rule, Miss McRae. On the matter of my honor, I never stoop to defending myself. I let my actions do the talking.”

Ceddy shot up in bed and stared. His chest burned from holding in a scream, and his stomach hurt. Eyes darting, he took in every corner of the room, terrified of what he might see.

Lilah lay beside him on the floor, breathing loud in her sleep. Scary Mr. Currie and big, ugly Charlie were gone. He clawed around his neck, but the sharp white shell cutting his skin was gone, too.

He slumped against his pillow, panting hard. Safe. In Aunt Priss’s house.

The fog began to clear, and his heart slowed. Were the men only there in his dream?

Cold without his nightshirt, he drew up his knees and cuddleddeeper into the mattress. Feeling for the quilt he’d kicked off in his sleep, he jerked it over his shoulders. The white stone flew up, crashed to the floor, and then rolled into Lilah.

She sat up rubbing her head. “Who done walloped me?”

Ceddy spun out of bed and slid on his knees to where Lilah sat. Shoving on her shoulder, he felt around the blanket and in the folds of her dress. “Mmm-muh.”

“Now, jus’ hold on, lil’ mista. Don’t go meddling about with me. I got nothin’ of yours.” She chuckled and held her hand over his head. “‘Less you hankerin’ after this old thing.”