Graysie was sitting with Minette on the veranda having scones and tea when she heard the squeak of coach wheels and she knew John Russell had returned. Her stomach gripped at the prospect of confronting him, but she also knew she could not just turn tail and run, although she wanted to. She owed him an explanation and her thanks.
The servants had already loaded their two trunks and leather carry-alls onto the wagon which was drawn up at the gate. She was certain he would not have missed that detail as he arrived. His scowl as he came up the front path proved it. He strolled up the steps and stood directly in front of her.
“Miss Castellanos.” He gave a little mock grin, as if to show he was playing, but a muscle pulsed under his left eye, like a warning light flicking on and off. Funny. She’d never noticed the nervous tic before.
“We’ve seen very little of you recently. I was beginning to wonder if we’d offended you.”
Graysie rose with a quick gasp. “Sir John. You’ve been wonderful. I’m sorry for my absence. It’s been… unavoidable.” She turned and paced a few steps. “Your hospitality really has been unrivalled…”
She saw that his face remained stony. “I just feel we can’t continue to take advantage of your kindness…” Her voice trailed off and she stood, hands hanging at her sides, for a few seconds before resuming her seat. Nothing for it but to charge on, she thought. Delay would only make things worse.
“This morning I called on the Sisters of Mercy, and they have kindly offered me a position teaching singing at their school.” Again she was aware of her sentence trailing off, sounding like an apology.
John’s eyes were flinty. “I see. So you have chosen to make alternative arrangements.”
Graysie detected the treacherous undercurrents: You have chosen to reject me.
Minette fidgeted in her chair. Once again the child was picking up on the rising tension without understanding its cause.
She turned to Minette. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go and help Mrs. Snively knead the dough while Sir John and I have a little talk?”
Minette rose, gave a dip of her head towards Sir John and skipped off towards the kitchen. Graysie turned back to the magnate.
“Sir John, I have had a wonderful stay. You rescued us when we were in desperate need! But I cannot continue to accept help from you when I have nothing to offer in return.”
As soon as the words were out she knew she’d been clumsy. When she glanced up she saw she’d lit a rage that John had, until now, managed to conceal. “Nothing to offer? You’ve forgotten that I indicated there could be a future for you here at Gold House?”
His jaw set in a hard line, and then, just as suddenly as his rage had bubbled up, it died, replaced by an icy detachment.
“Quite frankly, Miss Castellanos, I question your sanity. Why you would reject a comfortable future here for both you and that child to scratch away in poverty with the nuns, I can’t fathom.”
She sensed he was beyond the reach of her logic and any answer might provoke him further.
“Sir John, I have to be certain Minette is safe. I am feeling unnerved by these bizarre attacks and Willie’s serious injury is the final straw. I blame myself. I want to be there to do anything I can to help him get well again. And I’m worried about people close to me being attacked. I just couldn’t stand it if anyone else got hurt.”
“And you think the nuns can protect you better than I can?” He snorted. “That really is a joke.” He strolled to the balustrade and stared out into the garden, silent for a minute or two, while she held her breath and willed herself not to jump in with nervous explanations. Then he spun back to face her. “Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the problem?”
“Me?” Graysie felt a sharp cramping sensation deep in her gut and wondered for a moment if she was going to faint. Then it passed and she was aware her heart was racing.
“I don’t know what you mean. What are you hinting at?”
He skewered her with his cool stare. “You somehow persuaded Eustace to leave you that mine, God knows how. We’d been lifelong partners, yet he didn’t ever mention it to me. He left it to you—someone I understand he barely knew and hasn’t seen since the night your mother died.”
Graysie felt chilled to her core. “The night mother died? Was Eustace there? I don’t remember…”
The flicker in his eyes hinted that he’d said more than he intended. He took a deep breath. “There is a very great deal you don’t know, Miss Castellanos. And I’ll be the very last person you’ll hear it from. Now if you are determined to go to the nuns, you’d better do it. Off you go.” He fluttered his hand dismissively, like he’d just remembered far more important things that required his attention.
She shot him one last apologetic look, then fled for the kitchen. She could hear the peal of Minette’s laughter in the hall. At least she was having fun. She opened the kitchen door and stopped abruptly. Minette was standing at the kitchen table with a tea towel tied around her front, holding a knife dripping with vanilla cream over a tube-shaped pound cake. Minette’s favorite, and Mrs. S knew it.
Minette had a dab of cream on her chin. Mrs. Snively was up to her elbows in hot water at the sink, and Minette was applying the thick frosting under Nathan’s watchful eye. From the doorway she watched as he dabbed her chin with his handkerchief while Minette giggled. He sensed Graysie’s presence and his head jerked to where she stood watching them.
She gave him a brief nod and fixed her gaze on the child. “Come on, sweetie, finish up there now, we have to leave.” Graysie paused and turned to the housekeeper. “I hope she hasn’t been a nuisance, Mrs. Snively.”
“She’s been a total pet as always,” Mrs. Snively said, wiping her wet hands on her apron. “The cake is pretty well finished, poppet. You’ll have to come back and have a piece later when the cream topping has set.”
Minette stuck her bottom lip out as if to dispute her directions, but Nathan jumped in. “Come on, princess! Off to new adventures!” He untied the tea towel, gave her cheeks a cursory wipe, and turned her to face Graysie. “Where are you off to, if I may be so bold to ask?”
Graysie steeled herself to reply. “Actually, we’re moving to the Sisters of Mercy today. You always thought that would be more suitable for us, as I recall. I’ve come to agree.”
Mrs. Snively gave a yelp of protest. Nathan stared. Graysie took Minette by the hand.
“Come on, baby girl, we’ve got to get moving. We’ll come and visit Mrs. Snively another time.”