One hour later, Eliza found herself at the mercy of a maid named Mabel, who apparently took every word Gloria said to heart and was now diligently applying herself to the task of making Eliza “appear her best.” She winced when hot tongs nearly burned off a layer of her scalp, but she didn’t utter a sound, still too amazed at the latest turn of events to even consider voicing a protest about the attention she was now receiving.
She’d been certain Gloria would show her the door after she learned all the particulars regarding her less than honest means of tracking down Bartholomew Hayes, including posing as a governess and taking advantage of the Watson family. Such had not been the case. Gloria had listened to her story, asking a few questions here and there, and when Eliza was finished with her tale, Gloria had sent her a rather alarming look before turning to Hamilton and ordering him from the room before she’d summoned Mabel.
Eliza was a bit concerned regarding the seemingly ever-present glint in Gloria’s eyes, but with all the scrubbing, pulling, and curling, she’d not had a moment to contemplate the matter further.
“Ah, good, your hair is almost done,” Gloria exclaimed, striding into the room with her arms laden with clothing. “I took the liberty of bringing you some of my daughter’s gowns. They won’t be a perfect fit, but seeing as how Mr. Watson has not yet had the common courtesy to send your possessions over, Arabella’s gowns will have to do.”
“Won’t Arabella mind my absconding with her gowns?”
“Hardly, she has an entire wardrobe filled with gowns she’s never worn,” Gloria said. “Besides, Arabella isn’t currently at home. She’s traveling out west with my husband, Douglas, who needed to go to California to check on a railroading venture he’s involved in at the moment.”
“Did you not care to take the trip with them?” Eliza asked.
“Truth be told, I normally do accompany Douglas on his adventures, but since my grandbabies are without a proper mother, I decided it would be best if I stayed close to home for the moment.”
The gleam in Gloria’s eyes intensified, causing alarm to course through Eliza’s veins.
The woman was up to something, and Eliza had a sneaky suspicion that something concerned a proper mother for Piper and Ben. She opted to change the subject and prayed Gloria was the type of woman to become easily distracted.
“What does Arabella do when she travels with her father?”
“She’s a strong supporter of the women’s suffrage movement and adores nothing more than attending rallies to spread the word. I’m sure the two of you will get along famously after she returns to town.”
Eliza winced when Mabel took that moment to give a last tug to her hair before she stepped aside and gestured to the privacy screen. Eliza rose from the chair, moved to where Mabel indicated, and accepted the clothes Gloria tossed over to her. She shrugged out of the dressing gown she was wearing, slipped into the soft undergarments, and waited for Mabel to lace her up before pulling the gown over her head.
“I don’t want to disappoint you, Mrs. Beckett,” she said as she stepped out from behind the screen, “but I’m not sure I’ll still be around to make your daughter’s acquaintance. I do need to return to England.”
Gloria muttered something undetectable under her breath before she smiled. “Don’t you look pretty as a picture in lavender? Hamilton will be completely delighted.”
Obviously that had been a glint in Gloria’s eyes, and apparently the woman was already scheming. Eliza took a deep breath, but before she could get a single statement out of her mouth, such as the fact that she was not in the market for a man, Gloria turned on her heel and strode out of the room.
Now, that was odd and more than a little abrupt.
“Aren’t you coming?” Gloria asked, poking her head back through the door. “The morning is almost gone, and I, for one, am famished. We’ll join Piper and Ben in the dining room.”
She’d forgotten all about Piper and Ben. “Surely they won’t still be there, will they?” she asked as she moved across the room and walked with Gloria down a long hallway.
Gloria smiled. “I have not heard any sounds of disaster, so I’m hopeful they are indeed still in the dining room.”
“What if they’re not?”
“It might be best not to even consider that idea,” Gloria muttered.
They reached the bottom of the stairs, and Eliza took a moment to glance around, appreciating the tasteful, yet luxurious décor surrounding her.
“It is quite lovely here,” she finally said.
“Could do with a woman’s touch,” Gloria said with a wide smile and a knowing wink.
“Then I suppose it is fortunate your son has you around,” Eliza said with a wink of her own.
“I would not dream of offering Hamilton suggestions on décor,” Gloria said. “That decision really should be left to a wife.”
The conversation was becoming downright disturbing. Eliza opened her mouth even as her mind struggled to find a suitable reply, but her response was cut off when Piper took that moment to stomp into view.
“I thought everyone was going to join me and Ben for breakfast,” Piper grouched as she came to a stop right in front of Eliza and sent Gloria an injured look. “We waited and waited, and then, well, we finally had to eat, but what if Ben or I’d choked? Who’d have been there to save us?”
“Do you and Ben make a habit of choking on your food?” Eliza asked.
“They’ve never once choked,” Gloria said with a roll of her eyes.
“You always say it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Piper returned. “Food can be dangerous.”
Eliza grinned. “I’m sorry we didn’t join you, Piper, but your grandmother thought it best for me to freshen up before we left the room. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable sitting down to dine dressed in trousers.”
Piper eyed her for a moment. “Do you only wear trousers when you’re up to something shifty? Miss Brighton read me a book about ladies who were criminals, and it said they were shifty. I don’t know what ‘shifty’ means, but I think it has something to do with women wearing trousers.”
“Once again I find myself questioning the employment of Miss Brighton,” Gloria mumbled before she took Piper by the arm and began tugging her down another hallway, Eliza following a few steps behind. “Piper, Miss Sumner isn’t a criminal, but a member of British high society. Her proper form of address is Lady Eliza Sumner, but she prefers, for the moment, to be called Miss Sumner.” She stopped walking and frowned. “Speaking of criminals, I still don’t understand why the London authorities didn’t take any action against Mr. Hayes or help you find him, especially as you are indeed an aristocrat.”
“Mr. Hayes was so convincing with his lies that even Scotland Yard dismissed my accusations.” She heaved a sigh. “I was actually told they found me to be a touch delusional.”
“What’s ‘delusional’?” Piper asked.
“Crazy,” Gloria said.
“Miss Sumner doesn’t seem crazy.”
“Thank you, Piper. It’s very reassuring to know someone finds me sane,” Eliza said with a grin.
“I hope you won’t think me too forward, Miss Sumner,” Gloria began, “but I’m acquainted with quite a few people over in England, some of them involved in the highest levels of government. Would you mind if I wrote them regarding your situation? They might be able to lend some assistance in restoring your father’s good name.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you through the bother, Mrs. Beckett.”
“It wouldn’t be a bother, my dear, and please, call me Gloria.”
Eliza felt her eyes well with tears as she realized there were still people left in the world who were possessed of compassion, people who wished to help her for no other reason than wanting to extend her a kindness. Her world tilted on the spot.
“Thank you,” she finally managed to say. “You must call me Eliza.”
“Why is your voice all shaky?” Piper asked.
Eliza was spared having to respond when Gloria began walking again, pulling Piper beside her. They entered the dining room and her gaze settled on Ben, who was slouching in a chair. His head shot up and a smile that reminded Eliza exactly of Hamilton’s smile spread over his face. She moved to the chair right next to him, waited until a servant pulled it out for her, and then sat down, completely charmed when Ben pushed a muffin in front of her, a muffin sporting what appeared to be tiny teeth marks on one side.
“I saved this for you,” he said before he plopped his thumb into his mouth.
“Thank you, Ben,” Eliza said before she picked up the muffin and took a bite. She swallowed and smiled. “It’s delicious, the best muffin I’ve ever eaten.”
Ben grinned around his thumb and edged a little closer to her, his plump arm brushing against her sleeve.
“Ah, finally I’ve discovered everyone’s whereabouts,” Hamilton said as he strode into the room. He bent over when Piper let out a squeal and rushed to his side, and Eliza’s heart melted when he scooped his daughter into his arms and placed a loud kiss on her cheek. “Are you enjoying your morning, darling?” he asked.
Piper shook her head. “We were abandoned until just now and . . . Ben gave Miss Sumner a muffin. He never gives me muffins.”
“’Cause you’re my sister,” Ben stated as if that explained everything.
Eliza shifted her attention back to Hamilton and discovered him giving her a somewhat lingering perusal. She felt her pulse gallop through her veins under his intense regard and wondered what he was thinking.
“Doesn’t Eliza look enchanting?” Gloria asked.
“She looks . . . lovely.”
Although “lovely” could certainly be considered a compliment, there was a distinct note of what sounded almost like disgruntlement in his voice.
Did he find something lacking in her intricately styled hair, or could he not appreciate the way the lavender color of his sister’s gown brought out the blue of her eyes?
Could he be comparing her with his beautiful, yet apparently troubled, deceased wife?
That was not something Eliza wanted to consider. To hide her discomfort, because his gaze was becoming more disconcerting by the second, she stuffed a piece of muffin into her mouth and promptly choked.
Hamilton set Piper down, strode to her side, and pounded her soundly on the back.
“I’m fine,” she managed to gasp as he continued to pound.
“See?” Piper said. “I told you food was dangerous.”
Eliza choked again when a laugh took her by surprise, accepted the glass of water a servant pressed into her hands, and took a sip, willing her pulse to settle. For some unknown reason, it was racing as if she’d just performed an exacting task.
If only Hamilton would move away from her, maybe she’d be able to collect her scattered wits.
It was beyond disturbing, this reaction she kept having whenever he was near.
She chanced a glance at Gloria and found her watching Hamilton with what could only be described as delight.
This was bad; Gloria seemed to have found something encouraging in her son’s behavior, although what could be encouraging about a gentleman who was now glowering in Eliza’s direction was beyond her. If she didn’t regain control of the situation, Gloria would soon start planning a wedding, with or without her consent.
“Has there been any word from Mr. Watson?” Eliza asked when she finally recovered her voice, hoping that would put an end to all the pesky plots that were apparently swirling around her.
“We do not need to talk about him at the moment,” Gloria said with a pointed look to Piper and Ben. “Besides, we have more important matters to discuss.”
It was truly remarkable how innocent Gloria could appear, especially when she was clearly pursuing some ulterior motive.
“What important matters?” Eliza found herself asking.
“We need to take you shopping. Arabella’s gowns will do well in a pinch, but you really deserve garments tailored to your own personal style.”
That certainly wasn’t what she’d expected to come out of Gloria’s mouth. “I have no desire to go shopping,” Eliza said slowly.
“Nonsense, Eliza, every woman adores shopping. I simply must take you to the Ladies Mile or Fashion Row, and we can take the El to get there,” Gloria said with an innocent smile.
“I love the El,” Piper said.
That explained the innocent smile.
Feeling decidedly outnumbered, Eliza released a huff. “What, pray tell, is the El?”
“It’s a raised train,” Hamilton explained. “It’s one of the easiest ways to get around the city, and Piper enjoys traveling on it.”
“Of course we would take Piper with us,” Gloria said.
The woman apparently had no qualms about using her granddaughter as a pawn in whatever diabolical plot she was currently conceiving. “I don’t want to disappoint Piper, but if you’ve forgotten, I’m trying to remain unnoticed at the moment.”
“I highly doubt you’ll be recognized on the crowded streets of New York,” Gloria replied.
Eliza crossed her arms over her chest. “You may very well have a point, but I just remembered the small fact I have no funds available to me at the moment, seeing as how all of my belongings and wages are still back at the Watson residence. Besides,” she continued when Gloria opened her mouth, “even if I did have my funds with me, they are relatively limited, and I do not have the luxury of wasting them on trivial purchases.”
“Proper clothing is hardly trivial,” Gloria muttered.
“I would be more than happy to provide you with funds,” Hamilton said, speaking up as he smiled one of his devastating smiles in Eliza’s direction.
It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts, and when she finally collected them, she felt more confused than ever. Why was he being so pleasant when, mere moments before, he’d seemed rather distant and almost surly?
The only explanation that came to her was that gentlemen were obviously odd beings, and she should not even attempt to understand them.
“I do appreciate the offer, Mr. Beckett, but it would not be proper to accept money from you, considering I’m already accepting your hospitality,” she finally said. “I’m not comfortable, as I’ve stated numerous times, accepting charity.”
“It would have been fun,” Piper said softly, drawing Eliza’s attention. She couldn’t help but notice the way Piper was standing a little away from the table, scuffing the toe of her shoe against the floor. As she continued to watch the child, a memory of her mother flashed to mind, a memory of shopping and the delight Eliza had felt as she’d accompanied her mother down Bond Street. Piper would never have such memories, as her mother was long dead.
Admitting defeat, she rolled her eyes. “Very well, I’ll go shopping, but I’m not purchasing anything.”
“Fair enough,” Gloria said. “At least it will allow us an opportunity to become better acquainted. Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”
“As long as we return by nightfall, I’m more than happy to go today,” Eliza said.
Eliza blinked when Hamilton let out a grunt.
“What are you planning on doing after nightfall?” he demanded.
“I have to continue with what I was doing last night,” Eliza said.
“That is out of the question.”
“Oh dear,” Gloria muttered as she jumped out of her chair, plucked Ben up in her arms, and took Piper by the hand, not speaking another word as she quickly ushered the children out of the dining room, leaving only a charged silence in her wake.