She was certain that Adam would not be coming to see her the following day. Mr. and Mrs. Finch had warned that he was a boy who came slowly about change in his emotions, and he would need time to settle his thoughts before he could see her with a clear head. She had the same sort of cautious sentiment herself, so she understood it in her son. The Finches also promised to send Jemmy or Martha with a note before they might make their visit so that she was not caught unawares.
So it was that Peggy had an entire day to figure out what her plan was for remaining in the village without causing a stir. She had one idea, but she did not care for it. Not in the least.
After checking in on the Bannings, who would spend the entire day preparing their carts and animals so that they could be off at first light, she stopped by the stables to take her own mount out for what she decided would be a pleasant ride up to Whitefall Hall. The Bannings had been both sad and hopeful when she had shared her intention to remain behind. Of course, Mrs. Banning and the boys would miss her company, but the woman also understood the importance of Peggy reconnecting with her son.
“Do what you must,” she had whispered as she had pulled Peggy in close for a hug. Then, she slipped a small vial into Peggy’s palm and closed her hand over it. “I know you always say you aren’t looking for love, but if by chance you change your mind or meet a nice gentleman that needs a little helping along, you just use this.” Peggy glanced down at her palm to the bottle labeled Ardor.
She shook her head and laughed, slipping it into her purse for the herbalist’s benefit. Peggy had seen Mrs. Banning make her supposed love potions. They were nothing more than a blend of periwinkle and apple skins, apples as red as a kiss, Mrs. Banning would say, that had been soaked in oil, drained, and then the scented oil was diluted with rosewater. There was nothing magical about it, but Mrs. Banning made quite the steady stream of coin selling such things to foolish girls and lonely wives. Perhaps, just the thought that the potion might work was enough to provide the confidence needed, but Peggy would not be fooled. She was a realist. Love did not come in a bottle. Love, she thought, did not come at all.
“I’m telling you it works.” Mrs. Banning chuckled but then turned her back to the crowd behind her and winked for Peggy alone. “Got me three strapping boys out of it, I did.”
Peggy chuckled and kissed the herbalist on the cheek. She said farewell to the young mischief-makers and waved to the bard one last time before climbing up onto her horse. She kicked the mount into motion and settled in for a nice leisurely ride to Whitefall Hall, where she still owed one particular baron an apology.
Peggy was pleased to find both the Baron and his sister in residence when she made her impromptu call. In her distracted state, she had not thought enough ahead to have sent word of her intention. In such isolated parts of the English countryside, she had merely assumed that their calendars would be clear. She was fortunate to find that her assumption proved to be true. Miss Nora was thrilled with the arrival of her friend and called at once for a tray to be brought to the breakfast room.
“I had thought to make my way to town in an hour or two,” the lady explained, “to bother you for entertainments.” Together they laughed. “However, my dear brother warned me that you would be in preparations for your departure and might not wish to be bothered. I did not want to be a bother or distraction, and yet still I could not bear the thought of your leaving without a proper farewell. I must say, I’ve been beside myself.”
“I certainly would not have wished to leave without having seen you,” Peggy assured her friend while looking around the otherwise empty room with a feigned glare, as if she would censure the Baron upon sight. The gentleman had yet to join them. Peggy was glad of that. She needed a few moments to calm her nerves, and the Baron’s presence was anything but calming. Speaking to Miss Nora was easy enough; she would accept Peggy’s words from the off. Peggy had no inkling of doubt in her mind that Miss Nora could be won over. It was her sibling to whom Peggy owed an explanation.
“It is my departure about which I have come to speak with you,” Peggy began and forced herself to settle her hands neatly within her lap rather than wringing them as she felt inclined to do. Though she had agreed with Mr. and Mrs. Finch on the proposal to remain in Riversbend for a time, she could not help the feeling of overwhelming disappointment that her months of planning had gone awry. She knew somewhere deep inside of her that it was for the best. And yet it still felt like a monumental failure. She felt like a failure. To have been so thoroughly rejected by her own son and to now be stuck in this place while she awaited his understanding brought her no joy. Her only hope was that he could be convinced, and swiftly. For she refused to consider the unthinkable; that he might never agree to take his place at her side.
“Oh?” Miss Nora wondered aloud. “Does the weather not suit for the road? Will there be a delay?” The lady laughed and explained that though she knew it was unkind to have such selfish hope, she had on several occasions wished for just such a thing.
“Not exactly.” Peggy laughed with a nervous edge. “The others will be moving on in the morning.”
There was a deafening silence as Miss Nora pierced her with a searching gaze. Peggy could not bring herself to say the words, for then it must be real. Then Miss Nora said them for her.
“But not you,” Miss Nora stated tentatively. She held her excitement, her hope, at bay with the stoic features of one bred to the well-mannered habits of the Ton. One did not reveal too much of their emotions until they were certain of the company. It was so unlike Miss Nora’s natural exuberant tendencies that Peggy wanted to laugh. Instead, she nodded her confirmation. At this, Miss Nora clasped her hands together at her breast and revealed a radiant grin. “Assure me that this is not a jest,” she begged.
“No. It is not.”
Nora threw her arms around her friend and laughed aloud. “I am so glad.”
“I am looking for work,” Peggy said.
Miss Nora was shaking her head in the negative. “Nonsense. I’ll not hear of it. You will be my guest,” she said with all the surety of an aristocrat.
“I cannot,” Peggy said. She took a deep breath. “In the past, I was a laundress… It really is the only work I know.”
Miss Nora’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “That is not true,” she blurted. “You obviously know the mercantile business.”
“That is a man’s job,” Peggy said.
“Poppycock,” spat Miss Nora. “Here, in this town, it is your job. Only say the word.”
“Well, I must speak with your brother first,” Peggy explained. “If I am to stay, albeit temporarily, I shall need to make accommodations. I believe he might be of help in that matter.”
“Nonsense!” Miss Nora exclaimed shaking her head most vigorously. “You shall stay here for as long as you need. As my guest.” Peggy was pleased to note that her friend had taken her explanation of a temporary residence to heart and had not begged for something more permanent. Still, if she were to manage this situation with Adam with any chance of privacy, it could not be done from one of the most prominent estates in the county.
Peggy shook her head. “I am afraid I cannot impose,” she explained and raised her hand to stop her friend when she opened her mouth to repeat the offer. “I am a solitary creature at heart and used to being on my own. I would like to speak with your brother about arrangements in town as you had once suggested. You are right to think that it would be impractical to remain at the inn, but neither can I stay here so far from town. I need a purpose, and I think I have a plan that would be beneficial to both of us.”
Peggy spent the next half hour explaining her intentions to her young friend. Of course, she left out anything that even remotely indicated her involvement with Adam or the Finch family. Instead, she revealed that she would be willing to offer her services to help the town grow by spearheading the reopening of the haberdashery. Then, once the shop was on its feet and a new merchant could be found, she would be free to leave without constraints.
“But…” Miss Nora mused. “Would it not be too trying a task? On your emotions, I mean. The subject seemed to upset you, and while you have my full encouragement in your decision to remain at Riversbend, I would hate for you to be unhappy in the undertaking.”
Peggy offered a wan smile. It was not ideal, but she could not admit that to her friend, and truthfully, the mercantile was a better choice than laundry. She hated being a laundress and all the memories that entailed, but she had also sworn long ago that she would give up any involvement that reminded her of her father and his lecherous dealings.
Yet, she had nothing else to offer, no other skill set that could benefit this small community. This was a chance for her to grow the minor fortune that she had been given and build it into something that could provide Adam with the opportunity to have anything he wanted out of life; to be whatever he wanted. She would give him things of which most bastard sons could never dream. She would give him a successful future. He could study a trade or arrange a tenancy with a prosperous landlord. If she did well enough, she could even afford to send him to get a proper education. To achieve such ends, she could not allow her financial security to dwindle. She would not put her son in a position to live hand to mouth. And more importantly, she refused, resolutely refused, to find herself in a position where she must subjugate herself to another ever again—not to a master—and she would certainly not lower herself to the horrors of taking a husband for the mere sake of providing for herself and her son. That was just a different kind of servitude.
She had learned better than to ever tie herself to a man again. She might be breaking her vow to avoid anything in relation to trade, a petulant decision that had more to do with refusing her father the satisfaction than forsaking her own honor, but it was only a brief and lesser evil, she assured herself. These others were vows on which she must stand firm.
“As it shall only be a short-term arrangement, I think I can manage,” she explained. “Besides, as you said, I have the knowledge and might as well use it for good.”
Miss Nora leapt up with excitement and embraced Peggy in a most casual way that left her laughing. If all of the peerage possessed even a hint of Miss Nora’s pleasant demeanor and kind spirit, England would be a much better place. As it was, Peggy had far more experience with those on the opposite side of the coin. Only a handful could she thus far claim to trust and respect. Still, she was happy to see that number growing. Perhaps one day the good would outweigh the bad.