When Miss Nora appeared one morning with an invitation to a harvest ball, Peggy took a leap of faith and accepted.
“Now don’t you go thinking that this is a trap to throw you and Nash together,” Miss Nora had begun.
“Of course, it is,” Peggy countered, now wise to her friend’s machinations.
“Well, perhaps it is, but Mama and Papa are visiting for the next delivery and wanted to celebrate the success of both haberdasheries. We have had several new shops open on both ends thanks to your supply. Everyone is thrilled.”
“I am pleased to hear it,” Peggy had replied, holding back a grin at her secret.
“But if you and my brother happen to dance a time or two…” Miss Nora had shrugged. “I think it would make a good showing of your collaboration on the project. Of course, that is just my humble opinion. You’ve both worked so hard.”
“We have,” Peggy agreed.
“That being said, I think you should wear the green gown with the silvered overlay,” Miss Nora had said, as if she had just thought of it. Peggy bit her cheek to prevent herself from replying. The green gown showed a ridiculous amount of cleavage, in Peggy’s opinion. She had never worn the gown and for good reason. It had been demure and elegant on Lady Charlotte Grave’s thin frame but left nothing at all to the imagination when draped across Peggy’s motherly curves. Her breasts would be on full display, as would her trim waist and childbearing hips. On second thought, she considered, it would be amusing to watch Nash try to feign disinterest while practically falling all over himself at the sight of her.
“I think I will!” Peggy replied with a nod of agreement.
“Now before you refuse…” Miss Nora began the argument that she had prepared in expectation that Peggy would take ages to convince. “Oh, you will? Well, then.” She seemed taken aback. “I’m ever so glad. I was worried you were going to wear that.” Miss Nora gestured at Peggy’s usual day frock and frowned. “It is nice enough, but you were made to shine. It’s as if you purposely downplay your feminine features, and I cannot understand why.”
At that, Peggy laughed outright and shooed her friend out the door before she could begin to choose hair ribbons and jewelry.
“Three days!” the lady called over her shoulder with a grin and a wave. “Mama will have me busy with arrangements until then, but I will see you in three days for the ball!”
The following evening after Adam and Peggy had finished their supper, Peggy could tell that something was amiss. Adam had been quiet and withdrawn during the meal. He had picked at his food and left most of it on his plate. It was unusual to say the least, for she had known the boy to have a sturdy appetite.
Peggy had wanted to ask him what the matter was outright, but Mrs. Finch had once told her that it was best to let a child work through their thoughts and come to you in their own time, and so she had determined that to be the best course of action. That was so long as they did not take too long to come about it. Then, one must find a way to leave hints.
It was not until he had settled into his bed and she was tucking the sheet about his sides that he spoke.
“Mama?” He looked up at her with large brown eyes. “Can I call you Mama? Since Mrs. Finch has always been Mum?”
Peggy nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. It had been the first time that he had called her Mama, and she had nearly lost her composure at the word. He had studiously avoided calling her anything at all, and she knew that Mrs. Finch would always hold a special place in his heart. Luckily, the heart is capable of infinite amounts of loving.
She settled down at her son’s side and leaned over to brush his hair away from his face.
“Can I tell you something?” he asked, his eyes bright in the light of the oil lamp.
“Anything, dear,” Peggy replied in all seriousness.
“I know that I said that I didn’t want to go with you in the beginning,” he muttered, toying with the fringe at the edge of his blanket.
“I remember,” she said when he appeared unable to go on.
“I just wanted you to know that I never want to leave you. Not ever again. No matter what.” His voice was so small, and she could tell that there were big emotions behind the words.
“Adam, you don’t have to concern yourself with that at this hour.” She sighed. “Just sleep. I’m right here, and we won’t be separated again. I’m here,” she repeated when he squeezed her hand with his small fingers.
“That’s not what I mean,” he said with a deep swallow. He sat up and set his shoulders as if he were making a decision fit for a man and not that of a child. Peggy braced herself. “I mean that if you want to go… I’ll go with you. Wherever you say. I’ll do it. I’m not leaving you. Not ever. And I can protect you. Like the white stag. No one will ever hurt you again.”
Her heart broke into a thousand pieces at that moment.
“Darling,” she crooned pulling him into her arms. “I did not want you to go with me because I needed protection. I’ve learned to do that on my own.” And she had. After their release, the Duke of Manchester, a naval man, had shown the recovered women several moves intended to disarm an opponent. She was not sure she could actually use them, but it was a comfort to know she had some preparation. “I only wanted us to be together again, Adam. Do you understand?”
She felt him nod against her shoulder as his little arms wrapped around her.
“I know, and I want to be with you always,” he said with a squeeze about her waist. “I don’t ever want to lose you again. I couldn’t bear it. I said that I didn’t want to go with you, that I would run away, but I lied. I want to be with you more than anything, and Jemmy promised that he would write and maybe visit if it isn’t too far. So,” he took a deep breath and gave one sharp nod, “when you go, I want to go with you.”
Peggy hugged him close and pressed a kiss to his temple.
“You know how much I love you, don’t you?” she murmured against his brow. He nodded once more. “All right then, get some sleep, and we can talk about it tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, she thought, after she spoke with Nash. She had thought that she wanted to hear that her son wanted to be with her above all else, but the truth was that his words had rocked her to her soul. That he would willingly give up such happiness for her was both a blessing and a curse. She ached for what the boy would do to renew their small family and yet found joy in the fact that he wanted her again to be his family.
Hearing his choice, however, had made hers. His love was beyond selfless, and now hers needed to be as well. She would not leave Riversbend. Not now, not ever, so long as Adam wished to stay. Whatever may or may not come of her situation with Nash, she would not deny the boy this place, this happiness. It was imperative that she speak with Lord Belton as soon as possible so that she could communicate her decision.
If they remained, either Adam would learn of their affiliation, or they must put an end to it now before it became an issue. She was fairly certain where Nash stood. He had long approved of telling the boy and encouraged her to remain in Riversbend. Still, they had never spoken of the details. Remain in Riversbend, yes, but above the shop as his occasional flirtation or as something more? She had hoped in secret that his behavior had indicated that he had wanted to include Adam in their bond, as a family, but so far, she had no promises to confirm one way or the other. She could not fault Nash for having kept his intentions to himself. For all he knew, Peggy intended to leave the town in little less than a month. It would not have been prudent for either of them to have put their assurances or their hearts on the line until they knew if there was even a future to be shared.
Now that she knew where she stood on the matter, Peggy was anxious to speak with the Baron as soon as possible.
The morning was a sleet-filled haze of cold and wet that kept the shop empty for the first few hours. When the sky had finally cleared and the sun came through, the day warmed to a harsh last reminder of summer’s beauty.
The cold kept people home in front of warm fires. The muddied streets made for poor shopping conditions, and so Peggy decided to close up and allow her son one last day to run about the town before the cold set in. They had only just donned their boots and cloaks when Adam pointed out a large carriage that had come to a halt in front of the windowed door.
Peggy stepped outside with her son at her side.
“Can I be of service?” she asked the pair of burly men who stepped down. They were unfamiliar faces and seemed more ruffians than visitors. She took an instant dislike to their appearance but chided herself that she was judging so quickly by appearances alone. After all, didn’t she hate it when people judged her without really knowing her? When they split up as they walked, placing Peggy and her son between them, all of her fears began to scream in her mind. She told herself to remain calm, her instincts were merely overreacting because of her past. They were customers, nothing more. Still, with one hand she pressed Adam behind her and repeated her question. “I was just going to close for the day, but if you need something…”
“What’s your name?” one of the men grunted.
“I am the shopkeeper of this here haberdashery,” she said by way of diversion.
“Margaret Wilhelm?” he asked, taking a step closer. Her heart seemed to stop. He knew her name. Her true name. “This your welp?” He gestured towards Adam, who stood frozen to the spot.
“My name is Peggy Williams,” she protested with the best smile she could force. “I’ll admit that they sound similar at first, but no. Such a common name, it seems an easy enough mistake.”
“Like shit you are,” the other replied.
Peggy turned to push Adam away and make off down the street, but she was grabbed from behind before she had even completed the turn. The other man scooped Adam up and tossed the kicking boy over his shoulder.
She had enough time to release one earsplitting scream before she was shoved into the carriage, and it set off down the road and out of Riversbend. She could only hope that someone, anyone, had heard. The feeling of déjà vu was unmistakable, and yet previously she had only herself about which to worry. Now there was Adam. She would die before she would allow anything to happen to him. This she swore in a silent prayer.
The carriage jostled along for what felt like an age before it came to a grinding halt. Peggy and Adam had clung to one another for the entirety of the ride with the mother whispering as much support as she could muster for the frightened boy.
The most pressing problem was that she had no idea who had taken them or why. Her mind raced over and over the probabilities, and the most likely solution was that one of the Lady Blackwell’s cronies had decided to pay retribution upon those that had escaped their treacherous ring. While much of the criminal circle had been broken up by the investigation—and to the best of her knowledge sent off to Australia—she knew there were others that had slipped through the cracks. At the beginning of her months of freedom, she had feared such an act of retaliation. It had been part of the reason why she had not raced to Adam straightaway but had taken her time to be certain that the ring was disbanded. Now, she cursed herself for having brought this danger upon him. If she were thrust back into servitude, she might survive it. She would never forgive herself if Adam were forced to endure the same plight or worse.
The good sisters at Halthaven would be proud that she remembered so many prayers. She prayed them all. She prayed as she had never prayed in her life, not for herself, but only for her son, her innocent, sweet son.