CHAPTER 8

August 14, 1914

Has the world gone mad? I cannot believe we’re at war! Mum writes that she’s devastated because Owen is thinking of joining. I know how she feels. Frank is determined to enlist as well. I’ve never seen him so passionate about a cause, yet I’m scared. Oh, Grace, what will I do if he goes? His parents found out about our relationship a few weeks ago, and it caused a huge fight. He told me he didn’t care what his parents thought, that I meant more to him. But if that’s true, would he really leave me to go to war?

“Are you certain you want to do this?” Mrs. Chamberlain stood in the doorway of Grace’s bedroom.

Grace looked up from her suitcase, and a pang of regret twisted her stomach. The kind woman wore a worried frown, her eyes glazed with a hint of tears.

“I’m certain, Mrs. C.,” she said. Grace crossed the room to lay a reassuring hand on her arm. “The only thing spoiling my delight at getting this job is that I’ll miss spending time with you. I’ve enjoyed my stay here so much.”

Tomorrow Grace would begin her new assignment as Christian’s nanny. She still couldn’t believe the Eastons had decided to take a chance on her, even with her limited experience. The phone call from Andrew had come as a wonderful surprise—one that, in her mind, confirmed she was on the path God meant for her to follow—and she had gratefully accepted the position.

As long as the Easton family never learned about her connection to the boy, this job could prove a blessing to them all. A chance for her to be part of her nephew’s life—maybe not as a guardian—but as someone responsible for his day-to-day care. This way, she could give the boy as much love and guidance as she saw fit, for as long as she could, and Rose could rest in peace, knowing her baby was well cared for.

The only drawback was that Mum wouldn’t be at all happy about her staying in Canada for an extended period of time. But Rose’s child had to be her main priority. She only hoped her mother would understand.

Mrs. Chamberlain moved into the room and picked up the framed photo from Grace’s dresser, the one Grace had taken of Rose the day she’d left for Canada. “Oh, my dear. Your leaving is like losing Rose all over again. She became like a daughter to me. Little Christian was born right here in this house.” She sniffed and took a handkerchief from her pocket.

“You’re not losing me, I promise.” Grace gently lifted the photo from her hands. “I’m only a streetcar ride away. I’ll come and visit whenever I can.” She ran a finger over the glass, then carefully laid the treasure in her suitcase, where it would have to remain hidden for the foreseeable future.

“What about Sundays?” Mrs. Chamberlain asked. “Will you be able to join us for church? I know Reverend Burke will miss seeing you too.”

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to see what the family expects.” She hadn’t told Mrs. Chamberlain or the reverend where she was working—or more importantly who she was working for. Somehow she didn’t think either would approve. And no matter what their opinion, she would not change her mind about this. “If it’s at all possible, I’ll try to attend services with you.” She would certainly miss the little parish that had started to feel like home.

Grace leaned over to embrace her landlady. “What would I have done without you? I thank God every night for leading me here.”

“The Good Lord always manages to make the best out of the worst situations.” The woman gave her a watery smile.

Then, while Grace returned to filling her suitcase, Mrs. Chamberlain flitted about the room like a nervous bird, pausing to dust the furniture with the corner of her apron. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait until the morning to leave?”

“I’d like to get settled tonight, so I’m fresh for the morning. Besides, the family is expecting me.” Grace placed a blouse in the suitcase.

“I suppose that makes sense. Would you at least let Reverend Burke drive you? I don’t like the idea of you traveling alone on the streetcar at this hour.”

Grace laughed. “Mrs. C., it’s not even seven o’clock. There’s no need to bother him.”

“But you’ll have your suitcase to lug all the way.” Her brows pinched together. “Where exactly is this place again?”

“On Spadina Road.” Grace busied herself emptying a drawer, trying to ignore the weight of the other woman’s stare.

“Please don’t tell me you’re working for the Easton family.”

Grace’s hand stilled. She should have known the shrewd woman would figure it out. She squared her shoulders. “Yes. I’m going to be Christian’s nanny.”

Mrs. Chamberlain sat down heavily on the bed, the springs creaking under her weight. “Good grief. I’m not sure that’s a smart idea.”

“I think it’s perfect.” Grace stood in front of her. “I can get to know my nephew. Make sure he’s loved and well looked after.”

She pinned Grace with a direct stare. “But you’re deceiving them, aren’t you? Not telling them who you are.”

“How could I? They’d never let me in the door if they knew I was Rose’s sister.”

The woman shook her head. “Nothing but heartache will come from this. Mark my words.”

The criticism stung. A little too reminiscent of Mum chastising her for another rash decision. She clutched her hands together, searching for a way to make Mrs. Chamberlain understand, a way to alleviate her guilt at the deception. But there was nothing she could really say.

“What exactly do you think this will accomplish, dear? You’ll only fall in love with that baby, and the day you have to leave him will break your heart.”

“You’re probably right.” Grace walked to the window under the sloping roof and stared down at the street below. “All I know is I can’t ignore this God-given opportunity. I feel certain it’s where He and Rose want me to be. If I don’t go, I’ll always regret missing this chance to spend time with Christian.” She turned back to the bed. “In my last letter to Rose, I promised I would take care of her son. This is the only way I can see to do that.”

Mrs. Chamberlain released a weary sigh. “You have a point. Well, there’s another ten minutes added to my nightly prayers.” With a huff, she pushed off the mattress. “I may not agree with you, but I know your intentions are good. You can count on my support.”

“Thank you, Mrs. C. That means a lot.” Grace’s throat burned with the sudden rush of tears. She gave the woman another quick hug, then lifted her suitcase off the bed. “Well, I’d best be off before it gets dark.”

“God speed, Grace dear. And don’t let those Eastons push you around.”

“Miss Virginia, there’s a gentleman to see you.” Mrs. Green made the announcement from the open parlor doorway.

Virginia looked up from her book. “Who is it?”

“Mr. Fleming.” A flicker of disapproval flashed over the housekeeper’s face before she schooled her features.

Virginia held back a sigh. Why did everyone seem to dislike Basil? True, he could be overly dramatic and a bit rambunctious, reminding Virginia of an overgrown puppy. Annoying at times, but harmless. “Send him in, please. And have Mrs. Hopkins prepare a pot of coffee.” Basil swore Mrs. Hopkins made the best brew he’d ever tasted.

“Right away, miss.”

Virginia fluffed her skirt and straightened her posture, crossing her legs daintily at the ankle. The way a perfect lady should.

“Good evening, Virginia, my dear. How are you today?” Basil bowed over her offered hand.

“Very well, thank you. What brings you by?”

“These.” With a dramatic flourish, Basil whipped something out of his breast pocket and laid it on the table before her.

“They look like tickets.”

“You’re smart as well as beautiful.”

Virginia held back a laugh. Perhaps that was what had won her over. The fact that Basil truly thought her beautiful, while the majority of men viewed her as a washed-up, twenty-four-year-old spinster. After losing her beloved Emmett, Virginia had believed she’d be alone forever, until Basil Fleming had come into her world and offered her the first glimmer of hope for the future she’d always wanted: a husband and children of her own.

“I’ve booked our passage to Europe. We set sail in eight weeks’ time.”

Virginia managed a smile. “Wonderful.” When Basil had first mentioned the idea of her accompanying him and his family on this trip, she’d been filled with excitement. Traveling abroad. Seeing the wonders of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the ruins of Rome. Something she’d always dreamed about doing one day was becoming a reality.

However, that was before Christian had come into their lives. In the few short weeks since his arrival, the boy had wormed his way into her heart like no one else ever had.

Virginia had tried to convince Basil to let her bring the baby with them, but he would have no part of it.

“I want your undivided attention on this trip, sweetheart. I won’t share you with anyone. Not even an infant.”

In some ways, his possessiveness thrilled Virginia. Who wouldn’t bask in such adoration? Yet his slightly superior attitude often rankled. If he truly loved her, wouldn’t he want her to be happy, even if it meant raising her brother’s child?

Basil came to sit beside her on the sofa and gathered her hands in his. “I have a fantastic idea.” He waited until she met his gaze. “What if we were to marry before we leave? This trip could double as our honeymoon. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Virginia’s heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest. Though she’d known their unconventional courtship was leading to marriage, she hadn’t thought it would come so soon. “I don’t know what to say.”

He raised a brow, studying her. “I sense this has come as a shock.”

“It has, yes.” Virginia tried to smile but feared it came out more as a grimace.

“I see. Well, I’d best give you time to digest the idea—before I propose for real.” He pulled her to him then and kissed her. It wasn’t the first time he’d taken such liberty, yet this time the embrace held a possessive quality that caused a spurt of apprehension to rush through her.

“Now I’m afraid I must be off. I’m meeting some associates for drinks at the club. Keep those tickets in a safe place, darling. I will see you soon. And think about my idea.”

“But your coffee . . .”

“Tell Mrs. Hopkins I’ll make it up to her,” he called over his shoulder as he exited the room.

Virginia fell back against the sofa, feeling as though a tornado had just whirled through the room and out again. With a sigh, she picked up the tickets. First-class accommodations, of course. Had he booked two staterooms or only one, confident she would meekly follow his suggestion that they get married before the trip?

Be careful what you wish for, Virginia. The result might not be entirely to your liking.

The main-floor windows of the Easton estate glowed from the lights within, giving the residence a welcoming air—one Grace appreciated all the more at this moment. She switched her suitcase from one hand to the other, the walk from the streetcar seeming longer than it had the first time she’d come here, most likely due to the weight of her bag.

She climbed the stairs, set her suitcase on the ground, and knocked on the door. Not wanting to interrupt the family meal, she’d purposely waited to arrive until she believed dinner would be over.

The housekeeper answered her knock. “Good evening, Miss Foley. Please come in.”

“Thank you.” She retrieved her bag and stepped inside.

The large-framed woman held out a hand. “May I take your coat?”

“Certainly. Thank you.” Grace slipped off her coat and gave it to the woman.

“Welcome to Fairlawn Manor. I’m Mrs. Green, the housekeeper. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Though her tone was friendly, she did not offer a smile or any indication of warmth.

Perhaps that was part of her job.

“You may leave your bag here. One of the maids will bring it to your room. Now if you’ll come with me, Miss Virginia is waiting for you.”

Grace nodded and followed the woman down a wide hallway to a set of double doors.

“Miss Foley has arrived,” the woman announced, then stepped aside for Grace to enter the room.

Virginia shot up from her seat on the sofa, her face alight with enthusiasm. “Grace, welcome. Come in and share some tea with me.”

Grace surreptitiously scanned the room, surprised to find none of the other family members there. She relaxed a little, glad for a reprieve from meeting the infamous Mr. Easton. As she walked in, she couldn’t help but be charmed by the elegance of the décor. The dove-gray walls presented a perfect backdrop to the blue sofas and patterned side chairs. “Thank you, Miss Easton. A cup of tea would be lovely.”

“Please, you must call me Virginia.”

“Is that appropriate for an employee?” Grace took a seat on the sofa opposite to where Virginia had been seated, reading a magazine.

“Very well, in front of the others you may call me Miss Easton, but when we’re alone, it’s Virginia.” She poured tea from a silver service.

“I thought I’d be meeting your parents when I arrived,” Grace said as she took the cup Virginia handed her.

“I didn’t want to overwhelm you on your first night here. After our tea, I’ll show you around the house and take you to your room.”

Half an hour later, Grace followed Virginia on a tour of the residence, which seemed more like a castle than a home. Room upon room of expensive furnishings and fabrics, paintings and sculptures, crystal and velvet. She could scarcely believe she would be living in such a palace.

“And here is the nursery.” Virginia pressed a finger to her lips. “We must take care not to wake Christian. Once he rouses, he’s impossible to get back to sleep.”

She opened the door wide enough for the light from the hallway to illuminate a bit of the interior. Grace made out a crib against the wall, a rocking chair, and a dresser before Virginia slowly closed the door.

“Your room will be next door. It connects with the nursery by a two-way door. I always leave it open so I can hear him if he wakes in the night.” She pushed into the adjoining room and flicked a switch.

Grace was pleased to note the house had electric lights.

“I’ve been staying here ever since Christian arrived because my bedroom is too far away to hear him. We’ll switch rooms as soon as I feel he’s comfortable with you. Right now it might scare him if a stranger came in to tend him.”

“Of course. I understand.”

“For now I’ve put you in this guest room.” Virginia moved across the hall. “I hope you find it satisfactory.” Once again she turned on the light as she entered the room.

Grace glanced around the most beautiful bedroom she’d ever seen. The walls were decorated in a pale blue flocked paper. Feminine white furniture and thick carpet gave the room a homey feel.

“It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Virginia smiled. “I’ll let you get settled in. If you need anything, just ring the bell and one of the maids will assist you.” She pointed to a tasseled rope in the corner. “Breakfast is at seven thirty. I’ll come and take you down to meet the rest of the household. Everyone should be there, unless Father has an early meeting at the office.”

Nerves flittered in Grace’s stomach at the prospect, but she managed a smile in return. “Thank you, Virginia. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay your kindness in helping me get this position.”

“You’re welcome. If everything works out, you’ll be doing me a favor, putting my mind at ease so I can go off and enjoy Europe.” She headed to the door, pausing to give Grace another smile. “It’s good to have you here, Grace.”

Then she slipped out into the hall, leaving Grace on her own in the strange new house that would now become her home.