“There is something I could use some help with.” He scratched at his beard. “I worry about Delia. She is so young and the loss of her mother…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “To talk with a woman might be helpful, especially one who had so recently suffered the same loss.”
Her insides twisted in pain for the girl and for herself. “Of course, I’ll talk to her. I’d be happy to.”
He ran his hand through his hair his voice scratchy with emotion. “A girl needs a mother.”
She bit her lip. Her father already had plans for Stone, but perhaps she could suggest it first and give Stone a chance to pick someone else. “You could marry.”
He grimaced, looking more like the formidable man she’d first met. “I doubt it. Who would marry the devil?”
She found herself speechless as she rose. He knew what they said. Even more unsettling was that it upset him in some way. She was sure by the look on his face. If it bothered him, why not act in a way that was kinder? More fair?
The next morning, Eliza couldn’t stop thinking about Stone. She wanted to speak with her father about the farmers, but she’d been unable. He’d been closed off in Stone’s office as the two men did whatever it was they needed to do.
So when Delia announced that she was going to the village with one of the kitchen maids, Eliza rushed to join them. Though she’d had more than enough activity the day before, she needed something to take her mind off the constant swirl of thoughts.
As their little group set off, Delia skipped along just ahead of them. Eliza smiled; many of the Sinclair men were rather stoic. Delia could not have been any more different. “She’s so lively.”
“Normally more so.” The maid gave Eliza a smile. “She’s usually singin’ and dancin’ about. But the poor child has lost her mother.”
She winced, her heart aching for the child. “Poor thing.”
The maid waved her hand. “Her brothers will take good care of her. Stone in particular is a gentle man.”
“You don’t think him the devil?” Eliza stared at the other woman.
“Goodness, no.” she laughed a little. “Though I was frightened of him at first. He is fierce looking. But I’ve never had a more fair and even-tempered employer. Truth be told,” she dropped her voice, “he’d make a fine husband. He treats women and children with such gentleness, but men fear him. No one would ever dare deny the lady of that house.”
That made Eliza pause. But her thoughts on Stone only got more confusing in the village. The entire to
wn was now aflutter with stories of Stone’s kindness—so like his father’s, his strength—unlike any other man’s, and his virtue. He was still being hailed a god among men, but he was now far more heavenly and significantly less hellish.
With a shake of her head, she walked slowly behind Delia as they made their way to the butcher. As usual, she’d judged entirely too quickly and made a rash decision about someone that was potentially wrong.
But as they entered his shop, another man was already being waited on. His clothes were dirty and worn, his hair unkempt. He was loudly complaining, and as she drew closer, she realized it was Stone he discussed. “So he was nice to a few ladies. What about the farmers? All we wanted was fair wages. Did he give it to us?”
“Ye got yer wage,” the butcher replied, sounding annoyed.
“Look at me? Do I look like I am living high on the hog?” The man gestured toward his disheveled appearance. “He cheated us. He gave those ladies a little money and now everyone is forgetting what he’s truly like.”
The man was so angry that his face was red, his cheeks ruddy, and his eyes bulged.
Eliza stepped back, slightly afraid. It was odd because he had confirmed what she’d feared about Stone and yet in this moment, she wished Stone was there. He would keep her safe. Delia made to skip past her and she pulled the girl close, crouching down. “Let’s come back later, I want to show you something.” She didn’t want Stone’s sister here with a man who was speaking so vehemently against Stone.
Delia gave her a glowing smile and, slipping her hand into Eliza’s, skipped with her away from the shop.
Though part of her would have liked to hear the rest of the conversation, it was more important to protect Delia now and she breathed a sigh of relief as they rounded the corner and couldn’t see the shop.
They walked past several more storefronts before Eliza spotted a building that was being constructed. She wondered what it might be. She doubted Delia knew and, honestly, she had something more important to discuss with the child.
“Did you know,” she said to Delia, “I lost my mother a month ago.”
Delia nodded. “Stone says that even though they can’t be here with us, they still love us and they’re still with us.”
Stone had said that? She swiped her brow. What a beautiful way to explain the loss of a parent to a child. “He’s right.” She wanted to sweep up the girl in her arms and hug her, but instead she kept leading her away from the shop. It was strange, she hadn’t felt a connection like this to anyone in a long time. Certainly since her mother had fallen ill. Swallowing, she looked down at the girl’s face. She wanted to see Delia grow and know that this sweet child would overcome her loss.
That wasn’t going to happen. She’d leave eventually and the Sinclairs would be a memory. Stone wouldn’t need her father’s full-time services forever.
A little voice reminded her that she could stay. Allow her father to make a match and be Stone’s wife. Besides Delia, what other good could she do? But what if Stone was as hard as they said? Then she’d be tied to him forever. That was a risk, for sure.