Bent over his worktable, Nate maneuvered the pin on a revolver, then his attention swung to the door as Lucy entered his shop. Her steps faltered, and she swayed a bit, not too steady on her feet. Frowning, he looked closer when she stopped in front of him. Bloodshot eyes, and from a distance of about three feet, he smelled liquor.
“Mornin’, Nate,” she said with a big smile.
He returned his concentration to his work. “Mornin’, Lucy, how are you today?”
“Me?” she giggled. “I’m fine. In fact, this is the best day.”
“Well, you sure sound happy. What can I do for you?”
Lucy plopped herself on a chair next to the counter, almost missing the seat, and opened her reticule. She rummaged around, all the time mumbling to herself.
“I want you to read something.” She slurred the last word, and swayed in the chair. Nate placed the gun on the counter and reached out to steady her.
Lucy slumped and gazed at him with tear-filled eyes. “Why didn’t you wait for me, Nate? I planned to make you the best wife.”
A shaky hand wiped her forehead, accidentally shifting her hat so it hung to one side. She didn’t seem to notice. Alarmed at her condition, Nate walked around the counter and stood in front of her. “Why don’t I drive you home, and we can visit another time?”
“No.” She stuck her chin out, and blinked several times. Again she swayed to one side, and Nate had to catch her to keep her from falling off the chair.
“I came to show you something important.” She continued to rummage around her reticule, dropping things on the floor that went unnoticed.
Nate walked to the door and flipped the sign to “Closed.” He returned to Lucy, and took her by the elbow. “Come on, I’m taking you home.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes, trying hard to focus. “Home to your house? Are you going to take me to bed? I had lots of experience in Europe. I can teach you a few things.”
He blew out an exasperated breath as he gathered the articles scattered on the floor, and shoved them into her reticule. Then he lifted her limp body and carried her out the back door to the buggy she’d arrived in.
She giggled. “Oh, you’re so romantic.”
He deposited her in the buggy, and after locking the shop door, jumped up on the seat, and started for the Benson house. Within minutes, he heard snoring, and glanced over at the sleeping Lucy.
Nate shook his head as they continued on. What in heaven’s name could Eli do about this? The young woman flirted with danger, and her heavy drinking would not have a good finish.
The few people he’d known with drinking problems ended up dead before their time. But a young woman could cause a great deal of embarrassment for her family before she ruined her health to that degree. He’d never understand how a beautiful girl, with all the advantages she had, would throw everything away, including her future, for a drink.
Rather than carrying her to the front door, Nate left her in the buggy, raced up the stairs and knocked. The doorman Nate remembered from the party answered. Stepping inside, Nate spoke quietly. “Is Mr. Benson at home?”
“Yes, sir, he and Mrs. Hardwick are in the breakfast room. May I direct you?”
The couple looked up as Nate entered, surprise and curiosity on their faces.
“Hello, Nate, what brings you out this way?” Eli wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Have some coffee.” He pushed a cup over to him, and nodded to the silver coffee pot on the table.
“Thanks, but I’m here to bring Lucy home. I have to get back to work.”
“Lucy? I thought she was still abed.” Eli frowned and stood.
“No.” Nate ran his fingers through his hair. “She came to see me in my shop.”
The couple waited, and tension snapped as they regarded him.
Nate took a deep breath and rested his hands at his hips. “Actually, sir, she came to my shop, drunk. I’m sorry, but there’s no other way to say it.”
“Drunk!” Sylvia and Eli said at the same time.
“She wanted to show me something, but couldn’t find it, and when I noticed her condition, I insisted on driving her home.” He turned and started toward the door. “Right now she’s sound asleep in your buggy out front.”
Both Eli and Sylvia stood and immediately hurried after him. Nate reached the door first and ran down the steps to the buggy. Lifting Lucy, who still snored, from the carriage, he carried her into the house. Sylvia led him upstairs to Lucy’s room. He placed her on the bed, and turned to Sylvia.