“I was counting on you to come, Mr. Thompson,” Alexander said. “I was hoping you would be able to help me keep a close eye on your sisters and mine.”
James blew out a breath and closed his eyes. “I’ll have to get to the tailor’s, I suppose. And Payden too, since he outgrows every piece of clothing he owns within a week.”
“I’ll be staying home with Payden,” Muireall said. “There’s no reason to fuss with formal wear for him.”
“If I’m going to this ball, and I’m sure it will be a late night, then we’re all going, Muireall. I’ll not leave you and Payden here while things may be dangerous. You’re going and so is Payden.”
“I have no interest in—” Muireall began.
Elspeth interrupted, asking Muireall to join her in the hallway. She waited until her sister was close enough to hear her whisper. “Can you not just accept graciously? Just this once, Muireall. Kirsty is beside herself with excitement. I admit I’m looking forward to it too. And shouldn’t the Earl of Taviston be exposed to elegant assemblies? Wouldn’t he be standing beside Father in a receiving line at Dunacres if there were going to be a fancy party? Please, can we not just enjoy ourselves this one time and be presented to Philadelphia society?”
“You make me out to be the worst kind of antagonistic harridan. I worry, Elspeth. I worry that I will let my guard down and something terrible will happen.” Muireall’s eyes filled with tears. “All those terrible things happened, and then Mother fell and Payden was taken, and then they were killed.”
“Muireall,” Elspeth said, clutching her sister’s hands. “Not everything will turn out badly. Some things will be wonderful. And I would very much like to dance with Mr. Pendergast.”
Muireall stared into her eyes for a long moment and then led the way into the parlor. “James? You must plan a time to escort us to the dressmaker’s and drag your brother to the tailor’s, which will be a trial in itself.”
“Miss Thompson, I know you’ve just returned, but would you care for a walk?” Mr. Pendergast asked as he stood when she entered the room.
“Yes. I’d like that very much.”
“Don’t go far, Pendergast,” James said.
“I planned on staying on this street.”
Elspeth pulled on her hat and picked up her shawl, as the day was nice enough to leave her coat at home. She stepped out onto the street, and Mr. Pendergast took her wrap from her and laid it over her shoulders.
“I don’t want you catching a chill,” he said with a smile. “You’ll run back into your house before I’ve seen my fill.”
“So there are limits to your interest in seeing me?” she asked and began down the street.
“Are you angling for a compliment, Miss Thompson?”
She laughed. She loved the banter and the lightheartedness she felt at that moment. “Well, no, but if you’ve something nice to say, then you should say it!”
Pendergast stopped her with a hand on her arm and turned her to face him. He looked at her, mapping her face with his eyes. “I would like to see you every day, Elspeth. I’d like to see you in my home, at my dinner table,” he said and then bent forward to whisper in her ear. “In my private rooms.”
Elspeth’s laugh faded. There was nothing comical about the unladylike thoughts going through her head. She was not sure if she’d ever felt the same tremblings as she was at that moment. There was a consciousness about the lower half of her body that made her want to press herself close to him, close enough that her breasts were tight against his chest and her lower half touching his, that even through all the layers of clothing, those warm areas below her waist would heat further against those warm areas of his. Her eyes dropped, resting briefly on his lips before looking away, embarrassed now with her own thoughts.
He stepped away from her and held up his arm for her to take. “Come. Let’s walk so your sister can stop looking out the window.”
Elspeth looked up at him as they walked, at his profile, how his cheekbones seemed carved in marble, the shadow of a beard a distinct contrast to his dark and well-defined lips. Ah, so very handsome, broad-shouldered, with an athletic build that made her feel dainty and protected.
“Tell me about this party, Mr. Pendergast. Will there be music?”
“A full orchestra,” he replied and tipped his hat to one of her neighbors. “I’m hoping you’ll save a dance or two for me. You’ve never mentioned attending one of the public dances, and it doesn’t seem as though your family socializes much. Do you dance?”
“I do. Muireall had a dancing teacher come to the house years ago. I’m very much looking forward to the dancing, especially since I don’t have to dance with James.”
Alexander laughed. “I don’t see Mr. Thompson being a good sport about dance lessons.”
“Neither was his friend you met the night of the boxing match. MacAvoy. He’s so very tall, and he always had to partner with Kirsty. She was only eleven or twelve at the time, and he would carry her around the parlor by the waist rather than risk his toes to her enthusiastic feet.”
“He’s doing well at the mill, I hear. I asked Mr. Witherspoon, the manager, and he said he was coming along fine, even though it was a new and different type of job for him.”
“Yes. He told us very excitedly over dinner a few weeks ago that he is now doing inventory on the plant floor and is in charge of some other men to make sure that there are enough supplies for each day.”
“I’m glad to hear he likes what he is doing. He’s a close friend of your family, then, other than being your brother’s ring man?”
“MacAvoy has always been around. He met up with James not long after we leased this house and hasn’t left yet!” Elspeth smiled, but her smile faded as she wondered if MacAvoy was just another piece to the MacTavish mystery that had unfolded, finally, although she was not certain that she’d heard all of the story yet.
“I’m going to send my carriage for your family the evening of the ball. I believe you’ll be able to squeeze six of you inside—unless you’re planning on wearing hoops, and then we’ll have to rethink things. Perhaps both of your brothers will ride on top if you’re bringing your youngest brother, as it sounds like you are. And don’t eat before you come. Mother will have enough food for a thousand.”
Elspeth stopped walking and pulled Mr. Pendergast over to one of the large trees where they could speak quietly out of the crowd of people going by them. She looked up at him and searched his face.
“What? What is it, Elspeth? Do you see one of those men?”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t tell you everything that is going on with my family, even though I feel as though I could. But I can’t.”
“Don’t worry about—”
“But you should know. You’re concerning yourself with our safety.”
“What is it, Elspeth? What do you want to tell me?”
She searched his eyes, hoping that her instincts were correct and that Muireall was wrong. “The danger is to all of us, but it is particularly dangerous for my youngest brother, Payden. Please, please keep him safe if you can. He is so precious to us.”