Free Blessing by Lyn Cote Page B

bring him away.”
    The audacity of Gerard Ramsay’s demanding to know why she was at the riverfront still managed to rise up and aggravate her. She knew a handsome face could hide much—perhaps a wounded soul? Was that why he’d caught her attention? No, surely not.
    Scrutinizing Stoddard, she sipped her tea. “Why does thee tell me this?”
    Stoddard half smiled. “Because I know that my . . . that Miss Foster is very close to you. I don’t want you to report me to her before I’ve had a chance to speak with her myself.”
    Blessing stiffened, though admittedly this had been her plan. “I am not usually a talebearer.”
    He held up a restraining hand. “Pardon; I’m not expressing myself very well. And in this case you need not be. I plan to confess it to her, as I said. I have already been frank with Miss Foster about my previously careless lifestyle.”
    Previously careless lifestyle? Blessing considered him. “When will thee tell her?”
    “I’ve already tried. I was told she was here visiting you. That is one reason I came.”
    “She was helping me with my work,” Blessing explained, letting him assume she meant the orphanage.
    Now he pinned Blessing with an intense gaze. “I have been shown a different way of thinking, of living, and I am no longer the man I was a few months ago. In fact, I had become disenchanted with the society life before I met Tip . . . Miss Foster.”
    Blessing listened to this speech in silence. It could be true, but it could be a confession meant to disarm her. Dramatically admitting to faults was another ploy that had been used on her by her own husband. Only time would tell if his words were authentic. Richard’s hadn’t been.
    She chose to reply obliquely. “Xantippe Foster is one of the most intelligent, refreshing, and honest young women I have ever met. Her friendship means a great deal to me.”
    “I know.” He did not remove his gaze from her.
    She couldn’t let her friend be fooled by a handsome facethat might easily hide a dark heart. “I would do anything in my power to persuade her not to notice a man I thought was unworthy of her.” After a day of dissembling, speaking the truth was liberating.
    A pause ensued. Blessing nibbled a slice of fruited cake to gather strength. The tall clock in the hallway ticked loudly in the silence. A wagon rumbled by outside.
    “I’m glad Miss Foster has a friend as true as you are,” Stoddard replied. “I would ask you one question. Have you ever seen me at the wharf before Saturday night?”
    Blessing set down her empty cup in its saucer. “No, I have not. But I did see thee then—”
    “Not for long. And not again.”
    Blessing had no more time for this. Worry for Luke goaded her. She rose. “I will consider what thee has told me, Stoddard Henry. Now I must go to the orphanage and check on the infant rescued most recently.”
    He stood also. “I won’t keep you, but please believe me. My intentions toward Miss Foster are honorable, and I would do only good by her.”
    Unconvinced, Blessing offered him her hand and then, with a bow, he left.
    “So you believe what he say?” Salina had returned after showing him out.
    “Thee was listening?” Blessing asked in gentle reproof.
    “I like Miss Tippy. That man want to marry her. Anybody can see how he looks at her.”
    Blessing smiled. “Thee doesn’t miss much.” She walked toward the door. “I must go to the orphanage. If anyone else calls, I’m not at home till tomorrow.”
    “Even that slick customer who carried that poor woman away today?”
    She couldn’t help but smile at her housekeeper’s assessment. “Especially that slick customer.”
    Soon, with her hot, dry eyes shut, she rested against the plush seat of her own carriage. Memories of Ramsay’s attempts to beguile her today had told her more about him than he would have guessed. What bedeviled him?
    She’d originally been happy that Tippy had found a young man who was not put off by her