Touch the Sun (32 page)

"Women suffer through the heat of summer nights in Philadelphia in the name of modesty," she confided. "Only a man as straightforward as Captain Hampshire would put comfort first. You could not wish for a more thoughtful employer."

"Oh, yes. He
is
thoughtful," Meagan replied ironically.

By the time they finished, the sun was high, but Madame Millet could not be persuaded to remain for luncheon. As if by magic, the oceans of fabric were swallowed by the brown bag and she disappeared as quickly as a butterfly.

Alone again, Meagan felt a bit melancholy. Listlessly, she wandered into the kitchen to check the dinner menu with a sullen Prudence, who reminded her that she had forgotten to discover whether Lion would even be present for that meal.

The familiar rat-a-tat of Wong's footsteps overhead pinpointed his location. Meagan went to seek him out in Lion's chamber, where he was tidying up after his master. The same clothes which had lain across her wing chair at dawn were now being gathered up to be laundered. Next to the door, the pewter ewer and fitted razor case from Lion's shaving stand had been placed; they would be polished downstairs and returned before their owner came home. As she waited to gain Wong's attention, Meagan found herself gazing wistfully at the massive testered bed. It was still unmade, the fine linen sheets twisted in evidence of Lion's early-morning restlessness. An imprint from his head marked the pillow and she remembered with a pang how she had buried her face in the one on her own bed after his abrupt departure. It had still retained the warmth and scent of his body and she wished they could remain there permanently to echo his presence. Why, she wondered now, do I welcome even the pain?

"Missy Meagan, you feel all light?"

Lion's clothes were heaped in Wong's arms so that only his face was visible.

"Oh—oh, yes. I was just... thinking."

"You want something?"

"Yes!" She searched her memory. "I need to know whether Captain Hampshire will be dining at home tonight."

"He not tell me. You with him all the time before he leave—you should have asked!"

Wong gave her a reproving look which he had been waiting to use for four days, and, after attempting to raise an eyebrow in imitation of his master, he started toward the hallway. Unable to find fault with this blunt logic, Meagan felt duly chastised. She gathered up the ewer and razor case and followed him down the stairs, but was thankfully diverted in the entryway by a knock at the door.

Still helplessly spontaneous, she went to answer it with her hands full, balancing the ewer against her hip with an elbow.

Smith stood on the front step, looking incongruous in a dark blue pelisse. The hood was up to protect her hair and face from the biting wind, but there was no mistaking those round pink cheeks or the hazel eyes that shone above them. Meagan could not have wished for a more welcome visitor.

"Oh, Smith! Have you come to see me? Come in! How did you know? Here, let me put these things down and I'll take your pelisse."

The ewer and razor case went directly to the rug and she reached out impulsively to hug her friend. It seemed years, rather than days, since she had seen her face. Happily, Meagan led Smith back to the kitchen where she assembled a meal of creamed soup, cold chicken, biscuits, and tea. When they were settled at the gateleg table by the fire, Smith patiently answered all questions.

"I spoke with Captain Hampshire this morning; in fact, he made a point of searching me out when I was alone. He seemed concerned that I should know what had become of you and I'll admit I am grateful to him, for I truly feared for your safety. Mrs. Bingham was very vague about the whole affair—"

"She sent me off with that hideous Major Gardner!"

Smith nodded over her teacup. "So I had heard. It seems curious now, but Mr. Reems of all people told me that first day that you had been sent to work at the major's house! He seemed to be taking great pains to be casual. Stranger still, Mrs. Bingham never said a word. And she didn't tell Captain Hampshire when he arrived, even though you were really his servant. I was pouring tea during their conversation and grew quite angry when I realized she didn't mean to let him know." Smith looked embarrassed by this show of emotion. "So, before he left, I told him. Lord! He was furious. Thank heaven he was good enough to come to your aid."

"I can't thank you enough for intervening."

"I don't know what happened to cause Mrs. Bingham to do that to you and I don't want you to tell me. It is no affair of mine, after all! Certainly you are spirited enough to look out for yourself." Then, as an afterthought, Smith asked quickly, "You
are
all right here, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes!" She could not suppress a faint, guilty flush. "Did you know I am housekeeper?"

"Captain Hampshire mentioned it. I'm certain that you are a charming addition to his household."

"Well, no doubt I could do with a bit more dignity, but Li—Captain Hampshire appears satisfied." Hastily she tried to cover her slip. "He is in desperate need of help now that he is in permanent residence... and about to be married, of course."

"He did speak to me about Bramble." Smith smiled slightly, as if in recollection. "He sounded rather dubious..."

"Well, I know that she has a narrow mind and a sour disposition, but she is a splendid cook!" Lowering her voice, Meagan continued, "This Prudence lacks skill in the kitchen, and I am convinced that no small amount of natural talent must be involved. Prudence, however, has learned to make wonderful croissants full of raisins with a sugar icing, and Lion is most impressionable in the morning."

Pausing, she heard his name hang in the air and realized that she could not retrace this misstep. Smith smiled easily while Meagan's cheeks grew redder and redder.

"My dear, do not be embarrassed. Nothing you could say or do would lessen my regard for you. I understand that you are outgoing—engagingly so. You traveled with Captain Hampshire and Miss Wade for many days on your journey to Philadelphia and I am sure that you had occasion to become his friend as well as his employee."

Meagan squirmed. "It would be easy for people to leap to some nasty conclusion... It just happens that we are quite—ah—congenial. I think that he finds me amusing, but in spite of his teasing, he likes me. Gradually, I have learned that I may speak my mind and not be tossed into the street. So, I do enjoy being here; I am not as confined by my station."

Smith noticed the way Meagan avoided making direct eye contact when she spoke and felt a twinge of apprehension.

"Well, I am happy then. You must be greatly relieved to express your feelings out loud, and I know that Captain Hampshire is quite a witty scamp at heart. I imagine that you provide a welcome respite from his new, respectable existence."

The conversation was beginning to probe perilously near some raw and sensitive truths.

"I don't know about that," she laughed nervously. "He finds me quite troublesome much of the time—like the other day when I was locked away in Major Gardner's dungeon. I almost hit Lion over the head with a bottle of wine!" Meagan's face was radiant until she became conscious of Smith's soft, watchful eyes. "So! What is new at Mansion House? I have been wondering whether anyone was aware of my whereabouts; do you suppose Miss Wade knows, or cares?"

"I'm not certain, but my impression is that she thinks you are at Major Gardner's, as I did. I heard her mention your name in the same breath as his two or three days ago, and Captain Hampshire gave me the feeling that he hadn't told her yet."

"How do you suppose I got my clothes?" Meagan wondered, a frown puckering her brow.

"I couldn't say. I packed them myself and Mrs. Bingham had the trunk sent off—I presumed to Major Gardner's house."

"I don't know... I'll wager she knows where I am well enough. I can't imagine that the major kept quiet, unless he was too humiliated." She grinned impishly. "I did a rather thorough job on his swelled head—figuratively
and
literally."

They were silent for a few minutes then, spooning up the last of the lukewarm soup, Meagan glanced up to find that Smith's eyes were on her.

"Flynn has been asking after you. He seems quite upset, besides being curious. More so when he saw me leaving today and I refused to let him drive me. I suppose he must suspect that I was off to see you."

"Has he heard that I went to Major Gardner's?"

"I don't think so. He was rather unwell for a day or two after you left, so he missed the first rush of rumors. He's quite in the dark. As a matter of fact, I saw Flynn collar Captain Hampshire when he first came looking for me in the serving hall. I don't think he gave him a hint; I heard Captain Hampshire say that he was certain you would make contact when you were ready. The whole exchange appeared quite hostile to me!"

Meagan smiled. Poor Smith was not at all prone to gossip or speculation and obviously was feeling like a spy.

"I appreciate your news. I know that you do not like to talk about people who aren't present."

"Well, this is different; you are so dear to me. I want to help if I can. I wouldn't see you hurt for anything, Meagan... You're like a bright little songbird and just as tempting to the hungry cats in this world."

"What would I do without you? If not for you, I would have gone mad at Mansion House."

"We all need someone to keep us in touch with life's true virtues in a place like that. I have been fortunate to have someone who reminds me that I am a person and not an ornament." Her hazel eyes shone. "I feared from the first that all your lovely, natural joy would be tarnished in time at Mansion House. I am glad that you have left."

Meagan was moved by this soft, gentle speech. Smith was the nearest thing to a saint that she had encountered; a tide of affection rose in her and she grasped the hand that rested nearby on the table.

"I wish that you could come here, too! If you feel that way about Mansion House, why don't you leave with Bramble and work here? I would gladly turn over my job to you... In truth, I will not be able to remain as housekeeper once Miss Wade becomes Mrs. Hampshire." Smith's eyes widened at this news, but Meagan rushed on. "I'll wager that Bramble would accept the new position much more readily with your persuasion. Do you think she will take it? Oh, it would be so lovely having you here."

"Meagan, dear, you are sweet to say so, but I cannot leave the Bingham residence. With all its flaws, Mansion House is my home and I am part of it. I derive great satisfaction from seeing it, in all its complexity, run smoothly, and I like to think that my touch helps to soften the hard edges of its splendor."

"Oh, you are right—it does!" Meagan exclaimed.

"Of course, there is another reason why I could not go away." Her cheeks pinkened. "I am sure that you are aware of my affection for Wickham... and his for me. My place is with him. And, as for Bramble, I do believe that she will be stung enough by this imminent displacement to wish to inflict a similar hurt on the Binghams. She is the proudest of women—"

"And spiteful!" Meagan grinned.

"That's true... So if Captain Hampshire approaches her at the right moment, immediately after she learns the news—"

"Will you be sure to let us know as soon as she is told? Will you help to convince her to accept him? I know that she thinks Lion is as sinful as the Binghams, but if
you
were to add a word of encouragement..."

Smith considered this. "One must proceed carefully with Bramble. Often she rebels from advice, suspiciously, but I will wait and watch to see if an appropriate moment arises."

The tall-clock in the stair hall sounded half after one, distantly, but Smith was ever alert.

"The time has gone so quickly, Meagan, but I must get back. I left them after luncheon was served, but when it is done, I may be missed. Besides, I saw Mrs. Bingham wheedle Captain Hampshire into accepting a dinner invitation, so she may have some special plans for this evening."

"Well, you've answered a question for me. I forgot to ask him whether or not he was dining here tonight, and now I know." With a sigh, she stood and put her arms around her friend. "I can't tell you what your visit has meant."

"I have said before that I am always here if you need me." As they started through the door to the dining room, she inquired hesitantly, "Meagan, do you have some word I might relay to Flynn? He has seemed so taken with you—"

"No!" The complication of Flynn in her life, especially after that scene on the Binghams' lawn, was too much to contemplate. "I fear that my heart feels no pull in his direction. That last night, when I put on my new gown during the party, the truth of it became clear. I had hoped that we might be friends, though I should have been more alert to the signs he gave me all along. I doubtless encouraged him, out of my loneliness, but I must not continue."

"But, my dear, you are very young and unschooled in the ways of love. Perhaps if you gave it a chance..."

"No. I know enough of love to recognize the initial spark. There is magic, the same magic that lights your face when you speak of Wickham. When I am with Kevin it is all quite ordinary."

"If you are certain..." At the door they paused and Smith looked regretful. "You are made for love, so filled with warmth and joy. You need to give to someone who will cherish you in return."

Meagan's smile was bittersweet. "I believe you are turning into a matchmaker! Don't fret, Smith. The worst thing would be for me to settle for less than the best, wouldn't it?"

"I suppose you are right. Only you can recognize the right man... as long as you don't reach for the stars trying to attain that magic you spoke of. We're all hopelessly earthbound, after all. Only in dreams can we touch the sun, and we can't live on those, can we?"

Chapter 27