Page 33 of A Wanderer's Redemption
For a second, he pulls me a little closer, and I swear it’s as if we fit perfectly together. With as much poise as I can muster, I make myself let go of him and walk to my side of the room, my cheeks flushed and my heart beating a million miles an hour.
“Take as long as you need, Jess. I’ll be a minute.”
Heaven knows I am grateful to have a moment to myself. Dusting off my skirts, I quickly redo my hair, so I am ready when Reggie is, and I am sitting on the bed, my mind blank, when I hear the washroom door open.
“You ready?”
“Yes.”
We eat dinner with little conversation, as Reggie seems to be lost in thought, and before I know it, we are back in our room, and I find myself yawning.
“Reggie, if you don’t need me for anything else, I think I’ll turn in. Between being up so late last night and all the excitement of the day, I am worn out.”
“Jess, you go ahead. I may step out for a drink, but I’ll lock the door behind me.”
“Are you alright? You seem distracted this evening. Have I done something to upset you?”
“You have done nothing, dearest, just a busy mind is all.”
The look he gives me right before he walks out the door says something else, but because I have no real knowledge of men, I am unsure. Every moment we are together, I catch myself falling a little harder for him, and I know how foolish that is. I’ve seen many girls in my line of work fall for a pretty face and false words, only to be compromised and then end up out on the streets, homeless and toting a little one on their hip. As much as I wish this fiasco were real, I need to harden my heart because a man like Reggie will never settle for the maid, even if he is a little attracted to me.
Sighing, tired and a little heartbroken, I start unlacing my gown, careful of the pearl buttons I would never been able to afford. Once I shimmy out of the many layers, I hang it on one of the hooks in the room so the wrinkles of the day will stretch out, and I can wear it tomorrow.
After I loosened the stays, I’d turned it around this morning so I could lace them up by myself. I take off my shoes and gently roll the pretty stockings Victoria gave me down, carefulof the ribbons and the embroidery on the top. Stretching, I rub my sides where the stays pressed as I slip off my shift for the silky nightgown I found tucked at the bottom of the carpet bag Victoria sent me.
I know I should not have been shocked at the things she had in there, but I was. Even in most of the households I’d worked in, I had never seen such luxuries, even on those ladies. There was perfume, with a spray bottle, something I have never owned and will always cherish. Several types of pantaloons, some longer, others shorter, that will come in handy under the pants I asked Reggie for. Two new shifts, one with extra padding that I can wear alone without stays, which should be cooler if I am working outside. A lace handkerchief and three pairs of stockings. At present, I own more than I ever dreamed, almost to the point I feel rich. Rubbing my fingers over the silk, I twirl around a little, letting the light fabric caress my skin before crawling into the cool bed. Exhausted and overwhelmed, I fall asleep almost instantly … dreaming of being held in his arms.
CHAPTER 13
REGGIE
It’s becoming harder to keep my hands to myself the longer I am around Jessica, and I am unsure what to do about it. The more I learn and see, themoreI want her for myself. She is unlike any other girl I have ever met, and I can’t believe how easily I would have dismissed her simply because she wasa maid. The main lounge is empty for the most part when I walk in, but I am so caught up in my own mind that I almost miss Tyberius sitting alone until his unique voice has me looking his way.
“Can’t sleep, my friend?”
“Sorry, I was so caught up in my own thoughts I almost walked past you. I should be exhausted, but my mind won’t settle. You mind if I join you?”
“Not at all. Please sit down and let’s work through the problems plaguing your young mind. Have a drink, I bought the entire bottle.”
“Young, you don’t look much older than me, but if you have a grown son, I suppose you are.”
“Reggie, you would be surprised if you could see beyond what I allow. Anyway, enough about me, are you concerned about the trip south?”
“Yes and no. If it was just me it would be different, but Jess adds a whole other layer to the worries. Not to mention, I have two men I’m not sure I can count on, as one seems distant while the other is in love with Jessica.”
“The distant one might surprise you, but I am shocked you allowed another male … man to accompany you if you knew he coveted your wife.”
“I didn’t at the time, and I know it shouldn’t upset me, but I see red every time he is near. He says he is only looking out for her, and he has known her since they were children. However, I truly believe that Jess really does not know he has feelings for her, but you can’t miss those looks.”
“Have you taken him aside and told him that she is no longer his problem?”
“I have, but some of what he said is true, and now I’m torn.”
“I have a feeling you are keeping a very important detail from me, but we all have our secrets, Reggie. You seem to have doubts about Jessica and her loyalty. Is the marriage that new?”
“You could say that, and even though I am trying to be patient and give her time to adjust to all this, I am not doing well myself. Every smile, random laugh, or even the brush of her hand, has me wanting something I never thought I needed. Ahh, forgive me, Tyberius. I sound like a fool.”
“Love makes many of us foolish.”
