This world is not always easy for females.”
“True enough.”
“I teach art as well as counterfeiting. When I have James back, I plan to advertise for a few private students to supplement my income.”
“That’s a clever idea. But when will you have time to create your own art?”
She frowned, perplexed. “I enjoy art, but I don’t think my pieces are good enough to sell. I certainly wouldn’t make enough to offset the cost of charcoals, pencils, and paper.”
He refilled their cups with tea. “I think you’re good enough, but regardless, I didn’t think you sketched for money. I thought you did it for joy.”
Bridget stared at him for a long moment. She hadn’t realized how well he understood her.
“Or perhaps I misunderstood,” he said when she merely stared at him.
“You didn’t misunderstand,” she said, feeling self-conscious. When was the last time anyone asked her about herself and what she might like? For years, her life had been about survival. When had she had time to think about joy? “But drawing for pleasure has not been something I’ve had the time or funds to do for the past few years.”
“Of course not. I wasn’t thinking. I apologize.”
“Don’t. You’ve made me remember how it once was and how it could be again. I’d lost sight of that.”
“You’ve had other worries. It may not be safe for me to be part of James’s life, but you can be assured you both will be taken care of. I have some money saved—”
“Caleb, I don’t want your money. That isn’t why I asked for help finding him.”
“And what if I want to give you money for him? If that’s the only way I can be part of his life, at least it’s something. I left you to fend for yourself all those years ago. I was well paid for my service, and this is the least I can do.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He didn’t press her any further. Instead, he paid for the food and escorted her back to Mrs. Jacobs’s. At the corner, where they wouldn’t be spotted by the lady herself, he pulled Bridget aside. “I wish I could take you to a museum or Hyde Park.”
She looked up at the gray skies and the persistent drizzle. “The park? It’s raining.”
He gave her a rueful smile. “I wish I could escort you anyway, but I’ve risked almost enough for one day.”
“Almost?”
“Take one more risk with me?”
Years ago, she would have said yes immediately. Now, she hesitated. “What is it?”
“Come to my room after supper tonight. I have something for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Come to my room and find out.” He looked about, then back at her. “Go now. I’ll wait a quarter hour and come in after you.”
“You should go first.”
“I won’t have you standing on the street in the rain. Go now, so I can see that you return safely inside.”
Bridget nodded and started for the boarding house. She knew there was no point in arguing with Caleb. He was as stubborn as he was honorable. But if he normally took as many chances as he had today, it was a wonder he hadn’t been spotted. The city was full of men and women looking for easy money, and Caleb was probably worth more money than she would ever possess.
Bridget greeted Mrs. Jacobs when she entered and went straight to her room. She dropped a few more pieces of the small ration of coal she’d been allotted into the stove and huddled by it for warmth. Later in the summer, it would probably be uncomfortably hot in the room, but today, in her damp clothing, she was cold.
She stripped off her dress and hung it to dry, then did the same with her stays and chemise, wrapping herself in a blanket. She had another chemise that was clean and dry, but it was her best one—a fine lawn with delicate lavender ribbons. She didn’t like to wear it often. She took it out of its tissue paper for special occasions.
Did going to Caleb’s room qualify as a special occasion? Could she even risk going? It wasn’t a ploy to trap her in his chamber and take advantage of her. She knew him too well to ever expect such behavior from him. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be tempted to kiss him if she went. And if she kissed him, she did not know if she’d be able to stop. Or if she’d want him to stop.
Then she might be glad she’d worn her pretty chemise.
The