He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her cheeks. Looking at her tenderly, he said, “Actually, I do think I know, because I feel the same way. I’ve been worried sick.”
“You have?”
“Last night Veronica told me you were let go. I questioned her, even stopped by the servants’ entrance this morning and asked if anyone knew where you went off to. But no one had any idea. Ever since then, I’ve been a wreck, imagining the worst, hoping and praying to find you.”
“They wouldn’t have known. I had no idea what I was going to do when I left the house.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” he murmured as he clasped her hands in his.
She couldn’t help it—she laughed. Enjoying his smile. Enjoying his touch. His hands felt so warm, so reassuring. Safe. “Seeing you here? It feels like a dream.”
“Indeed. The very best of dreams.” He squeezed her hands one more time before he dropped them. “Now, let’s get you out of here. Are you hungry? Do you need anything?”
She felt so overwhelmed at the moment that she wasn’t sure what she needed. But then she remembered her manners. She turned to the man who had been sitting with her. “I’m sorry, sir. I mean, Mr. Jackson. I didn’t mean to completely—”
But he was gone.
“Reid, did you see where that man I was talking to went off to?”
“That was Edward Jackson. He’s a shopkeeper who lives nearby.”
“Well, he was about to help me. He was about to give me your address.”
“Really? I didn’t think he knew it,” he mused.
“I was so grateful that he stopped to talk to me. I prayed and prayed for help, then both of you men appeared.”
“I asked my father for advice. After going over possibilities, I decided there was a good chance you might come here because this is the one place you know I frequent with any regularity. I also left word with everyone at home to be on the lookout for you.”
“You did all that?”
“I did. My father and I also gave strict instructions. If you showed up, everyone was supposed to ply you with hot tea and sandwiches until I came back.”
She’d hoped and prayed he’d help her if she’d asked, but she had never imagined that he’d go to so much trouble. Not for a mere maid.
“As I said, I’ve been concerned about you.” He held out his arm. “Now, come home with me. My parents are there and they want to help. Where are your things?”
“I left my carpetbag with the landlady of a little inn.” She bit her lip. “I told her I’d be back for everything by five.”
“I’ll send a footman to retrieve your bag. Until you leave Chicago, you will be staying with the Armstrong family.”
She was too desperate to do anything but accept his offer. “Thank you. I’ll be more than happy to work for my room and board.”
“Nonsense. You will be there as our guest, Rosalind.”
“But, Reid, I am only a maid. You can’t have me stay at your house as a lady. What will your servants say?”
“First of all, I don’t care. And second? It seems the Sloanes have quite a reputation for running off servants. I have a feeling my staff might congratulate you!”
She couldn’t believe he was joking. “If I stay, I’ll gladly stay in an extra maid’s room.”
“No arguing. We wouldn’t want this to happen any other way,” he proclaimed as they stepped out of the dark church into the light of day.
Now that she wasn’t shrouded with worry, she looked around and was surprised and pleased to see that the day was bright with nary a cloud in the sky. “It’s a beautiful day,” she murmured.
His lips curved upward. “Indeed, it is. The best of days.”
Rosalind’s first impression of Reid Armstrong’s home was that it was much different than Sloane House. While Sloane House stood as imposing as a castle, its limestone bricks and multiple turrets, arches, and gables practically daring anyone to find a flaw, the Armstrongs’ home was built entirely of wood. It reminded her of a giant farm-house, nestled among a variety of trees and shrubs and rolling hills.
It was a welcoming place.
While it was true that it wasn’t all that grand-looking on the outside, inside, it was still impressive. Standing in the marbled tile entryway, she gazed at the mahogany banister and the trio of paintings decorating the wall to her right.
She saw the finely carved furniture and the thick imported rugs. The gas chandelier above them glittered, the crystals capturing the light from the upstairs windows and sending a myriad of bright colors flashing along the walls. Though she was no expert on fine furnishings, even she knew that the Armstrongs’ interior could measure up to the Sloanes’ in almost every single way.