Page 16 of Beauty and the Baker
What had his father told her? Before he could ask, she was already out the door with a wave. “Hal and I will be over for dinner tomorrow evening. Look forward to seeing you.”
Charlie stood and stared at the door for a moment before heading back to the sitting room.
Max had hired Frances as a housekeeper and cook after Cassie arrived in town. He wanted to make sure there was no appearance of impropriety that could mar Cassie’s reputation.
That was another reason Charlie liked his brother-in-law. From what he could gather, his father and Frances started spending quite a bit of time together.
Charlie wasn’t sure where Frances lived. He knew she was staying at Max’s house for a bit but had moved out once Max and Cassie were married. She wasn’t needed as a chaperone anymore.
She still came over with meals. Cassie wasn’t the best cook and she spent many late nights at the shop fixing costumes for the theater groups that would come in town. Having Frances bring over dinner three nights a week assured Cassie that Max was eating. And now, Charlie too.
His father had recently moved to the boarding house. Charlie thought that might be so he could continue visiting with Frances, but he didn’t want to get involved in his father’s affairs of the heart.
He walked back into the office. Mr. Gladstone was sitting on the window sill, his leg stretched out and he was licking his toes.
“You need to stop brooding. Both your sister and Mrs. Brown are correct; you need to get out of the house.”
Charlie froze. The last time there was someone in the shadows, Charlie and his friends were taken. His hands started to shake, and he pressed them against his legs willing them to stop. Counting to ten, he slowly turned around.
Sitting on the corner of Max’s desk was a man in a dark suit. Max could tell it was a quality suit, even thought it was at least 40 years out of date.
Charlie didn’t recognize the man. Maybe he came in with Frances, and Charlie just didn’t see him slip into the office. He could feel his heart racing beneath his chest.
“Don’t worry, Charles, I’m not here to hurt you.” The man put his arms up in mock surrender.
“Who are you?” Charlie looked around the room for anything he might be able to use as a weapon. “How do you know my name?”
The man rubbed his hands on his knees. “I’m a friend of a friend. Now I’m your friend, too, Charles.”
“I don’t know you. Why are you here?”
“I know a great many things about you, Charles Stockton. I know that you rescued fourteen orphan boys under the age of ten from the abuse at the factory. I know that you took the evidence that was needed to convince the state’s attorney to take a closer look at the factory owners in that district. I know you were kidnapped so you wouldn’t say anything, and the case would be dropped. I know terrible things were done to you. What I don’t know is why. Why did you do it?”
Charlie shrugged. He didn’t know what happened to the boys at the factory once he turned over evidence to the state. He just knew he, Ian and James had been kidnapped and taken to Maryland, apparently, and tortured.
“Those boys are no longer working at the factory. The state said they need to remain at home until they are at least sixteen. You did good, Charlie. Not everyone can stand up when they see something wrong.”
Charlies’ eyes went wide. “Did they send you?” he yelled, scrambling onto the back of the settee. His eyes darted left and right. He grabbed the oil lamp raising it above his head. He had no problem throwing it at the intruder if necessary.
The man held his hands out waving them at Charlie “Oh heavens no, son. I’m not here to hurt you.” Charlie looked as though he didn’t believe the man. “I’m here to help you.”
“Help me?”
“Yes. I’m here to help you.” The man stood and took a deep bow. “Edward Pennyworth at your service.” Charlie didn’t recognize the name.
Charlie raised the lamp again. “I’m telling you to leave.”
The man lifted his head and laughed. “Your sister was definitely more open minded than you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Cassandra was more open minded about taking a chance and doing something that made her uncomfortable.”
Charlie lowered the lamp a little. “I’m not following you.”
“Charles, you need to get out of the house. Go explore. Maybe you’ll even meet a young lady.”
“I don’t think so,” Charlie said, lowering himself from the back of the settee down to the seat.
