An Unsinkable Love(19)
Malcolm shook his head in bemusement as he remembered the plain dress she'd been wearing in his mother's suite. He'd also met her below decks. He was thrown by the elegant outfit she'd been wearing then, as well as her refined manners. She certainly didn't resemble the other workers with whom he'd come in contact on the ship. "Are you sure?"
"I assure you she is a very skilled seamstress." Elizabeth replied.
Malcolm steered her toward the restaurant, one hand scrubbing through the short hair at his nape as he considered the implications.
66
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
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67
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Chapter 6
Bree jerked as the doorknob rattled, sinking into the chair with relief when Elizabeth entered. She was making a silent prayer of thanks Eldon wasn't with his wife when Malcolm stepped into the room behind her.
He was very solicitous with his mother, leading her gently over to the chaise and helping her sit. When he turned his face, Bree saw a brittle gleam in his eyes. Apparently he had at least some idea of what happened.
"Mother tells me you've offered to sit with her tonight."
"Yes. I've been working on some of her other gowns, and it's no bother to stay." Bree couldn't tear her gaze away from his stormy eyes. They were indigo dark and bore into her with unnerving intensity. He shook his head and broke the spell.
"She's a little fatigued. Do you think you could help her to bed?"
"Of course." Bree laid the garment she'd been working on aside and quickly went to Elizabeth.
"I'm sorry I'm such a bother, dear," Elizabeth said.
Bree shushed her with a shake of her head. "Don't fret about it. We'll just get you settled in and comfortable." After she closed the bedroom door and helped the older woman out of the heavy gown and into her nightclothes, she gently brushed Elizabeth's hair. Pain lines deepened around her mouth and Bree quickly finished plaiting the silvery-blonde hair and eased her into the narrow bed, tucking the bedding close around her thin body. She fetched a glass of water from 68
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
the bathroom, measured out the bedtime dose of laudanum then watched as Elizabeth drank it down.
"Thank you, my dear." Elizabeth reached up and brushed her hand across Bree's cheek. "You've been a godsend."
Bree grasped the thin hand as she stood, giving it a squeeze before tucking it under the blanket. "Sleep well, Mrs.
DuMont. I'll be just outside the door. If you need me, call out." By the time she reached the door, Elizabeth's eyes were closed, her face unlined and peaceful in sleep. She left the door open a few inches and went back to her chair. Malcolm paced the room, his agitation palpable.
"She's resting now. The doctor gave her something to help the pain. I think she'll sleep for several hours," Bree said, avidly watching his long fingers scrub through glossy curls at the nape of his neck.
Malcolm's shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes, but Bree saw a muscle ticking in his jaw and knew anger seethed just beneath the surface. If he knew how his mother was injured, Eldon likely wouldn't enjoy their next meeting.
Malcolm confirmed her deduction as he issued a muffled oath, followed by detailed descriptions of several rather violent things he intended to do to his stepfather when he got his hands on him. He stopped pacing and glanced over at her.
He noticed her wide eyes and slack jaw and gave her a sheepish look.
"I beg your pardon, Miss Barry. I've let my emotions run amok. Thank you for helping Mother. She speaks very highly of you. It's been difficult since her maid quit before we left Southampton. I don't believe Mother was particularly fond of 69
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
Eleanor, since Eldon hired her without giving Mother any input, but they did eventually get to know each other's habits and such. It's clear she already thinks a great deal of you."
Bree smiled and nodded her thanks. Her smile faltered as Malcolm's deep blue eyes grew more intense, as though trying to read her thoughts. She quickly bent her head and focused on the dress in her lap. Should she comment on Elizabeth's injuries? It really wasn't her place. She wanted him to keep talking. She liked listening to his voice, liked having him near, even though it caused her to breathe too quickly. She didn't want him to notice, to wonder what it meant.