Olivia nodded. “All right. I’ll work on more ways to reduce our expenses.” Thankfully they’d already purchased the supplies for the nursery, including several bassinets, baby clothing, and diapers. “Do you think we should tell the residents about this?”
“Not just yet. We don’t want them to worry unnecessarily.”
“What about the midwife? When will she need to be paid?”
Ruth had managed to secure a local woman named Mrs. Dinglemire, who had many years of experience. They had paid a retainer to engage her services, but she had yet to meet with the residents individually, and some were getting fairly close to their due dates.
“We have a few more weeks until then,” Ruth said. “And even so, we should be able to pay her salary. It’s the bigger outlay of cash for the roof that concerns me.”
The doorbell rang.
Please, no more bad news. Olivia didn’t think she could take one more setback. “I’ll get it.”
Still consumed by their financial woes, Olivia opened the door. Her mood deteriorated even more at the sight of the man on the doorstep.
“What do you want, Mr. Reed?” she said in her iciest tone.
He pulled off his hat and held it to his chest, a pleading expression in his eyes. “I want to apologize again, Miss Rosetti. Won’t you allow me to explain?”
She hesitated, hating that even after everything he’d done, she still had a hard time saying no to the man. “Very well. You have five minutes.”
“Thank you. You’re more than gracious.” He stepped inside and, without waiting for an invitation, moved straight into the parlor.
She ground her molars together and followed him. “I don’t see what more there is to discuss. You want this house, and we aren’t selling. No matter what manner of tricks you come up with.”
He had the grace to look ashamed. “I do feel terrible about what I did. And about how it must seem like I was deceiving you.”
“Seem like?” Olivia swept across the carpet. “You were spying on us, Mr. Reed, for your own selfish purposes, trying to find something to use against us.”
“I guess in the back of my mind I hoped I might discover something that would aid my cause. But I honestly did want to learn more about your facility, and the more I learned, the more I came to admire what you’re doing here.” He shook his head. “What you said yesterday made me see how horribly selfish I’ve been not even considering the women who live here. I assumed Mrs. Bennington would sell this house and buy another, not taking into account the huge disruption to everyone’s lives.”
“I’m glad you realize that now.” Olivia crossed her arms. “Margaret and Patricia are nearing their due dates. That kind of stress could bring on early labor.” Perhaps if the man knew the women’s names, he would think of them as real people. “And Nancy, Cherise, and Jenny are just getting used to us.”
Jenny, an extremely introverted girl, was the latest to arrive. Olivia suspected she may have been abused. She was only recently starting to let down her guard and join them for meals.
He hung his head. “I apologize again. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
The man seemed sincere, but she didn’t fully trust him.
“I don’t suppose you know a good roofer? One who accepts payment in installments?”
His dark brows shot together. “What happened to the roof?”
“The city inspector found a problem, and in order to pass the next inspection, we need some extensive repairs.”
He frowned. “I can ask around. Maybe one of my father’s clients might know an outfit.”
She inclined her chin. “That would be appreciated.”
“Is there anything else I can do?” He moved closer.
Close enough for her to see the silver flecks in his eyes. She’d be a fool to be taken in by him again. “No, thank you. I think you’ve done quite enough for the time being.”
Darius hated the mistrust evident in Olivia’s beautiful brown eyes. Hated that his impulsive action in bringing about the inspection had led to such dire consequences.
But wasn’t that what he’d hoped would happen?
He must seem like the biggest hypocrite imaginable—helping her with the leak one minute and complaining to the city about possible violations the next.
“Thank you for hearing me out,” he said as he put on his hat. “I really do regret any harm my actions have brought about.”
She pinned him with a hard stare. “If that’s true, you’ll convince your boss to leave us alone.”
“All I can do is speak to him again. Try to make him consider another alternative.” He wished he could promise more, but even doing that much was a risk.
The tightness around her mouth eased. “Thank you.”
“There’s no guarantee, though. Mr. Walcott isn’t exactly the compromising type.” He hesitated at the front entrance, hating the idea that he might never see her again. But with no further excuse to prolong his stay, he tipped his hat. “Good-bye, Oliv . . . Miss Rosetti. I wish you all the best.”
Shoving back a huge amount of regret, he let himself out the door and descended the stairs. He truly meant what he’d said. He did hope her home succeeded, yet he was at a loss to determine how he could reconcile that wish with Mr. Walcott’s demands.
Engulfed in his unwanted thoughts, Darius barely acknowledged a woman coming up the walkway.
Instead of passing him, she grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. “Is this Bennington Place?” Her voice sounded desperate, and she glanced nervously over her shoulder.
“It is.”
“Do you work here?” She wore a floral scarf over her head, covering the lower part of her face.
Something about the woman stirred his protective instincts. “No, I don’t. But Miss Rosetti is inside. She can help you.” When he went to move away, she tightened her grip on his arm.
“Please. I don’t think I can—” She crumpled
