“Careful.” He knelt beside her and offered his arm. “Let me help you.”
“I’ll fetch Dr. Owens,” Lucy said, her voice full of concern.
Joseph helped her to her feet. “I’m all right. I just got a little dizzy. And the boards in the sidewalk were a bit uneven.”
She couldn’t help releasing Joseph’s protective arm as quickly as possible.
Annabelle turned and gave Lucy a smile. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Joseph’s eyes were on her the entire walk home, making her feel more exposed than when she’d lain on the sidewalk.
What was she supposed to say that wouldn’t make her sound like a complete ninny? I’m trying hard to keep it all together for my father’s sake, but everyone keeps pushing in places I’d just as soon keep hidden?
Even in her own mind, it sounded ridiculous.
Fortunately, they were close to the house, and soon she’d be able to fix herself a cup of tea, then she could rest, and all would be well.
When the house was in sight, Nugget raced ahead. “I’m going to show Maddie my new ribbon!”
Annabelle couldn’t help the smile that crept across her face. Nugget was a delightful girl. In spite of everything she had experienced and witnessed, she still maintained the childlike innocence that anyone would be hard-pressed to resist.
“Ah, there it is.” Joseph touched her cheek briefly. “I was beginning to think we should send for the doctor after all.”
She wasn’t sure if the sensation left by his momentary touch was a good thing or a bad one. Certainly the way it made her stomach turn inside and out wasn’t a comfortable sensation. Nor was there any comfort in the way his eyes seemed to be searching deep within her.
“I just need a cup of tea.”
Annabelle tried to keep her voice steady. The last thing she needed was for everyone to get concerned for her health. Then her father might never let her leave.
“Are you sure?” Though Joseph’s touch was gentle, it burned, like getting too close to a fire. She should have taken a step back, but having his hand on her arm was just as—
A team of horses galloped by. She turned her gaze to watch the matched set in the beautiful carriage. Trimmed out in the finest gold, it had to belong to one of the mining barons.
Annabelle’s heart sank as she pulled her arm away. Men like Joseph came to town believing they’d leave in a carriage like that. Few did.
She straightened. “I’m perfectly fine. But the longer we dally, the more likely it is to worry my father.”
“He knows you’re safe with me.”
Except she wasn’t. Every kindness from Joseph only punctuated the fact that she couldn’t allow herself to enjoy it. Henry had been all politeness and kindness—until she’d truly needed him. And he was gone.
The ache didn’t leave until after she was seated in the kitchen, Maddie fussing over her.
“I can’t believe you fainted and didn’t let anyone call for the doctor. You should have at least had someone get you a carriage.” Maddie placed a cup of tea in front of her.
“I got too warm, that’s all.” As Annabelle sipped her tea, she watched Joseph slip in the back door.
Annabelle looked up at him. “Would you care for some tea?”
“Thank you, no.” He turned his gaze to Maddie. “I want to visit my pa’s cabin. Frank gave me the information, but I’ll admit the directions don’t make much sense.”
Maddie stirred the pot of soup. “I never venture out of town. Don’t want to get mixed up with the riffraff. Annabelle used to go up to the camps with her father. She might know.”
Annabelle slumped in her seat. She had purposely avoided going to any of the mining camps since the illness that had taken her family. It hurt too much to see the work they’d done together, and realize that for the ones who’d died, it had been all in vain.
“Of course I’ll help.” She tried to sound cheerful, but the look on Joseph’s face told her that he didn’t believe her.
Joseph held up a hand. “Don’t put yourself out on account of me.”
“I want to,” Annabelle said quietly. She wanted to add that she was sorry for not being more welcoming, but that would only serve to get a scolding from Maddie.
Surely he would be able to accept her peace offering after explaining her feelings last night. This was as much as she could give, and he had to be gentlemanly enough to know that.
The door opened, and her father walked in. “The soup smells delicious, Maddie.”
Maddie beamed. “I’ll get you a bowl, and for everyone else. Joseph is going to look at his father’s cabin, and Annabelle fainted dead away on Harrison Avenue. A bit of soup will perk everyone up.”
“I did not faint dead away.” Annabelle met her father’s look. “I got too warm, that’s all.”
“She did, too!” Nugget piped up. “Fell on the ground and everything.”
The worry on her father’s face nearly killed her. After having so much illness in the family, the last thing he needed was to be concerned about Annabelle’s health. Especially if what Lucy had said was true. He’d never let her leave if he thought she was taking ill.
“I’m fine. It was just warm, and my dress was a bit...tight.” She whispered the word, knowing that ladies of her acquaintance often said that they sometimes got a little dizzy if their corsets were too tight. She would have easily said such a thing to her mother, or Maddie, if they were alone. But her father, being a man...still, if it eased his worry, a little diminished modesty would be worth it.
“Well, land’s sakes, child!” Maddie set the bowl in front of her with a thud. “Why didn’t you just say your corset was too tight? No sense in suffering misery for the sake of fashion. I told you I thought that dress was too much. I don’t care what the other girls are wearing. We’re getting you
