“My daughter would be only too happy.”
“Very well. I will expect her in two hours, so we may come downstairs to dine.”
“As you wish, sir. Are you in need of anything just now?”
“No. I shall be out for a time, but my companion is in the room. Please check on him shortly in case he has a need.”
“Yes, sir,” the man said, his English very good.
Osborne did not so much as nod in his direction as she headed for the door. She wasn’t overly pleased to be out on her own but remembered how blind people could be. Remembering that Edward Steele was the first to ever confront her, she kept her head up, every move aristocratic, and kept moving.
“Banco?” she questioned a man who passed her. He stopped and pointed.
Osborne kept on. She didn’t need a bank, but if she found one, she was certain that a post office or mailing facility would be in the vicinity.
A few questions later, she found herself close to the bank, her eyes scanning for signs of a post office. It took the better part of the block, but she eventually spotted a nondescript door and went toward it.
“Fala inglês?” Osborne asked the woman inside, who said no.
Osborne reached into her vest and brought out the letter she’d written while Edward had been gone from the inn. Seeing it, the woman nodded and began to speak. Osborne caught little of it, but she pulled forth a few coins. The woman took two of them, and Osborne understood that her letter would be sent.
Feeling tired, her feet hurting, she started back toward the door that led to the street. She remembered who she was supposed to be for her walk back through town, and even as she entered the inn and went upstairs. Not until she was safely inside the room with Denley and Edward did she let down a bit.
“Any change?”
“No,” Edward told her.
Osborne nodded.
“A servant will be here in a little more than an hour to sit with Denley while we go down for lunch.”
“All right.”
“I’m not sure if I need to explain this to you, but Denley ill or not, I need to keep a normal profile.”
Edward nodded, but she hadn’t looked at him yet. She did so when he remained quiet.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. I nodded, but you didn’t see me. Who is coming to stay?”
“The innkeeper’s daughter.”
“Rosario?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, if it’s her, we’ve met. She appears kind and competent.”
Edward watched her shoulders sag a little. Not for the first time, he wondered what drove her. He looked to Denley, his heart aching with prayers for this man. Edward so wanted to trust God for the outcome, but he was tempted to beg his heavenly Father to heal Denley…not just for the servant’s sake, but so as not to leave Osborne on her own.
“I’ll sit with him for a time,” Osborne said to Edward, who was still in the chair.
“All right. It’s warm in here. Shall I open a window?”
“Maybe a little.”
Edward noticed that she did not remove her coat. He wanted to tell her she was safe with him but didn’t know how to go about it. He went to the window and opened it some. They were on the second floor, and for a moment he looked out. The docks were not far off, and he knew that the town stretched off to his left. The fresh air felt invigorating—he could smell the ocean. It wasn’t overly warm; just pleasant. It would have been a fine day to walk about Lisbon, but he knew he couldn’t leave just then.
A soft moan from the bed brought Edward’s mind back to the room. He turned from the window and approached the bed. Denley had begun to slide down in the bed again. Edward had noticed it before and shifted him so his head was back on the pillow. This time he bent over the man and gently removed the pillow.
“He doesn’t seem to want it under his head,” Edward said when he found Osborne’s eyes on him.
Osborne was utterly silent with mental castigations. She knew very well that Denley preferred a very flat pillow or none at all, but she hadn’t even noticed.
“Are you all right?” Edward suddenly asked.
Osborne’s eyes flew to him. She had been completely unaware he’d been watching her so closely. Was she that comfortable in this man’s presence or just that upset over Denley’s condition?
“Yes,” she answered shortly, forcing her eyes from his probing gaze. She went back to bathing Denley’s flushed face and head, giving her an excuse not to look at him.
Edward could see her need for privacy and turned away, going toward his bag.
“I’m going to settle in my room. I’ll check on you shortly.”
“Shall I knock on your door when Rose gets here?”
“Rosario,” Edward corrected. “If I don’t come back first, that will be fine.”
Not until he exited did Osborne realize she wasn’t certain which room was Edward’s. She nearly came to her feet and went after him but changed her mind. Even if they were late to lunch, Osborne decided that she’d rather Edward came to her.
“Did Rosario meet with your approval?” Edward asked the moment the gentlemen took a seat at one of the tables downstairs. There were other diners in the large room, but their place by the window gave them a modicum of privacy.
“Yes. She seemed capable and kind.”
Edward nodded, but Osborne didn’t notice.
“Had Denley roused at all?”
“He took another drink of water, but I don’t believe he was very aware.”
Both of his questions had been answered absently. Edward had never taken his eyes from his companion, slightly amazed at how good her disguise was but also waiting to see if she would look at him. Not until he asked his next question did her eyes turn in his direction.
“I think you should tell me your name—your real name.”
The eyes that looked at him were guarded and keen. They were eyes that had been forced to weigh every circumstance, person, and event. Edward knew he was being evaluated.
“Why do you wish to know?”
“I just think it wise. I’m not asking that you trust me—you have no reason to—but I would like to know your name.”
When she didn’t speak right away, Edward said, “I’m not like Waldengrave.”
“Why did you mention him?”
“I got the impression you didn’t trust him.”
“I didn’t at first, but then I realized he just liked to talk.”
The table was silent again for several moments. The room around them hummed with low voices and the sound of cups and plates moving. Edward waited this time, his eyes ever watchful.
“Niki,” she began softly but stopped and took a small breath. “Nicola Bettencourt.”
“Bettencourt,” Edward tested the name, having caught the perfect pronunciation. “You don’t look French.”
“I’m not.”
Edward stared at her a moment before saying, “But Nicola is French also, is it not?”
“That is true.”
This said, Edward’s companion turned her eyes to the window, clearly indicating the conversation to be over. Nevertheless, Edward waited. She volunteered no other information. Not that he was surprised. This woman had secrets to keep and no reason to share them with him, but her name made him more curious than ever. Was she running from her husband? That might explain the French name for a woman who was not French. Or had she been telling him the truth about that name?
“Niki,” Edward said softly, only to have her instantly turn.
“Why did you do that?” Her voice had turned sharp.
“To see if it was truly your name.”
Niki sighed, her eyes lowering.
“I know this must seem very curious and odd to you, Mr Steele, but I beg your indulgence in this matter. I ask that you not give me away. I promise you that all I hold dear depends on it.”
Edward continued to watch her. She was either the finest actor in the worl
d or speaking the truth. Edward could not find it in his heart to deny her.
“Unless I am asked to do something that goes against my beliefs, I shall go along with this and help where I am able.”
Relief was written all over her when she said, “Thank you,” and turned to the window again.
Their food arrived shortly after. Both were hungry and enjoyed the meal, but each was busy with myriad thoughts: Edward speculating on the whole affair and Niki asking herself what she would do if she did not reach her destination before Christmas.
“Over there is a small bakery.” Edward pointed. “They make marvelous breads and pastries.”
“You talk as though you’ve been here often,” Niki commented, carrying herself through the streets of Lisbon as though she owned the city. She had gone upstairs to check on Rosario and Denley before leaving, but now she was on a walk with Edward, strolling as though she had nothing the least bit troublesome on her mind.
“Just one other time,” Edward told her and then fell silent, not because he was out of things to say but because he rather hoped she would talk a little.
Edward remained quiet for the next 20 minutes, but Niki said nothing more. Some of Lisbon’s architecture was lovely, and Edward watched her take notice, but she didn’t comment or even look in his direction as they walked.
She also seemed content to let him lead the way. He took them in a circle that allowed them to enjoy many of the sights but still managed to land them back at the inn.
Once inside, Edward followed Niki back to the room. He listened while she asked about Denley and then dismissed Rosario. When he glanced over to find Denley’s eyes open, he went to him.
“How are you, Denley?”
“A woman was here,” he managed quietly.
“The innkeeper’s daughter. A good woman.”
“Osborne?”
“Right behind me.”
Edward watched the man’s eyes go to Niki.
“Are you all right, sir?”
“Yes,” Niki said quietly, and added, “worried about you.”
“I’m so thirsty.”
Edward didn’t move out of the way so Niki could reach him but went ahead and gave Denley something to drink. The ill man lay back, his eyes on the two of them, and knew that something had gone on. Alarm rose within him, but he had no strength to act.
For as long as he could keep his eyes open, the servant watched Edward’s face, silently begging him to be a man of honor. His thoughts were still tormenting him when he fell back to sleep.
Niki surrendered her vigilance and went to sleep in the chair by the bed. Edward had gone across the hall and returned with his Bible, only to find no answer to his knock. When he quietly entered, he found both Denley and Niki asleep. Something told him this was highly unusual for this woman and that he would startle her if he woke her suddenly. Moving as quietly as he could manage, Edward took the other chair and opened his Bible. He’d been reading for 20 minutes when he heard Niki stir.
“What are you reading?” she asked, coming instantly awake and seemingly aware of everything around her.
“My Bible.”
In an unconscious move, Niki sat up a little straighter.
“Which book?”
“Isaiah.”
“What does it say?”
This surprised Edward, but he answered.
“I’m in chapter 66. Some of the word pictures are incredible.”
“What, for instance?’
“The first verse says that heaven is God’s home and the earth is His footstool.”
“Do you think that’s meant to be literal?”
“No, I don’t. The picture just helps us to understand how huge and powerful God is. The verses go on to say that no house could contain Him and that He made everything.”
Niki nodded but said nothing more.
“Have you spent much time studying the Bible?” Edward asked.
“Not as much as I’d like.”
“You’re welcome to borrow mine.”
Niki stared at him.
“Do you doubt my sincerity?”
Niki looked slightly embarrassed before admitting, “No, I’m just unaccustomed to trusting so quickly. I’ve had to be cautious, and that makes me wonder why you would be so kind to complete strangers.”
Edward smiled. “At times I’ve wondered myself.”
It was meant to be a joke, but Niki didn’t laugh or even smile. She looked at Edward a moment longer and then turned to Denley, touching his brow and reaching for the cloth.
Edward did not interrupt her. He’d been completely honest with her. Indeed he’d been utterly candid with her since they’d met. But he would have to let her figure that out for herself.
Bending his head again, he went back to studying his Bible. He sensed that Niki looked at him from time to time, but he didn’t look up. There was no precedent in his life by which he could judge this situation. He read on, deciding to take things one moment at a time.
Chapter Four
“He knows,” Niki said quietly.
She and Edward had just finished dinner. Edward had retired to his room, and she’d gone back to the room she shared with Denley. After thanking Rosario and paying her for the day’s work, Niki saw her to the door. She found Denley awake and asking questions.
“How do you know he does?”
“He asked me to tell him why I’m dressed like a man.”
Denley’s eyes closed in pain—emotional pain. I know I talked on the ship. I don’t remember what I said, but I must have given her away.
“Are you all right?”
“Is that why he’s hanging about?” Denley asked, ignoring the question. “Is he hoping to hold it over you?”
“No. He said you told him that I had needs and that until you were back on your feet to look after me, he was going to stay.”
“This is all my fault.”
“No, it’s not,” Niki said, her heart turning with tenderness for this dear man. “You were only doing what you’ve always done: taking care of me.”
“What if he gives you away?”
“I don’t think he will. I don’t know why I trust him right now, but I do.”
“Have you explained?”
“No, and I don’t plan to.”
Denley nodded, still so weak he wanted to die. He was not convinced that the blame for this did not lie at his door, but the job was done. Much as he wished it, he could not turn back the hours on the clock.
“What day is it?”
“Still Tuesday. We left the ship this morning.”
Denley became restless, his head tossing in torment. “I’ve got to get out of this bed. I’ve got to get you back.”
Niki said nothing. She laid her hand on his shoulder and waited. It was not an issue that needed to be debated. Yes, she needed to be somewhere—she needed it desperately—but she was no longer in control and neither was Denley.
When Denley’s thrashing subsided into sleep, Niki wasn’t certain. Her mind was hundreds of miles away, her heart as well. Trying not to panic over being on her own, she rose slowly and forced herself to think only of the moment, and that meant readying herself for bed.
When Edward woke the next morning, the inn was quiet, telling him it was still early. He thought that if he let himself, he could fall back to sleep, but his mind began to move in several directions, causing all remnants of fatigue to fall away. Would his brother ever believe this situation when he told him? Did Edward believe it himself? Barely. Niki Bettencourt, alias Osborne, was utterly fascinating. One moment she was telling the owner of the inn what she wanted and how swiftly it needed to arrive, and later—with great interest—she was quietly asking him about the Bible.
Edward could feel his head starting to pound. If he gave too much thought to this, he would become distracted and be of no use to anyone.
Reaching for his Bible, he settled in to read for a time. He knew he could take it to the other room, but reading next
to Denley’s bed might not prove very effective. For now he needed quiet to study and pray, and ask God for more wisdom than he’d ever called for in his life.
“What kind of a night did Denley have?” Edward asked from across the table a few hours later.
“Not bad,” Niki answered briefly. “Awake some.”
The breakfast tray had been delivered, and the two were seated at the room’s small table. Throughout the meal Edward took surreptitious glances at Niki, but she didn’t seem to notice. He thought she looked tired.
“I was wondering whether you want me to move in here so you could take my room.”
Niki stopped eating. She looked up from her plate and studied Edward.
“Why?”
Edward shrugged a little, still working on his food. “You didn’t share a cabin on the ship, so I assumed this was unusual.”
Niki told herself to calm down. It was a reasonable request. Returning her concentration to her food, she answered him.
“My privacy is not an issue with Denley being so ill, and once he’s feeling better, we’ll be on our way.”
Edward gave a nod and kept eating. He would have liked to ask what on our way meant but knew better.
The meal continued in silence. Edward didn’t try to engage her in any type of conversation but forced his mind to relax. He’d set his Bible on the window ledge when he’d come in and glancing at it helped to calm him. He might feel out of control, but Someone else certainly wasn’t.
A knock at the door sounded just as Edward put his napkin down. Niki rose to answer it, and Edward watched as the door opened for one of the young men who worked around the inn.
“The broth you asked for, Mr Osborne.”
“Thank you,” Niki said softly, slipping the lad a coin and shutting the door.