Page 11 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
She knew Boyd was cataloging everything he saw and adding it all up in his brilliant head, looking for an angle. At heart, he was a nefarious, plotting criminal… just like her.
On the surface, he was all charm and politeness, of course. Sometimes he wastoocharming and polite. If he was a little less charming and polite, then she could be a little less respectable maybe. She had a feeling that if Boyd told her what he actually thought and felt, it would match up perfectly with what she actually thought and felt.
But it was too late for that kind of daydreaming.
He’d fired her!
Mabel realized she was gazing at the man and quickly looked away. Boyd must have come to see her. She couldn’t imagine why else he’d be at Mrs. Patten’s weekly tea. But, what could he want, after their row yesterday? What else was there to say?
And why was he dressed so decently? Instead of his usual attire of shirtsleeves with the cuffs rolled up his muscular forearms, Boyd wore an expensive suit with a perfectly-knotted silk tie. On his feet, the spats covering his black shoes were glistening white. He looked like a prosperous, conservative, eligible bachelor, paying a call to his best girl.
Mabel’s suspicions grew. What was the big faker up to?
Frances positively preened, patting her Clara Bow inspired curls, as Mrs. Patten made the introductions. Boyd didn’t seem to notice Frances. Instead, his gaze lingered on Norris, who was sitting on the loveseat next to Mabel.
Vivid blue eyes pinned Norris like a bug.
Norris swallowed and eased a few extra inches away from Mabel.
Satisfied, Boyd took a seat in the horrendous chair across from them. Mabel had chosen to sit beside Norris, rather than deal with the weathered springs on the ancient cushion. Considering Norris’ person consistently carried the stench of formaldehyde, it was a damning indictment of the chair.
Boyd didn’t seem to notice the uncomfortable seat. He smiled at her, like social calls were normal between them. “Afternoon, Miss Harrison. You’re looking lovely today. It’s a revelation to see you in anything except black.”
Mabel instinctively glanced down at her gloomy mauve dress. No matter what she wore, she’d never be a great beauty. She was too practical to miss that fact. Still, her current wardrobe wasn’t helping to boost her plain looks, because she’d been wearing mourning-colors since February. She was slowly leaving behind the solid black, but it was hard to garner much excitement about another twelve months of wearing grays and lavenders. They didn’t do much for her complexion.
“In my day, no decent lady entered half-mourning for at least a year, if a parent died.” Mrs. Patten gave a superior kind of sniff, dusting a self-congratulatory hand over her own outfit of perpetual ebony. “But you said it was yourstepfather who passed, didn’t you? That’s different, I suppose.”
Mabel’s fingers tightened on the handle of her porcelain cup. “He raised me like a father.” She said tightly. “I loved him very much.”
Mrs. Patten patted her knee. “Such a dear girl… even if you are Catholic.”
“I’m Episcopalian.”
Mrs. Patten was barely listening, her eyes fixed on Boyd’s handsome face. “How do you know our Mabel, sir?”
“She works for me.”
“Idid.” Mabel chimed in. “Until he fired me.”
Boyd glanced at her through his lashes. “I didn’tactuallyfire you, Miss Harrison.”
Mabel’s brows shot up at that complete rewriting of history. “Yes, you actuallydid.”
Boyd’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding.” Mrs. Patten decided. “Any employer would want to have Mabel. Why, I’ve never met such a responsible girl. Always early with her rent.”
“I certainly want her.” Boyd concurred with a perfectly straight face.
Mrs. Patten loved it when people agreed with her. She now fully approved of Boyd. “Of course, I doubt Mabel will be working anywhere for long. Once she’s married, she’ll turn her attention to keeping her husband happy, as any girl should.”
Mabel shook her head at that idea. “My job is very important to me.” She paused. “Wasvery important to me.”
Mrs. Patten was too busy planning Mabel’s life to listen to Mabel’s input. “I’ll be sorry to lose her as a boarder, when the time comes.” The older lady droned on to Boyd. “But, I’ll be here to offer Mabel wifely tips, as she starts making a comfortable home.” She randomly listed a few of her favorites, because she never got tired of her own voice. “A dab of gasoline will remove stains from wool. White vinegar and baking soda will fix upanything. And never get peroxide near your good silver or it will tarnish like the dickens.”
“I don’t have any good silver.” Mabel told her.
“Well, why would asinglegirl need silver?” Mrs. Patten tittered. “Nice things are only for married women.” She beamed at Boyd with dimpled cheer. “Tea, Mr. Cassiday?”
