Blackmail, Liam thought. But blackmail can work two ways, my friend.
“I don’t know what you plan to gain by this, but you won’t succeed,” Liam said softly. “Do you seriously believe San Francisco will accept your story of a long-lost cousin and missionary’s daughter?”
“With my sponsorship and Caroline’s, I’ve no doubt of it.” He cast Caroline a frankly indulgent glance. “And I know you won’t make it difficult for us. It would hardly be in your best interests.”
“And Caroline’s interests? Your devotion has a certain imperfection if you’d put her in company with an adventuress.”
“It’s you who’ve defined Miss MacKenzie so uncharitably, not I. I’m not worried about Caroline.”
“Worried about what?” Caroline came up beside them, glancing from one man to the other. She took Perry’s arm. “I hope you gentlemen are done with your business. Rose and I are nearly ready for our outing.”
“Outing?” Liam repeated.
“To Cliff House,” Perry said. “Caroline told me you’d promised it to her before we left for the jungle. She’s most anxious to begin showing Rose the sights of the city.”
“I know it’s soon after her arrival, but she does so want to go,” Caroline put in. “All those days on the ship were so tedious. No society at all! And I’ve been waiting such a long time for your return.” She cast Liam an imploring look. “You did promise we could go whenever I liked.”
Yes, Perry had worked on Caroline well. Liam could object, certainly, but it was better to keep Perry clearly in sight until a more permanent solution could be found.
“If it’s too much trouble for you to escort them,” Perry said smoothly, “I’d be more than happy to do the honors.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Liam turned to Caroline. “Please take Miss MacKenzie upstairs while I see to the carriage.”
He waited until Caroline and Mac were well out of earshot before he addressed Perry again.
“Enjoy this while you can, old friend,” he said. “After today Caroline will be… otherwise engaged.”
Perry drew a pair of driving gloves from his pocket. “Oh, I intend to make the most of it. I advise you to do the same.”
Chapter Fourteen
Time travels in divers paces
with divers persons.
I’ll tell you who Time ambles withal,
who Time trots withal,
who Time gallops withal,
and who he stands still withal.
—William Shakespeare
“NOW, THIS ISN’T nearly enough, of course,” Caroline said, waving the corset in front of Mac’s nose. “You’ll need gowns for morning and evening and walking and carriage rides, at least five pairs of shoes and boots, three sets of gloves, several chemises—” She counted off on her plump fingers. “And hats, bustles, redingotes and wraps, a pocketbook, fans and parasols and jewelry and hairpieces…”
Mac groaned silently and wiggled cramped feet in her borrowed, one-size-too-small, high-heeled, narrow-toed walking boots. Her back already ached from carrying around numerous pounds’ worth of skirt for the past two hours. She had yet to try on the corset Caroline insisted she wear—or the newest figure enhancer, the bust improver. Caroline had assured her that it would do wonders for her figure.
Trekking through the jungle and over mountains with Liam had been nothing compared to this. So much for the frailty of Victorian women. Mac thought about all the elegant fashion plates she’d seen in the streets and the Grand Court of the Palace. It must take Amazonian strength to walk around all day wearing this sort of getup; Mac was already desperate for her jeans and T-shirts.
Caroline didn’t seem to mind. She thrived on the restrictive intricacies of Victorian fashion—as she loved being the center of attention, no matter what form it took.
“I know what I’ve lent you isn’t nearly enough,” Caroline said, “but it’s only to see you through the day. Tomorrow I will arrange to have my dressmaker fit you for evening gowns, and we shall go shopping at the City of Paris. Oh—” She clapped her hands like a child. “It will be such fun.”
Fun. About a’ much fun as Mac had had this morning, unexpectedly meeting Great-great-grandma for the very first time. Perry hadn’t told her where they were going until they were halfway to the impressive Gresham mansion. He hadn’t given Mac much warning of his scheme to introduce her to Caroline.