She turned to him, her features now settled into a small smile, even if her eyes showed her hesitancy.
“It’s comfortable and it’s safe, Tommy. That’s what matters to me most.”
He nodded, even as he continued to look at the roomthrough her eyes. In front of the hearth sat his one chair, which had seen better days, as the cushions were worn through and the wood chipped. He had a small cookstove in the corner, but he ate most of his meals out. Tucked into the other corner was his bed, just big enough for him, with an armoire to the side to hold his few changes of clothing, a small tub and washbasin, and in the middle sat a round, chipped table with two chairs.
That was it.
“Where are, um…” Minnie began, twisting her hands together. “The facilities?”
“Oh, the outhouse? It’s ’round back. You just have to go down these stairs, which are separate from the shop.”
Her mouth dropped, then closed, then opened again as though she was about to say something, and he worried she was about to run right out of the building and back to the marriage her father would have sold her into.
“All right,” she finally squeaked out.
“I’ll talk to the blacksmith tomorrow,” he finally settled on. “See what can be done.”
“No, no, Tommy, it’s fine,” she said quickly. “There will be furor enough already if my father attempts to say anything. Let’s leave it be for now.”
“But—”
What was he supposed to say? He could see that this would make her miserable. He knew she would never be happy living in a space like this with him, even though she would never want that put out into the open like that.
“Are you all right after the confrontation with your father?” he settled on instead.
“Yes,” she said, her shoulders dropping. “I keep wondering just how it came to this. How desperate he was. The lengths he was willing to go to in order to keep his name and reputation intact. There must be more to it.”
“I’ll see what I can find out.”
“No, Tommy, I do not want you to put yourself in danger.”
He shrugged. “I’m at the docks often enough that I can overhear things without being too obvious. This Blackwood is involved in one way or another.”
She nodded, although she seemed tired, as though all that had happened was finally settling in, weighing on her shoulders.
“When do you play next?” she asked.
“Tomorrow morning,” he said, brightening at the thought.
“I’ll be there,” she said.
“I cannot wait.” He grinned before sobering. “I should tell you that I did come to a decision. I’m not going to take the bribe. At least, not yet.”
First, he would talk to his employer. See if he could find a way around this without sacrificing his integrity.
Her expression softened, and as much as she had said she understood whatever he chose, he could tell that she approved of his decision, which meant more to him than he would ever have guessed.
“Good for you, Tommy,” she said, looking down for a moment. “I was thinking I should find work as well. I just… I don’t know what I should do. I have no significant skills.”
“Not to worry, Min, I’ve got this,” he said with more confidence than he actually felt. “I’ll take care of you. I promise. Now, I have to go finish the day in the shop and explain everything that’s happened to Jack. Are you all right up here?”
He saw the momentary panic in her eyes, but she quickly subdued it. It killed him, knowing he would be leaving her here alone, but he didn’t have much of a choice.
“I’m fine, Tommy,” she said softly. “I’ll see you soon.”
Chapter Thirteen
“You’re telling me that you, Minnie Draper, snuck out of your house through a window, met Tommy Ward, and ran away to Gretna Green where you were secretly married?”
