The Right Wife by Beverly Barton Page B

asked as he strutted into the dining room and stood behind his mother’s chair.
    “Now, son,” Mathilda said, “please let us hear Mr. Coleman out.”
    “Again, sir, I ask how can Cousin Margaret attending upon Mr. Stone be of help to him?” Wesley’s fat cheeks reddened as his thick fingers grasped the wooden rounds of his mother’s high-backed chair.
    “I’m afraid we’re having a rather difficult time keeping him in bed as the doctor requested,” Thayer said, carefully gauging the mother’s and son’s reactions. “He refuses to eat a bit, demands his cigars, and has been abusive to those of us who only want what’s best for him.”
    “Why, pray tell, would you expose Margaret to such a vulgar display of temper?”
    “I thought perhaps a pretty face and a soft voice might be more persuasive. I assure you that I would accompany Miss Campbell there and back. And she could even bring along her servant. I believe that would be proper.”
    “Oh, my, my,” Mathilda said.
    “I beseech you, Mrs. Gower, on behalf of a friend who needs some Christian kindness.” Thayer bestowed his most charming smile on the reluctant Mathilda.
    “I think this entire matter is quite improper,” Wesley said. “Cousin Margaret, do you wish to see Mr. Stone again?”
    “I do,” Judith said.
    Maggie’s heart screamed yes. Oh, yes, she wanted to see Aaron. He was a stubborn fool not to follow the doctor’s orders. He could worsen his condition by getting up and out so soon. “If I can help Mr. Stone, perhaps it is my moral duty to do so. Do you agree, Aunt Tilly?”
    All eyes turned to Mathilda, awaiting her response.
    “Wesley, fetch Daisy from the kitchen,” Mathilda said. “She will accompany Margaret. I expect you, as a gentleman, Mr. Coleman, to advise one and all of my dear niece’s benevolence in this matter.”
    “But of course,” Thayer said. “All of Tuscumbia will know of her kindness and your generosity in sparing her for a few hours.”
    “Mother . . .” Wesley hesitated before daring to question his mother’s judgment. “Are you certain about this?”
    “Fetch Daisy!” Mathilda said. “Of course, I’m certain. Hurry up. We don’t want to keep Mr. Coleman waiting.”
    “I want to go too,” Judith said.
    “Nonsense, child,” her aunt said sternly. “You have no place on this charitable trip. You will be assisting me this afternoon.”
    Judith sulked, but knew better than to talk back to her authoritarian aunt.
    “Should I change my dress?” Maggie asked, looking directly at Mathilda.
    “No, no,” Thayer said. “You look lovely, Miss Maggie. We do need to hurry before Aaron does himself any more harm.”
    “Of course,” Maggie said, but she couldn’t help worrying about her appearance. The dress she wore had been made from the same cloth as Judith’s pale blue percale and was just as grayed and faded. Quickly untying the strings, she folded her apron and placed it on the mahogany buffet behind her.
    Daisy joined them, looking nervously from one white face to another.
    “We’re going down to the Parshall House with Mr. Coleman to see after Mr. Stone,” Maggie told the wide-eyed servant.
    “Yes’am, Miss Maggie.”
    “Mrs. Gower, I promise to return your niece safely home as soon as she has soothed the wounded lion.” Thayer smiled, his black eyes twinkling like onyx diamonds.
    “We shall be pleased for you to call upon us again at anytime, Mr. Coleman,” Mathilda practically cooed. “We’re pleased to be of service to you.”
    “I shall forever be in you debt, madam.” With that closing remark, Thayer hurried Maggie and Daisy to the front door and out on the porch.
    Maggie knew that Wesley followed them to the door. She could feel his cold, gray eyes piercing into her back as she walked down the steps and toward the street where Thayer’s open carriage awaited them. She knew that Wesley did not approve of her visit to Aaron. Was he suspicious? Had he guessed the truth about