A Fall in Time (Train Through Time Series Book 5) by McBride Bess

Author:McBride, Bess [McBride, Bess]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Bess McBride
Published: 2014-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“Mr. Webster, had I known when you attempted to bribe me into dropping the charges against this woman that she was not your sister, I would never have entered into the agreement!”

Instinctively, Matthew set Miss Reed behind him to shield her from the vituperation in Mrs. Feeney’s face and words. He thought quickly but felt quite inept at lying. Nevertheless, he must do so for Miss Reed’s sake.

“I am not certain what you think you overheard, Mrs. Feeney, but you were well compensated for the trouble my sister caused you. I did not attempt to bribe you. I succeeded, and your husband prepared the document to prove it.”

A rage such as Matthew had never known took hold of him at the censure on the women’s faces. Clearly, Mrs. Feeney had not desisted in spreading gossip about Miss Reed.

“If there is nothing further, you will excuse us.” He pulled Miss Reed close to his side as he stormed past the sputtering face of Mrs. Feeney and her gaggle of wide-eyed female friends.

Miss Reed kept pace with him silently until, his anger spent, he slowed. He turned down a street and came to a halt to gaze down upon her.

“Forgive me, Miss Reed. Truly. I cannot believe that I dragged you down the street so unceremoniously. I do not know what overcame me.”

Slightly winded, her cheeks were red from exertion. She adjusted her hat and smiled tentatively.

“That was pretty brutal back there,” she said. “I’m guessing I won’t be settling down in Kalispell, that’s for sure.”

“I think not,” he agreed. “Had you thought about staying here?”

Miss Reed surveyed the street and shook her head. “No, I guess not.” She returned her gaze to his face. “What did you bribe her with, by the way? And what was this about a document?”

“I am a businessman first and foremost, Miss Reed,” he said with a smile. “I never conduct business without proper documentation. I offered Mrs. Feeney a sum for her troubles, and she accepted. That is all.”

“How much of a sum?” she pressed. “I intend to pay you back someday, if I can. So, how much?”

Matthew took her hand under his arm and prepared to resume their walk, albeit at a more leisurely pace. Miss Reed resisted and crossed her arms over her stomach.

“How much?” she insisted.

“Mrs. Feeney accepted a shopping trip to Seattle at my expense,” Matthew said with reluctance. “Although in hindsight, perhaps I should have sent her on a trip to Chicago. I do not wish to think what gossip she might spread in Seattle.”

“A shopping trip to Seattle? With hotel, no doubt? Good gravy, Matthew, how much did that cost? Certainly more than the skirt, blouse and the price of her anger.”

Matthew shook his head. He had been prepared to pay much more for Miss Reed’s release, much more.

“It is nothing, really, but as I said before, I also regret that I did not include a nondisclosure agreement. I really should have. I thought Mrs. Feeney might conduct herself as a lady, but I can see that I was wrong.

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