Judith Miller - [Postcards from Pullman Book 03] by An Uncertain Dream

Author:An Uncertain Dream
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chicago, Illinois

With a determined step, Matthew strode down the sidewalk toward Priddle House. He’d been perfectly clear with his editor, Mr. Baskin: he would not be available for any breaking news story; not even if the federal troops arrived at the Van Buren station in the middle of the day. Today was Sunday, and he planned to devote the entire day to Charlotte and Morgan. First church, and then an afternoon of relaxation at a nearby park, since there was no guarantee of a train to and from Pullman. Neither he nor Charlotte could take that risk.

At nine o’clock sharp, Matthew knocked on the front door. Mrs. Priddle greeted him with a tight smile and an appraising look. She opened the screen door and motioned him forward. ‘‘The knot in your tie is crooked.’’ With a jab of her finger, she pointed toward the hall mirror. ‘‘You can see for yourself.’’

Matthew took a long stride and assessed the tie. With a gentle tug, he adjusted the knot. It had appeared perfectly fine to him, but he wasn’t about to argue with Mrs. Priddle. ‘‘That better?’’ He grinned.

‘‘Not the best I’ve seen, but it will do. You may wait in the parlor. Charlotte will be down in a few minutes. We leave promptly at fifteen minutes past the hour.’’ She furrowed her brows. ‘‘And we all walk to the church together.’’

Hat in hand, Matthew made a right turn into the adjacent room. Mrs. Priddle had no problem making her wishes known. He hadn’t planned on group attendance at church, but he wouldn’t argue. Mrs. Priddle sat down opposite him, her black straw hat perched atop her gray hair and her hands folded in her lap.

‘‘Exactly what are your intentions, Mr. Clayborn?’’

‘‘Intentions? To attend church and escort Charlotte—’’

She raised her hand and silenced him. ‘‘I know your plans for today. I’m speaking of your long-term intentions toward Miss Spencer.’’

‘‘We’ve only recently met, Mrs. Priddle. Isn’t it a bit early for this discussion?’’

‘‘Not so far as I’m concerned. If she were living in England, you’d be required to answer such an inquiry from her parents. Consider me a protective parent, Mr. Clayborn.’’

Matthew cleared his throat. He knew Priddle House wasn’t a normal boardinghouse. Nevertheless, he thought the older woman’s question intrusive. ‘‘I’d like the opportunity to get to know her better.’’

‘‘For what purpose?’’

Matthew hesitated. For what purpose? How did one answer such a question? He had no idea what would satisfy someone like Mrs. Priddle. He could feel the beads of perspiration beginning to form along his upper lip.

‘‘The simple truth will do, Mr. Clayborn. You need not search for the words you think I want to hear.’’

Could she read his mind, too? ‘‘I am attracted to Char— Miss Spencer. I find her company delightful. I enjoy her intelligence and her humor, and I also find Morgan a wonderful little boy. He reminds me a great deal of my sister’s young children.’’ He absently removed a speck of lint from his suit pants.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.