Katie Rose by Runaway Hearts

Author:Runaway Hearts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

15

“Where’s Papa?” Edward cried the following morning as he raced into the dining room. “He was supposed to go riding with me today.”

Mary Lou pretended to be absorbed in her eggs and toast, but she desperately wanted to know the same thing.

Bridget placed Edward’s breakfast before him. “Your father had to go out of town again. Something came up suddenly. Now eat your eggs and don’t be running like that. You’ll upset your stomach.”

“My gastrointestinal system,” Edward said brightly, munching on a piece of toast and standing at the window waving to Max, while the terrier barked outside in greeting.

“Did he say how long he’d be gone this time?” Mary Lou questioned softly, saving a piece of bacon for the dog.

“No,” Bridget shook her head. “He just left his hotel address in New York in case of emergency. ’Tis a queer thing that he had to leave like that. Usually he gets more notice. Now Edward, sit down. I’ll not be telling you again.”

Mary Lou studied her eggs, wondering if she knew why Thorndike had to leave so quickly. Her face felt hot as she recalled what had passed between them the previous night. Surely he hadn’t left on her account? Or worse yet, gone with the widow?

Biting into another piece of toast, she gratefully accepted a cup of coffee from the housekeeper. It didn’t escape her notice that Thorndike had deftly evaded her questions the night before. An uneasiness filled her as she realized his seduction could have been meant to throw her off guard.…

“Miss Finch, are you coming down with a fever?” Bridget asked anxiously. “You look a bit flushed.”

Startled, Mary Lou forced a smile. “No, not at all. I think I just forgot to open my window last night. It was very close.”

“Yes, I did the same thing. I’ll open them all today, and give your room a good airing. There is nothing like a nice breeze to cool things off, don’t you think?”

Recalling the previous evening, Mary Lou smiled. “I entirely agree.”

That night, as Mary Lou was getting ready to retire, she remembered her conversation with Bridget when she saw that the windows were open wide, allowing a wave of night air to pour into the room. She would have little trouble sleeping, she thought wryly, for it was the master of the house that gave her restless nights, and not the temperature.

Leaning against the window frame, she enjoyed the scenery. The moon was a silver crescent that dipped behind lacy clouds. Horses in silhouette moved ghost-like across the pasture, and the pond glittered, reflecting the starlight. It was all so peaceful and still …

A furtive movement below her window caught her attention, and Mary Lou frowned. Surely it was just her imagination … but at that moment, Max began barking violently and she saw a shadow flit across the field toward Whittaker’s place. A prowler! Cold fear took hold of her, but she ran down the stairs to give the alarm.

By the time she reached the door, the groom and stableboys had awakened.

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