Miss Wylde in The White City: a Historical Romance True Crime (Heiresses of Adventure Book 1) by Grace Hitchcock

Author:Grace Hitchcock [Hitchcock, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Valmont House Publishers
Published: 2023-11-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

“You don’t need scores of suitors. You need only one. . .

if he’s the right one.”

~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Jude held the door of the Louisiana plantation-style building as Winnifred stepped inside to discover various artifacts from the state along with notable agricultural products. But all she could focus on was the mouthwatering aroma wafting out of the creole café that Jude had been praising on the walk over. She pressed a hand against her corset stays to quiet her rumbling stomach. It had been far too long since her lunch, which she only nibbled on because of her splitting headache. She dabbed her handkerchief to her perspiring temples, praying that the sweltering afternoon sun would not cause the throbbing to return.

Jude led her to one of the vacant tables in the corner of the restaurant, concern etched between his brows. He waved one of the waiters over and ordered them each a glass of iced tea, french bread, and some oysters on ice to begin.

“Oysters?” she questioned, having never tried the delicacy. “Shall we get something a little less ambitious?”

“I was thinking of something cool to get for you, but perhaps we could try gumbo? It’s a sort of soup.” He called to the waiter’s retreating back. “Please change that to two bowls of gumbo.”

The front door slammed shut, causing her to jump and turn toward the entrance before catching herself and whipping back to face Jude. “Sorry. So, um, when are you going to tell me why someone is guarding your family? Does it have anything to do with those men accosting you that day?”

Jude pressed his lips into a firm line and nodded, whispering, “If I tell you, you cannot breathe a word to anyone, not even your father.”

Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward to pick up his words. “Of course.”

“The beating was a warning.” Jude bowed his head. “I’ve told you about my brother-in-law’s passing, but Victor’s death was not an accident. I picked up the case that he had been working on before the fair began and asked one too many questions to the wrong person. The man threatened my family if I didn’t stop my investigation.”

Winnifred gasped, pressing her hand to her chest. “Oh Jude. And you couldn’t tell anyone, because Victor’s case was originally ruled as an accident.” She leaned back in the chair, scowling. “I am so sorry. Here I’ve been so consumed with my own problems, I never once thought to ask if you were dealing with something other than our case.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. “It’s all right. I hadn’t confided in a single soul until today. And just the telling makes my burden lighter for being shared.”

At the strength his hands lent her, she gained the courage to whisper, “You know that I’ll always be here for you should you ever have need.” And for a moment, she thought she could see her longing mirrored in his gaze before it flickered away. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Do you see Holmes?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean he’s not here.

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