Once Upon A Time 00 - The Matchmaker by Kay Hooper

Author:Kay Hooper [Hooper, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Contemporary, Large Type Books, Large Print Books
ISBN: 9780754072867
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Published: 1990-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

"No one can determine what caused the horses to bolt," Noel said softly. "I can't understand it. I know those animals; both nearly twenty years old and completely without vices, and they've been plodding up and down these streets for a decade without shying at anything."

Cyrus was standing by the fireplace in his study, a forearm resting on the mantel as he gazed down at the cold hearth. He was expressionless, his eyes unreadable. He didn't look up, or respond to his friend's low words.

Noel tried again, unable to forget the quick, curiously intense sidelong glance he had seen his friend throw the oncoming ice wagon—just before the placid horses had inexplicably bolted. "Did you hear what the doc said? Virtually every bone in Drummond's body was broken."

"Don't expect me to grieve for him," Cyrus said.

Sighing, Noel decided some questions couldn't be put into words simply because they weren't meant to be asked. "There won't be anything left of the Drummond house," he offered. "We're lucky the storm hit today, or the whole neighborhood would have gone up in flames."

"I know. At least Drummond's servants managed to get out, and no one else was hurt."

Perfectly aware that he should leave, since it was nearly midnight, Noel remained because he was determined to get at least a few answers. "How's Lissa?" he asked.

"The doctor says she'll be all right," Cyrus replied. "Shock and bruises, mostly. We put her to bed about an hour ago, and Julia's been sitting with her."

"How is Julia?"

Cyrus half turned to face his friend, sliding his hands into his pockets and leaning back against the mantel. A slight smile curved his mouth. "Did anybody ever tell you you're a damned nosy bastard, Noel?"

"You've told me frequently," his friend replied without offense. "But that was a perfectly proper question."

"I know. It's the ones I can see trembling on your lips I'm leery of."

A short bark of a laugh escaped Noel. "Get your answers ready. In the meantime, how is Julia?"

"Numb. In control. Withdrawn. Shall I go on?"

"She was leaving him, wasn't she?"

"Don't cross the line, Noel," Cyrus warned quietly.

Noel leaned forward in his chair, staring at Cyrus. "I think our friendship can bear it. I hope so, anyway. Besides, it's a fairly obvious conclusion, and one I'm not alone in reaching. Cy, people are already talking."

"Do you think I give a damn?"

"On your own account, no. But what about Julia? At least two families offered to take her and Lissa in, and you refused both of them. As if you had a right to. A lot of people heard that, and took note. So the eyes of the curious are gawking at a very recent widow and her young sister staying with a bachelor to whom they are not related—who has a reputation for fleeting affairs. By morning every inquisitive soul in the city is going to be chewing on that little tidbit. Drummond's obvious insanity might make some people hesitate to brand Julia with a scarlet A, but it's only a matter of time.

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