The Socrates by Mary Jung

Author:Mary Jung
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary E Jung Author

Seven.

THE STROLL THROUGH FAIRMOUNT Park did absolutely nothing to quell Robert’s amorous thoughts where Briar was concerned. If anything, it confirmed that he was mad with love. He couldn’t be anything else since most of his musings centered on her. In his defense, no other woman he’d met had ever shown an interest in engineering or printing. Every time he brought up the topic with other women, their stares glazed over, and their smiles drooped like wilted roses. Most conversations with past suitors had centered around how much gold and bills he could acquire in his coffers so that gossipers would consider his wife affluent.

Where was the passion, the drive to take the day and mold it into fantastic possibilities?

It never existed in any other woman until he met Briar.

Now, like an addict, he had to fuel that aspiration to design, tinker, and produce dreams. A fire burned in his gut, a furnace of unyielding purpose. For too long, he buried himself in the world of mechanics, never coming up for air. A true businessman lived for his empire, but it left no room for love.

Robert found he didn’t like that he might die, never knowing a greater desire.

So, he left the park and directed his course to the Franklin Institute. As he climbed the stairs, a jolt of anticipation triggered a pounding in his chest. What was he going to say to Briar once he got inside? What if she wasn’t at the Institute at all?

As the door opened, Peter Duval stepped over the threshold and paused on the landing. Their glares locked, both caught in a vortex of the past that transcended into their present state of existence. Though, to Peter’s credit, he recovered and plastered on his gentlemanly air.

“Robert! How good to see you. Fine weather we’re having after so many dreary days.”

Robert ground his teeth but uttered a response to the small talk. “It’s fine indeed. Have you just come from a lecture?”

Peter moved away from the door and leaned against the iron lamppost. “Today’s instruction was on the importance of color printing. I’m the leading printer for chromolithography, you know.”

“Yes, I know.” It was the answer Robert gave when in Peter’s company. He couldn’t evade the other printer but acknowledging the massive ego attached to the man always tasted like ash.

“I received your letter accepting the position of judge for the Institute’s exhibition.”

“Thank you for inviting me.” Every word tasted like poison, and Robert desperately wanted to remove himself from Peter’s company. His mere presence turned him irrational and aggravated.

Peter pinched the edge of his hat and bowed his head. “Of course, old friends get priority when opportunities arise.”

“Naturally.” They were never friends. Rivals, then enemies with no wiggle room for redemption.

“I also received your invitation to the Harlequin riverboat for a lithograph society celebration. I’m sure it will be a night to remember.”

Robert put aside his animosity for Peter and fed the curiosity that was sure to be swimming around the lithographer’s mind. “Yes, it’s been a spell since I had a social occasion.

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