Alliance by Carrie Dalby

Author:Carrie Dalby [Dalby, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carrie Dalby Cox
Published: 2023-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

***

Josephine had noon dinner with her father at a seafood restaurant near the river. He seemed distracted, and there wasn’t much conversation, but that allowed her to relax which was needed after the reconciliation with Sean. When he had driven away, Cordelia had followed her into her bedroom and insisted on rehearing everything that had happened between them. Cordelia’s takeaway from the whole ordeal had been “I think I’ll grab his backside next time I see him, so I can know for myself how tight it is.”

Josephine shook her head thinking about it now.

“What is it Jo,” Papa asked.

“I was reminiscing how everything has changed this month—even my relationship with Cordelia.”

“Is she jealous of the attention you’re getting?”

“Not exactly, but she does yearn for something of her own.”

“I always thought she would be a lovely daughter-in-law.” He sighed. “I fear Mathias will never be interested in settling down. He is so different than I was at his age, though I love him and am proud of both of you.”

Once home, Josephine changed into old clothes and went to the yard. Midnight found a sunny spot on a flagstone while she trimmed and weeded the kitchen herbs to keep busy. Thoughts of Cyrus filled her mind. She hadn’t seen him since Friday night, but knowing Mathias had spent time with him over the weekend gave her an odd dread. Mathias hadn’t announced when he would be moving into the downstairs apartment, but she worried for Cyrus’s peace when that happened.

She stayed in the yard until sundown, then washed and dressed for supper. The formal affair called for her new white underset and the sage gown trimmed in gold. In practice for the masquerade, she pulled on the above-the-elbow silk gloves since she had never worn a pair that reached beyond her wrists.

When Josephine descended the stairs, she brought the painting from Cordelia to show her father.

“It’s lovely,” he declared. “Just as you are.”

The doorbell rang, and he leaned it against the coffee table before answering.

“Come in, Mr. Harrington.”

“Call me Cyrus, please, Mr. Wolf.”

Josephine stayed on the sofa when they entered, smiling over Cyrus’s crisp good looks in a black tuxedo.

“Happy birthday, Jo.” He briefly kissed her cheek before sitting. He immediately reached forward to lift the painting.

“That’s Cordelia’s gift.”

“She captured your essence perfectly. Would you trust me with this, Jo? I’d like to have it framed so it will be a focal point in your room after the changes are made.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Where will you be dining tonight, Cyrus?” Mr. Wolf asked.

“I have a private dining room reserved at the Cawthon. It’s become a bit of a second home to me, even while settling into my house. Being only a block away, I can easily dine there until I acquire a cook.” Cyrus stood. “I’ll have Jo home by eleven, Mr. Wolf.”

While they traveled in the hired automobile, Cyrus cupped her cheek and held her gaze in the dim light of the backseat.

“I’m pleased to spend this special evening with you.”

“And I’m thrilled to be with you, Cyrus.

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