Deadly Occupation by Suzanne Adair

Author:Suzanne Adair [Adair, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: American Revolution in the South
Publisher: Suzanne Adair
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

In White’s, Michael occupied a table by himself nearer the fireplace. Only one tavern maid had arrived for work, and Kevin Marsh was helping to fulfill orders for ale and small beer among the other eleven patrons. He breezed past with a tray of drinks for them. “Claret for you again, Mr. Stoddard?”

“Yes, Mr. Marsh. Thank you.”

While Marsh was collecting payment from his customers, Michael spotted Kate Duncan gliding his way with a glass of claret. She must have seen him when he first walked in. He sprang to his feet and bowed. She set his wineglass on the table and smiled. “Well, Mr. Stoddard, repeat business at my tavern. This is good.”

Indeed, she was lovely. And blonde—after his experience with Lydia, he’d found himself attracted to bosomy blondes. However Mrs. Duncan was petite, not buxom—and that wasn’t the only difference. There was something stimulating about her personality. He couldn’t quite figure it out. “Madam, will you join me a moment?” At her nod, he pulled a chair out and seated her.

“Your color is much improved today, sir.”

“Thank you.” He sat and scooted his own chair in. “I took your advice, got a good night’s sleep in a warm bed. But I believe my recuperation started with that bowl of chicken soup yesterday. I’m also grateful for your referral to Mrs. Hooper.”

Mrs. Duncan nodded. “She’s already told me that you and Spry were very much the gentlemen. I imagine that she expected you to interrogate her about her husband’s whereabouts. She doesn’t know where he is, so she was probably quite nervous in your company.”

“I did receive that impression.” He drew the wineglass to him.

The twinkle returned to Kate Duncan’s eyes. “However, Miss Salome Ward has seen another side of you. Tell me, how goes the search for Julia Garrity?”

He sipped wine, stalling. “Well, now, this is certainly a unique investigation—”

“Hah, you’ve no idea where to find her yet! I knew it. Kevin swears that she ran off with her beau. If she did, I wouldn’t blame her. I wouldn’t tolerate a brute like Gabriel Garrity in my home.”

A woman like Kate Duncan, secure in herself, wouldn’t tolerate most men in her home. Likely her own brother Kevin walked a thin line. “Madam, how much do you and your brother know about Mrs. Garrity’s paramour?”

“Very little. Most of the town suspects she’s carried on with a fellow since last fall. But Anne Hooper is the one who has her confidence.”

He sifted through what Mrs. Hooper had said as well as how she’d said it. From several accounts, Paul Greene had an appeal about him, good looks to make a woman feel daring and adventurous, quite the opposite from Gabriel Garrity. “So your brother speculates that Mrs. Garrity ran off with her paramour.” He leaned forward. “But I sense you don’t agree with him.” She shook her head. “Well, why not?”

“Oh, Kevin’s only twenty-two. He might have a good business head about him, but he hasn’t a clue when it comes to understanding women.

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