Author: admin

She’d asked how much that had been. She’d only met him, and already she was indebted to him for the chair, the clothing, the medical fees. And he’d been his usual brisk self and impatient to get going. No, he hadn’t given her much of a chance to tell him. And admittedly he wasn’t the…

A male servant opened it and greeted him. “Mr. Halliday?” “Yes.” “Mr. Thornton is expecting you. This way.” Nicholas followed the man across a foyer and into a masculinely furnished library. A stout man with steel-gray hair stood and shook his hand. His eyes were as blue as Alessia’s, but lacked the warmth. “You didn’t…

“But she stole from us.” “She said she’d pay it all back, didn’t she?” “The jewelry wasn’t on the list she intended to pay back,” Nicholas scoffed. Milos seemed to mull that fact over at length. “She detailed her hospital debt, her clothing, everything down to the last flannel, promising to pay you back, and…

Anger, he realized, as she drew a breath that threatened to spill her from the dress and stood. “You arrogant son of a bitch. I suppose you think you’re too good for somebody like me? You think I’m theater trash!” An unattractive vein appeared in her temple. “Well, guess what, Stephen’s wife was theater trash,…

Perspiration trickled down his back beneath the shirt and jacket. He swiped an impatient hand across his eyes. Who in the hell was Alessia Thornton? Actually, much of this explanation made sense. When he thought back over her avoidance of speaking of Stephen, when he remembered her desperation to see the Pinkerton’s report, it made…

“Are you sure it was her?” Celia asked. “Was it you?” “Nicholas!” his mother admonished. Celia unconcernedly raised her hands. “Search my room if it makes you feel better.” “It will.” “I wouldn’t have believed it.” Leda said, folding the letter and replacing it in the envelope. “If anyone else had told me I wouldn’t…

“I’ll do just fine.” Alessia assured herself more than anyone else. Anything was better than riding the train day and night and sleeping sitting up. “Where did you work before this?” Mattie asked. “Well, L…” She considered the truth, but decided they wouldn’t accept her if they knew she’d never worked a day before. “I…

Morning came way too soon. The other women went about their routines of dressing and leaving for their various jobs. The woman who’d spoken to Alessia the night before came to stand at the end of her cot as she changed William and worried where she’d wash out his flannels from the previous night. “That…

The following morning he stood before Gramb and Sons’ door as Howard Gramb arrived. The portly gentleman unlocked and unbolted the door and ushered Nicholas inside. “Have you come for a gift?” he asked. “No, I’ve come for the jewelry that a young woman sold yesterday.” “Ah. Yes.” He bent, opened a floor safe and…

“What bracelet?” “The emerald bracelet. She claimed you gave it to her.” “Humph.” Celia pushed a hank of her frizzy red hair back from her face. “Did you give it to her?” She looked him in the eye, hers clearer than he’d hoped. “What do you think? I look like the emerald bracelet type to…