Would-Be Mistletoe Wife. Christine Johnson

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СКАЧАТЬ given him the sort of coy smile that debutantes had cast his way before the war. Her thanks were overly profuse, and she’d hung on to his neck far too intimately, but she was just a girl. Louise knew that. Besides, she was gone for most of that. No, her irritation had begun while they were still in the classroom. She’d been somewhat cool but cordial until he’d mentioned the additional lectures.

      He raked a hand through his hair. He must have offended her by agreeing not only to the lecture on the weather but to five more. Yet hadn’t Louise refused his offer to step down? It wasn’t as if he’d asked to give more lectures. Mrs. Evans had proposed them and then refused to accept his no. He’d only accepted when she agreed that Louise did not have to be involved in the lectures—and when he realized they gave him the perfect opportunity to get Blackthorn to show him the workings of the light. He’d been about to tell her that when the screams interrupted them.

      The sound of footsteps on the staircase drew his gaze upward.

      Mrs. Evans descended a few steps. “Thank you, Mr. Hammond, that will be all.”

      Jesse gripped his hat between his hands. “Is she hurt badly?”

      “I suspect it’s nothing more than a sprain. Mrs. Calloway will help me examine her.”

      “The doctor is far?”

      “Less than a mile upriver.”

      Jesse hadn’t taken time to explore the area yet. “The town’s that close?” From what he’d seen, when two towns sprang up next to each other, they either merged into one or the smaller one died out. Fortunately, the lighthouse location wouldn’t change. It marked the entrance to a port that saw a decent amount of traffic, thanks to both the lumber trade and the produce that was still being shipped out this time of year.

      “Peculiar, isn’t it, when Singapore holds the river mouth. Sawyer—that’s my husband—says all incoming ships stop here. That virtually ensures Singapore will outlast Saugatuck, even after the timber runs out.”

      Jesse didn’t comment. His thoughts still ranged over Louise’s departure. “If a doctor is needed, I can fetch him. I assume there’s a road between the towns.”

      “Of course, though you’ll need to walk it unless you have a mount.”

      Jesse did not. It seemed virtually no one here did. He’d seen only the wagon horses at work on the wharf.

      “I can walk. I’ll be at the lighthouse if needed.”

      Jesse stepped toward the front door at the moment it burst open. Louise flew inside, almost running into him. She hopped aside at the last minute.

      “Oh! Excuse me.” She then focused on Mrs. Evans. “Is Priscilla any worse? I checked everywhere, but no one has any ice left.”

      An older woman bustled in after Louise. “Too late in the season.” She tugged a bonnet off and headed for the staircase. “I assume she’s upstairs?”

      “Of course.” Mrs. Evans extended a hand. “I’m glad you came, Mrs. Calloway. I’ll tell you what happened the best I can.”

      The two ladies ascended the staircase, talking the entire way. That left him with Louise.

      “Well, I suppose that’s that,” she said.

      For a woman of words, that statement was unusually vague, but Jesse was more drawn by the flush of her cheeks and brightness of her gray eyes. At this hour, they ought to be dark, but they sparkled with life and drew him irresistibly toward her.

      “I hope she’s not injured badly,” he said softly.

      “I doubt it.” The uncharacteristic statement sent another flush of red to her cheeks. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for.”

      Jesse couldn’t help but come to her defense, even though the only battle she fought was with herself. “I suspect you’re right. A break would have caused a great deal more pain.”

      Louise gave him a grateful smile, just for a moment. Then the wall went back up between them. “Well, I should check in on the patient. Good evening, Mr. Hammond.”

      “Mister? Maybe we should move beyond formality if we are working together.”

      Her lips moved, as if she was about to say his given name and then thought better of it. “I must go upstairs. Good night.”

      “Good night.”

      But she hadn’t waited for his answer. She hurried up the stairs, her gaze averted. A moment later, Jesse stood alone in the parlor. Any hint of affection died in the coolness of her response.

      Best concentrate on the opportunity set before him. Tonight he would convince Blackthorn to show him how to work the light. Thanks to Mrs. Evans, he had the perfect reason.

      * * *

      Naturally nothing was wrong with Priscilla. Louise lingered outside the girl’s room long enough to learn that. Under the crowded supervision of Fiona and the other four students, Mrs. Calloway had declared there was no swelling or bruising. Priscilla would be up and about by Monday. However, she would miss tonight’s church supper.

      Louise and Fiona stood in the parlor after Mrs. Calloway departed and the girls returned to their rooms to freshen up before walking to the church.

      “I will stay with Priscilla,” Louise volunteered.

      As combative as her relationship was with the girl, she preferred an evening with Priscilla to the gossip and matchmaking that took place at all community functions. Her position as a widow who’d arrived in town hoping to marry opened the gate for constant suggestions of a suitable match. Not a one of them came close to the type of husband she craved. That included the latest resident, Jesse Hammond. Yes, his handsome features and the way he looked at her made her blush, but that was purely a biological reaction without one iota of sense, common or otherwise.

      Naturally, Fiona objected to Louise’s offer. “You go to the supper. I will stay with Priscilla.”

      “Nonsense. You need to be with your family. This school consumes too much of your time. This is a chance for you all to do something together.” She added the crowning blow. “I’m sure Mary Clare would love to go.”

      Fiona looked like she was going to protest, but the thought of pleasing her niece, whom she was raising, ended the matchmaking effort. A sigh of resignation issued from her lips.

      Louise took advantage. “I insist.”

      At that moment, the four girls descended the staircase, giving Louise the opportunity she needed. She hurried upstairs before Fiona could summon a protest.

      Priscilla’s bedroom door was closed. Though the rest of the girls doubled up in a room, the Benningtons had insisted on a private room for their daughter. At the time, Louise had viewed that request as arrogant, but perhaps it was intended to protect the other girls from Priscilla’s manipulations. Perhaps her parents had tired of retrieving their daughter from school after school. Then again, at eighteen—even though just barely that age—Priscilla ought to be receiving suitors at home. Louise could not imagine why her parents insisted on sending their daughter to a ladies’ school against her wishes.

      Louise СКАЧАТЬ