The Proper Wife. Winnie Griggs

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СКАЧАТЬ the sound of Danny’s horrified question, Eli abruptly released Miss Lassiter’s hand and they both spun around.

      He straightened his cuffs, trying to regain his composure. Surely Cora Beth’s brother didn’t think—

      A heartbeat later he realized Danny was staring, not at the two of them, but at the mess on the floor.

      “Just a little accident with the honey crock,” Miss Lassiter explained. “Nothing to get all excited about.”

      “Who—”

      “It doesn’t really matter who dropped it. What’s done is done.”

      Eli raised a brow at her hasty interruption. Did she have trouble admitting when she’d made a mistake?

      Danny didn’t seem inclined to let the matter drop. “But that was the last of Cora Beth’s fruitcake honey.”

      Fruitcake honey? What was that?

      Miss Lassiter, however, seemed to have no trouble understanding the significance. “I know, and that’s unfortunate. But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to her.”

      Eli took himself in hand while Danny and Miss Lassiter babbled on about the honey. No doubt his uncomfortable, off balance feeling of a moment ago was caused by sympathy for Miss Lassiter’s injury, nothing more. After all, it was quite natural for a gentleman to feel some concern for a lady in distress. Especially a petite little thing like Miss Lassiter.

      It was time he set his mind to more important matters. Like pressing his suit with Mrs. Collins. He’d set a few pieces in motion this evening and then lay his case before her tomorrow.

      No doubt she would think his proposal sudden, but Mrs. Collins struck him as a sensible woman, one not given to fanciful notions. And since his offer of marriage would afford her an opportunity to finally shed the onerous workload she bore as proprietress of this boardinghouse, he was confident she would view his suit most favorably.

      He spared a glance for Miss Lassiter. She’d moved back to the table with Penny and the two of them were stirring something in a large bowl. They looked so comfortable together, as if they were old friends. How did she manage to coax that sweet smile from his sister so often?

      He shook his head to clear it from those stray thoughts. This waffling was unlike him—he preferred an orderly, calculated approach to decision making. Cora Beth Collins was the logical choice and she would make a wonderful mother figure for Penny.

      And after tomorrow it would be settled.

      The evening meal passed pleasantly enough. The food, while not up to Mrs. Collins’s standards, was passable. And Miss Lassiter made a point of giving credit to Penny for making the dessert sauce. While his sister reddened under the attention, she also seemed pleased by it, as well. He would have to remember to thank Miss Lassiter for her consideration.

      He was also pleased with the progress he’d made with Mrs. Collins. Earlier he’d sought her out and asked for her help with the selection of a cook-housekeeper for his new home. He’d solicited her opinion on what qualities he should look for, then asked for suggestions on which local women might be suitable. He’d been impressed with her thought processes—another signal that he’d selected the right woman. In the end, he’d convinced her to allow each of the three women she’d recommended to take a day and cook the meals here at the boardinghouse so she could help him evaluate their performances.

      He’d dropped a few hints about how dearly he valued her opinion and how he hoped to find a woman ‘just like her’ to preside in his home. He’d been subtle, as propriety dictated, but he was confident she would not be completely surprised when he proposed tomorrow.

      Once the meal ended, Eli stood, ready to make his exit with the other boarders so the family would have the freedom to clear the dining room, but Mrs. Collins detained him with a comment. “I understand the work is almost complete on your new home,” she stated.

      Eli nodded, taking it as a positive sign that she had singled him out. “Yes. Unfortunately that means we’ll soon have to say good-bye to the wonderful hospitality we’ve enjoyed here at your fine establishment.” Of course, if things worked according to plan, she would soon be enjoying the relative ease that came with presiding over his household.

      “As pleased as we’ve been to have you and Penny with us,” she replied, “I’m certain you’ll be happy to be settled into your own home.”

      Eli found himself momentarily distracted by the sound of Miss Lassiter’s laughter. It was a sound he’d heard quite a bit during the past week, though rarely when he was in her immediate presence. Not a polite titter or girlish giggle, hers tended to be a robust laugh, full of merriment and outright enjoyment. Hard to believe all of that exuberance could be contained in such a petite frame. A second later he had to school his expression as he realized he’d smiled in response.

      “At any rate,” Mrs. Collins continued, “it’s good to see the old Thompson place all spruced up. It was so sad the way it got so run down after Mrs. Thompson passed away last winter.”

      Audrey approached them with Viola and Penny in tow. “Momma, is it true we have to wait until next week to find out what happens to Annabel Adams?”

      “Afraid so, girls.”

      Audrey’s lower lip poked out. “But that’s such a long time.”

      “Which means you’ll have an opportunity to practice patience. Now back to clearing the table.”

      Audrey didn’t seem at all happy with that answer, but she nodded and moved toward the table.

      Eli, however, was more focused on his sister. “Penny, am I to understand you’ve actually read this nonsense?”

      She responded with a guilty smile. “Aunt Sadie read it to us this afternoon.” Her expression turned earnest. “And it’s not nonsense, Eli. Annabel Adams is so brave and good-hearted.”

      Miss Lassiter, was it? He should have known. He’d have a word with her on the subject, but he wasn’t such an oaf that he’d dress her down in front of her friends.

      As Penny moved away, Mrs. Collins offered him a smile. “It really is quite harmless and entertaining, you know. Everyone’s been talking about The Amazing Adventures of Annabel Adams ever since it appeared in the Gazette this week. Printing it was certainly a smart move on Fred Chalmers’ part. I reckon there’ll be a whole lot more folks than usual lined up for his paper next week.”

      Eli supposed from a business perspective it did make sense. But that didn’t mean he approved of his sister reading such drivel. “Any idea who this Temperance Trulove really is?”

      “No and Fred Chalmers isn’t talking.”

      Why should he? Keeping the author’s identity a secret only piqued the subscribers’ interest all the more.

      Time to change the subject. “I’m in the market for a carriage and a horse. Do you know where I might find something of quality?”

      “Danny would be more able to help you with that than me.” They moved toward the boy, who was gathering up an armload of dirty dishes.

      Once Eli explained what he needed, СКАЧАТЬ