Banished Love by Ramona Flightner Read Free Book Online Page A

Rissa, you speak nonsense. Women can and should want for no more than what we already have. Men have been good to us.”
    “What has happened to you?” I asked, truly alarmed.
    “I know what I need to do to marry. You should learn the same,” she said with a pointed glance. After an awkward moment she said, “Do you want to hear Aunt Betsy’s ideas for the wedding?”
    I picked up my teacup, staring into it instead of answering.
    “Hmm…” she said at my long pause. “I can see my time away did not make you any more eager to hear about my plans.” She tucked her feet up under her burgundy satin skirt, sitting comfortably, with her hands folded in front of her.
    “I’d rather tell you about my adventures of the past few days.”
    “Adventures? Plural? Oh, Rissa, after all Mother has done to help.” Savannah watched me with fond despair.
    I shrugged as there was nothing to say. “I stumbled into the store a few days ago and knocked a man off his ladder. He crashed to the floor, hurting his head. I couldn’t believe a head wound would bleed so much, Savannah. How could I have been so clumsy again?” I sighed as I remembered that day. “We had the doctor here, and the injured man was sent home to recover. I visited him today with Lucas because Uncle Martin told me that he wasn’t improving. I thought it better to visit rather than send a note.” The tension that had bloomed between us with the mention of Jonas slowly dissipated.
    “What was his home like?”
    “Well, he lives in the North End…”At Savannah’s knowing nod I realized I did not need to explain further. “He has a shelf full of books.”
    “Are you saying all you noticed was his books?”
    “No, of course not. Mr. McLeod—”
    “Are you telling me that your adventure was with Mr. McLeod? The tall, black-haired, broad-shouldered carpenter?”
    “Yes, of the brooding stares.”
    “Oh, my. I’ve seen him,” Savannah said with feigned breathlessness, grinning and unable to hide her delight. “I can’t say I’ve met him, but I’ve definitely seen him.” She sighed melodramatically, causing me to laugh again.
    I sighed too, thinking about his blue eyes. “He is somewhat handsome, isn’t he?”
    “Somewhat? Somewhat? Do you need to have Dr. Mitchelson examine your eyes?” Savannah asked.
    “If you can believe it, the brother’s even more attractive,” I said, leaning in as though imparting a great secret. Savannah’s eyes widened in glee, and she smiled broadly.
    “Oh, this is delicious. A fun story when I’ve just arrived home. You know how I love Aunt Betsy, but it can be so tiring being with her. It’s as though there’re always hidden meanings in everything she says. I don’t have your wit or patience to puzzle them all out.” Savannah pouted, closing her eyes briefly before opening them to meet mine. “So, tell me more about today’s visit.”
    “Oh, Sav, that too was a disaster! I think Mr. McLeod, the injured one, thought I was there just for charitable works, a sense of duty.” At this Savannah cocked her head toward me with eyebrows raised. I huffed slightly. “All right, he was right. I admit, I was there out of a sense of duty, yet I truly wanted to know how he was. Though on reflection I think a card might have sufficed.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on.
    “Rissa, you must know I am teasing you. I am sorry you are so upset,” Savannah said. “Tell me all of it, all that happened.”
    “When we arrived, his brother let us in. We moved to the back room, a surprisingly sunny room in the midst of a dark alley. Gabriel—Mr. McLeod—seemed upset I was there, didn’t want me near him. I think he was afraid I would cause him harm again. I fear he thought me a snob.” I grimaced as I thought through my visit to Gabriel’s. “Lucas was obnoxious and stuffy, acting all superior, and I felt like a mute who could barely speak coherently. Then, when I realized Mr. McLeod