Betina Krahn by The Soft Touch Read Free Book Online Page B

survey the damage.
    Soon Ned slowed the horses, pulled into the drive leading to the Vassars’ handsome English Tudor house, and settled into the line of carriages inching toward the front doors. Inside, they began to collect themselves.
    “What do you suppose he wanted?” Diamond ran a hand over her hair.
    “What do you think?” Hardwell said, giving her a meaningful look.
    Money was the first thing that came to her mind. It was what everyone else wanted from her.
    Hardwell grew impatient and suggested that they disembark on the spot and walk the rest of the way. Their arrival wouldn’t have quite the flare of a grand societyentrance, but at least she wouldn’t have to cool her heels and further crease her satin in a stuffy coach.
    No sooner had Diamond set both feet on the ground than she heard footsteps in the gravel behind her and turned to find a man running toward them.
    “Please, Miss Wingate—” A tall, lanky fellow in a rumpled gray suit and steamed-up spectacles loomed out of the darkness and stumbled to a halt in front of them. He was so winded that he could scarcely speak, and in the moment it took him to catch his breath, Diamond recognized the paleness of his coat and his bowler hat. He was the driver of the buggy that had just chased their coach.
    “You—have to”—he panted—“come with me—”
    “See here, man, whatever you’re about, we’re having none of it.” Hardwell extended a protective elbow in her direction and she slid her hand through it—just as the man seized her other arm.
    “I have to show you. It’s not far … a demonstration … my moving steps …”
    The mention of “moving steps” brought another flash of recognition. This was the same man who had raced their carriage on foot a few days ago.
    “Really, Mister …”
    “Ellsworth. Nigel Ellsworth.”
    “Really, Mr. Ellsworth”—she tugged against his grasp—“this is not the time or the place for such a proposal.”
    “But it’s
never
the time or the place. I’ve been trying to see you for weeks now, and I always get turned away at the gates or at your company offices,” the inventor blurted out and then gasped another breath. “If you’ll just come with me, it will only take a few minutes. And you’ll see what a wonderful idea—”
    “I cannot come with you.” She watched the feverish light in the fellow’s eyes. “But if you’ll come by Gracemont on Monday, I promise I will—”
    “She most certainly will not,” Hardwell declared, deciding to take matters into his own hands. “How dare you accost us like this? Are you mad?”
    “I’m not mad, I’m desperate.” Ellsworth tightened his grip.
    “Let go, or I shall be forced to call for help,” Hardwell ordered, tightening his hold on Diamond and bracing to resist any effort to move her.
    “I’ll let go”—Ellsworth began to pull—“
after
she’s seen my moving steps.”
    “Please, you’re hurting my arm,” Diamond said, trying to wrest free.
    “Release her this instant.” Hardwell abruptly changed tactics, lunging at Ellsworth to push him away. But the inventor simply took advantage of the additional momentum to pull Diamond farther along.
    The next moments were something of a blur for Diamond as she found herself pulled steadily down the darkened drive. She was vaguely aware of shocked faces peering down from the coaches they passed, and she finally managed to wrestle Ellsworth to a halt. “You cannot honestly believe that such behavior will enhance my opinion of your invention.”
    “My invention shall speak for itsel—
oof
—”
    The tussling pair slammed unexpectedly into what felt like a wall. She took advantage of the pause to shove back and look up at the dark form towering over them … following a pair of satin lapels up to a proper black tie and crisp white collar.
    “I don’t believe the lady wants to go,” came a low, menacing rumble.
    The mad stair-maker must not be seeing what she was seeing,