Guarding the Socialite by Kimberly Van Meter Read Free Book Online Page B

tested it. Came back clean.”
    Relief swept through her. As much as she stood by her rules, it killed her each time she had to send a girl packing for breaking them. And she’d come to care for Ursula…just like the rest. Mercy, she thought, her hand going to her forehead to massage away the tension. And it was still early in the day. “Does she need to go to the hospital?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t think so. Black eye, some pretty bad bruising but no broken bones.”
    Something to be grateful for, Emma thought with a grimace. Their hospital fund was dangerously low, as were all their line items in the budget, but that’s how it was every year around this time before the annual winter ball fundraiser. Which reminded her, she realized with an unhappy private sigh…time to visit her parents.
    â€œKeep an eye on her. Make sure she’s comfortable and reassure her that she’s not going to be kicked out, but I will need to see her sometime today to talk with her.”
    Chick nodded and then gestured at the envelope. “Let me know how that goes. If it’s anthrax, you owe me a beer for saving your life,” she joked.
    Emma chuckled. “If it’s anthrax, I’ll buy you dinner.”
    â€œI’ll take that bet,” Chick said, but then gestured toward the foyer. “We have a visitor. Father Andre came by to talk with the girls.”
    Emma sighed. “Let me guess, Cari called him?” Chick nodded in answer and Emma pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off the headache that was bound to come after a visit from the friendly priest. Cari, known affectionately as Bambibecause she had doe-brown eyes and looked as innocent as they came even though she was eight months pregnant, had found a kinship with the Catholic priest and had since started inviting the man to the house for spiritual guidance. While most of the girls tolerated his visits, Evie turned into a screaming shrew every time he came around. Emma rose and forced a smile. “I suppose I ought to say hello to our guest while you try and encourage Evie to stay in her room. I don’t think I can handle that today.”
    â€œYou got it,” Chick said, leaving to head Evie off at the stairs while Emma went in search of Father Andre.
    She found him sitting with Cari and Olivia, a Bible clasped between his palms, as he finished a prayer. He caught sight of Emma and rose, concern in his expression. “Ms. Vale, I came as soon as I heard…such terrible business. How are you holding up under the strain?”
    â€œWe’re all holding up just fine, Father Andre,” she answered, wishing she knew why she didn’t particularly like the man. She forced a smile. “Thank you for coming to comfort Cari and Olivia.”
    â€œI’m here for you, as well,” he reminded her with a kindly smile. “‘If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and you will find rest because this burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28–30.”
    She hated when he quoted Scripture at her. She’d never been particularly pious, though she didn’t begrudge anyone the right to practice their faith, but when Father Andre whipped out his Scripture she never knew how to react. So she simply smiled and said nothing in return. Chick appeared at the top of the stairs and gave Emma a subtle nod indicating she’d handled Evie, for which Emma was tremendously grateful.
    â€œHave the police discovered any leads as to who might have committed these heinous acts against God’s wayward flock?”
    Emma returned to Father Andre. “Well, the police are no longer investigating. The case has been handed over to the FBI and I don’t know what they’ve discovered thus far.”
    â€œLet us