It Happened One Christmas by Kaitlin O'Riley Read Free Book Online

me I’m mad to take on such a project.”
    â€œThey must be the closed-minded type.”
    â€œI admit that I’m pleasantly surprised by your appreciation of my venture. It’s a rare quality in a woman. I’ve found that most women I know have very little interest in building projects.”
    She slanted a look at him. “I am not most women, Mr. Roxbury.”
    â€œI can see that, Miss Hamilton,” he said with a look of admiration on his face.
    â€œWhat you are doing is most worthwhile. I don’t believe you are mad at all.”
    Lisette thought of the terrible places she passed while on the train and the desperately hard lives of the people she saw outside the window. “I’ve often imagined how dreadful it would be to live in such dire circumstances, through no fault of your own except an accident of birth. I admit to you that my own family came very close to being in such terrible straits after our father died, and we learned how he had left us in debt. We almost lost the shop, and things could have gone quickly down from there. I shudder to think what could have happened to all of us if Colette had not met Lucien Sinclair when she did. He took all of us in when he married her.”
    â€œI had no idea that you and your family had been through such struggles.” His golden-brown brows drawn into a line of concern against his expressive forehead, he reached out and patted her hand in comfort.
    â€œI’m so sorry.” Lisette withdrew her hand, suddenly embarrassed to have confided in him such intimate family details. She had never even discussed those events with Henry! “Please forgive me. I did not mean to go on so about myself.”
    â€œThere is no reason for you to apologize. I understand completely.”
    â€œI have great admiration for what you are trying to accomplish, Mr. Roxbury.” Lisette could not seem to stop from talking. “Most people have a terribly callous attitude toward the poor, blaming them for being in such a state. As if they wanted to live like that or as if it were an easy matter to get out of such circumstances! If the poor worked harder, if they saved more, if they went to church more often, then they would not be in such a terrible situation. But that is not always true, as you obviously know. I agree with you that proper housing would make a world of difference. But aside from a clean living environment, I believe that education is the key to helping people.”
    Lisette had never given voice to her opinion on such matters before and surprised herself to find them so well formed.
    Quinton Roxbury gave her a look of utter satisfaction. “I’m pleased to know you see it that way, Miss Hamilton.”
    â€œIn our own small way, my sisters and I have helped by teaching the young boys who run errands and make deliveries at the bookshop for us how to read. We insist upon it. They cannot collect their wages until they have attended our reading sessions.”
    â€œThat is amazing!” he exclaimed with enthusiasm. “I was unaware that your family was doing such a remarkable service. That is most impressive.”
    â€œIt’s not much,” Lisette amended, “but it pains me to see a person who cannot read. Perhaps because I spent my life surrounded by books and learned to read at a very young age.”
    He nodded in understanding. “Yes, I can see where that would shape your beliefs on reading.”
    â€œWe also continue to educate the young women who assist us in the shop. Women and girls are terribly neglected when it comes to education.”
    â€œI can see that you are obviously not one of their number.”
    â€œThat pleases you?”
    Again, he smiled appreciatively at her. “More than you know.”
    Flustered by his approval, she paused a moment before asking, “Have you considered having schools in your community ?”
    â€œYes, I have, but that is all tied up in