Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) by Maureen Driscoll Read Free Book Online

with both Miss Trowbridge
and Miss Merida.”
    Mrs. Trowbridge cast an irritated look at Evelyn,
before continuing to describe the upcoming assembly in such glowing terms that
she declared even those in London would regret missing it.  Evelyn heard hardly
anything the woman said, for all she could think about was that Joseph had said
they would waltz.  It might not mean he wanted to waltz with her, of course. 
It might just have been his way of escaping a waltz with either Anna or Merida
or, if their mama could somehow arrange it, both.
    But she was to waltz with him.  And suddenly she
felt as anxious as a girl before her come-out ball.
    Interesting, that.
    She realized she should say something or they would
spend the rest of the day in the village lane, while Mrs. Trowbridge searched
for a way to have Joseph as a son-in-law. 
    “Inspector Stapleton wanted to come to the village
to pick up a few items he had neglected to bring with him from London,” said
Evelyn.  “But perhaps we should come back another day.”
    “Nonsense!” said Mrs. Trowbridge, as she ushered
them inside.  “You will see that my shop compares to any establishment in
London.”
    Evelyn smiled at Joseph.  “I am sure you will find
it to be a unique experience.”
    *                    *                    *
    Joseph entered the one-room shop and stared in
amazement.  It was stocked floor to ceiling with various foodstuffs, as well as
bolts of fabric, rows of ribbons and sewing supplies.  There were bonnets
trimmed with all manner of oddities, suggesting either a terrible lack of taste
or a wonderful sense of humor.  There was a small collection of scents, though
none could be mistaken for the expensive perfumes from the parfumeries of London.  There were small leather goods at outrageous prices.  And there was
an apothecary station.
    “I am also the village apothecary,” said Mrs.
Trowbridge, following his glance.  “Girls, why don’t you select a new ribbon
for the assembly?”
    Anna and Merida seemed torn between not wanting to
desert the handsome visitor lest he make his escape and very much wanting to
pick out new ribbons.  Fashion won and they left the adults for the moment. 
    Mrs. Trowbridge tapped Joseph on the arm. “Inspector,
I daresay you have heard of my special talent with elixirs.”
    Joseph noticed that Evelyn suddenly froze.
    “I do not believe Inspector Stapleton was looking
for an elixir. A coin purse, perhaps?”  Evelyn picked up the item nearest to
her.  It was a coin purse fashioned by hand, with a cow painted on it. 
    It was hideous.
    “I am sure the inspector already has a coin purse,”
said Mrs. Trowbridge.  “But he may want to try my special health elixir for
gentlemen.”
    Joseph’s attention was once again drawn to Evelyn,
which wasn’t that surprising, given he’d been staring at her most of the day. 
She was now an alarming shade of red.  Had he kept her out in the cold too
long?  Was she coming down with the ague?  Perhaps Mrs. Trowbridge had some
type of tonic to help her.
    “My special elixir helps a man maintain his vitality,”
said Mrs. Trowbridge, quietly enough that her daughters wouldn’t overhear.
    That finally got his attention.  “My vitality?”
    “Yes.  It is no secret among married couples that
sometimes men lose their…vitality as they age.”
    The rest of Mrs. Trowbridge’s words were lost to
Joseph as the pieces fell into place.  Did the woman think he was impotent? 
And was that why Evelyn looked like she wanted to sink into the ground?  And
why the devil had Lynwood not warned him that, save Lady Evelyn, his neighbors
were bloody Bedlamites?
    “Thank you, madam, but my vitality is in excellent
shape.”
    “Are you sure, inspector?  How recently has it been
tested?”
    Now Evelyn’s red color was explained.  He was
perilously close to blushing himself.  “I believe I would like to purchase that
coin