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

purse.”
    Anxious to change the subject, Evelyn wagged the
hideous thing about as if it were the crown jewels.  “This is a fine piece of
artistry.  Did Anna or Merida paint the cow?”
    “That, Lady Evelyn, is not a cow.  It is my mother.”
    Evelyn was silent but a moment.  “And how is Mrs.
Dorsett?  It seems like an age since she has visited.”
    Mrs. Trowbridge did not seem best pleased with
Evelyn, yet somewhat graciously seized onto the subject of her mother while
Joseph overpaid for the coin purse.  By that time, the two girls had grown
tired of selecting ribbons, so he escorted Evelyn from the shop as quickly as
possible without being insufferably rude.
    He was willing to settle for being rude a smallish
amount.
    But finally, he and Evelyn were on their horses and
making their way back to her home.
    The silence was not quite as companionable as before
and even seemed to be a bit awkward.
    “My vitality is in excellent shape,” he said.  “I
just wanted you to know that.”
    “I have no doubt your vitality is…vital and
everything it should be,” she said.  “Not that it is any concern of mine, of
course.”
    “Certainly.  I did not mean to imply…that is to
say…”  Yet he could think of nothing else to add.  “Does Mrs. Dorsett resemble
a cow?”
    “Very much so.  Do you like your new coin purse?”
    “I believe you know the answer to that, my lady,” he
said, noting that her lips were quivering to keep from laughing.  “If you wish
it, I can buy you a matching reticule.”
    “Alas, it would be most improper for me to accept a
gift from a gentleman with whom I do not have an understanding.”
    “I believe we have an understanding about the
artistic merits of this coin purse.”
    Now she laughed outright.  “Perhaps, Inspector, you
could gift it to one of your informants in London.”
    “That would only turn the man against me.”
    “What about a particular lady friend?   You could
always give it to her.”
    Joseph laughed at the very notion.  He would never
give such a gift to a lady.  Then Lady Evelyn rephrased her question.
    “Do you have a particular lady friend to whom you
could give the purse?”
    Evelyn was bright red, her eyes fixed forward.  Could
it be possible that she was trying to find out if he was betrothed?  Or had a
mistress?
    “If I had a lady friend I would like to think she
would have better taste than to accept that coin purse as a gift.”
    Was that relief he saw on her face?
    “But wouldn’t a lady friend of yours have
questionable taste by definition?” 
    She turned to him, grinning, and he could not
prevent a bark of laughter from escaping.  “If you do not watch yourself, my
lady, I shall take a rope and tangle up every sheep you own, keeping you busy
for the next fortnight at least.”
    “I should like to see you try,” she said.  “I am
certain you run villains to ground on a regular basis.  But it is the ones on
four legs that seem to be elusive.”
    “Elusive?  Or tomorrow’s dinner?”
    They arrived back at her home and Joseph could not
remember the last time he’d laughed so much.  It was with great reluctance that
he wished her good day and returned to Jasmine Manor.
    *                    *                    *
    He arrived at the house with a great deal to think
about.  He waved off the groom in order to curry Rocinante himself, an activity
that always aided his ruminations, though the horse gave little advice.
    Lady Evelyn could not possibly marry that bumpkin
Kensington.  While he did not think she would be in any danger from the man –
other than possibly dying from boredom – the match was so lopsided, he wondered
about the men Evelyn had actually rejected.  Lady Evelyn.  He had to think of
her as Lady Evelyn.  No good could come of thinking of her as anything else. 
    As he approached the house, Mr. Keegan held the door
open for him.  “Welcome home, Inspector.  Did you