Surrender the Dawn by MaryLu Tyndall Read Free Book Online Page A

to attend to this morning and could wait no longer for you to join us.”
    “I am glad you proceeded without me.” Cassandra circled the table and helped herself to a cup of coffee from the serving table, passing overthe odd-smelling battercakes and blackened sausage. Turning, she found Mr. Crane’s eyes latched on her. “Do have a seat and finish your meal, Mr. Crane.” She took a chair across from him. “I hope you’ll forgive me. I fear I had a rather hectic day yesterday.”
    Children’s laughter accompanied by the bark of a dog echoed from the back garden.
    Mr. Crane flipped out his coattails and sat. “Of course, Miss Channing. I understand women need their rest.”
    Cassandra tapped her shoe on the floor and scoured him with a pointed gaze. “I was just telling your mother of the happenings down at the
Register
.” He chuckled and lifted a piece of battercake to his mouth. After a moment’s pause, his lips twisted into an odd shape as he continued chewing.
    Cassandra smiled.
    Which he must have taken as encouragement to continue his dissertation of the newspaper business.
    Searching the table for sugar, Cassandra sighed when she remembered they’d been out for months. She sipped her bitter coffee, trying to drown out the man’s incessant babbling.
    Thankfully, after a few minutes, Miss Thain, the cook, entered the room. Eyes downcast, she cleared the plates, bobbing and curtseying at every turn.
    Mr. Crane stood. “Would you care for a stroll in the garden, Miss Channing?”
    “It’s a bit cold, isn’t it?” Didn’t the man say he had an appointment?
    “Don’t be silly, Cassandra,” her mother said. “I’ll have Margaret bring down your cloak.” She hurried off, returning in a moment with Cassandra’s wool cape.
    After sweeping it around her shoulders, Cassandra followed Mr. Crane through the french doors into the back garden. Warm sunlight struck her face even as a chilled breeze sent a shiver through her. Though nearly spring, winter seemed unwilling to release its grip on the city. To her left, Mr. Dayle chipped through the hard dirt in preparation for a vegetable garden. Beside him a small stable housed their only horse. To the right, smoke rose from the smokehouse where Miss Thain made the bread and smoked the meat—or where Miss Thain
attempted
to make bread and smoke meat. A small stone path wound among various trees and shrubs whose green buds were just beginning to peekfrom within gray branches.
    Darlene darted across the path in front of them, Dexter on her heels, and leapt into one of the bushes. “I found you!”
    With an ear-piercing scream, Hannah leapt out from among the branches, twigs and lace flying through the air. Darlene barreled into her, and the two girls toppled to the ground in a gush of giggles as Dexter stood over them and barked.
    Mr. Crane’s face scrunched. “Shouldn’t the children be attending their studies?”
    Cassandra smiled. What an excellent reason to rid herself of this man’s company. “Of course, Mr. Crane. I quite agree. Since we were forced to let the nanny go, I’m afraid many of her duties have fallen to me.” Ignoring the look of alarm on his face, she continued, “If you’ll excuse me, I should get the girls cleaned up and ready for their lessons with Mrs. Northrop.” She faced the gardener. “Mr. Dayle, would you please see Mr. Crane to the door?” Then with barely a glance in Mr. Crane’s direction, Cassandra started toward her sisters, who were still tumbling on the grass.
    “Oh, no, no, no, my dear.” Her mother’s shrill voice halted her. The older woman dashed into the yard, gathered the children up like a hen escaping a storm, and ushered them inside the house, shouting, “I’ll attend to the girls. Carry on, carry on.” Dexter followed after them but a closed door barred his passage. The poor sheepdog slumped to the ground and laid his head onto his front paws.
    With a huff and a smile so stiff she felt her face would