The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble Read Free Book Online Page B

the curving staircase to the second floor. “It’s more grand than I need,” he said. “But my father insists on the best of everything.”
    Mrs. Lindrum rushed toward them with towels. “Oh goodness, Mr. Harrison, you’re all going to catch your death of cold. Come in by the fire.” His housekeeper motioned to the ladies to follow her.
    His collie, Nealy, bounded to meet him. He rubbed his dog’s head, and Nealy whined, then went to greet the women. Lady Devonworth jumped back when she saw the dog. Her eyes went wide.
    She darted behind Will. “Get him away!”
    “Nealy won’t hurt you,” Harrison assured her.
    Her face went even more pale. “I was bitten when I was a child,” she said softly. “Dogs terrify me.”
    He clucked his tongue. “Nealy, come.” The dog came to his side and lay down by his feet.
    Katie and Lady Devonworth left the wet towels on the floor and disappeared through the parlor door. Harrison toweled off his hair, then followed with Will, who still had Jennie in his arms. She lay quietly with her head on his shoulder and her eyes wide as the thunder roared outside.
    “Want some cookies and milk, honey?” Harrison asked her. She nodded and reached for him. He took her and held her close. “You’re cold. I’ll get you a blanket.” He carried her into the parlor with the women and asked Mrs. Lindrum to fetch refreshments. An afghan was on the sofa, and he wrapped it around the little girl.
    When she snuggled her head against him, he saw Lady Devonworth’s attention fixed on them. “She likes me,” he said.
    “Obviously,” she said.
    There was a note in her voice he didn’t quite understand. Surprise or disquiet? She seemed wary around him too, and he’d given her no reason to distrust him. He couldn’t figure her out.

    The hot chocolate warmed Olivia’s insides and her teeth finally quit chattering. Mrs. Lindrum had found clothing for the ladies to change into. The dressing gowns could have covered her and Katie twice over. They were darned and worn, obviously the housekeeper’s, but at least they were dry and clean.
    Olivia pushed aside one of the blankets Mrs. Lindrum had wrapped around her, then glanced around the guest room. It had been newly redecorated. Had Eleanor ever stayed here? Olivia could have gone to Stewart Hall, but she couldn’t resist this opportunity to learn more about Harrison, to explore his house for clues.
    She put down her mug and went to the door. Putting her ear to the wood, she listened. Nothing. Hopefully everyone was in bed. It was after ten. She eased open the door and stepped into the hall. Darkness cloaked the space. She didn’t know the house so it was going to be hard to find her way to the staircase. Inching along with her hand on the wall, she felt her way to the end of the hallway. The wall under her fingers ended, and the staircase opened in front of her. Pale light shone from below. Her feet made no sound as she tiptoed down the runner covering the polished wood steps.
    Once she reached the foyer, she paused and looked both directions. She’d already been to the left, so this time she turned right and found a doorway opening into a library. Not even knowing what she was looking for, she stepped in and shut the door behind her.
    The room was dark, but she’d seen electric lights in the parlor, so she ran her hand beside the door and twisted the knob she found. The room flooded with light. She glanced at the shelves. It was not the typical library for a man. The glass shelves held a mishmash of popular titles. Dog-eared and worn, they weren’t the leather-bound copies that were only for show. The desk wasn’t the ornate object so often chosen for its imposing size. It was austere, but more of the Arts and Crafts movement. Papers littered the battered top. Harrison actually used this desk. He didn’t bring people in here to impress them with his furnishings.
    She moved deeper into the room and glanced at the titles. A complete