Winter's Edge by Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online Page A

stay in bed.”
    The woman turned to peer out the window, then looked back at Molly in surprise.
    “Well, it’s not exactly the day I’d pick for a picnic, but it’s well enough, I suppose, especially after last night. And of course, you so long in the hospital, poor girl. Now you go and sit yourself down in the dining room and I’ll set you a place in two shakes.”
    “If you don’t mind I’d rather eat in here.” She looked even more startled.
    “Well, certainly, if that’s what you want. I will admit it’s warmer and cozier in here.
    Pat always eats his breakfast in here with me, and that’s a fact. Says it warms him up. ” She kept a steady flow of chatter while she deftly set a place at the table, poured her a cup of coffee with just the right amount of cream and sugar, and started some toast.
    “What’ll you have for breakfast, Mrs. Winters? The usual?”
    Molly could feel an odd blush of color rise to her cheeks.
    “I’m afraid I… that is…”
    “Oh, heavens, what a fool I am, jabbering away at you. Pat explained your little problem, but I forgot all about it. You probably don’t even know who I am; do you? I’m Fran Morse, the housekeeper, and you usually have two slices of toast and orange juice. But maybe I could tempt you with something a bit more substantial this morning?”
    Molly sipped at the wonderful coffee.
    “Well, my… Patrick made dinner last night,” she said carefully, oddly unwilling to call Patrick her huslsand.
     
    “Then you must be starving,” the woman said with a friendly smile.
    “That man can’t cook to save his life.”
    “I am a bit hungry,” she admitted.
    “I’d love some eggs and bacon if it’s not too much trouble. And some of your poppy seed muffins.”
    The woman beamed fondly.
    “Well, it’s a treat to see you’ve got some appetite. These last few months you were eating like a bird. And you remembered my muffins, bless your heart!” She deposited some in front of Molly, kindly ignoring her sudden start. She’d have to get used to remembering, Molly told herself shakily. Things are bound to come back like that, a bit at a time. She took a bite out of the muffin, and the familiar-unfamiliar taste warmed her tongue. Slowly she began to relax. For the first time since she arrived she felt comfortable and comparatively happy. Here was one person who didn’t seem to blame her for a thousand anonymous crimes. Molly watched Mrs. Morse bustle around the kitchen with a sense of quiet gratitude, and she wished that feeling could last forever.
    By the time she devoured her breakfast and had seconds of muffins and coffee she was ready to face the day.
    “Would you like some help washing up?” she offered, bringing her dishes over to the sink.
    Mrs. Morse stared at her strangely.
    “Well, I never thought to hear such words from your mouth again,” she said frankly.
    “But there, I always said you weren’t so bad underneath. No, dearie, I can manage these myself. After all, it’s what I’m paid for.”
    Molly nodded, trying to ignore those WOrds that kept repeating themselves, around and ar0uud in her brain. I always said you weren’t so bad Underneath. Who did she say it to?
    There wasn’t much she COUld say in response. She plastered a cool smile on her face.
    “Well, if You need any help with lunch or anythiug just call me.” It was just past seven o’clock when she Wandered out of the kitchen, more troubled than she cared to admit. She didn’t know where to start. Her life was an Agatha Christie novel—full of clues and question marks, suspects and red her hugs and the thought of sorting them out was daunting. It didn’t SOUnd as if there was anyone she could turn to for help or answers-from the impression She’d gotten from Patrick and company she had no friends in the area, and it was unlikely that anyone Would want to have anything to do with her.
    She ended up back in the Opulent bedroon~, staring at the walls.
    Patrick had gotten up