Wishes on the Wind by Elaine Barbieri Read Free Book Online Page B

some questions to ask you. Speak up, dear, so she may have an opportunity to get to know you."
        Swallowing tightly, Meghan turned to Mrs. Lang's doubtful expression.
        David walked swiftly up the carpeted hallway, preoccupied with his thoughts. His informal, well-tailored riding garb of white shirtwaist, dark pants, and high riding boots showed the abuse of a hard morning's ride and his normally well-groomed hair was still ruffled from the wind. He was frowning, his dark brows furrowed over eyes glinting with frustration.
        Damn that Townsend! The man was intent on seeing problems with Fabian even when there were none. His reaction to the temperamental scene Fabian had just staged was all out of proportion, and he was certain he was going to have to do some fast talking when it was reported back to Uncle Martin. But Townsend was wrong. Fabian was well worth any trouble he caused.
        His thoughts interrupted by the mumble of conversation behind the closed study doors, David halted abruptly. Incredulous, he listened more closely to the voice that had caught his attention.
        "No, I haven't been in service before, ma'am, but I've much experience with household duties, coming from a family of nine."
        "I understand that, dear, but you must also understand your duties here would be quite different from work in a home where you're expected to do no more than can comfortably be accomplished by a girl your size."
        "As Father Matthew said, I'm very strong, ma'am."
        "But the heavy laundry baskets, the gardening chores… My dear, you're so small."
        "I'm growing every day, ma'am."
        Those polite responses on the other side of the door… David's incredulity grew. He knew that voice! It had sounded repeatedly in his mind after that disturbing hillside confrontation. His discomfort at the memory bothered him still as he took an involuntary step forward and opened the door.
        "Oh, David, dear!" Turning with the genuine smile she reserved for David alone, Letty stretched her hand out toward him. "Have you finished with your ride? I didn't expect you back so soon."
        "Fabian was acting badly, so I put him back in his stall."
        Taking Aunt Letty's hand, David turned toward the slender priest and the girl who stood beside him. Damn, it was her! There was no mistaking that wildly curly hair and those accusing blue eyes.
        Briefly meeting the girl's gaze, David was startled by the flash of hatred he saw there.
        "David, dear, this is Father Matthew Mulligan from the valley. And this is Meghan O'Connor. I approached Father Mulligan a few days ago about hiring a dependable girl to help with some of the downstairs chores that are beyond Mabel now. However, I was just explaining to him that Meghan is a bit too young for the work I had in mind."
        "I think you're making a mistake, Mrs. Lang." His thin face reflecting consternation, the priest responded directly to Aunt Letty without acknowledging the introduction, but David knew the slight was not deliberate. It was obvious the priest was upset.
        Looking again at the girl as she stood silently at the priest's side, David saw she deliberately avoided his gaze. He knew what she was thinking. She was waiting for him to tell his aunt about their clash on the hillside, and he wondered at his own reluctance to mention the incident. Surely, if the girl was inclined to violence such as she had demonstrated that day if she was unstable in some way…
        "There's no doubt in my mind that Meghan is a very special girl, Mrs. Lang." The priest was still talking. "She'd be a welcome addition to any household, including your own. She's dependable, steadfast, and even-tempered."
        The girl's mouth twitched and David withheld comment as the priest continued, "There's another reason you might feel inclined to decide in Meghan's favor." Casting the girl a glance, he continued soberly.