Read Online Creighton Manor by Karen Michelle Nutt - Free Book Online Page B

angry. In a matter of minutes, Ellery had her relaxed with a smile lighting her face.
    When Zachary finally entered the room, the two fell silent. Ellery cleared his throat and rose from the sofa. “Gillian, it has been a pleasure. I will see you soon .”
    Zachary walked Ellery outside and shut the door behind him. “I want you to do me a favor, Ellery.”
    Ellery knew his friend was serious and put all kidding aside. “Name it?”
    “I want you to pull some strings and find out who Gillian Metcalf really is. I want to know if she has any family or anyone… you know, special in her life.”
    “Wouldn’t it be easier to just ask her?”
    “I have, but something doesn’t seem quite right. All I want to do is check her story out. She claimed to be from Huntington Beach, California.”
    Ellery thought about it before he answered. “I haven’t heard of Huntington Beach, but again, new towns happen to pop up out of nowhere.”
    “Just check it out. Mostly, I want to know if there was anyone special in her life. You can start with the name Jerry. See if there is anyone by that name residing in the town she mentioned.”
    “Zachary, do you believe she has a fiancé out there?”
    “I think she was abandoned by a man, maybe this Jerry character. I want to know who he is.”
    “Are you going to see if this man will take Gillian off your hands? Because if that is the case, I will be more than happy …”
    Zachary lifted his hand to halt Ellery from saying anymore. “I have no intentions of letting Gillian go. I want to know if this man will cause any trouble.”
    “I have to say I’m amazed. I don’t believe I’ve seen you interested in anything other than your precious Creighton Manor. Obviously, Gillian is a wonderfully long awaited distraction.”
    Zachary harrumphed. “Just check on her story.”
    Ellery sighed. “I’ll see what I can find out.”
    “Thank you. I knew I could count on you.”
    “Yeah, yeah .” He was already walking away before he threw over his shoulder, “Thank me, if I come up with any information you want to hear.”

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Zachary took Gillian to Lotti’s dressmaker, informing her he’d be back in a few hours to pick her up. Gillian was measured, poked and measured again by Lotti’s seamstress, a French woman named Miss Sophia. She was an elegantly tall woman with regal manners. She looked more like a ballerina than a seamstress. She even wore her dark hair in a tight bun at the base of her neck, showing off her swanlike neck.
    “I am done.” She smiled and patted her shoulder. “I believe you are pleased, no?”
    Gillian wanted to yell for joy. She ’d had enough for one day. Right now, she missed her department stores back home where she found what she liked on the rack.
    “The dresses will be completed and delivered to your house in two days. I have a special material I’ll use for the dress you’ll wear at your reception.” Sophia smiled.
    Gillian nodded. No sense in telling her she hoped to be back in her time before the reception.
    “Now let me fix your hair.” She clicked her tongue. “You are married now. You must look the part. I will arrange your hair in a thick French braid and with a few pins, I’ll wrap it into a bun.” Miss Sophia also altered a gown for her to wear home. A customer asked for the dress to be made, but never come back for it. With a few alterations, it fit her perfectly. It was a pretty powder blue and made out of the finest material. It would have felt soft against her skin, but Miss Sophia insisted she wear a corset. As soon as she arrived back at Zachary’s, she’d burn the contraption.
    While she waited for Zachary, she had a chance to take a good look at the river town. She watched the people as they hurried on their way to wherever they needed to go. The dressmaker’s shop stood at the end of the street. Taking a few steps to the left, just past the barbershop, she could see the boats and ships on the water with the