Read Online Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick - Free Book Online

leave here until I have written a few more chapters of my book.”
    I RENE W ITTON WAS behind the counter, concluding the sale of several postcards featuring photographs of the local ruins, when Evangeline led Beatrice and Clarissa into the bookshop. She looked up and peered at them over the tops of her spectacles.
    “Ah, Miss Ames. How nice to see you again.”
    “Allow me to introduce my friends from London,” Evangeline said. She made the round of introductions quickly. “They are interested in guidebooks to the antiquities.”
    “Yes, of course, I have an excellent selection of books and maps as well.” Irene plucked her glasses off her nose and inserted them into the silver chatelaine case at her waist. “Let me show you.”
    She swept out from behind the counter and crossed the room to a bookcase. She pulled one of the volumes off the shelf.
    “This is Samuel Higgins’s
History of Roman Antiquities in the Vicinity of Little Dixby
. I believe it to be one of the finest accounts of the local ruins.”
    “I would like to examine it, if I may,” Beatrice said.
    “Yes, of course.” Irene gave her the book and reached for another volume.
    Clarissa pushed her eyeglasses higher on her nose and studied Irene’s chatelaine. “That is a very elegant spectacles case. I have been looking for one of my own. So handy to have one’s eyeglasses close at hand. Do you mind if I ask where you purchased it?”
    “My spectacles case?” Irene touched the silver case at her waist. She smiled. “Thank you. It is new. I lost my old one some time back. I was quite pleased when I discovered this one in a shop in London recently. I will write down the name of the establishment before you leave.”
    Clarissa brightened. “I would appreciate it. My friends tell me that I am rather dull and boring when it comes to matters of fashion. I am determined to become more stylish.”
    Beatrice raised her eyes to the ceiling. “For heaven’s sake, Clarissa, Evie and I never called you dull and boring, did we, Evie?”
    “Not once,” Evangeline declared.
    “I regret to inform you that telling me that I dress as if I were an instructor in a girls’ boarding school is the same thing,” Clarissa said.
    Half an hour later, their purchases secured in brown paper and string, the three crossed the street to the tea shop.
    Evangeline waited until the pot of Assam and a small plate of insipid-looking tea sandwiches had been set on the table before she looked at Clarissa.
    “Do Beatrice and I really imply that you are somewhat staid in your dress?” she asked gently.
    “‘Dowdy’ might be the more appropriate word,” Clarissa said. Shehelped herself to a tiny sandwich. “But it’s all right. You are my friends and I forgive you.”
    Beatrice bit her lip. “Truly, we never meant to make you feel unfashionable. It is just that there are times when Evie and I feel you might enjoy dressing in a more cheerful manner. It is bad enough that the three of us must dress as hired companions when we are working. There is no reason to go about in such attire the rest of the time. It is not good for the spirits.”
    Clarissa wrinkled her brow. “My spirits are fine, thank you.”
    Evangeline picked up her cup. “If that is so, why did you inquire about Miss Witton’s pretty spectacles chatelaine?”
    Clarissa munched her sandwich and swallowed. “I was merely curious. It is a very stylish case, don’t you think?”
    Evangeline exchanged a knowing look with Beatrice and was very sure they were both thinking the same thing. Clarissa’s birthday was coming up next month. A lovely silver spectacles chatelaine would make the perfect gift.

Seven

     
    T hat’s it?” Clarissa said. Incredulous sympathy rang in her words. “That is all there is to do here in Little Dixby? Tour a few ruins, have tea and a few tasteless sandwiches and stop in a bookshop?”
    “I’m afraid so,” Evangeline said. “The most interesting sites around here are locked