Read Online Deadly Vows by Brenda Joyce - Free Book Online Page B

sister.”
    He stared into her eyes, feeling the strength of will and purpose in her tiny hand. He raised it to his lips briefly. “I am very worried.”
    â€œI know,” she said. She glanced past him.
    He followed her glance. Bragg was asking Joel if hehad any idea about what had happened to Francesca. Joel was eleven years old, and he knew the underworld far too well. He had been apprehended many times for picking purses. Of course, his cutpurse days seemed to be over, as Francesca paid him a salary for his assistance. Joel shook his head soberly. “Miz Cahill never said a word about any note. She loves Mr. Hart an’ only the worst sort of rough could keep her away today.”
    Bragg tousled his hair, but he did not smile. Evan wondered if his odd expression had more to do with Joel’s statement about Francesca’s feelings for Hart than it did with her disappearance.
    Evan realized he had stepped even closer to Maggie, as if her warmth could comfort him now. “Come inside,” he said softly.
    â€œI don’t want to intrude. But I am worried about Francesca—and you.”
    Had the situation not been so dire, he would have thrilled at her words. “You cannot intrude. Mother adores you—as do I.” He could barely believe what he had said and he felt himself blush. She blushed as well, and he took her arm and led her into the salon.
    Julia sat on the sofa with Andrew and Connie, an alcoholic drink of some sort on the table in front of her. It was obvious she had been weeping; Julia never wept, or not that he had ever seen. It was warm in the room, but someone had thrown a cashmere shawl over her shoulders. She sat up stiffly as they entered the room. “Has there been any word? Any clue? Is she back?”
    Bragg was grim. “I am sorry, Julia, but my answer is no to all your questions.”
    She cried out. Andrew put his arm around her and held her close. “Oh, God! Francesca is reckless and impulsive, but she would never be this irresponsible, Rick! What has happened to her? Where is my daughter?”
    â€œDarling!” Andrew said sharply. “Francesca is fine. She will return at any moment—with some cockamamy explanation for what has occurred today.” But he was as pale as his wife.
    â€œFrancesca will be fine, Mama,” Connie said. “You know Fran. She is unstoppable.”
    Julia moaned. “And when she does return, then what? Three weeks ago her fiancé was accused of murder! We have hardly gotten over that scandal—and now, there is this! Everyone will be gossiping about Francesca jilting Hart at the altar for months to come.”
    â€œLet’s worry about the scandal another time,” Andrew said firmly.
    Evan couldn’t agree more.
    Bragg stepped forward. “The police will be here shortly. I have to leave, but I will return in two hours.”
    â€œIn two hours?” Julia gasped in disbelief. “Do you have to leave?”
    â€œI’m afraid so,” Bragg said.
    Andrew rose and strode to him. “Can I have a private word, Rick?”
    Andrew was as much an advocate of reform and as politically active as Rick. They had met years earlier, when Rick’s father was in Grover Cleveland’s administration. Now they were close friends. The two men stepped into the hall.
    For one moment, a heavy silence filled with fear and dread fell over the small salon. Julia seemed frozen. Connie got up and walked into her husband’s arms. Montrose was as worried as anyone. Evan tightened his grasp on Maggie, turning to her and lowering his voice. “I will get you a cab.” He didn’t want her to go, but he imagined she had left her other three children with a neighbor, and surely had to return home.
    As they left the salon, Maggie murmured, “I hate leaving you now, in crisis. You have been so helpful to me.”
    Her concern thrilled him, but he was careful to remain poker-faced.