Read Online Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Regina Jennings
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business did she have making a call on a complete stranger?
On the other hand, she couldn’t stay indoors on such a beautiful day. Tucking the bills into the water-stained leather, Molly checked her appearance in the mirror above her washstand. Finding nothing unbecoming, she grabbed a wrap and hurried down the stairs, leaving her chaotic mess behind. One quick trip and she’d be done with it. She’d leave the wallet at the manager’s desk and she would have the burden off her hands.
The street carried very little traffic—foot or hoof. Had her parents noticed that she was staying in town on the weekends now? Not that she’d seen Bailey much in Lockhart, but the long drive to Prairie Lea had certainly lost its allure.
Molly pulled her wrap closer against the cool morning air. The real question was how long could she remain in Lockhart if she continued to avoid Mr. Fenton. Word traveled quickly. One sighting of him with Prue on his arm and her parents would demand an explanation. Her days of freedom might be coming to an end.
She approached the two-story hotel and found it unmarred by the revel-makers’ antics of the night before. A sigh of relief escaped, for there were no drunkards to step around, no broken bottles to avoid.
Maybe this was why her father didn’t trust her to live on her own. She’d made her share of mistakes in the past, and visiting a hotel early in the morning might qualify as another. Molly didn’t want to scandalize her parents. She didn’t want to embarrass them or make them unhappy, but neither was she willing to give up her independence for their whims. Had they truly been needy she might consider a marriage of convenience, but she wouldn’t walk the aisle with a stranger so her mother could preside over the wedding of the decade. She wouldn’t marry a man so her father could invest in a new millstone. They weren’t desperate.
The foyer of the hotel was as quiet as the outside. Good thing. Maybe she could go on her way without being recognized. She craned her neck to peer into the office, reluctant to ring the bell on the countertop.
Clearing her throat produced the result she sought. Feet swung off a desk and a corpulent man appeared.
“Yes, sir. I believe this wallet belongs to a boarder here.”
The man took the offered wallet and flipped it open.
“Who does it belong to?”
“If you’ll give it to Mr. Pierrepont, I’d be much obliged.”
“What? Did I hear my name?” The voice from the balcony fell pleasantly on her ears, even though it meant she wouldn’t be sneaking away undetected.
“Mr. Pierrepont, I didn’t want to disturb you. It’s not quite visiting hours.”
He descended and took her hand. Wearing gloves indoors? An eccentric was he? Only the wealthy were allowed such indulgences.
“Far be it for me to set limits on our acquaintance,” he said. “I’m ‘at home’ for visits at your convenience. Please allow me to escort you to my parlor.”
He took Molly’s arm, but as they approached the staircase, she gripped the banister.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Pierrepont. I have no intention of going upstairs.” Molly looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the manager had returned to his office. “You must be mistaken.”
His reassuring smile instantly set her at ease. “My suite includes a drawing room, but I acquiesce to your superior knowledge of local propriety.” He gestured to the front door. “Perhaps you would accompany me on my morning stroll?”
He’d taken her reprimand so graciously she couldn’t refuse.
“I apologize for not returning your property sooner. I—” Molly halted. What was her excuse? I’ve been mooning over my beau and forgot all about you?
“Please don’t. I didn’t expect you to bother. Besides, I returned from a cattle drive only yesterday.”
“Cattle drive? In November? No one in their right mind—” She covered her mouth.
“Perfect description of me, I fear. Not in my right mind. That’s
On the other hand, she couldn’t stay indoors on such a beautiful day. Tucking the bills into the water-stained leather, Molly checked her appearance in the mirror above her washstand. Finding nothing unbecoming, she grabbed a wrap and hurried down the stairs, leaving her chaotic mess behind. One quick trip and she’d be done with it. She’d leave the wallet at the manager’s desk and she would have the burden off her hands.
The street carried very little traffic—foot or hoof. Had her parents noticed that she was staying in town on the weekends now? Not that she’d seen Bailey much in Lockhart, but the long drive to Prairie Lea had certainly lost its allure.
Molly pulled her wrap closer against the cool morning air. The real question was how long could she remain in Lockhart if she continued to avoid Mr. Fenton. Word traveled quickly. One sighting of him with Prue on his arm and her parents would demand an explanation. Her days of freedom might be coming to an end.
She approached the two-story hotel and found it unmarred by the revel-makers’ antics of the night before. A sigh of relief escaped, for there were no drunkards to step around, no broken bottles to avoid.
Maybe this was why her father didn’t trust her to live on her own. She’d made her share of mistakes in the past, and visiting a hotel early in the morning might qualify as another. Molly didn’t want to scandalize her parents. She didn’t want to embarrass them or make them unhappy, but neither was she willing to give up her independence for their whims. Had they truly been needy she might consider a marriage of convenience, but she wouldn’t walk the aisle with a stranger so her mother could preside over the wedding of the decade. She wouldn’t marry a man so her father could invest in a new millstone. They weren’t desperate.
The foyer of the hotel was as quiet as the outside. Good thing. Maybe she could go on her way without being recognized. She craned her neck to peer into the office, reluctant to ring the bell on the countertop.
Clearing her throat produced the result she sought. Feet swung off a desk and a corpulent man appeared.
“Yes, sir. I believe this wallet belongs to a boarder here.”
The man took the offered wallet and flipped it open.
“Who does it belong to?”
“If you’ll give it to Mr. Pierrepont, I’d be much obliged.”
“What? Did I hear my name?” The voice from the balcony fell pleasantly on her ears, even though it meant she wouldn’t be sneaking away undetected.
“Mr. Pierrepont, I didn’t want to disturb you. It’s not quite visiting hours.”
He descended and took her hand. Wearing gloves indoors? An eccentric was he? Only the wealthy were allowed such indulgences.
“Far be it for me to set limits on our acquaintance,” he said. “I’m ‘at home’ for visits at your convenience. Please allow me to escort you to my parlor.”
He took Molly’s arm, but as they approached the staircase, she gripped the banister.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Pierrepont. I have no intention of going upstairs.” Molly looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the manager had returned to his office. “You must be mistaken.”
His reassuring smile instantly set her at ease. “My suite includes a drawing room, but I acquiesce to your superior knowledge of local propriety.” He gestured to the front door. “Perhaps you would accompany me on my morning stroll?”
He’d taken her reprimand so graciously she couldn’t refuse.
“I apologize for not returning your property sooner. I—” Molly halted. What was her excuse? I’ve been mooning over my beau and forgot all about you?
“Please don’t. I didn’t expect you to bother. Besides, I returned from a cattle drive only yesterday.”
“Cattle drive? In November? No one in their right mind—” She covered her mouth.
“Perfect description of me, I fear. Not in my right mind. That’s
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