Read Online No Other Love by Isabel Morin - Free Book Online Page A

father was dead, and Rose asked Will to wait.
    The questions she’d struggled with then loomed even larger now that she knew what she was missing. But Will loved her and was ready to share his life, whereas Luke Fletcher was an impossibility. Comparing the two men was ludicrous, and yet she couldn’t seem to help herself.
    Of course, she didn’t have much to compare these days, as she hadn’t seen him since that day in the study two weeks ago. Their encounter was beginning to seem like something out of her imagination, which was all for the better, as her imagination was dangerous enough.
    Which was why she needed to find out who killed her father before things got even more complicated.
    A rare opportunity finally came her way. She was on the second floor replacing rugs she and Lydia had enthusiastically beaten outside when she heard Mrs. Fletcher address Mrs. Craig.
    “I need a message sent to Mr. Fletcher at the office. The Willoughby's shall arrive earlier than expected. Please convey this note to Mr. Fletcher as soon as possible so that he may come home early and greet them with me. I would hate for it to look as if he thought work more important than our old friends.”
    “Yes, ma'am. I'll send someone straightaway.”
    Rose caught up with Mrs. Craig as she descended the stairs.
    “I hope you don’t mind, but I overheard Mrs. Fletcher say she needed a message sent. Shall I go? I've just finished the carpets.”
    “Very well. I'll have Charlie bring the wagon around. Mrs. Beech needs some things for tonight's dinner as well. Get the list from her and you can stop at the market on the way back.”
    Quickly Rose retrieved her bonnet from her room before stopping in the kitchen for the list of ingredients. Mrs. Beech scowled at her, but then, she scowled at everyone.
    It was a comfortable day for early July, hot but without the stultifying humidity they’d had all week. The sun shone and a soft breeze blew through the trees. Gratefully she sat on the rough wood seat behind Charlie, the two of them enjoying the break away from the house. It was good to be outside, good to be off her feet. It felt like she hadn't drawn a deep breath since her visit with Vivian several days earlier.
    She closed her eyes for a moment and could almost believe she was back home, riding with her father to visit a neighboring farm or buy supplies. Though she and her father had always talked easily to each other, they had also enjoyed the quiet of their own thoughts, the creak of the harness leather and occasional snorts from the steady team of horses. If only she could keep her eyes closed forever and go on imagining her father next to her. But it was no use. It merely reminded her of his absence.
    The houses stood closer together and traffic grew heavier as they neared town. Riders on horseback vied with carriages and pedestrians for the road, and the air was full of noise – greetings and shouts, stamping hooves and the more distant screech of one of the local trains braking.
    Charlie maneuvered the cart through the crowded streets, just barely avoiding a collision with a cart full of chickens. Soon he pulled up before an impressive brownstone on Beacon Street. Next to the door a plaque read Western Railroad Company. For a moment Rose could not move. So long did she hesitate that Charlie looked over at her, one eyebrow raised in question.
    “Something wrong, Rose? If you’re nervous I can bring the message to Mr. Fletcher.”
    “No, I’m fine. I’ll manage,” Rose sputtered, moved to action by his look of concern.
    Taking a deep breath, she headed up the brick walkway and mounted the steps. Pausing a moment before the door, she put her hand on the knob and turned.
    The interior of the building was even more impressive than the exterior. The shiny wood floors with their plush Turkish rugs spoke of money and success, and bronze sculptures scattered about on delicate tables lent the room an air of elegance and sophistication. Behind