Read Online Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White - Free Book Online

wanted to slip her hand into the crook of his elbow merrily, as any other girl would.
    Wanted to run and hide to escape that delving gaze of his.
    Under the jealous glares of her chaperones, who looked ready to push her away from Mr. Lane to make room for their daughters, Winter took his arm. When he held out a hand for her package, she relinquished that as well. It would have looked odd to refuse, though she could all but hear Robbie’s outrage in her mind when she passed off the precious invisible ink.
    Ah, well. Robbie must learn to keep his anxiousness in check if he wanted to succeed in this business while keeping up appearances.
    A cold wind whipped down the street and did its best to rip Winter’s hat from the pouf of her hair. She anchored it down with her free hand. If the hat came loose, it would undoubtedly pull her pins with it and leave her in total disarray.
    Appealing as that sounded, her grandmother would fall into hysterics if she came home from town with her curls about her shoulders. She had scowled half the morning over Winter’s insistence that she needn’t powder her hair for a shopping trip with Dosia and Lizzie.
    â€œWhere are you headed now, Miss Reeves?” Mr. Lane asked.
    She smiled. “Back to Hampton Hall, sir. This was our last stop.”
    Mrs. Parks tugged Dosia with her to Mr. Lane’s other side. “Not that we will be on foot all that way. We had luncheon with the Shirleys and walked from there, though my daughter and I shall see Miss Reeves home in our carriage. We are happy to drop you home as well, as it is on the way.”
    Had he any idea how panicked he looked at that suggestion? A flush stole over his ears and into his cheeks, and his eyes went as wide as Grandmother’s panniers. “I, ah…very kind of you, madam…of course I would…that is, if I hadn’t…previous engagement, you see.”
    Winter’s hand lifted of its own accord, ready to pat his arm in reassurance. She barely checked herself, covering her blunder by settling the thoughtless appendage on her arm rather than his. “A shame, that. Then I suppose we must bid you achoo.”
    Dosia’s mouth fell open. “’Tis adieu , Winnie,” she said in a fierce whisper, as if the correction would be able to reach Winter’s ears but not Mr. Lane’s.
    She leaned across him toward Dosia and made her volume match. “Well, I’m sure he does have much to do. ’Tis why I was saying goodbye!”
    â€œNo need for that quite yet.” Grinning at her, Mr. Lane shifted the stack of packages in his other arm. “I can walk with you as far as the Shirleys’.”
    Her gaze stayed glued to her box. “You have too many burdens, Mr. Lane. Allow me to reclaim mine. ’Tis light enough for me to manage.”
    â€œNonsense. I have it.”
    At this moment, perhaps, though heaven forbid they come across any other ladies who might greet him, or it could go flying. “All the same, if you were to drop it—”
    â€œThen I would replace it.”
    She sincerely doubted Robbie would give her more if anything were to happen to this batch. And Mr. Lane would need knowledge of chemistry to rival Lavoisier himself if he wanted to replace it otherwise.
    But in the face of his continued boyish grin, unhindered by blush or nerves, she had little choice but to subside. With a sigh. Giver of all, lend him Your steadiness, and see me safely home with this gift with which You have entrusted me.
    As if in answer, she became aware of the coarse, comforting texture of Mr. Lane’s homespun cloak under her fingers. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend it was Father’s arm she held. Could pretend the wind was gusting through Oyster Bay rather than the City of New York. Could pretend these were the Townsend girls giggling behind her, joking with her rather than about her.
    Mr. Lane led her forward, but she squeezed her eyes