Read Online The Perfect Bride by Kerry Connor - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kerry Connor
Ads: Link
century, all beautifully maintained.
Spottingthe library, Jillian parked out front and made her way inside. The building was quiet as she entered, even more than she would have expected for a library. The only person in view was the woman behind the front desk. Appearing to be in her fifties, with a head of brown curls and half-rimmed glasses, she looked up and smiled at Jillian’s approach.
“Hi there,” Jillian said. “I’m hoping youcan help me. I’m interested in doing some research on Sutton Hall.”
The woman’s expression didn’t change, but Jillian didn’t miss the way her smile seemed to tighten slightly. “What kind of research?”
“My name is Jillian Jones. I’m going to be getting married there and would love to learn more about the place. The new owners have told me a little, but I’m sure there’s more they don’tknow about since they’re fairly new to the place themselves. I thought I might try to do some research on my own.”
With every word, the woman’s smile had tightened further. By the time Jillian finished her explanation, it couldn’t have looked more forced. “How nice,” the woman said faintly. “You must be so excited. Are your friends and family up there with you preparing for the big day?”
“No, it’s just me at the moment.”
The woman’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh, so you’re...all alone out there.”
The way she said it sent a shiver down Jillian’s spine, reminding her all too well how true it was. “Well, not exactly,” she made herself say. “The Suttons and the rest of the staff are there, too, of course.”
“Of course,” the woman echoed flatly.
“I know what you’re thinking,”Jillian said. “And yes, I am aware of the death that happened there recently, so you don’t have to tell me about that.”
The look on the woman’s face said she clearly needed to if Jillian was dismissing it that easily.
As if realizing she hadn’t said anything for far too long, the woman straightened with a start. “All right,” she said finally. She motioned toward a nearby table. “Whydon’t we have a seat and I’ll tell you what I can.”
“That sounds great,” Jillian replied, not having to fake her eagerness. She’d thought the woman might point her to some reference materials, but this was better. Especially since some of the things she wanted to know were unlikely to be in any books.
With a nod, Jillian moved toward the table, glancing around the room as she made herway there. There didn’t seem to be any other patrons at the moment, luckily enough for her since it gave the woman time to talk.
The librarian followed Jillian to the table, taking the seat across from her with a clear view to keep an eye on the door. “I’m Emma, by the way,” she said, introducing herself.
“I’m glad to meet you,” Jillian said honestly. “The folks at Sutton Hall haven’tbeen all that talkative.”
“I’m not surprised,” Emma confessed. “The folks up there have always kept to themselves. Has to be odd for them to have strangers around.”
“I can understand that. But I’m still fascinated by the place and would love to find out everything I can about it.”
The librarian pursed her lips, considering. “All right. Well, let’s see...Sutton Hall was built in1874 by Hugh Sutton, a manufacturing tycoon who owned a number of factories throughout New England. Jacob Sutton, the last owner before the current ones, was Hugh’s great-grandson. He was an only child, and he and his wife never had children, which is why the place was inherited by Adam and Meredith, who are descendants of one of Hugh’s other sons.”
“I heard Jacob’s wife died in a car accident,”Jillian said.
“That’s right. About twenty-five years ago. It was during a winter storm. Her car went right off the road and over the edge of the mountain. It took some time to reach the car and get her body out. Jacob blamed himself. They were supposed to be traveling together. He
Spottingthe library, Jillian parked out front and made her way inside. The building was quiet as she entered, even more than she would have expected for a library. The only person in view was the woman behind the front desk. Appearing to be in her fifties, with a head of brown curls and half-rimmed glasses, she looked up and smiled at Jillian’s approach.
“Hi there,” Jillian said. “I’m hoping youcan help me. I’m interested in doing some research on Sutton Hall.”
The woman’s expression didn’t change, but Jillian didn’t miss the way her smile seemed to tighten slightly. “What kind of research?”
“My name is Jillian Jones. I’m going to be getting married there and would love to learn more about the place. The new owners have told me a little, but I’m sure there’s more they don’tknow about since they’re fairly new to the place themselves. I thought I might try to do some research on my own.”
With every word, the woman’s smile had tightened further. By the time Jillian finished her explanation, it couldn’t have looked more forced. “How nice,” the woman said faintly. “You must be so excited. Are your friends and family up there with you preparing for the big day?”
“No, it’s just me at the moment.”
The woman’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh, so you’re...all alone out there.”
The way she said it sent a shiver down Jillian’s spine, reminding her all too well how true it was. “Well, not exactly,” she made herself say. “The Suttons and the rest of the staff are there, too, of course.”
“Of course,” the woman echoed flatly.
“I know what you’re thinking,”Jillian said. “And yes, I am aware of the death that happened there recently, so you don’t have to tell me about that.”
The look on the woman’s face said she clearly needed to if Jillian was dismissing it that easily.
As if realizing she hadn’t said anything for far too long, the woman straightened with a start. “All right,” she said finally. She motioned toward a nearby table. “Whydon’t we have a seat and I’ll tell you what I can.”
“That sounds great,” Jillian replied, not having to fake her eagerness. She’d thought the woman might point her to some reference materials, but this was better. Especially since some of the things she wanted to know were unlikely to be in any books.
With a nod, Jillian moved toward the table, glancing around the room as she made herway there. There didn’t seem to be any other patrons at the moment, luckily enough for her since it gave the woman time to talk.
The librarian followed Jillian to the table, taking the seat across from her with a clear view to keep an eye on the door. “I’m Emma, by the way,” she said, introducing herself.
“I’m glad to meet you,” Jillian said honestly. “The folks at Sutton Hall haven’tbeen all that talkative.”
“I’m not surprised,” Emma confessed. “The folks up there have always kept to themselves. Has to be odd for them to have strangers around.”
“I can understand that. But I’m still fascinated by the place and would love to find out everything I can about it.”
The librarian pursed her lips, considering. “All right. Well, let’s see...Sutton Hall was built in1874 by Hugh Sutton, a manufacturing tycoon who owned a number of factories throughout New England. Jacob Sutton, the last owner before the current ones, was Hugh’s great-grandson. He was an only child, and he and his wife never had children, which is why the place was inherited by Adam and Meredith, who are descendants of one of Hugh’s other sons.”
“I heard Jacob’s wife died in a car accident,”Jillian said.
“That’s right. About twenty-five years ago. It was during a winter storm. Her car went right off the road and over the edge of the mountain. It took some time to reach the car and get her body out. Jacob blamed himself. They were supposed to be traveling together. He
Similar Books
