Read Online Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart - Free Book Online Page A

Mrs. Wigginham watching her so closely. And it wasn’t only Mrs. Wigginham’s eyes on her. The man beside the woman continued to stare at Adriane without the first hint of politeness. She glanced over at him coldly, her smile gone for the moment as Adriane decided to take matters into her own hands. If the man recognized her, so be it.
    “I beg your pardon, sir. I fear we have not been properly introduced.”
    “No, indeed, we have not,” the man said with the beginnings of a smile that showed he knew much more about Adriane than she knew about him. “But we mustn’t cheat dear Mrs. Wigginham out of the pleasure.”
    Mrs. Wigginham laughed delightedly. “Oh, do forgive me, Adriane. It appears I have been lax with the social niceties, but I assumed the two of you were already acquainted.”
    Adriane tore her eyes away from the man to look at Mrs. Wigginham. Could the man have already revealed their meeting that morning? No, she thought not, for Mrs. Wigginham didn’t look shocked, only amused.
    Mrs. Wigginham rose from the velvet settee to touch Adriane’s arm as she made the introductions. “Dear Adriane, this is Blake Garrett. Mr. Garrett, Adriane Darcy. Mr. Garrett is the new editor of the Herald , as I’m sure you’re aware, Adriane.”
    Red spread across Adriane’s high cheekbones as her eyes flashed back to the man beside Mrs. Wigginham. No wonder the old lady was having so much fun. Adriane glanced over at Stan. He could have warned her. A whisper as they were crossing the floor wouldn’t have been too much to ask.
    With effort, Adriane managed a polite smile. “How nice to meet you at last, Mr. Garrett. I have to admit I was beginning to wonder if I had a smudge on my cheek, the way you were staring at me. It’s a relief to know it’s only because I am from the enemy camp.”
    “Dear Adriane, you do say the most wicked things.” Mrs. Wigginham’s smile lit up her whole face.
    Adriane hadn’t seen the old lady this animated since the rumor had gone around town that the mayor’s wife was leaving him. And it seemed she was not through with her fun for the day. She took Stan’s arm and leaned heavily on it. “My dear boy, would you mind helping an old lady over to the table? I do need to be sure the refreshments are holding out.”
    When Stan looked from Adriane to Blake, Mrs. Wigginham quickly said, “Don’t worry about the two of them. They no doubt would enjoy a few minutes to get acquainted, and I think we can trust them not to duel in my parlor.” She began moving off with Stan in tow. “Now do tell me all about what sort of event your mother is planning for this evening. Perhaps there would be some way I could help. If not tonight, then with some other event. A tea in Adriane’s honor might be appropriate, don’t you agree?”
    Stan, used to doing his mother’s bidding without complaint, let Mrs. Wigginham lead him away with no further resistance. Mrs. Wigginham was the one who looked back at Adriane, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
    “You have to admire a hostess who enjoys her parties,” Blake Garrett said.
    “Mrs. Wigginham is a dear.” Adriane had a polite smile firmly in place again as she looked up at him. She had wanted to meet Blake Garrett for weeks, and now she’d had two encounters with him in one day. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mr. Garrett. I’ve heard so much about you.”
    “I daresay some of it should not be repeated.” A smile broke over his face and practically exploded from his eyes, which were much bluer than she had at first thought.
    Adriane’s knees went a little weak just from the power of it, but she pulled herself together. It had been a busy morning, and she had forgotten to take time to eat. That surely had more to do with her weak knees than Blake Garrett’s smile.
    Even so, there was no denying he was handsome. And not at all what she had expected. He looked more like one of the daring riverboat captains rather than an editor. But then