Read Keeping Secrets for Free Online Page B

skirt and short, fitted jacket in a pale blue wool. A tiny, feathered hat perched on top of her dark curls. The man spoke, and as the woman looked up at him, laughing in delight at whatever he had said, he beamed in pleasure.
    Peg caught her breath in astonishment. Miss Hennessey! The beautiful woman was Miss Violet Hennessey! And she was with the terrible, horrible Mr. Amos Crandon!
    Too stunned to move or speak, Peg could only watch as Miss Hennessey said, “Thank you, Mr. Crandon, for your very kind help. Without your assistance I might never have been able to see General Bassett.”
    “It was my great pleasure to assist you, Miss Hennessey,” Mr. Crandon said. His cheeks puffed with pleasure, making him look like an ugly, giant frog in Peg’s opinion. “As soon as General Bassett’s letter guaranteeing you safe passage has been written and signed, I’ll personally deliver it to you. Perhaps tonight. At the latest, tomorrow.”
    “I shall be forever grateful to you, Mr. Crandon,” Miss Hennessey said.
    Beaming even more broadly, Mr. Crandon bowed low over Miss Hennessey’s hand, then opened the door and left.
    This woman who simpered over the despicable Mr. Crandon was not the Miss Hennessey Peg knew as a friend. Something strange was taking place—something she didn’t understand.
    I’ll face right up to Miss Hennessey
, Peg told herself,
and find out once and for all exactly who she is and what’s going on!

6
 
    “M ISS H ENNESSEY !” Peg called out and jumped to her feet.
    As Miss Hennessey whirled toward Peg, the remnants of her smile vanished, and she looked as though she were frantically trying to recall what Peg may have overheard. “Peg! It’s you,” she said.
    “Yes, ma’am, it’s me,” Peg answered. She held out the shawl. “You left this shawl and pin at our house. I thought you’d need it.” She paused, staring at the beautiful blue outfit. “But I guess you don’t.”
    Miss Hennessey reached out—not for the shawl, but for Peg—and drew her close. Warm and friendly again she said, “Peg, dear, what a lovely surprise! It’s wonderful to see you. I’ve missed our delightful conversations. How nice of you to come to see me.”
    Peg allowed herself to be led to a nearby sofa,where Miss Hennessey pulled her down beside her, but she didn’t smile in return. “You were with Mr. Crandon,” she said.
    Miss Hennessey’s eyes twinkled. “Why, yes. A charming, very helpful man. Do you know him?”
    “Mr. Crandon’s
not
charming or helpful! He’s a mean, nasty old humbug who tries to hornswoggle everybody he can!”
    Embarrassed when she saw that she had shocked Miss Hennessey by her outburst, Peg stared down at her toes. “I’m sorry I used unladylike language, ma’am, but it’s true.”
    “I was under the impression that Mr. Crandon is a highly respected businessman in St. Joseph.”
    “He’s richer than most folks. Maybe some people think that’s a reason to respect him, but I don’t. First he was a southern sympathizer. Now he’s for the Union. ‘All he’s interested in is whatever side his bread is buttered on,’ Ma says. He’s been rude and hateful to Ma and to Mike … to all of us Kellys.”
    “Then I don’t like him, either.” Miss Hennessey smiled and squeezed Peg’s hand. “In the future I’ll have as little as possible to do with him.”
    “He said he was coming back with a letter,” Peg reminded.
    Miss Hennessey nodded, the long feather on her hat brushing Peg’s forehead. “I’ve recently received word that my sister and her husband are temporarily residing south of St. Joseph in Buchanan County!”
    “Your sister?”
    “Yes! My sister, Nellie Parker.”
    “But I thought you said you lost your family in Boston.”
    “My parents. Not my sister.” Producing a handkerchief from a pocket in the sleeve of her jacket, MissHennessey held it to her lips and closed her eyes tightly.
    Miserable at the anguish she had caused Miss Hennessey, Peg