Read Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) for Free Online Page B

bedchamber the night before and found it to her liking – made
their way to the village in companionable silence, until they finally reached
its center.
    “Here we are,” she said.
    He looked around.  “Here we are…where?”
    “Caversham.”
    “The outskirts?”
    She laughed.  “The exact center of it, I am afraid.”
    He looked around again.  “But there’s nothing here.”
    “My good sir!” she playfully admonished.  “There is
the church, the tavern, the shop and the general assembly room.  The smithy is
up the road a bit and there is an inn of sorts another mile from that.  But
this is Caversham in all its glory.  What else could one wish for?”
    “A town,” he said, as he dismounted
    She laughed.  “Inspector, I am not bamming you.  This
is our village.  There are other towns of considerable size within a few miles
of here.  We are, after all, quite close to Oxford.  But as for Caversham, this
is the business district.  And good Mrs. Trowbridge is here to welcome you.”
    Before the middle-aged woman came within earshot, Evelyn
quickly explained that Mrs. Trowbridge managed the local shop while her husband
had similar duties at the tavern across the lane.  She was also an infamous
gossip. 
    “Lady Evelyn, what are you doing in town?”  Mrs.
Trowbridge may have addressed the question to Evelyn, but had eyes only for
Joseph.  There was nothing lustful in the gaze, only the appraising look
perfected by mamas in search of husbands for daughters.
    “Mrs. Trowbridge, may I present Inspector Joseph
Stapleton?  He is a friend of…”  Evelyn had to suppress a gasp as Joseph
reached up and helped her dismount.  “He is a friend of the Duke of Lynwood’s.”
    Mrs. Trowbridge was now even more interested in
Joseph.  “I saw the carriage come through town yesterday, of course, but the
servants at Nodgley are ever so tight-lipped about anything having to do with
the Kellingtons.  Welcome, sir.  What kind of an inspector are you?”
    “A good one.”
    Mrs. Trowbridge’s girlish laughter was almost
frightening in its volume.  “Sir, you are a quick wit.  But, truly, what kind
of an inspector are you and what brings you to Caversham?  Is it true his grace
has married?  I never knew why he had to look so far afield for a wife when
there were so many eligible ladies here.” 
    As if on cue, both of the Trowbridge girls, Anna and
Merida, joined their mother.  They ogled Joseph as if he were a particularly
tasty dessert.  Which, Evelyn was forced to admit to herself, was how she ogled
him as well.  But certainly not in public and with such little tact. 
    “I am a Bow Street Inspector on holiday in Caversham
for a few days.  And it is true that his grace has married.  He and his duchess
are on their wedding trip as we speak.”
    “That is a pity,” said Mrs. Trowbridge, who quickly
added, “Not that he doesn’t deserve a nice trip, of course.  Just…it is a
pity.  Will you be attending the assembly, Inspector?  I am sure you would
enjoy it.”
    “Thank you, madam, I look forward to it.”
    “You must dance with my girls.  Anna is nineteen and
Merida seventeen, both nearly on the shelf.”  Her eyes widened and her hand
covered her mouth – just like the mama in the melodrama that had played
Caversham the previous year.  She turned toward Evelyn.  “No offense, dear.”
    “None taken, Mrs. Trowbridge.  I am perfectly happy
not being nineteen or seventeen anymore.”
    “But that is not…”  Mrs. Trowbridge stopped herself
just in time from telling Evelyn she had misunderstood the insult.  But wanting
to make the most of her opportunity, she turned back to Joseph.  “They are the
prettiest girls in the county with no shortage of dance partners, of course. 
But we shall be sure to fit you in.  There is even to be a waltz and I know
Anna….”
    “I will be dancing the waltz with Lady Evelyn,” said
Joseph smoothly.  “Though I look forward to dancing