Betina Krahn Read Online Free Page A

chaos from the outer office and Hardwell … who careened around the edge of the door and then planted his back against it, slamming it shut.
    “They’ve gone mad—the lot of ’em!” Hardwell panted as the other directors rushed to help him hold the door against the mob outside. “Stark ravin’ looney—wavin’ cards an’ demandin’ to see you!”
    Thuds from the other side threatened to force open the door as more directors rushed to pile hands and shoulders against it. Diamond was distraught at the demands of the unruly crowd on the other side.
    “It was a lottery,” she said in disbelief. “I told them they would have a chance … I never promised them that we would hear and fund them all.”
    The door thudded back a few inches and the people outside spotted Diamond through the opening.
    “There she is!”
    “Miss Wingate, we need yer help!”
    “Miss Wingate—you’ve got to look at my fertilizer spreader!”
    Arms and legs snaked through the opening, forcing the door back despite the gentlemen directors’ best efforts.
    “This way!” Hardwell grabbed her elbow and dragged her toward a door half hidden by a drape at the far end of the room. It was an exit onto a rickety set of fire stairs that led to the alley behind the Wingate building.
    “I have to talk to them, Hardwell.” Diamond’s resistance stopped him at the door. “I have to make them understand.”
    “They’re not of a mood to listen,” he declared with a glance past her. “She who gives and runs away, lives to give another day! Come on!”
    The board members, unused to such primal exertion, suddenly gave ground. The door swung open and people surged into the room. “There she is!” They spotted her near the exit and headed for her. The Wingate directors scrambled to re-form ranks, but their struggles bought only a short delay. It was just time enough for Hardwell to throw the bolts and plunge out onto the narrow iron scaffolding.
    Clinging tightly to the railings, they descended the precarious stairway to the floor of the alley. As they hurriedtoward their carriage at the far end of the narrow lane, they saw Ned, Diamond’s veteran driver, rushing around the corner beside the coach with a frantic look on his face. Behind him came a small crowd of people … carrying rolled-up blueprints, legal folios, and contraptions, and waving Diamond’s business cards. Spotting Diamond and Hardwell, Ned jerked open the door, vaulted up onto the footman step, and beckoned them on.
    The crowd reached Diamond and Hardwell just as they reached the carriage. There was a moment’s confusion in which Diamond was buffeted and momentarily deafened by the shouting. Ned and Hardwell were able to keep their feet, and with their help she hoisted her skirts and climbed into the carriage. Hardwell hurtled in after her, the door slammed, and a moment later the heavy black landau lurched into motion. A howl of disappointment rose from the crowd and followed them down the street as they sped away.
    Inside the coach, Diamond and Hardwell Humphrey sat in stunned silence for a moment then slowly began to right hats, tug jackets back down into place, and brush skirts and trousers. Diamond looked up at the broken egret feather hanging over the brim of her tailored hat and gave a long-suffering sigh. Some days it just didn’t pay to be the richest young woman in Baltimore.
    A stifled sound of surprise caused her to look up. Hardwell was staring out the carriage window wearing an incredulous look.
    “Gawd A’mighty. Don’t they ever give up?”
    Diamond leaned to the window to see what had caused his reaction. Someone was pursuing the coach on foot down the dusty street.
    “Miss Wingate—I implore you!” The fellow’s lanky arms and legs churned as he came abreast of the coach. “If only you will have a look at my … motorized steps … seehow practical …” He managed to launch a bundle of papers through the front window, and it rolled onto