Jo Goodman Read Online Free Page A

Jo Goodman
Book: Jo Goodman Read Online Free
Author: With All My Heart
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had written about was possible. And she assured me it was. The handling of objects to gain some knowledge about the history of them is an acceptable practice."
    "Acceptable to whom?" Colin said. "Of course the Gypsy would say that. She probably would have loved to get her hands on the earrings. Thank God Decker was in possession of both of them. We'd surely be missing at least one now, and a roving band of Gypsies would be the richer for it."
    Although Mercedes did not require Jonna's defense, she was compelled to offer one anyway. "I'm certain you're making too much of it, Colin. Mercedes would not have offered the earring to be handled by just anyone. Why this Gypsy might not have had a talent for handling at all. She was a fortuneteller. That was her gift."
    "Jonna," Decker said dryly, "you don't believe in fortunetellers."
    "Well, no, I don't. But I don't know that Mercedes doesn't, and it seems to me that she shouldn't be taken to task for making inquiries that serve both her husband and you."
    Decker had an urge to roll his eyes now. He looked at Colin instead. "Jonna's right," he said. "If anyone's to be taken to task, she is. This bit of nonsense today was her idea. I've mostly kept silent about it because I know it's partly responsible for you being here now. I can't regret my wife's interference when it prompts you and Mercedes to visit us almost six months earlier than you had planned. Still, I think we could have done without this little drama today."
    Anderson Shaw had had enough. He saw that both Jonna and Mercedes were prepared to take offense, but he had no care for their feelings now. It was Berkeley who required his protection. She was not watching the Thornes as they sparred, but Anderson knew she was alert to every word. The fey look in her large green eyes gave her an otherworldly expression, but her mind was fixed in the moment. He watched her head bow slightly. Tendrils of pale hair brushed her cheek. The back of her long, slender neck was exposed. He took a step closer to his wife and placed one hand at the small of her back.
    Berkeley looked up, startled, and found herself staring directly into Colin Thorne's dark, implacable eyes. She willed herself not to tremble. He would think she was afraid of him, and that wasn't it at all. The man with his hand at her back frightened her much more than the Right Honorable Earl of Rosefield ever could.
    At thirty-nine, Anderson Shaw was one year older than Colin Thorne and five years older than Decker. Any advantage he had in age was negligible. These men he faced were used to command and did not extend respect merely as a courtesy but rather because it was earned. Anderson knew he had given them no reason to extend it to him. Yet. Even though he understood the women were a more sympathetic audience, he was careful not to look away from the brothers as he spoke.
    "I cannot think that you intentionally mean to insult my wife," he said. He spoke in clear, deliberately modulated tones. The rhythm of his speech was even, and there was no accent to immediately identify him with any particular part of the country. His manner was formal and learned and perfectly suited to his distinguished carriage and solemn air. "Men with less breeding than you would not invite us into their home, then proceed to make disparaging remarks about Mrs. Shaw's gift. She did not go in search of this invitation. Indeed, it was Mrs. Thorne who found us, and I had to apply myself quite diligently to convincing my wife that coming here was a proper thing to do. This is a trying experience for her, not at all pleasant, and far from attempting to take away any part of your considerable fortunes with empty promises, she has stated quite clearly that she doesn't believe she can help you. I'm sure the countess paid her Gypsy fortune-teller and received no better consultation than that. We, on the other hand, have traveled from Baltimore, at some expense to ourselves, and have not asked for
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