Night Winds Read Online Free Page B

“I came to check on the young lady.”
    “She’s fine, thank you . You’re free to go home now.” Having directed servants all his life, Phillip realized he had just been dismissed.
    When he hesitated, she continued more forcefully, “I’m her aunt, Miss Alberta Rowan . Don’t worry. Mary Shae’s had an awful shock, but her father and I will take care of her.”
    Ignoring the older woman, Phillip turned toward Shae. “Are you certain ? I I’ve had some medical training. Perhaps I might look at your hand.”
    Shae’s gaze darted to his face, then back to the door . “They want me inside now. I’ll be fine.”
    He took her arm and helped her to her feet . Abruptly, she offered him the wounded bird. “I can take care of myself, I promise. Why don’t you tend him instead?”
    With the street lamp’s poor illumination, Phillip couldn’t say for certain what he saw in Shae’s expression . But he knew what he felt. A sudden jolt, a recognition , that he could not begin to name. Its impact compelled him to accept the feathered bundle that she offered.
    A moment later, he felt like a prize idiot when the two women mounted the porch steps, then closed the front door to leave him outside, cradling a hurt finch in his hands.

CHAPTER THREE
    Justine lit the gas chandelier in the dining room to augment the lamplight.
    “I didn’t want to rouse the help,” Phillip explained.
    “They’re sleeping by now . They won’t mind the light. I thought I heard you down here,” she said softly. “What is it you have there?”
    “A wounded bird. I believe it’s called a finch,” Philip replied . He glanced up to see her leaning forward, as she tucked her cane beneath one arm and adjusted the ties on her pale green wrapper.
    “Is its wing broken?” Justine’s voice was soft with pure concern . Although she looked nearly identical to Lydia, she hadn’t a single ounce of spitefulness in her. Quiet and studious, she preferred her books to most human company.
    Phillip stared down at the finch, which he’d placed in a small wooden box . Its struggles must have exhausted it, for it sat hunched in a corner. One tiny wing drooped at an odd angle.
    “It appears that way.” He swore softly in frustration . “Why would that foolish girl believe I might cure this? How should I know about birds?”
    Justine’s head tilted in an unspoken question . Lydia would have nagged him until he closed tight as an oyster, but her twin’s low-key approach made him want to explain.
    “Ethan’s fiancée . Former fiancée, I should say. When I told him I’d found her on the beach, he swore they were through. I can’t blame him, either. I was so angry, I left her there, even though she’d hurt her foot.”
    “Phillip.” Mild reproof shaded the word.
    He nodded. “I know. It was ungentlemanly, at best. Her unladylike behavior was a poor excuse. Later, I worried some vulgar sort might come upon her and try to take advantage.”
    “So that’s where you were going . Lydia nearly danced into my room after you left. She swore it must be some scandalous assignation.” Justine smiled and shook her head, seemingly amused by her sister’s silly notions.
    “I finally found Miss Rowan at her home on Austin Street . She was weeping over a crushed birdcage in the yard. Someone threw it from an upstairs gallery.”
    “No ! Who would do such a horrid thing?” Justine perched on the edge of a carved chair beside the mahogany table.
    “Her aunt claimed it was a wind that snapped the hook and made the birds fall, but frankly, I didn’t believe her . Miss Rowan cut her hands trying to open the bent cage door. When I offered to look at them, she passed the bird to me instead. Her aunt rushed her inside before I could say another word.”
    “Poor girl.”
    “Poor girl? I must admit, her sorrow was distressing, but she brought this on herself. Imagine, a young woman dashing about unchaperoned, working like a man inside a shop. And you should