Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10 Read Online Free Page B

Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10
Book: Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10 Read Online Free
Author: M L Gardner
Tags: Historical fiction, Historical, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Anthologies, Anthologies & Literature Collections, Short Stories & Anthologies
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staring out at the water. After pulling himself from a daydream, he went out to consult with Aryl on a location.
    He was busy seeing to the guests, and Jonathan waited by the railing. He listened to Edmond talk and listened even closer to Reginald. Not to their words, but the way they spoke. He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head.
    After the men were settled at separate tables, Aryl went to him.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing’s wrong. I’m trying to place their accent.”
    Aryl looked back at the men.
    “It’s not French… It’s not quite English…” Jonathan tapped the rail.
    Aryl laughed. “You honestly don’t know?”
    “No. Do you?”
    “Yes. And I can’t believe you don’t recognize it.”
    “Well, what is it then?” Jonathan asked.
    “Listen closely.”
    Jonathan inclined his head as the man went on for a few moments to his friend. He looked at Aryl, still confused.
    “It’s the accent of money,” Aryl said, slapping Jonathan’s chest with the back of his hand.
    Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Did we sound like that?”
    “God, I hope not.” After a short laugh, he went to see that the guests were comfortable before they got underway.
     
    ***
     
    Arianna floated down the stairs in a black tiered dress, low cut with no sleeves. She wore pearls around her neck and a red lace headband. The edges of her hair curled up and out like wings. Her makeup was dramatic. So dramatic that Savrene and Samuel, just sitting down to dinner, jumped when they saw her. Caleb did a double take. They hadn’t said much to each other in the last few days. After Arianna had dropped the bombshell that she’d thought of leaving if a solution wasn’t found for Ethel, Caleb had been cold and distant. He wanted to ask her if she had been serious but was afraid of the answer. After all, she’d taken off on him before in a moment of crisis.
    Arianna had also been cold and distant. With all she’d told him about the hardships of dealing with Ethel, it took David to get him to reluctantly agree to move Ethel out of the house.
    “I thought you girls were just going down to the beach or something,” he said. He turned from the stove, wiping his hands. Felicity began to fuss, and Caleb ducked into the living room to scoop her up before she could wake Ethel, who’d nodded off on the sofa.
    “I’m not sure exactly where we’re going,” Arianna said carefully as she plucked at a string on her small handbag. It was true. She knew the general whereabouts of the house turned illegal nightclub but didn’t know the exact address.
    Bouncing Felicity on his shoulder, he eyed Arianna again. “I just didn’t expect you to go out looking so…” He tossed his hand up and down in her direction. “I mean, you’re just hanging out with the girls. Why the getup?”
    Arianna narrowed her eyes. “Just hanging out with the girls? So, I should step out looking like a hag?” she asked.
    “What a hag, Daddy?” Savrene asked, looking up from her dinner. Caleb looked at her and then back to Arianna.
    “No, I don’t expect you to look like a hag. But dressed like that…”
    “Dressed like what?” She glared at him, tapping her foot. Like the old days…the rich years…when I felt alive and happy and excited for life? Her eyes begged the question.
    “People might get the wrong idea.” Men. Men might get the wrong idea is what he wanted to say.
    “I’m not sure how you’ve forgotten, Caleb. I don’t give a damn what people think.” She turned on her heel and walked out the door without looking back.
     
    ***
     
    Arianna waited in the living room for Ava to come downstairs. Jonathan approached her gently, as one would approach a wild animal. She had that look tonight.
    “How’s Caleb?” he asked. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t been over to see him.”
    “Caleb’s fine, I suppose. Extremely put out that I don’t want to live in Circe de la hell anymore.” She folded her arms. Her fingers itched for a

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