Starlight & Promises Read Online Free

luscious Mrs. Anderson.”
    Christian scooped up a plug of muddy grass and flung it at Garrett’s head, and the young man ducked with a laugh.
    Christian wiped his hands on his breeches. “Let us simply say I could not refuse the dean’s imploring me to help her out of a most difficult spot.”
    Garrett shook his head. “Notwithstanding the charms of Mrs. Anderson, in my estimation, you miss the expeditions. I must admit, however, this seems a poor substitute, at best, though I do thoroughly enjoy accompanying you and your harem.”
    “Mister Jakes!” The cry came from a willowy redhead who had stumbled to one knee in the mud.
    Garrett grinned at Christian. “Pardon me, but my assistance is required elsewhere.” He loped off through the marsh. “Coming, Miss Carter!”
    Christian rested his hands on his hips and examined the group of floundering females. No bird in its right mind would alight within a mile of them. He rued his caving in to Margaret’s pressure and accepting this commission after Professor Bradshaw fell from his horse and broke his leg. A lecture course for females on marsh ecology. What an absurd idea. These women were as at home in the out-of-doors as he was at a Buckingham court function.
    Harvard had admitted women in 1879, giving them their own annex, apart from the men. In 1894, the annex became Radcliff College, a wholly feminine institution. Since Radcliff offered no science courses, Harvard allowed the women to attend segregated classes on the hallowed campus. Christian scoffed at the notion.
    Few women had the fortitude to pursue science, though a small minority showed promise. He glanced at Miss Browne, a sturdy brunette in a heavy tweed skirt, scuffed boots, and a workingman’s cap. But then, Miss Browne came from working-class stock and attended Radcliff on scholarship. She had the incentive to make a better life for herself, unlike the more privileged young women who sought only a husband among the professors.
    “Professor Badia!”
    Miss Simpson again.
    “Yes?”
    “We must leave straightaway. A rather large creature is attacking me.” When the grasshopper crawled farther up her skirt, she squealed loudly enough to flush the red-wing blackbirds from the cattails ringing the distant pond.
    “No. Please wait in the carriage until the others finish with their sketches.”
    “But—”
    “Garrett! Kindly come rescue Miss Simpson from the depredations of a giant grasshopper!”
    Christian wiped his brow with his sleeve. By the time he fetched the young ladies back to the college, he would have lost another thousand brain cells.

    “Smilodon?”
Christian snorted. “What tripe is this?” He crumpled the letter in his fist and heaved it at the wastebasket in the corner. It banked off the wall and landed dead center. He swiveled around in the desk chair and shouted, “Garrett, get in here!”
    Garrett popped his head around the corner and peeked into the room. At the lack of flying missiles, he sauntered in and perched on the edge of the desk. Brushing back a hank of wavy blond hair, he turned his innocent blue eyes to Christian. “Have we a problem?”
    Christian shoved the rolling chair away from the desk and stood so abruptly the chair wheeled away, crashing against the back wall. Combing a hand through his thick hair, he glared at Garrett, paced to the middle of the room, and whirled around.
“We
don’t have a problem.
You
have a problem. I thought you screened my mail. That’s what I pay you for. You
are
my secretary, are you not?”
    Garrett’s mouth turned up in a charming smile no woman within three counties could resist. He picked up an ornate gold fountain pen from the desktop and twirled it in his fingers. “Of course I’m your secretary, among other duties.” His smile grew broader, the innocent expression positively cloying. “Did I miss something? Is that why you feel compelled to yell?” His heavy sigh echoed about the study. “I do my best, but do you show