The Abolitionist’s Secret Read Online Free

stared at her sister in astonishment. “Jasmine, tell me you are joking.”
    “No, I’m quite serious. It was delightful. And he gave me magic shoes, so I’ll be able to attract even more men at the ball.”
    “Magic shoes? How can you possibly think your shoes are magic?”
    “Just look at them. They are different from yours. He painted the soles of my shoes red, see?”
    Heather moved from her chair to the floor, where she grabbed one of Jasmine’s feet and pulled it up to eye level. Sure enough, Jasmine’s slippers were constructed with red soles. Heather released Jasmine’s leg just as Charlotte came bustling into the room.
    “I can’t wait for you to meet both of my girls, Lieutenant,” she said over her shoulder as she led the gentleman into the parlor.
    In unison, the twins gazed up at the tall man trailing their mother into the room. Heather looked into his deep blue eyes, and had the unsteady impression of falling, even though she was already on the floor. This was the officer from the restaurant who had so unsettled her. The one she’d been waiting for days to see again. Once more, a current ran around the room as he stepped into the space. For a moment, she couldn’t move, she could only stare as her heart did a tap dance in her rib cage. Then, as if coming out of a trance, she shook her head and jumped to her feet as Jasmine rose from her chair.
    “Lieutenant, these are my daughters. You met Heather the other night at the restaurant, but Jasmine was ill that evening and couldn’t join us. Girls, this is Lieutenant David Whitman, the gentleman your father and I met last year in St. Louis. I sent him an invitation to attend the Cotillion, and it is fortunate that he is on leave from his post in St. Louis and can join us.”
    The twins executed a small curtsy to David. He bowed to each as the introductions were completed. Then, they took a seat as Charlotte ordered tea be served.
    David glanced at the twins. “I’ve known twins before, but never have I encountered two who were so identical. Your hair is exactly the same hue of brunette, and your eyes are from the same vat of chocolate.”
    Charlotte laughed. “I had to tie ribbons around their ankles when they were babies in order to tell them apart. Once they began to develop personalities, though, it became very easy to distinguish between them.”
    Jasmine spoke first, as was usual for the twins. “So, Lieutenant, I, for one, am so thankful there was such a big, strong man on the train during the disaster last year. I’m so glad you were there to help my family to safety.” She batted her eyes at him as she played with her skirt.
    “It was a rough couple of days, and I’m so glad that your family had only minor injuries. What about the other gentleman, Mr. Gray? He was much more seriously hurt than the others. How is he doing?”
    “He is still recovering. His broken legs took a long while to mend, and he now walks with a limp,” Charlotte replied. “But, in typical Charles Gray fashion, he says he believes his limp makes him look dashing, and he’s never at a loss for a story to tell at dinners now. That disaster would have been far worse without you and your company of men being there to help rescue the victims, and we will be forever in your debt.”
    David fingered his hat, which was resting on his knee. “We all did whatever we could to help. I’m just happy that your family and Mr. Gray were among the fortunate ones who survived.”
    Heather took a deep breath. She knew she needed to say something to this handsome man with the deep blue eyes that were driving her crazy. “Are you in town just for the ball, or do you have another reason to be here?”
    David looked over at her for a long minute before he replied. Heather could tell her cheeks were reddening as her body temperature notched up a few degrees from his perusal. She grabbed her fan from the table and began a swift back and forth motion as David’s eyes remained on her