Free To Catch a Wolf by Susan Krinard

lap and the carefully arranged folds of her gown. "You know

    that is not easy for me, Niall.”

    "You go out to the orphanage and among the poor.”

    "Yes, but that is different—”

    "Because they have no right to pity you?”

    She flinched at his too-acute observation. For a moment he looked uncomfortable. "I
    realize that you do not enjoy going into the city, or even on social calls," he said. "But I
    think you will wish to make an exception in this case.”

    She met his gaze. There was a hint of a challenge in it, and that was shock enough to
    win her full attention. He was so apt to want to protect her, and now he urged her to go
    out. There was something special about this, indeed.

    "Very well," she said slowly. "If you will take refreshment while I prepare—”

    "Nonsense. You are fine as you are." He rang for Brinkley. "Please call Miss Munroe's
    maid, and tell Romero that we will be needing the rockaway.”

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    Fran appeared to settle Athena's wrap about her shoulders and pushed her chair down
    the hall. Only moments ago Athena had been wishing for some new source of
    inspiration, and her wish seemed to have run away with her.

    Fran, Romero, and Niall bundled her into the carriage and covered her legs with another
    wrap. She forced herself to look out the window as they set off, catching glimpses of
    several women she knew walking arm in arm, a new mansion going up on Welton, the
    streetcar on its way to the business district. Everything about Denver was moving, too
    busy to slow down for an instant.

    She expected Niall to stop the carriage at any time, but they rattled on out of the better
    part of town, past more modest dwellings with livestock kept in dusty yards, and on to
    an area near the outskirts of the city. The Munroes owned several empty lots there, and
    Niall had often said that he expected the investment to pay off when the city expanded
    and required the land for new construction.

    Curious despite herself, Athena looked for anything unusual. The carriage made a turn
    down a dirt track, and there, spread across a field of autumn grasses, was her surprise.

    A circus. She recognized the tents, the colorful wagons, the peculiar folk moving about
    with their animals and bright costumes. Niall smiled, pleased at her confusion.

    "You wonder why I bring you to a circus?" he asked. "Before I left, you chided me about
    my failure to help those in need. You will be pleased to know that I have listened. I have
    not only assisted these people in their time of need, but I have engaged them to perform
    for your orphanage at my expense.”

    Athena stared at him and realized her mouth was agape. "Niall
    I am
    I could never
    have imagined—”

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    He signaled Romero to stop at the edge of the lot. "I wanted you to see this for yourself,
    and meet those I've hired to entertain your children.”

    "Oh, Niall. The children will be so delighted, I know it.”

    He reached across the seats to press her hand. "So long as it delights you, Athena.
    Shall we?”

    He and Romero helped her down, and her chair was taken from its special rack in the
    boot. Athena was too busy absorbing the view to notice the bumpy, uncomfortable ride
    over the rough ground as Niall pushed her chair toward the tents.

    A fat, jolly-looking man with white whiskers came to meet them as they approached the
    largest tent, the one she supposed must house the main performances. He was
    eccentrically dressed, but quite normal in contrast to a few of the people she had
    glimpsed at work or practice on the lot.

    "My dear, dear Mr. Munroe!" the stout man said effusively. He pumped Niall's hand and
    looked down at Athena. "And this must be your lovely sister!”

    "Athena," Niall said, "may I present Mr. Harry French, the manager and owner of
    French's Fantastic Family Circus. Mr. French, Miss Athena Munroe.”

    "Delighted,