Free A Lady of Hidden Intent by Tracie Peterson Page B

out loud at this. “You are wise beyond your years, little sister. So may I plan on your accompanying us Sunday after church?”
    “Where will you ride? I am certain I cannot keep a saddle for as long as you and Mr. Arlington, but I would like to come.” There was an excitement in her voice that Carter had not anticipated.
    “Then we will plan on it. We’ll set out after dinner, so long as the weather is good, and keep to the park.”
    The carriage slowed and then drew to a stop. Carter glanced out to see the sign announcing Mrs. Clarkson’s.
    “It would appear we have arrived.”
    Carter helped Winifred from the carriage and followed her to the sewing house. He found himself feeling rather excited to once again meet the beautiful Miss Shay. He’d thought more about her in the last week than he’d thought of any other woman.
    Hearing Winifred talk so highly of Catherine only intrigued him more.
    A very young redheaded girl greeted them as she opened the door. “G’day to ya both.” She curtsied and stepped aside.
    “We’re here to see Miss Shay,” Winifred announced. “I am Miss Danby.”
    “I’ll be lettin’ Miss Shay know yar here.” She showed them to the same sitting room Carter had occupied on his first occasion to Mrs. Clarkson’s. He could only hope that the wanton Felicia would be occupied elsewhere.
    “Would ya be wantin’ some refreshments?”
    “No. I believe our stay will be quite short,” Winifred replied, looking to Carter to make certain her response was acceptable.
    “I am fine,” he assured.
    The girl curtsied again and went about her duties. Carter thought of the fluid and graceful movements he’d noted of Catherine Shay compared to this awkward little girl, then considered his sister’s comments about Miss Shay’s intelligence. She clearly wasn’t like the others in the house. There was an air of refinement to her manners and speech. Of course, she was English, and that alone could account for a great deal. She might well have been part of a noble family. Many had fallen on bad times, and it wasn’t, as he understood, that unusual for them to come to America to seek to better their situations. Perhaps that was the mystery behind the beautiful Catherine Shay.
    Carter smiled to himself. I have a great imagination .
    “What are you smiling about?”
    He met his sister’s gaze and his grin only broadened. “I was just thinking that with very little trouble I easily allow my imagination to run wild. I suppose it bodes well to have a creative nature, since my passion is architecture. However, I sometimes find my thoughts getting the best of me.”
    “And in what way do they get the best of you, brother?”
    Carter shrugged. “In ways that might well serve to get me into more trouble than expected.” He grinned. “But never fear.
    I have a tight rein on my thoughts. They shall not be my ruin today.”
    The door opened suddenly, and there she was. Carter forgot what he was saying and simply stared at the vision before him. Hang his imagination; this woman was far more intriguing in the flesh.
    “I have some things here that I believe . . .” Catherine began, but her words faded as she found herself face-to-face with Carter.
    He smiled broadly and gave a bow. “Good afternoon, Miss
    Shay.”
    “Sir.” The reply slowly spilled from her reluctant lips.
    Catherine found she couldn’t look away. He was so very handsome. His face had a rather rugged look, perhaps more so than she’d noticed five years ago. Of course, if she had changed, he certainly could as well. She thought he looked wiser and, ultimately, more at ease with himself. How strange that he’d never married. Of course, a man of means had no need to rush into an arrangement that he might find drained his riches rather than added to them.
    “So, my sister tells me you are quite accomplished at designing ball gowns.”
    “I told him I’d never seen anyone quite like you. Most seamstresses create gowns based