Free A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman Page A

for losing my temper and hurting my Patrick. Please Lord, soften his heart and help him to forgive me." Wiping the wetness from her cheek, she blew her nose. Dear me, what would I do without the Lord? She blinked, and fresh tears glossed her eyes. And dear Lord, what would I do without Patrick?
    Boston Library was one of Faith's favorite places. From its graceful, curved archways to its gleaming chandeliers and stately pillars, it was to Faith one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. A place where one could lose themselves in the great classics of literature and escape to a peaceful respite in an otherwise hectic day. And certainly, Faith decided, a place where one might happily wile away the hours of a Saturday evening.
    The moment they entered the building, Charity was off "researching Latin" in the world language department, promising to meet in the entryway when the library closed. Maisie and Faith headed to the research department, opting for a table by the door.
    "So ... are you all right?" Maisie ventured, brows wrinkling as she eyed Faith. -1 mean, you were awfully quiet on the way here. Is there something going on between you and your sister? I thought you were going to bite her head off over her remark about the library being the only place you spend a Saturday night."
    Faith shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Just good old rivalry between sisters. Consider yourself lucky to be an only child." She took off her coat and threw it over the chair.
    "Well, I don't-consider myself lucky, that is. Goodness, Faith, you've got everything I ever wanted in a family."

    Faith sighed and rubbed her face. "I know. I'm sorry. I do have a wonderful family. But don't be fooled. Even wonderful families have their problems."
    "What's yours with your sister?"
    Faith frowned. "What, are you studying psychology now? My sister and I get along most of the time. We just don't see eye-to-eye on everything."
    "Okay, okay..." Maisie shook her head, rifling through her bag for paper and a pencil. "I'll tell you what, she sure is beautiful."
    "Yes ... she is." Faith tried to keep the edge out of her voice but didn't succeed.
    Maisie looked up, shocked. "You're jealous!"
    "What are you talking about? Yes, she's pretty, I'll grant you. But there's more to happiness than catching the eye of every male in Boston."
    "I'm sorry," Maisie said. "I didn't mean to upset you."
    "I'm not upset."
    "Yes, you are. Why don't you admit it?"
    Faith glared. "You know, you're a really pushy friend."
    "Emphasis on friend. Come on, out with it." Maisie steeple-folded her hands on the table and arched her eyebrows in expectation.
    Faith leaned over the table and pursed her lips. "All right, okay, I'm jealous of Charity. Always have been, probably always will be. There! You happy?"
    "Not particularly. So why are you jealous of Charity? I mean, she's pretty, but so are you. It's gotta be more than that."
    "What is it with you tonight, Maisie? You're annoyingly analytical."
    "I'm waiting .. .
    "For what? For me to say I'm jealous of my sister because she's beautiful and gets all the attention from men? Or because I look sixteen and she looks nineteen, which is probably why ..."

    "Why what?" Maisie arched a brow. "Mmm ... something tells me there's a man involved." She wrinkled her nose and leaned forward like a dog on the scent. "She's caught the eye of someone you like, hasn't she?"
    Faith gaped. How did she do it? She hadn't breathed a word to Maisie about Collin before or after the kiss. As far as Maisie knew, he didn't exist. And yet, here she was, her prying finger neatly on the pulse of Faith's beating heart. Faith closed her mouth.
    "I'm right, aren't I? Oh, Faith, this is so exciting! Who is it, do tell!"
    "I can't believe I opened my mouth."
    "Oh, but you didn't have to. Do you think I didn't notice you sulking all the way to the library? I know we've only been friends for three weeks, but I feel like I've known you forever. You're the best friend