Free Love's Awakening (The Ballantyne Legacy Book #2): A Novel by Laura Frantz Page B

gauged her reaction. “The new steamer, Naomi , is set to launch in July.”
    “If you’re suggesting I take a Ballantyne-made vessel, I’d sooner walk on water.” Coldness crept into her fair features, deepening the lines and years, making her look as old as Henry. “Besides, steamboats are fraught with danger. A boiler is always exploding, crew and passengers killed. Europe is far more to my liking. There’s some interest in Turlock whiskey on the continent, your father says.”
    “We can’t compete with the Scots and Irish distillers, at least in Europe,” he murmured. “We’d best set our sights on the American West.”
    When she frowned, he let the matter rest, wanting to return home to River Hill and tell Chloe the news. Excusing himself,he started for the door, aware his mother would be left alone just as she had so many nights. The thought was sharp as a knife’s blade, the knob of the door cold beneath his hand.
    He turned back to her. “You’re welcome to come to River Hill whenever you like and see Chloe. It was yours before mine, and I’ve not forgotten.”

 7 
    Unbidden guests are often welcomest when they are gone.
    W ILLIAM S HAKESPEARE
    Would the spring hold nothing but storms? From her open carriage, Ellie eyed the unsettled sky as dark thunderheads shut out the sun altogether. She hoped the weather was better in New Orleans. Her father was in need of a respite, absorbed by business as he was, and sometimes Mama’s charitable spirit seemed careworn too. Still, she missed them and wished them back. New Hope wasn’t the same without them. Peyton and Ansel were overwhelmed with work at the waterfront and rarely came home, and Andra’s temper seemed to fray at the slightest provocation.
    Though repairs were being made and dependencies restored, the incessant sawing and hammering shattered the usual birdsong, encroaching on what had always been a peaceful place. Ellie knew better than to look out her bedchamber windows onto the garden and chapel. The sound of falling timber from its direction grieved her. The chapel had alwaysbeen the spot she’d gone to be quiet, to pray. Without it her prayers seemed small and scattered, without a home.
    “Keep count of your blessings,” Mama always said.
    Mindful of this, Ellie ticked them off one by one. She was back in Allegheny County. Free of Philadelphia. Earning her keep. She now had four girls to instruct—and four sets of pleased parents—and had begun teaching this very afternoon. All her finishing school years were fading. Though she missed Rose dearly, the future seemed bright.
    With a squeal of wheels, the carriage slowed to a stop, and the groom helped her down. Ellie stood for a moment atop the large mounting block, slick from moss and rain, and eyed the unfamiliar horse hitched to the iron post a few feet away. Her stomach swirled.
    Daniel Cameron?
    Impossible. Mina said he was in the East. As if sensing her disquiet, the handsome animal reared its proud head and snorted so loudly Ellie started. Chuckling, the groom regained his seat as Andra came onto the porch, her expression no more friendly than the glowering skies above. Ellie wanted to climb back inside the carriage, but it was lumbering away to the stable down a shaded side lane.
    “Elinor, you have a . . .” Andra paused, her face florid. “A caller. ”
    A maid usually announced visitors, not Andra. Ellie’s alarm peaked. “Where is Mari? Gwyn?”
    “Trying to keep our guest out of mischief. She’s been here half an hour and can’t seem to sit still. She’s already let Feathers out of his cage!”
    “She?” Ellie refused to go another step till the visitor’s name was divulged.
    “Chloe Turlock.” The words were hissed as if announcing the devil himself.
    Ellie felt her features go slack as she mentally raced to put together her tattered memories of the youngest Turlock. All she recalled was a pudding-faced lump of a girl, following after her older brothers with