Free Abigail's Secret (A Whimsical Select Romance Novella) by Tamara Ternie

bride.”
    “And you truly think this will work, Tess?”
    “I have seen how Mister Winslow looks at you, Abigail.  He is already on your hook; you just need to reel him in.”
    “Then I shall tell him before the raffle .  Perhaps he’ll accompany me to the barbeque and announce our engagement,” she said excitedly.

CHAPTER SEVEN
                 
    “Mister Brice Winslow has arrived,” John announced .
    “Please, see him in, John.”  Abigail fidgeted with the embroidered handkerchief in her hand.  She wasn’t sure what response she’d receive from Brice.  She suspected he may be angry.  What man wouldn’t be after having the wool pulled over his eyes?  That is, if they had succeeded in fooling him at all, she thought. 
    Brice commanded the room by his manly appearance.  He removed his hat, and unlike when she saw him last, he had his hair neatly pulled back with a piece of twine and it emphasized the strong bone structure of his face.  His black suit was neat and clean and lacked for even one wrinkle.  For an unmarried man, he always appeared exceedingly well kept, Abigail thought.  A refreshing aroma of mint accompanied him inside the room and she smiled.
    “Please sit ,” she said quietly.  She waved her arm toward the white and blue settee across from where she sat. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
    Brice tilted his head and looked at her suspiciously.  Foregoing the distance she wished to have between them, Brice sat next to her and deposited his top hat to his other side.
    Abigail lowered her head and collected her thoughts.  Her fingers nervously twiddled atop her lap and Abigail’s green silk dress threatened to be soiled by the dampness of her palms.
    Abigail softly cleared her throat.  “I believe it’d be best if I get to the heart of the matter and have my say over with right quickly.”
    “ I’d appreciate that,” Brice said when she paused.
    “I am not Abigail’s cousin Abilene, but rather the true Abigail Large.”
    Brice played the true gentleman and appeared surprised.
    “No need to be polite, Brice.  I know you’re aware of who I truly am. I am just unsure how long you’ve known.”
    Brice smiled.
    “Well?” she pressed. “How long have you known?”
    “When I saw you at the station I strongly suspected it was you.”
    “But you weren’t sure?”
    “No.  It wasn’t completely certain until I saw you rifling through the calling cards.  It was then I was certain.”
    “Truly?” she asked amazed.  “ I don’t recall undertaking anything out of the ordinary.”
    “ That was precisely your error.  It was the ordinary for Abigail.  The anger on your face and the bitter utterances toward the townsmen gave your secret clearly away.  Your expression and words were familiar to the way you were years ago and still are, Abigail.  The woman whom you have posing as yourself doesn’t possess such poor qualities.”
    “You dare sit here and insult me?” she snipped.  Abigail scooted away from him and turned to face him.  “I don’t particularly like your tone, sir.”
    “And I don’t particularly care for your attitude, Miss Abigail.”
    They sat for several minutes in silence until the maid brought them tea and biscuit refreshments and left. 
    They went untouched. 
    “I found your letter,” Abigail finally said to break the unnerving silence.
    “I gather by our last meeting that it ’s the first you have read it,” he said.
    “Yes.  I t had been inadvertently misplaced after you had given it to Thomas.”
    “So you now know why I didn’t show up to escort you to the dance?”
    “Yes,” she said quietly.
    He looked at her thoughtfully.  “I had heard what transpired at the dance by you arriving alone.  I am truly sorry that I was the cause of that pain.”
    “As everyone believed I lied about your intentions on escorting the fat girl, I was easy fodder for the swine that night.”
    “Why must you do