Free Katie Rose by A Hint of Mischief Page A

brought a tray of ham sandwiches from the kitchen, and offered one to Charles. The attorney rose to his feet, grabbed a sandwich as if unaware of his actions, then waved it in the air to make a point. Winifred rose and faced him just as forcefully, her cool voice never rising, her logic backed with inescapable fact.
    Jennifer was filled with admiration. Although she’d always envied Winifred’s intelligence, she had never seen her so passionate. Perhaps it was because Charles shared her legal knowledge, or was her intellectual equal. Jennifer smiled to herself. As puzzling as the situation appeared, she had to admit that Winifred and Charles made a handsome couple. She gestured to Penelope and her aunt, and they silently left the room, leaving Winifred and Charles to their wrangling.
    The sun had long since set when the three women returned to the parlor. Charles glanced up, seemingly amazed when he realized the time. Aunt Eve looked reproving, Penelope winked flirtatiously, and Winifred appeared eager to continue their discourse well into the night.
    “Mr. Howe,” Aunt Eve said, “I am sorry, but my nieces are previously engaged this evening. Perhaps we could enjoy your conversation once again, at supper later this week?”
    Embarrassed, Charles turned to Jennifer, who held his hat and cane. “I’m sorry, I have overstayed my welcome. I have not been a good guest either, dominating the conversation in such a manner.”
    “Oh, I think some of us found it fascinating,” Jennifer said, sending a warm smile toward her sister.
    Charles turned to Winifred, bowing before her as he would a respected lady. “My apologies for writing that frightful letter. I understand now that none of you would ever hurt Mary, nor anyone else of our acquaintance. I am truly humbled by the opportunity to know you, and Iwould take it as a kind gesture if you would all attend the opera one evening as my guests.”
    It was obvious that he meant the invitation for Winifred, but generously included them all. Aunt Eve nodded her approval. Jennifer grinned, thrilled with this outcome, while Penelope clapped. Winifred rose and placed her hand in his.
    “It would be my pleasure.”
    A pleased flush washed over his face. Jennifer saw Charles struggle to think of something witty or clever to say. Nothing came to him and so he bowed once more, reluctantly leaving the house.
    Jennifer leaned against the door, nearly fainting with relief. A smile curved her lips as Penelope cheered for Winifred, and Aunt Eve gave her niece a warm hug. Winifred looked strangely beautiful, serene and content, yet as energized as if she’d spent the last hour kissing instead of arguing. Jennifer would have liked to tease her about it, but something in Winifred’s manner didn’t allow such intimacy.
    Instead, Jennifer chuckled, totally pleased with the outcome of Charles’s visit. She could just see Gabriel’s face when he heard about this.
    One down, one to go.
    Gabriel slapped his gloves against his thigh in irritation, waiting for the carriage to arrive at his mother’s house. It was Sunday, and he’d promised her that he would stop by for tea, a promise that didn’t make him feel any better. While it was wonderful to see her so happy, she continued to ignore his warnings about her future groom, and about that Appleton creature, whom she’d apparently befriended.
    Gabriel’s mouth curved into a thunderous frown as hethought of Jennifer for the thousandth time. Unbelievably, Charles had stopped by the previous night after visiting the Appletons, and informed him that as far as he was concerned, all bets were off. Somehow, the bewitching sisters had won him over and he wanted nothing more to do with harassing them. If Gabriel didn’t know better, he could have sworn Charles was drunk, even though the man insisted they’d only served him tea. He was drunk, all right, Gabriel thought hotly, intoxicated by the Appleton herself.
    Yet he couldn’t completely fault