Donovan's Bed: The Calhoun Sisters, Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

about the typesetting of Mrs. Castor’s announcement. Covertly Sarah studied the woman, noting the sparkle in her brown eyes and the flush in her cheeks. Her bountiful bosom fairly quivered with excitement. Given that the mayor’s wife was the biggest gossip in town, Sarah wondered what bit of hearsay had brought the portly woman to her doorstep.
    “I’m glad you enjoy the Chronicle .”
    “Oh my, yes!” Mrs. Castor lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, though no one else was present to overhear her. “I especially like the piece you did on Mr. Donovan. Such a handsome man. And so close-mouthed about himself.”
    Sarah tensed at the mention of Jack Donovan. “Thank you,” she said, for lack of anything else.
    “How ever did you get him to open up, dear?” Mrs. Castor paused expectantly, her brown eyes snapping with anticipation.
    “Well, I—”
    “You can tell me.” The mayor’s wife patted Sarah’s hand. “I promise, I won’t tell a soul.”
    “There’s nothing to tell.” Feeling like she was caught in a mudslide, Sarah grasped for words that would not implicate her in unfounded rumor. “I simply asked him a few questions.”
    “I’m sure there’s more to it than that. Won’t you tell me which one of our girls that handsome man has his eye on?”
    Stung that she was obviously not considered one of “our” girls, Sarah said tightly, “Everything I know about Mr. Donovan’s marital plans is in the article.”
    “I don’t believe that for a second, Sarah Ann Calhoun, and I am well and truly hurt that you won’t confide in me. Me, who’s known you since you were born!” With a sniff, Mrs. Castor wiped at an imaginary teardrop with her forefinger.
    As Sarah started to protest, the door to the office slammed open and the Tremont sisters hurried inside in a whirl of wind-blown skirts and petticoats. Juliana brushed the dust from her dress, while Emmaline shoved the door shut.
    “Good afternoon, Emmaline. Juliana.” Mrs. Castor favored both women with a huge smile. “Fancy meeting you here.”
    “Hello, Mrs. Castor.” Emmaline nodded her head at the mayor’s wife and turned her attention to Sarah. “Good afternoon, Sarah. Juliana and I just stopped by to invite you to the sewing circle tomorrow.”
    Sarah eyed the sisters with caution. As far back as she could remember, the Tremont sisters had been people to avoid whenever possible. Juliana was an unpleasant woman just Sarah’s age who fancied herself a great beauty. Emmaline, five years older, prided herself on her arrow-straight posture and impeccable manners. The Tremonts had been Sarah’s greatest detractors during the scandal, and Emmaline had been a long-time rival of her sister, Susannah. Given the facts, the timing of this invitation to the close-knit sewing circle seemed extremely suspicious.
    Sarah realized that everyone awaited her answer. “Why thank you, Emmaline, but I really should work on the Chronicle tomorrow.”
    “Oh, come now, Sarah.” Emmaline smiled, a mere straightening of her thin lips that narrowed her eyes. “We’ll have tea, and Juliana is going to make her famous lemon cake. Isn’t that so, sister?”
    “Why, yes.” Juliana gave Sarah a look that could have scorched her hair. “Please do come, Sarah. We have so much to talk about.”
    “If you mean what I think, don’t waste your breath.” Mrs. Castor heaved a dramatic sigh. “Sarah is keeping all the details about Mr. Donovan’s wedding plans to herself.”
    “Mrs. Castor, I told you—”
    “How selfish of you, Sarah.” Despite her smaller stature, Juliana somehow managed to look down her nose at Sarah. “Of course, perhaps Sarah just wants Mr. Donovan for herself.”
    “Juliana!” Emmaline splayed a hand to her scrawny bosom.  
    “I only said what everyone else is thinking.”
    “That will be enough,” Mrs. Castor announced. “Juliana, don’t be ridiculous. Everyone knows that Mr. Donovan is interested in more than simple