Finding Miss McFarland Read Online Free PDF Page A

her dignity all over your shoes on the night we met .
    And just like that night, all she could do was stand there and gape in horror.
    “It’s like the story of Mother’s fan,” she heard one of the girls say as they approached.
    Whatever it meant, the alarm in Mr. Croft’s expression took on a new dimension. His steps slowed as if he were approaching the gallows. She, on the other hand, would rather hurry him along. Best to get this over with sooner rather than later .
    She took a step and then two, her chest feeling suddenly tight, her heart close to bursting under the pressure. “Thank you, Mr. Croft,” she said when they were at a close enough distance for conversation. “You didn’t have to go out of your way for my bonnet.” Anyone else’s but mine .
    “Oh, but he did,” the youngest of his sisters said, answering for him. “Mother named us all with purpose. Griffin is a guardian and protector. I’m certain that applies to stray bonnets.”
    Caught off guard by the exuberance of the girl wearing a crown of flower blossoms, Delaney smiled. “Is that so?”
    The girl stepped forward, a gleam of familial pride in her eyes as she gestured to each of her sisters. “The one holding the book is the oldest of us girls. Mother says her first cry was so beautiful that she named her Calliope.”
    Mr. Croft cleared his throat and settled a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Miss McFarland, you must forgive my manners. Please allow me to introduce my sisters.”
    “There is nothing to forgive,” she cut in the instant she saw his youngest sister’s smile fade. Delaney had a soft spot for children who didn’t always follow the strict rules of society. “This amiable girl was doing a splendid job. She’s quite the skilled orator.”
    The youngest beamed and lifted her face to her brother. Delaney didn’t catch his gaze before he bent his head forward in a slight bow of concession, yet she distinctly noted the way one corner of his mouth drew tight in something of a smirk. “Then, by all means . . .” he said.
    His sister gestured to the other two. Except for the color of their eyes, they would have been identical. “Then, because Phoebe,” she said as she gestured to the one with the brown, “and Asteria,” she said, gesturing to the one with the blue, “turned her into a giantess, Mother named them after Titans.”
    Phoebe and Asteria wore a similar expression of exasperation that told Delaney they were likely the same age as Bree, but affection for their sister was there as well.
    Delaney smiled at them and then glanced to Mr. Croft in a moment of commiseration. He certainly had his hands full. When their eyes met, however, she felt a terrible constriction of her lungs.
    Abruptly, Delaney returned her gaze to the youngest. “And what about your name?”
    “Because I was born in autumn with the harvest, she named me Tess.” She shrugged, apparently unimpressed with her own story.
    “I think Tess is a beautiful name,” Delaney said and went on to explain that Bree’s name meant exalted one , and made a face for amusement’s sake. “I was named after both my parents, but I go by my middle name, which is my mother’s maiden name. Nothing at all interesting, like your family names.”
    Tess brightened again. “Do you know what it means?”
    “ I do,” Bree said, only too eager to interject. “Delaney means challenging .”
    That earned a giggle or two. Delaney didn’t mind. Talking to Mr. Croft’s sisters kept her mind off of the fact that she was standing in close proximity to him , knowing he must be remembering the last time. How could he not? Another mark in his sisters’ favor was the fact that not a single one of them backed away as if they thought she might spontaneously combust, the way most of the ton did, aside from her closest friends.
    Mr. Croft stepped forward and held out her bonnet. His look of horror had altered to one of mild amusement and perhaps a touch of surprise. Like