Hounds of Autumn Read Online Free PDF Page A

wall.
    “Most of the books are in the library,” said Alexander, following Chloe’s gaze. “My brother Robert pulled some books from our library and put them in here for you. Apologies if they aren’t what you will need.”
    Ambrose ran a finger over the spines, scanning the titles.
    “Robert has read most of them,” said Alexander.
    “Has he now?” Ambrose’s face was lit with a smile before he turned back to perusing the titles. “And he’s just sixteen, eh?”
    Chloe looked at her husband and determined that he was too engrossed in his own thoughts to have noticed a critical detail.
    “Do you think we could get an extra desk? Perhaps over there?” She pointed to the opposite side of the room from Ambrose’s desk.
    Alexander was confused. “Do you not think one is enough?”
    “For me,” said Chloe. “I’ll need some space for my work as well.”
    At Alexander’s hesitation, Ambrose broke free of his reverie. “She makes things.” He motioned at Giles, who was partially under the dust cloth that covered a chair. Giles yanked the cloth onto the floor and pawed at the fabric. Alexander glared at him.
    “Oh, but there are plenty of things for a lady to do here,” Alexander said. “We are not without amusements. We have a withdrawing room with a piano, you can embroider, draw, paint, or you can even get a book from the library.” He smiled gently at Chloe, but she could still see the confusion, and something else, in his face. He glanced at Giles.
    She knew from experience that this topic needed to be broached carefully. Females did not create complex mechanicals. Men were the ones who designed and repaired household and industrial mechanicals. This left any woman with such inclinations to design small decorative pets, like birds that made tinny chirping noises and clung with tiny metal feet to a hat or the shoulder of a dress. Chloe had created plenty of birds and other creatures, including a family of small gray mice that twitched their whiskers and ran on a small magnetic track. She had also made music boxes and a few toys. All of these were appropriately feminine pursuits, but only barely. They pushed the limits of ladylike behavior.
    “I suppose I could order up a table,” said Alexander, looking at Ambrose. “Is there anything else she might need?”
    “Only the name of the local mechanical shop,” said Ambrose.
    Alexander brightened slightly. “It’s Lydford’s. On Hampton Street.”
    “We passed it on our way into town,” said Chloe.
    Giles jumped onto Ambrose’s new desk and set to pawing at the blotter. Chloe grabbed him and cuddled him to her bosom.
    “Let her make her baubles or she’ll be impossible,” she overheard Ambrose say to Alexander. Chloe shot him a furious look and then forced herself to turn away. He was doing his best to secure her not only the supplies and space she needed, but also the freedom from criticism and inquiry that her activities would produce. She was fortunate, she reminded herself sternly. He always honored their marriage agreement, allowing her to select reading material without his approval and to work on her projects without interference. In return, she went to great efforts to be discreet and not bring him shame.
    She pressed a kiss between Giles’s ears. Ambrose trusted her. She could do her work. It would be enough.

Chapter 4
    C hloe descended to supper that evening in a taffeta dress and light matching shawl. She splashed her face with water to freshen up, and Miss Haynes had re-pinned her wild hair so as to be presentable. The family would be evaluating her and she wanted their acceptance, if only for Ambrose’s sake. She was nervous, but despite this, she had developed a healthy appetite since her small meal of bread and cheese on the airship.
    The muffled whirring of Giles’s gears escorted Chloe down the stairs as he padded behind her on hand-stitched felt paws. Ambrose was waiting at the dining room door, and she took his arm to