Ill-Fame (A Detective Harm Queen Novel Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

business there.”
    “Good,” she pronounced happily. Her smile broke wide.
    Queen decided there that he was completely helpless against Karoline. He had no resistance when it came to her affection.
    “I’ve got wonderful news, Harm!” she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing pink with elation. She sat on the settee near him, and then motioned Peder away with her hand. Her brother chuckled and slipped into the kitchen.
    “Are the alterations on your wedding gown going well?”
    “No,” she laughed, “not that. Not something so insignificant as that.”
    “What, then?”
    “Well, the wedding has been overwhelming.”
    “And I’ve warned you not to overdo yourself. I try and help when I can. I’ve arranged the finest private room at the West Hotel for July Fourth. We’ve got patriotic bunting and other decorations purchased, as you desire, not only to celebrate our union, but to celebrate your becoming an American citizen.”
    “I know, I know,” she said, patting his hand. “And I love you for giving me everything I’ve wanted in this.”
    “What then?” Recently their days together had been occupied by a whirlwind of wedding plans. Details he honestly cared nothing about, but pretended to with every ounce of concentration and enthusiasm he could muster. Now he heard her tone change slightly. It wasn’t flippant, nor patronizing, exactly, but it had a slight edge he wasn’t expecting.
    “I love you, Harm. You know I do. I still want to get married. It’s just that an opportunity has arisen, and it is a very rare opportunity.”
    His chest felt afire, as if a blast of lightning had struck him from above and skewered him through the heart. He’d counted on this wedding to set him straight. No. He’d required it. He didn’t want to hear what was next.
    “Don’t look so despondent, Harm. Please, listen to what I have to say.”
    He nodded, not even able to look her in the eyes.
    “I’ve been invited to Chicago for three months. Jane Addams has invited me, personally, Harm, to live within her Hull house. To directly assist her in the famous Nineteenth Ward.”
    Queen found his mind suddenly racing, searching for reasons to convince her not to go. “That is one of the most dangerous areas of the city. And you’re worried about me ?” he finally managed.
    “But Miss Addams is there, and her organization is world-renowned. How could there be any danger?”
    His head hung low, like a twenty-pound round shot had replaced his skull. He rubbed his neck, and slowly raised his eyes to hers. “So you want everything to stop? Cancellations? Forfeited deposits? Is that it, then?”
    She looked at him with tears forming in her blue eyes, and gave a smile so sweet and warm that he wanted to melt right into the rocking chair. “I love you, Harm.”
    “But you want this? More... more than me?” The words sounded horrifying as they slipped from his lips, and he immediately wished he could suck them back in. Her expression took no offense, however. She still looked at him with such affection, that he knew he wouldn’t be able to get angry. She was born with an altruistic impulse, and there was nothing he could do to change it.
    “Miss Addams says that this life is a glorious span of experience through which the upward surge of the race impels ceaselessly to action, action reacting always upon ourselves.”
    “What does that mean, Karoline? We’ve got plenty of action in Minneapolis.”
    “People here,” she replied, “are in such need. Families are desperate. We... I have an obligation.”
    “But what will going to Chicago solve? You’re already helping your brother’s charities, and volunteering at the hospital almost every day.”
    “I’ll learn better, under Miss Addams. She is the premiere social worker in the country, Harm. And she knows me by name and by reputation. It’s such an honor. I have to go.”
    He felt guilty even asking, but it was nagging at his heart, so he did. “Is it something