Independent Brake (The Dominion Falls Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

head down and done what she should out of fear her parents would locate her and drag her home if she drew too much attention. At eighteen, the fear was subsiding and the burning need for more that had first flamed to light in Dominion Falls now burned bright again.
    Before Melanie could protest further, Patrick approached Katherine’s window. His smile broadened with every step closer he took.
    Katherine brushed an unruly curl back into place and returned his smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Warner.”
    “Good afternoon. I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, and I don’t know yours.” He slid his transaction across the desk.
    “I’m Katherine.” She didn’t bother with a last name, though it would be the proper thing to do. “And it wasn’t a disadvantage. I believe you enjoy allowing your reputation to precede you, Mr. Warner.”
    “I believe you’re right, Kat.”
    She smiled at the nickname no one had dared to call her before. Once his transaction was complete, she quirked at brow at his continued presence at her window. “Was there anything else, Mr. Warner?”
    “You’re new here.”
    “I’ve been employed here for three weeks. Long enough.”
    “Long enough for what?”
    Katherine shrugged. “To have learned some things.”
    “Perhaps we could discuss those things outside of the bank?” He leaned on the counter and flashed a charming smile. “Over supper?”
    “No, supper won’t do.” She grinned when he straightened in surprise. “I wouldn’t mind a walk. I have a proposition for you, and it is best discussed discreetly.”
    His surprise melted into a wicked grin. “I’m intrigued. For that alone, I’ll take you up on the offer. When shall we have this stroll?”
    “Are you free this evening?”
    “I can be for one so bold.”
    “Then at five, right outside.”
    “I look forward to it, Kat.”
    “Me too, Mr. Warner.”
    * * * *
    A t the end of the day Melanie gathered her things and left without a word to Katherine. Unsure whether to feel insulted or pity the girl, Katherine shrugged and draped her shawl over her shoulders.
    Out of the corner of her eye, her supervisor, and new friend Delphine, waved Katherine over. Even though she knew Patrick could be waiting on her, Katherine obliged. Delphine’s own words rang in Katherine’s ears. It’s best to leave them waiting.
    Katherine smiled as she approached Delphine’s desk. “Everything all right?”
    “Of course it is. You were perfectly balanced as always. You should try investing, build up that secret little nest egg you’ve got.” Delphine rose and grabbed her own shawl. When she spoke again, her tone remained low. “What happened with Mr. Warner? Did you get his attention as you’d hoped?”
    “You mean as we’d hoped?” Katherine could attribute her bold decisions to Delphine’s urging. “Yes. And he called me Kat.”
    “Kat. I like that.” Delphine laced her arm through Katherine’s and headed toward the door. “It suits you well.”
    “Not yet.” Katherine took a deep breath as they left the building. She was both excited and afraid for the step she was taking. For years she’d known she didn’t wish to ever get married. Meeting Delphine weeks ago had firmed the belief.
    Delphine herself was married, had been for years. The reason she worked was three-fold. One, because she wanted to work. Two, it gave her another excuse beyond the standard ‘Ladie’s Auxiliary’ to be out of the house when she meant to sneak away to suffrage meetings. Third, her family needed the income since her husband drank and whored away his own money.
    Katherine’s bond with Delphine had been instantaneous, for reasons beyond Katherine’s understanding. In the past few weeks, Katherine had gone to her first suffrage meeting, and learned much about the marriage bed she hadn’t known.
    Out of all the complaints Delphine had about her husband, she had none about the lover she kept on the side. Her whispered