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

tales of rendezvous had piqued Katherine’s interest enough to consider the prospect ahead of her.
    Delphine held Katherine near the back door of the bank. “So you are meeting with Mr. Warner, then?”
    “Right now, in fact. He offered supper; I turned him down but suggested a walk.” Katherine nudged another stray curl back from her forehead. “I thought supper was too suggestive of wanting a relationship. I want nothing of the sort. Although, I do believe Melanie might not ever speak to me again since I have aspirations of bedding him.”
    “Never you mind that little priss. She’s digging for a husband, and she’s jealous that Warner looked your way. She’s been here well over a year and he’s never cast her a second glance.” Delphine adjusted Katheirne’s shawl. “I’ll move you away from her tomorrow. Closer to my desk is suitable. I spoke to Mr. King today about your skill. He agreed with me that though you’ve only been here a month, you can move up the ranks.”
    “Thank you, Delphine.” Katherine squeezed her hands. “Now I should go. While you said it’s good to make them wait, perhaps it’s not good to make him wait too long.”
    “True enough. Go on then. I have an appointment of my own to keep.” Delphine winked before she darted down the alley.
    Katherine chuckled as she followed her friend toward the street. Even after Delphine disappeared from view, Katherine didn’t pick up her pace. Before she reached the end of the alley, Mr. Warner stepped into view.
    He leaned against the wall, one hand on his cane. Elegance and confidence lingered about him like an intoxicating perfume. As it often had when confronted with the more refined suitors she met in Chicago, her mind drifted back to Dominion Falls and a brash, cocky rake of a man that had helped her escape her arranged marriage.
    His final assurance that she’d find a way to pay him back one day still crossed her mind at least three times a week. When she smiled at the memory, Mr. Warner rewarded her with a smooth smile of his own.
    Katherine bowed her head in greeting. “I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mr. Warner. Mrs. Cooper wanted to go over my numbers before I left.”
    “No apologies required. It is only my curiosity that has made me impatient.”
    “Curiosity?” She tried to feign innocence, even as he confirmed he’d had the reaction she’d hoped for. “Whatever has made you curious?”
    “You. Few women turn down supper at a fine restaurant in town. Certainly none in favor of an unescorted walk.”
    “Especially with how your reputation precedes you, correct?” She skirted around him to the sidewalk and didn’t wait for his arm to begin walking. “After all, what woman wouldn’t want to be the one to capture and tame the intractable rake, Patrick Warner? That would certainly be a feather in ones cap if one cared about such things.”
    “And you don’t?” He caught up to her in a few quick steps. “Sounds much like a trick a child would play. To act contrary to how one desires to get just what they desire.”
    “I assure you, Mr. Warner, if I cared one nit about marriage I would be married, not working in a bank in this city.”
    “Again.”
    “We could go back and forth, but that would get boring, wouldn’t it?” Besides, nerves were getting the better of her. While she’d considered the idea he might not believe her, she’d rather hoped it wouldn’t happen. Her ability to argue seemed to only rise in short bursts or when she was truly sure of herself.
    “True.” His cane clicked on the walkway with every other step they took. Somehow they’d begun to move in sync, his hand came to rest on her elbow.
    “Why don’t you hear me out, and you can decide from there if you wish to believe me and take the risk.”
    “I’d be willing to listen.”
    “Good.” She stopped to hail a nearby cab. When Mr. Warner tried to pay, she brushed him aside and paid the driver after telling him to take them to