Love Between the Lines Read Online Free PDF Page B

and they learned that Brinker had followed in his father ’s footsteps in career choice.
    Gideon waited. At last the truth would come out—Brinker was a gentleman ’s personal gentleman. Yet he didn’t provide more of an answer and she didn’t push when Brinker didn’t give details. Now why was she so polite with the man? She had no trouble acting impertinent with Gideon.
    Despite the fact that she seemed to take care not to offend the stiff-necked Brinker, she managed to pry out quite a few facts.
    Gideon learned more about Brinker than he ’d discovered over the man’s four years of service. Of course he wasn’t sure if he much cared that Brinker had grown up in a suburb of London or that he liked cricket better than football.
    In exchange for the confidence that Miss Drury ’s middle name was Miriam, they’d learned that Brinker’s given names were David Oliver.
    Gideon was amused that she went at the question of his career again, sideways this time. Not everyone had a profession, she said. She had heard that many gentlemen in England didn ’t need to pursue a living. Brinker admitted that he did have to make a living and that, yes, his job was involved on this journey to the States.
    Miss Drury delicately inquired if he was traveling with an employee perhaps?
    Gideon burst into laughter. The woman apparently thought he, Gideon, worked for Brinker.
    She shot him an odd look but didn’t have time to ask any more questions,because the cab pulled up in front of a battered wooden hous e — her boardinghouse, she told them.
    Miss Drury jumped down before Brinker or Gideon could help her. She turned and said, “You gentlemen might as well wait here. You can’t come into the building.”
    Gideon climbed down anyway. “There’s not even a parlor for gentlemen callers?” he asked.
    “ No. My landlady, Mrs. Percy, is very particular.”
    The carriage swayed slightly as the horse shifted. Gideon pushed away from the side to stand next to her. “Why would you pick such a place?”
    Miss Drury glanced up at the driver. She lowered her voice . “If you read about me, then you might know I have a reputation as someone who gets the story.” She sounded matter-of-fact, not boastful.
    “ Yes,” Gideon said. “You do.”
    For some reason , she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Anyone knows a reporter stops at nothing to get a story. For men that would mean climbing fences at midnight or waiting around in the rain, or risking a politician’s rage and, well…”
    He said, “Ah. Not the same for a female.”
    She blushed and said, “Exactly. When you say that about a woman—that she stops at nothing—there is only one meaning. Isn’t there?”
    The fact that she could still blush—and managed to so often—charmed him, but he took pity on her and finished the thought. “So you must live an exemplary life whenever possible to avoid that reputation.”
    “ I can’t avoid it,” she said, still matter-of-fact. “But I keep trying anyway.”
    “ We’ll wait here for you.” Gideon said. Brinker silently stepped out of the cab and stood near him.
    Oyster also got out and, without looking at any of them, trotted up the stairs.
    “He’s allowed to visit? Why is that?”
    “ He’s probably going to try to call on the parlormaid. I think he likes her. If Mrs. Percy spots him, she’ll chase him out.” She started up the stairs after Oyster.
    After a couple of minutes of waiting, the cabbie, an amiable man, twisted in his seat to explain to Gideon how much better the weather in New York was than in London. Gideon obligingly listened and admired the blue skies, while Brinker stood with his arms folded.
    “ You mentioned Delmonico’s this morning, sir,” Brinker muttered. “I fancy our plans have changed?”
    Gideon recalled the silver chandeliers, the frescoed ceilings , and the fountain in the center of the first floor. “Yes, I think that won’t do for Miss Drury.” Not yet.
     
    It was a good thing Gideon