Love's Refrain Read Online Free PDF Page B

great exhibition hall. Once inside, she paused again to stare. The exhibit had been billed as the most extensive collection of African wildlife and artifacts in Europe, and from the sheer number of displays she believed the claim to be accurate.
    All around the edges of the room were large glass cases, and people crowded in front of them to see the objects inside. Two rows of long display tables spanned the length of the room. Between the display tables, life-size models of jungle animals stood poised to hunt. In the center of it all was an odd long-necked, spotted creature at least fifteen feet tall. A giraffe, Laura thought. She’d seen pictures in her father’s books.
    â€œWhere would you like to start?” Lord Covington asked his guests.
    â€œI-I’m quite overwhelmed,” Cousin Reginald admitted. “There is so much to see, I don’t know where to begin.”
    Laura agreed. “Perhaps we could start with the displays on the walls and then work our way around the display tables?” she suggested.
    â€œExcellent plan,” Andrew said. He offered his arm to Laura. “Shall we begin?”
    Laura’s heart swelled, and she felt her face grow warm as she took his arm. Her breathing became uneven and she wondered if Andrew would notice her excitement.
    Andrew pointed out interesting exotic birds and kept a friendly banter, and Laura quickly calmed. At first, Laura felt unnerved looking into the eyes of these animals, knowing they were once living creatures. Some had been arranged in front of murals drawn to make them appear in their natural habitats. They paused in front of each case, and Laura eagerly read the information printed neatly on placards next to each animal.
    The last case on the wall contained a number of fierce war masks and weapons. Laura shivered at the thought of the artifacts in use. And she shivered again when Andrew leaned down and murmured, “Are you cold, Lady Laura?” His warm breath tickled her ear, and it was all she could do to shake her head.
    The thrill of being close to him was so heady that she barely noticed a strange cracking noise from behind them and someone frantically calling “Look out!” Instantly, Andrew’s arms wrapped around her, holding her. She thought the thunderous noise she heard must be the pounding of her heart, but then she realized it was the sound of several heavy items falling to the floor. Andrew shielded her from whatever happened, and she longed to stay cocooned in his embrace.
    All too soon, he released her, and she mourned the loss of his warmth. Andrew held her away from him, and she drowned in his gaze.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    She blinked, sorting her jumble of thoughts. “Am I — what?”
    â€œThis entire row of larger preserved animals tipped, and I was afraid you would be crushed. Thank goodness someone shouted a warning in time. I couldn’t have borne it if you had been harmed.”
    The import of what had happened infiltrated her brain, and she swayed, causing Andrew to catch her by the arms and hold her up.
    A gentleman rushed toward them. “My lord, I am Samuel Nickerson, the curator for this exhibit. Please accept my sincere apologies for this unfortunate incident.” He turned to Laura. “Madam, have you been harmed?”
    Laura looked down at herself. Her dress showed some dust, but she didn’t feel any injury. She shook her head, unable to speak. Andrew answered for her. “The lady has had quite a fright. Is there a place for her to sit?”
    Mr. Nickerson led Andrew, Laura, and Francesca to his office where he showed Laura to a comfortable chair and offered her a cup of tea. He was quick to assure Andrew, “The large animals will be removed and I will personally see to it that they are more secure before they are set on display again.”
    Cousin Reginald, who had wandered off on his own to another part of the hall, came rushing into the