The Bracelet Read Online Free PDF Page B

You’re perfectly right. I should have given you more warning of my imminent arrival, but I was so eager to see you all that I couldn’t wait any longer.”
    Ivy appeared in the doorway, her hands clasped at her waist. “Hello, Mr. Mackay.”
    “Miss Lorens. You’re looking very well.”
    Ivy lowered her gaze. “I am well. And happy to see you.”
    “I’m delighted to be home. Jamaica was an interesting place to do business, but there is no substitute for Savannah.” Sutton motioned them to be seated on the settee. He took a chair opposite them while Mrs. Maguire poured tea.
    “I cannot believe how the city has grown.” He waved one hand. “Waterworks, mills, more railroads, half a dozen new stores. It’s quite amazing in light of last year’s crisis.” He bit into a tea cake and closed his eyes in appreciation. “This is delicious, Mrs. Maguire. I think I like it every bit as much as your almond cake.”
    A brief smile lit the housekeeper’s weathered face. She smoothed her apron. “Will there be anything else, Miss Celia?”
    “No, thank you.”
    “Let me know if you change your mind.”
    Mrs. Maguire left, closing the door behind her.
    Celia couldn’t stop looking at Sutton. She longed to throw herself into his arms and never let go, to have him all to herself for a private conversation, but of course propriety dictated that she not be alone with him until they were officially engaged. She nibbled at the tea cake, but she was too excited to taste a single bite. “When did you get home, Sutton? Have you seen Papa?”
    “I arrived night before last.”
    “Night before last? And you waited till now to visit me?”
    “Trust me, I was in no shape to call upon a lady. We hit some rough water just off Kingston, and I was awake for twenty hours straight. I went directly to Mother’s and slept like the dead. Then I needed a trip to the barber’s. And the haberdasher’s.”
    “I forgive you then,” she said, smiling. “And you do look quite fetching.”
    He laughed. “Is that a word applied to gentlemen? What do you say, Miss Lorens?”
    “I’m sure I don’t know.” Ivy set her cup down. “But it is very good to see you. I hope you’ll come to dinner soon and tell us all about your adventures in Jamaica. I’ve heard it’s quite primitive.”
    “Parts of it are. But there are some fine homes there too. And some fine horse breeders, in among the crocodile-infested mangroves.”
    He turned to face Celia. “I saw your father this morning. He told me about the ball you’re planning for next month.”
    “Did he tell you it’s to be a masquerade? They are always such splendid fun, and nobody has hosted one since the last bad fever epidemic. At least this year’s outbreak was relatively mild. The Irish neighborhoods took the worst of it.” She studied his face, hardly able to believe that he was home at last. “You are pleased with my plans, I hope.”
    “I am delighted but undeserving of so much attention. The Lawtons are hosting a dinner at the end of the week, and Mother is planning a reception for me at the Pulaski Hotel next Saturday. I’m sure you’ll all be invited to both.” He grinned. “I feel like a prospective bride.”
    “Speaking of brides,” Ivy began. “Lacy Fondren is engaged to William Sikes.” She brushed a crumb from her green silk skirt. “But I’m sure you knew that already since she was such a good friend of yours.”
    “Yes, Celia and Mother mentioned it in letters that arrived just before I left Jamaica.” Sutton helped himself to more tea and another tea cake. “I’m delighted for them. Celia and I both feel they are quite suited to one another.”
    “Oh.” Ivy folded her hands in her lap and looked at the ceiling as if she expected to see another topic of conversation written there. “Celia and I visited the Female Asylum this morning anddiscovered there is a stowaway in residence. We’re to make a project of her, catching her up on her