The Lightkeeper's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Here comes Mr. Eaton’s brother-in-law now. We’ll let him sort it out.”
    Addie turned to see her uncle coming in the door. A man in a navy uniform was with him. Mr. Driscoll wore a thunderous frown that only darkened when his gaze clashed with hers. She straightened her shoulders and set her jaw.
    “What is going on here?” Mr. Driscoll asked.
    Addie tipped her chin higher. “Are you aware this business employs children who should not be near these machines?”
    He blinked. “I have little to do with this place. It’s one of Mr. Eaton’s pet projects.” He frowned at the girls. “These children work here? They surely don’t run a machine, do they?”
    “They do. Look at Brigitte’s hand. She injured it under the needle.”
    The uniformed man stared at the foreman. “Is this true?”
    He shrugged. “Mr. Eaton arranged it. We have about ten kids, some from the orphanage and some from the community.”
    “I’ll have a word with him,” the man said. “Did you care for the child’s injury?”
    “It’s just a little prick. She’ll be fine.”
    “Her fingers are bloody,” Addie said. “It’s still bleeding. With your permission,” she asked her uncle, “I’d like to clean her up.”
    Mr. Driscoll nodded. “By all means.”
    “Where is the ladies’ room?” she asked.
    The foreman jerked a dirty thumb behind him. “In the back.”
    “Where are first-aid supplies to be found?” she asked.
    “I’ll get them,” he said grudgingly. He stalked off toward a small office that had a window facing the work floor.
    She eyed the navy man. Her uncle had mentioned that her new employer was an officer. If this was that man, she might find herself out of a job before she started.

F OUR
    J OHN STOOD IN the shop and watched the workers disappear when the quitting whistle blew. “Who is that young woman?” he asked Driscoll. While her beauty had stunned him, her fire and compassion impressed him even more.
    “Edward’s new governess.”
    Aware his mouth had dropped open, John shut it. “Miss Adeline Sullivan?”
    “Indeed. I do wish she hadn’t gotten involved in this. Henry will be livid.”
    “Someone should have gotten involved long ago.”
    The foreman had vanished into his office after handing Addie the first-aid box and didn’t return. John glanced at the other little girl. Doria stood off to one side with her hands clasped. Her lips quivered and she stared at the floor.
    He saw a movement. “Here they come now.” John watched Miss Sullivan and Brigitte weave through the sewing machines and tables of fabric. The child chattered to Addie, who seemed to be paying grave attention to the little girl. He studied her neat attire and the fiery lights in her hair.
    “Ready to go?” Driscoll said when she reached them.
    “I’d like to explain to their mother what happened,” Addie said, her voice pleading for Driscoll’s understanding. “She lives just across the street.”
    The husky, feminine voice had a confident quality that gave John pause. Her auburn hair glowed with vitality. Her eyes caught his, and he nearly gasped. Thick lashes framed eyes as green as a lily pad, and the flecks of gold in their depths lit them from within. Or maybe it was the compassion that shimmered there. Such purity, such empathy.
    “Miss Sullivan? I’m Lieutenant John North.”
    She put her hand to her mouth. “My employer? I suspected as much. I’m afraid I’m not making the best first impression on you.”
    “On the contrary. I’m quite taken with your desire to help these children.” He held the door open for them, then stepped into the slanting light of the sun. “It’s good of you to care.” Katherine had never noticed the poor around her. And why was he comparing Miss Sullivan to his dead wife? “You needn’t trouble yourself,” he told Driscoll. “I’ll handle this.”
    Buggies clattered down the cobblestone street, and he waited for an opening before guiding the governess and the