When a Rake Falls Read Online Free PDF Page B

closed her eyes, leaned her head against the rough wicker, and recalled Tom’s last farewell.
    Boyce remained silent.
    Several minutes passed, the only sound being the soft wind and the creaking basket.
    â€œI know why you hold your arms that way,” he whispered.
    She opened her eyes and noticed she had held her arms slightly out to the side. “I didn’t realize… Why?”
    â€œWhen you remember Tom, what is he doing?”
    She thought for a moment and remembered Tom bursting through the front door, his arms held wide ready to pick her up. “He’s rushing toward me to give me a hug.”
    â€œI lost my mother years ago. Now, whenever I remember her, I first see her when I was little, leaning forward to pick me up for a kiss. We instinctively open our arms for the embrace that will never come.”
    She smiled wistfully at the meaning behind her gesture. “I guess holding them out in anticipation of a promised hug keeps their memory alive.”
    â€œTom sounds like a nice fellow.”
    â€œYes, he was.” Even though the high altitude had dried her eyes, she felt tears gathering. “My father and I dedicated our lives to helping others avoid the same tragedy.”
    His hand stilled on the duck’s cage, and he turned to face her. “I apologize, Miss Mountfloy. I did not know about the motives behind your research before now. Seems we both have sufficient reasons to continue. Don’t we?”
    The Tulip smiled. A charming gesture probably common to Tulips.
    Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but smile in return. Except, for some illogical reason, he believed the motives behind a silly challenge were equal to hers. Of course, he might be in love with Lady Sarah; that would explain his drive. But to Eve, no challenge could be more important than saving lives. “Imagine the importance of our research. When a storm brews, we can recognize the type of clouds formed. This, combined with other types of data, such as barometer readings and the behavior of air currents, will helps us be able to predict the severity of the storm. Ships can then be warned to remain at sea, or people on land advised to seek shelter. Thousands of people at one time may be saved. So now you know what I meant by saving humanity. Not nearly as important as, let’s say…chasing a fortune.”
    He blinked—twice. “I don’t need a fortune. I want to distinguish myself by besting the other gentlemen in this race. The winner’s story will be published in the papers, and my father will no doubt read it. I will no longer be the cork-brained youngest son, and he’ll have to respect me for my achievements.” Pausing for a moment, his lightheartedness returned. “Anyhow, at the end of the race, one of the competitors and Lady Sarah will fall in love, and if that man is me, all the better. I promise to be the best of husbands. And she probably needs me right now without knowing it yet. So saving humanity means the chance to save every family, doesn’t it?”
    The madman spoke about love and family—unusual for a gentleman of such short acquaintance. She suspected she might be dealing with a rare male specimen. Perhaps there was an undiscovered depth of character lurking under those jesting green eyes. Maybe the amiable, charming Tulip was a fabricated facade, one meant to hide his sharp intelligence and true heart. If so , she wondered, why the deception? “By the words ‘every family,’ do you mean saving future families too?”
    He slapped her on the back. “Yes, yes, you understand me. Ladies of science are impressive. Are there other ladies like you interested in science?”
    Eve ignored him. Their altitude had not changed considerably, the sun was still high, and only a few cumulus clouds dotted the sky. However, the once-steady wind had lessened. If the wind dropped even more, they might have to land before the experiments