The Matrimony Plan Read Free

envelope from his hand. “That is private.”
    “Of course it is.”
    She hurried on, but he still followed her.
    “You don’t think…” he said. “Believe me, I would never read a personal letter. I simply assumed, given the time of year and where it was from, that it was an acceptance letter. My apologies if I was wrong.”
    She silently plodded on, eyes fixed dead ahead.
    “What’s more, your father—at least I assume he’s your father—did happen to mention that his daughter would be attending the academy.”
    Felicity froze in her tracks. “You know Daddy?”
    “We met in New York when he offered me the position.”
    Felicity gasped as she realized her horrible blunder. This man wasn’t a farm laborer; he was Robert Blevins. Of course an engineer would be dressed for the field. Daddy had hired him to construct the new airfield and flight school. Mr. Blevins would want to walk the property and take measurements. That’s why he was dressed so casually.
    She’d been a fool, a complete fool.
    She pressed a gloved hand to her hot cheeks. “Th-then the train already arrived.”
Please say no.
Please let her be wrong.
    “It was early.”
    Oh, no. She should have known. Dennis Allington wouldn’t be walking through town unless the train had already left.
    “I—I,” she stammered, backing away, but there wasn’t any way to get past the truth. Nothing could erase such an enormous gaffe. The only thing to do was walk away with as much dignity as possible. Less than two hours into the execution of her plan, she’d failed.
    “Excuse me,” she murmured and took off, not caring where she went as long as it was away from him.
    Naturally he followed. “Where are you going? What did I say?”
    “Nothing,” she cried out, exasperated. Why couldn’t he leave her alone?
    “Whatever it was, I’m sorry.” He drew near.
    She walked more briskly.
    He reached her side. “Please stop. Let’s talk. I’d like to be friends.”
    “Friends?” She turned from him. “But I’ve made such a fool of myself. I—I thought you were a farm worker.”
    “Is that how you normally treat farm workers?”
    Shame washed over her as she stilled her steps. She owed him an apology. “No, that is, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m overwrought. The letter…” How could she explain to a mere stranger that her mother had lied and cheated to get her into art school? He wouldn’t think any better of her for having such a family. “There’s no excuse,” she said ruefully.
    “Perhaps.” He surveyed her for intolerable seconds. “But it takes character to admit fault.”
    Warmth rose from deep inside, sweeping through her with shocking speed. They’d barely met. She’d insulted him, and yet he forgave her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    He laughed and held out an arm. “We all make mistakes. May I escort you to wherever you’re going?”
    Where was she going? Now that she’d met Mr. Blevins and had even been forgiven by him, she had no destination.
Think of his needs.
    She smiled at him. “You must want to look over the site. Baker’s Field is south and east of here. We could walk, but my brother, Blake, should be here with the car soon.”
    “Your brother? I thought—” His brow furrowed. “I expected your father.”
    “Daddy? Why?”
    Instead of answering, he dropped her hand and took off at a run. What on earth? Felicity spun about and instantly saw what had caught his attention. An envelope—her envelope—bounced along the ground. She must have dropped it in her confusion.
    “Oh, no,” she cried, running after both the envelope and Mr. Blevins.
    Suddenly, a black dog streaked across both their paths, snatched the envelope and took off toward the depot.
    “Slinky, no.” The town stray would chew the letter. He’d ruin it, and Mother would be furious. Felicity abandoned propriety and hobbled after the dog as fast as she could. “Give it back. Slinky, bring it here.”
    As if he heard her, the mutt