The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) 📕

to travel out to Georgetown, at least until I can investigate his whereabouts.”

“Do you know the address?” Jack asked.

“It’s across from Lafayette Square.”

Jack gave Charlotte a what-do-you-want-to-do look. “I have a carriage waiting outside.”

Charlotte fidgeted with her cloak’s top button. She didn’t know what kind of reception they would receive from Braham’s servants. It would be embarrassing and unexplainable if they weren’t permitted to stay at the townhouse. They needed to sever ties with the nosy colonel immediately.

“Let’s go to the townhouse, at least for tonight,” she said.

Henly snatched his hat off the bench. “I’ll escort you.”

“It’s—” she said with a snap.

“—not necessary,” Jack finished her sentence, smiling. “We wouldn’t wish to impose.”

“You’re new to town, and I insist.” The ruthless edge in his low-pitched voice sent a shiver up her spine. Then he gave her a slow smile that revealed deep grooves on either side of his mouth. The smile did not appease her shivers.

They left by way of the ladies’ entrance on Fourteenth Street, exiting the hotel a short distance from their waiting carriage, trunks, and the colonel’s aides. Henly assisted Charlotte into the conveyance before mounting his horse for the short ride over to the townhouse. A few minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of an Italianate-style residence.

Would the servants allow two people they had never met to stay in Braham’s home? She tried to focus on a cover story to tell the servants instead of the unnerving thump of her heart.

“Colonel, thank you for your assistance. We don’t want to hold you up any longer,” Jack said.

She didn’t dare look at Jack. He would give her the same questioning look she wanted to give him.

“Nonsense,” Henly said. “I’d prefer to see you settled before I leave. And maybe the servants have news of the major’s whereabouts.” He pointed toward the front door. “Shall we go?” Henly’s eyes held the same unblinking chill as when she first met him.

Charlotte gathered her courage. Jack appeared to be his usual suave self, sauntering up the stairs to the sandstone door surround, where he clasped the door knocker and tapped it several times, giving Henly his book jacket smile.

A butler smartly dressed in day livery opened the door. “May I help you?”

“I’m Jack Mallory and this is my sister, Charlotte. We’re Major McCabe’s cousins and have come for a visit. Is he here?”

The man opened the door wider. “Come in, please.” They did, including Henly, and the butler closed the door behind them. “The major said when you arrive, Miss Mallory, you’re to have the house and staff at your disposal.”

On a scale measuring from pissed off to grateful, she found herself somewhere along the center point, and could easily swing in either direction depending on what happened in the next few minutes. “Is the major in Washington now?”

“He spent several nights here, but he hasn’t returned recently.”

Charlotte untied her bonnet and unbuttoned her jacket. “Would you have someone help with our trunks?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He pointed toward a parlor to the right of the entry. “You’ll be comfortable waiting in there while I see to your baggage and your rooms. I’ll have refreshments brought in.”

Charlotte handed the butler her bonnet and coat and entered the parlor with Henly and Jack.

“If McCabe was here, it means he survived Richmond. When I leave, I’ll go over to the War Department. As soon as I have information on his whereabouts, I’ll let you know.”

The words consult the president were on Charlotte’s tongue but she reeled them in before she said them. She had no doubt at all Lincoln knew exactly where Braham was and probably received daily briefings from him.

“Thank you, Colonel. You saved us a trip to Georgetown,” Jack said. “We don’t want to keep you from your business any longer.”

“It’s been my pleasure, Mr. Mallory, Miss Mallory.”

Jack escorted the colonel to the door. “If I hear anything tonight,” Henly said, “I’ll send word.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Jack said. He opened the door and the colonel stepped out, and then turned back.

“With your permission, I’d like to call on your sister.”

Jack glanced back at Charlotte, who was standing in the hall talking with the butler, but looking in their direction. “You’ll have to take it up with her. She’s never needed my permission before. I doubt she wants it now.”

Henly set his hat on his head, glanced at Charlotte, and with a wry smile said, “I’ll discuss it with her, then. Good day, Mr. Mallory.”

Jack watched Henly mount his horse, then closed the door. Turning toward Charlotte, he said, “What do you think of the illustrious colonel?”

She wrinkled her nose.

“That bad?”

She nodded toward the parlor. They entered the room and Jack closed the tall sliding doors.

“We should get in the habit of only talking privately,” she said.

“I agree. There’s too much at stake.”

They sat on the sofa, close, so they could speak in low tones.

“I thought Henly was overly aggressive, and he refused to listen to me, but in the end, he was helpful. I’m not sure what to make of him.” Charlotte picked up a small pillow and hugged it to her chest. “If the butler had said he couldn’t allow guests to stay in the house without Braham’s permission, or even that he’d never heard of us, Henly might have thought we were spies. I hate to think of what could have happened.”

“Why would he have believed such a thing?”

“He asked where we were from. I told him we were Unionists from Richmond. I wasn’t prepared to answer his questions and didn’t want to tell more lies. His eyes told me he was analyzing every word I said. I don’t trust him.”

They sat in tense silence staring at each other for a minute, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Jack said, “Your story should work. But what I want to know is why was Braham so damn sure you’d come after him when you insisted you didn’t want to come back?”

She threw up her hands. “You probably understand him better