Ashes and Ice Read Online Free Page A

self-satisfied.
    Grace nodded. “It’s true, gentlemen. Mr. Barker has indeed requested our presence by means of a formal invitation.”
    The other two men, though disappointed, realized they’d lost out. They gave a graceful bow and promised to send their invitations in tomorrow’s post. Grace could only imagine the confusion that promised to give the Colton household.
    Miranda looked up at the dark-haired Mr. Barker and smiled. “My sister-in-law has agreed to accompany us to lunch. It is with her encouragement that we accept your invitation.”
    “Marvelous,” the man said, flashing brilliant white teeth. “I shall cherish your company.”
    ————
    The luncheon seemed to last forever. Perhaps, Grace thought, it was due to the monotonous self-promoting lecture given by Mr. Barker. Or perhaps it was due to the bland and unappealing food. Either way, when Grace and Miranda made their way up the steps to the Colton house, both breathed a sigh of relief. Pausing on the porch, they looked at each other and broke into fits of laughter.
    “I thought that it would never end,” Miranda confided. “What a conceited man.”
    Grace nodded, completely agreeing. “He seemed so very much in love with himself, I seriously doubt he could have shared love for anyone else.”
    “Not without deeply wounding his own feelings,” Miranda added.
    “I had so hoped you would enjoy your outing. With so many dashing young bachelors vying for your attention, it seems only fair to expect that one of them should be the right one.”
    Miranda’s smile faded. “I know. I keep thinking that, as well. There have been others, men who Peter said were not worthy of me. He’s been so good to try and look out for me.”
    “Peter is a good man. He cares very much for you, but you have to make choices based on what your heart tells you. Peter might well think Mr. Barker a perfect suitor. The man is a banker and holds a respected position in the community. Your brother would probably admire him greatly and think you amicably suited.”
    “I suppose that is true. Peter does sometimes make choices for me that I would just as soon not have made.”
    Grace could well understand that, her husband being a strongly opinionated man. “Well, no harm done. Mr. Barker seemed to understand quite well that you lacked interest in his need for adoration.” Grace smiled and opened the front door to the house. “Perhaps we should try Corky next time, eh?”
    Miranda laughed. “All that red hair. My word, but it fairly glows.”
    “And just think of the redheaded children you might find yourself mother to,” Grace laughed, and Miranda flushed at the thought as she giggled.
    Their laughter quickly faded, however. Grace stepped into the house to find Peter awaiting their return. She had thought he was on his way to Seattle and hadn’t expected to find him home.
    “Peter!” Grace could see the anger in his eyes and hoped to calm him. “Why, if we’d known you were still in town, you could have joined us for lunch.”
    “Where have you been?”
    “Grace agreed to accompany me to lunch with Mr. Barker,” Miranda answered.
    Peter’s expression darkened as his eyes narrowed. “Who is Mr. Barker?”
    “Oh, surely you remember him, Peter. He came to see Father on business about a month ago.”
    Grace pulled the shawl from her shoulders and untied her bonnet. “He attends our church and was quite smitten with your sister.”
    “Why wasn’t I consulted on this, Miranda?”
    Grace could see the look of contrition on Miranda’s face. “I’m sorry, Peter. I presumed you were quite busy with the company. You and Father have both had so much to do in transporting goods and people to Alaska. It simply never entered my mind that you would want to hear about Mr. Barker’s invitation.”
    “Besides,” Grace interjected, “she’s a grown woman and fully capable of making up her own mind when it comes to the company she desires to keep. She learned