Unseemly Ambition Read Online Free Page B

Oh dear. Eli’s cat had decided to join the wedding party.
Wherever Eli was, the cat was sure to follow, Concordia knew. But
she had to admit, the creature had been the saving of the boy—and
herself—last year. She could only hope it wouldn’t wreak havoc
today.
    The bride and groom hadn’t noticed.
Sophia only had eyes for Capshaw, who stopped shifting his long
legs to take in the sight of his bride. Concordia realized she had
rarely seen an out-and-out grin on the typically
somber-expressioned policeman. She felt as if she had intruded upon
a private moment between the two as she stood so close to
them.
    Her throat prickled with a
mix of emotions: joy for her friends, awe at the union between
them, and uncertainty for herself. Would she ever feel that way
toward a man? She stole a sideways glance at David Bradley, sitting
in the front row between Sophia’s stepmother and sister. Or did
she already feel
that way? If so, was she willing to sacrifice her independence for
love?
    As if aware of her gaze, David turned
to Concordia with softened eyes. Oh, this was trouble. The man was
getting ideas.
    A loud crash made everyone turn to see Eli’s
cat bolting through the debris of flowers, water, and the ceramic
shards of what was once a large vase. With a final acrobatic leap,
balancing briefly upon the enormous hat of a shrieking lady, it
fled through a window.
    Several men rushed forward to help as
the unflappable minister observed the event with nary an “oh my.”
Sophia had a gloved hand to her mouth, doing her best not to laugh.
Eli looked aghast, and Capshaw pulled him away from the
cleanup.
    “ No matter, son,” he said,
keeping a firm grip on the boy’s shoulder. “Your place is here with
me. You’re my best man, remember?” Eli gulped and stood up
straighter.
    Capshaw really has a way with the
child, Concordia thought. She wondered if he and Sophia might adopt
him. That was a happy ending she’d dearly love to see.
    At last, the mess was cleaned up, the
vows were spoken, and the ceremony was over without further
incident.
    Concordia stood to Sophia’s left in
the receiving line as the happy couple greeted their
well-wishers.
    Soon David Bradley appeared at her
elbow, followed by several ladies Concordia recognized from the
settlement house. She made the required introductions.
    “ Are you acquainted with
Mr. Bradley? He’s a childhood friend of the bride, and godfather to
Sophia’s little sister.”
    The women nodded politely.
    David gave a courtly bow. “Have you
found a replacement for Sophia?”
    The ladies exchanged blank
looks.
    “ Now that she’s a married
woman,” David added.
    “ Oh, no, indeed, Mr.
Bradley,” one woman huffed. “Sophia is irreplaceable. We would be
lost without her.”
    David’s brow wrinkled in confusion.
“But she has other responsibilities now: a husband, a home to
run...later, a family.”
    Concordia plucked at the folds of her
gown to hide her irritation. Although she understood how
impractical it would be—absurd, even—for a married woman to have an
independent life outside of the home, it rankled that a lady would
be expected to abandon her former life like last year’s worn
jacket. Was any endeavor taken up during one’s single years simply
a way of marking time until a marriage proposal came
along?
    “ Miss Wells?”
    “ Hmm?”
    “ What is your opinion of
Sophia working once she’s married?” the head of the settlement
house, Martha Newcombe, demanded.
    David looked at her
expectantly.
    Drat.
    “ We-ell, I’d say it should
be decided between the couple,” Concordia said.
    David waited for more. Concordia
turned away slightly, giving her attention solely to Miss
Newcombe.
    “ We know she won’t be
living at the settlement house, naturally,” Miss Newcombe was
saying, “but Sophia has told me she intends to remain in charge of
the kindergarten program, make her usual rounds of the Colt factory
workers’ housing, and speak at the occasional