A soft ocean wind rushed in off the small harbor at the edge of town and tugged at the ladies' hats as they scurried along the busy street. Eudora lifted one hand to check that her own black velvet hat was still secure, then adjusted the short net veil that stopped just above her eyebrows. Her full gray skirt snapped around her ankles with each of her quick, long strides. A small beaded bag hung from her right wrist, and inside that bag lay the telegram she'd already read a dozen times at least. Thank heaven there was no telegraph office in Creekford, she thought. If there had been, Blake Wolcott would no doubt have known about the wire from Hannah even before she had. As it was, the message had arrived in Milltown, just an hour's carriage ride away, and had been delivered to Eudora's door early that morning. She'd had it with her, on her person, ever since. And still, she didn't feel safe. She sensed someone watching and wasn't the least bit surprised by the sensation. Of course Blake would have one of his minions keeping an eye on her.
