Sharon Sobel Read Online Free PDF Page A

throat and somewhat apologetically reminded them that their tea was rapidly cooling.
    “But I will come again soon,” Claire assured them. “And we shall gather around as we are today.”
    As Mrs. Maybelle led her charges to the parlour, Marissa helped Claire to her feet. “My dear, you can continue through the whole canon of Sir Walter’s works, if you do not mind ruining every gown you own.”
    As Claire patted down her dress, little clouds of dust rose up around her. “I am sure they just need to be aired and steamed to remove the wrinkles. And even if I ruin everything I own, I shall consider it a small sacrifice. I learn as much from the girls as they learn from me.”
    “The orphans own the greater advantage for they are lucky to have you. I hope they will not be inconsolable if you are absent for some time,” Marissa said, glancing at Mrs. Brooks.
    “I have no intention of leaving them,” Claire said emphatically, though her resolve faltered when she saw the knowing expression on their faces. She understood what they were about to ask of her, and the prospect was irresistible.
    “My dear Lady Glastonbury, I would never ask that you abandon your girls, who take such pleasure in your company. If they would have me, I would take it as an obligation and a privilege to visit them in your stead. But I have a proposal to make to you, one that might bring you some satisfaction, and the greatest joy to a certain young lady.”
    “Yes, I will, Mrs. Brooks,” Claire said. “Of course I will help your niece. If you will but allow me to finish my reading of
Rob Roy
, and promise me that you will continue my work here, I will be happy to meet Lady Camille. It cannot be a visit of long duration, you understand, for I will miss my girls very much, and they will miss me. But perhaps I can do some good.”
    Marissa and Adelaide Brooks stared at her with curiosity and even some suspicion.
    “How on earth did you know what we discussed while you were reading?” asked Marissa. “We heard your voice all the while.”
    “I did not hear your words, my dear, but I have been thinking of the same thing for the past few weeks,” Claire said. “It has not been for want of satisfaction here, but for the prospect of pleasures of a different sort. I believe I will enjoy a short respite from my life in London.”
    “It shall be very quiet at Brookside Cottage,” Mrs. Brooks pointed out. “Not at all the sort of thing to which you are accustomed in London. My nephew is in Portugal, and Camille is quite alone with the servants.”
    Claire hesitated for a moment, realizing that some small part of her fancy imagined getting acquainted with the reclusive Marquis Wentworth as she tutored his sister. But truly, all her thoughts should be for a young lady who was in need of her help.
    “All the better, Mrs. Brooks. For Lady Camille and I will have much to do, and do not need interference.” Claire considered her own words. “I hope the gentleman approves of my attendance on his sister?”
    Marissa and Mrs. Brooks laughed a bit too cheerfully, and Claire wished they would allow her to know the fine joke. But, of course, she realized it was not a joke at all.
    “He will not approve. He wishes to keep his sister as she is, under his sole protection. To reveal her injuries to the world would only make her the object of pity, he believes.”
    “It would not do much for his reputation, either,” Marissa said dryly.
    “His reputation is dark enough,” Mrs. Brooks said easily, quite as if it did not matter. “But I am sure you are right about that. In any case, he does not know what I am planning and by the time he returns from Portugal, Camille might already be in London, enjoying her season.”
    Claire’s enthusiasm dimmed and once again it was because Wentworth would not be at home. Her first hesitation had been because of her own curiosity about him. But now she realized how her interference would be considered most improper. “I