Sharon Sobel Read Online Free PDF Page B

missteps of others. “There is not so very much to see here, however. Certainly this is nothing to London.”
    Claire laughed, partially in relief. “I believe I have seen everything there is to see in London and have been quite bored of late. Brookside Cottage will be a welcome respite.”
    Camille smiled and turned her head in the direction of the young man and horse. She nodded, seeming to confirm something already decided, though her expression did not change. Claire studied her, even as she remembered she could do so at any time and not appear rude.
    Lady Camille’s eyes were heavy lidded, so it was nearly impossible to see their color. A thin scar was sketched across her forehead, over her brow, disappearing behind carefully styled hair; one had to look as carefully as Claire did now to see it. But for that, there seemed nothing in her outward appearance to suggest any other injuries. Camille was slight of build and as fair as her brother was dark. Her gown was of simple sprigged muslin, and if it was of slightly dated fashion, it surely was no more so than one was apt to see in the country. In fact, Claire thought it somewhat refreshing to envision a life in which one was not ever burdened by the necessity of ordering new gowns because dressmakers in Paris thought blue preferable to green this season.
    Behind her, Claire heard the sound of a retreating rider, and Camille’s eyes were once again upon her.
    “Please come in, so you can rest. The journey must have been a terrible burden,” said Camille.
    “It was not terrible at all, and certainly not a burden. In fact, I shall just need some minutes to freshen my face, and am looking forward to getting to know you. Ours is a most unlikely meeting, and you may decide that you do not want me here at all.”
    “Yes, that is possible,” Camille said softly, surprising Claire, who was only attempting to be gracious with her words, and did not consider leaving here so soon a real possibility. Surely she did not already offend? “But no one close to me seems particularly concerned with what I desire.”
    She turned to the door, gesturing for Claire to precede her, and the servants moved to make a clear path for them.
    “Then perhaps I shall be the first,” Claire said, sounding a good deal more optimistic than she felt.
    ***
    “I was eight when I lost my parents and my sight,” Camille explained some time later, when they were seated together in the parlour. The windows faced west, and the late afternoon sun made the room overly warm, but Camille held her face to the bright light, indifferent to any discomfort. Claire wondered if she was able to discern shadows and if the light intensified that experience.
    “It must have been a dreadful time for you,” Claire said softly.
    “I cannot imagine many things worse,” said Camille. “But you are a widow, and must have endured your own pain of loss.”
    “It was nothing to your loss, my lady. The late earl was happy to be rid of me, and surely imagined he was going to a better place. I am somewhat consoled he did not decide to take me with him,” Claire said.
    Camille smiled, and in that moment Claire decided they would get on very well.
    “You are quite right to feel that way. When I have been brought most low by my losses, I remember that I am alive, and have Maxwell. He is my brother, of course.”
    “Of course,” Claire murmured. “I also have a brother, though I have not seen him in some time.”
    “As I have not seen Maxwell.” Camille must have heard Claire’s barely audible gasp. “Please do not be overly sensitive to such words, Lady Claire, for I am too accustomed to it. Any resentment I might have felt slipped away year and years ago. And, in truth, I do know what Maxwell looks like, for he lets me touch his face and try to reach the top of his head when we are both standing. I believe he is very fine-looking, though he is quick to deny it.”
    Claire thought about touching Maxwell Brooks’s