The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne Read Online Free PDF Page B

most dreary of lives.”
    “I know some of these were given to you by your aunt. Will she not be angry when she learns that you sold them?”
    “I told her my plans, and she advised me on which items it would be best to consign. I hope that you can still get the two thousand that your father predicted.”
    “Since you allowed me to hold them back for the nextsale, I think we will. They would have been wasted yesterday, but will be one of the notable glories of the next auction and should bring that amount at least.”
    Cassandra appeared skeptical. “You are very sure that you are going to do another one, then? Even without Mr. Nightingale?”
    “Absolutely. Obediah has agreed to remain with Fairbourne’s. I will begin preparing the other items for display and also solicit more consignments. I will do everything I can not to disappoint you.”
    Emma spoke honestly, but the situation only reminded her of how much she had to do in the next few weeks. She needed to fatten the auction with more consignments, and find some rarities to pique the interest of the best people. She needed it all ready before the Season ended too, so society would still be in London when the auction was held.
    “Do you want to take these home with you, and keep them until we are closer to the sale?” Emma asked while she rolled up the cloths that protected each item.
    “It was hard enough bringing them today. I may lose my resolve if I must do so again.”
    “Then come with me. I will show you how they will be safe.”
    Carrying the little rolls in a box, Emma led the way upstairs to her father’s chambers. Her steps slowed as she drew near the door. She did not like being in Papa’s apartment now. Each brief visit sent grief slicing through her like a newly honed sword.
    As soon as she entered, she paused to collect herself.
    She had rarely seen her father in his bedchamber, but she had often visited him in this little anteroom. The wall of bookcases made it a tiny private library, and Papa often used the floor to spread out the large folios that held engraved reproductions of paintings.
    She had come upon him many times on his hands and knees, hovering over several books opened thus, flipping back and forth while he sought some tidbit of information on an artist whose works had been consigned. More oftenhe would be at the small writing table on the opposite wall from the bookcases, his feather pen scratching on correspondence to his collectors.
    It was in this small chamber that he had told her about Robert’s ship going down, and promised her that despite that tragedy, Robert would one day return.
    Softly and gently, Cassandra’s arms came around her, reminding her too much of her father’s embrace that day. Emma accepted the comfort but it made her more vulnerable to the memories, and for a while grief touched her deeply. Then she composed herself and carried the jewelry into the bedchamber.
    The bedchamber was paneled in an old-fashioned style, and there was a good reason why new tastes in decoration would never change that. Going to one of the panels, she found the hidden latch behind a molding, and swung the wood away to reveal a locked case set in the wall.
    The key hung on a long chain around her neck. She fished it out of her bodice, opened the case, and deposited the jewelry.
    “See, all hidden and locked away now.” She turned to Cassandra, and caught her friend studying her with speculative interest.
    “You display such strength and inspire such confidence that it is easy to ignore the daunting task you have set for yourself, Emma. It is good news that Obediah will still call the auctions, since you surely cannot. However, while Mr. Nightingale was not essential, your father’s passing made him more necessary than he was in the past.”
    “I think that you exaggerate his significance, much as he did.”
    “Emma, there were ladies who viewed the consignments only to have an excuse to view
him
, and to be flattered and