The Visitor Read Online Free PDF Page A

helplessly at her.
    Cassandra looked slightly amused as she asked, “Did you really think I didn’t know?”
    “That’s precisely what I thought,” Lizzy confessed. “I didn’t think anyone knew. Did Charlotte tell you?”
    “No, she didn’t need to.”
    “Why didn’t she need to?”
    “Because I could see it in your eyes every time Morland was near you.”
    Lizzy felt slightly defeated. “Well, you must be the only one. Evidently Morland couldn’t see a thing.”
    “Of course not.” Cassandra’s tone was matter-of-fact. “He’s a man.”
    Laughter bubbled unexpectedly out of Lizzy’s throat. Her sister’s tone and expression were so utterly amusing that she couldn’t help herself.
    “Oh, there’s Henry,” Cassandra announced amid her sister’s laughter and before slipping out of her chair and meeting him at the edge of the room. “Are you riding tomorrow morning, Henry?”
    “Yes,” he answered with a note of hesitation.
    “May I accompany you?”
    “Must you?” he asked, not bothering to hide his longsuffering sigh.
    “Yes, but only if you don’t hate it. If you only dislike it, I’ll come. If you hate it, I won’t.”
    Henry couldn’t stop the smile that tugged up one corner of his mouth. There were few people who affected his heart more than his sister Cassandra.
    Shorter than his other two sisters, she looked quite a ways up at him, her pansy-brown eyes smiling, warm, and expectant.
    “I don’t hate it,” he was forced to admit.
    Cassandra’s smile went into full bloom.
    “What time shall I be ready?”
    “Eight o’clock.”
    That matter settled, Cassandra declared that she had something in her room for both of them and sailed away to get it. Henry looked to Lizzy.
    “Isn’t it lovely that she’s home?” his sister asked.
    Henry couldn’t stop the smile that stretched his mouth, as he admitted, “Indeed it is, Lizzy.”

     
    Brown Manor
    “Oh, Lizzy,” Anne said the moment that woman appeared in the doorway to her bedroom. “I’m so glad to see you.”
    “I came as soon as I got word.” Lizzy moved close to the bed and took the prone woman’s hand. “How are you?”
    “Tired, all of a sudden. I don’t know what went wrong, but I actually fainted, and now there’s been some spotting. Dr Smith wants me to stay put until the baby comes.”
    “It’s sounds as though it’s for the best.”
    “I’m sure it is, but there was so much I wanted to get done.”
    Lizzy laughed a little.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “We are—women in general. We’re so busy planning, and usually with the best of intentions, but sometimes I think we get in God’s way.”
    Anne laughed too.
    “I’m not going to stay long and tire you out,” Lizzy continued, “but Cassandra and I are going into town tomorrow. What can we bring you?”
    “Cassandra’s home?”
    “Yes. She sends her love. Now, you’d best give me that list before someone comes along and shoos me out.”
    “You’re right! Let me think a moment,” Anne said, glad of the offer.
    Lizzy remained quiet until Anne began a list. Taking mental notes, Mrs Weston’s visitor waited only until she was done to give her a hug and then straighten to full height.
    “If you think of anything more, just send word. We’re not going before ten, and we shall simply stop on our way home. How does that sound?”
    “Wonderful.”
    “Wonderful?” Weston asked as he entered the room. “You must be speaking of me.”
    Both women laughed. Weston checked on his wife and then offered to see Lizzy out.
    Once on the drive, Lizzy asked directly, “Has she been told everything, Weston? Or is it graver than you’ve let on?”
    “No,” Weston shook his head firmly, “Dr Smith thinks she’s overdone. If she stays quiet, there is no reason why she shouldn’t deliver safely.”
    “Thank you for telling me. Anne’s given me a list for town in the morning, so I’ll be stopping again tomorrow when I’m finished.”
    “Thank you,