The Visitor Read Online Free PDF Page B

like her. I like her very much, and I think she’s just who I need right now.
    “You’re going to find me absurd, Cassandra, but I actually have a favor to ask of you.”
    “All right,” Cassandra said willingly, knowing that hearing her out wouldn’t mean she had to agree.
    “Could I possibly impose upon your time to explain in, say, an hour?”
    “That would be fine. Where would you like to meet?”
    “Gray’s?”
    “Gray’s it is. I shall be there.”
    Harriet smiled at both younger women, bid them good shopping, and moved on her way. Lizzy looked at her sister.
    “Cassie dear, I do believe I’ve been bored without you here and didn’t even know it.”
    This sent Cassandra into gales of laughter that she was forced to stifle or be guilty of making a scene in the store.
    Both women worked to control themselves and get back to the task at hand, Cassandra with a reminder to herself that she had to be at Gray’s in an hour.

     
    Brown Manor
    “Oh, it’s all so lovely,” Anne exclaimed as Lizzy and Cassandra held up each tiny item. The bed was strewn with small caps and buntings, blankets and soft fabric for nappies and bath times.
    “We got a bit of everything in all colors, even though we both think you’ll have a boy.”
    “Is this based on science, or are you prescient?” Anne wished to know.
    “Well, I hadn’t seen you yet, so I guess that makes me prescient,” Cassandra decided, but Lizzy had to admit to opinion only.
    “We can’t stay, Anne,” Lizzy told her after a very short time. “We would love to, but we mustn’t tax your strength at all.”
    “I understand. Judith was here this morning and said the same thing. Do tell me you’ll come back, however.”
    “We certainly will.”
    The Steele women did a swift cleanup job, embraced Anne before they exited, and met Weston in the hall.
    “I could tell she was pleased,” he said without hesitation. “Thank you so much.”
    “It’s our pleasure, Weston. Just send word if we can do anything else.”
    “We will probably be fine, but I won’t forget your offer.”
    Weston saw them down to their coach and waved as the horses pulled away. Lizzy turned to her sister the moment the coach was in motion and stared for several seconds.
    “Tell me again what Mrs Thorpe asked you to do.”
    Cassandra laughed and willingly obliged, causing Lizzy to shake her head in wonder all over again.

     
    Pembroke
    It couldn’t have been more perfect. Harriet had all she could do not to dance when she realized that Tate had gone back to sit in the library just before Cassandra arrived on Saturday afternoon.
    “Is this a good time?” Cassandra asked.
    “This is perfect. I’ll just bring you into the room and let you take it from there.”
    Cassandra smiled at the delight in the other woman’s eyes, trusting her to know what was best for her nephew.
    “Tate,” Harriet began as she stepped into the library, “you have a visitor.”
    “A visitor?” he asked quietly.
    “Yes.”
    Tate listened as his aunt walked from the room. The moment her footsteps died away, a woman’s husky voice spoke.
    “Hello, Mr Tate. I’m Cassandra. Your aunt asked me to come and read to you.”
    “Did she now?” he asked with a bit of humor in his voice, needing no time to catch on.
    “Yes. Is there something in particular you’d like me to read?”
    “Why, thank you for asking. Why don’t we start with this book right here?”
    “Very well.”
    Tate felt the book leave his hand, not entirely certain his aunt hadn’t tiptoed back to watch. If she had, she’d know soon enough that he was about to turn the joke back to her.
    It was with a great deal of admiration and some chagrin that he heard this Cassandra woman begin reading to him in perfectly accented French. Some of his thoughts must have shown on his face, as she stopped after just a few paragraphs.
    “Is this where you were in the story, Mr Tate? I found a slip of paper and assumed.”
    Willing to listen