A Split Worlds Omnibus by Emma Newman

Author:Emma Newman [Newman, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635765137
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2018-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

“Mrs Lucy Rhoeas-Papaver,” Morgan announced, and Cathy did all she could to make the smile fixed on her face look genuine. At least the new butler seemed nicer than the interim one.

“Catherine.” Lucy entered, dropped a reticule and a small package wrapped in brown paper and string on the nearest chair, and reached towards her with both hands.

Cathy stood reluctantly and accepted the kiss on her cheek. Lucy’s blonde hair was pinned up and she was wearing a green travelling dress with gold detailing that suited her fair skin. Lucy was so petite that Cathy felt Amazonian next to her.

“It’s so good to see you again,” Lucy said as Morgan brought in the tea.

“And you,” Cathy replied, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Since her return from Exilium everything seemed dulled. Even now, sitting down as Lucy retrieved her package and arranged her skirts, Cathy felt like she was watching everything through a pane of glass.

“Tom sends his love,” said Lucy with a smile.

“How is he?”

“Oh, fine. He’s a little worried about you, I guess.”

Lucy sought eye contact so Cathy busied herself with the tea to avoid it. “How’s Aquae Sulis?”

“Things are settling down again. The Master of Ceremonies hosted a soirée last night and he seemed very well.” She accepted her cup with thanks and handed over the package in exchange. “I brought you a gift. I almost bought an ornament, for house warming, but Tom advised me against it.”

Cathy let Lucy’s gabble wash over her as she untied the string and pulled off the brown paper. When a corner of the hardback cover was revealed her heart quickened, but when the title was exposed Cathy’s expectations collapsed. “Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management,” she said, barely able to keep the disappointment from her voice. “How…thoughtful.”

Lucy grinned. “Look on the title page. I wrote a little something there.”

Cathy struggled to contain a deep sigh as she opened the book. Lucy’s handwriting was extravagant in its loops and curls. “Sometimes the most remarkable things can be found in unexpected places” read the dedication. Cathy wanted to drop it on the sofa and go back to bed but then her eyes flicked up to the title printed above Lucy’s words. She untucked the front flap of the dust jacket and lifted it to reveal the true identity of the novel: To Kill a Mockingbird. It made her genuinely smile for what seemed like the first time in days.

“Have you read it?” Lucy asked.

“No.” Cathy folded the dust jacket back into place. “I fell for your trick.”

“I thought I should play it safe. I was at a dinner party a couple of weeks ago and these two women were talking about how the novel constitutes one of the greatest threats to the moral fabric of Aquae Sulis. Can you believe that?”

“Which novel?”

“Any of them. If they come to visit and poke around your bookshelves they won’t disapprove. Honestly, Cathy—may I call you Cathy?” She didn’t pause for an affirmative.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.