Blind Aphrodite by Renee Bernard

Author:Renee Bernard [Bernard, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Renee Bernard

The carriage ride to Sir Brewster’s townhouse was brief, and Claire did her best to focus on thoughts of her brother and his recovery. Sounds of the port city through the carriage’s open windows made it easier to disregard the powerful male presence sitting across from her. Rutger had finished telling her about their lead, and Claire could do little to contain her nerves. If the informant was accurate then meeting a local dignitary like Basil Brewster sounded like something Edward would have done without fail. Edward was an idealist, but he had a streak of the practical as well. Many of his letters described local citizens and British expatriates he had met on his journeys. Why would he change his habits in Savannah? Claire didn’t realize she was fidgeting, until the carriage stopped and she noticed that she was still in agitated motion.

“Don’t worry, Miss Aylesbury.” His voice was soft and reassuring in the small space. “Just think of it as a simple social call to pay our respects. We’ll learn everything we need to, as soon as we’re meant to learn it.”

Claire gave him her bravest smile. “Of course.”

“Just follow my lead,” he dropped his voice conspiratorially, and Claire’s relaxed as the picture of what unlikely spies they would make sprang to life in her head.

Whatever lead Rutger had planned was overwhelmed at the unexpected greeting they received. Rutger had no sooner knocked on the entryway and asked if Sir Brewster were receiving callers, when a friendly storm seemed to sweep them into the house.

“What is it, Jonah?” Claire heard an archly British voice asking only to have the speaker decide he was too impatient to wait out his servant’s reply. “Never mind, as I am not home to—Heavens! It cannot be!”

“Sir Brewster?” Rutger was doing his best to try to regain control. “Pardon our unexpected call—”

“It’s Miss Aylesbury, or I am not Basil Brewster!” A now jovial, distinctly less arch voice came near, and Claire found her hands being taken for a very enthusiastic greeting and then pulled through the doorway. “You are the spitting image of your brother, bless you! Did Edward recommend you to call? What a pleasant surprise!”

Claire couldn’t help but smile at Brewster’s effusiveness, but also at the joy of hearing him mention Edward in the present tense. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to get a word in edgewise, and their host had yet to release her hands as he continued to pull her deeper into the house. Sir Basil Brewster was a short man and Claire had the impression of a round man as well, from the feel of his chubby fingers and his gait. His breath rattled a bit in his chest, and the smell of the paste in his hair combined with a hint of snuff rounded out Claire’s image of the man. She could hear and feel Rutger behind her, and wondered how he was reacting to the commotion.

“I am Miss Aylesbury and Edward is—“ she began to no avail.

“Edward is a naughty young Earl and a delightful young man,” Sir Brewster laughed.

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