The Orient Express by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-27T05:00:00+00:00

Marshall felt the weight of Grace’s gaze as they walked down the corridor, and it was not altogether pleasant. She’d made her opinion of him quite clear and had nearly refused him the opportunity to apologize properly. If she hadn’t agreed to talk elsewhere, he would have attempted an apology at her door. He sensed, quite rightly, he was sure, that going to a more comfortable place, such as a quiet corner in one of the dining cars, would be far more likely to elicit forgiveness than a drafty corridor ever would. A place where they could be seen—but not necessarily overheard—would likely serve him well if she cared for things like the appearance of propriety.

Yet her silence didn’t bode well. He didn’t dare look back, not even to smile. He could hear her step behind him, along with the swishing of her skirts. He’d made a point of noticing what she wore this time. Today, her dress was dark blue. And her eyes were green, another detail he’d missed before. He’d have to look right at her longer to be able to describe her features in greater detail.

They reached a dining car—the very same in which he’d last seen Grace. There was the table they’d argued at. He stepped into the car, mostly so she wouldn’t be stuck in the space between them. As soon as they were both inside, he turned about.

“Let’s go to the next dining car. I’m sure it will be more to your liking.”

“This will be fine,” she said before he could move.

Her tone seemed to hold a meaning of its own, but maddeningly, he could not interpret it. She moved past him to the same table they’d sat at before and pulled out a chair for herself. Not the seat she’d had last time, but the one he’d sat in.

She clasped her hands atop the linen and looked up at him, noting that he hadn’t moved. “Are you joining me, or no?” This time her tone somehow sounded both challenging and playful at once, though he didn’t know how that was possible. Perhaps her ability to change her voice and blend multiple emotions meant she was an actress. Regardless, she seemed to be testing him, gauging his reaction to her taking his prior seat, and not allowing him to move this meeting to a more neutral location.

He had no intention of being cowed by her challenge. He’d say what he’d come to say. For goodness’ sake, he’d spent most of the day first trying to decide how best to apologize and then trying to find her. After so much effort, he would not surrender his cause so easily. Never taking his eyes from her face, he reached for the back of the chair opposite her, pulled it out, and took a seat.

“You look lovely today,” he said, entirely sincerely, though he wondered whether she’d believe him.

Was he properly playing her game of cat and mouse—or whatever she was up to? How, exactly, did one

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.