_Suddenly by Candace Camp

_Suddenly by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp [Camp, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER THIRTEEN

REMEMBERING HER PROMISE to Simon, Charity managed to avoid Faraday Reed the next day. It seemed cruel, when he had never done anything but be pleasant and helpful to her, and she felt very guilty about it. But she would not go back on a promise to Simon.

Two days later, Venetia arrived at Aunt Ermintrude’s house at an unfashionably early hour and asked to see Charity.

Charity hurried downstairs and into the morning room, a more casual room where the ladies of the house often spent their time together when they did not have visitors. “Venetia! How pleasant to see you.”

Venetia’s smile was a trifle forced. “You are most kind to say so. I know it’s horribly early in the day, and I apologize. But I had to make sure I saw you before you left to make calls or had visitors. It’s important that I talk to you alone.”

“Is something wrong?” Charity looked at the other woman closely. Venetia was pale, and there was an odd look in her dark green eyes, so like Simon’s.

Venetia cast her an almost haunted look. “Yes, I—That is, no—Oh, I don’t know where to begin. Charity, can we talk undisturbed here?”

Charity blinked, surprised. This sounded serious indeed. Quickly she said, “I’m not sure. Mother or Aunt Ermintrude is apt to come in, particularly if they learn that you are here.” She thought for a moment. “Let’s go to the library. No one ever uses it, and it even has a lock on the door.”

Venetia’s grateful smile was more natural this time, though she continued to look pale and strained as Charity led her out of the morning room and down the hall to the library.

It was immediately apparent why no one made use of the room. The library was dark and gloomy, with meticulously arranged shelves of books and stiff, uncomfortable furniture. But Venetia seemed not to notice the surroundings. She sat down on the leather couch, then bounced back up and began to pace around the room, twisting her hands nervously. Charity, watching her, was more puzzled than ever by her behavior.

Charity turned the key in the lock with a decisive click and went to Venetia, saying, “What is it? You seem so…distracted.”

“I—This is not easy for me. I would not have come here, except—well, you see, Simon has done so much for me. I had to at least do this much for him. But it’s difficult. I knew the other day, when we saw him, that I should tell you, but it’s difficult. I am afraid you will hate me for it.”

Charity stared at her. “Venetia, what are you talking about? How could I hate you? You are a sweet, kind woman, and you’ve been a good friend to me.”

“Not good enough. At first, you see, I didn’t know that you knew Faraday Reed.”

“Mr. Reed!” Charity’s brows rose. This was the last thing she would have expected Venetia to start talking about. “Well, yes, we met him at Lady Rotterham’s ball.” She hesitated.



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