Read Online A Secret Passion by Sophia Nash - Free Book Online Page B

chapter of the novel we started during our last outing.” The dowager countess lowered her eyes in a pitiful expression.
    Graystock appeared exasperated. “Really, Grandmamma, you cannot impose upon Mrs. Lovering again.”
    The lady insisted, “No, it is not an inconvenience. I should be delighted above all things to give you this small pleasure. And I, too, delight in the works of Burney.” She rose to her feet and set her cup and saucer on the tea tray.
    The earl looked at Thomas and indicated to him with a nod toward Clarissa that decorum necessitated someone escorting her to her cottage. Thomas ignored the suggestion and turned to offer his arm to the dowager countess.
    “Miss Fairchild, please allow me to escort you to your door,” offered the earl.
    “Oh, goodness, my lord, no, thank you. It is entirely unnecessary,” responded Clarissa with a slight blush. As she placed her hand on the earl’s sleeve to be led to the main hallway, Thomas watched her but refused to bid her good day.
     

     
    The dowager countess’ old, faded eyes fluttered open as Jane closed the volume.
    “That was lovely, my dear. Thank you so much for reading to me. Your voice is excellent, and you read with such animation.”
    “You are too kind,” Jane responded.
    “It has been many years—too many years—since I have had female company in residence with me.” With a sigh, she continued, “But it is a fate I am resigned to.”
    Jane wondered if the dowager countess was trying to draw her into a conversation or if she should refrain from making a comment. After an uncomfortable silence of a few moments, Jane asked, “But the young countess provided you with companionship for at least a short while during the last decade, did she not?”
    “Good heavens, no, my dear. She was a mere child, all giggles and bounces, and altogether afraid of me. Her greatest pleasure was evening soirees and balls before she married.”
    “But who can blame her? I assure you I was the same at her age,” Jane said with a smile.
    “Yes, well, she was very young,” she agreed. Then the dowager countess looked out toward the darkening light of the window. Jane thought she heard the older woman mutter, “But she was never capable of bringing happiness to Hesperides.” Then louder, “But I shall not speak ill of the dead, as I must face Mr. Gurcher on Sunday. Surely God will punish me by forcing me to endure tea with Mrs. Gurcher again.” With a twinkle in her eye, she looked at Jane. “But then, you will save me by proposing a walk to your aunt’s cottage to admire the garden, will you not?”
    Jane smiled. “If it would please you. We would be delighted by a visit.”
    “Yes, and it will infuriate Mrs. Gurcher,” noted the dowager countess without any remorse. “Help me arrange these pillows, my dear, will you? I will take my afternoon lie-down now, I think.”
    Jane hastened to her side and helped the elderly lady retire before moving to the adjacent sitting room. She walked to the window before departing. A light spring rain tapped against the windowpane as she closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the cool glass.
    She still did not know what to make of the conversation. It seemed to be in conflict with what her aunt had intimated about the earl’s marriage. Jane wondered why the young countess had not brought happiness to the Hall while she was alive, but then decided it was likely the grandmother had not known the true feelings between the young couple. She shook her head. Jane had enough worries of her own to sort out. The trials of the earldom were not her affair.
    She closed the outer door to the dowager countess’ sitting room and bedchamber. With the approaching dusk, long shadows filled the carpeted hallway. Leaning against the paneled wall opposite her, a tall, broad-backed figure stood with crossed ankles. His silver eyes stared at her from a brooding face before he said something incomprehensible to her. With two long