Read Online Divine by Nichole van - Free Book Online Page B

Knight was slowly eroding all his charm reserves.
    “As I have said, she is still in Liverpool, and we pray Dr. Carson will affect a miraculous cure—”
    “Enough.” Sebastian waived his hand dismissively. “We both know Miss Knight is not in Liverpool. I have made careful inquiries, and I see no evidence that she is currently seeking treatment there, despite your assertions. Again, Knight, please. Have faith in my honor and discretion. I want what is best for your sister just as much as you do. Why hide her from me? I will care for her, regardless of her circumstances.”
    Arthur’s face tightened, his eyes widening slightly. Something flickered across his face. Fear? Worry?
    Arthur stood and walked to the window, looking out onto the dripping terrace, hands clasped behind his back, struggling against some emotion. He ran a ragged hand over his face and his shoulders slumped, as if making a decision. Shaking his head, he turned back around.
    “Unfortunately, the situation is not so simple, Stratton. You are correct. My sister is not in Liverpool. To be perfectly honest, I do not know exactly where she is.”
    Sebastian raised a skeptical eyebrow.
    “You have . . . lost your sister?” His tone dripped disbelief and censure.
    “Well—I—uhm . . .” Arthur nodded his head, dejected. “Yes.”
    “You have lost her? Like a misplaced glove?”
    Arthur at least had the decency to blush.
    Sebastian was not done. “Pardon me, but in my experience, knowing the whereabouts of one’s sister seems like the foremost obligation of a brother. I, myself, have five older sisters and have yet to lose one of them.”
    Arthur could only sigh in weary agreement, hand waving helplessly as he sank back into a chair.
    “She was so ill, you see. She had taken a terrible chill and was at death’s door. She hadn’t long to live. So . . . James took her to receive some . . . special treatment that only he knew about. He just whisked her away and then he himself was . . . uh . . . killed. So you see, I have had a devil of a time trying to sort it all out.”
    Arthur Knight was a terrible liar. Of that fact, Sebastian was sure.
    His story was a honeycomb of unanswered questions. Only his concern for Georgiana rang true.
    “My condolences on your brother’s death, by the way. I only met him once or twice, but he seemed a most amiable gentleman. I know he and Miss Knight were close. His death must have been a shock to her.”
    “Yes, it was, I am sure.”
    Arthur shifted, uncomfortably.
    “By everyone’s account, Mr. James Knight was killed last fall, over ten months ago. Your sister has been . . . lost . . . all this time?”
    Arthur nodded, staring sightlessly at the floor.
    “Again, Knight, it seems excessively careless. One might misplace a boot or even a book, but an entire sister ? Some might call that downright criminal.”
    Arthur sighed and lifted his gaze to Sebastian’s. “Hopefully, you can see, Stratton, why I have been hesitant to bring it out into the open. It has been difficult.”
    Sebastian blinked. Difficult seemed a decided understatement.
    More like appalling. Horrifying.
    “When did you last hear from her?” Sebastian asked.
    Arthur’s shoulders slumped even more.
    “I haven’t,” he said glumly.
    “Not a word?”
    “Nothing. I haven’t a clue if she still breathes. She was . . . very ill last I saw her.” Arthur swallowed, shaking his head. “I . . . don’t know what to say. I would greatly welcome an alliance between our families. But Georgiana was at death’s door. I cannot lead you to hope that she will suddenly appear, recovered and whole. Very few escape the white death once it has such a hold.”
    Sebastian’s heart snagged, his breathing suddenly unbearably tight.
    He had known she was decidedly ill. All reports had been unanimous on that point. But, as he hadn’t heard anything definitive about her death, he had still held out hope.
    The word cut through him over and over.
    Hope.