Read Online Evermore by C. J. Archer - Free Book Online Page A

heart smashed
against my ribs and my mouth suddenly went dry. I had imagined this
moment many times, and in my imagination I had been confident,
charming and certain of what I would say. Now I could barely find
my voice. "My name is Emily Chambers. I'm your daughter."
    He staggered. His jaw dropped open as if it
were on a loose hinge. "My...daughter?" He looked me up and down,
his mouth still open, his brow deeply furrowed. "Emily." Slowly,
slowly, his brow cleared, but his eyes clouded. "I have a daughter.
A child," he murmured. Then he shook his head and smiled
sheepishly. "Hardly a child. You must be seventeen?"
    I nodded. I didn't trust my voice, not yet.
My heart still beat furiously, but now that the first awkward
moment was over, my nerves calmed a little. He hadn't walked out
and hadn't denied that he was my father. And he'd smiled.
    "My sister has been a great comfort to me
since our mother died," Celia said. She took my hand and drew me
down so hard onto the sofa, I thought my shoulder would wrench out
of its socket. "I would have been all alone without her
companionship."
    His gaze settled on Celia and her grip
tightened on my hand. There was something between them. Something
unsettling. I had the very distinct feeling she didn't like
him.
    "Your mother?" He crossed his arms and
narrowed his eyes. I thought he was going to ask us not to mention
the woman he'd apparently loved enough to beget a child on, but he
did not. He grunted as if he'd come to a decision, then said, "May
I ask why you never told me about Emily?"
    Celia stiffened. "If we'd known where to send
letters, we would have. But you did not write to us when you
arrived in New South Wales as promised."
    Louis didn't deny it and my heart
constricted. So it was true. Part of me had hoped there'd been a
mistake, but it seemed Louis hadn't wanted to remain in touch once
he arrived in the colony of New South Wales, despite the assurances
he'd given Mama before he left.
    "You didn't mention her yesterday," Louis
said. "Or my sister. Does she live here? The old man is crazy. I
don't want her near him."
    "It's a little late to worry about your
family," Celia snapped.
    I squeezed her hand, but she snatched it away
and smoothed down her skirts.
    "I live here now," Cara said. "They've been
very good to me. I'm learning how to be a proper lady."
    Louis smiled, but it wasn't
gentle. There was something of a harsh sneer to it. "Celia would be
good at that. She knows all about being a proper lady."
    My sister stood abruptly. "I think you should
leave."
    "No!" I stood too, ready to run across the
room and block Louis' exit if necessary. "Wait. I have so many
questions." But where to start? I needed to say something before
Celia marched him out. "Why didn't you write?"
    Louis lifted his chin and his jaw went rigid.
"I meant to. But circumstances...I got into some difficulty in New
South Wales..." He regarded Celia from behind half-lowered lids. "I
don't wish to discuss it. Some things are best left forgotten."
    Celia made a miffed sound through her nose.
"We agree on that, at least." She strode to the door. "If you don't
mind, Mr. Moreau, we have a very busy day ahead of us."
    "But I haven't finished with him yet," I
said. "Mr. Moreau...Louis..."
    "Father?" He laughed nervously.
    "Father." A lump lodged in my throat. I'd
never called anyone that. It was so hard to believe that I'd
finally met him. And he was handsome and had kind eyes, like I'd
imagined. They were brown and large like mine. I could see why Mama
had fallen in love with him. Seventeen years ago he must have been
very young indeed, but I suspect he'd been mature for his age.
Someone with a father like François would have to grow up fast to
take care of himself.
    "Ask me anything," he said.
    "No," Celia snapped. "Emily, have you
forgotten what it is you need to do today?"
    "No, but—"
    "Perhaps another time, Emily," my father said
gently. "When we've all had a chance to calm down and think about
things." He