Read Online Silent Surrender by Abigail Barnette - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Abigail Barnette
Ads: Link
stubble on his scalp. “She seems…sad. Did something happen tonight?”
Without answering, Jude reached for a second glass and poured from the crystal decanter. He offered the port to Esau, who accepted it but still waited for his damned answer.
Jude would let him have it then, and they could both feel miserable. “She’s upset to be leaving. The other ladies were talking tonight, planning a trip to the seashore. She seemed upset to be left out.”
This worst part had been when he’d had to tell her what her companions spoke of, even though it hurt her. It was his duty, and grossly unfair should he neglect it. He had quickly signed his answer, hating the way the veil of realization had fallen over Honoria as she’d caught up with the conversation. She hadn’t looked sad—no, far worse. Something had hardened about her, she’d gone cold and lifeless as she played at amusement to be a part of them. She knew she would not participate in any trips to the shore. By then she would be long gone, packed off to the school. She would make friends there, of course, and likely have a happy life. It just hurt him to see her sadness at the life she was ending.
But how could Jude make that clear to Esau? Was the man even capable of understanding?
“Are her friends here, do they…” Esau motioned to his ear as he took the chair beside Jude’s.
“No,” Jude said, grateful that the man had abandoned his earlier question. “And it wouldn’t matter. There is a language barrier. I’ve tutored her with the signs developed in America. The signs here are quite different. It isn’t a universal way of communicating. She’s only just learning the British system.”
“Then why didn’t you teach her the way to speak here?” Esau frowned. “Seems like you could have taught her Chinese and it would have been more helpful.”
“When her father wrote to hire me, he didn’t know there was a difference. After I explained it to him, he continued to insist that I tutor her.” Sheepishly, for he hated to sound as though he were bragging, Jude admitted, “I’d come highly recommended by a member of Mr. Gallaudet’s staff whom Honoria’s father met in Brighton, and nothing but the best would do for his daughter.”
“You’re the best, then?” Esau’s observation sounded casual and honest, not a jibe. “Can’t you teach her the way to sign here?”
“I learned some of the local signs when I first arrived, but Honoria has surpassed me in her understanding. There is something about the language that I can’t grasp.” It was a shame, for it would have been quite helpful when seeking out resources in England. “And truth be told, the emphasis on the oral method of education is appalling. The French inspired Mr. Gallaudet’s system, and it seems far more useful in teaching.”
Esau took a sip from his glass and grimaced at the taste of the fortified wine. No doubt he was used to spirits far less sweet. “What happens when she goes to France, then? Will they understand her?”
“The language of American signing has more in common with the French way than with the British way. She’ll do fine there. I liken it to a British person coming to America and struggling with our idioms.” Jude poured himself another glass. He intended to be well and truly drunk when Esau took Honoria to bed tonight. “She’s a quick study with languages.”
“Are you going to stay with her, then, in France?” Esau’s eyes moved to Jude now, almost nervously.
What answer did he dread? Surely he had no interest in Honoria once their arrangement was ended. The very thought of it made Jude uncomfortable. Would Honoria succumb to some foolish notion of love now that she had given her virginity to this man? That would complicate things tremendously for everyone involved.
Jude answered cautiously. “No, there wouldn’t be a need for me there, and I don’t think Honoria would want it. It wouldn’t do to tag along as a
Without answering, Jude reached for a second glass and poured from the crystal decanter. He offered the port to Esau, who accepted it but still waited for his damned answer.
Jude would let him have it then, and they could both feel miserable. “She’s upset to be leaving. The other ladies were talking tonight, planning a trip to the seashore. She seemed upset to be left out.”
This worst part had been when he’d had to tell her what her companions spoke of, even though it hurt her. It was his duty, and grossly unfair should he neglect it. He had quickly signed his answer, hating the way the veil of realization had fallen over Honoria as she’d caught up with the conversation. She hadn’t looked sad—no, far worse. Something had hardened about her, she’d gone cold and lifeless as she played at amusement to be a part of them. She knew she would not participate in any trips to the shore. By then she would be long gone, packed off to the school. She would make friends there, of course, and likely have a happy life. It just hurt him to see her sadness at the life she was ending.
But how could Jude make that clear to Esau? Was the man even capable of understanding?
“Are her friends here, do they…” Esau motioned to his ear as he took the chair beside Jude’s.
“No,” Jude said, grateful that the man had abandoned his earlier question. “And it wouldn’t matter. There is a language barrier. I’ve tutored her with the signs developed in America. The signs here are quite different. It isn’t a universal way of communicating. She’s only just learning the British system.”
“Then why didn’t you teach her the way to speak here?” Esau frowned. “Seems like you could have taught her Chinese and it would have been more helpful.”
“When her father wrote to hire me, he didn’t know there was a difference. After I explained it to him, he continued to insist that I tutor her.” Sheepishly, for he hated to sound as though he were bragging, Jude admitted, “I’d come highly recommended by a member of Mr. Gallaudet’s staff whom Honoria’s father met in Brighton, and nothing but the best would do for his daughter.”
“You’re the best, then?” Esau’s observation sounded casual and honest, not a jibe. “Can’t you teach her the way to sign here?”
“I learned some of the local signs when I first arrived, but Honoria has surpassed me in her understanding. There is something about the language that I can’t grasp.” It was a shame, for it would have been quite helpful when seeking out resources in England. “And truth be told, the emphasis on the oral method of education is appalling. The French inspired Mr. Gallaudet’s system, and it seems far more useful in teaching.”
Esau took a sip from his glass and grimaced at the taste of the fortified wine. No doubt he was used to spirits far less sweet. “What happens when she goes to France, then? Will they understand her?”
“The language of American signing has more in common with the French way than with the British way. She’ll do fine there. I liken it to a British person coming to America and struggling with our idioms.” Jude poured himself another glass. He intended to be well and truly drunk when Esau took Honoria to bed tonight. “She’s a quick study with languages.”
“Are you going to stay with her, then, in France?” Esau’s eyes moved to Jude now, almost nervously.
What answer did he dread? Surely he had no interest in Honoria once their arrangement was ended. The very thought of it made Jude uncomfortable. Would Honoria succumb to some foolish notion of love now that she had given her virginity to this man? That would complicate things tremendously for everyone involved.
Jude answered cautiously. “No, there wouldn’t be a need for me there, and I don’t think Honoria would want it. It wouldn’t do to tag along as a
Similar Books
