Read Online To Dream of Snow by Rosalind Laker - Free Book Online

friend’s arm. ‘Tell me he is here at last!’
    â€˜Yes, I’m sure this is Tom,’ Marguerite replied in the same constricted voice and she patted Sarah’s gripping hand reassuringly while her eyes remained unwaveringly focused.
    She had no doubt in her mind that this was truly Tom Warrington. He was just as tall and well built as Jan van Deventer, but in spite of his Russian furs there was an unmistakably English look about him. She had seen enough English travellers in Paris to recognize that totally confident, self-assured air natural to them as if they owned any place they entered or any street they trod, coming as they did from the richest and most stable nation in the world. Yet it was something else about Tom’s appearance that had strangled her voice in her throat and made her feel that when she stood up her legs might give way.
    â€˜Then go to him!’ Sarah was urging. ‘Why are you waiting?’
    Somehow Marguerite managed to rise to her feet and once more began making her way between the tables. Even from a distance she had seen an extraordinary resemblance to Jacques in the tilt of Tom’s head and well-moulded features. He was looking eagerly about the room and it was almost possible to believe he was looking for her. As she drew nearer she realized the likeness that had hit at her heart was not entirely illusory as she had expected it to be at close quarters, for his eyes were the same clear brown, his nose as straight and his mouth as sensual. As often happens when a stranger’s looks are similar to someone already known, the feeling remained with her that they were already long acquainted.
    â€˜Mr Warrington?’ she said, almost catching her breath when he turned a smile on her that made attractive and all too familiar indentations in his lean cheeks.
    â€˜Yes, mam’selle. I’m Thomas Warrington.’
    She heard herself answering him. ‘My name is Marguerite Laurent and your wife is seated on the far side of the room. First of all, I must explain that I’ve been her travelling companion for the latter part of the journey. Although Sarah was not involved, there was an accident with one of the horses and her maid, Blanche, was killed.’
    He was deeply shocked. ‘The poor woman! What a terrible tragedy!’ Anxiety rang in his voice. ‘But you are sure my wife was unharmed?’
    â€˜Yes, have no fear about that, but she is not well. She was taken ill at Frankfurt-on-Oder and had to stay there for three weeks before she was well enough to continue the journey. Unfortunately travelling has taken its toll on her strength and she has difficulty in walking. I just wanted to prepare you and to advise getting medical help for her without delay.’
    He frowned, deeply anxious. ‘I shall do that, of course.’
    â€˜Come this way.’
    She led him to Sarah, who was on her feet, joy radiating in her face at the sight of him, and her arms encircled his neck tightly as he kissed her. Immediately he asked her how she was feeling, showing his concern, and reassured her that there should be no more travelling until she had recovered.
    â€˜I have comfortable lodgings where you shall have every attention and only when you are well again shall we travel on to Moscow. You’ll like the house we have there, but in the meantime we shall manage very well.’
    â€˜But your work?’
    â€˜I had plenty of serfs to help me finish the planting of the winter garden for the Empress before I left Moscow to meet you here. Until the snow gets too deep there’ll be a grand show of tall and hardy foliage that will make a fine contrast of black and white for the Imperial lady to see from her window. But for now, until the spring thaw, it will be a matter of designing and estimating costs while I decide how many serfs I’ll need to carry out each project. It’s already kept me busy during my wait for you and I have much more