“Perhaps I could make up a new one then, if you would like a story.” She offered and though her voice was light and encouraging, Luke could see the tension in her shoulders.
She seems afraid.That made no sense. What did she fear?
Lord Arthur held up the book again. “But I want to read this one. Please, you do the best voices when you tell stories. I bet you would do the voice of Guinevere amazingly!”
“Arthur, there you are.” Duchess Emberly appeared at the door, her face flushed and looking harried. “I told you that your aunt needs her rest. She needs to recover.”
“I only wanted her to read me a story.” Lord Arthur whined. “It is just a little reading.”
“I told you I would read to you.” Duchess Emberly murmured.
“But Aunty Emily does the best voices!” Lord Arthur insisted.
Luke glanced at Emily, whose smile seemed tighter than it had been. Her fist clenched and unclenched, and she was tapping her foot.She is nervous.
The Duchess sighed. “And Aunty Emily has had a fall, and needs to save her strength.”
“What if she sat down? That would not be so tiring!” Lord Arthur’s face lit up.
Luke glanced from the boy to his aunt, frowning slightly. Emily was wringing her hands and shaking her head.
She gave her nephew an apologetic look. “I am feeling a little tired, Arty.”
“But you said you would tell me a story a moment ago. Surely that is more tiring than reading?” Lord Arthur frowned
“I-” Emily began, her eyes widening but her sister interjected.
“Enough, Arthur. Your aunt is tired, maybe she will read to you another day.”
“Exactly. We can do it another day.” Emily nodded and smiled at her nephew. “But I think I need to sit down for now.”
Luke watched as she moved away, and saw her shoulders sag. Something began to tug at his mind.Why would you not clear your name?Her excuse had made sense. But it felt lacking.I hate reading.
“You see? Now, come with me and let us let Emily rest.” Duchess Emberly took her son’s hand in hers and pulled him from the room.
His voice trailed off as he disappeared down the hall with his mother. But his words had struck something in Luke. Suddenly pieces clicked into place in his mind.
I have never seen her read, not once.She had always elected to tell a made up story or to change the topic whenever such things came up. Or insist she was tired. Most everyone else had read a passage from a book.
“When was the last time you read to him?” Luke found himself asking as he moved towards her.
“Pardon?” Emily raised an eyebrow at him.
“He seems to think you make up stories, rather than read to him.” Luke gestured after the boy.
“I have a rather active imagination. I like to tell stories.” She shrugged. “What does it matter?”
“I suppose it does not. Only… Well, it seems a little curious.” Luke shrugged.
“Does it?” she replied, and Luke was certain he heard an edge of worry in her voice.
“And you do not read when we are all together in the parlour.” Luke pointed out, ignoring her question.
“I do not like reading in front of a crowd.” Emily made a dismissive gesture, but Luke could see the fear in her eyes. “I get terribly shy and nervous.”
“But you are happy enough to play music. Or at least you were before all this unpleasantness with the Marquess.” He pointed out. “I have heard your sisters praise your various performances.”
“Reading is different.” Emily replied.
