"The China Bride" - читать интересную книгу автора (Putney Mary Jo)Chapter 4 England December 1832 Troth awoke in a soft bed with lavender-scented linens. It was night, but flames crackled cozily in the fireplace to her right. She felt warm for the first time in what seemed like months. A quiet, familiar voice asked, "How are you feeling?" She turned her head to the left and saw the man whose appearance had caused her to faint when she arrived at Warfield Park. He nodded. "And you are Lady Maxwell, my brother's wife. Before we start talking seriously, do you need food or drink? Water?" She realized that she hadn't had anything since early that morning. "Water… would be nice." He poured a glass from a pitcher on the bedside table, then piled pillows behind her so she could sit up and drink. His hands were kind, but they were not Kyle's hands. She swallowed thirstily, emptying the glass. Her dizziness faded. "He didn't tell me that you and he were twins, Lord Grahame." "No wonder you were startled at the sight of me." Grahame seated himself again. "Identical twins learn early that people become so fascinated by the idea that there are two of us that they forget we are individuals. Easier not to mention being a twin unless there's a good reason." And there had really never been a reason for Kyle to mention the subject. At the end, everything had happened so quickly. She studied her host's face. It was a little thinner than Kyle's and his eyes were perhaps a deeper blue, but even so… "The resemblance is remarkable, Lord Grahame." He gave her a painfully familiar smile. "Since I am your brother-in-law, you must call me Dominic." "My name is Troth." She plucked restlessly at the coverlet, reluctant to tell him her news. "You accept without question that I am your brother's wife?" "You have his ring." His gaze went to her hand, where firelight picked out the Celtic knotwork. "And you look like someone he would marry. Where is he- delayed in London?" Troth realized that despite Dominic's casual attitude, he was tense with nerves. That was why he had sat with her until she awoke. Perhaps he sensed that something was wrong, but hoped she would say his twin was fine and would be along soon. Aching, she said, "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, my lord. Kyle died in China." Dominic froze, the color draining from his face. "No. He can't be dead." "I wish it weren't so." Her voice unsteady despite the months she'd lived with the knowledge, she described Kyle's death in short, flat sentences. When she was finished, Dominic buried his face in shaking hands. "I knew something was wrong," he whispered. " But I always thought that if he was dead, I would know it." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, so sorry. His last request was that I come to tell you what happened." He raised his head, expression haggard. "Forgive me. This must be even more difficult for you than for me." "I knew Kyle only a few weeks." Though those weeks had changed her forever. "You knew him your whole life." Dominic's mouth twisted. "I suppose there is no point in comparing pain." He got to his feet, his gaze blind. "If you need anything, just tug on the bellpull and someone will come." He started to say more, then shook his head. "For… forgive me." He left the room, moving as though he had been struck a mortal blow. Intuitively Troth knew he was going to his wife, the only one whose comfort might help after such catastrophic news. Duty discharged, she rolled over and buried herself in the pillows, surrendering to sobs she had suppressed for too long. |
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