Elizabeth Meyette Read Online Free

either side of the central entrance. Two enormous chimneys were stationed at either end of the hipped roof, and five double-hung windows ran along the second story on the front of the house.
    The gardens were also symmetrical with paths running throughout the sculptured shrubbery. On this spring morning, manicured flowerbeds contained multi-colored tulips bobbing in the breeze creating a wild kaleidoscope of color sweeping along the garden’s edge. Tucked in among the shrubs, irises, azaleas and Virginia bluebells turned their faces toward the sun. Dogwoods and cherry blossoms burst against the azure sky, the air redolent with the aroma of spring blossoms.
    The morning sun streamed across the veranda infusing everything with springtime radiance, and Emily basked in its warmth and her memories of Jonathon. She and Joanna were enjoying their customary morning tea, and as was often the case, a comfortable silence had fallen between them. Again Joanna found herself studying her sister-in-law, for the Emily who had left for a carriage ride with Andrew yesterday was not the Emily who had returned last evening. Her complexion was rosier, the crease between her eyebrows, erased. The curtain of anxiety that had enveloped her since their discovery that Jonathon lived had given way to a lightness of movement. At this moment, Emily was quietly humming a song, and her fingers tapped the arm of her chair. Sensing Joanna’s eyes upon her, Emily fell silent and looked up at her.
    “Emily, I am pleased to see you so full of spring fever this morning,” Joanna said, smiling.
    “It is a glorious day, is it not, Joanna?”
    “Indeed, and it certainly has brightened your mood. How wonderful to see your face looking so peaceful and to hear you softly humming a tune. Spring will bring out the best humor in people; do you not think so, Emily?” Joanna could not help encouraging Emily to share whatever she had discovered the day before. She was convinced it was news about her brother because of the transformation in Emily. And as difficult as Jonathon’s presumed death, and then the discovery that he was alive and had escaped, was for Emily, it was also very difficult for Joanna. She and Jonathon had always been very close even as children. Her grief had been deep and terrible as well, but she at least had David and little Will to comfort her. Yes, Emily’s grief was a dark abyss from which Joanna thought she might not return. She looked fondly at her sister-in-law and smiled.
    “I am content to see your happiness return,” she said giving up the attempt to pry.
    “Joanna — I,” Emily began. She longed to confide in her, to share her joy at seeing Jonathon, touching him, kissing him. Joanna had been her confidant many times, with Emily eventually even acknowledging that she and Jonathon were lovers after their first stay in the cabin. Joanna, so level-headed and compassionate, had always been supportive and never judged harshly. It was Joanna who had helped Emily when a British captain had attempted to rape her while his troops camped on Brentwood Plantation. Yes, she longed to share her secret, and Emily knew that Joanna would guard it as sacred. Joanna waited patiently for Emily to continue, for her inner struggle was evident on her face.
    “Joanna — I want to … ” Emily began but stopped speaking abruptly as Deidre stepped out onto the veranda.
    “What do you want to do, Emily, dear?” Deidre asked.
    “Uh … I want to take a stroll through the garden,” Emily replied, color rising to her cheeks. Deidre tilted her head watching her closely.
    “You seem to be encountering trouble making that decision. It is really not that difficult, Emily, just rise and walk,” Deidre laughed. “Or perhaps I interrupted a more meaningful conversation.”
    “Not at all, Deidre. We were just remarking on the beauty of the day and the lure of the gardens,” Joanna replied.
    “Of course. I am curious about Andrew’s visit, Emily. Did he