Song Of The Nightingale (DeWinter's Song 1) Read Online Free

nodding her head.
    “Rubbish,” Aunt Mary said, smiling down at her favorite niece. “Kassidy is on the threshold of becoming a lovely young lady. While she’s in my house, she will not sup with the children and be sent to bed at sundown.”
    Kassidy met Abigail’s eyes, and her sister smiled, enjoying Henry’s discomfort. Their brother would never dare to oppose Aunt Mary.
    The butler caught Kassidy’s attention when he entered the room and approached her uncle, handing him a letter. “I’m sorry, sir, but this was marked urgent.”
    George read the note. His eyes widened, and he glanced at his wife. “Let’s retire to the study,” he said.
    Everyone rose immediately and began to leave the room. George grasped his wife’s hand, detaining her. “Your aunt and I will join you in a moment.”
    Kassidy and Abigail sat down on the wide leather sofa, clutching each other’s hands. “I’ll bet Mother and Father were delayed,” Abigail said worriedly.
    “Most probably,” Henry grumbled. “I hope their delay isn’t a lengthy one. I tire of London.”
    When their aunt and uncle entered the study a short time later, it was apparent Aunt Mary had been crying.
    “Is the letter from Father and Mother, Uncle George?” Kassidy asked anxiously. “Will they be arriving later than we expected?”
    His eyes softened when he looked at her. “I’m afraid they won’t be arriving at all,” he said sadly. “You see, Kassidy, their ship went down at sea. It falls to me to tell you that there were no survivors.”
    Kassidy shook her head in disbelief. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she was sure she could not bear the grief.
    “No!” she cried, and Abigail reached out to comfort her. “It cannot be—not Father and Mother!”
    Aunt Mary came to the two girls, sliding her arms around them. “Oh, my dearest ones, what can we say?”
    Kassidy clutched Abigail to her, and they sobbed brokenheartedly.
    The day that had started out so hopeful had turned to tragedy. To Kassidy it seemed life was over. She would never see her beloved mother and father again. A feeling of unreality took hold of her.
    Abigail was crying uncontrollably. In that moment, Kassidy pushed her grief aside and became strong for Abigail. “There, there, dearest, we have each other, and we will get through this,” Kassidy assured her. “Cling to me and I’ll lend you my strength.”
    Henry came to his feet and said in a voice that broke: “Well, it seems I am head of the family now. I’ll try and carry on as Father would have expected.”
    Abigail and Kassidy exchanged hopeless glances. Knowing they were now under the guidance of a cold, unloving man made their grief tenfold.
    It was raining the day the coach left London. Kassidy was seated beside Abigail, clutching her hand. Henry and Patricia were across from them, while the children followed in the second coach with their nurse.
    Henry had indeed assumed his place as head of the family. He had inherited his father’s title of viscount and was taking his responsibilities seriously.
    Aunt Mary had beseeched him to allow Kassidy and Abigail to remain with her, but he had stubbornly refused, insisting that girls of their age needed a firm hand and someone to watch their every move.
    Abigail leaned her head on Kassidy’s shoulder and whispered, “I don’t know how I can bear the pain.”
    “You will always have me, Abigail. I will never leave you.”
    “I don’t think I would make it without you, Kassidy. I have come to depend on your courage.”
    Kassidy closed her eyes, feeling as if she had left childhood behind. Abigail was fragile, so she would have to be strong for them both.

 
    3
     
    Belgium—June 17, 1815

    Waterloo
     
    Night fell early as ominous storm clouds shrouded the sun. Flashes of light from the electrical storm cut through the inky blackness, illuminating the countryside, while thunder reverberated across the sky like the sound of cannon fire.
    Bone-weary and