Page 131 of Colour My World
Elizabeth covered her face and pressed her fingers into hereyes.
“Come, Miss Elizabeth. Let us take a turn about the room. It is refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude,” Miss de Bourgh said.
Elizabeth fell into step beside her, uncertain of the purpose. Miss de Bourgh led her to a pair of chairs placed at the far end, well removed from the others. She seated Elizabeth so her back faced the room.
“How long have you seen the clouds?”
* * *
Elizabeth’s pulse quickened. She glanced over her shoulder at Mary, who had resumed playing; Lady Catherine’s voice swelled, and her mother, bless her, seemed determined to keep their hostess occupied.
No one was listening. She turned back. “I do not—”
Anne’s brows lifted slightly. “Do not attempt deception, my dear. You flinched when my mother’s colours erupted.”
Elizabeth’s fingers tightened over her skirts.
Miss de Bourgh leant in. “How long?”
The room seemed to press in. She studied the woman before her, the same pale, unchanging green surrounding her, calm and impenetrable. Moss over ancient stone.
“Since I was fifteen.”
She nodded as if she had expected this. “I was eight.” Her fingers traced idle patterns over her skirts. “A fever. Scarlet fever. It nearly took me. And you?”
“A riding accident. I struck my head.”
“And your eyes?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Fascinating.”
“Did anything else change for you?”
Miss de Bourgh pressed her lips together. “Only my wish never to see another new cloud.”
She understands.“Is that what you named them?”
“What do you call them?”
“Aires.”
Anne repeated it in a French tone.“Air—ees.”She smiled archly. “I shall claim that for myself, if I may.”
Elizabeth shrugged.
Behind them, Lady Catherine’s voice increased.
Miss de Bourgh shut her eyes.
I am no longer alone.Elizabeth walked taller as a new thought struck her. “Do I have an aire?”
“Of course you do.” Miss de Bourgh squeezed her arm. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.
* * *
A footman stepped forward, offering a polished tray of short cigars and snifters of cognac gleamed atop it.
