The Orient Express by Elizabeth Johns EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Authors: Elizabeth Johns
- Language: English
- Genre: Regency Historical Romance
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
Terrified was not a sensation Kate was used to—yet here she stood,
alone on a train platform in Constantinople, trembling. It was not just from
the deep chill in the air on this late spring night. The conductor had whisked
her luggage away, and sounds of the engine coming to life, mixed with
whistles of steam, indicated leaving was not long in coming.
“All aboard for the eleven o’clock departure!” an official called in
English and French, his breath leaving a cloud of steam behind.
“I will write to you,” Kate told Diya, who nodded.
“Go, or you miss train,” Diya said, tears forming in her eyes.
Kate threw her arms around her old nurse in an unladylike, public
display of affection. “I love you, Diya.”
“And I love you, my Anjushri,” Diya said, using the name she had
called her charge from the cradle since she had been nanny, nurse, and
surrogate mother. “Come visit and bring me babies,” she added with a sly
smile before turning to leave.
Goodbye had become the common theme in the past month, and now
Kate watched her beloved ayah depart, her purple sari quickly fading from
view. She had released Diya from her duties—she was twenty years of age,
after all, and she no longer had need of a nurse. Diya had accompanied her
this far with some male servants, but she did not wish to go to England and
leave her own family . . . though she would never say as much. She would
have come if Kate had asked.
Feeling her chin quiver, Kate took a deep breath, reminding herself
that she was a grown woman. She had wanted some independence, but not
at the cost of everyone she loved.
Taking one final look at the Sirkeci Station behind her, the sandcoloured city around, the desert evening cool, she tried to gather her
courage. She had come this far already through a succession of boats, trains,
and carriages, and she was within a week of her destination.
“You always wanted to go back to England, Kate,” she reminded
herself as she heard a whistle blow and the chaos of impending departure
sounding all around her. At any other time she would have been delighted
for the adventure of riding the Orient Express across Europe.
It was different when she had no choice. Now she was finding it
impossible to step onto the train.
“Miss, the doors are about to close.” A man in a Wagon-Lits uniform
was trying to catch her attention.
She nodded to the man and allowed her feet to move forward, refusing
to consider why they should not. One step at a time, she climbed onto the
massive train. The doors closed behind her, a loud whistle sounded, and the
For More Read Download This Book
EPUB