Julia and the Master of Morancourt
A Novel
Chapter One
The noise of the wheels of the old carriage rumbling along the uneven track almost drowned out the sound of the shoes tapping on the floor.
Almost, but not quite.
"Julia, why do you keep tapping your shoes?"
There was no answer. Her sister was intent on looking out of the window, at the rather grey day, at the bare green fields and the low stone walls that divided them into a green patchwork quilt. Beside her, on the worn leather seat, was the old tapestry bag containing their riding boots, waiting ready for the treat to come.
"Julia," persisted Sophie, "why are you tapping your shoes?"
Their father stirred from dozing on the seat opposite them and opened his eyes. "What did you say, Sophie?"
"Why is Julia tapping her feet, Papa?"
Lewis Maitland looked down at the worn old red shoes.
She had insisted on wearing them. Perhaps they were familiar, comforting, in a situation he knew that Julia would have preferred to avoid. Her face seemed paler than ... read full excerpt from: Julia and the Master of Morancourt ebook
