There was a note in her mother’s voice that told Thalia that she was already worried and a little nervous.
Just for a moment she thought of telling her the truth and asking her advice, but she saw how frail her mother looked and knew that any more anxiety, any more worry, might prove disastrous.
It was enough for her to lie awake night after night crying helplessly for her husband, without adding yet another problem to the ones they were already beset with.
Any further aggravation might be enough to prove fatal.
Thalia made up her mind.
“Actually, Mama, I have had a secret for a long time,” she said, “but now I am going to tell you what I have been keeping from you.”
“Keeping from me?” Lady Caversham repeated.
“I hope it will make you feel proud of me,” Thalia said. “I have written
