Darkest Longings [antikvár]

'Are you feeling nervous, chérieVClaudine's gaze moved slowly from the passing French countryside to rest upon her father. It was over an hour since they had boarded the train in Paris, but this was the first time either of them had spoken. As their eyes met, Claudine's full mouth curved into a secretive, almost self-mocking smile, and Beavis smiled too as he watched his extraordinary daughter sweep a hand through the tumbling raven hair that bounced unfashionably around her shoulders, and stretch out her long legs to setde them on the seat beside him.She didn't answer his question, but leaned her head back against the cushion and returned her attention to the passing fields.Yes, she was nervous. Who wouldn't be, in her shoes? But apart from the occasional tug she gave to the feather which curled over the brim of the hat lying in her lap, there was nothing in her manner to indicate either the unease or the excitement that randomly coasted between her heart and her stomach. She looked up ahead and saw the front of the train as it rounded a curve in the track, steam billowing from the funnel in a chain of ephemeral white clouds. Again she smiled, then looking back to her father, who was still watching her, she started to laugh.'Are you surprised that we've come this far?' she asked.'If I am, I shouldn't be.''Meaning?'He arched his brows comically and pulled at his moustache. 'You know perfecdy well what I mean.'