along with something else that Tamara could not quite put her finger on. Not at first. When she did at last identify the undercurrent in the woman's voice, she felt an immediate surge of sympathy for Julia Nichols.
Hopelessness, Tamara thought. She doesn't believe anyone can help her. We'll see about that.
Tamara took Farris's hand as he helped her out of the carriage, then stepped aside so that William could follow.
"Tamara Swift," she said, by way of introduction. "And this is my brother, William."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Nichols," William said as he took the woman's hand and kissed it. Mrs. Nichols seemed unsure how to respond to the chivalrous gesture. After a moment, she gave William a small curtsey.
Tamara rolled her eyes. Leave it to William to try and play squire to the local gentry.
