Kristina felt a moment of panic seize her, as he put the letters into her open hand.
Seeing her expression he asked, "What's wrong?"
Krista not able to meet his eyes said while staring at the floor dejectedly, "I…. I can't read. I only know a little about numbers and simple calculations."
There was a silent moment, which Sebastian broke by taking the letters back. "A bit of a setback but nothing that can't be overcome my dear. Come with me."
He led her over to a window seat and gestured for her to sit down. He sat down beside her and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. "Since you don't know how to read I'll teach you."
He made a big symbol on the paper and pointed at it with the pen. "This is the letter A, as in alley cat. You say it."
"A."
"Very good." He made another symbol, "B".
Krista repeated the letters after him scarcely able to believe how her fortunes had changed for the better. She had always yearned for the ability to read, which was something slaves were rarely ever taught to do. She hung on every word of instruction from Sebastian, as if it was one more key to a puzzle that unlocked a golden prize.