Devil Water Read Online Free PDF Page B

more, she’s afraid.”
    “What of?” said Charles tossing his head. “All flowers fade, and as for swords, I expect to do some fighting in my time, ‘tis a gentleman’s calling. Can’t she do better than that? What about love?” He squeezed Meg’s waist.
    The woman understood him, and was annoyed by his tone. She spoke again, and the piper drew a quick breath. He stared at Meg, then turned to Charles. “The royal blood in thy veins is accursed. True love cannot flow in it. No sweetheart need hope for true love from thee.” He glanced again at Meg and shrugged. “Also Maria says that in thy palm she saw an axe -- a red axe.”
    Meg gasped and tugged at Charles’s arm. “Come awa’, sir. They’re out to frighten ye.”
    “Bah!” said Charles. “Not with that folderol!” though he had barely prevented himself from making the sign of the cross. He turned on his heel, the girl with him, and they mounted the mare.
    The Faws watched them go. After a few paces the piper squeezed the bellows with his elbow and a mournful wailing pierced the twilight. Meg shuddered. It was “The Lament for a Dying Chieftain” that the piper played; her heart was full of fear, and another feeling, which centered on the boy who rode in front of her. But she said nothing.
    Charles spurred the mare to a canter, and they soon left the heath and passed again through Pilgrim Street Gate, where they slowed down.
    “I dislike your Faws,” said Charles angrily. He had recovered from his momentary disquiet, and dismissed the crone’s vaporings. Yet the tender mood had vanished, and he saw no means of regaining it.
    Candles now gleamed in the city windows, the streets were dark. Meg would be in trouble if he did not get her home. For that matter, so would he. It was many miles back to Dilston, and long before this Sir Marmaduke would be pacing the courtyard, and Cousin Maud likely as not ringing the alarm bell and sending out grooms to find him. “I wish I was of age,” he said through his teeth, “and my own master.”
    He had not spoken to Meg, but she heard and laid her cheek quickly on his shoulder in sympathy. The little gesture touched him, who had never known simple affection, and he said “Meg, sweet, you’ll meet me again, won’t you? When can you be free?”
    She did not answer at once, and thought of all the reasons why she should not meet him again. When she spoke it felt to her as though someone else were speaking. “Sunday I might get out. Dick, Geordie, and wee Rob all go to their bed-fast mother at Shields. Nanny won’t question my leaving.”
    Charles gave a happy laugh and they made plans in whispers. When the Newcastle bells pealed for services she would come to the riverbank west of the Bensham staith. This would shorten his ride a trifle, and she would wait until he came. Rain or shine.
    When Charles put Meg down before the Wilson hovel, he took her chapped grimy little hand and gave it a fumbling kiss. Then he rode back to Dilston, his mind so full of Meg and the delightful though formless emotion she inspired that he was impervious to the exasperation of his guardians.
     
    “This sort of vagabonding simply will not do!” cried Sir Marmaduke, his periwig askew with indignation. “Where have you been, sir, since early morn? Answer me at once!”
    “Yes, where have you been, Charles?” echoed Cousin Maud. Her nose was red, her pale eyes even waterier than usual, for she had been much alarmed.
    “Oh, I rode into Newcastle,” said Charles airily. “Nothing to make such a pother about. You said it was a good thing for me to get to know the country up here, and I’m not the child you think me. I can take care of myself!”
    Sir Marmaduke continued to argue and threaten above a sense of growing helplessness. Short of locking Charles permanently in his room there seemed no way of making him promise to stay on the estate. Charles had changed of late. He was no longer a biddable lad, who only indulged in