Nicola Cornick Read Online Free PDF

was an extraordinarily long time before they heard the sound of the landlord’s reluctant footsteps and the drawing back of the squeaky bolt. There was a swift, decisive but indistinguishable altercation in the corridor, and suddenly the parlour door was thrown open and the room appeared to be full of people, all talking at once.
    The landlord was in full flow, involved in a heated exchange with a large and forceful lady. A portly, middle-aged gentleman was also present, talking and gesticulating wildly. Just as matters appeared to be getting out of hand, the lady made a dismissive gesture and accosted Alicia across the room.
    ‘So it was your carriage, Lady Carberry! I thought I recognised it, and obliged John to stop here to see if there was aught we could do to help!’ She was a plump, comfortable-looking woman of middling years and she shook the nerveless Miss Frensham by the hand with the warmth of an old friend, before turning back to Alicia with a quick look of concern.
    ‘My dears, are either of you hurt in any way? Lady Carberry, you are looking a trifle pale, if you will forgive me! Can we be of service to you?’ She cast an unfavourable look around the room. ‘Indeed, you cannot possibly stay here! John, tell them they must not stay!’
    ‘Indeed, my dear ma’am, you cannot stay here!’ her husband echoed obligingly.
    The landlord, who had at last lit the candles and started to make upthe fire, glared at them, but Mrs Henley ignored him with superb indifference. As the wife of the local squire she considered all village matters to be her business and made no secret of the fact that she thought the Crown and Anchor inn a disgrace in terms of hospitality. She repeated her offer of help energetically and it was a moment before Alicia could get a word in.
    ‘We are well enough, thank you, ma’am,’ Alicia replied, with a smile, when at last the flow of words had ceased. ‘Neither Miss Frensham nor I too much the worse for our accident, but I am afraid that she may have taken a chill.’
    Mrs Henley had just turned back to Miss Frensham with an exclamation of alarm and sympathy that had that lady shrinking back in her chair, when the parlour door opened again and James Mullineaux strode in. He seemed unperturbed to find the room so full of visitors and strolled forward with easy charm to make their acquaintance.
    After a swift glance at Alicia, who was standing stubbornly silent, Miss Frensham struggled to her feet and made the introductions in a failing voice.
    ‘Mrs Henley, this is the Marquis of Mullineaux, who was so good as to assist us after the accident.’ She ignored Alicia’s snort of disgust and ploughed on. ‘My lord, may I make you known to the Squire and Mrs Henley, who have stopped to offer us their help?’
    Mrs Henley’s shrewd brown eyes opened a little wider as she registered Mullineaux’s name, but she was too well-bred to show curiosity. She also noted that Alicia’s mouth was set in lines of obstinate dislike, and that, for his part, Mullineaux viewed her with no less antagonism. She became even more interested as Mullineaux launched into an easy explanation of the presence of so ill-assorted a group in such a small village on such a bad night. No inquisitive questions were required on her part whatsoever, for Mullineaux seemed determined to make the details of their unfortunate encounter crystal-clear in order to avoid the suspicion that he and Alicia had intended to meet.
    Alicia stood listening to his admirably factual explanation of their accident with growing irritation. He showed nothing but the most impersonal concern for Miss Frensham’s welfare and none whatsoever for her own. Mrs Henley missed none of the nuances, and, watching Alicia covertly, concluded that there was a very interesting by-play going on between the two of them.
    ‘And so, ma’am, sir, if you would be so good as to recommend a more reputable hostelry, I should have no further worries about thesafety