Pride of the Courtneys Read Online Free PDF

seemed peaceful and harmless enough so that I was surprised and almost disbelieving when Bassett said:
    â€˜I am afraid we are expecting trouble next winter.’ His eyes wrinkled against the sun as he scanned the village and fields beneath us in the valley.
    â€˜Trouble? What sort of trouble?’ I asked.
    Somehow, out here, just the two of us, I did not feel so afraid of him. My dislike of Bassett seemed to diminish in the warm sunlight.
    â€˜The old men of the village say there will be heavy snowfalls and a danger of the river flooding when it melts.’
    â€˜The poor villagers!’ I cried.
    Bassett glanced at me swiftly. I could not understand the fleeting expression of surprise and pleasure on his face. But it was gone in a moment as he said:
    â€˜Not that I believe in all this forecasting the weather, but these old men, living all their lives in the country, have an uncanny knack of being able to foretell such disasters. I’ve known it before.’
    Bassett paused as our horses forded a narrow stream. He guided my horse up the steep slope at the other side.
    â€˜Fifteen years ago, old Hawkins, he’s dead now, said there would be a drought. Most people in the village, the young men that is, laughed at him and took no heed. He came to the Hall one day and pleaded with my father to take all possible precautions against the drought, to store as much water as he could. My father, always ready to listen to advice, did what Hawkins said.’
    Bassett paused.
    â€˜What happened?’ I looked towards him impatiently.
    â€˜The drought came. The villagers lost their crops. The Courtneys did not. They made even more money to add to the ever-increasing pile.’
    â€˜You sound bitter. Don’t you like to be wealthy, Bassett?’
    â€˜It does not bring happiness, little Louella,’ Bassett said gently. ‘I would give all my Courtney wealth if I could be sure I would find happiness.’
    I was astonished that Bassett, a man who seemed above all emotion, should open his heart to me. He must, I thought, feel the atmosphere of tension at Courtney Hall as I do. I did not mention his own family, however. I thought it wiser not to do so.
    â€˜Uncle James and Aunt Virginia were always poor, but very happy.’
    The familiar lump rose to my throat as I thought of the happy days I had known with them, and the ache of loneliness swept over me.
    â€˜Uncle James was wise, he put happiness before wealth. My father was weak-willed. He would have been happy if …’
    But Bassett said no more, for at that moment, a carriage came into view on the road a short distance from us.
    â€˜Millicent Bassett,’ he murmured. ‘Wait here, Louella. I had better greet her.’
    And he cantered away to where the carriage was already slowing down.
    I was disappointed he had been interrupted. Perhaps what he had been going to say would have helped solve this mystery which seemed to surround the Courtneys and me.
    I watched as Bassett stopped before the carriage. The face of a young woman appeared at the window. Although I was too far away to see clearly, I had the impression that Millicent Bassett was far from plain, and was dressed grandly. I saw Bassett take the slim gloved hand through the window and caught the sound of gay, girlish laughter as Millicent greeted her cousin.
    Millicent looked up, and over the sunlit grass our eyes met. Bassett turned and beckoned me.
    With a sinking heart, I turned my horse towards them. I had not been mistaken. Millicent was very attractive and to me her appearance was far superior to my own.
    I smiled uncertainly as Millicent’s eyes took in every detail of my appearance. Immediately, I felt dishevelled. But Millicent’s voice belied her looks, it was the whining voice of a discontented, spoilt child.
    â€˜How do you do, Miss Lloyd? I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I believe the Courtneys have been kind enough to give you a