Pride of the Courtneys Read Online Free PDF Page B

home—for the moment.’
    I saw the look of veiled dislike in Millicent’s cold, blue eyes.
    She hates me, I thought, and we have only just met.
    Then my pride came to my rescue, and a spark of anger made me reply coldly.
    â€˜Yes, Miss Bassett. I shall never be able to repay them for their kindness. I trust you have had a good journey?’
    I saw the flash of anger in Millicent’s eyes. She had wanted me to cringe and stammer. I had won the first point in what was evidently going to be a battle.
    â€˜Thank you, Miss Lloyd, I have.’
    â€˜We must finish our ride, Louella. We’ll see you later, Millicent.’
    Millicent turned her eyes towards Bassett and a flirtatious smile lit her face.
    â€˜ Au revoir , Bassett,’ and playfully she kissed her hand to him.
    The carriage drew away and Bassett and I turned our horses towards the river bank again.
    But the afternoon was spoilt for me. I could not recapture the feeling of companionship with Bassett which I had felt growing between us before Millicent had arrived. It was as if the wall of misunderstanding was built up between us again.
    And I did not realise then that these few hours in Bassett’s company were to be the closest to happiness that I was to feel for several months.
    When we returned, we entered the house together. Lady Courtney met us and though no doubt she was displeased to see us together, she had more urgent matters on her mind.
    I left them and began to climb the stairs but I could not help overhearing their conversation.
    â€˜Mrs Smith has been to the Hall this afternoon. She is most distressed because you have dismissed her son from your employ. May I be permitted to ask why, Bassett?’
    â€˜Certainly, mother. The boy was found to be a petty thief. You know I cannot abide dishonesty in any form. And there’s an end to it.’
    â€˜But the boy is only fourteen and it was only a few eggs he took, Bassett. Mrs Smith begged for a second chance for him.’
    â€˜The younger he learns right from wrong the better. I shall not ruin his chances of employment elsewhere, but he is dismissed from Courtney estate.’
    And with that he left his mother.
    In those few moments, I discovered two things. Firstly, there was no mercy in Bassett Courtney. Secondly, there was thought for others in Lady Courtney—except for me.

Chapter Three
    The weeks passed at Courtney Hall, Millicent’s stay of three or four days lengthened into weeks and months. Lady Courtney had obviously found a staunch ally in Millicent in her dislike of me. They lost no opportunity of reminding me of my position, nor of trying to goad me into losing my temper.
    Being red-haired with a fiery temper, I found the natural retorts hard to restrain and often I went to bed at night, feeling physically and mentally exhausted with battling against my inner emotions, whilst trying to assume an uncaring expression.
    I avoided their company as much as possible, and when I was not with Georgiana, I preferred my own company to that of Lady Courtney or Millicent. I hardly saw Sir Hugh and Bassett was occupied a great deal with the running of the estate. His spare time was taken up by Millicent as often as she and Lady Courtney could contrive it. For it was not only Lady Courtney’s dearest wish that Bassett should marry Millicent, her brother’s daughter, but also the only thing for which Millicent lived and designed.
    Hence her prolonged stay at Courtney Hall. Bassett was not an easy prey and Millicent’s marriage contrivances would be long and arduous. I was amused by Millicent’s artless flirtations with Bassett.
    â€˜She positively throws herself at him,’ as Georgiana remarked to me in disgust. ‘I wonder he can stand it.’
    Georgiana had no affection for Millicent, for the latter was indulgent and pleasant towards her merely because she was Bassett’s sister and she knew that Bassett loved Georgiana dearly.