Ross Poldark Read Online Free PDF

Polly Choake, “do tell us thome of your experwiences, Captain Poldark, how we lost the war, what these Amewicans are like, and —”
    “Very like us, ma’am. That's why we lost it.” He had reached Elizabeth.
    “Well, Ross,” she said softly.
    His eyes feasted on her face. “This is most opportune. I couldn’t have wished it different.”
    “I could,” she said. “Oh, Ross, I could.”
    “And what are you going to do now, my lad?” asked Charles. “It's high time you settled down. Property don’t look after itself, and you can’t trust hirelings. Your father could have done with you this last year and more—”
    “I almost called to see you tonight,” Ross said to Elizabeth, “but left it for tomorrow. Self-restraint is rewarded.”
    “I must explain. I wrote you, but—”
    “Why,” said Aunt Agatha, “Lord damn me if it isn’t Ross! Come here, boy! I thought you was gone to make one of the blest above.”
    Reluctantly Ross walked down the table to greet his great-aunt. Elizabeth stayed where she was, holding the back of her chair so that her knuckles were whiter even than her face.
    Ross kissed Aunt Agatha's whiskery cheek. Into her ear he said: “I’m glad to see, Aunt, that you’re still one of the blest below.”
    She chuckled with delight, showing her pale brownish-pink gums. “Not so blest, maybe. But I wouldn’t want to be changing just yet.”
    The conversation became general, everyone questioning Ross as to when he had landed, what he had done and seen while away.
    “Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Chynoweth, “fetch me my wrap from upstairs, will you? I am a little chilly.”
    “Yes, Mother.” She turned and walked away, tall and virginal, groped with her hand for the oak banister.
    “That fellow Paynter is a rogue,” said Charles, wiping his hands down the sides of his breeches. “If I was you I should throw him out and get a reliable man.”
    Ross was watching Elizabeth going up the stairs. “He was my father's friend.”
    Charles shrugged in some annoyance. “You won’t find the house in a good state of repair.”
    “It wasn’t when I left.”
    “Well, it's worse now. I haven’t been over for some time. You know what your father used to say about coming in the other direction: ‘It is too far to walk and not far enough to ride.’”
    “Eat this, Ross,” said Verity, bringing a piled plate to him. “And sit here.”
    Ross thanked her and took the seat offered him between Aunt Agatha and Mr. Chynoweth. He would have preferred to be beside Elizabeth, but that would have to wait. He was surprised to find Elizabeth here. She and her mother and father had never once been to Nampara in the two years he had known her. Two or three times he glanced up as he ate to see if she was returning.
    Verity was helping Mrs. Tabb to carry out some of the used dishes; Francis stood plucking at his lip by the front door; the others were back in their chairs. A silence had fallen on the company.
    “It is no easy countryside to which you return,” said Mr. Chynoweth, pulling at his beard.
    “Discontent is rife. Taxes are high, wages have fallen. The country is exhausted from its many wars; and now the Whigs are in. I can think of no worse a prospect.”
    “Had the Whigs been in before,” said Dr. Choake, refusing to be tactful, “none of this need have happened.”
    Ross looked across at Francis. “I’ve interrupted a party. Is it in celebration of the peace or in honour of the next war?”
    Thus he forced the explanation they had hesitated to give.
    “No,” said Francis. “I—er—The position is—”
    “We are celebrating something far different,” said Charles, motioning for his glass to be filled again. “Francis is to be married. That is what we’re celebrating.”
    “To be married,” said Ross, slicing his food. “Well, well; and who—”
    “To Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Chynoweth.
    There was silence.
    Ross put down his knife. “To—”
    “To my daughter.”
    “Can