So Near So Far Read Online Free PDF Page B

she retained, nevertheless, a certain quality of innocence. Forced to take over the chief role of technical adviser, Mather explained to Mr Ward that the crew’s energies should be directed, first of all, towards hoisting the cutter’s mainsail. He began to show how this would be done. Delancey, meanwhile, led Fiona aside and sat beside her on a bench in the wings. After a moment’s hesitation he asked her about her career since they had met.
    â€œYou are not of a Guernsey family, I should suppose?”
    â€Why, no. I came to the island with the theatre company, being treated almost as a daughter by Mr and Mrs Bernard. Then the theatre closed down there and I tried my fortunes in London.”
    â€œI’m afraid you will have had an uphill struggle?”
    â€œI have been luckier than many young players. I haven’t often gone hungry.”
    â€œYou have relatives perhaps, in London?”
    â€œNo, sir. None nearer than Scotland.”
    â€œDo please forgive my directness, Miss Sinclair, but do tell me this: Are your parents alive?”
    â€œNo, sir. I am illegitimate but have been told that my father, who never married and who died in battle, was commander of a private man-of-war. My mother was young when she came under his protection, and died when little older. I don’t remember her, but I have an aunt and uncle at Dumbarton. I have been brought up on the stage and have had no other education. Now you know my whole life history! One or two men have wanted to marry me but they lost interest when they learnt that I am not legitimate. A good riddance, too! If a man cares for me no more than that, he doesn’t care for me enough.”
    Delancey was captivated by Fiona and found himself wondering why. Her clothes had, and were meant to have a stunning effect—shirt and trousers were obviously her only garments—but she seemed almost unaware of her powerful attraction. Far from being bashful or self-conscious, she was too intent on the conversation to notice what her unbuttoned shirt was revealing.
    â€œTell me your name again,” she demanded.
    â€œRichard Delancey.”
    â€I should have remembered it from our first meeting.”
    â€œWhen I was the Poor Sailor!”
    â€œBut no longer poor. You have been promoted, you have fought gallantly, and you have made prize money!”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œI can see it in your face. I shouldn’t call you exactly handsome—”
    â€œYou are right there!”
    â€œâ€”But you look interesting. I can imagine men being afraid of you.”
    â€œMen, but not girls?”
    â€œOf course not. Any girl can do what she likes with you and would know it from the beginning. Do you think me pretty?”
    â€œYou are the most beautiful creature I ever set eyes on.”
    â€œBut quite penniless, almost nameless, and not a model of virtue. I am full of mischief. If we are to be friends, you must not claim afterwards that I did not warn you. I am no fine lady, no simpering miss, and no ornament to society. I am just a village girl, an orphan, and brought up on the stage.”
    â€œI have been warned and I still want you to think of me as a friend.”
    â€œIn that case we are friends. You may kiss my hand.”
    Delancey quickly availed himself of that privilege. Then he noticed that the rehearsal had come to a pause, with Mather talking quietly with Mr Ward on one side of the stage and the players chatting among themselves, some of them glancing with amusement at Delancey. Fiona had made another conquest! They must have been familiar with the routine and might even claim to know the lines. Fiona took all this in at a glance and her face lit up with a wicked idea.
    â€œAnd now you may kiss my feet!” Without a second’s hesitationDelancey knelt before her and deliberately kissed each foot in turn, noticing how dirty they were, as they would be, of course, from the dust of