The Earl's Revenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

the world.
    “But is not someone else looking after you?”
    “I wanted to explore. I’ve never been anywhere new before. This is very exciting, and the sea is even more fascinating than I expected.”
    “But dangerous to the unwary,” warned Elaine. There was much of Bridgeport in the girl, especially this determination to do as she pleased. It was a trait that could lead to odious self-indulgence – witness the girl’s father.
    Lady Helen turned wide eyes to the cave. “Are lions or bears hiding in there?”
    “Why don’t you go see?” suggested Elaine. “I didn’t take the time to check today.”
    The child’s eyes grew rounder, but she straightened her shoulders and marched toward the cave. Elaine turned back to her sketchbook, rapidly penciling in the rest of the scene. Since the cave was a barren pocket barely ten feet in diameter, Helen must return very soon.
    “It is empty,” announced the girl, sounding disappointed. “And I cannot see the sea from inside.”
    “That is true,” agreed Elaine. “The cave faces the moor, unlike this lawn, which also overlooks the Bristol Channel.”
    “I shall ask Toby to set up a playroom inside.”
    “It is fairly protected from the weather since it faces east. And it offers has a lovely view,” agreed Elaine. “But it would be a good idea to wait until the next storm before deciding. The path can be treacherous, especially in wind and wet. You would not wish to injure yourself.”
    Helen thoughtfully looked around before nodding.
    “May I escort you back to the house?” asked Elaine lightly. “I have never seen it up close. No one has been inside for years except a few servants.”
    “All right. What were you doing up here?”
    “Drawing.”
    Helen stepped closer and looked at the page. “Why do you draw the sea as if looking out of the cave? That is not right.”
    “But I am not really drawing this scene,” explained Elaine. “I am drawing an idea that exists in my head and am only using this view as a guide.” She pointed to her sketch. “These rocks are a little like that point over there, but you can see that I’ve made them rougher and larger. Then there are the plants. This flowering shrub near the cave mouth is more typical of Kent than of Cornwall.”
    “I see!” exclaimed Helen. “It is a fantasy picture just like my storybooks.” She frowned. “This reminds me of one of my books.”
    “Which one?” asked Elaine idly.
    “Beauty and the Beast,” she replied instantly, and Elaine hid a smile. The content of the sketch was nothing like her illustrations for that work. Helen obviously had a sharp eye for style.
    The girl continued brightly. “That is my favorite story. Nana prefers others, but I make her read that one.”
    “Can you not read it for yourself?”
    “No. Nana says I ought to have a governess, but Papa has not yet sent one, and she is too afraid of his temper to ask.”
    “Has he a temper?” She had often suspected so, though she had never encountered it herself.
    “So Lily claims. She knew him when he lived at Westron with Mama. I heard her tell Jenny that he was right put out most of the time, snapping the heads off all and sundry. He finally stormed off to London and hasn’t been back since.”
    “You should not repeat servants’ gossip, Lady Helen,” admonished Elaine. “They often misunderstand their betters. But surely Nana has taught you your letters, even without a proper governess.”
    “It is not part of her duties,” said Helen sadly. “She is getting on in years, you know, and cannot do as much as she would like.”
    “How old are you?” asked Elaine, appalled at the words.
    “Six.”
    Odious man , fumed Elaine. The girl should have long since acquired a governess. It was unconscionable that so bright a lass could not yet read. “Perhaps if Nana cannot write him, she could ask the steward to do so,” she suggested. “Your father must have forgotten how old you are getting.” More likely,