The English Witch Read Online Free PDF Page A

like her speaking voice—but Basil was too discomposed to fully appreciate it. Instead, he asked her, with some annoyance, what was so funny.
    "You say that as though you expected to be buried alive. How high-strung you are, Mr. Trevelyan. And I wonder that you hadn't thought of it before. Of course Papa would expect us to many, if he believes this folderol, which I rather doubt."
    "Well, then?"
    In answer she laughed again.
    Basil's survival instincts appeared to have deserted him as he contemplated a few responses that would make her stop laughing—and rather abruptly, at that. He was, in feet, about to take steps towards that end when she spoke in more serious tones.
    "Whatever Papa expects, I am not so hen-witted as to marry a perfect stranger simply to be rid of someone else."
    "I will not be a perfect stranger by the time we're in England," was the huffy retort.
    "Oh, so you mean to make me fall in love with you? That would be asking for trouble."
    "That is not at all what I meant, wicked girl."
    "Then what do you mean?"
    He collected himself. Something had gotten in the way of his intellect. Lust, probably. "I meant, my love, only that this is a risky enterprise. I must trust you absolutely to jilt me once we are back, for I cannot, as a gentleman, jilt you. If I do, I will be driven away in disgrace—" He was about to say "again," but thought better of it. "My family would never forgive me."
    "Yes, of course. There's an etiquette to these things." Her voice was a little tart, but recollecting that he was the only rescuer she had at the moment, she added hastily, "At any rate, I shall not lure you to the altar, Mr. Trevelyan. I solemnly promise to jilt you. In the meantime, if you don't want to give me the wrong idea, I suggest you save your 'my loves' for the appropriate audience."
    He took her reproof with more of his natural composure and obediently turned the topic. They settled between them the story that would be told to Sir Charles. Then Mr. Trevelyan's curiosity had to be satisfied.
    "How does it happen," he asked, "that we never met? Aunt Clem has godchildren over half of England, it seems, and I'm forever stumbling over them. Why, I'm sure she's brought out half a dozen goddaughters at least.''
    "Yes. She wished to oversee my comeout as well. She wanted me to stay with her, from time to time, long before that. But Papa refused. He—well, he said he didn't believe in that foolishness." She hesitated.
    "Foolishness? Oh. I see. Why put you on the Marriage Mart when he already had a husband for you?"
    "Well, that was part of it." She felt a tad uncomfortable discussing family affairs with a stranger, even if he was Aunt Clem's nephew.
    "And the other part?" he prodded.
    "Really, you're the most inquisitive gentleman, Mr. Trevelyan."
    "I want to know. I want to know what evil curse has kept us apart all these years."
    She turned to look at him again, and he smiled. What a lovely, lazy smile, she thought. It made one feel so peaceful and relaxed, even while one's instincts warned one otherwise.
    "No evil curse," she answered. "Only he hated Mama's friends, and has always believed London Society to be shallow, vain, stupid, and vicious. He did agree to a Season when I was eighteen, but until then, Mama lived in London, he was off travelling, and I stayed at our house in the country."
    "Ah, I see. He didn't want you to turn out like the rest of Society's debs, so he kept you hidden away from evil influence."
    She nodded.
    "And what did you do in your rustic haven?"
    "I read."
    "I see."
    Of course he didn't see. How could he? "My governess was rather a bluestocking," she explained. "Consequently, I do not handle my needle very well, and my watercolours are appalling, and—"
    "Good heavens! You aren't about to tell me you don't play the pianoforte?"
    This being uttered in horrified incredulity, she couldn't help but giggle, even as she admitted she could play no instrument—at least, not very