The Girl in the Mask Read Online Free PDF Page A

my cousin had taught me, until I reached the summit. The wind was strong up here, but the rain had stopped, and the prospect across rolling green hills was magnificent. I sat on a tree stump and drank it in.
    I soon lost myself in my thoughts. They began with how much I missed my cousin Jack, and concluded with endless speculations over what our stay in the Bath would be like. I was furious with my father’s assertion of power over me and determined to fight back. I wasn’t going to make this easy for him.
    When I arrived back at the inn, windblown and out of breath, the landlady called to me. ‘Your father is concerned about your whereabouts, Miss,’ she said. ‘He’d ordered dinner half an hour since. I’m to show you straight in.’
    Cursing myself for staying away so long, I followed her into the private dining parlour. My father and aunt sat at a table laid with covered dishes. Both had dressed for dinner. My aunt looked very imposing in a fresh black mourning gown, and a black shawl, and my father had shed his riding clothes and travelling wig for a full-bottomed wig, an embroidered silk waistcoat and an expensive-looking brown velvet coat, great cuffs turned back to reveal ruffles of costly lace. I thought resentfully that he refused to spend money on essential repairs to his tenants’ houses, or to invest it in improving their farms, but did not appear to begrudge any expense on his own attire. I was scruffy by comparison, but it was too late to tidy myself. A servant moved forward to remove the covers as I approached the table.
    ‘Stand, please, Sophia,’ instructed my father. ‘Behind your chair.’
    He shook the lace back from his wrists, pulled his pocket-watch out of his waistcoat pocket and consulted it. ‘You have kept us waiting almost thirty minutes. It is an insult to the cook who prepared this meal and to your aunt and me.’
    ‘I’m so sorry, father,’ I said as humbly as I could manage. ‘I didn’t realize how late it was.’
    ‘You had no business leaving the inn at all, and will not do so again.’
    After that, my father didn’t speak to me again. The covers were removed and he and my aunt served themselves as I stood and watched. There was roast beef, gravy, a chicken fricassee, a selection of vegetables, a basket of freshly baked white bread and a dish of golden butter. A bottle of red wine stood on the table and the level sank swiftly. I could feel my mouth watering. I hoped I would soon be allowed to sit down and eat.
    I was disappointed. When the two of them had eaten their fill, the servant was ordered to clear the table. He removed the half-eaten dishes as I looked longingly at them. Once, as he passed me, he caught my eye and made a sympathetic grimace. He was a friendly-looking young man and he reminded me of Jack.
    Dessert was put on the table next. A curd pudding, a fruit jelly, and a dish of marzipan sweetmeats. My stomach gave a loud rumble. I could see from my father’s satisfied expression that he’d heard it. The servant removed my untouched plate and laid a dessert bowl and spoon in their place.
    ‘She won’t require those,’ said my father, waving them away. ‘A delicious meal. My compliments to the cook.’
    ‘Thank you, sir,’ said the servant, bowing slightly before he left the room. I stood and watched as my aunt ate a jelly and a great number of sweetmeats, and my father ate the entire pudding.
    My back was aching now. I cultivated a look and pose of indifference, even though I would be so hungry tonight I’d be unable to sleep. At last my aunt rose, and left my father to his brandy. I accompanied her back upstairs where she locked our door behind her and put the key under her pillow. ‘Your father’s orders,’ she explained, seeing me watching her.
    I walked to the window and looked down the sloping roof at the posting yard, now quiet for the night, the horses stabled and resting. ‘I’m so fortunate,’ I sighed.
    Aunt Amelia looked bewildered.