The Girl in the Mask Read Online Free PDF Page B

tonight, two of ’em your father’s coachman and groom.’
    ‘Oh, that wouldn’t do at all. But as we already agreed, it’s a fine night, and starlight makes a grand setting for a meal. I’d be grateful for anything: a hunk of bread, an apple, whatever you can spare. You can add it to my father’s bill, naturally.’ I smiled at the thought of how furious my father would be when he saw how I’d tricked him. It would be worth any punishment, I thought recklessly.
    The servant lad disappeared into the inn, reappearing a few minutes later carrying a bundle wrapped in a clean napkin. ‘Here you are, Miss,’ he said handing it over. ‘This should keep the wolf from the door. And the landlady don’t know I took it, so no need to bother with the bill.’
    I took the bundle gratefully, sat down on a spare box and unwrapped the feast. There was a slice of fresh white bread, lavishly buttered, a thick slice of ham, a square of cheese, an apple and a generous selection of the sweetmeats that I’d not been allowed at supper.
    ‘This is wonderful! Thank you,’ I exclaimed, sinking my teeth eagerly into the bread. The servants watched me eat. ‘Does your father make a practice of starving you?’ asked one of the maids.
    ‘Well, he’s been away in Jamaica for four years,’ I said between mouthfuls. ‘So I’d almost forgotten it’s his favourite punishment. He’s been back less than a fortnight, and this is the third meal I’ve been deprived of.’
    ‘Who helped you out the other times?’ asked the second girl, a plump lass with red cheeks and bright eyes.
    ‘No one. I starved!’ I said with a sigh.
    ‘Oh! I couldn’t bear that,’ said the girl. ‘I love my food!’
    The others laughed and began teasing her a little. I listened to their banter, enjoying my late meal and gradually feeling the weakness fade. One by one, the servants were called back in to work, until only the young man who’d brought me the food was left. I ate everything in the napkin, shook the crumbs out, folded it carefully and returned it to him.
    ‘I’m more grateful than I can say,’ I said. ‘You deserve a handsome tip, and I’m very sorry I can’t give you one.’
    ‘Consider it a favour,’ he replied. ‘So where are you journeying to?’
    ‘We’re going to Bath,’ I told him. ‘ The Bath, I should say.’
    ‘You’ll be going to catch a fine husband then,’ he said with a mischievous grin.
    ‘Not if I can avoid it,’ I retorted. ‘I have no opinion of husbands!’
    The young man laughed out loud, and then broke off with a quick glance behind him to check his merriment hadn’t been overheard. ‘How’s that then?’ he asked.
    ‘Well, just imagine the type of man my father is likely to select for me! Older of course, sober, and strict enough that my father will consider him able to tame me … ’ I shuddered at the vision my words had conjured up.
    The young man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Then his smile faded. ‘My old man took my sister off to the Bath over a year ago. I’ve been thinking for some time I should go check on her, if only I could get the money together. See how she’s doing. He promised he had an opening for her in a respectable line of work, but I don’t trust the old rascal.’
    ‘You have father trouble too?’ I asked, raising a sympathetic eyebrow.
    ‘Of a different kind,’ he said.
    ‘Have you not had letters from her?’ I asked curiously.
    He shook his head. ‘I could read ’em, just about, but she can’t write,’ he explained.
    ‘I could look out for her, if you like?’ I offered. ‘I could write you a letter if I meet her, then you’d know she was safe.’
    ‘You’ll be consorting with the fine ladies and gents in the city, not working girls,’ he objected.
    ‘I shan’t care for that,’ I said swiftly. ‘I’ll ask for her if I get the chance, I promise you. It’s the least I can do. What’s her name? And your name too?’
    ‘I reckon you’ll not be