The Miller's Dance Read Online Free PDF Page B

light. The house was tomb-cold and still. She was there a few moments before him, and when sh e heard his footsteps very quietl y on the stairs her mouth went dry, something swelled in her body and her knees went weak as if she had already swallowed a love-potion prepared by a witch.
    His hand came cautiously round the door; he frowned at its sprained squeaking when he pushed it open; then his face lit up when he saw her standing there near the window in her muslin dress and heavy cloak.
    'Clowance! Dear love! There's a good girl! I was afeared ...'
    'What, that I would break my promise?'
    'No, but someone might have crossed your will to be here. I know it is not easy for you ...'
    He came towards her, but cautiously, not as he would have wanted to do, hungrily, encompassing her in his arms. Experience of her made nim calculating. She was like a bird, for all her sturdiness, easily put off, turned to flight. He put his hands experimentally on her shoulders, kissed each cheek and then her mouth, letting his lips linger but not insist. He withdrew before she did. He drew her to sit beside him on the bed, put his arm around her.
    'Are you cold, me love?'
    'Did anyone see you come?'
    'I've been waiting for this all week, counting the hours.'
    She said: 'It's good to be here.'
    They talked, while he stroked her face and hands, kissing her gently , smoothing her body under its heavy cloak like someone who had to be reassured and pacified.
    She said again: 'Did anyone see you come?'
    'Not a soul ... But I had just to get away from Jeremy. He wanted to talk . I had to hurry back to the Nan fans to take a wash and change me shirt before I came to see me dear love.'
    'It's always dangerous,' she said. 'Villages have eyes everywhere.'
    'Let 'em see what they want to see. ’
    'Stephen, I don't wish what we feel for each other soiled by ugly gossip.'
    'Then come into the open.'
    She was silent, and for a moment he pressed no more, sitting quietly beside her.
    He said: 'What's amiss with Jeremy? He's crossed over some girl, isn't he, too? He'll say nothing, but I know it's that way.'
    'Cuby Trevanion is her name,' said Clowance. 'Is she pretty?'
    'I've never seen her. He met her that time w hen he went with you to the Scill ies and brought your boat in near Mevagissey. When you went away for four or five months.'
    'I know all that.'
    ‘ Well, he was given shelter by the Trevanions and met this girl then. She helped him out of some difficulty. He won't say what.'
    'Maybe I can guess,' said Stephen sardonically. 'Yes, well He fell in love with her. I don't know if she loves him in return ...' 'Does she live at that great house? That castle place?' 'Yes. Caerhays, it's called.'
    'So ‘ twould be a good thing for Jeremy, eh? A fine match, eh? What's the let?'
    'Her brother—who's head of the family - does not th ink Jeremy is good enough.'
    'Holy Mary, so that's how the la nd lies! But I don't follow you! The Poldarks are gentry too! What's he looking for, a duke?'
    ‘I t is not so much a question of breeding as of money. For all their possessions, they are desperate hard up. They have overspent on the house and now need Miss Trevanion to marry a rich man.'
    Stephen kissed her, moving his lips about the corner of
her mouth, lifting her lip with his own. 'Well, dear God, I'm
sorry for him! But does not Miss Trevanion have some say
in the matter?'
    'So far as I can make out she conceives it her duty to do as her brother wishes.'
    'Then if she has no more will of her own than that I'd say Jeremy is well out of it!'
    'A feeling of family duty takes people various ways.'
    It was a significant comment. After a moment he said: 'Maybe him and me are in the same boat.'
    'Do vou think so?'
    'Well, both deep in love with a girl whose family don't think we're good enough for them.'
    'My family don't yet know.'
    'They must have a fair inkling.'
    'Yes,' Clowance agree d. 'They have a fair inkling.'
    'That's why they took you away twice - first to