The Spanish Marriage Read Online Free PDF Page B

that it is time you spent some time
elsewhere, for example, with Señorita de Silva, who has missed you greatly.”
    Thea dropped her head consciously; she had neglected Silvy
of late, and she knew it. All the same, he was her stranger.
    “No need for that Friday-face, child. I think Señor
Mathleen will prefer an adult’s silence to a child’s prattling for
a time.”
    Child. There was that word again. Thea burst out, “I didn’t
prattle at him! I only wanted to ask—Mother, it would be a perfect
solution when he’s well. Silvy wants to stay with you; she’s happy
here, but I haven’t a vocation, you know I don’t, and my
grandfather doesn’t want me. I’d die first, and I wouldn’t be
a danger to the House anymore, and....”
    The nuns regarded her with vague alarm. “Dorotea,”
Sister Juan said gently. “What is this solution?”
    “I only thought—Mother, please, when Sir Douglas
goes back to England I want to go with him. It isn’t that you have not
all been kind to me; I’m grateful, but this is not my place.” Thea
forced herself to slow down, adding, “You know it’s not.”
    Mother Beatriz sighed unhappily, her sandy brows drawn together
in a line across her round face. “I knew you were not happy here, hija. I had hoped that perhaps you would find a vocation, but I suppose that was
not to happen. As for your plan, you must not think of such a thing. Even if
such a man were willing to take you with him on so dangerous a journey!”
    “He has to. No, I don’t mean has to, but
I saved his life; even Sister Juan said so. Can’t I ask him to save mine,
at least?”
    In silence the nuns looked from Thea to each other and back
to Thea. When Matlin called for Mother Beatriz they all followed after her,
Thea at her heels and the others just behind.
    Matlin laid his head back against the pillow; he was pale
with the exertion of sitting up. “I thought you might as well ask the
source,” he said with grim politeness. “You saved my life, just as
you pointed out, Miss Cannowen. It seems only fair that I help you in my turn.
If it is possible, when the time comes I will be pleased to take you to England
with me.”

Chapter Three
    Thea did not see her patient for three days, days spent alternately
sewing in Silvy’s chamber or at prayers with the community. As she went
about the few chores allotted to her or poked moodily at her sewing, she was
aware of a weight of silent disapproval; indeed, sometimes not so silent.
    “I raised you better than this, niña! To say
nothing of the impropriety of such an undertaking, which is so much folly I cannot
believe you would think of it for a moment. To importune that man, to take
advantage of him! The whole thing is madness!”
    Mother Beatriz agreed with Silvy. “Insanity. Hija, you
have no idea what the dangers will be for Señor Mathleen on his way to England.
Better you stay safely here where....”
    “Where what?” Thea retorted at last, furious and
resentful. “Mother, kind as you have been to me, you cannot keep me here
forever. You know yourself what a sorry inmate I would make.”
    “In time,” the Superior started. Meeting Thea’s
obstinate look, she shook her head. “Perhaps you are right, child, but
surely it is early to think of leaving Spain. Can you not try your grandfather
again? Well, if you will not, child, I don’t know what else there is to
be done with you. Many women have found great peace and joy in the Church.”
To Thea’s irritable eye, Silvy was growing more saintly by the day. How
was it, Thea wondered, that no one could be persuaded that Matlin’s
arrival was a godsend, the answer to her dilemma.
    “Mother, I don’t think,” she began, then
tried another tactic. “Sir Douglas said he would take me with him. If he
does not object, I don’t see why you should.”
    “Will Sir Douglas see to your welfare for the rest of
your life?” Silvy asked tartly. “I have not met this man, who was
surely, if he has any