The Ugly Sister Read Online Free PDF Page A

you. Nice as you are to look at. It is such a gallant day I thought I’d call. Know you if Miss Tamsin is in?’
    â€˜I’m …’ I said. ‘I’m not sure.’ Suddenly I saw a friendly familiar figure in the distance. ‘Fetch will know. Fetch!’
    I stared across at two barges dredging for sand in St Mawes harbour. In fact I knew where everyone was. Uncle Davey was in Plymouth. Aunt Anna was in bed. My mother was learning a new part. Thomasine was stitching a dress. Mary was with Aunt Anna, Desmond was riding with his tutor. (I should have been reading French.)
    Sally came up, and I asked her to acquaint my mother and sister that they had a visitor.
    As she walked away, he said: ‘Fetch … Do you have another maid called Carry?’
    His laughter was so infectious that I almost joined in. But his laughter went on too long.
    â€˜People make fun of my name too,’ he said. ‘Did you ever play “Is Mr Fox at home?”’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜One day I’ll show you, Miss Emmie. A pretty little game. “Where a Fox preaches, take care of the geese.” However, I’m sure you’re no goose, Emmie.’
    â€˜Emma!’
    â€˜Ask pardon. I’m sure my foolish jokes annoy you. Can see it by the rise and fall of your blouse. How long have you lived here?’
    â€˜All my life.’
    â€˜That’s not so very long, is it. Seventeen years?’
    â€˜A little less.’ I knew he was trying to flatter me.
    â€˜Indeed. Your other sister has recently married?’
    â€˜My cousin.’
    â€˜Who?’
    â€˜You must mean my cousin Anna Maria.’
    â€˜Ah. Well yes. I expect I do. She has married well, hasn’t she? A Carlyon of Tregrehan.’
    â€˜He has married well too!’
    â€˜No doubt, no doubt.’ He considered me. ‘The Admiral is well found. He seems to have houses everywhere … Ah, here comes Fetch and Carry. She looks not neither to the right nor to the left but proceeds apace towards us.’
    Sally Fetch came up. ‘Beg pardon, sur, but Miss Spry is from home. Mistress regrets that you will not be able to see her today.’
    â€˜Mistress being?’
    â€˜Please?’
    â€˜That is my mother,’ I said.
    â€˜Ah … Mistress Spry is at home. Fetch.’
    â€˜Sur?’
    â€˜Pray go in again and ask if Mr Fox may have the honour and pleasure of calling on Mistress Claudine Spry.’
V
    â€˜H OW DARE you not tell me he had called!’ Tamsin hissed at me.
    Tamsin was such a charming mild-mannered girl until something crossed her.
    â€˜Mama said you were out. I thought you might have gone out.’
    â€˜I was in my room ! As you must have known! All the time I was in my room stitching my ball gown!’
    â€˜But I don’t think Mama wished you to see him.’
    â€˜Of course she did not! Else she would have received him herself. That was outrageous, to refuse him admittance!’
    â€˜I do not know what the etiquette is when someone arrives by sea. I suppose one cannot apply the normal rules.’
    â€˜And how dare you,’ she said, beside herself with anger and frustration, ‘how dare you go out and sail with him!’
    â€˜He asked me! We just went out as far as Anthony’s Head.’
    â€˜I should think Mama was furious with you!’
    â€˜She said some unkind things.’
    â€˜I expect it has all gone to your head,’ Tamsin said. ‘I expect he was trying to revenge himself on the family. Which side of your face did you turn to him?’
    It had been an exciting sail. By now, of course, I could handle a boat as well as most but I was surprised and nervously startled when he said to me, ‘ Care to take the tiller?’
    â€˜Oh but …’
    â€˜No but …’
    As we changed places perilously in the rocking cutter he grasped my arm above the elbow and laughed, black hair blowing across his