Virginia Henley Read Online Free PDF Page A

upon the floor.
    Kitty put the book down and slipped into blessed sleep.
    The carriage arrived early and Kitty was vastly relieved that the squire had kept his word. After a tearful good-bye the carriage took them away from the dark little streets and out toward the country. In the daylight Kitty could see that the town sat in a bowl and if you lifted your eyes to the horizon, it was surrounded by green moors.
    “Oh, it’s a town in a bowl, Terrance. That’s why it’s called ‘Bolton’!”
    The O’Reillys lived at Hey House. The carriage turned up a long drive bordered by huge rhododendron bushes, which were a mass of red bloom. Terry was let off at the stables and Kitty was led to the servants’ entrance. The housekeeper looked her up and down and gave a loud sniff. “Irish Gypsy! I don’t know whatever the master is thinking of.”
    Kitty thought, I’ll have you eatin’ out of my hand before this day is out, missus. Then she curtsied to the housekeeper and said prettily, “Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I can see I shall be happy here, you have created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. No wonder the squire always speaks of you in such glowing terms when he comes to Ireland.”
    Mrs. Thomson showed a flicker of interest and Kitty pressed her advantage. “A treasure, that’s what he’s after calling you behind your back.”
    “Come and sit by the fire, child; have you no shoes?”
    “No, ma’am, but himself told me to put myself entirely into your capable hands and you would do me proud.”
    “Did he indeed?” she simpered. “Here, let’s have a cup of tea.”
    “Oh, thank you, ma’am. I can see by your face how kind you are. I can read your tea leaves for you when we are finished.”
    “Oh, how lovely, but don’t tell me if it’s anything bad!” “Oh, nothing bad is in store for you, ma’am, I can feel it in me bones.”
    The housekeeper wore no wedding ring, so Kitty gazed at the tea leaves at the bottom of her cup and said, “I can see a letter ‘T’ here.”
    “Why, that’s my name, Mrs. Thomson. How clever you are.”
    “I also see a man here who thinks of you constantly. He is waiting for an encouraging word from you.”
    Mrs. Thomson’s mind went rapidly over the servants and the deliverymen.
    “He is a man who is held in great esteem by everyone. He holds some position of authority such as doctor, or perhaps a man of the cloth.” She swiftly glanced at Mrs. Thomson and caught her with a blush upon her cheeks. Ah, not far off the mark, thought Kitty shrewdly.
    “We can’t sit here all day gossiping. Here is a clean uniform for you, it’s a little large, but what will hold more, will hold less. Now, you must keep all that hair covered up. Here’s a mobcap for you. Now I must see what I can do about shoes and stockings, and then I’ll find you something to keep you busy. I must admit I wasn’t looking forward to training a new maid, but I think you’ll do very nicely.”
    *   *   *
    At lunchtime Jonathan sat down with his two daughters.
    “Father, you look tired out,” exclaimed Julia.
    “No bloody wonder. I’ve crossed the Irish Sea twice this week. Do you realize how much it’s cost me to transport that lot to Lancashire?” he asked.
    “Father, it’s simply not done to discuss money all the time, especially to ladies, and especially at table,” she said repressively.
    Barbara watched with horror as her father’s face turned purple, and before he could say anything she begged, “Oh, please don’t fight!”
    “There now, you’ve upset your sister,” thundered O’Reilly. “Why can’t you be a gentle girl like Barbara?”
    Julia roiled her eyes to the ceiling in exasperation.
    “Where’s Patrick?” he demanded.
    “He’s over at the Falcon today; he left a message not to go running down there this afternoon. You’d do better to have a rest instead.”
    “Why is it everybody knows what’s best for me?” he thundered. “Barbara, sit up straight!