The Passionate Friends. Meg Alexander
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Название: The Passionate Friends
Автор: Meg Alexander
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
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Judith said nothing, though she felt relieved. The excuse to complete her shopping alone would get her out of the house, and away from the constant carping and criticism. She must take her maid, of course, but the girl was her only friend within the household, and she understood her quiet mistress well.
This fact had not escaped Mrs Averton’s notice. She had already spoken to the Reverend Truscott on the subject.
On the following day she confronted Judith.
“You are grown too familiar with that girl,” she said. “You had best make it clear that she should be looking for another position after you are married. Your husband will not care to find you being friendly with a servant.”
“I had hoped to take her with me. She is the daughter of my father’s housekeeper, and I’ve known her all my life.”
“Your father has been dead these many years. I should have dismissed her long ago.”
A lump came into Judith’s throat, but she did not argue further. Her husband-to-be might view the girl more kindly.
Mrs Aveton glanced through the window. “It may be coming on to rain,” she said. “I shall need the carriage myself this morning. You may walk to Bond Street. There is plenty of shelter on the way.”
Judith didn’t care if it poured. She could use a shower as an excuse to stay out for as long as possible. She left the house as quickly as possible, and walked along the street with Bessie beside her.
“Miss Judith, it’s spitting already. You’ll get drenched. Must you go out today?”
“I think so, Bessie. Have you got the list?”
“It’s in my pocket, miss, but it’s coming on heavier than ever. Won’t you step into this doorway?”
The wind was already sweeping the rain into their faces, and both girls ran for shelter. Half-blinded by the shower, Judith did not notice the hackney carriage until it stopped beside them. Then a strong hand gripped her elbow.
“Get in!” Dan said. “I want to talk to you.”
Chapter Two
Judith was too startled to do other than obey him. It was only when she was seated in a corner of the carriage that she realised the folly of her action.
She glanced up, a protest ready on her lips, but Dan was smiling at Bessie.
“I hope I see you well,” he said kindly. “It’s Bessie, isn’t it? Do you remember me?”
“You haven’t changed, Mr Dan. I’d know you anywhere.”
He grinned at that. “Once seen, never forgotten? It’s my carroty top that gives me away.”
“Dan, please! I’m sorry, but we have so much to do this morning. I am to go to Bond Street. Bessie has a list…” Judith felt that she was babbling inanities. What did her shopping matter?
“Then Bessie can do your shopping for you. Your credit is good, I take it? She may order your things to be delivered…”
“No, she can’t! I mean, that would not do at all. I am to choose…at least…” Her voice tailed away.
“Bessie, will you do this for us? I must speak to your mistress.”
“No, you must not! Bessie, I forbid you…”
Bessie took not the slightest notice of her pleas. She was beaming at Dan, who had always been a favourite with her.
“I’ll be happy to do it, Mr Dan.”
“Then we’ll pick you up on the corner of Piccadilly. Shall we say in two hours’ time?”
“Dan, I can’t! Please set us down. We shall be missed, and then there will be trouble.”
“Nonsense! Prudence informs me that shopping takes an age. Besides, I can’t wait outside your door indefinitely, hoping to catch you on your own.”
“We might have met again in Mount Street,” she protested.
Dan gave her a quizzical look. “Yesterday I had the impression that you didn’t plan to visit your friends for some little time.”
They had reached Bond Street, and he rapped on the roof of the carriage to stop the driver. Bessie sprang down, but when Judith tried to follow her he barred the way.
“Hear me out!” he begged. “It is little enough to ask of you.”
Sensing his determination, Judith sank back into the corner. She had no wish to create a scene in public, and if he followed them someone of her acquaintance might see them together, and draw the wrong conclusions.
“This is folly!” she told him quietly. “You should not have sought me out.”
“Folly?” Dan’s smile vanished. “What of your own? What do you know of the man you plan to marry?”
Judith turned her face away. “He has been kind to me, and he stands up to Mrs Aveton. In his presence she is not so cruel.”
“And that is enough for you? You have not asked yourself why they deal so well together? What a pair! The man is a monster, Judith! He is a charlatan…a womaniser—”
“Stop!” Judith’s nerves were at breaking point. “You must not…you have no right to say such things to me…”
“Long ago I thought I had a right to tell you all that was in my heart. That is past, I know. I can’t deny that our feelings for each other must have changed, but I may still stand your friend, I hope?”
“You have a strange way of showing it. Did Prudence and Elizabeth send you to me? I may tell you that I don’t care to have my affairs discussed behind my back.”
“No one sent me. I came of my own accord. They spoke of you, of course…”
“And obviously of Mr Truscott too. They are both prejudiced against him, but why, I can’t imagine.”
“Perhaps they see another side to his character. You meet him at his best, but how long will that last? If you become his wife you will be powerless against him.”
“Dan, you are making him out to be an ogre. Oh, I know you mean it for the best, and I am grateful…”
“I don’t want your gratitude,” he muttered. “Like all your friends, I wish only for your happiness.”
“Then believe me, you must say no more. You are but recently returned to England. How can you judge a man of whom you have no knowledge?”
“I trust Prudence, and Elizabeth too. They love you dearly, Judith. Would they stand in the way of your happiness? Both of them have hearts of gold. Neither would be СКАЧАТЬ