Read Online The Flight of Swallows by Audrey Howard - Free Book Online

perfect order just as his life was. His gardeners were busy in a shady border giving the soil a good dressing of something or other ready for planting stocks and asters, all very pleasing to the eye, but suddenly a small shape flew across his perfect lawn and began to frolic about Malachy’s legs. The man dropped his spade and looked about him furtively then picked up the puppy, for that was what it was and with a word to Denny, the second gardener, hurried across the lawn and disappeared round the corner of the house towards the stable yard.
    He could feel the explosive rage well up in him. He hated dogs, he didn’t know why, particularly puppies, nasty little yapping things and this one, presumably belonging to one of the outdoor servants, had been introduced into his household without his permission. He opened the window and shouted to the remaining gardener who had resumed his work, unaware that his master was watching him.
    ‘Hey, you there,’ Arthur Drummond called out, ‘come here at once.’
    Denny, looking thoroughly intimidated, ran across the lawn and stood at the window. ‘Yes, sir?’ he quavered.
    ‘That bloody dog. To whom does it belong? I want the person to come—’
    A voice from behind him made him swing round in amazement and at the sight of the battered face of the master’s daughter, the gardener’s heart missed a beat in sympathy. He had heard, in great detail and with considerable fury from Kizzie, about the state of Miss Charlotte’s face and who had caused it.
    ‘It is my dog, Father,’ Denny heard her say calmly.
    ‘Your dog?’ her father asked her menacingly. ‘And may I ask how you acquired it?’
    ‘It was given to me by Mr Armstrong, Father. The man you wish me to marry. He meant it for us all, Henry, William, John—’
    ‘Yes, Charlotte, I know the names of my sons. What I would like to know is when this . . . this creature came into your possession?’
    Denny stood indecisively by the open window, wondering what he was supposed to do but the master had moved away. Malachy was just rounding the corner after taking the escaped puppy back to the stable so with a wave of his hand and a mouthed word or two, Denny and the head gardener beat a hasty retreat.
    ‘We met Mr Armstrong while we were walking in the wood and he had his dogs with him. We . . . the boys and I were . . . well, the next time we saw him he brought one of the puppies for us. I saw no harm.’
    ‘You take a great deal upon yourself, Charlotte. You did not think to ask me?’
    ‘You would have said no, Father.’ Charlotte sighed for she knew whatever she said, or did, in any matter, it would be wrong.
    ‘Yes, I would and I think it is time you realised who is the master in this house in which there is no mistress, yet. So, let me say this to you. I will have my way on this marriage of yours, Charlotte. You will marry Brooke Armstrong at St Luke’s Church as soon as it can be arranged and that is an end to the matter.’
    ‘I don’t think so, Father. When the parson asks me if I do, or whatever the words are I shall just say “I don’t” and then—’
    ‘Madam, you cannot possibly imagine you can get the better of me. If you do not obey me in this it is not you who will suffer but your brothers. They are to go to a boarding school in Northumberland which you will appreciate is a great distance from here. I believe there is a sort of preparatory school that will take Robert.’
    ‘Oh please, Father, not Robbie . . . not Robbie . . . He is so young and will fret.’ She almost fell to her knees in entreaty.
    ‘He will be with his brothers. At least at the same school but in a different part, of course, and I’m sure—’
    ‘No, I beg of you. Can you not send him – them – somewhere nearer?’
    ‘They all need discipline, my dear, which it seems I am unable to give them, but, of course . . . well, there is another school I am considering somewhat nearer . . .’
    ‘Please,