Read Online A Loving Family by Dilly Court - Free Book Online Page B

ceiling and a flitch of bacon hung above the fire in the cast-iron range. The scene was of homely disarray with discarded newspapers lying on the flagstone floor and articles of clothing flung over the backs of chairs. The remnants of a meal lay abandoned on the kitchen table and Stella noticed a cask of ale occupying one of the ladder-back chairs. Mr Hendy rose from his chair by the range. ‘This is a pleasant surprise. But you look chilled to the bone, Stella. Take off those wet things and come and sit by the fire.’ He gave a fat tortoiseshell cat a gentle nudge and it slid to the floor, swishing its tail in protest.
    The welcome she had received was more than she had expected and Stella found herself close to tears. She covered her embarrassment by taking off her wet and ruined straw bonnet and her equally soggy shawl. Robert took them from her together with her small portmanteau. ‘I’ll be amazed if you don’t go down with a chill, miss. Sit down and I’ll make a pot of tea.’
    â€˜Put some brandy in it, Bob,’ Mr Hendy said, eyeing Stella with a thoughtful frown. ‘Take a seat, my dear. Explanations can come later.’
    Stella allowed them to fuss over her and gradually the feeling came back to her fingers and toes. The tea, laced with brandy, had an instant effect and she felt more like herself. ‘You’re very kind. You must think it strange that I’ve turned up on your doorstep like this.’
    â€˜I’m sure there’s a very good reason,’ Mr Hendy said, taking a seat on one of the beechwood chairs at the table. ‘But you need not tell us if it makes you uncomfortable. Suffice to say you are most welcome here, Stella.’
    â€˜But I must explain, sir. I would not have imposed myself on you like this had it not been for circumstances beyond my control.’
    â€˜What happened? You can tell us.’ Robert glanced at his father who was shaking his head. ‘I’m sorry, Pa, but the question must be asked. Who would allow a young woman to roam the countryside alone in weather like this and so near to dusk? There must be a reason.’
    â€˜There is,’ Stella said hastily. ‘I had to leave my position at Portgone Place in a hurry, through no fault of my own other perhaps than an ill-judged loyalty to an old friend. I didn’t know where to turn and then I remembered your past kindness, Mr Hendy. I thought perhaps if you would allow me to stay in one of your outbuildings for the night, I would go on my way in the morning without being too much of a bother to you.’
    â€˜You will do no such thing,’ Mr Hendy said firmly. ‘You will be a most welcome guest in my house, and you may stay for as long as you like. I know your history, my dear, and I would not see you homeless and alone when we are more than happy to enjoy your company. Isn’t that so, Bob?’
    Robert nodded emphatically. ‘It will be a pleasure to have a guest in the house, but I am not very good when it comes to housekeeping and my brother is even worse. We have a woman who comes in from the village every day to look after us, but our housekeeper died last year and we miss her.’
    â€˜That isn’t Stella’s problem,’ Mr Hendy said, rising from his seat. ‘I’ll show you to your room, my dear. I suggest you change out of your wet clothes and then you might feel like coming downstairs to share our meal. Mrs Spriggs is a reasonable cook but she only knows how to make stew, so our diet is wholesome but monotonous.’
    â€˜I’ll take Stella upstairs, Pa.’ Robert picked up a lighted oil lamp and made a move towards the doorway. ‘I’ll show her where the clean linen is kept.’
    Stella was overwhelmed by their eagerness to make her feel at home and more than grateful. ‘I can make up a bed, Mr Robert.’
    â€˜I’m Bob to my friends, miss.’
    â€˜And I’m Stella.’ She