Read Online Hester Waring's Marriage by Paula Marshall - Free Book Online

once, ‘you can’t attack him for no reason at all.’
    He smiled sweetly in Jack’s enraged face. ‘He’s just complimented you. What’s wrong with you, man?’
    There was a lot wrong with Jack, but one thing he knew.Somehow he would get even with that damned felon Dilhorne before he left this benighted hole to which he and the 73rd had been consigned.
    I’m happy down here, thought Tom, not so uncomfortable that I can’t sleep. Which he did, tired by the day’s exertions, his last memory, unaccountably, being of Hester Waring mocking him that morning, until, as dawn approached, Madame Phoebe arrived, stared at the recumbent bodies littering the floor, and took the trouble to prod Tom awake and push him to her room.
    â€˜Don’t try to tell me you were drunk, Tom Dilhorne, I know better.’
    Â 
    About the time that Tom was having his fun with Jack Cameron, Hester heard that Tom and Mary Mahoney had parted—and was childishly pleased at the news.
    Sydney thought that it was Tom who had thrown Mary out, particularly when she and Jem Wilkinson began to show signs of setting up in marriage. The breach was put down to Tom’s jealousy. No one knew the truth, nor that Tom had settled money on Mary.
    Now the monster knows what it’s like to suffer a bit, Hester’s Mentor said uncharitably. Having an unfaithful mistress will be a good lesson for him. Teach him he can’t have his own way all his life. She sang around the house that afternoon to Mrs Cooke’s surprise and pleasure.
    Mrs Cooke was, however, unpleasantly surprised to see that, despite her new salary, Hester’s living standards did not improve. She was not to know that Larkin, who had bought up all Fred’s remaining debts, had upped the rate of interest and consequently the quarterly amount to be paid, after he had heard the news of her appointment. Hester found that she was not much better off than before she had begun to teach at the school.
    But she liked her work there, though, and this, together with the good news about Tom Dilhorne and Mary Mahoney, put a slight spring in her step. She even accepted Mrs Cooke’s invitation to take tea with her and her neighbour, Mrs Smith, and Mrs Smith’s little daughter, Kate.
    Kate was a pretty child and she and Hester got on famously. After tea, Mrs Cooke, knowing this and wanting to have a good gossip with Mrs Smith about matters not fit for a single young woman’s ears, suggested to Hester that she take Kate into the backyard to show her the latest batch of newly hatched chicks.
    She and Mrs Smith had just settled down to a comfortable chat when there was a knock on the door. Mrs Cooke’s surprise on seeing who her visitor was could hardly have been greater.
    â€˜Why, Master Dilhorne, whatever can you want with me?’
    He was as spruce as usual, but had left his cane behind and was carrying a small parcel of books under his arm. His bow to her was as punctilious as though she were the Governor’s wife.
    â€˜Not with you, Mrs Cooke. I wonder if you would allow me to come in to speak to Miss Waring?’
    Mrs Cooke smoothed down her apron. Overwhelmed by his magnificence, she wished that she had put on her best black dress.
    â€˜Come in, come in,’ and she held her front door open.
    Tom entered her small parlour and bowed to a curtsying Mrs Smith, also dazzled by his sartorial splendours. Putting his parcel on the table, he looked around for Hester.
    â€˜Miss Waring is outside,’ said Mrs Cooke. ‘I’ll fetch her in for you.’
    â€˜No need,’ replied Tom, ‘I’ll speak to her there—no need to interrupt your tea party.’
    He walked through the lean-to kitchen and stopped at the door to the yard.
    Hester Waring was on her hands and knees on the hard ground among a brood of chickens. Sitting by her was a small girl and, while he watched, Hester carefully picked up one of the