Read Online His Black Wings by Astrid Yrigollen - Free Book Online
Authors: Astrid Yrigollen
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is the question, Claren. Here we are on a train, bound for the quaint countryside. No alarm has been raised, no Porter is valiantly trying to fight for your honor or to even help and cover your embarrassment, your lies. Thus, it shall remain so. At least, until we arrive at our destination.”
“Then what?” I questioned quietly.
I am resolved to die, but not without a fight. He knows this. That is why he will not attempt to take me here, on a train full of people.
My question hangs in the air between us, like a solid thing. He still has not answered, even as the whistle of the train shrieks into the wind, we race into a tunnel, blackness engulfing our private car.
Answers
The tunnel went dark and I prepared myself for an assault, one that did not come. Instead when the train emerged in to the light Mr. Brighton was no longer touching my knee but leaning back on his couch. His eyes were inquisitive yet his overall expression was slightly amused.
“First, do you know what I want Claren?” I was relieved he was no longer touching me. I shook my head.
“I want the truth from you. I need to know that you are an honest young woman. It’s important, no vital , that you be completely frank with me.” When I hesitated, he added with new warmth in his voice, “You can trust me. I do not want to harm you. I would never want to harm you and I don’t wish to see you in a bad situation. Trust me.” He looked into my eyes with a quiet determination, looking for answers that only I could give him. I decided to trust him with everything and if he turned his back on me, then I would handle it from there.
“I first want to apologize for deceiving you. As you have found out my name is not Lilly Cardindale, but Claren Maidstone. Both my parents are deceased. They died a few weeks before I came into your employ.”
He listened intently as I told him everything that had happened to me up until the time he hired me. I left nothing out. It seemed to be somewhat therapeutic for me to tell him about my parents, about the unwanted attention from Kurten and the attempted rape. I spoke in a low voice looking down at my hands that were now folded in my lap. I related how Naza had saved me from Kurten, but was injured herself by him. I told him how I fled that night with Naza and a small case of belongings. As always he studied me intently, his gaze attempting to penetrate my mind and private thoughts. When I was finished, he spoke to me in a soft tone.
“So this Kurten, he was the one that attacked you that night you were shopping?” I nodded.
“Now I will tell you what I know of you. I knew your aunt quite well and was very fond of her. She spoke of you often towards the end of her illness and felt badly about that young man Kurten being pushed on you by your parents.” I marveled that she had listened all that time I spoke to her. She always seemed so far away, only joining my monologues on occasion.
“So, you knew about Kurten then?” I asked.
“Yes. I knew his name only, not what he looked like. That day when I came upon you both, I heard you call out his name. You said, ‘Kurten stop!’ I stopped him from hurting you but I was confused. I thought that maybe you had let him know you were coming in to town. Thousands of different thoughts entered my head. Perhaps you were in love with him, perhaps there was more to the story that the Constables knew. I have been very confused this past week Claren.”
“No! I could never be in love with a beast like that. I was actually very upset when I realized that we were going in to St.Marhen. I was petrified that someone would recognize me.”
The train slowed as it prepared to enter a new city and take on more passengers. I looked out the window to see the happy looks on people waiting for their loved ones to step off the train.
“Claren, it was always my intention to help you if an opportunity presented itself.
“Then what?” I questioned quietly.
I am resolved to die, but not without a fight. He knows this. That is why he will not attempt to take me here, on a train full of people.
My question hangs in the air between us, like a solid thing. He still has not answered, even as the whistle of the train shrieks into the wind, we race into a tunnel, blackness engulfing our private car.
Answers
The tunnel went dark and I prepared myself for an assault, one that did not come. Instead when the train emerged in to the light Mr. Brighton was no longer touching my knee but leaning back on his couch. His eyes were inquisitive yet his overall expression was slightly amused.
“First, do you know what I want Claren?” I was relieved he was no longer touching me. I shook my head.
“I want the truth from you. I need to know that you are an honest young woman. It’s important, no vital , that you be completely frank with me.” When I hesitated, he added with new warmth in his voice, “You can trust me. I do not want to harm you. I would never want to harm you and I don’t wish to see you in a bad situation. Trust me.” He looked into my eyes with a quiet determination, looking for answers that only I could give him. I decided to trust him with everything and if he turned his back on me, then I would handle it from there.
“I first want to apologize for deceiving you. As you have found out my name is not Lilly Cardindale, but Claren Maidstone. Both my parents are deceased. They died a few weeks before I came into your employ.”
He listened intently as I told him everything that had happened to me up until the time he hired me. I left nothing out. It seemed to be somewhat therapeutic for me to tell him about my parents, about the unwanted attention from Kurten and the attempted rape. I spoke in a low voice looking down at my hands that were now folded in my lap. I related how Naza had saved me from Kurten, but was injured herself by him. I told him how I fled that night with Naza and a small case of belongings. As always he studied me intently, his gaze attempting to penetrate my mind and private thoughts. When I was finished, he spoke to me in a soft tone.
“So this Kurten, he was the one that attacked you that night you were shopping?” I nodded.
“Now I will tell you what I know of you. I knew your aunt quite well and was very fond of her. She spoke of you often towards the end of her illness and felt badly about that young man Kurten being pushed on you by your parents.” I marveled that she had listened all that time I spoke to her. She always seemed so far away, only joining my monologues on occasion.
“So, you knew about Kurten then?” I asked.
“Yes. I knew his name only, not what he looked like. That day when I came upon you both, I heard you call out his name. You said, ‘Kurten stop!’ I stopped him from hurting you but I was confused. I thought that maybe you had let him know you were coming in to town. Thousands of different thoughts entered my head. Perhaps you were in love with him, perhaps there was more to the story that the Constables knew. I have been very confused this past week Claren.”
“No! I could never be in love with a beast like that. I was actually very upset when I realized that we were going in to St.Marhen. I was petrified that someone would recognize me.”
The train slowed as it prepared to enter a new city and take on more passengers. I looked out the window to see the happy looks on people waiting for their loved ones to step off the train.
“Claren, it was always my intention to help you if an opportunity presented itself.
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