Read Online Journey's End (Marlbrook) by Bernadette Carroll - Free Book Online
Authors: Bernadette Carroll
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that particular campaign would bring.
Lord Henry mounted his horse, the beast exhibiting identical impatience to that of its master. His departure had taken place barely ten minutes before Sarah’s carriage passed through the Manor gates.
#
Sarah detested the place on sight. Laura was nowhere to be found . Her sister’s inconsideration replenish ed her irritation and signall ed the beginning of Sarah’s resentment . That feeling might have been sustained and plummeted Sarah into a bout of fury had the driver not volunteered his services. Pleased with his contribution, Sarah deemed her duty discharged.
With Laura relegated to past thoughts, Sarah sought to find a way into the Manor. She found the hovel disgusting, the inside a reflection of the desolate exterior. Sympathy momentarily surfaced for her sister’s distress. To have had to tolerate these conditions, was abysmal in Sarah ’s consider ation .
Locating Laura’s travelling cases had not taken Sarah long. Stacked neatly in a corner of the kitchen, Laura’s decrepit belongings were instantly recognisable.
Under duress, Sarah undertook the climb to the first floor. Contempt mounted for the owners, as the spectre of her father and his faults stepped forward.
In one partially decontaminated room, Sarah located the portrait of a woman whose lifeless image managed to capture her interest. Sarah commended beauty, forever mindful of the influence that came alongside.
Undeniably this doe-eyed woman would have ruled the men in her life. Raven hair complemented pure white skin, the ruby - red material of her dress providing an exquisite contrast. Jewels, in particular the expensive gems that decorated the woman’s delicate hand, had been captured to perfection, a jeweller’s pedestal no match for the elegance of a dainty finger.
Sarah moved closer, re-examining one of the precious items at close quarters. She trusted her senses. Something was not right. Filtering through carefully stored material , she sought answers but they were not as she supposed. Lady Catherine , it appeared, shared a common bond with this horrid place. Secreted away, stored between her Ladyship’s large bosom , hung this very ring.
Why a Lady of such great standing would involve herself with these ruins , let alone associate herself with them in an intimate way , puzzled Sarah , b ut Sarah adored mysteries for it was always worth trifling with them – discreetly of course.
A large, grimy window overlooking the courtyard announced Laura’s imminent arrival. Envy fragmented Sarah’s insides. The man sat straight upon his mount, his dark hair in abundance about a strong, imposing face. Laura’s unprotected hands, white against the black of his winter coat, were attached to arms wrapped firmly around his waist. A second horse, tethered to the first, trotted mindlessly behind. Laura must have chosen to ride with the stranger. That Sarah was not the centre of attention did not sit well with her.
Sarah had reached the downstairs area by the time the horses came to a standstill near the stables. Upon greeting them, she immediately inundated Laura with reports of Marlbrook. Laura’s distracted condition was completely lost on Sarah.
“Laura. How wonderful to find you safe and well. We have looked for you in earnest, and I had begun to face the awful prospect that you may have met with some misfortune.” Sarah did not stop for breath. “You would not believe what I have had to put up with to be here.”
To Sarah’s credit , she feign ed a sisterly peck on Laura’s cheek before she continued her barrage of conversation – about herself.
Laura was untroubled by Sarah’s constant prattle, thankful to her for removing any necessity to converse.
As the caretaker, Thomas met his obligations and gave a believable rendition of events. His story appeared credible, as Sarah
Lord Henry mounted his horse, the beast exhibiting identical impatience to that of its master. His departure had taken place barely ten minutes before Sarah’s carriage passed through the Manor gates.
#
Sarah detested the place on sight. Laura was nowhere to be found . Her sister’s inconsideration replenish ed her irritation and signall ed the beginning of Sarah’s resentment . That feeling might have been sustained and plummeted Sarah into a bout of fury had the driver not volunteered his services. Pleased with his contribution, Sarah deemed her duty discharged.
With Laura relegated to past thoughts, Sarah sought to find a way into the Manor. She found the hovel disgusting, the inside a reflection of the desolate exterior. Sympathy momentarily surfaced for her sister’s distress. To have had to tolerate these conditions, was abysmal in Sarah ’s consider ation .
Locating Laura’s travelling cases had not taken Sarah long. Stacked neatly in a corner of the kitchen, Laura’s decrepit belongings were instantly recognisable.
Under duress, Sarah undertook the climb to the first floor. Contempt mounted for the owners, as the spectre of her father and his faults stepped forward.
In one partially decontaminated room, Sarah located the portrait of a woman whose lifeless image managed to capture her interest. Sarah commended beauty, forever mindful of the influence that came alongside.
Undeniably this doe-eyed woman would have ruled the men in her life. Raven hair complemented pure white skin, the ruby - red material of her dress providing an exquisite contrast. Jewels, in particular the expensive gems that decorated the woman’s delicate hand, had been captured to perfection, a jeweller’s pedestal no match for the elegance of a dainty finger.
Sarah moved closer, re-examining one of the precious items at close quarters. She trusted her senses. Something was not right. Filtering through carefully stored material , she sought answers but they were not as she supposed. Lady Catherine , it appeared, shared a common bond with this horrid place. Secreted away, stored between her Ladyship’s large bosom , hung this very ring.
Why a Lady of such great standing would involve herself with these ruins , let alone associate herself with them in an intimate way , puzzled Sarah , b ut Sarah adored mysteries for it was always worth trifling with them – discreetly of course.
A large, grimy window overlooking the courtyard announced Laura’s imminent arrival. Envy fragmented Sarah’s insides. The man sat straight upon his mount, his dark hair in abundance about a strong, imposing face. Laura’s unprotected hands, white against the black of his winter coat, were attached to arms wrapped firmly around his waist. A second horse, tethered to the first, trotted mindlessly behind. Laura must have chosen to ride with the stranger. That Sarah was not the centre of attention did not sit well with her.
Sarah had reached the downstairs area by the time the horses came to a standstill near the stables. Upon greeting them, she immediately inundated Laura with reports of Marlbrook. Laura’s distracted condition was completely lost on Sarah.
“Laura. How wonderful to find you safe and well. We have looked for you in earnest, and I had begun to face the awful prospect that you may have met with some misfortune.” Sarah did not stop for breath. “You would not believe what I have had to put up with to be here.”
To Sarah’s credit , she feign ed a sisterly peck on Laura’s cheek before she continued her barrage of conversation – about herself.
Laura was untroubled by Sarah’s constant prattle, thankful to her for removing any necessity to converse.
As the caretaker, Thomas met his obligations and gave a believable rendition of events. His story appeared credible, as Sarah
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