Read Online Judas Flowering by Jane Aiken Hodge - Free Book Online

educated men in positions like mine. What use am I to you as a mere farmer?”
    â€œA great deal. You’re making a fine thing of Winchelsea, I can see, and a profitable one, I imagine. But”—he smiled the smile that had made him so many friends—“I’ll leave sermonizing, Hart, and give you my blessing.”
    â€œThank you, sir. And we will be happy to be your guests on the fourth.”
    He expected, and encountered, opposition from Mercy Phillips. “I know you’re still mourning your father”—he anticipated the heart of her objection—“but so does Sir James, and he made a particular point of your coming. I hope you will do so—to oblige me, if for no better reason.”
    She looked mutinous for a moment, then smiled. “Purchis of Winchelsea? Well, it would be a rude return for all your hospitality if I were to refuse you so small a favour. And, besides, it should be an interesting occasion, if all the embattled families Sir James is inviting really come.”
    â€œEmbattled?”
    Francis laughed and joined the conversation. “She’s quoting me, cousin. I visited the Habershams the other day and there weren’t any pleasant words between father and son there, I can tell you. And as for Giles Habersham, if he and his cousin aren’t at each other’s throats before the fourth of June, I’ll be amazed. He’s only been back from England a few weeks and already they are at daggers drawn.”
    â€œGiles,” said Abigail thoughtfully. “I remember him. He used to come to parties and be sick.”
    â€œBetter not remind him of that now,” said Francis. “He’s very much the Bond Street beau. And so loyal to George the Third I reckon he’d take off his hat and bow to his effigy on a silver coin. If there were such things anymore.” He laughed.“I always pay my gambling debts in paper. It comes much less expensive.”
    After some discussion, Mrs Purchis took Abigail into town with her at the end of May to make sure that the Purchis house in Oglethorpe Square was ready for occupation. “You know what the town servants are like,” she reminded Hart. “They will have let all go to sixes and sevens in our absence.”
    â€œMost likely. You’d best take a few stalwarts from here. You must not over-exert yourself, Mamma.”
    â€œThank you, dear boy. You can rely on me to take good care of myself. All shall be ready when you come in on the third.”
    â€œAnd Francis goes with you?” Hart had thought Francis’ acquiescence somewhat doubtful, and wished to be reassured on this point. “I do not want you and Abigail to be left alone in town.”
    â€œI should think not. No knowing what the mob may not get up to by way of celebrating the King’s birthday. I shall be glad when you get to town, Hart.”
    â€œI’ll try and get there by the second. The worst of it is, I don’t think Miss Phillips should be there too long.”
    It earned him a sharp look. “Mercy Phillips is very well able to take care of herself, as I have had reason to tell you before. If you ask me, she has positively bewitched the servants, and there’s Abigail dotes on her, and as for Francis … if I were your Aunt Anne, I believe I would encourage him to go back to Charleston, whatever it cost.”
    â€œOh?” He blushed suddenly.
    â€œYes, indeed. I’d never have believed it, but I really begin to think it’s a case with Francis. Quite unsuitable, of course. Hopeless. And poor Abigail … though, mind you, it’s a blessing in a way. No money there either. But I wish I knew what Francis sees in that plain little Mercy Phillips.”
    Plain?
He asked himself the question. He had more sense than to put it to his mother.
    â€œI do hope it is all for the best.” Mrs Mayfield had joined Hart and Mercy on Winchelsea’s Corinthian portico