Read Online Marianna by Nancy Buckingham - Free Book Online Page B

that you will achieve your aim in bettering yourself.’
    ‘How kind is the fidalgo’s daughter, how gracious. I do not need your good wishes, Marianna, I can manage without them. I am sorry now that I bothered to come all this way to see you.’
    ‘But I am glad you came,’ she said in a husky whisper. ‘And I shall always treasure your parting gift.’
    In a sudden darting movement Jacinto’s hand shot out and snatched the carved spoon he had given her. Snapping the handle in two, he flung the pieces to the floor and ground them savagely beneath his boot.
    ‘You have no gift from me,’ he spat out. ‘I take my gift back.’
    As he turned to walk off, Marianna caught at his sleeve beseechingly. ‘Jacinto, don’t leave like this. I can’t bear it. Won’t you wish me well?’
    The look of contempt in his eyes made her fingers slacken their grip.
    ‘Why should I? You have your rich Englishman now — isn’t that enough for you?’
    ‘Don’t be so cruel to me,’ she implored him. ‘Must we part like enemies? Give me a kind word, at least. Please, Jacinto...’
    He seemed on the verge of softening. But then with a toss of his dark head he turned and strode away. Marianna watched him depart, threading his way between the oaken wine butts. She felt stricken, and had to conquer an urge to run after him. When he was quite gone from view, she sank to her knees and gathered up the two halves of the broken spoon. Jacinto’s savage crushing of the wood had released its fragrance and the scent of orange was very strong. A tear fell and splashed the back of her hand, and then another and another.
     
    * * * *
    The servant who had been posted since four o’clock down by the Custom House came running with the news that the Apollo hadbeen sighted and would be dropping anchor within the hour. By then, Marianna had to be dressed and ready to greet her bridegroom.
    ‘For pity’s sake, hurry yourself,’ Linguareira chivvied her. ‘Where did you put those new shoes that were delivered yesterday? Am I expected to remember every tiny item?’ Then, with a quick flood of compassion, ‘Do not be unhappy, menina? I expect it will not be as bad as you fear.’
    Marianna nodded distractedly. An idea which had been slowly forming in her mind seemed suddenly to fill it to the exclusion of all other matters.
    ‘Linguareira, there’s something I want you to do for me. Something very important.’
    ‘What is it, menina?
    ‘My books — my school books and story books, all of them. And pens and pencils, paper to write on. Collect up everything you can find and give it all to Jacinto.’
    Linguareira shook her head. ‘He’ll never keep up with his learning, little one. Not once you are gone.’
    ‘He will, I know he will. That’s all Jacinto cares about, all he’s ever cared about.’ Marianna pressed her lips together hard to stop them trembling.
    ‘Your papa may not like it. He’ll not want the lad getting too big in the head.’
    ‘Then don’t tell papa.’ It amazed Marianna how calmly she could suggest such deceit. ‘I’m sure you could manage without papa knowing.’
    ‘ Sim , perhaps I could.’
    ‘You must! You must promise me faithfully to see that Jacinto gets them.’
    ‘Very well then, if it matters to you so much.’ After hesitating a moment, Linguareira added, ‘You should forget about Jacinto Teixeiro now, menina. Your husband won’t want you thinking about the likes of that young lad.’
    Marianna took careful command of her voice. ‘It just seems rather a shame to let all those things of mine go to waste when I know someone who could make use of them. Most likely, after this, I shall hardly ever give Jacinto another thought.’
    Linguareira, busy searching for a mislaid chemise, made no reply and Marianna became afraid that she had overdone her indifference.
    ‘All the same,’ she went on in a breathless little rush, ‘it doesn’t mean that I don’t care about Jacinto. I do! So you’ve got to