Read Online Portrait of Jonathan by Margaret Dickinson - Free Book Online

half-way stage.
    â€˜Oh, the trees and fields!’ Lavinia was ecstatic in her praise, and lost much of her shyness in her enthusiasm. The days were cold, but bright, and the countryside was peaceful and welcoming to the child from the smoke and dirt of the city.
    At last the carriage turned off the road through wrought-iron gates which were opened by a man who rushed out from a small cottage near the main gates. He touched his cap respectfully to the occupants of the carriage. Lavinia saw two small girls staring at them from the cottage windows—it was a tiny cottage, whitewashed, the windows painted black with a thatched roof. On up the lane through magnificent parkland. Deer raised their heads questioningly.
    â€˜Oh Grandfather—is all this yours?’
    â€˜Yes, my dear. Do you think you can be happy here?’
    â€˜It’s wonderful—wonderful.’
    â€˜There’s the house—see through the trees.’
    As they neared the house itself, Lavinia saw that it was rather severe-looking but nevertheless charming. It was square from the front, but the centre section was set back a little, the front entrance being exactly in the centre. Swiftly she counted the windows—there seemed to be so many—twenty, and then there were eight tiny dormer windows jutting out of the roof.
    Round the main door ivy grew softening the harsh lines of the building. The drive curved in a semi-circle before the house, but the smooth lawns were divided by paths and trees. Neatly trimmed hedges bordered the driveway.
    The interior of the house, Lavinia found, as Lord Rowan led her inside, was even more luxurious than the Eldons’ town house. She felt a little overwhelmed by the ornate, painted ceilings, the panelled doors and wide, sweeping staircase. She was unaccustomed to grandeur of this standard.
    Lavinia gazed around her and at last she glanced up at Lord Rowan to find him watching her.
    â€˜Welcome home, my child,’ he said softly, and she read the tender affection in his eyes. ‘This house has been lacking something ever since your grandmother died. Now, with you here, I can see what it was. It will be a home once more from now on.’
    Lavinia blushed at the compliment. She was unused to such demonstrations of affection—indeed she was unused to being loved and she found it strangely moving to be welcomed into these beautiful surroundings and to realise that at last she belonged somewhere and to someone.
    If only Jonathan were here, her happiness would be complete. Be thankful, she reminded herself sharply, for your present good fortune.
    â€˜Here’s Mrs Matthews, my housekeeper, to welcome us,’ Lord Rowan was saying.
    A buxom, middle-aged woman appeared in the hall. The smile on her rosy face was wide and cheerful. She wore a plain black dress, with a white lace collar, but her welcome belied the severity of her dress. She bobbed a curtsy.
    â€˜Good afternoon, your Lordship, you’re a little earlier than we expected. Did you have a pleasant journey, sir?’
    â€˜Yes, thank you, Mrs Matthews. This is my grand-daughter about whom I told you, Mrs Matthews. Have you prepared a room for her as I requested?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. Everything’s ready.’
    â€˜Go with Mrs Matthews, Lavinia.’
    As Lavinia stepped forward towards the stairs, she heard her grandfather say in undertones to his housekeeper, ‘Treat her kindly, Mrs Matthews. She has had an unfortunate time.’
    â€˜Yes, sir, of course. Poor lamb!’ The woman clucked sympathetically. She turned and came after Lavinia who was ascending the staircase uncertainly.
    â€˜Now, you come with me, my dear. I expect you’re quite worn out with all that travelling. You’ve got a lovely room at the front of the house, not far from his Lordship’s room, overlooking the park.’
    The woman chattered on in kindly tones, until Lavinia could not help but feel welcome.
    As she