Read Online The Enchantress (Book 1 of The Enchantress Saga) by Nicola Thorne - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nicola Thorne
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you may be, but you have turned aside from your family to an alien cause, a foreign faith. You have forfeited the name of Delamain and I am glad you are known only as Father Anselm. Once grandfather is in his tomb you must go, Tom. I do not want the authorities to hear of your presence among us. They know it already, but there is a reason. Once grandfather is buried that will have gone. I do not want you another night in the castle after tomorrow, the day of his burial.’
Tom seemed about to reply, but observed the caution in his mother’s eyes and he bowed his head in acknowledgement biting his lip. George then turned to Brent.
‘Brent, for other reasons you too are not welcome here. You are idle and good for nothing. You do no honour to our family name. You are twenty-one, without fortune or prospects. I cannot keep you. I refuse to. You are to go for the army or navy or find some other suitable occupation as befits a gentleman. I have no room for you on my estates.’
Brent too seemed about to speak but on seeing his mother’s eyes upon him held his peace.
‘Mother, the dower house is being prepared for you and Emma. I have told you I wish to marry and to this end I want the castle prepared for my bride. Of course I will not marry until a suitable period has elapsed after grandfather’s death.’
‘Have you anyone in mind George?’ His mother enquired with a trace of mockery in her voice. It was not lost on her son who replied with asperity.
‘There are many women in London, Mother, who would consider it an honour to have me ask for their hand. I do not anticipate any difficulty. Indeed I am much sought after as a dinner guest and to accompany young ladies to fashionable balls. You may expect an announcement quite soon.’
George nodded and sipped his wine, the fingers of his left hand drumming the table.
‘But all of you know why I am so anxious to be rid of you. You have always in your hearts adhered to the old faith, the Stuart cause. You are a danger and a hindrance to my advancement. Your family, Mother, has brought shame on the Delamain name. I do not care to be tarred with your brush. Would that the Allonbys, one and all, were safely over the water with their beloved Pretender. Tom, you openly espouse the old faith and, Brent and Emma ... I know well you are with Mother rather than with grandfather or me. I want to be rid of you, once and for all. I cannot wait to start a new life.’
Brent rose to his feet and crossed to where his brother sat.
‘Gladly, George, will we absent ourselves from our home. For it is our home whatever you may say. Even grandfather let us know that, however much he deplored the fact of father’s exile. You have abused that sense of hospitality that has always been a mark of our family name.
‘As for Tom and I, we shall go, and willingly. As soon as grandfather’s remains are laid to rest we shall take ourselves to people who do value and respect us, the Allonbys whom you so despise. We shall not lodge a night longer than necessary in a place where we are so unwelcome.’
‘Good,’ George said with satisfaction. ‘And when the militia come to disperse what is left of the Allonbys, God grant they take you off too and fling you in some loathsome dungeon where you are best forgotten ...’
‘George!’
His mother rose to her feet, eyes blazing.
‘I am still your mother, though God knows I sometimes wish I were not, for you disgrace me and the memory of your father. It is you who have caused this rift in our family, brought us to shame. You with your greed and your petty spite, George. I will stay in the dower for that is my right; but I will have as little to do with you as 1 can and Emma likewise. For if you cut us off we scorn you too. In your own family, George, you have this day made implacable enemies. Be it on your head, my son.’
George faltered and looked at his mother as though wondering if he should retract his words. He seemed to be once more the
Tom seemed about to reply, but observed the caution in his mother’s eyes and he bowed his head in acknowledgement biting his lip. George then turned to Brent.
‘Brent, for other reasons you too are not welcome here. You are idle and good for nothing. You do no honour to our family name. You are twenty-one, without fortune or prospects. I cannot keep you. I refuse to. You are to go for the army or navy or find some other suitable occupation as befits a gentleman. I have no room for you on my estates.’
Brent too seemed about to speak but on seeing his mother’s eyes upon him held his peace.
‘Mother, the dower house is being prepared for you and Emma. I have told you I wish to marry and to this end I want the castle prepared for my bride. Of course I will not marry until a suitable period has elapsed after grandfather’s death.’
‘Have you anyone in mind George?’ His mother enquired with a trace of mockery in her voice. It was not lost on her son who replied with asperity.
‘There are many women in London, Mother, who would consider it an honour to have me ask for their hand. I do not anticipate any difficulty. Indeed I am much sought after as a dinner guest and to accompany young ladies to fashionable balls. You may expect an announcement quite soon.’
George nodded and sipped his wine, the fingers of his left hand drumming the table.
‘But all of you know why I am so anxious to be rid of you. You have always in your hearts adhered to the old faith, the Stuart cause. You are a danger and a hindrance to my advancement. Your family, Mother, has brought shame on the Delamain name. I do not care to be tarred with your brush. Would that the Allonbys, one and all, were safely over the water with their beloved Pretender. Tom, you openly espouse the old faith and, Brent and Emma ... I know well you are with Mother rather than with grandfather or me. I want to be rid of you, once and for all. I cannot wait to start a new life.’
Brent rose to his feet and crossed to where his brother sat.
‘Gladly, George, will we absent ourselves from our home. For it is our home whatever you may say. Even grandfather let us know that, however much he deplored the fact of father’s exile. You have abused that sense of hospitality that has always been a mark of our family name.
‘As for Tom and I, we shall go, and willingly. As soon as grandfather’s remains are laid to rest we shall take ourselves to people who do value and respect us, the Allonbys whom you so despise. We shall not lodge a night longer than necessary in a place where we are so unwelcome.’
‘Good,’ George said with satisfaction. ‘And when the militia come to disperse what is left of the Allonbys, God grant they take you off too and fling you in some loathsome dungeon where you are best forgotten ...’
‘George!’
His mother rose to her feet, eyes blazing.
‘I am still your mother, though God knows I sometimes wish I were not, for you disgrace me and the memory of your father. It is you who have caused this rift in our family, brought us to shame. You with your greed and your petty spite, George. I will stay in the dower for that is my right; but I will have as little to do with you as 1 can and Emma likewise. For if you cut us off we scorn you too. In your own family, George, you have this day made implacable enemies. Be it on your head, my son.’
George faltered and looked at his mother as though wondering if he should retract his words. He seemed to be once more the
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