Read Online The Heart is Torn by Phyllis Mallett - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Phyllis Mallett
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impassive. Beth was finding it difficult to contain her displeasure. Accustomed to complete freedom of movement, she was irritated by the overcrowding sense of being confined against her will in this big house with its sombre atmosphere. But there was nothing she could do about the situation, and was aware that she had to make the best of it.
‘If a room has been readied for me then I should like to see it now,’ she said firmly.
Matilda regarded her bleakly, then nodded, and the alert Mrs Fetters rose and walked to the door. Matilda waved a hand in Beth’s direction, dismissing her summarily, and turned her head to gaze through the window. Beth suppressed a sigh and followed the housekeeper from the room.
‘Your trunk will be brought up when Cresse returns,’ Mrs Fetters said as she led the way up the dark oak staircase.
Beth suppressed a shiver at the mention of Cresse’s name and a sense of hopelessness enveloped her as she was shown into a spacious room. A fire was burning in a large grate, and the room was tastefully decorated, showing the touch of a feminine hand. A large bed was situated between two tall windows overlooking the bay.
‘This will be your room until your marriage.’
Mrs Fetters remained aloof both in speech and manner.
Beth turned to look from the window, showing her back in silent disapproval of the situation, and she remained motionless until the door closed behind the housekeeper. Then she sank down upon the bed and looked around the room as if it were a cell. Her hopes sank.
How could she follow Jeremy Traherne’s suggestion of getting evidence of Jonah Peake’s wrong-doing? With those two odious women around, she would have no opportunity to pry into Peake’s affairs. Mrs Fetters seemed more of a gaoler than a housekeeper, and as the thought struck her, Beth arose and went to the door, expecting to find it locked, but it opened to her touch. She peered out into the long corridor, relieved to find it deserted although she feared that Mrs Fetters would not be far away.
Yet she knew Peake had no need to lock her in. She was bound to him by circumstances much stronger than locks and bolts. She thought of her father, and her spirit began to revive. There was much more at stake here than her personal liberty. Her father’s future was dependent upon her determination, and she feared for Adam, who was in mortal danger.
Bolstered by her thoughts, she left the room and walked along the corridor, wanting to familiarise herself with the layout of the big, rambling house. She wondered if she would become the mistress here if her marriage to Peake eventually went ahead, but thinking of Matilda, she feared that the woman would not relinquish her grasp on the household.
She opened door after door, looking fearlessly into rooms to ascertain the roosting places of Peake and his sister. She found the room next to hers had a feminine touch and assumed that it was occupied by Matilda. Almost opposite, overlooking the front of the house and presenting a view of the town itself, was a large room that obviously belonged to Jonah Peake. It was furnished with dark oak furniture, and Beth’s eyes glinted when she saw a writing desk in a corner.
‘What are you doing in here?’
Mrs Fetters had approached silently and was standing at Beth’s elbow, her dark eyes agleam with inner passion.
‘You should stay in your room until Master Peake has returned.’
‘I need to familiarise myself with my surroundings,’ Beth responded. ‘If I am to live here then I need to be able to find my way around without having to bother you. I am sure you have many duties, and I have no wish to be treated like a child.’
Mrs Fetters drew a sharp breath and her lips formed into a thin line. She met Beth’s determined gaze then turned away to descend the stairs, no doubt to report to Matilda. Beth sighed to rid herself of the tension encroaching upon her mind and continued her inspection of the house, half-expecting
‘If a room has been readied for me then I should like to see it now,’ she said firmly.
Matilda regarded her bleakly, then nodded, and the alert Mrs Fetters rose and walked to the door. Matilda waved a hand in Beth’s direction, dismissing her summarily, and turned her head to gaze through the window. Beth suppressed a sigh and followed the housekeeper from the room.
‘Your trunk will be brought up when Cresse returns,’ Mrs Fetters said as she led the way up the dark oak staircase.
Beth suppressed a shiver at the mention of Cresse’s name and a sense of hopelessness enveloped her as she was shown into a spacious room. A fire was burning in a large grate, and the room was tastefully decorated, showing the touch of a feminine hand. A large bed was situated between two tall windows overlooking the bay.
‘This will be your room until your marriage.’
Mrs Fetters remained aloof both in speech and manner.
Beth turned to look from the window, showing her back in silent disapproval of the situation, and she remained motionless until the door closed behind the housekeeper. Then she sank down upon the bed and looked around the room as if it were a cell. Her hopes sank.
How could she follow Jeremy Traherne’s suggestion of getting evidence of Jonah Peake’s wrong-doing? With those two odious women around, she would have no opportunity to pry into Peake’s affairs. Mrs Fetters seemed more of a gaoler than a housekeeper, and as the thought struck her, Beth arose and went to the door, expecting to find it locked, but it opened to her touch. She peered out into the long corridor, relieved to find it deserted although she feared that Mrs Fetters would not be far away.
Yet she knew Peake had no need to lock her in. She was bound to him by circumstances much stronger than locks and bolts. She thought of her father, and her spirit began to revive. There was much more at stake here than her personal liberty. Her father’s future was dependent upon her determination, and she feared for Adam, who was in mortal danger.
Bolstered by her thoughts, she left the room and walked along the corridor, wanting to familiarise herself with the layout of the big, rambling house. She wondered if she would become the mistress here if her marriage to Peake eventually went ahead, but thinking of Matilda, she feared that the woman would not relinquish her grasp on the household.
She opened door after door, looking fearlessly into rooms to ascertain the roosting places of Peake and his sister. She found the room next to hers had a feminine touch and assumed that it was occupied by Matilda. Almost opposite, overlooking the front of the house and presenting a view of the town itself, was a large room that obviously belonged to Jonah Peake. It was furnished with dark oak furniture, and Beth’s eyes glinted when she saw a writing desk in a corner.
‘What are you doing in here?’
Mrs Fetters had approached silently and was standing at Beth’s elbow, her dark eyes agleam with inner passion.
‘You should stay in your room until Master Peake has returned.’
‘I need to familiarise myself with my surroundings,’ Beth responded. ‘If I am to live here then I need to be able to find my way around without having to bother you. I am sure you have many duties, and I have no wish to be treated like a child.’
Mrs Fetters drew a sharp breath and her lips formed into a thin line. She met Beth’s determined gaze then turned away to descend the stairs, no doubt to report to Matilda. Beth sighed to rid herself of the tension encroaching upon her mind and continued her inspection of the house, half-expecting
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