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.She expected a mocking leer.Instead his smile bore a trace of compassion.Yet the idea that he could be pitying her or any ofher family infuriated her.Mutely fuming, she slid into the chairAllan held for her.Christopher assisted Claudia into the seat on the other side ofhim, and Erienne grew extremely vexed when he took for himselfthe one next to her own.To be within close proximity of the manwas agonizingly distasteful to her past, present, and no doubtfuture state of mind.In the manner of one accustomed to taking authority,Christopher ordered food to be set before them and a light winepoured for the ladies.He tossed down payment, and Allanseemed content to let him have the honors.When the feast waspresented, Claudia condescended to doff her hat but carefullypatted her hair in place before delicately sampling the fare.The door opened, and Erienne blanched as her father strolled in.She had her back to him and didn't dare glance around as heswaggered to the bar.He slapped down coin for ale, then havingreceived a tankard, leaned against the planks to glance about theroom as he sipped.He spewed out the contents of his mouth in arush when his eyes came upon Erienne and Christopher sitting atthe same table.With stumbling gait, he half ran across the room,drawing all eyes to him.Erienne heard him coming and her heartleapt for fear.Avery was past the point of caution and failed tosee anything beyond the fact that his daughter was willinglyaccepting the attentions of his fiercest foe.He rudely clasped herarm and hauled her out of the chair, while Claudia smirkedbehind a glass of wine. Ye evil little wench! Coin' behind my back again wit' thisYankee bastard! Avery loudly berated. I swear to ye 'twill bethe last time ye do! The mayor brought his fist around with enough force to break hisdaughter's jaw, and Erienne tried to brace herself, certain theblow would fall with brutal force, but once again her faithfulprotector was there close at hand.With a flare of rage,Christopher shot out of his chair and caught Avery's wrist in apainfully tight grip, jerking him away from his daughter. Take yer filthy hands off me! the portly man bellowed,attempting to gain his freedom, but the strong, broad hand heldhim fast.Christopher's tone was deadly calm. I beg you to consider youractions, Mayor.Your daughter came here with the sheriff andMiss Talbot.Would you insult them by such a display? As if coming from a fog, Avery became aware of the other twowho also sat at the table.Red-faced, he hurriedly stuttered anapology, and Christopher released his hold, curbing the urge togive a short, backward thrust as he did so.He would haveenjoyed seeing the man sprawl on his backside.Avery caught hold of his daughter's arm again and hastened hertoward the door. Ye go on home now and cook me some vittles.I'll be home after I've had me one or two. The door slammed behind her.Turning, Avery hitched up hisbreeches, glared about at those who still stared, and returned tothe bar.With tears of humiliation stinging her eyes and streaming downher cheeks, Erienne ran home.She wished now that she wouldnot have allowed herself to be goaded by Claudia's gloweringthreat.The disgrace she had suffered in the inn would make itextremely difficult to hold her head up in front of the haughtywoman.Then there was the other matter.Claudia was almost vicious inher ambition to be the unrivaled and heralded beauty of theNorth country, and to gain that end she used her tongue toslander, abuse, or destroy without the least regard for truth.Likea whip, her tongue had the ability to make one writhe in agony.Erienne had no doubt the woman would well flay her reputationin her absence, and Claudia would paint a wildly distorted visionfor the Yankee's eyes. What do I care? Erienne mumbled miserably. Claudia andMr.Seton were most certainly made for each other. Chapter FourIN the eastern sky, shafts of vibrant color radiated from thedawning sun and thrust through the mottled clouds, bathing the white-faced cottages of Mawbry with a rosy hue.Morning'sblushing light penetrated the crystal panes of Erienne's chamberwindows, rousing her from a restless sleep.She groaned andsnuggled her head beneath the pillow, deriving no pleasure fromthe prospect that they must seek out another suitor in Wirkinton.She knew her father could not be swayed from his goal,especially since he had found her dining with the Yankee at theinn, and it was useless to delay.Morosely she dragged herself from the bed and wandered downto the kitchen.Shivering in a threadbare robe, she stoked the firein the hearth and swung the large, water-filled kettle over thegrowing flames [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.She expected a mocking leer.Instead his smile bore a trace of compassion.Yet the idea that he could be pitying her or any ofher family infuriated her.Mutely fuming, she slid into the chairAllan held for her.Christopher assisted Claudia into the seat on the other side ofhim, and Erienne grew extremely vexed when he took for himselfthe one next to her own.To be within close proximity of the manwas agonizingly distasteful to her past, present, and no doubtfuture state of mind.In the manner of one accustomed to taking authority,Christopher ordered food to be set before them and a light winepoured for the ladies.He tossed down payment, and Allanseemed content to let him have the honors.When the feast waspresented, Claudia condescended to doff her hat but carefullypatted her hair in place before delicately sampling the fare.The door opened, and Erienne blanched as her father strolled in.She had her back to him and didn't dare glance around as heswaggered to the bar.He slapped down coin for ale, then havingreceived a tankard, leaned against the planks to glance about theroom as he sipped.He spewed out the contents of his mouth in arush when his eyes came upon Erienne and Christopher sitting atthe same table.With stumbling gait, he half ran across the room,drawing all eyes to him.Erienne heard him coming and her heartleapt for fear.Avery was past the point of caution and failed tosee anything beyond the fact that his daughter was willinglyaccepting the attentions of his fiercest foe.He rudely clasped herarm and hauled her out of the chair, while Claudia smirkedbehind a glass of wine. Ye evil little wench! Coin' behind my back again wit' thisYankee bastard! Avery loudly berated. I swear to ye 'twill bethe last time ye do! The mayor brought his fist around with enough force to break hisdaughter's jaw, and Erienne tried to brace herself, certain theblow would fall with brutal force, but once again her faithfulprotector was there close at hand.With a flare of rage,Christopher shot out of his chair and caught Avery's wrist in apainfully tight grip, jerking him away from his daughter. Take yer filthy hands off me! the portly man bellowed,attempting to gain his freedom, but the strong, broad hand heldhim fast.Christopher's tone was deadly calm. I beg you to consider youractions, Mayor.Your daughter came here with the sheriff andMiss Talbot.Would you insult them by such a display? As if coming from a fog, Avery became aware of the other twowho also sat at the table.Red-faced, he hurriedly stuttered anapology, and Christopher released his hold, curbing the urge togive a short, backward thrust as he did so.He would haveenjoyed seeing the man sprawl on his backside.Avery caught hold of his daughter's arm again and hastened hertoward the door. Ye go on home now and cook me some vittles.I'll be home after I've had me one or two. The door slammed behind her.Turning, Avery hitched up hisbreeches, glared about at those who still stared, and returned tothe bar.With tears of humiliation stinging her eyes and streaming downher cheeks, Erienne ran home.She wished now that she wouldnot have allowed herself to be goaded by Claudia's gloweringthreat.The disgrace she had suffered in the inn would make itextremely difficult to hold her head up in front of the haughtywoman.Then there was the other matter.Claudia was almost vicious inher ambition to be the unrivaled and heralded beauty of theNorth country, and to gain that end she used her tongue toslander, abuse, or destroy without the least regard for truth.Likea whip, her tongue had the ability to make one writhe in agony.Erienne had no doubt the woman would well flay her reputationin her absence, and Claudia would paint a wildly distorted visionfor the Yankee's eyes. What do I care? Erienne mumbled miserably. Claudia andMr.Seton were most certainly made for each other. Chapter FourIN the eastern sky, shafts of vibrant color radiated from thedawning sun and thrust through the mottled clouds, bathing the white-faced cottages of Mawbry with a rosy hue.Morning'sblushing light penetrated the crystal panes of Erienne's chamberwindows, rousing her from a restless sleep.She groaned andsnuggled her head beneath the pillow, deriving no pleasure fromthe prospect that they must seek out another suitor in Wirkinton.She knew her father could not be swayed from his goal,especially since he had found her dining with the Yankee at theinn, and it was useless to delay.Morosely she dragged herself from the bed and wandered downto the kitchen.Shivering in a threadbare robe, she stoked the firein the hearth and swung the large, water-filled kettle over thegrowing flames [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]