A School for Brides by Patrice Kindl

Author:Patrice Kindl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2015-06-02T16:00:00+00:00

“She was unaware of your engagement?” Miss Quince asked after Miss Crump had been carried to her chamber and they were standing at her bedside, looking down at her insensate form.

“Certainly she was, and she would not be aware of it now had I not needed to defend my reputation against your insinuations, Miss Quince. I wished to allow her father to make that announcement; however, he is ill at present and unable to do so. In fact, he is so ill, he is unable to speak or move. A palsy following apoplexy.”

Miss Crump’s eyelids fluttered open. “My father . . . ill? Apoplexy?” She fainted for the third time; this time, at least, she was at no risk of injury from falling.

“I see you also refrained from telling your prospective stepdaughter about her father’s health,” Miss Quince remarked, and Miss le Strange stiffened at the headmistress’s tone.

“Miss Crump is a poor, feeble creature, I am afraid,” she said in tones of profound contempt, “suffering from every sort of mental and emotional weakness. I feared that the knowledge of her father’s illness would have a deleterious effect upon her own health. As you can see, the news has laid her out, limp as a flounder on a fishmonger’s slab.”

Miss Quince shifted her attack. “Your fiancé is so ill, and yet you are not at his side. I am surprised you can spare the time from him.” It was not like the gentle Eudora Quince to be so combative, but really, this woman! Her heart ached for poor Miss Crump.

Miss le Strange smiled, a thin stretching of the lips. “I thought it my duty to see to the welfare of his only child. I had thought to convey her to her father’s sickbed, but most unfortunately I was prevented.”

“I do regret that,” Miss Quince said as civilly as she could manage, “especially as you now inform me of your special relationship to Miss Crump. However, I reserve the right to take instructions only from her father, or from her legal guardian, if that becomes necessary. I know you will understand.”

Miss le Strange most decidedly did not understand. She did not deign to answer, but left the room without a backward glance.

“That poor, poor man,” murmured Miss Quince. “I cannot be surprised at his condition, under the circumstances.”

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