A Secret Arrangement by Farida Mestek

Author:Farida Mestek [Mestek, Farida]
Language: eng
Format: epub

EDWARD woke up perfectly content as he recalled Hartley’s furious face of the night before. Out of habit, he proceeded to Chadderton’s room to inquire if he was up and about or if he preferred a late breakfast before going out for a bit of fresh air in the park that encircled the house. He had not had the chance to progress into the wooded parts of Spencer Lodge yet for fear of over-exerting Chadderton. Edward had no wish to go to such a distance alone, something he was only too accustomed to doing at home, but he could not wait for the opportunity of a long, satisfying walk with Chadderton that would take them beyond the man-crafted prettiness and into the wilderness.

He smiled to himself, imagining pictures yet unseen, his nostrils filled with the sweet fragrance of expectation. But upon reaching Chadderton’s bedchamber, all that was beautiful in the world was suddenly blocked from his view by the sight of Hartley walking out of the familiar door in a state of partial undress. Edward stopped and stared. Hartley gave a start as if of surprise and, looking down at his unbuttoned shirt and waistcoat, resumed his abandoned grooming process. Once he was done, Hartley bowed to Edward, whose wide eyes and loss of speech were further enforced by his cordial address.

“Taking a walk, Montford?” he asked. “Capital thing for one’s health, I hear. And in the country too. But then you are from the country, so it’s not such a novelty to you. I wonder if its powers lessen with time and constant use. Well, run along then. It’s a fine morning. I say, you wouldn’t want to miss a moment of it.”

Edward shook his head, still staring at Hartley in something akin to horror while his mind refused to examine too closely all the possible reasons of Hartley leaving Chadderton’s bedchamber so early in the morning, not even properly dressed.

“I have come to see Chadderton,” he said at last. “We always go down to breakfast together.”

Hartley smiled, shook his head, and put his arm around Edward’s shoulder in a brotherly fashion.

“I have heard a great deal from Chadderton about how fortunate he was to secure your friendship, Montford,” he said, “but do you really think he can’t find his way around his childhood home without your assistance?”

Edward stepped from Hartley’s arm and caught the man’s expression of marked dislike, which was much better in Edward’s opinion than his false friendly attitude.

“I always join Chadderton in the morning,” said Edward stubbornly. “And I don’t see why it should change now that you are in the house.”

“Always?” asked Hartley with a snort. “I was under the impression that you have stayed here for no more than a week. My dear man, I’m afraid that does not exactly constitute an eternity.”

Edward glared at Hartley.

“It matters not how long or little I have stayed here, sir,” he said, moving toward the door. “I must ask you to step aside and let me through.

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