Beyond the Storm by E.V. Thompson

Author:E.V. Thompson [E.V. Thompson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780709096597
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2012-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

WHEN ALICE RETURNED to Trethevy that evening her face was flushed and warm, in sharp contrast to her brother’s unnatural pallor and haunted expression.

When Eliza brought cool water and toiletries to her mistress’s room, she learned the reason why.

‘Captain Trevelyan is an absolute madcap!’ Alice said, laughing merrily, ‘He took the reins of the pony for the journey back from Tintagel and drove home at a breakneck speed that had me clinging to the seat like a leech for much of the time. I don’t think the pony has ever galloped so fast – not even when she bolted with me.’

Aware that this was not the moment to mention Lieutenant Kendall’s warning about the charismatic captain, Eliza said, ‘You are lucky the poor animal didn’t drop dead, it’s not used to going at such a speed twice in a couple of weeks. By the look of Reverend David’s face when he came in through the door he never enjoyed it very much, either.’

‘He actually called upon Captain Trevelyan to stop, but it only made him drive even faster and poor David seemed to lose his voice! Mind you, I am not saying I actually enjoyed it, but it was very exciting and I never doubted that the Captain was in control the whole time. After all, he is a cavalryman.’

Eliza kept her opinion of Captain Trevelyan to herself. She realised he had been showing off in order to impress Alice, and it would seem he had succeeded, but she did not argue with her employer. Instead, she said, ‘You missed a very special visitor while you were out. Lieutenant Kendall brought his ship into the cove and came up here with a present of two huge sea bass for you. I’ve gutted them and put them in the dairy. He also wrote a letter for you, I have it in my apron pocket. I thought you would prefer me to give it to you here, in your room.’

Taking the letter from her pocket she handed it to Alice.

The letter comprised of two sheets of Reverend Kilpeck’s writing paper and had been sealed with red wax on which the crest of the Kendall family had been impressed by Jory’s signet ring.

Eliza was relieved at the disappointment displayed by Alice at not being at the rectory when Jory Kendall called. She had been concerned that her mistress might have become so infatuated with the army Captain that he had replaced the naval lieutenant in her affections.

Alice began reading the letter eagerly but her expression gradually changed and when she reached the end of the second page she looked up and said angrily, ‘How dare he tell me how I should behave and with whom! What right does he have?’

Gaining control of herself, Alice said, ‘I have seen almost nothing of him for absolutely ages, and now he writes to me as though he owns me.’

Trying hard to hide her dismay, Eliza said, ‘Lieutenant Kendall was very disappointed you weren’t at home, Miss Alice.

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