Listening to the Quiet by Gloria Cook

Author:Gloria Cook
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788638654
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

‘Tell me what my daughter’s up to these days, Mardie.’ Through cracked eyelids, Mardie Dawes glanced up as she gathered her tarot cards together. For her fortnightly appointments at Tresawna House, she wore a clean blouse and splashed her hands and raddled face with water and scented soap, making her more tolerable to be close to. ‘Strange, you suddenly asking about she. Did something in the reading put Joanna into your mind?’

‘No, and I’m still waiting for this wonderfully rich man to come into my life who you keep promising me,’ Katherine replied coldly. She stretched out her silk-encased legs, where she reclined on the couch in her bedroom. ‘With Alistair well matched, I was simply wondering if my recalcitrant daughter has made any progression on that front. You should know all about her.’

‘I keep my eyes ’n’ ears open.’

‘I don’t suppose she would be the slightest bit interested if a young blood danced attention on her anyway,’ Katherine muttered crossly, regretting bringing up what was to her a boring subject. ‘All she cares about is her pathetic career.’

Sitting at a small round table in a darkened part of the bedroom, illuminated enigmatically by candlelight, Mardie was pleased to be in the position to spring a surprise. She interlocked her bony fingers over the pack of cards. ‘Actually, the girl’s got herself a man.’

‘What?’ Katherine spilled the glass of white wine in her hand as she jerked herself up to a sitting position. ‘Who is he? Why didn’t you tell me this when you first arrived, damn you?’

‘He’s nobody you’d approve of, Katherine. His name’s Luke Vigus. A most handsome fellow. He’s a travelling man, lives most of the time on his wagon and is light-fingered. His drunken mother and her three other young snotty-nosed brats live in a hovel in the village.’

‘If you’re telling me the truth, what on earth does Joanna see in him, for goodness’ sake? Has she gone mad? The wretched little bitch. I’ll have to send Alistair to her to put some sense into her stubborn brain.’

‘Won’t do you no good, Katherine. Like I said, Luke’s all man; you’d like him for that. He’s got an amiable nature underneath his wild ways. He’s a wandering soul, mind, can’t see him staying interested in Joanna for long.’

‘I don’t care if this reprobate ends up breaking her heart!’ Katherine snapped angrily. ‘But it could ruin her chances of making a good marriage.’

‘When are you going to learn that you have no influence over the maid? Interfere, and you’ll only drive her deeper into his arms.’

‘Blow it. Why couldn’t there be someone at least remotely suitable in that God-forsaken village for her? There would only be the vicar, but he’s an old man, isn’t he?’

Mardie eyed Katherine shrewdly, knowing she did not really care about her daughter’s prospects of making a good marriage. She simply hated Joanna being independent, making a success of her life. ‘There is someone. The schoolmaster. He’s the same class as you, expert at playing and teaching music.

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