Mistress Agnes by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

Author:Kirsten Bij't Vuur [Vuur, Kirsten Bij't]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B06XW6GBHQ
Publisher: Michael Tjeertes
Published: 2017-03-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

They started in the library, Dick had told Maria he was allowed to go there to borrow books and return them, but he had not included it in his own tour of the house, he had stuck to the servants' part, and the stables.

The library was large and filled from floor to ceiling with books, row upon row of them, on shelves along the walls, but also in free-standing cases, leaving just enough space to walk around them. The shelves were made of dark wood, as was the floor. Still the room didn't look foreboding or dark, for there were plenty of windows letting in light, and brightly coloured Persian rugs spread on the floor livened things up a little. In the main space a rather large oak table offered a place to read and write, the chairs around it comfortable and very well-suited to sit on for hours.

'You can use the library whenever you want, Maria,' Mrs Beauchamp offered.

'I know its unusual, but we're such a small, tightly knit group here that we do not insist on formality. It's very important to read a lot, and I'm not going to keep any of you from improving your minds. Just make sure you return a book before you take another, and always put it back in its right place, Guy can explain exactly how to remember where you got it, and help you find what you want or need.'

'And make sure you read some of Mrs Beauchamp's own works,' Dennis teased his lady, 'you're married now, so it cannot lead you astray.'

Dick had told Maria that his mistress wrote naughty books, but he hadn't tried any as yet. This sure was different from what Maria had expected when she thought of moving to the manor, just imagine, all those books, and Maria was allowed to read all of them!

'I cannot wait to explore, Mrs Beauchamp, I've always loved reading, anything I could lay my hands on, newspapers, novels, works on travels, science. This library is like Heaven to me, though the minister would be angry to hear me say that, he'd tell me there is just one book that counts, and one Heaven.'

Mrs Beauchamp actually laughed, somehow her mood improved a lot, and

she replied gaily, 'I can hear him say it, Maria; frankly, I go to church because it is expected of me, but our minister has given up on my soul a long time ago. Though marrying Dennis may make him a tiny bit happier. If you really dare try one of my own books, let me know, I'll lend you one. But beware, they are very naughty! Let me show you where they originate.'

And she led them out of the library, to the end of the hall, and into the most beautiful room Maria had ever seen. It was as large as her father's workshop but the ceiling was much higher, and it was obviously a woman's sanctuary.

The woodwork was painted a creamy white and much more

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