Temptation of a Teacher by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788672191
Published: 2019-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The cottage that Jean took her to was very small with a low doorway that he had to bend his head under.

Inside it seemed dark, until, as Arletta’s eyes adjusted themselves, she saw sitting in front of the fire, although it was a warm day, a very old woman.

She was wrapped in a dark shawl and her thin hair, which was grey streaked with white, was pinned back at the nape of her withered old neck.

She had strong features with a hooked nose, which made Arletta think that perhaps it was the way she looked more than anything else that had made her a witch.

“I’ve brought a client for you, Granny,” Jean started and the old woman looked up at him quizzically.

“Who is it?” she asked.

Arletta drew nearer and saw that the witch had cataracts over both her eyes, which must make her completely blind.

“I am new to the village,” Arletta told her quietly, “and Jean thought that I should meet you, the most important inhabitant here.”

The witch chuckled.

“Is that what he said? Well, some people find me important and some are frightened of me.”

“I am not frightened.”

Jean opened the old witch’s hand and put a silver coin into it, saying as he did so,

“You tell the lady all about herself, Granny. I expect, as she’s very pretty, you’ll find something excitin’ for her in the future.”

Having spoken, he grinned at Arletta and then went out of the cottage, shutting the door behind him.

There seemed when he had gone to be a strange silence almost, Arletta thought, as if the old woman in front of her had moved into another world.

Arletta sat down opposite her and did not speak and after a few minutes the witch began,

“You’re from overseas and you’re hidin’ somethin’ about yourself.”

Nervously Arletta looked back just to be certain that Jean was not listening to what was being said.

The door was, however, fast shut and the witch went on.

“I see you puzzling, worrying and afraid. There’s danger, real danger! I see blood!”

Arletta drew in her breath.

Still she did not speak and after a moment the old witch continued,

“Beware, be ready and protect yourself. When the trouble that will happen to you comes, you must rely on yourself. Remember that – I told you so.”

Her voice seemed to die away and, as she apparently had no more to say, Arletta said gently,

“I will remember what you have told me, but it sounds rather a dismal picture.”

“Some people are winners,” the witch observed after a moment, “and you are one.”

“Thank you,” Arletta replied, “but I am not certain what race I want to win.”

The old woman chortled.

“The race of life, my dear, and we’re all competin’ in that!”

“You really think I am a winner?”

“You will win,” the witch emphasised.

Then, as if she wanted Arletta to be sure that she had finished, she lay back in her chair and closed her eyes.

Arletta looked at her for a moment, longing to know more and wondering if she dared ask her about the Duc, but realised that this was impossible.

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