The Conjurer's Bird by Martin Davies

Author:Martin Davies
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780307345875
Publisher: Crown/Archetype
Published: 2006-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

AT NINE O’CLOCK they roused themselves from the warmth of the covers and began to dress. Before going downstairs Banks took one last look around the green and russet bedroom, the glowing lamp, the sheets in turmoil, the pillow still double-hollowed where their heads had rested. He waited as she tied her hair, looking at him instead of the glass so that a tendril of brown hair spilled out and hung down her cheek.

“It isn’t just Martha,” he said. “There are the other servants. Are you not afraid for your reputation?”

“I have no reputation,” she replied, simply. “Aren’t you afraid for yours?”

“I have very little, either. They portray me as a tireless philanderer. And besides…”

“The world judges men differently?”

“Yes.”

She looked at him, her hands still moving deftly in her hair. “I don’t,” she said.

He watched as the stray tendril was chased and escaped again. “If we are to be together as I would wish, you cannot stay living here. It is too far. I could take rooms for you in London. Somewhere discreet. You would be barely noticed among the crowds. I believe you would be happy there.”

She looked back at him and continued to pin her hair. “As your mistress?”

He paused. “As the woman I want to be with.”

She came to him then and placed her hands flat against his chest. “You do not need to explain. I understand what I can and cannot be. But if I am ever to be with you as you suggest, there are certain things to which you must agree.”

He nodded, suddenly a little solemn.

“It is too soon for me to move now. Even Richmond is still strange to me, and London will be stranger still. And soon you will be gone. If I am to be left to wait for you, I would rather do it here, where things are a little familiar, where the fields and trees are close at hand.”

He nodded. “And the other things?”

“I will not use my father’s name. When people talk of the mistress you keep, I want no one to think of that little girl from Revesby who used to go to you in the woods. I don’t want them to have that satisfaction.”

“Of course, Miss Brown. So it shall be.” He touched the curl of loose hair. “I like the name for you.”

She moved his hand away from her cheek and returned it to his side.

“The other thing is harder for you. Someday you will marry…”

“Why should I?”

“You will. You will have to. I won’t remain as an encumbrance in your life when that happens. I have my pride. When the time comes that you no longer hold me the way you held me tonight, then I will take my leave and go.”

“It will not come. But of course you should be free to leave whatever happens. I would not wish you caged. I shall make sure you have the means to act as you choose.”

“And you will let me go? You will not pursue me, whatever your feelings?”

“I begin to think you plan to abandon me.

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