The Selfless Sister by Shirley Kennedy

Author:Shirley Kennedy [Shirley Kennedy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Trad-Reg
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next morning, Lucinda awoke to thoughts of little Charles. She wondered if he’d slept last night in that dark, little room on the servants’ floor. He must be starving, she thought as she slid from her bed. How she wished there was something she could do. Perhaps later in the day she’d find a way to visit the poor child, despite Edgerton’s warning. She felt guilty that she’d been such a coward last night. If only she had voiced her honest opinion to Edgerton! But even as she accused herself of cowardice, she knew that had she spoken her mind an even worse scene would have ensued, further upsetting the family. She tried to assure herself she had taken the right course by remaining silent. Still, a large part of her wished she’d thrown caution to the winds and told Edgerton what she thought.

Something else bothered her, too. Alethea. Those words she’d said: I am in a spot of trouble. Whatever had she meant? She must find out.

But not now. Don’t think of it, she advised herself as she started out on her usual before-breakfast bird-watching expedition. Her thoughts turned to the news Alethea had given her last night—that Lord Belington had returned home. But he was also a subject she shouldn’t think about. In reality, what did she care whether he was home or not? The thought struck her that he might even possibly be hunting in the woods this morning. But what difference if he was? His presence would be of absolutely no consequence. She would not be expecting, and surely not anticipating, another accidental meeting. She had better be careful, though. On her many treks to these woods, she crossed the little brook many a time, trespassing onto Belington property. She had done so with little concern, knowing Belington was in London. Today, though, and for as long as he was home, she had better not cross that brook. Also, she would not look for him, or think about him. But at least, since the sound of gun shots would probably announce his presence, she would be well-warned. Before another pitiful dead bird dropped at her feet, she would gather up her sketch pad and pencil and leave quietly, thus avoiding another uncomfortable encounter.

She settled onto a tree stump on the Linley side of the brook and was surprised when, after a few minutes during which she had been deeply engrossed in sketching the dashing plumage of a magpie, a quiet voice behind her said, “Good morning, Miss Linley.”

Lucinda turned in surprise. When she saw who it was, she hurriedly jumped up, dumping the contents of her lap onto the mossy ground. “Lord Belington, you startled me.”

“My apologies, he murmured, perfectly polite, with a little bow. He stepped forward and bent to retrieve her scattered sketching effects.

“You needn’t bother.” She bent so quickly that they bumped heads, not hard, but enough to embarrass her. “Sorry, how clumsy.” She felt her face grow red.

“No harm

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