Mary Whitcombe by Valerie Nifora

Author:Valerie Nifora [Nifora, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vasilike Maslar
Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

It was Aggie who woke me the next morning with the opening of the curtains. The Longs had decided to forego church, since the evening past at the Fairmounts’ had brought us home as the sun was rising. Mr. Long justified our absence by claiming he saw the vicar inebriated and hunched over on a chair as we left to get our carriage. He concluded it would be highly unlikely that anyone would be there to unlock the church doors.

“Oh, tell me about the gala!” Aggie opened the last remaining curtain in my room as a ray of sunlight brushed my face. She had become my friend now. And although we behaved properly in front of the Longs, she was my confidant and companion.

I stretched my arms over my head. “What time is it, Aggie?”

“Almost noon, and the Longs are still in slumber. I heard the Lady snoring something fierce from her room. I doubt the old bags of bones will be moving about much. I think we’ll be lucky if we get them down the stairs for supper. So, come tell!” She shook my arm as she sat at the edge of my bed. “Tell me!”

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes, as Aggie fluffed a pillow and dutifully placed it behind my head, balancing her chin on her elbow all the while waiting patiently.

“Well,” I began, “there was food and champagne and an awful amount of noise. There were photographers. I did meet this one young man . . .”

“No! No! Tell me about Mr. Fairmount!” she said in a whisper. “I have heard he is the most gorgeous thing that walks the earth!”

“Aggie!” I exclaimed.

“I heard he casts spells.”

“Where did you hear that? The Longs?” I laughed.

“No. It’s true. I have it on good account. What’s he like? Do his eyes pierce your soul? I hear that he can look at a person and know exactly where they are weak. He can see your insecurities, your sins, your desires . . . he can see it all. Did you speak to him?”

The idea that my improprieties would be visible to Mr. Fairmount disturbed me. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think he took much notice of me. He was more interested in Harry.”

“Harry?”

“Yes.” I shifted in my bed and pulled my knees up to wrap my arms around them. “Harry is Lois Fairmount’s nephew. Lois Fairmount, the wife of Mr. Fairmount, is like no one I have ever seen in my life. I swear if she appeared in the convent, I would have fallen on my knees praying, thinking I had seen an angel.” She regarded me then. “Harry,” I continued, “has the loveliest hazel eyes and the kindest of voices. I could simply get lost in the sound of Harry talking. I felt safe in his voice.”

I knew full well that Aggie was still interested in hearing about John Fairmount, and, releasing a deep sigh, I decided to indulge her. “Mr. Fairmount has piercing dark eyes.

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