The Rebellious Twin by Shirley Kennedy

Author:Shirley Kennedy
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2000-02-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Morris was feeding a horse in the courtyard of Graystone Hall’s stables when he heard a noise, looked up, and blinked in surprise. “Yer back already, Lady Clarinda?”

Horrid old man. Rissa glared at him. “I am not Lady Clarinda. I am Lady Clarissa and I have come to ride Dublin.”

“Sorry, mum.” The old man looked confused. “So shall I get him for you, or — ?”

“Of course, get him, and put the saddle on him, and whatever else you’re supposed to do.”

Rissa tapped her foot as she stood waiting, snapping her riding crop impatiently against the side of her never-before-worn black riding gown. This was Clarinda’s doing. Everyone knew a lady of class and refinement would never dream of saddling her own horse. Not her beloved twin, though. Judging from Morris’s confusion, Clarinda, who cared nothing for the appearance of things, was crass enough to do it herself.

“Give me a boost,” she commanded Morris after he had readied Dublin for the ride. As she settled into the side saddle, the gelding snorted, threw his head back and danced about. Alarmed, Rissa clung to the saddle and let out a yelp.

Morris grabbed the reins and settled the horse. “Careful, mum, Dublin’s a mite frisky today.” He frowned. “Ye don’t have the experience riding like Lady Clarinda does. Per’aps ye shud ride old Buttercup.”

The gall! Fury almost choked her, but Rissa managed to declare, “That won’t be necessary, Morris. Now stand back.”

How anyone could find pleasure in riding on an animal’s swaying, sweaty back was beyond her, Rissa mused, as she carefully guided Dublin along the river path to Hollyridge Manor. If it weren’t for the necessity of keeping her mission a secret, she would never have thought to ride Dublin. She had no choice, though. She had planned this out last night — in the middle of the night, actually, when, half-asleep, she had been struck by a startling revelation. The old gatehouse — the locked oak door — Westerlynn’s keys!

Of course! She had sat bolt upright in her bed, her mind racing. The secret room was in the gatehouse tower. The more she thought, the more excited she became. Not only was the tower the obvious hiding place for the fortune, but the best part of all, it was not part of the house and could be accessed from the outside. She would not even have to invent some ruse for getting herself inside the old mansion! All she had to do was go to Hollyridge, circle around until she found the deserted gatehouse, open the oak door with the key, and … Ah! Her heart skipped a beat, just thinking of the fortune that could be awaiting her inside.

The only problem was, how to get there. She could walk, she supposed. It was only a mile to Hollyridge, but after she got there, she would be compelled to creep about that huge estate, through brambles and thickets and thick forest, and heaven-knew-what. Much easier by horseback. Besides, if

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