Страница 50 из 70
"Sir!" Maria
"Do not fear the word." St. John advanced toward her, shaking a long finger vehemently. "Fear the reality! Do you think I am unaware of what evil transpired here last night? The devilish spirit that moved furniture and played on Satan's instruments finally found a vehicle in that unfortunate boy – but it might have been you, Miss Ransom. It might have been you!"
In his agitation he actually took her by the shoulders. Like a rabbit mesmerized by a snake, Maria
"I don't think…" she began weakly.
"Do not think! Let the love of God enter your heart." The vicar's hands drew Maria
"Oh," Maria
"No earthly love can compare with it," St. John said, without conviction. His lips were only inches from hers.
The doorknob rattled. The vicar pulled his hands away as if the surface they touched had turned red-hot. Maria
"Ah, Mr. St. John," Carlton said. "How nice to see you. I hope I have not interrupted some tender exchange of – er – religious exhortation?"
"I was warning Miss Ransom," the vicar said stiffly, "about the performance that went on here last night."
"Oh, was that it? I congratulate you for having the courage to expose yourself to such dreadful dangers."
"That is my duty. I only wish I could persuade Her Grace how dangerous it is."
"For heaven's sake," Carlton exclaimed. "You didn't rant at her and threaten her with hellfire, I hope? If you did -"
"Of course I did not." St. John passed a slender hand across his brow. "I want to help Her Grace. I only wish I knew how to go about it."
"Pray," Carlton suggested, taking a chair and a buttered scone.
"I have," the young vicar replied simply. "And I will return to the church now to pray again. No, thank you, Miss Ransom, I really ca
His mouth filled with scone, Carlton waved a casual hand in farewell, and the vicar left the room.
"You were very rude," Maria
"No, not I. It was God who drove him – his God, who is not, I thank Him, mine. Has he seen the Duchess?"
"Yes, and she seemed cheered by his visit."
'Oh, he has his points," Carlton admitted grudgingly. "He is pompous, stupid, priggish, and conceited, but I believe at heart he is sincere. If he were not cursed with those girlish good looks -"
Before Maria
"I hope he did not hear you," Maria
The vicar closed the door behind him and came toward her with an air of portentous gravity. "I will return, Miss Ransom, if I can persuade someone else to join me. I met her in the hall and I think I have persuaded her to come in; but I ran ahead to warn you and ask you to welcome her."
"Is it Lady Violet of whom you speak?" Maria
"You are an angel of goodness," the young man said, with a look that made Maria
He ran out. Maria
"Angel of goodness," he repeated, mimicking the vicar's deep voice with devastating effect. "Good of you to let the lady take tea in her own parlor from her own teapot."
Maria
Maria
Her voice was so sweet and her ma
"Thank you," was the reply, in tones so soft they could scarcely be heard. "Please don't get up; I will sit here." And she indicated a chair as far removed as possible from the window.
"May I pour you a cup of tea?" Maria
"Thank you."
Carlton had risen too. "May I say how well you are looking, Lady Violet. Have one of these little cakes."
Lady Violet had to lower her hand, which she had kept before her face, in order to take the proffered cake. She had big, expressive brown eyes. They darted rapidly from one face to the next, as if trying to judge the effect of her disfigurement.
Maria
The conversation was easy, thanks primarily – Maria
"This has been a most pleasant meeting. It has been too long since I have seen you, Lady Violet, Now -" he lifted an admonitory finger – "I expect to see you on Sunday. Promise you won't fail me."
A look of terror clouded the lady's fine brown eyes.
"Perhaps," Maria
"The very thing," St. John exclaimed, with rather excessive enthusiasm. "It is settled then; I look forward to seeing you both."
The door had hardly closed behind him when Lady Violet rose.
"It has been pleasant," she murmured. "Thank you, I must go now – I will see you again -"
She left with a gliding, rapid movement that reminded Maria
"That was kindly meant," Carlton said, resuming his seat and taking the last scone. "But it was a mistake. She won't go."
"To church? But why not? It is terrifying to walk down that aisle with all the villagers staring; I thought companionship might make it easier for her. It certainly would be pleasanter for me. My offer was not entirely unselfish."
"I ca