Bella Poldark by Winston Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

had fallen into a deep depression. Much agitation and rioting had led to the burning and smashing of machinery, so that the government, instead of introducing at least some of the reforms planned by Pitt, had brought in more repressive measures. Canning was back in England, had become MP for Liverpool, and often wrote to Ross. Ross sometimes thought the letters contained a hint of reproach.
    The only serious content in the encounter with Valentine had been his near admission about Agneta. If Valentine were to antagonize the Treneglos family it would be too close to Nampara to be comfortable. Especially as the Trenegloses were known to believe the local gossip that Valentine was Ross's son.

Chapter Four
    Clowance did not see the over-attentive Mr Prideaux for nearly three weeks. Then one Wednesday, having ridden into Truro to order some supplies, she saw him coming towards her in Church Lane. She had only just turned into the lane from Boscawen Street, and briefly contemplated a hasty turnabout; but he was only three yards from her and there was no escape.
    'Mrs Carrington! What a fortunate meeting. I trust you're well, ma'am. Though in truth I do not think you can be so well as you look!'
    Not used to double meanings, Clowance charitably took this to be a compliment. He was in a dark blue cutaway coat and fawn twill trousers caught under the instep with black elastic. Fortunately he was not wearing his spectacles.
    'I would have called upon you before this, but Lady Harriet seemed uncertain of your exact address. You must give it me, pray, before we separate. I did not think you lived in Truro.'
    'I do not. Now and again I come to shop here.'
    He felt in his fob and gave a shilling to a beggar who was importuning him. 'Last week I met a Major Geoffrey Charles Poldark, who lives on the north coast. It is an unusual name, but I did not at first connect you. He tells me he is your cousin. Is that so?'
    'Oh yes. His father and my father were cousins.'
    'Go away,' said Mr Prideaux to the beggar who, having bit the coin and found it good, was now being overwhelming in his thanks.
    'We never met because we were in different regiments; but of course there was Waterloo to talk about."
    'I'm sure.' Clowance looked after the beggar, who, unable to believe his luck, was cavorting across Boscawen Street. Then he tripped and fell flat on his face in a puddle and had to be helped up. They could still see the shilling he held firmly between finger and thumb.
    'You should not be so generous with your alms,' said Clowance with a half-smile. He was affixing his spectacles. 'Giving a little to a poor creature like that is a form of self-indulgence. Besides, it is nice to be called "Milord" now and again.'
    'Yet you do not wish to be called captain?'
    'It is whatever you please. Captain if you so desire.'
    'But not milord.'
    'Not yet. I am still young.'
    She could not tell whether he was joking or serious.
    'Well,' she said, making a move. 'I have to do a little more shopping yet--'
    'Please do not go. I have just been taken with a perfectly splendid idea. I have an appointment to take tea in the Red Lion with a friend. The friend, I am sure, is well known to you. Would you do me the honour of taking tea also?'
    She hesitated. For the first time he did not seem quite so impossible. 'Is it Geoffrey Charles?' she asked.
    'No. But I am sure you will be pleased. It cannot, I think, delay you more than half an hour, and the hotel is but ten paces down the street.'
    Hodge was not due until five, and the chances were he would be late.
    'Thank you,' she said. There were two dozen inns in the town, but the Red Lion was the largest and the most important. It had a pleasant large room on the first floor, which had become in recent years something of a meeting place for the social minded. As she mounted the stairs Clowance realized she was rather thirsty. But who was this eccentric man taking her to meet? The room was quite full, it being market day, and at