Demelza by Winston Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

not.'
    Ruth said: 'It is quite strange, Ross, how you look upon things since you married. I don't think you were lacking in all courtesy before. I hesitate to think what influence can have been at work to turn you out so boorish.'
    'I want an apology,' Treneglos shouted. 'My wife was grossly insulted by that man, father-in-law or no. Damme, if he was of my own status, I'd call him out for what he said! Would you swallow such impudence, Ross? Lord save us, you'd be the last! Rot an' perish me if I'll be content…'
    'The truth's the truth!' Carne snapped. 'An' blasphemy don't aid unto be anything other…'
    'Hold your tongue, man.' Ross turned on him. 'If we want your opinions we'll invite 'em at a proper time.'
    While Carne was speechless, he turned back to Treneglos. 'Modes and manners vary with the breed, John; those with the same code can speak the same language. Will you allow me as host to apologize for such offence as this may have given you or your wife?'
    Hesitating, a little mollified, John flexed his arm and grunted and glanced at the girl at his side.
    'Well, Ross, you spit it out well enough. I have no wish to go against that. If Ruth feels…'
    Outmanoevuvred, Ruth said: 'I confess I should have taken it better at an earlier stage. Naturally if Ross wishes to protect his new relative…Some allowance must be made for those who know no better by those who do.'
    A sudden wail from nearby caused them all to turn. Aunt Agatha, neglected in the quarrel, had made fair speed across the grass, but just when she was nearing her quarry a mischievous gust had caught her. They saw a barely recognizable old lady crowned with a scum of grey hair, while a purple bonnet and a wig bowled along towards the stream. Francis and one or two of the others at once went in pursuit. Following them, floating down the wind, came a stream of curses from a Carolinian world none of the others had known. Even the Dowager Lady Bodrugan could not have done better.
    An hour later Ross went upstairs to find Demelza lying in a sort of dry-eyed grief on the bed. All the guests had amiably gone, by foot or on horseback, clinging to hats; skirts and coattails flying in the wind.
    Demelza had helped to see them off, smiling with fixed politeness until the last had turned his back. Then she had muttered an excuse and fled.
    Ross said: 'Prudie is looking for you. We didn't know where you were. She wants to know what is to be done with some of the foodstuffs.'
    She did not answer.
    'Demelza.'
    'Oh, Ross,' she said, 'I am in a sore state.'
    He sat on the edge of the bed. 'Never worry about it, my dear.'
    'It will be the talk of the district. Ruth Treneglos an' all the other Teagues will see to that.'
    'What is there to fret about? Tittle tattle. If they have nothing better to do than prate…'
    'I am that grieved. I thought I would show 'em that I was a fit wife for you, that I could wear fine clothes and behave genteel an' not disgrace you. An' instead they will all ride home snickering behind their hands. "Have you not heard about Cap'n Poldark's wife, the kitchen wench''…Oh, I could die!'
    'Which would displease us all much more than a brush with John Treneglos.' He put his hand on her ankle. 'This is but the first fence, child. We have had a check. Well, we can try again. Only a faint heart would give up the race so soon.'
    'So you think I am a faint heart.' Demelza withdrew her foot, feeling irrationally irritated with him. She knew that, of all the people this afternoon, Ross had come out best. She faintly resented it because she felt that no one who cared could have been so unruffled; and because of this she faintly resented his manner now, seeing in it more patronage than sympathy, disliking for the first time his use of the word 'child', as if it spoke more of condescension than love.
    And at the back of everything was Elizabeth. Elizabeth had scored today. She had looked so beautiful, so poised and graceful, standing in the background, taking no