His Black Wings by Astrid Yrigollen Read Free Book Online Page A

money, he must be on the pounce, or the two of you are already pouncing?” I had to stop and think about what she meant before I answered. When I did answer I was astonished to see tears in her eyes.
     
    “No Mary, do you mean, are we sleeping together?” She nodded and let her tears fall freely as she rubbed her eyes fiercely.
     
    “No Mary, not at all! We’re not doing anything like that. I think of him as a father, more than an employer. You see Mary, I have no parents and Mr. Brighton knows this. I feel that he may feel compassion for me because of this.” She nodded tearfully.
     
    “Can ye firgive me miss? I…I mmm…” She trailed off and looked at the floor.
     
    Instantly I knew why she asked me.
     
    “You are in love with him aren’t you Mary?” She didn’t say anything, which told me everything.
     
    “That’s okay Mary, you have nothing to worry about. Mr. Brighton is a very honorable man. A very generous man, as you should know as well. He lets you live here rent free doesn’t he?” She nodded.
     
    “And it kills me when he is away miss! I miss him so, I do! I just turned twenty and am plenty old enough for a man the likes of him.” It shocked me to learn she the same age as I. She was so small.
     
    I knew it was pointless, but I asked her why she never said anything to him.
     
    “Saay anything miss? Ah couldn’t. Sometimes he looks like he hates me, other times he looks like he wants to eat me up and still, this has to be the worst, he looks right through me. It’s like ah don’t exist.”
     
    I knew enough about the type of man Fredrick was to know he would never consider having this girl as a partner, even a lover. She was very sweet, but very dumb and something about Fredrick told me he liked women with brains.
     
    Which brought another thought to mind. Was there any truth to what Mary was asking? Did she see something I didn’t? I don’t consider myself a scholar, but I have always been told I was bright for my age. Fredrick was always complimenting me, but did that make me a candidate for his mistress? Either way I could not feel that way about him. I almost felt angry, as I felt the seed Mary had planted in my mind begin to grow roots. I decide to view him closely tonight and weigh his every word.
     
    “You look lovely tonight! Is that one of your new dresses?” Mr. Brighton asked over dinner.
     
    “Yes, it is. I thank you very much for giving me the means to purchase it. I made sure to leave the excess in an envelope on the hall table for you.” He waved his hand in the air between us.
     
    “Do not mention it again. Even roses need petals and leaves. You are just as lovely as your aunt.” A strange silence hung between us as he said this. I thought this an odd comment to make. He looked at me and smiled.
     
    “I am sure she was a beautiful woman, as your mother was as well.”
     
    “Thank you.” Was all I managed to reply. He didn’t know my aunt or my mother, why would he say such a thing?
     
    He frequently tormented me, if you will, with strange comments like these. I noticed he was spending more evenings at home during the week, not just on Fridays. We would always dine in front of the firelight Sometimes he took a meal with me, while others, he sipped on wine or cognac.
     
    We spoke about everything from fashion, politics and music to liquor. He would nod his head frequently accompanied by a “Hmmm…I see” or an “Interesting”. I would sometimes speak for hours without realizing it.
     
    In moments of clarity, I realized he knew far more about me than I had wished. He had a gentle, comforting disposition when we spoke.
     
    I had not completely forgotten what Mary had told me, but I nevertheless filed it away, until this evening.
     
    “Now, tomorrow evening you must prepare yourself to accompany me on some errands.”
     
    “Yes, of course Sir.” He smiled warmly at me, but there was always something behind those eyes that warned me of