Sally James by A Clandestine Affair Read Free Book Online Page B

that answer would be. He could offer her a comfortable life, much the same as she had been living for the past few years, caring for a household. When he obtained his own parish there would be much for her to do. Could that satisfy her? Did she have any feelings towards him that might be deeper than mere friendship, she asked herself. He had indicated he had a warm regard for her, but had given no sign that these feelings went further than this. She could not imagine herself loving and being loved by Mr Knowle as Caroline loved and was loved by Arthur. Would such love develop? There was nothing about Mr Knowle to disgust her. Indeed he was a most handsome man, with polished manners, and came of an excellent family. With his connections he would find easy preferment, and might finish as a bishop. He would be kind always, considerate and generous, and would be a husband many girls would be envious of. Why did Caroline urge her not to accept? Did she place too high an emphasis on romantic love, having known it herself? And why, Mary thought with sudden indignation, had Sir Ingram interfered in what was certainly none of his affair?
    Unable to solve these puzzles Mary went to bed, but morning brought no enlightenment, and she spent the day in a fret of apprehension that Mr Knowle would appear. However, dinner-time came and there had been no visit from him, and after the meal Mary went to fetch her shawl in readiness to walk to the manor.
    Sir Ingram had not appeared at all that day, and Mary felt an irrational disappointment, but Teresa seemed not to care, saying it was just like him to be unpredictable. They set off to walk the short distance between the two houses, and had almost reached the front door when a smart chaise drew up beside them and Sir Ingram leapt down to greet them.
    “Well met, Miss Wyndham. Are you fully recovered, Teresa? Servant, Wyndham. I discovered that my friends, Paul and Belinda Ward, were coming to this party, and so I remained with them.”
    Paul and Belinda, children of a neighbouring landowner, were old acquaintances and Mary turned to greet them as they followed Sir Ingram out of the chaise. Then they all entered the house to be met by Caroline and her husband, and found that there were already a dozen or so people present. Mr Knowle detached himself from a group and came across to Mary, nodding coldly to Sir Ingram and the others before drawing her away, saying that Mr Johnson, the vicar, who was in another room, had a message to give her for her father.
    “He will not be staying long, and so asked to see you as soon as you arrived,” he explained.
    Caroline had organised dancing in her largest parlour, and card tables were set up for those of her guests who did not care to dance. After chatting for a while with Mr Johnson, Mary was whisked away to dance by Paul Ward, a man a few years her senior who had known her all her life.
    “It was a surprise to see Ingram,” he began. “First time, to my knowledge, that he’s been in this part of the world. I believe his father knew yours?”
    “Yes, at Oxford. Is he a great friend of yours?” she asked curiously.
    “We belong to the same clubs,” Paul replied, “but he’s a bit older than I am, and has his own set. Very popular with the men as well as the women,” he added, laughing. “He’s an excellent whip, and shoots even better. And though he looks slight he can hold his own with anyone in the ring.”
    “A non pareil, in fact,” Mary commented briefly, and turned the conversation onto other subjects.
    As the dance ended she found Mr Knowle waiting to claim her attention.
    “Miss Wyndham, pray will you spare me a few minutes?”
    Unable to refuse, Mary felt her heart sinking as she realised what was to come. Mr Knowle led her to the room where refreshments were laid out, secured a glass of orgeat for her, and then, remarking self-consciously that it was an exceptionally clear night and there were many stars to be seen, suggested