Snare of Serpents by Victoria Holt Read Free Book Online Page B

wonder what the master will have to say about this.”
    She need not have wondered, for nothing was said.
    During the carriage drive she must have decided that Hamish would make a dancing partner for me.
    When she sent for him I was horrified. I had always found Hamish repulsive and the intimacy of the dance would be most unpleasant. I could not shut out the image of him with Kitty on the bed.
    Miss Grey demonstrated the dance, first with me and then with Hamish. She sang as she danced and I had to admit that she did it with the utmost grace. She floated by herself … her arms outstretched, muttering: “See. One two, one two three … the lady turns … the gentleman guides her … there. Let me try it with you, Hamish, while Davina watches. Then I’ll take Davina while you watch … then you two can do it together. Oh dear, I wish we had someone who could play the piano.”
    She turned to me and held me loosely. She smelt of musk and attar of roses. I could see her white teeth and greedy lips closely—but it was wonderful to dance with her. It was much less so with Hamish.
    He grinned at me. I believe he understood my feelings and they amused him.
    I could have enjoyed the dancing lessons but for Hamish.
    Mrs. Kirkwell was shocked when she heard that he was my partner in these lessons—so much so that she bearded my father in his study to tell him what was going on.
    She was so bemused and indignant when she emerged that she forgot my youth for once and while I was present told Bess what had taken place.
    “I said to him, ‘There he was … dancing with Miss Davina … that man who was as much to blame as Kitty for what happened.’ And what do you think he said to me? He said, very cold like, ‘I wish to hear no more of the matter, Mrs. Kirkwell.’ I spoke up bold as brass because I knew it were the right and proper thing to do. I said to him, ‘Well, sir, to see that man holding Miss Davina … as they have to do in this dance … well, it’s more than flesh and blood can stand after …’
    He wouldn’t let me finish. He said: ‘I trust Miss Grey to do what is best for my daughter. She needs a dancing partner for the practise apparently and he is the only young man available. That is an end to the matter.’ He was as cold as a fish. Well, there’s nothing more I can do. But I’ve made my feelings known and I reckon I’ve done my duty.”
    And Hamish continued to practise with me.
    There were a great many demonstrations, though, and Miss Grey danced more often with Hamish than I did.
    I had a letter from Lilias.
    My dear Davina,
    I am very unhappy. I feel I have brought a blight on my family. Sometimes I cannot believe this has happened and I am filled with hatred towards that person who played that trick on me—for I am sure it was a trick. Someone must have hated me almost as much as I hate that person now, although I don’t know whom I am hating.
    My father has been wonderful. He makes me pray with him. He says I must forgive this enemy, but I cannot, Davina. I feel this wicked person has ruined my life.
    I know you believe me and that gives me great comfort. But I am home now and I shall never be able to take another post. This terrible stigma will hang over me for ever.
    I am helping Alice and Jane at the moment and Alice is going to take a post as governess … so I shall step into her shoes. I shall remain at the vicarage. Although my family believe in me, I am very unhappy. I should be grateful for their trust, I know, and I am, but I suffer still from this malicious accusation.
    I saw Kitty the other day. She is settling in at Lakemere House, which is one of the two big houses here—the other being the Manor. Kitty seemed to be getting along quite well. We are the two disgraced ones, but I think she will be better able to get over her shameful humiliation, even though guilty, than I, innocent, ever shall be.
    My dear Davina, I shall always remember you. Write to me and tell me how you are