The Painter's Apprentice by Charlotte Betts Read Free Book Online Page A

they began their lives above
     a lowly apothecary shop. We’ve come a long way since then and I have no wish to be reminded of those dreadful times.’
    Beth saw the warning glint in her mother’s green eyes and hastily changed the subject. ‘And to what do we owe the honour of
     your visit, Lady Arabella?’
    ‘We left Windsor late and there was a question as to whether we would arrive back at Chelsea before dark. Joshua suggested
     we break the journey here because he fancied to ask if you and your sister would care to accompany us to a concert.’
    ‘At Stationer’s Hall,’ said Joshua, ‘near Ludgate, in the city. It’s St Cecilia’s day tomorrow and Dryden has written an ode
     which has been set to music by Draghi. And there will be refreshments after the festival of music.’
    Cecily jumped to her feet and snatched up her mother’s hands. ‘Oh, Mama, do say we can go?’
    Beth felt a tingle of excitement run down her back. She’d not been to London since she was a child.
    Her mother turned to her. ‘Beth?’
    ‘I should enjoy it very much.’ Even if it meant spending time in Lady Arabella’s company.
    ‘Then I see no reason why you shouldn’t go.’
    ‘Thank you, thank you, Grandmother!’ Cecily impulsively ran to Lady Arabella and kissed her powdered cheek.
    Arabella looked surprised but gratified. ‘I’d prefer you to address me as “Lady Arabella”, Cecily, unless we are alone with
     the family. “Grandmother” makes me sound like Methuselah’s wife. We shall return to my house in Chelsea by boat and change
     there before continuing our journey in Sir George’s new carriage.’ She turned to Noah. ‘Perhaps you would care to join us?
     It would afford us further opportunities to discuss the renovations I intend to carry out at Windsor.’
    Noah bowed. ‘I should be delighted.’
    ‘That’s settled then. I will go to my bedchamber to rest now. Cecily, my dear, will you show me the way? And Susannah, I do
     not care to take my supper with the inmates.’ She shuddered. ‘No, I shall have it in here on a table by the fire and very
     much hope that I shall not be obliged to endure any more of that dreadfully stale cake.’

Chapter 5
    The party of concert-goers travelled in Sir George’s fine, velvet-lined carriage, bowling along from Chelsea at a cracking
     pace. The iron-shod wheels thundered along the rutted road, spitting out stones and clods of mud at any unfortunate passers-by.
     The coachman and his boy wore smart blue liveries while the horses, matched greys, had their manes and tails tied up with
     sky-blue ribbons.
    Beth, queasy from the motion and pressed tightly between Noah and Cecily, wondered how any traveller could endure a journey
     of several days.
    Cecily, barely able to contain her excitement, bounced up and down and exclaimed in delight as she peered out of the windows
     at each new spectacle they passed.
    ‘The country mouse comes to town!’ said Joshua, reclining back in his seat next to his mother and affecting world-weary boredom.
     As usual, the twins were dressed identically. Today they were elegant in ochre brocade waistcoats worn under topaz coats with
     brass buttons.
    Cecily took no notice of him. ‘Is that Westminster Abbey? It’s so large our own church of St Botolph would fit inside it a
     hundred times! This is my first visit to London, you know,’ she said to Noah.
    ‘So you said, at least a dozen times.’ Noah smiled at her in amusement.
    Lady Arabella sighed. ‘I’ll thank you to stop treading on my new shoes, Cecily. I had thought your mother might have taught
     you manners more befitting to a young lady.’
    ‘I beg your pardon, Grandmother.’
    ‘I do hope you aren’t going to disgrace me this afternoon?’
    Cecily remained chastened for at least three minutes until Joshua pointed out Whitehall Palace and she squealed in delight
     as she stood up to press her nose to the window.
    ‘Sit down, Cecily!’ said Beth. ‘The coach is