Thornhall Manor by George Benton Read Free Book Online Page B

her of happy times gone by, but as the weeks passed she felt torn between the two - Thornhall Manor and Rose Cottage.
    She could hear him saying, “I love you, Rebecca. Stay here. I’ve always loved you.”
    No longer did she have a brotherly love for William, but a longing to be with him for ever.
    â€œRebecca, you must do what you think is right.”
    â€œI’ll leave tomorrow, Mother, for Thornhall Manor.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ve made the right decision, my dear. William will understand.”
    Rebecca knocked on the large oak door, then heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn. Slowly the door opened.
    â€œThank God, Rebecca, it’s you. The master’s had a stroke and is unable to talk.”
    Tears filled her eyes when she saw his face twisted and his right arm hanging limply by his side. She gently kissed him on the cheek.
    â€œYou must leave, Rebecca, before he returns.”
    Suddenly there was a thunderous noise and the screeching of bolts, followed by heavy footsteps.
    â€œWho’s leaving? You can’t leave now, my dear. My uncle needs you. He needs looking after. Did you know that if anything happens to him, Thornhall Manor, the estate and a vast fortune will be yours - not mine? Can you imagine how I felt when he told me?”
    She watched him strutting up and down, slashing the side of his breeches with his riding whip.
    â€œYes, Uncle. No, Uncle. What shall we do today, Kathleen? For what? A paltry 500 guineas a month! I’ve lost more than that on the turn of a card.”
    Was this a dream? A nightmare? She hoped she would awake to find herself back at Rose Cottage.
    From his waistcoat pocket he slowly took a slip of paper.
    â€œI think this was meant for you: ‘Rebecca, come at once. I fear for the master. Don’t come alone. Roger.’ How fortunate that I happened upon Samuel when I did. The harm this note would have caused in the wrong hands!”
    â€œRebecca, open the door. Please open the door.”
    â€œGo away, William. My place is here at the manor. I should never have gone to Rose Cottage. This is my home. Please go. I no longer love you. Please go.”
    â€œRebecca, I love you. Don’t do this to me. Please open the door.”
    Through her tears she could see Peter, pistol at the ready. As she turned and walked away, she could hear the sound of his voice fading into the distance: “Rebecca, Rebecca.”
    â€œWhat a performance! My dear, you should have been an actress.”
    As he pushed his way past Rebecca, she could smell the stench of alcohol. Roger was fearful for his young mistress. With Peter’s heavy bouts of drinking, how long could she ward off his advances? And what had become of poor Samuel? Was there nothing he could do?
    At Rose Cottage Mary and Ned were distraught.
    â€œWhy, Ned? Why did she go back? She seemed so happy here.”
    â€œWe done wrong, Mary. I see that now. We sacrificed our own happiness for Kathleen’s, and in doing so we lost the love of our little girl. If it’s her wish to remain at Thornhall Manor, then it’s our sad loss once again.”

Chapter Twenty-Two
    A SECRET PASSAGE
    He could hear the squeaking staircase, the heavy stumbling footsteps passing his bedroom door, the turn of a key, a faint scream, then silence. He felt there was nothing he could do for Rebecca.
    He could hear Peter’s voice now as he rained blows upon his back with his riding whip: “Unlock that door again and I’ll kill you.”
    Roger realised that Peter was completely mad, but he found that by disguising his true feelings he was now allowed to attend to his master’s needs.
    â€œYou are now the master of Thornhall Manor, sir,” he told Peter.
    â€œDo you really think so, Roger?”
    â€œDefinitely, sir.”
    Roger felt completely alone and utterly helpless as he watched this drunken swine night after night staggering up the stairs and along