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Ivy quickly untied the thong about her neck, slipped the pendant free and, with Cordelia s help, attached
it to the silver chain. She was nearly hopping with excitement as Cordelia fixed the clasp.
How do I look? she asked, twirling about on her toes.
Like a very elegant young lady, Cordelia said. She laughed softly, taking joy in Ivy s pleasure. Would
it suit you to have our luncheon now?
Oh, yes. Thank you, Cordelia.
For the remainder of the afternoon, Ivy determinedly applied herself to behaving exactly as Cordelia
would wish. Cordelia was immensely gratified by the small but telling victory. She lived by the doctrine
that any problem could be solved with steadfastness, compassion and common sense. Once again her
philosophy had been proven correct.
But that didn t mean she could relax her vigilance. Ivy s education was just beginning. And Cordelia
knew that she must take special care from now on never to give Ivy or Donal any reason to doubt
her complete disinterest in the doctor as anything but a temporary employee and Ivy s onetime guardian.
DONAL HAD BEEN UP before dawn as was his custom, and so he had dressed and arrived at the
house well in advance of breakfast. A sleepy footman directed him to the kitchen, where Mrs. Jelbert
was just baking the day s bread and brewing coffee for Sir Geoffrey. Donal accepted a mug of the
beverage and set off on his usual brisk walk around the park and past the menagerie, returning at last to
his own humble cottage.
His first glimpse of his lodgings at Edgecott had been on the day after his and Ivy s arrival, when Perkins,
the head groundskeeper, had led him to a cluster of cottages just over a low hill from the menagerie. A
pair of scullery maids with an array of buckets, mops and other cleaning implements were leaving as
Perkins and Donal approached. Two other maids and a footman in the uniforms of the house stood ready
with linens, rolled carpets, a washstand, and sundry other amenities.
Donal had understood that it would do little good to protest that he had no need of such luxuries.
Cordelia would not have listened. So he had accepted the gift with good grace and set about making
himself worthy of his keep.
Every day for the past week he had spent each morning with the animals in the menagerie, treating their
minor ailments and doing what he could to abate their discontent and the general malaise of captivity. The
work was frustrating, for he knew there was a limit to what he might achieve under the circumstances, yet
he formed a bond with the animals that he believed was of some small benefit to both them and him.
In the late afternoons, after luncheon at the house when he all too often found himself inexplicably
gazing at Cordelia like a veritable mooncalf he rambled among the wolds or visited the local villages
and farms where he observed numerous examples of Cordelia s admirable work among the yeomen and
cottagers of the parish.
It was clear that she was deeply respected by the parishioners, regardless of station or profession; the
curate praised her Christian charity, farmwives spoke enthusiastically of the school Mrs. Hardcastle
supported, and shopkeepers in the village practically fell over themselves to extol the value of her
patronage. A prosperous squire, whose carriage horse Donal examined on the road several miles outside
Edgecott, was happy to confide that Edgecott itself would be in a sorry state indeed if not for Mrs.
Hardcastle s management; the reclusive Sir Geoffrey was hopeless at such matters and left the
administration of his estate and fortune in her capable hands.
After hearing such laudatory accounts Donal generally looked forward to his evening meetings with
Cordelia, though he despaired of his foolish attachment to her company. This evening was no different.
He climbed the hill overlooking the carriage drive, watching for the ladies return from Gloucester. He
remembered how they had looked when they departed that morning: Ivy appearing very grown-up in her
long, full skirts and with her dark tresses drawn up close to her head, Cordelia sitting erect in her seat,
her face a little flushed by the wind, every hair in perfect order. Even from a distance she exuded a unique
and particular force of will.
God alone knew how long they would be at their shopping; if they were anything like Lady Eden, they
might even choose to remain in town overnight. Donal shook his head with an indulgent smile and
descended the hill. He had meant to visit the stables and kennels for the past several days, and there
seemed no better opportunity than the present. He set off at a brisk stride for the stable block behind the
house and gardens.
Halfway there he was stopped by an importunate bark from the direction of the manor. He waited for Sir
Reginald to catch up, and the spaniel fell into a companionable trot beside him.
Do you find the house to your liking, Sir Reginald? he asked.
The dog cocked his head up at Donal and wagged his tail.
Doubtless it is no more than you were used to with your former human companion.
The dog s sadness reached Donal briefly, and then Sir Reginald sent a much more joyful message.
I am glad that you are happy with Ivy, Donal said. There will be many times in future that she will look
to you for comfort. The world can be a harsh place for young people, especially of her sex.
Sir Reginald gave fervent agreement, for he was well familiar with the tales of the three street curs who
had come with Ivy to Yorkshire. He whined.
No. You need never fear that Ivy will return to that life. But it is up to you to remind her how much she
stands to gain if she strives for happiness here, where she has so many advantages.
The spaniel paused, sat on his haunches, and regarded Donal severely. Donal squatted beside him.
Yes. It is true that I hope to leave England within the next few months. But it is not that I wish to be rid
of Ivy, or leave you and the other animals. Someday I will return, but&
The spaniel shot him a reproachful look.
No, I would never give up our conversations, Reggie& not even for all the gold in England. Come along,
now.
Sighing deeply, the dog accepted Donal s reassurance and dashed ahead toward the stables. Donal
reached them a few minutes later.
The stables were large and, like everything else at Edgecott, kept spotlessly clean. Stable boys were at
work mucking out stalls or polishing tack, and grooms exercised a pair of handsome bay thoroughbreds.
A dozen more horses, including a fat pony and several ladies hacks, occupied the roomy stalls.
Donal breathed in the air of contentment with a smile. He returned the grooms greetings and walked
along the stalls, acknowledging each occupant. Twelve large, elegant heads pushed over the partitions,
nostrils flaring and ears pricked forward. The shaggy pony snorted and danced to show how clever he
was. The other horses laughed at him, but gently. There was no hostility or rivalry here, only a calm good
fellowship. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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Ivy quickly untied the thong about her neck, slipped the pendant free and, with Cordelia s help, attached
it to the silver chain. She was nearly hopping with excitement as Cordelia fixed the clasp.
How do I look? she asked, twirling about on her toes.
Like a very elegant young lady, Cordelia said. She laughed softly, taking joy in Ivy s pleasure. Would
it suit you to have our luncheon now?
Oh, yes. Thank you, Cordelia.
For the remainder of the afternoon, Ivy determinedly applied herself to behaving exactly as Cordelia
would wish. Cordelia was immensely gratified by the small but telling victory. She lived by the doctrine
that any problem could be solved with steadfastness, compassion and common sense. Once again her
philosophy had been proven correct.
But that didn t mean she could relax her vigilance. Ivy s education was just beginning. And Cordelia
knew that she must take special care from now on never to give Ivy or Donal any reason to doubt
her complete disinterest in the doctor as anything but a temporary employee and Ivy s onetime guardian.
DONAL HAD BEEN UP before dawn as was his custom, and so he had dressed and arrived at the
house well in advance of breakfast. A sleepy footman directed him to the kitchen, where Mrs. Jelbert
was just baking the day s bread and brewing coffee for Sir Geoffrey. Donal accepted a mug of the
beverage and set off on his usual brisk walk around the park and past the menagerie, returning at last to
his own humble cottage.
His first glimpse of his lodgings at Edgecott had been on the day after his and Ivy s arrival, when Perkins,
the head groundskeeper, had led him to a cluster of cottages just over a low hill from the menagerie. A
pair of scullery maids with an array of buckets, mops and other cleaning implements were leaving as
Perkins and Donal approached. Two other maids and a footman in the uniforms of the house stood ready
with linens, rolled carpets, a washstand, and sundry other amenities.
Donal had understood that it would do little good to protest that he had no need of such luxuries.
Cordelia would not have listened. So he had accepted the gift with good grace and set about making
himself worthy of his keep.
Every day for the past week he had spent each morning with the animals in the menagerie, treating their
minor ailments and doing what he could to abate their discontent and the general malaise of captivity. The
work was frustrating, for he knew there was a limit to what he might achieve under the circumstances, yet
he formed a bond with the animals that he believed was of some small benefit to both them and him.
In the late afternoons, after luncheon at the house when he all too often found himself inexplicably
gazing at Cordelia like a veritable mooncalf he rambled among the wolds or visited the local villages
and farms where he observed numerous examples of Cordelia s admirable work among the yeomen and
cottagers of the parish.
It was clear that she was deeply respected by the parishioners, regardless of station or profession; the
curate praised her Christian charity, farmwives spoke enthusiastically of the school Mrs. Hardcastle
supported, and shopkeepers in the village practically fell over themselves to extol the value of her
patronage. A prosperous squire, whose carriage horse Donal examined on the road several miles outside
Edgecott, was happy to confide that Edgecott itself would be in a sorry state indeed if not for Mrs.
Hardcastle s management; the reclusive Sir Geoffrey was hopeless at such matters and left the
administration of his estate and fortune in her capable hands.
After hearing such laudatory accounts Donal generally looked forward to his evening meetings with
Cordelia, though he despaired of his foolish attachment to her company. This evening was no different.
He climbed the hill overlooking the carriage drive, watching for the ladies return from Gloucester. He
remembered how they had looked when they departed that morning: Ivy appearing very grown-up in her
long, full skirts and with her dark tresses drawn up close to her head, Cordelia sitting erect in her seat,
her face a little flushed by the wind, every hair in perfect order. Even from a distance she exuded a unique
and particular force of will.
God alone knew how long they would be at their shopping; if they were anything like Lady Eden, they
might even choose to remain in town overnight. Donal shook his head with an indulgent smile and
descended the hill. He had meant to visit the stables and kennels for the past several days, and there
seemed no better opportunity than the present. He set off at a brisk stride for the stable block behind the
house and gardens.
Halfway there he was stopped by an importunate bark from the direction of the manor. He waited for Sir
Reginald to catch up, and the spaniel fell into a companionable trot beside him.
Do you find the house to your liking, Sir Reginald? he asked.
The dog cocked his head up at Donal and wagged his tail.
Doubtless it is no more than you were used to with your former human companion.
The dog s sadness reached Donal briefly, and then Sir Reginald sent a much more joyful message.
I am glad that you are happy with Ivy, Donal said. There will be many times in future that she will look
to you for comfort. The world can be a harsh place for young people, especially of her sex.
Sir Reginald gave fervent agreement, for he was well familiar with the tales of the three street curs who
had come with Ivy to Yorkshire. He whined.
No. You need never fear that Ivy will return to that life. But it is up to you to remind her how much she
stands to gain if she strives for happiness here, where she has so many advantages.
The spaniel paused, sat on his haunches, and regarded Donal severely. Donal squatted beside him.
Yes. It is true that I hope to leave England within the next few months. But it is not that I wish to be rid
of Ivy, or leave you and the other animals. Someday I will return, but&
The spaniel shot him a reproachful look.
No, I would never give up our conversations, Reggie& not even for all the gold in England. Come along,
now.
Sighing deeply, the dog accepted Donal s reassurance and dashed ahead toward the stables. Donal
reached them a few minutes later.
The stables were large and, like everything else at Edgecott, kept spotlessly clean. Stable boys were at
work mucking out stalls or polishing tack, and grooms exercised a pair of handsome bay thoroughbreds.
A dozen more horses, including a fat pony and several ladies hacks, occupied the roomy stalls.
Donal breathed in the air of contentment with a smile. He returned the grooms greetings and walked
along the stalls, acknowledging each occupant. Twelve large, elegant heads pushed over the partitions,
nostrils flaring and ears pricked forward. The shaggy pony snorted and danced to show how clever he
was. The other horses laughed at him, but gently. There was no hostility or rivalry here, only a calm good
fellowship. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]