Free Secret for a Nightingale by Victoria Holt Page B

said.
    “When you look at it, it seems to come alive.”
    “That’s Harry’s character coming across to you. You can see, can’t you, that he is no ordinary man. Now take a look at Joseph St. Clare over here with his daughter Charity. They lived a hundred years before Harry. They are the virtuous St. Clares. But don’t you think Harry is more interesting?”
    “I think his is a finer portrait.”
    “Don’t deceive yourself. That’s Harry looking out at you. He’s wondering how he can tempt you to folly. He’d like to make you a member of his Hell-Fire Club.”
    “How dark it is. It seems to have got worse suddenly.”
    He lighted one of the lamps which stood on a console table nearby. He held up the lamp. Harry St. Clare looked malevolent in lamp light.
    Aubrey laughed and as I turned and looked at him I thought that with that gleam in his eyes, he bore a strong resemblance to his ancestor.
    I shivered and just then I heard the faint rumble of thunder in the distance. He put his arm round me and for a few moments we looked at the picture.
    Then he put the lamp down on the table and, turning to me, took me in his arms and kissed me in a passionate and demanding manner. He had never held me quite in the same way before.
    I felt faintly uneasy. I looked over my shoulder. It was as though Harry St. Clare were laughing at me.
    After dinner that evening Amelia delivered her astounding news.
    We had eaten in the winter parlour which we did as there were only
    three of us. I had gathered that the main dining-room was used only when there were several guests as it was too big for so few.
    There was a little ante-room leading from the winter parlour, like a comfortable sitting-room, and here we retired to have coffee.
    Amelia had been abstracted during the meal and I thought she seemed nervous.
    Then, as though bracing herself she said: “I have something to tell you. I didn’t want to mention it until I was absolutely sure. I am going to have a child.”
    The silence was intense. I did not look at Aubrey but I was aware of him.
    Amelia stumbled on: “Of course … it will make a difference. Stephen is so pleased. I think it has done him a lot of good.”
    I cried: “Congratulations. You must be overjoyed. It is what you always wanted.”
    She turned to me almost gratefully.
    “I couldn’t believe it at first. I thought I was imagining it. I didn’t want to talk of it until I could be absolutely sure. But now the doctor has confirmed it.”
    I got up and, going to her, embraced her. I was happy for her. She had moved me so deeply when she had told me of her longing for children and her disappointments. At the same time I guessed how Aubrey must be feeling. He seemed to have developed an obsession about the Minster since he had believed it was to be his. I wondered what was going on in his mind. For a few moments he appeared to be too stunned for speech.
    I glanced at him expectantly and, as though with a great effort, he spoke.
    “Well, I must add my congratulations to those of Susanna. When .?”
    “It is only two months yet … I wanted to make absolutely sure before I mentioned it. There’s quite a long time to go, of course. I intend to take the greatest care this time. It’s like a miracle. After all my disappointments … and Stephen as he is … It will give me something to live for. I can’t tell you how I am feeling … but, of course, this will make changes for you …”
     
    “Yes, indeed,” said Aubrey wryly.
    “I do understand,” said Amelia.
    “I’m sorry … in a way … and yet I find it hard to be because more than anything that is possible … I want this …”
    I could see that Aubrey was grappling with his feelings. I said: “We should drink to a happy outcome.”
    “I shall not drink any alcohol,” insisted Amelia.
    “I am going to be so careful.”
    “Then we will drink, Susanna and I,” said Aubrey, ‘to a happy outcome.
    ”
     
    Amelia could talk of nothing