Free The Mask of the Enchantress by Victoria Holt

the idea. Jessamy was terrified. Then Dr. Cecil, he who had suggested that there should be no other Seton child in the nursery but Jessamy, decided that she was not strong enough for a boarding school. er chest,was all he said. So no school it was, and as Jessamy chest was too weak to let her go, mine, strong as it might bend it had never given me or Dr. Cecil any indication that it was notould not take me there. Fees would have to be paid by Sir Timothy, and it was not to be thought of that I should be sent and paid for while his daughter remained at home.
    When there was entertaining at Seton Manor, Aunt Amy Jane always did her duty and invited me. When she came to the vicarage she rode over in the carriage with a foot warmer in the winter and a parasol in the summer. On winter days she would pick up her beautiful sable muff and alight from the carriage while the Seton coachman held open the door with the utmost display of deference and she would march into the house. In the summer she would hand her parasol to the coachman, who would solemnly open it and hold it out in one hand while he helped her to alight with the other. I used to watch this ritual from one of the upstairs windows with a mixture of hilarity and awe.
    My father would receive her in a somewhat embarrassed way. He would be frantically feeling for his spectacles, which he had pushed up on his head. They always slipped too far back and he would think he had put them down somewherehich he did now and then.
    The purpose of her visit was certain to be me, because I was her Duty. She had no reason to bother herself about a man who owed his living to her benevolencer Sir Timothy, but all blessings which fell on our household came through her, of course. I would be sent for and studied intently. Janet said that Lady Seton did not really like me because I looked healthier than Miss Jessamy and reminded her of her daughter weak chest and other ailments. I was not sure whether Janet was right but I did feel that Aunt Amy Jane was not really fond of me. Her concern for my welfare was out of duty instead of affection, and I have never relished being the object of duty. I doubt anyone ever does.
    e are having a musical evening next Friday,she said one day. nabel should come. She should stay the night as it will be late before it is over, and that will be much simpler. Jennings has the dress she will wear in the carriage. He will bring it in.
    My father, struggling with his self-respect, said: h, that isn necessary, you know. I dare say we can buy a dress for Anabel.
    Aunt Amy Jane laughed. I noticed that her laugh was rarely mirthful. It was usually intended to dismiss or denigrate the folly of the one to whom it was directed.
    hat would be quite impossible, my dear James.When she said y dearthat was very often a term of reproach. I was struck by that. Laughter was supposed to express gayety; endearments were for expressing affection. Aunt Amy Jane turned them about. I supposed it came of being such an efficient, highly respectable, always-right sort of person. ou can hardly be expected to buy suitable clothes on your stipend.A repetition of the laugh as her eyes swept round our humble sitting room and mentally compared it with the fine hall at Seton Manor, which had been in the Seton family for hundreds of years with the gleaming swords on the wall and the tapestries which had been in the family for generations and were reputed to be Gobelins. o, no, James, leave this to me. I owe it to Susan Ellen.The hushed note in her voice indicated that she was speaking of the dead. t was what she would have wished. She would never have wanted Anabel to be brought up like a savage.
    My father opened his mouth to protest but by this time Aunt Amy Jane had turned to me. anet can adjust it. It will be quite simple.Other people tasks always were in Aunt Amy Jane eyes. It was only those she undertook herself which demanded so much. She was regarding me somewhat malevolently, I thought.