Free The Rebellious Twin by Shirley Kennedy Page A

well into his dotage. Stormont is no better than a thief, and we had better remember that. At least he has not been invited to the — ” She stopped abruptly, but too late.
    “To the ball tonight?” softly asked Sara Sophia. “Why do you blush? How could you think I didn’t know there’s a ball at Graystone Hall tonight when it’s the talk of the countryside?”
    “It’s not fair. I did everything in the world to get Mama to invite you, but she simply would not.”
    “Say no more.” Sara Sophia regarded her with those clear, observant eyes. “You needn’t fear I’ll be upset, or hurt, because I am not. Long ago, I learned my station in life. Rest assured, I am content.”
    Clarinda regarded her skeptically. “You’re just saying that.”
    “No, I’m not. Don’t you understand? I am not the least impressed with your Leisure World. It bothers me not one wit that I don’t belong. Oh, of course, I love a good time, but I’m certainly not hurt, nor do I care that I’m ignored and not invited.”
    “Still, it’s deucedly unfair, said Clarinda, her cheeks flushed with anger.
    “I’m only happy I have a friend like you, and I have Sham to ride — at least I did, and I’ve been able to live at this beautiful estate, run-down though it may be.” Sara Sophia clasped Clarinda’s hand. “I so admire you, Clarinda — your high spirits — your passion for living. I’m so grateful you’re my friend. I find it a true miracle that for some reason you want to spend more time with me than with your twin.”
    “My twin,” Clarinda repeated with a disdainful toss of her head. “You wonder why I don’t spend more time with Rissa?”
    “I can guess, but you’ve never said.”
    “I stay away from Rissa because she’s selfish. No, beyond selfish. Because Rissa always gets her way.”
    “But you’re so strong-willed and independent. Why can’t you stand up to her?”
    “It’s simple. According to my parents, Rissa is the good twin and I’m the bad.”
    “But we know that’s not true!”
    Clarinda set her chin in a stubborn line. “Let them think what they wish. I gave up trying to change their minds long ago.”
    Riding home, Clarinda kept seeing Lord Stormont’s anxious face as he bent over her. But enough! she told herself. She would put him out of her mind — think of the ball tonight.
    Larimore. Her heart sank at the thought. She wished she didn’t have to see him. Why didn’t she break her skull when she fell off Donegal? Or an arm, or leg, or at the very least, sprained an ankle? Then she wouldn’t have to attend the ball tonight.
    Alas, she hadn’t been that lucky.
    *
    When Clarinda arrived home, she found Mama and the seamstress in Rissa’s bed chamber. They were putting final touches on Rissa’s ball gown as she stood admiring herself before her full length gilt mirror.
    “Where have you been, Clarinda?” asked Lady Capelle.
    Mama knew full well where she’d been. “Out riding, Mama, as I do every morning.”
    Mama glanced at her suspiciously. “I trust you didn’t visit Sara Sophia.”
    Before she could answer, Rissa inadvertently saved her. “Oh, Clarinda! You’ve a scratch on your forehead, up near your hairline.”
    “Damnation, I forgot. She should have checked herself in the mirror first. “‘Tis nothing. I just had a little tumble from my horse.”
    Mama scowled, a not uncommon reaction at any mention of Clarinda’s passion for riding. “Did Donegal stumble?”
    “Donegal never stumbles. It was Lord Stormont’s hunter who ran across the meadow and — “
    “Lord Stormont!” Mama’s eyes instantly lit with interest. “Do you mean to say he’s here?”
    “He’s come to inspect his new property. Such a horrid man. I cannot abide the way he stole Hollyridge from Lord Westerlynn.”
    “Horrid?” Mama stared at her aghast. “No man is horrid who’s unmarried, titled, and has an income in excess of twenty thousand pounds per year.”
    Rissa, who had been