Free The Master of Liversedge by Alice Chetwynd Ley Page A

concealed from view by a dark yew.
    Something in the build and stance of the figure made her catch her breath in sudden, unreasoning fear. She knew who this man was, although she could not recognize his face even had she been close enough to discern the features.
    She felt John move, and put out her hand to stop him.
    ‘No!’ she whispered, urgently. ‘Don’t go.’
    ‘I must, Mary,’ he replied, and shook her gently off.
    He began to thread his way through the small groups which surrounded them. She started in pursuit, but had taken only a few steps when she felt a touch on her arm, and, turning, saw Mr. Arkwright there.
    He bowed curtly. ‘Good morning, ma’am. I want you to make my sister’s acquaintance.’
    She had no choice but to follow him down the path to the spot by the lych-gate where Mrs. Arkwright and Caroline were awaiting him. Mrs. Arkwright was deep in conversation with an acquaintance, but she detached herself as her step-son came up, and greeted Mary kindly, if somewhat effusively.
    ‘Are you feeling more the thing today, Miss Lister? You looked proper poorly die other night, and no wonder, poor thing, after what you’d just been through — but you look much stouter today, I assure you, and I am very glad of it. I said to Will, “That poor girl,” I said — ’
    ‘Caroline,’ interrupted Arkwright, ‘this is Miss Lister, your new governess.’
    ‘How d’you do, ma’am?’
    The girl bobbed, and directed a quick, shy smile at Mary. Her lively eyes searched the governess’s face, looking for some sign that they were to be friends. Mary tried to forget her sudden anxiety about John and the sinister figure in the churchyard. She gave an answering smile, charged with warmth and reassurance. She watched the slight tension die out of the girl’s face as she gave her quiet response.
    ‘I think you have something to ask Miss Lister,’ Arkwright prompted his stepmother, with a slight smile.
    ‘I? Oh, yes, to be sure!’ Mrs. Arkwright started, for she had been watching closely to see how her darling would receive the new governess. ‘Will thought — that is to say, I would very much like you to come and take a dish of tea with me this afternoon, if you are not doing anything else, you know. It would be a splendid opportunity for you and Caro to get to know each other, before you start your lessons together tomorrow, don’t you agree, Miss Lister? Though I am sure you will go on famously; for the minute I set eyes on you I knew you would be more suitable than that Miss Mercer, who was a dear, good creature, poor soul, but so dreadfully prim, as though she had been at least a hundred years old, which Caro thought she most likely was!’ She paused for breath, but was on again before anyone could stop her. ‘Though to be sure, I did wonder if perhaps you might not be just a bit too young for a governess — but Will thought you capable, and he’s always right, you know — ’
    ‘You give me a depressing character,’ interrupted William Arkwright, lightly. ‘What time would be convenient to you, Miss Lister?’
    Mary hastily named three o’clock, and then wished that she had not done so. She recollected only too well that it was the hour appointed for the deputation to meet at Liversedge mill. What perverse fate had made her employer ask her to be at his house this afternoon? Yet, in a way, she wanted to be close at hand when her cousin paid his call.
    She parted from the Arkwrights as soon as she could, and, making her way back along the path, started across the grass towards the spot where she had seen the man standing. Little as she wished to meet him again, she did not intend to leave John in his company. No one was there now: both he and her cousin were gone.
    *
    Mary was admitted to Mr. Arkwright’s house by Nell, who automatically adjured her to wipe her feet, then hastily apologized.
    ‘Oh, I beg pardon, ma’am! But everyone’s in and out, and ’tis so dirty underfoot, now