Free The Wanton Angel by Edward Marston Page B

lifted her head to look up with tentative gratitude, only half-believing what she had just heard. Her mother so rarely touched her that she felt like a stranger. Sybil took one more step towards true maternalism by enfolding her in a warm embrace and rocking her gently. Because it was such a novel situation for both of them, neither knew quitewhat to say but some of the damage in their relationship was gradually repaired during the long silence.
    When she sensed it, Sybil tried to take advantage of it.
    ‘You were such a beautiful baby,’ she recalled fondly.
    ‘Was I?’
    ‘Yes, Rose. You were adorable. Your father and I did our best for you and brought you up to lead a Christian life. You were a credit to us.’ She heaved a sigh. ‘Until now.’
    ‘I’m sorry, mother. I’m so sorry. I would not hurt you or father for the world.’
    ‘I know, I know.’
    ‘It has been an ordeal,’ she continued. ‘A horrid nightmare that has kept me awake night after night. I had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was sick or even dying. I feared that it was a punishment for my sins. It was only when I went to see the physician that he told me the truth. Do you know what I did, mother?’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Fell to the ground in a faint. He had to recover me.’
    ‘Poor child!’
    ‘I felt so
alone
. So completely alone.’
    ‘Not any more.’ Sybil held her more tightly and felt some of her daughter’s resistance fading. It was time to exploit the unusual moment of closeness. ‘We are here for you, Rose. Your father and I will always be here. You were so right to tell us when you did.’ She stroked Rose’s hair. ‘Does he know about the child yet?’
    ‘He?’
    ‘The father.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Why not? He has responsibilities.’
    ‘He is not able to discharge them, mother.’
    ‘Nevertheless, he has a right to know.’
    ‘That is true,’ murmured Rose.
    ‘Is he so heartless that he would cast you off?’
    ‘No, no, he is the kindest man in the universe.’
    ‘Then why is he not here to help you through your time of trial?’ asked Sybil. ‘I see no hint of kindness in him.’
    ‘That is because you do not know him.’
    ‘Tell me his name and I will.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘I am your mother, Rose. Would you deny me this?’
    ‘I must.’
    Sybil squeezed her even tighter. ‘You have never hidden anything from me before. Do not betray me now, child.’ She deposited a token kiss on Rose’s head. ‘I love you.’
    The declaration fell so awkwardly and unconvincingly from her lips that it put Rose immediately on the defensive. She gritted her teeth and shrunk back slightly from the embrace. Abandoning the gentler strategy, Sybil reverted to a direct assault, taking her by the shoulders to shake her hard.
    ‘I’ll beat the name out of you!’ she threatened.
    ‘You’re hurting me!’
    ‘This is only the start, you ungrateful girl!’
    ‘I will never tell you who he is.’
    ‘Why?’ challenged her mother, releasing her. ‘Are you so afraid to admit his name. Are you so ashamed of him that you pretend to forget all about him?’
    A curious serenity seemed to fall on Rose. She smiled.
    ‘I will never forget him,’ she vowed dreamily, ‘and I am certainly not ashamed of him. This baby was unlooked for, mother, I swear it, but I will tell you this. It was conceived in love with a man I worship. I will be proud to bear his child.’
    ‘Not if I have anything to do with it!’
    Rose was checked. ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘This child has no business making its way into the world. I was not able to prevent it from being conceived,’ she said with asperity, ‘but there may be a way to stop it from being born!’

Chapter Four
    The performance of
Mirth and Madness
that afternoon bordered on disaster. While not sinking to the depths they plumbed during the rehearsal, Westfield’s Men waged a losing battle against fatigue, indifference and lack of concentration. A hilarious comedy produced scant