Free Stormspell by Anne Mather Page B

of her anatomy—like her shoulders perhaps, or her waist, or maybe—and she blushed at the thought—her breasts.
    She thought Celeste looked at her rather searchingly-when she went into the kitchen with the tray. She guessed the other woman had noticed the heated colour in her cheeks, which she had been unable to disguise, unaware of that fact that there were other indications of her agitation. Her eyes were sparkling, but she didn't know that, and her lips were parted in eager anticipation. Celeste's wide mouth curved a little knowingly as she took in this evidence of her young charge's excitement, and she rested her hands on her broad hips as she commented:
    'You been talking with Mr Howard? What he been saying to you? Why you looking like the cat that been at the cream?'
    Ruth put down the tray on the table and thrust her trembling hands behind her back. 'I don't know what you mean.' she protested, trapping them in the folds of her skirt. 'I just collected the tray, like you asked me. What's wrong with that?'
    Celeste moved her shoulders indolently. 'Seems like you been a little longer than it take to collect a tray.' she declared dryly. 'Come on. you can tell Celeste. She won't go blabbing to your daddy.'
    There's nothing to tell.' Ruth retorted firmly. 'He —I—he wants a razor. Do you think Daddy would mind if I lent him his?'
    Celeste grimaced. 'Who knows? You going to ask him?'
    Ruth shook her head. 'He's sleeping—Daddy. I mean. I suppose I could just—lend Mr Howard the razor, couldn't I? Daddy need never know.'
    'And I suppose your daddy's going to think he just chewed that there hair off his face, is he?' Celeste suggested caustically, bringing a furrow to Ruth's brow.
    'I never thought of that.' she confessed, tugging at a strand of night-dark silk, and Celeste sighed.
    'Tell you what.' she said. 'I guess you could borrow a razor I got lying there in the cabin.' She made a resigned gesture, i don't know where it come from. I only know it there, doing nothing.'
    'Oh. thank you. Celeste!' Ruth could have hugged her. Then she hesitated. 'Will—will you get it and give it to him?'
    'Why can't you do that?'
    'I—I've got some work to do for Daddy.' Ruth explained evasively, avoiding Celeste's eyes. 'You
    don't mind, surely?'
    Celeste shrugged. 'Seems to me there's more to this than meets the eye. but I'll do it. I'll give him the razor. Shave him, too, if'n he wants it.' She allowed her words to sink in. then added deliberately: 'Ain't a lot I'd refuse to do for Mr Howard, no. sir. And I've done most everything else, 'cept'n getting into bed with him.'
    Her words had the desired effect, but Ruth couldn't help the bloom of colour that covered her body from head to toe. 'What—what you choose to do is your own affair. Celeste.' she declared, deliberately slowing her steps as they would have hastened her towards the door. 'I'll be in the study, if Daddy wants me. See you later."
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Professor Jason insisted on getting up for supper, and Ruth faced him across the dining table with some misgivings. She was beginning to realise there was more to deceiving someone than simply doing something without their cognisance. She had to beware in so many other ways, not least in confining her knowledge of their visitor to things Celeste could have told her.
    Doctor Francis had paid a fleeting visit that afternoon, but although Ruth was disappointed, he refused to stay and eat with them. 'I promised Mary I'd take her out to dinner this evening,' he said, touching her cheek with a regretful finger, 'and besides. I doubt your father would welcome my company.'
    'Don't be silly.' Ruth spoke ruefully. 'You know what Daddy's like. He'll have forgotten all about your differences by now. and I know he enjoys your conversation.'
    'Well, maybe.' Doctor Francis acknowledged, nodding his head. 'But I really can't stay this evening. I've spent so much time working lately, and Mary deserves a break.'
    'Couldn't you bring her