Jane Ashford Read Online Free

believe? Miss Anne’s parents, that is.”
    “Yes,” responded Aggie. “Yes, she was. She and Mrs. Castel were at school together. My family used to live nearby, you know.”
    Mrs. Dunkin nodded. “I do believe I recall your mother. It was years ago, of course, but I think she visited the Castels’ house. A lovely woman, she was. You have the look of her.”
    “I have been told so. I hardly remember her. She died when I was very young.”
    “So she did, poor thing. And your father not many years after. Grief will do that to a man. Tch, tch.”
    Aggie, remembering her gay laughing father and his death on the hunting field, said only, “The memory of their friendship led me to write to Mrs. Castel when I was looking for a position.”
    “Indeed. So you and your sisters are thrown on yourselves?” Mrs. Dunkin’s curiosity was clear, but not at all malicious. She was obviously a woman who enjoyed a good story.
    “Yes. The… the recent death of our aunt has left us… that is, has made it necessary for us to earn our own way.”
    “Tch, tch. And your father’s great estate lying empty while the new baron gambles it away in London, or so we hear. Disgraceful, I call it.”
    “The estate was entailed to the male line.” Aggie shrugged. She had never expected to inherit her father’s property, and so she did not feel the loss of it. Her aunt’s will had been a far greater blow.
    Mrs. Dunkin nodded. “I never understood such things, and I never shall. A man’s children should get what’s his, not some distant relation no one’s ever seen.” Noticing that Aggie had finished her tea, she added, “You’ll be wanting to see your room and all. I’ll take you up.”
    She escorted Aggie to a large airy bedchamber on the third floor. Though clearly not one of the most elegant apartments in the house, it was comfortably furnished and had a lovely view out over the gardens from three dormer windows.
    “Here we are. The children’s nursery is down the hall there. They’re out with their mother just now. Sarah, the nursery maid, will get you anything you need. You can ring for her there. She can help with your unpacking if you like. Mrs. Wellfleet will be home in an hour or two, I suppose, and she’ll want to see you then. If there’s anything you want, just tell me.”
    “Thank you. Thank you very much, Mrs. Dunkin. I can’t imagine that I shall. This is a lovely room.” Aggie realized that she was getting special treatment because her family had been friends with Mrs. Wellfleet’s, and she wanted to show that she was properly grateful.
    The housekeeper smiled. “Well, I am glad you like it. And I hope you’ll be happy here with us, Miss Hartington. You’ll want to rest now, and I’ll leave you alone. Don’t forget to ring if you want anything.”
    “Thank you,” said Aggie again, and Mrs. Dunkin went out.
    When she was gone, the girl walked over to one of the windows and sat down in the window seat. She looked out over the garden, where the first spring flowers were just visible, and the countryside beyond. It brought back vivid memories of her childhood, lived not far from this spot. Even the scents which rose from the grounds below seemed vaguely familiar. Aggie smiled slightly. This hint of familiarity somewhat eased her longing for her sisters. Perhaps it would not be so bad, living in this house alone.
    Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden vigorous scratching sound, followed by several sharp mews. Aggie started up and hurried over to her luggage, which had been piled in one corner of the room. On top sat a wicker basket, and it was from this that the protesting sounds emerged.
    “Yes, yes, Brutus, I’m coming,” said Aggie. She quickly opened the clasp on the basket, and a sandy kitten jumped out and rolled onto the floor. “I forgot you. How could I?” continued the girl. “Are you all right?”
    Brutus, who had received his name from Aggie’s aunt at his birth, got up, shook himself,