Laura Matthews Read Online Free Page A

provided the companion served her well.
    If Pontley thought it would upset his aunt to meet Glenna at such a time (and she could understand that the bereaved woman might be distressed to have her successor as mistress at Lockwood to stay just now), then she should meet someone else who would offer her the comfort and assistance she must need at such a time. There was, of course, the possibility that the deception would have to be revealed later if Glenna did indeed marry Pontley, but she considered this highly unlikely. For the present she wished only to provide some comfort to the distressed woman, since Pontley apparently felt no obligation to do so.
    The reply from the dowager was short and to the point. She stated her requirements, the wages she was prepared to pay, and wrote that if the terms were agreeable to Mary Stokes, she was to present herself at Lockwood one week from the day of writing to be employed on a probationary basis. Glenna, while making allowances for the dowager’s emotional state, still had a qualm when she read the letter. The imperious tone and niggardly wage offered did not suggest a personality with which she was likely to live in harmony. That could not be helped, however, and she felt herself committed to provide what solace she could, so she advised her father that she would be heading for Phoebe Thomas’s for a period of time.
    Mr. Forbes, his health recovered, was delighted that his daughter should be released from her nursing duties and have the opportunity to go visiting for a while. He agreed to direct his letters to Phoebe, as Glenna remarked that she would be staying at other places as well, but would always contact Phoebe for her correspondence. When all was in readiness and the post chaise ordered, Mr. Forbes frowned at the portmanteaux in the hall and turned to his daughter. "Do you not intend to take your harp, Glenna? The vicar has remarked more than once on how much pleasure itgives him to hear you play.”
    In her nervousness about the whole venture, Glenna very nearly betrayed herself. Her second thoughts suddenly seemed very rational and she was disposed to give up the whole project. Why should not Pontley take care of his own aunt? But her heart cried out for the deserted dowager and she calmly replied, “I fear the harp will take up too much space, Papa.”
    “Oh no, my dear, it will be worth the inconvenience, and will in some measure repay the vicar for his kindness in having you. I will direct that it be brought down.”
    Glenna nodded acquiescence and wondered desperately how the vicar would feel about having a harp left in his small home while she went elsewhere, for she had no intention of descending on Lockwood with it. Companions did not travel about with harps, no matter how gently born they were. With a shrug of resignation she watched the awkward instrument bundled into the post chaise, where it barely left room for her and the maid who was to accompany her to Burgess Hill. “I think May had best not come, Papa. I will be no more than four hours on the road and we could not but be cramped to death.”
    Her father reluctantly agreed when he surveyed the crowded interior. “Very well, Glenna. Perhaps I should not insist that you take the harp.”
    His worried expression brought forth a cheerful smile from his daughter. “Nonsense. I would miss playing, you know, and the vicar will be pleased. Perhaps Phoebe will take the opportunity to learn.” She hoped fervently that her friend would do so; otherwise there was absolutely no purpose in bringing the instrument with her at all.
    After a fond parting, Glenna disposed herself as comfortably as she was able and, despite the roughness of the passage, entered her thoughts in her journal as she progressed. Putting them down helped to solidify her purpose, and she arrived at the vicarage with more determination than she had left her home. She planned to spend one night with her friend before progressing to Lockwood,