Melinda Hammond Read Online Free

came around one sharp bend Verity caught her breath at the spectacular views of the valleys and peaks spread out before her, the dramatic rock formations thrown into strong relief by the low morning sun. Miss Shore gazed out enthralled at the view as the road fell away in a sweeping curve before the long drag up again onto the moors and the bleak track that carried them westwards. At Chapel-en-le-Frith they changed horses again, and as they set off Mr Bannerman remarked that they should be in Manchester soon after noon, and would take lunch there.
     'If you would prefer to press on, sir … '
     'I would, of course, but you will need sustenance. To have you fainting off on me would be a damnable nuisance.'
     She bridled. 'Far be it from me to inconvenience you sir!'
     'I knew you would wish to be accommodating.'
     Verity blinked. Was he laughing at her?
     Relaxing in his corner, Mr Bannerman watched her, a smile curving his lips.
     'You have the most expressive countenance, Miss Shore. I find I can read it like a book.'
     'Can you?'
     'Easily. You are wondering whether to fire back at me, or if a frosty silence would serve you best.'
     She laughed at that. 'Observant of you! But you have the advantage sir, for I find I cannot understand you at all.'
     'Strange. My friends tell me I am blunt to the point of rudeness.'
     'You are certainly very frank, sir, but I had not considered you ill-humoured, until this morning.'
     'Ah. I am not at my best in the early morning.'
     'Then I pity your poor wife, sir.'
     'You need not, Miss Shore. I am not married.'
     'Oh.' She felt the tell-tale flush stealing over her cheeks and turned her gaze towards the wintry landscape. 'Will you tell me what I am to expect at Highclough? Is it a large establishment?' After a pause she added, 'Will I be there alone?'
     'No. There is Margaret Worsthorne - she is a widow, the daughter of Sir Ambrose's only sister and has run the household for many years. Her son Luke now looks after the day-to-day running of the estate. Your grandfather left him a snug little property at Sowerby but he appears to be in no hurry to move on, and has agreed to remain at Highclough until everything is settled.'
     'Oh, so I have family.'
     He nodded. 'You are not entirely alone in the world. And there is something else I should mention. Since your grandfather became ill I have been heavily involved in his affairs, and have been in the habit of staying at the Hall one or two nights each week. There is considerably less to do now, but until you are in full control, my administration must continue, and if you have no objection it would be convenient for me to keep a room there.'
     'I have no objection to that sir. In fact,' she added with a slight smile, 'I should be glad to have you on hand. The prospect ahead of me is a little daunting.'
     'Come, Miss Shore, I thought you indomitable.'
     'Headstrong might be a better word! My arrival at Highclough, almost unannounced, cannot be welcome.'
     'You need have no fear on that head. Mrs Worsthorne will be delighted to see you, I have no doubt. I have often considered her situation at Highclough to be a lonely one. The house is quite isolated and in the winter months the roads are often impassable. I think she will be glad of a female companion. Besides, you are not entirely unexpected: she knew I was going in search of you and will not think it odd that I have brought you back with me.'
     'Carrying all before you, Mr Bannerman?'
     His grinned at her.
     'In this instance, I was not the driving force!'
     

Chapter Three
     
     Their stop at Manchester was shortened by reports of bad weather ahead of them and after a hasty lunch they set off again with the coachman casting an anxious glance at the grey clouds gathering overhead. By the time they reached Rochdale the sun had disappeared behind a blanket of grey cloud that had settled over the sky and rested heavily on the surrounding hills. Verity regarded the