Rose McQuinn 7 - Deadly Legacy Read Online Free
Author: Alanna Knight
possession.
I had a sudden idea how to ensure the safety of its contents. Transferring the package to the voluminous pocket of my travelling skirt, I concluded my ablutions and returned to the cafe carrying the satchel to where Hinton waited seated by the window which overlooked the platforms.
Relieved to see me again, the maid's eyes were immediately drawn to the satchel, and pointing to two cups on the table, she said rather impatiently, 'So there you are, at last. I decided that as we still had time, we should refresh ourselves, so I purchased tea from the refreshment counter over there.'
I looked in the direction of a small and unprepossessing serving hatch, where a surly-looking attendant operated a tea urn and hovered over some tired-looking scones.
I thanked Hinton for her consideration, however, and she shrugged. 'Better drink up. You took longer than I thought. We don't want to miss this train. I presumed that you take sugar?'
I didn't normally but thought it rude to complain, glad to have even a drink that was oversweet. Watching this enigmatic person, who was perhaps more used to dealing with old ladies, I was somewhat amused by her attitude towards me. I wondered if she was always bossy, used to treating her employer in this manner, especially when she contemptuously declined my offer to pay the few coppers involved for the cup of tea.
The Inverness train for Perth steamed into the station and we took seats opposite one another in an otherwise empty carriage which Hinton had chosen on the grounds that it is nicer for ladies travelling together to have some privacy.
Once inside, I settled down in my corner while she offered to put my two pieces of luggage, carrier and satchel, on the rack above our heads.
'Thank you, no. It is a short journey, we have plenty of room.'
'As you wish.'
My movements watched intently and with palpable disapproval, I slung the strap of the carrier over my arm and entwined the satchel over my wrist before settling back and staring out of the window. It was a grey weary day and after a few minutes I discovered that I was feeling very weary too.
My companion was silent. I studied her from narrowed eyes, observing again that her description failed to meet that of 'old and infirm' - she appeared to be both young and healthy and had rather large hands and feet. She was also quite tall - but so are most women compared to myself, a couple of inches under five feet.
Eager to learn more about Hinton, I considered polite conversation, but the words refused to assemble; suddenly it was too difficult to summon the energy to talk, and my eyelids were growing heavier, heavier.
I yawned and thankfully closed my eyes. After what seemed like only a minute, they opened again with utmost reluctance as the train jerked to a stop halted by a signal ahead.
Hinton was watching me. She smiled. 'Did that waken you?' And when I lied and said that I wasn't asleep she replied, 'You seem very tired, madam. You might as well take the opportunity to rest. I will wake you when we reach Perth, then we will take a carriage from the station.'
I found myself hardly listening, yawning again. This overwhelming desire to close my eyes and fall asleep during the day was quite extraordinary. It was only eleven-thirty in the morning and I had a desperate need for only one thing.
All my senses commanded: Sleep !
CHAPTER FOUR
I knew no more until air blasting in from an open door forced open my eyelids, still agonisingly heavy. What on earth was happening to me?
I was being held by Hinton. She was a strong woman, towering above my small stature, her arms grasped firmly around my waist.
I panicked, confused.
'What's happening? Has there been a crash?'
Clinging to me, she didn't reply.
I struggled in vain. Had I been dreaming, opened the door for fresh air and was now in danger of falling out of the moving train?
And then--
And then I was suddenly alert. I was in danger indeed. But not from falling.
I was
I had a sudden idea how to ensure the safety of its contents. Transferring the package to the voluminous pocket of my travelling skirt, I concluded my ablutions and returned to the cafe carrying the satchel to where Hinton waited seated by the window which overlooked the platforms.
Relieved to see me again, the maid's eyes were immediately drawn to the satchel, and pointing to two cups on the table, she said rather impatiently, 'So there you are, at last. I decided that as we still had time, we should refresh ourselves, so I purchased tea from the refreshment counter over there.'
I looked in the direction of a small and unprepossessing serving hatch, where a surly-looking attendant operated a tea urn and hovered over some tired-looking scones.
I thanked Hinton for her consideration, however, and she shrugged. 'Better drink up. You took longer than I thought. We don't want to miss this train. I presumed that you take sugar?'
I didn't normally but thought it rude to complain, glad to have even a drink that was oversweet. Watching this enigmatic person, who was perhaps more used to dealing with old ladies, I was somewhat amused by her attitude towards me. I wondered if she was always bossy, used to treating her employer in this manner, especially when she contemptuously declined my offer to pay the few coppers involved for the cup of tea.
The Inverness train for Perth steamed into the station and we took seats opposite one another in an otherwise empty carriage which Hinton had chosen on the grounds that it is nicer for ladies travelling together to have some privacy.
Once inside, I settled down in my corner while she offered to put my two pieces of luggage, carrier and satchel, on the rack above our heads.
'Thank you, no. It is a short journey, we have plenty of room.'
'As you wish.'
My movements watched intently and with palpable disapproval, I slung the strap of the carrier over my arm and entwined the satchel over my wrist before settling back and staring out of the window. It was a grey weary day and after a few minutes I discovered that I was feeling very weary too.
My companion was silent. I studied her from narrowed eyes, observing again that her description failed to meet that of 'old and infirm' - she appeared to be both young and healthy and had rather large hands and feet. She was also quite tall - but so are most women compared to myself, a couple of inches under five feet.
Eager to learn more about Hinton, I considered polite conversation, but the words refused to assemble; suddenly it was too difficult to summon the energy to talk, and my eyelids were growing heavier, heavier.
I yawned and thankfully closed my eyes. After what seemed like only a minute, they opened again with utmost reluctance as the train jerked to a stop halted by a signal ahead.
Hinton was watching me. She smiled. 'Did that waken you?' And when I lied and said that I wasn't asleep she replied, 'You seem very tired, madam. You might as well take the opportunity to rest. I will wake you when we reach Perth, then we will take a carriage from the station.'
I found myself hardly listening, yawning again. This overwhelming desire to close my eyes and fall asleep during the day was quite extraordinary. It was only eleven-thirty in the morning and I had a desperate need for only one thing.
All my senses commanded: Sleep !
CHAPTER FOUR
I knew no more until air blasting in from an open door forced open my eyelids, still agonisingly heavy. What on earth was happening to me?
I was being held by Hinton. She was a strong woman, towering above my small stature, her arms grasped firmly around my waist.
I panicked, confused.
'What's happening? Has there been a crash?'
Clinging to me, she didn't reply.
I struggled in vain. Had I been dreaming, opened the door for fresh air and was now in danger of falling out of the moving train?
And then--
And then I was suddenly alert. I was in danger indeed. But not from falling.
I was
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