The Elsingham Portrait - By Elizabeth Chater Page 0,33
and hid them in the satchel to be disposed of later. Then she tidied herself as well as she could, put on the bonnet and veil and cloak, and went down to the parlor to meet Bennet’s brother.
A big, heavy-set man stood before the fire, facing the door. He had a solemn craggy face topped with sandy hair, and the roundest blue eyes Kathryn had ever seen. He advanced toward her, and Kathryn had the fleeting notion that one of his own Scottish mountains was looming over her. In one huge, work-roughened hand he held Bennet’s letter.
“Ah’m Reechard Bunnet, at yer sairvice, mu’m,” were the sounds that rumbled from the man. “Ond ye must be the leddy fra Amurica.” And while she was translating this into English, Richard Bennet smiled.
At that moment Kathryn would have put her hand in his and walked across the world. For Richard Bennet had a smile that would charm the fish from the streams. The craggy face was illuminated with incredible sweetness. She could understand his sister’s praise. Without hesitation she went to him and offered her hand.
“Yes, I’m Kathryn Radcliffe. And I’ve come to stay with you, if you’ll have me.” As she spoke, she lifted the heavy veil and put it back from her face.
Richard’s smile slowly faded and his blue eyes opened wide. “Och, you’re bonny, Mistress Radcliffe, You’re the bonniest lass Ah’ve ever set eyes upon.”
Kathryn was startled into a laugh. “You come right to the point, don’t you? That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me for a long time.” She dimpled up at him. “There’s a rumor that the Scots are a dour and taciturn race, but that’s an obvious falsehood, I see.”
Richard grinned. “Och, now, Mistress Radcliffe, normally Ah’m the dourest and most taciturn of men—Ah’d never use two words when one would suffice—but Ah’m just that knocked over by meeting you that my whole nature’s changed entirely. From now on,” he concluded, smiling down at her, “Ah’m sure to be known as ‘that garrulous Scot.’ ”
Kathryn chuckled, but she felt compelled to look away from the open admiration in his face. She noticed the table set for two, and motioned that he join her there.
“Shall we sit down? You have read your sister’s letter. Are you willing to help me?”
“Maggie has her wits about her, Mistress Radcliffe. If she says you’re to be taken to the farm, that’s where you’ll go. She’s an awful tyrant, our Maggie, in a nice quiet way. I doubt not that it’s associating with the Quality has done it to her.” The blue eyes were twinkling at her. “Och, aye, she’s a managing woman, is Maggie, but she’s always right. See what she’s sent me this time!”
“Mr. Bennet, you are a flirt—”
“Call me Richard, Ma’am.”
“And a deceiver,” continued Kathryn inexorably. “That very charming but almost unintelligible Scots burr seems to come and go as you need it. Now we must be serious. There are reasons why I must keep out of sight—keep a low profile, as we say where I come from. I’ll put this veil back on now until our meal is served; then can we lock the door while we eat—and talk?”
Richard Bennet was serious at once. “No one will intrude, ma’am, if you so instruct.”
“Very well.” Kathryn replaced the veil and rang the bell on the table. A kitchen maid brought in a huge tray loaded with meat and vegetables. When she left, Kathryn lifted her hand to the veil, but a gesture from Richard stopped her. In a moment the girl returned with a second load of food and drink which she set on a sideboard. Then she stood waiting. Kathryn said gently, “This is very appetizing, thank you. I shall ring when I need you.”
The girl bobbed a curtsey and scurried out.
Richard gently lifted the heavy traveling cape from Kathryn’s shoulders and then seated himself beside her. She put back the veil and looked at the food on the table.
“I’ll cut your food for you, ma’am,” said Richard.
Kathryn felt a giggle of mirth rising in her throat. The huge man sounded so like his tiny sister. She smiled. “I can see I’ve come to the right person,” she said. “What did your sister tell you in the letter?”
“You may read it, ma’am, later. Just now you should try to eat a little.”
He worked deftly with knife and fork, selecting and carving choice tidbits for her plate. It was heartwarming to be treated like a smile child, protected