Chapter 2

Chapter 2



Chapter 2

A strong wind roamed serenely across the field, plucking the yellowed foliage from the bushes. Behind him was the village of Chelmsford, with an old church peaked sharply against the blue sky. Even further beyond the horizon were green-white valleys through which the railway ran. There, in the distance, the wheels of the train rattled, but here, on the estate, blissful silence reigned.

Dick Almsford sat on a hill and surveyed the countryside for almost fifteen miles around. From here he could see at a glance the farms with outbuildings and the green domed roof of the castle, the well-groomed park, buried in greenery and flowers, and the hedges entwined with ivy. But it wasn't nature that interested him now: his gaze was fixed on a slender young girl dressed as a horsewoman, who was rapidly climbing the hill along a winding path. She hummed a tune loudly and waved her whip in time.

The young man smiled. I wonder if she'll be happy when she sees him or not? He had never yet met Leslie Jean in private, and in company, among guests, she invariably wore a mask of politeness and almost impenetrable good manners. Yes, this girl was distinguished by excellent manners. Leslie received a good education in an expensive boarding school and knew that in the world everything is forgiven, except for one thing - to look stupid.

The song is silent. The girl noticed Richard, but did not stop and slow her pace, but quickly climbed the hill, knocking down the heads of cornflowers at the edge of the path with her whip.

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- Hello! she greeted Almsford cheerfully. - Spying on me?

Leslie Jean was of average height, but her harmonious physique and vigorous movements gave a special charm to her graceful figure. A pleasant oval face, delicate skin, dark gray eyes, pearl teeth, small hands, chiseled legs - in a word, Miss Jean, even in rags, would have seemed more charming than many of her contemporaries dressed to the nines.

Dick had seen her on horseback before - she controlled the horse perfectly and, like a true jockey, seemed to be simply poured into the saddle. She carried herself in the dance hall with the same infinite grace. When Richard danced with her, he could not help feeling the firmness and freshness of her young body. The girl's gloved hand, lying on his shoulder, was distinguished by its impeccable shape, the waist that he hugged was so thin and flexible that it did not need corsets.

Now Leslie stood before him in dark, well-fitted breeches and a jacket that fitted her figure well and set off the dazzling whiteness of the collar of her blouse. The girl stamped her foot lightly in her smart boot and still waved her whip. She wore brown gloves to match her suit. Gray eyes shone with boldness and enthusiasm, contrasting with the impeccable severity of the whole appearance.

Dick Almsford, chewing on a blade of grass, gazed admiringly at Miss Jean from the top of the hill.

Have you been skating, Leslie? - he asked.

“Of course,” she nodded, looking around.

- Where is your horse?

The girl looked at him mockingly, but did not betray her emotions.

“I got off my saddle to take a walk and pick wild flowers,” she explained calmly, “and the capricious animal took off and galloped off. Did you see where?

“Of course I did,” he smiled. - I'm observant. Your horse ran towards Willow. I even thought she dropped you somewhere along the way,” he joked unsuccessfully.

– Is that how? The girl raised her eyebrows. "Will you help me find her?" And I'll wait for you here.

“I am always ready to please you,” Dick rose eagerly from his seat.

“That's not the point at all. When I was still climbing up here, I thought: there is a sloth sitting, who will not be hurt at all by a little exercise for the legs. Your brother's future wife must enjoy at least some privilege!

At these words, Dick involuntarily grimaced, and Leslie noticed a cloud that had come running over his face.

For God's sake, Richard! the girl chuckled. - No need to bother. The groom will look for my horse later. I'm sure she's already back in the stable, closer to the oats. Let's sit down, I want to talk to you about something completely different.

“Please,” he replied, helping Leslie up to the top of the hill.

'Mr Almsford, I don't think you're happy about the prospect of me as mistress of Chelmsford, do you? she asked seriously.

“Chelmsford Castle,” he corrected.

- Do not evade the answer.

- Well, what are you! I can't wait for that hour,” he said cheerfully, took a silver cigarette case out of his pocket, chose a cigarette and lit it slowly.

"I'm quite serious," the girl continued. Are you afraid that I will interfere in everything? In the affairs of the estate? I know that Harry, unfortunately, is not able to cope with even the smallest household. What a pity! And yet you are mistaken about me.

The young man blew three smoke rings into the air and calmly said:

“I have no objection to you commanding the estate. On the contrary, it will be a great relief for me. But I'm worried about something else entirely. Excuse my frankness, but with your money you can cope with any estate. You will hire an intelligent manager for yourself, he will willingly take up this matter, and you will ask me to leave the castle, for I am nobody here: the younger brother of the lord from the second marriage of his father, that is, a man without a title and inheritance.

He said it without any bitterness and without a hint of self-abasement. Everyone already knew that when the old Lord Chelmsford died, having briefly outlived Richard's mother, the estate, title and money went to the eldest son - Harry Almsford. Dick, on the other hand, did not receive anything - even the car he was used to using was taken away from him. All that was given to him was a small estate in Essex, a necklace, earrings and an engagement ring of his dead mother, and he was promised a thousand pounds, which was never paid. It looks like she melted...

Arthur Jean, a London lawyer, handled the inheritance case, and Dick blamed him in the depths of his heart for the disappearance of this unfortunate thousand. He thought about her even now, and the girl, as if reading his thoughts, asked:

You don't love my brother, do you?

- Why do you think so? Richard shrugged, trying not to betray his dislike for the polished young lawyer.

“You can always see it better from the outside,” Leslie said thoughtfully. “Sometimes Arthur makes me angry too, believe me. So it doesn't surprise me that a person like you can't stomach it.

“But Harry digests him very well,” Dick smiled, “and I have to reckon with his opinion.

A bird chirped in the bushes. Leslie looked around, looking for her, and then suddenly said in a kind of muffled tone:

“It seems to me that my whole proposed marriage is a mirage. Smoke, you know? Melts - and no trace. Your brother made me a very formal proposal. It's a bit strange. It's not customary these days to act so cold and so stiff if you're about to get married.

She paused and turned away. Dick knew she was right: Harry was so inexperienced in love affairs! True, some time ago a pretty, relaxed young lady served as his secretary, and on one of the hot July days, Richard was forced to intervene in their very kind conversation, since the enterprising person herself declared her love to Harry and in every possible way persuaded him that the best Lady Chelmsford, than she, he can not find. Enchanted Harry almost drowned in the sweet syrup of this flattery and would certainly have accepted the marriage proposal of a prudent girl, had not his younger brother come to the aid of the lord. On the same day, Miss Viner was asked to leave the estate.

“My brother is a moral man, even a little old-fashioned,” Richard tried to smooth things over. - He made you an offer in an impeccable classical form, which is probably why you accepted him.

"I don't know," Leslie sighed. All this is unexpected and strange. I like Harry, but I doubt he would have liked me if it wasn't for…” She broke off without finishing her sentence.

- If not for your money? Dick smiled. “Well, such thoughts are by no means a compliment to my brother.

Richard helped the girl down the hill, although this was not required: she herself was the embodiment of lightness and dexterity.

"Richard," she began as they walked slowly down the path down to the main road. - What should I do? What do you recommend?

Are you talking about engagement? he said dryly.

- Of course! Arthur really wants me to marry Harry, and sometimes I feel uncomfortable. I've become too arrogant.

“That’s where the trouble lies: it’s dangerous to be a rich bride,” Almsford joked.

“I don't think,” Leslie went on, her brows furrowed, “that I'm not that rich after all.

Dick stopped and looked at his companion with undisguised surprise:

– Is that how?

- Don't you worry! she laughed. “My uncle really bequeathed his fortune to me. How much, I don't know, as Arthur has been managing my funds all these years. He did not limit me in expenses, each time giving me the required amount.

Why these complaints? grumbled Dick, and Leslie laughed again.

“Looks like most girls in my position would arrange their marriage just like I'm going to. Until recently, I took everything that happened for granted ...

Why have you changed your mind now? he asked quickly, and saw a blush fill her face.

- I do not know.

They traveled the rest of the way in silence. Leslie felt a twinkle of sadness, even hopelessness, flickering in Richard's eyes, and her heart sank with an unpleasant foreboding. She instantly conjured up the image of her fiancé: a pale, pampered, capricious, always irritated lord, who, as it seemed to her, did not have the main dignity of a man - masculinity. A pitiful, nervous creature, sometimes affectionate, sometimes rude, but never reckoned with the impression that he made on others, especially on a woman who agreed to share her life with him.

From this unattractive figure, her gaze involuntarily moved to the man walking beside him - calm, balanced, confident in his strength, strong-willed and reliable.

Ten minutes later she and Richard said goodbye. Leslie, wrestling in her heart with an insoluble problem, went to her and her brother's country estate in Willow, and Almsford wandered leisurely to the castle. Even from a distance, at the end of the pine avenue leading to the main gate, he noticed the thin figure of his brother waiting for him. The wind in different directions fanned the tails of a long tailcoat, and, due to his leanness, Harry seemed to be some kind of black, sinister bird. His face darkened with anger, his eyes sparkled, he did not shake his brother's hand, did not answer his greeting, but haughtily muttered:

“I do not deny that I have given you many responsibilities, Richard, but I will manage my affairs of the heart myself.

Blood rushed to the face of the young man, but he did not show his offense.

“I don’t want to, understand? – like a capricious child, shouted Harry in a sharp voice. “I don’t want you to interfere in my personal affairs!” You already took one girl away from me, but with Leslie Jean, this number will not work for you! Don't call me a weak-willed fool!

“I don’t consider you a fool, my lord, and I don’t intend to take Leslie from you,” Dick retorted with a calm mockery, which made his brother completely indignant.

- Exactly! Gonna! My marriage is like a bone in your throat for you! I'm not stupid, Dick, and I understand what you're getting at. You are the next heir in line. However, I want to marry Leslie Jean, and no one - do you hear? No one will be able to break our engagement.

Richard grimaced at such rudeness and unfair accusation, but quickly mastered himself. Scenes like this happened almost every day, although this time Harry really wasn't in control of his anger. Well, to hell with it, Dick thought. “It will calm down by evening.”

- You deprived me of communication with Mary! – strewed accusations Harry. - She loved me! I could be happy! And you finished with her and threw her out like a corrupt girl.

- What do you reproach me for? Dick asked softly. “I fired Miss Viner because she is not fit to be Lord Chelmsford's wife.

“You don’t need me to get married and have children at all, because you want an inheritance!” That's what you need! – has passed Harry on screeching. “It's a knife to your heart to see the new Lady Chelmsford. Ungrateful scoundrel!

Almsford summoned all his patience and said nothing. The brother spoke the truth. God knows, this will be a terrible day for him, Richard, when Harry will introduce his wife to the family estate and doom her to share a terrible secret with them, like a black cloud hanging over Chelmsford Castle ...


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