Devil's Desire Read Free Page A

"Go tells yer auntie. Ha! That be a good 'un, Ifshe be so interested in yer well-being then why are ye up here and working more than a scullery maid? No, Oi'll not be ascared o' the Mistress on that account." He smiled triumphantly, knowing Elysia could not deny his accusations.
    "No, maybe she would not interfere," Elysia agreed softly, "but I'll put a hole through that thick skull of yours if you ever dare to lay a hand on me." Elysia narrowed her eyes, smiling slightly as she continued quietly, "I am a very keen shot—in fact, I rarely miss when I take aim between some vermin's eyes."
    She made no idle threat, for she had her father's pistol neatly. tucked away under her mattress; originally kept as a memento, it was now used for a very different purpose.
    The footman's grin faded, and he eyed the young girl who stood before him—threatening him—with a new and guarded look in his shifty eyes.
    "Reckon ye just might at that. Quality does strange things, heard tell. Why ye should wanta shoot me when Oi was just offering ye a little bit o'fun," he whined placatingly, shrugging his heavy shoulders, but watching her with a sly, cunning look.
    "What is the message from my aunt?" Elysia asked once more, feeling more sure of herself.
    "Wants ye downstairs in the Salon," he told her sullenly. Then he stomped down the wooden steps with ill-contained anger.
    Elysia followed him down, wondering what her aunt would want of her this time—to complain that the floors were not scrubbed clean enough; or the windows needed washing; or the linen needed airing? There was inevitably some small detail that Elysia had missed, but which had not escaped her aunt's critical eye.
    She crossed the entrance hall, forever in shadow, the dark wood-paneling absorbing whatever light seeped in through the two narrow windows. Elysia knocked, and then entered the Salon to stand in seemingly respectful silence before the cold stare of her aunt.
    “I see you have been out." She looked at Elysia disapprovingly. "I suppose you forgot the acorns? I did ask you to fetch me some, but you always think of your own pleasures first. You did go to the North field to look, didn't you?" Aunt Agatha's colorless eyes brightened as she anticipated the answer.
    Elysia bit her lip, trying to control the anger and hatred she felt surging within her against this cruel woman.
    “I am sorry that I forgot the acorns," Elysia finally replied shortly. She knew what her aunt expected to hear, but she would say nothing to satisfy her twisted curiosity.
    "Forgot! Ha! From the looks of you, it was the furthest thing from your mind," Agatha hissed, noticing the dirt and stains on Elysia's dress. "Thought you'd sneak into my house like some common scullery maid after a night of roiling in the hay. Well, miss? Maybe you weren't out 'picking flowers' all of the time," Agatha said meaningfully, looking at the late-blooming wildflowers Elysia had tucked into the pocket of her half-apron. "Maybe you got deflowered yourself? Did some stable-boy steal a few sweet kisses from you down under the trees?" she added crudely, a look of malice in her eyes.
    Her cruel remarks made Elysia flinch, and her shoulders slumped almost unconsciously with defeat. She had suffered humiliation and indignity, and she was chilled to the bone, and so tired of all of this that she did not know how much longer she could endure it. She assumed her aunt had finished with her, having called her in only to assess the damage her malicious errand might have caused. All Elysia wanted now was to warm herself before the fire in the big kitchen, and pour a cup of strong, hot tea. But Agatha put a detaining hand on Elysia's wrist as she turned to leave.
    "I want to speak with you."
    "Yes, Aunt Agatha, but I would like to change first and get a cup of—"
    "Later," Agatha interrupted rudely, "You can just stay in those damp things until I am finished. It is what you deserve for flouting my wishes."
    And punishment for