In The Shadow - стр. 2
– Alienor! – suddenly came a woman's voice from somewhere above. The voice, echoing off the sturdy stone walls of the rather narrow staircase, belonged to the girl's mother, Lady Francesca Norton.
– Mother! – Alienor gasped and, pressing Brigid against the wall, whispered in her ear: – 'I will go first! It is not good for my mother to see you like this! She values purity so much that she would faint at the sight of a beauty like you!
– Right, I'll wait here. Please find my mother and ask her to prepare a bucket of warm water for me. My father must not know that I have appeared in the castle black as an old homeless wanderer! – Brigid replied faintly.
– I will! Stay here for now! – Alienor let go of her friend's palm, lifted the wet hem of her dress, and hurried up to her waiting mother. – 'Mother, do not be angry! It is not my fault that it rained!
– My child, you need to change your clothes… We have been visited by titled guests! This only happens once in a lifetime, and I will not let you spoil this moment…" said the resentful Lady Norton, but soon her voice disappeared behind the door, and Brigid could not make out the last words.
"Guests! And I was so lucky to fall in the mud!" – With a mockery of herself the girl smiled. She glanced again at her dress and arms, took a deep breath, humbly accepting her awkward position, and, after waiting a little while, slowly made her way up. However, not even three steps up, Brigid heard the door at the top of the stairs open and bang loudly against the wall, the very door behind which Alienor and her mother had recently hidden, and the stairs were suddenly filled with a loud, displeased male voice.
– Now listen, Catherine: we shall stay here as long as I like! I do not wish to ride in the pouring rain! But you, if you are in such a hurry to London, you may go without me! – The voice was like a peal of thunder, and Brigid involuntarily pressed herself against the damp, cold wall.
Goosebumps of fear ran down her back: she was so frightened by this strong, authoritative voice.
– You are right, my dear husband. Walking in the rain is not the best of pleasures. – There was a soft female voice. – I will be glad to keep you company in this cosy and lovely place. Our daughter will understand our tardiness and certainly won't take any offence at us.
– I am glad you find this place lovely," the man's voice parried, and this time there was a coldness in it.
– When the sun comes out again, my dear husband, we can take a walk in the neighbourhood. If you wish, we shall take Miss Anne Boleyn and Miss Mary Carrie with us. – The woman's voice remained still as soft and warm, and this contrast so surprised Brigid that she involuntarily put her palm to her breast and aghhed in pain for the stranger.
It seemed to the girl that her sigh had not been noticed, but the walls, which repeated it with a quiet echo, betrayed her.
– Hey, you there! Over here! Now! What the hell is that? Spies in Norton Castle? – suddenly she heard a man's voice full of anger, and, pale, neither dead nor alive, she hastened to answer.
– 'I'm not spying, sir! I was just coming up the stairs! – squeaked Brigid, praying in her heart that she might be allowed to remain where she was, for she dreaded to meet the owner of that terrible voice and what he would say to her.