Abigail’s Admirer

Chapter 37: Abigail’s Admirer

Loneliness was beginning to afflict Abigail in the large house. Caroline had deemed that drinking establishments were not a suitable environment for the young unmarried girl and so she was left behind with the one maid, Betty, who seemed **** to or incapable of holding any sort of a conversation. Guests were also nowhere to be seen. After the ball the twin had anticipated a busy social life, which while not really a necessity might have been at least diverting.

So Abigail was pleasantly surprised when Gillamoor Court received a visitor. Surprise turned to intrigue when instead of joining her in a reception room as she had requested via the maid, Samuel Atha walked straight past and unlocked Sir Thomas’s Study. With the master and mistress of the house away, Abigail felt she should have been asked permission, which most certainly she would not have granted. However there was always someone on the gates and after all, this gentleman did have the key.

“He’s a friend of Sir Thomas, my lady. He started visiting about a year ago, but he was rude to ignore you.” explained the maid

“Thank you Betty.”

The young Hawksby peered through the keyhole in vain so she gave up and went to the library. She spent a couple of hours reading and thought she could detect the odd hammering sound and perhaps a bit of moaning but all of it seemed echoey and distant even when she put her ear to the wall. Then she heard footsteps and louder and apparently closer mechanical noises. This convinced her that not only was there a secret but it was a big one. Suddenly instead of feeling excluded, she felt part of one of the stories she read.

Her first thought was to confront Samuel when he was departing, but decided that she would fare better by it appearing that the timing of her walk down the corridor was purely coincidental.

“Oh Mr Atha, isn’t it? Forgive a curious girl but why did you refuse my offer of hospitality?” she enquired. The obsessive historian looked the pretty girl up and down before giving his answer

“I am sorry Miss …” he gestured to her hoping for an introduction, which he probably would not remember.

“Hawksby. Abigail Hawksby. My sister is mistress of this house.” Close up she reckoned him to be at least as old as Nathaniel without his dashing energy.

“I am sorry I would never have guessed. You look so different to Lady Squires.”

“I take after my mother and Caroline takes after our father, but you have not answered my question.”

“I am afraid I’m not good company. I prefer books and Sir Thomas has a fine collection.”

“I prefer reading to people as well, so we have that much in common. Next time you visit please seek me out for a conversation. I am sure you are a most interesting man.”

Normally Sam would have no time for this but maybe there was something about this young woman. She seemed serious and maybe had something to say. Atha was not asexual but found sexual contact somewhat distasteful preferring to admire females for their looks and occasionally their minds.

“When I come to Gillamoor in the future, If I have time, because Thomas is demanding, I will make an effort to discuss books with you. I am sorry I appeared rude today but I had some important research to do and was keen to get on with it.”

“Well I hope you keep your word, Mr Atha, and look forward to us becoming friends. However I shall not detain you further today.” Abigail’s real intention was to become a confidante to the old man in the hope that he might let something slip.

They said their goodbyes and Samuel made his way towards Baker’s Coffee House where he spent the night, completely out of character, dreaming of that dusky maiden he had met earlier being stretched out naked for some pagan ritual.