Kingdom's Dream by Iris Gower Page B

make herself invisible. But she could not escape her conscience. Why was she agreeing to meet Dafydd? She knew the temptations of being alone with him. She would not go, she decided, and Dafydd would have to accept that there was nothing he could do.
    Then she heard the sound of hoofs pounding along behind her and wondered if he had come after her.
    â€˜Stop, driver!’ Eynon appeared at the side of the carriage. He was holding his horse on a tight rein and his face was white with anger. ‘Llinos, don’t do this to Jayne.’
    â€˜I don’t know what you mean,’ Llinos said. ‘Do what, Eynon? I have done nothing but talk to Dafydd. What else could I do outside in the drive?’
    â€˜You know exactly what I mean,’ Eynon said. ‘You can’t hide the longing in your eyes whenever that man is near you. Are you ever going to behave like a responsible woman, Llinos?’
    â€˜How dare you speak to me like that?’ Llinos knew her anger was driven by guilt. ‘Since Dafydd took his vows we have done nothing to be ashamed of.’
    â€˜I don’t believe you! That man makes love to you with his every gesture.’ Eynon’s face was white. ‘I could kill the bastard for the way he disregards my daughter’s feelings.’
    â€˜Are you sure it’s not jealousy that is clouding your judgement, Eynon?’ Llinos’s voice rose. ‘You are wrong about us! We have done nothing to be ashamed of.’
    â€˜Tell me you don’t care for him any more, then,’ Eynon said angrily. ‘Just tell me that, Llinos, and I’ll leave you alone.’
    â€˜My feelings are nothing to do with you, Eynon!’ Llinos was as angry as he was. ‘Nothing gives you the right to tell me what I can and can’t do.’
    â€˜I’ve been your friend for as long as I can remember. Doesn’t that give me some rights, Llinos?’
    â€˜And can you tell me you ’ve never done anything wrong, Eynon? Have you never given way to your feelings?’ She looked into his anguished eyes and remorse built inside her. She was about to make a conciliatory gesture when Eynon wheeled his horse away.
    â€˜When will I see you again, Eynon?’ Llinos called, but he was already riding away. She shrugged. She was hurt by his attitude but she knew that as soon as he’d thought things over they would be friends again.
    â€˜Well, Katie, are you getting used to being lady’s maid to Mrs Dafydd Buchan?’
    Katie heaved her basket on to her other arm. ‘Well, when she’s in a good mood I enjoy my work.’
    â€˜And that’s not very often, is it?’ Shanni fell into step beside her. ‘You know Sarah, one of the maids at Caswell House, don’t you? She’s a good girl, talkative, too, and not above a bit of gossip. She says she’d heard Jayne and Dafydd quarrelling.’
    A carriage pulled up sharply alongside her.
    â€˜Katie Cullen, what do you think you’re doing, girl?’
    Katie bit her lip as she saw Mrs Buchan lean out of her carriage. ‘Get in at once. You know I don’t like my servants talking to the likes of Shanni Morgan!’
    Katie was confused. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Buchan, but I am doing my job, that’s all.’
    â€˜And gossiping the day away by the look of it. Now, get in at once if you value your position in my household, and you are never to talk to her again.’
    Katie was angry now: maid she might be, but she deserved to be treated with courtesy. ‘I think it’s my business who I talk to when I’m out on the street – and didn’t you tell me yourself that it was all right to talk to Shanni?’
    â€˜I said no such thing!’
    Katie stared at her in dismay. ‘But you did, Mrs—’
    â€˜Don’t answer back, girl! How dare you call me a liar? I’ve got a terrible headache and you’re making it worse. Oh, I’ve had