The Spinster & The Coquette Read Online Free

Cordelia, that one is unfair! Is there anyone who is not at least somewhat afraid of snakes?”
    “You should not be ashamed of your fears, Hester,” Frank defended her. “Fears make you cautious, and it is always wise to err on the side of caution.”
    “Thank you, Frank.” Hester saw movement in the grass, and it took her a moment to spot the very large, black beetle ambling between the blades. She watched it for several seconds and hoped it did not come closer. She felt no need to confess that spiders were not the only bug she feared. As soon as the beetle disappeared and her pear was consumed, she reached for the book she brought with her. “Do you like to read?”
    “Indeed,” Frank replied. “I have wasted many candles while reading into the darkest hours of the night.”
    “Have you ever read the works of Miss Austen?” Hester asked.
    “I am afraid I have not.”
    “My sister and I adore the works of Jane Austen,” Hester continued, and held up the book for Frank to observe. “This novel, in particular, is called Emma . It is one of my favorites… and there happens to be a character named Frank.”
    His eyebrow was raised. “Is there?”
    “Indeed. Frank Churchill. He is not one of my favorite characters, I am loath to admit. Nevertheless, the fact that you share his name is an interesting observation to make. Would you like me to read to you?”
    Frank smiled so broadly, slight dimples appeared on his cheeks. “I would like that very much.”
    As Hester read aloud, her voice was very concise, crisp, and lilting. “ Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. ” Hester raised her eyes from the text and grinned at her sister. “Already we get the sense that Emma might be a bit spoiled. Incidentally, I have always felt she bore some similarity to a certain sister of mine.”
    Cordelia crossed her arms. “Are you saying I am spoiled?”
    Hester did not respond; she simply turned her eyes back to the page and continued to read aloud. “ She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father, and had, in consequence of marriage, been mistress —”
    Cordelia interrupted, “My similarities to Emma have already ended. Our father is most certainly not indulgent, or he would not have sent me here to punish me!” When she saw Frank’s lips dip into a frown, she quickly added, “That is not to say I am not happy to visit Plymouth… I… I was only pointing out that my father has little regard for my feelings. I cannot imagine what a luxury it would be to have a father who actually cared!”
    “And I cannot imagine what a luxury it would be to have a father at all,” Frank added.
    “Oh, Frank! I had forgotten you no longer have a father. I must seem dashed insensitive! I am so, so very sorry!” Cordelia clasped a hand to her chest, over her heart. “Can you forgive me?”
    “There is nothing to forgive,” Frank assured her, and turned his attention back to Hester, who read the entire first chapter with impressive enthusiasm and vigor. When the chapter was finished, he praised her. “Your voice is very rich, sonorous and soothing. I believe I could listen to you read for hours.”
    “That is very kind of you, Frank. I have had practice. I used to read to Cordelia when she was a child.”
    Suddenly, Cordelia snatched the book out of her sister’s lap and exclaimed, “Let me read!” She did not want her sister to be lavished with all of the praise and attention. In a much softer, delicate voice, Cordelia read, “ Mr. Weston was a native of Highbury, and born of a respectable family …” As she spoke, Cordelia slowly lowered her head until it was resting on Frank’s lap. She held the book aloft and continued, “ which for the last two of three generations had been