Read Daughter of Satan for Free Online Page B

sir. I knew that was wrong. I knew that was wicked. I shouldn’t have watched.’ She began to sob. ‘Then it wouldn’t have happened to me.’
    â€˜Go on,’ he commanded.
    And she told him how suddenly she had found that Betsy and Charlie were no longer beside her; she was alone there among the trees, and before her eyes was taking place that weird scene in the clearing. But she was aware suddenly that she was not alone . . . for close to her was a figure, a figureclad in black from head to foot. She could not see his face, or indeed whether he had a face, as men had faces. She knew there were eyes that watched her; there were horns . . . Yes, she saw the horns.
    â€˜And, sir,’ she said, ‘I was took with trembling, for I did know . . .’
    â€˜What did you know, Luce?’
    â€˜I knew, sir, that I was in the presence of the Devil himself. He came to me . . . and I tried to run, but I was stuck there . . . like I was chained, sir . . . and he came nearer and nearer . . . and I couldn’t cry out . . . nor could I move.’
    His smile was sardonic. ‘And then, Luce?’
    â€˜He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.’
    â€˜So he had a shoulder, then?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. I did feel as though I were thrown over his shoulder. I fainted, sir. I fainted right away. I thought, sir, I was being carried straight to eternal damnation as Mistress Alton is always talking of.’
    â€˜And when you came to?’
    â€˜I was lying on the grass, sir. There at the edge of the wood where the bushes is thick . . . and I knew, sir, I knew what had happened to me.’
    He laid both his hands on her shoulders and looked into her face. ‘Luce, are you seriously trying to tell me that you believe it was the Devil? Come, girl. You know it was a man dressed up as the Devil. You know it. Admit it. I have an idea that you know who the man is.’
    â€˜No, sir. I swear I don’t.’
    â€˜Do you swear it? Would you swear it on the Holy Bible?’
    â€˜Yes, sir, that I would.’
    â€˜Luce, you try my patience sorely. It is a trick that has been played on you.’
    â€˜I do not think so. For there was another time . . .’
    â€˜Another time?’
    â€˜He came to me in the dark of night when I lay abed.’
    â€˜What, in this house? Why did you not wake Betsy?’
    â€˜Mistress Alton was sick. She was so sick that she wanted one of us to stay with her. So . . . Betsy stayed. I was alone thatnight. And I woke suddenly. It was dark . . . and I knew he was there.’
    â€˜Did you faint that time, Luce?’
    â€˜No, sir. That time I did not faint. I . . . I was awake all the time . . .’
    â€˜And you persist that he was the Devil?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. I know he was the Devil.’
    â€˜Now, listen to me, Luce. I can understand your believing this incredible thing on the night in the wood, but not . . . oh, certainly not . . . when he came to your room. Think of all the men hereabouts who have looked your way and desired you. You must be aware of them.’
    She shook her head. She was crying silently, the tears spilling over on to her bodice. He looked at her swollen face with distaste and walked away from her to the window.
    â€˜I will give you a word of warning,’ he said. ‘Tell no one else this incredible tale. If you do, I fear there may be trouble for you . . . greater trouble than this bearing of a child whose father you do not know.’
    He turned to look at her standing there so miserable, so abject.
    â€˜There are some who would say I should send you back to your parents. Would you like that, Luce?’
    She began to sob aloud.
    He spoke more gently. ‘Don’t make that noise, child. Go now. I shall not send you home if you do not wish to go. Instead, I will do my best to find a man willing to father your child. Come. You have been foolish – for you know you were wrong to leave the