27 The Blue Castle - Read By Stephanie Poppins

Valancy Stirling is 29, unmarried, and has never been in love. Living with her overbearing mother and meddlesome aunt, she finds her only consolation in the "forbidden" books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle. This is the place she can be who she truly wants to be.

After getting shocking news from a doctor about her state of ill health, Valancy decides to rebel against her family in true heroine style and live the life she was always meant to have.

In this episode, Valancy tells all.

This guided reading is protected by an invisible watermark. Copyright Neworld Books. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Welcome to sleep stories with Steph It is time to relax. And fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Close your eyes. And feel yourself sink into the support beneath you. And let all the worries of the day go. Drift away. This is your time. And your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose. And let it out with a long sigh. That's it! There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Happy listening. Chapter 27 Cousin Georgiana came down the lane leading up to her little house. She lived half a mile out of Deerwood and she wanted to go into Amelia's and find out if Doss had come home yet. Cousin Georgiana was anxious to see Doss. She had something very important to tell her, Something she was sure Dos would be delighted to hear. Poor Doss, She had rather a dull life of it. Cousin Georgiana owed it to herself that she would not like to live under Amelia's thumb. But that would all be changed now. Cousin Georgiana felt tremendously important. For the time being, She quite forgot to wonder which of them would go next. And here was Doss herself, Coming along the road from Roaring Ables in such a queer green dress and hat. Talk about love. Cousin Georgiana would have chance to impart her wonderful secret right away with nobody else about to interrupt. It was, You might say, A providence. Valancy, Who had been living for four days on her enchanted island, Had decided she might as well go into Deerwood and tell her relatives she was married. Otherwise, Finding she disappeared from Roaring Ables, They might get out a search warrant for her. Barney had offered to drive her in, But she'd preferred to go alone. She smiled very radiantly at Cousin Georgiana, Who she remembered as if someone known a long time ago had not really been a bad little creature. Valancy was so happy, She could have smiled at anybody, Even Uncle James. And she was not averse to cousin Georgiana's company. Already, Since the houses along the road were becoming numerous, She was conscious that curious eyes were looking at her from every window. I suppose you're going home, Dear Doss? " said Cousin Georgiana as she shook hands, Furtively eyeing Valancy's dress and wondering if she had any petticoat on at all. Sooner or later, Said Valancy cryptically. Then I'll go along with you. I've been wanting to see you very specially. Dos, Dear, I've something quite wonderful to tell you. "'Yes, ' said Valancy absently. What on earth was Cousin Georgiana looking so mysterious and important about? But did it matter? No, Nothing mattered but Barney and the blue castle. Who do you suppose called to see me the other day? " asked Cousin Georgiana archly. Valancy could not guess. Edward Bey. Why the italics? And why was cousin Georgiana blushing? All earth is Edward Bane. Ask Valancy indifferently. Cousin Georgiana stared. Surely you remember Edward Beck. He lives in that lovely house on the Port Lawrence Road. He comes to our church regularly. You must remember him. Oh, I think I do now, " said Valancy with an effort of memory. He's that old man with a wen on his forehead and dozens of children who always sits in the pew by the door. Dozens of children dear, Not even one dozen, Only nine. At least only nine that count. The rest are dead. Isn't old, He's only about 48. The prime of life, Doss. And what does it matter about a when? Nothing, Of course, " agreed Valancy quite sincerely. It didn't matter to her whether Edward Beck had a whin or a dozen whins or no whin at all. But Valancy was getting vaguely suspicious. There was an air of suppressed triumph about Cousin Georgiana. Could it be that Cousin Georgiana was thinking of marrying again? Marrying Edward Beck? Absurd. Carson Georgiana was 65 as she were a day and her little anxious face was as closely covered with fine wrinkles as if she'd been a hundred. My dear, Said Cousin Georgiana, Edward Beck wants to marry you. Valancy glared. Cousin Georgiana. She wanted to go off into a peal of laughter, But she only said. . . Me? Yes, You. He fell in love with you at the funeral and he came to consult me about it. I was such a friend of his first wife, You know. He's very much an earnest dossie and it's a wonderful chance. He's very well off. And you are welcome. I'm not so young as I once was. Agreed valency. To her that hat. Shall be given. Do you really think I would make a good stepmother, Cousin Georgiana? I'm sure you would, You were always so fond of children. Nine is such a family to start with. The two oldest are grown up and the third almost. That leaves only six that really count, And most of them are boys. So much easier to bring up than girls. That's an excellent book. Care of the growing child, I think. Gladys has a copy. It would be such a help to you. And there are books about morals. It'd manage nicely. Of course I told Mr. Beck I thought you would. Jumper Tim supply valency. Oh, No, No, Dear, I wouldn't use such an indelicate expression. I told him you would consider his proposal favourably. And you will, Won't you dearie? There's only one obstacle. Said Valancy dreamily. I'm married already. Married? Carson Georgiana stopped stock still. Yes, I was married to Barney Sneak last Tuesday evening in Port Lawrence. There is a convenient gate post hard by. Cousin Georgiana took firm hold of it. Ghost here. I'm an old woman. Are you trying to make fun of me? Not at all, I'm just telling you the truth. For heaven's sake, Cousin Georgiana, Don't go crying here on the public road! Cousin Georgiana choked back the tears and gave a little moan of despair. Doss, What have you done? I've just been telling you what I've done. I got married. Shoot that. Barney Schnee? Why, They say he's had a dozen wives already. I'm the only one round at present. What will your poor mother say? Come along with me and hear all about it if you want to know. I'm on my way to tell her now. Cousin Georgiana let go of the gatepost cautiously and found that she could stand alone. She meekly trotted on beside Valancy who suddenly seemed quite a different person. Cousin Georgiana had a tremendous respect for a married woman. But it was terrible to think what this poor girl had done. So rash! So reckless! Of course Valancy must be stark mad. But she seemed so happy in her madness that Cousin Georgiana had a momentary conviction it would be a pity if the clan tried to scold her back to sanity. She had never seen that look in Valancy's eyes before. But what would Amelia say and Ben? To marry a man you know nothing about. I know more about him than I know of Edward Bear. So, Fancy. Edward Beck goes to church. Does your husband? He's promised he will go with me on fine Sundays. Valency. When they turned in at the Stirling Gate, Valancy gave an exclamation of surprise. Look at my rose bush, It's blooming! It was. Covered with blossoms, Great crimson velvety blossoms, Fragrant Gluing Wonderful. My cutting it to pieces must have done it good, " said Valancy, Laughing. She gathered a handful of the blossoms. They would look well on the supper table of the veranda. And went still laughing up the walk, Conscious that Olive was standing on the steps. Olive, Goddess-like in loveliness, Looking down with a slight frown on her forehead. Olive, Beautiful and insolent. So Valancy had come home, Thank goodness, She thought. But Fallency was not looking like a repentant returned prodigal. This was the cause of Olive's frown. Valancy was looking triumphant. That outlandish dress, That queer hat, Those hands full of blood-red roses. Yet there was something about both dress and hat, As Olive instantly felt, That was entirely lacking in her own attire. This deepened her frown. She put out a condescending hand. So you're back, Doss. Very warm day, Isn't it? Did you walk in? Yes, You're coming in. To fancy. No, I've just been in. I've come to offer to comfort poor auntie. She's been so lonesome. I'm going to Mrs. Barclay's tea. I have to help Paul. She's giving it for her cousin from Toronto. Such a charming girl. You'd have loved meeting her, Doss. I think Mrs. Bartlett did send you a card. Perhaps you'll drop in later on. I don't think so. It balancing differently. I have to be home to get Barney's supper. We're going for a moonlit canoe ride round Mistoulis tonight. Barney? Shopper. Gasp lolly what do you mean valancy sterling Bouncy Snaith by the grace of God Fallacy flaunted her wedding ring in olive-stricken face. Then she nimbly stepped past her and into the house. Cousin Georgiana followed. She would not miss a moment of the great scene, Even though Olive did look as if she were going to faint. Olive did not faint. She went stupidly down the street to Mrs Barklett's. What did DOS mean? She couldn't have that ring. What fresh scandal is that wretched girl bringing on her defences family now? She should have been shut up long ago. Valancy opened the sitting room door and stepped unexpectedly right into a grim assemblage of stirlings. They had not come together out of malice propense. Aunt Wellington and Cousin Gladys and Aunt Mildred and Cousin Sarah had just called in on their way home for a meeting of the Missionary Society. Uncle James had dropped in to give Amelia some information regarding a doubtful investment. Uncle Benjamin had called apparently to tell them it was a hot day. Cousin Stickles had been tactless enough to know the answer. And Uncle Benjamin was in a bad humour. In all of their minds, Unexpressed was the idea of finding out if Valancy had yet come home, And if not, What steps should be taken in the matter. Well, Here was Valancy at last. A poised, Confident thing, Not humble and deprecating as she should have been, And so oddly improperly young-looking. She stood in the doorway and looked at them. Cousin Georgiana Timorous expectant behind her. Valancy was so happy she didn't hate her people anymore. She could even see a number of good qualities in them she'd never seen before. And she was sorry for them. Her pity made her quite gentle. Well, Mother? She said pleasantly. So, You've come home at last. Said Mrs Frederick, Getting out her handkerchief. She dared not be outraged, But she did not mean to be cheated of her tears. Well, Not exactly, " said Valancy. I thought I ought to drop in and tell you I was married last Tuesday night to Barney Snape. Uncle Benjamin bounced up and sat down again. God bless my soul. He said, Dolly. The rest seemed turned to stone. Except cousin Gladys who turned faint. Aunt Mildred and Uncle Wellington had to help her out of the kitchen. She would have to keep up the Victorian traditions, Said Valancy with a grin. Then she sat down and invited on a chair. Carson's stickles began to sob. Is there one day in your life you haven't cried? Ask Fallency curiously. Balancy, Said Uncle James. Did you mean what you said just now? I did. Do you mean to say you've actually gone and married the notorious Barney Snaith, That criminal that. . . I have. Then you're a shameless creature, Lost to all sense of propriety and virtue, And I wash my hands entirely of you. I do not ever want to see your face again. What have you left to say when I commit murder? Or fancy. Uncle Benjamin appealed to God to bless his soul. That drunken outlaw! A dangerous spark appeared in Valancy's eyes. They might say what they like to her. But they should not abuse Barney. Say damn and you'll feel better. She suggested. I can express my feelings without blasphemy and I tell you you've covered yourself with eternal disgrace and infamy by marrying that drunkard. You would be more endurable if you got drunk occasionally. Barney is not a drunkard. He was seen drunk in Port Lawrence, Pickled to the gills. If that is true, And I don't believe it. . . He had a good reason. Now I suggest you all stop looking tragic and accept the situation. I'm married. You can't undo that. And I'm perfectly happy. I suppose we ought to be thankful he has really married her, " said Cousin Sarah. If he really has, " said Uncle James. Who married you? Mr Towers of Port Lawrence by a free Methodist. Roamed Mrs. Frederick, As if to have been married by an imprisoned Methodist would have been a shade less disgraceful. It was the first thing she said. Mrs. Frederick didn't know what to say. The whole thing was so horrible, So nightmarish. She was sure she must wake up soon, After all their bright hopes at the funeral. It makes me think of those rogical rooms, " said Uncle Benjamin. Those Jarls, You know, Fairies taking babies out of their cradles. Valancy could hardly be a changeling at twenty-nine, " said Aunt Wellington satirically. She was the oddest-looking baby I ever saw, Anyway. " revered Uncle Benjamin. I said so at the time. You remember, Amelia? I said, I'd never seen such eyes in a human head. I'm glad I never had any children, " said Cousin Sarah. If they don't break your heart in one way, They do it in another. Isn't it better to have your heart broken than to have it wither up? Wearied, Fallacy. Before it could be broken it must have felt something splendid. That would be worth the pain. "'Balancy, ' said Mrs Frederick solemnly. " Do you ever pray to be forgiven by disobeying your mother? I should pray to be forgiven for obeying you for so long. Said Valancy stubbornly, But I don't pray about that at all. I just thank God every day for my happiness. I would rather, Said Mrs Frederick, Beginning to cry. See you dead before me. Then listen to what you've told me today. Valancy Snaith looked at her mother and aunts and wondered if they could ever have known anything of the real meaning of love. She felt sorrier for them than ever before. They were so pitiable and they never even suspected it. Barney Snaith is a scoundrel to have deluded you into marrying him, " said Uncle James violently. Oh, I did the deluding, Said Valancy with a wicked smile. I asked him to marry me. Have you no pride? " demanded Aunt Wellington. Lots of it. I'm proud to say I've achieved a husband by my own unaided efforts. Cousin Georgiana here wanted to help me. To Edward Beck. Edward Beck is worth $20, 000 and has the finest house between here and Port Lawrence, " said Uncle Benjamin. That sounds very fine, " said Valancy scornfully, She snapped her fingers, Compared to feeling Barney's arms around me and his cheek against mine. Oh, Doss! " said Cousin Stickles. Surely isn't it decent to like to have your husband put his arm round you? I should think it would be indecent if you didn't. Sit down and see.