The Knapthorne Conspiracy by Malcolm Ballard (best english novels for beginners txt) 📕

she was pretty in a sort of fresh-faced, girl-next-door way that was very appealing, not that she was the least aware of the fact. But that didn’t mean to say that others weren’t. In some eyes she was seen as a ripe, juicy fruit, delicious and untouched, ready for plucking. And that’s why, on a beautiful Spring morning, in 1961, Gina Allsop had stood naked in front of the bathroom mirror studying her profile, having just emerged from a very hot bath. Dragging her eyes from her reflection she had looked down at her belly, running her hands across it to see if it felt any different. It was impossible to believe that there was another life forming beneath the taut, pink flesh there, yet she was normally as regular as the passing of the months themselves but she had missed her last two periods. In the season of birth and renewal, with lambs in the fields and buds on the trees the irony of the situation wasn’t lost on the teenager.

Another month had gone by, another opportunity for everything to come right but, for the third time, she had failed to menstruate. It was the final, incontrovertible confirmation. Desolate, she had taken Muffin out for a long ride over the biggest jumps and the roughest country she could find, talking to him constantly, the tears streaming down her face. Her head was so full of all the terrible implications of her situation she felt like it would burst. Dread consumed her at having to break the news to her mother but there was no way in the world she was brave enough to confront her father, she could imagine his reaction and it terrified her. Muffin was blowing quite hard and she knew she should rest him, there was no excuse for taking out her troubles on the pony. Slowing him down to a trot, she made for one of her favourite spots, where she always went when she wanted to be alone with her thoughts.  The open fields gave way to a densely wooded area about half a mile distant and it wasn’t long before she entered the welcome shade provided by the trees. It was approaching noon when she came upon the clearing and slid down off  Muffin’s back, leaving him free to roam, at will. The morning sun sparkled on the clear waters of the stream, in minute starbursts of light, as she sat beside the big willow while Muffin grazed contentedly at the water’s edge. The little glade was a haven of peace and tranquillity and she lay back, stretching out, her eyes closed. Her lover had been on her mind, in her thoughts, ever since he had stolen her innocence in this very place and then disappeared from her life as mysteriously as he had entered into it.

They had met in the glade on three occasions, at first just talking and laughing together but slowly, inexorably drawing closer. An accidental touch, the intertwining of fingers and finally an embrace. Allowing her mind to drift, she gave herself up to the memory of him, the sight, the sound and the smell of him. A musky maleness. She remembered the first time she had ever seen him, right here, astride the big chestnut stallion, watching her from the trees as she had been laying on her back, on the grass, searching the sky for a skylark warbling overhead. After that first meeting, she had ridden out that way purposefully and often, hoping to see him again, hope turning to longing when he didn’t appear. Romantic notions, a young girl’s dreams, flooded her mind and her vivid imagination dared her to look beyond romance. And, suddenly, one day, he was there and she became shy in his presence, lost for words yet eager to please but his smooth talking and gentle caresses had made her feel like a princess, arousing emotions hitherto unstirred.  They arranged to meet again and, as she rode from the farm, she was aflame with a burning physical desire and fell into his arms, breathlessly as soon as they met. A willing pupil, she had allowed him to take control, slavishly giving in to the exquisite sensations pulsing through her young body. Unconsciously her hands moved to her thighs and began gently caressing the inside of her legs. A smile came to her lips as she recalled the thrill of his touch, flesh on flesh. He had undressed her slowly and she relived her tremulous excitement, as she had abandoned herself to the rapturous, wanton feeling. Firm, experienced hands worked deftly until she was naked in front of him. And then he was kissing her. Soft, delicate kisses, all over her nakedness like the touch of a butterfly, settling then moving on to settle again, her body awash with the pleasure of it, wanting more. Wanting him. Slowly, he began to remove his clothes and her eyes widened as…

“No!” she screamed out loud, sitting up abruptly and startling Muffin who whinnied and ran a little way off. Reality trampled roughshod over her daydreams, as shame and guilt combined to crush her few moments of ecstasy underfoot and turn the memories to dust. To think how she had enjoyed it, all of it, and begged for more. Her despair was absolute and she wept uncontrollably. Attracted by the sound, Muffin trotted over and nuzzled at her affectionately.

Gina’s terrible secret was, not unnaturally, eating away at her. It either lurked at the back of her consciousness, blighting her enjoyment of life, or rampaged through her mind demanding her attention at the expense of all else. At these times she would become totally withdrawn, looking sullen and miserable, and on the verge of tears. Although the second half of the twentieth century had begun to see a softening of attitudes towards the birth of illegitimate children, this particular path of enlightenment had not reached Knapthorne. In her darker moments, lacking the courage to