The Complete Ravenscar Trilogy: The Ravenscar Dynasty, Heirs of Ravenscar, Being Elizabeth. Barbara Taylor Bradford
Чтение книги онлайн.

Читать онлайн книгу The Complete Ravenscar Trilogy: The Ravenscar Dynasty, Heirs of Ravenscar, Being Elizabeth - Barbara Taylor Bradford страница 68

СКАЧАТЬ aim to rectify that,’ he exclaimed. ‘I vow to you.’

      ‘I hope you will, not out of any avarice on my part, but because Deravenels does belong to the Yorkshire branch of the family, and it always has. I think it’s about time there was a little justice and fair play.’

      ‘Neville and I will bring it about, Mother, never fear.’

      Cecily leaned back in the large desk chair and looked at her son speculatively for a moment, and then she said, ‘I’ve been thinking about money myself. I want to buy a house for you in London, in Mayfair, close to here, and I was wondering how to do it. Actually, I was going to discuss it with Neville.’

      ‘But Mother—’

      ‘No buts, Edward. You’re a grown man, you have your own private life now, and I think it’s about time you had your own household, your own establishment. Don’t you agree?’

      ‘Well, yes, I do in a way. Will has mentioned it several times, and today at lunch he told me that a “set” has come up at the Albany. He wondered if I would be interested.’

      Cecily shook her head. ‘Those sets of rooms at the Albany wouldn’t be correct for you, not big enough, really. No, I think a house in Mayfair is much more appropriate under the circumstances.’

      ‘But that would be costly, I wouldn’t want you to dip into your inheritance—’

      ‘Sssh!’ She held up her hand. ‘I had an idea about how to finance the house the other day.’ Rising, she walked around the desk and continued, ‘Come with me, Ned. I want to show you something.’

      It was gloomy in the cellar, especially when his mother hurried to the far end near the wine racks. All of a sudden, Ned realized she was heading in the direction of the vault, and he called out, ‘This electric light isn’t very bright. Shall I go and ask Swinton for a few candles?’

      ‘It’s not necessary, there are some here, near the vault, and a box of Swan Vestas.’

      When he caught up with his mother, she was already lighting the candles, explaining, ‘I want you to open the vault, Ned, the handle is a little stiff for me. Now, let me tell you the numbers.’

      Within seconds the heavy door of the large vault swung open, and Cecily stepped closer to Edward and pointed to the two dark green leather boxes, and another large one made of dark blue leather. Along with these there was a smaller fourth box, and this was a faded red.

      ‘Let’s carry these upstairs, where the light is much better. I’ll take the red and blue boxes, they’re lighter, Ned.’

      ‘Heavens, the green are heavier than I thought!’ Ned went along the cellar, following his mother, saying, ‘If these are what I think they are, they must be purgatory.’

      Cecily laughed, but made no comment and climbed up the stairs to the entrance hall. ‘I think we should go into the drawing room, the light is better there,’ she pointed out, and led the way. Placing the two leather boxes on a chair, she indicated the sofa to Ned. ‘Put those boxes over there. Now, darling, open them please.’

      He did as she asked, and gasped when he took out the first tiara. ‘Good Lord, Mother, this is extraordinary!’ he cried, holding the tiara between his hands, turning it slowly, watching the light strike the diamonds, hundreds of them, catching the rainbow colours. ‘Wow, Mother, this is—something special.’

      ‘Unique,’ she murmured. ‘It belonged to my mother.’

      Ned put it back in the box, and took out the second tiara. Again, he exclaimed about its beauty. ‘And whose was this?’

      ‘Mine,’ she answered. ‘My father bought it for me after my marriage, and this third tiara was left to me by Mother’s best friend, Clarissa Mayes. She had no children and bequeathed it to me, along with this diamond necklace.’ As she had been speaking, Cecily had shown him the tiara and necklace, and he seemed a little stunned.

      ‘Mother,’ he said at last, ‘there’s a small fortune here!’

      ‘I know. I’ve been hoarding all of these diamonds for a rainy day, and now I shall sell them, and buy you a house. What money’s left over will pay for your staff.’

      ‘Oh, Mother, it’s such a shame to sell these things, why they’re family heirlooms. And what of Meg? She will need a tiara one day, after her marriage.’

      ‘You shall buy her a tiara, Ned, when the time comes. These are going to be sold so you can have your own establishment.’ Her voice brooked no argument.

       TWENTY-EIGHT

      Edward stood on the threshold of the conservatory in Neville’s Chelsea house, watching his brothers play with their cousins, Isabel and Anne.

      The two little girls looked charming in their deep-blue woollen dresses, each with a large white satin bow on top of their heads. His brothers were as smartly turned out, in their knee breeches and jackets, black stockings and highly-polished black shoes.

      Surrounded by all the plants, and with sunshine pouring in through the many windows, it was an idyllic scene and brought a smile to Edward’s face. George seemed to be holding forth about something animatedly, and certainly he had captured Isabel’s complete attention. Anne was talking earnestly to Richard, who was nodding his head and looking amused. He felt a little twist in his heart…they were so young, so vulnerable.

      At the sound of footsteps in the hall, Edward swung around, and smiled at Neville as he approached.

      He joined Ned in the doorway, put his hand on his cousin’s shoulder, and together they stood watching the children. After a moment, Neville said softly, ‘The future, Ned…they are the future of our two families, which are as one, and they must be protected at all cost.’

      ‘I agree, you’re quite correct,’ Ned answered quietly. ‘We must guard them at all times. The Grants will stop at nothing.’

      ‘Unfortunately, you’re right…I’m sorry I had to leave you to take the telephone call, and just as you were arriving.’ Neville glanced around. ‘I suppose Cecily and Meg have gone off somewhere with Nan.’

      Ned nodded. ‘They’re in the drawing room.’

      ‘Right. Well, shall we meander along to the library and have a glass of champagne before lunch? Will and Johnny are already there, waiting for us.’

      ‘Why not?’

      The two men walked down the entrance hall, but just before they reached the library Edward paused, took hold of Neville’s arm, so that he, too, stood still.

      ‘Yes, Ned, what is it?’ he asked.

      ‘I need a word with you. Privately.’

      ‘Then tell me now, whilst we are alone here. Are you worried about something?’

      ‘No, no, just curious. About the digitalis. We know Aubrey Masters СКАЧАТЬ