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

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      Before dinner that night, Edward went to his mother’s upstairs sitting room. She was alone, reading a book in front of the fire; she looked up, and put it down when he came into the small boudoir.

      ‘Yes, Ned, what is it?’ she asked, smiling at him, beckoning him to enter.

      ‘Can we talk for a few moments?’

      ‘But of course we can. Is something troubling you?’

      ‘Well, yes, as a matter of fact it is. I’m troubled about the tiaras, Mother. I don’t want you to sell them so that you can buy me a house, in order for me to create my own household.’

      ‘Ned, there’s no other way to do it!’

      ‘I think there will be and really rather soon.’

      Cecily frowned. ‘You do? Please explain, darling.’

      ‘We have an enormous amount of evidence against the Grants and their adherents,’ Ned confided. ‘It’s going to sink them once and for all. Actually, we could go ahead now, but Neville wants to wait until we have some telegrams which are coming soon from India. Oliveri has a good friend out there, a man called David Westmouth, and he’s finally got the goods on Aubrey Masters and his dealings with the locals, those who are involved in the skimming I told you about. So, we’re mounting a case and then we’ll request permission to present it to the board.’

      ‘I understand…when do you think you will do this?’ she asked, her excitement reflected in her eyes, her expression eager.

      ‘I hope it will be only a few weeks from now. In May.’

      Now Cecily could not keep the smile off her face. She beamed at her eldest son and asked, ‘Why are you still standing there? Come and sit with me for a moment, and tell me more.’

      He did as she asked, lowered himself into a chair next to the fire, and explained, ‘There’s not a lot to tell, Mother. You already know most of it.’

      ‘When are you going to London?’

      ‘Next week. For a few days only, and then I’ll be back for about a week. After that I’m going to be needed in town. You do understand, don’t you?’

      ‘Oh yes, I do, darling, I really do. I plan to remain here at Ravenscar for the summer. I know the London Season’s not over, but that doesn’t matter since we are a family in mourning and cannot participate. Therefore, in my opinion, we’re better off here, and I think the children agree.’

      ‘I know Richard does…he loves Ravenscar.’

      ‘So does George, you know.’

      ‘Yes, that’s true,’ Edward agreed, and thought: he would love it for himself.

      ‘You will be running Deravenels, won’t you, Ned?’ Cecily suddenly asked, startling him.

      ‘I will.’

      ‘And Neville?’

      ‘Ah yes, Cousin Neville. Mmmmm. Let me think…he will be advising me, helping me wherever he can, as will Johnny and Will.’

      There was a pause.

      Cecily was totally silent.

      ‘What is it, Mother?’ he asked finally when she remained mute.

      ‘What does Neville hope to gain from all of this, Ned? He is the greatest magnate in England, and probably the richest. He already has everything. He doesn’t need to help you run Deravenels…’

      ‘I know that as well as you do, and I suppose he does, too. On the other hand, his father backed my father, the true heir to Deravenels. I believe he feels totally committed to do the same for me. There’s his pride involved you know, and honour. And another thing. I would say he wants…power.’

      ‘Oh, Ned, surely he has enough power.’

      ‘When is enough enough for an ambitious man?’

      ‘So what you are saying is that Neville wants power through you. Is that it?’

      ‘To a certain extent.’

      ‘Oh, Ned, be careful.’

      ‘I am not a toy on a string, he is not my puppet-master. He doesn’t control me. I am my own man.’

      ‘Ah, but does he know that?’

      ‘I should think so…Why Neville has known me all my life, and has only my interests at heart.’