Название: Secrets of Cavendon: A gripping historical saga full of intrigue and drama
Автор: Barbara Taylor Bradford
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
isbn: 9780007503377
isbn:
‘So am I.’ He smiled at her, and changed the subject. ‘It was a nice evening. I was happy to see Charlie and Alicia still in such good form. Incidentally, I’d like to take a look at the other paintings by Travers. Why don’t we do that tomorrow?’
There was a moment of silence. Taking a deep breath, Cecily said, ‘I can’t tomorrow, I’m afraid. You see—’
‘But we always spend Saturday together,’ he cut in, sounding put out.
‘Yes, I know. However, I need to meet with Aunt Dottie and Greta to discuss a few more of my business plans. Greta is staying on until Monday. In fact, they both are.’
‘Oh, I see. I suppose you do have a bit of planning to do, now that you will be in Yorkshire most of the time.’
‘Yes, I also have a lot of problem-solving to do. Anyway, Aunt Charlotte would like to speak to you tomorrow morning, Miles. She asked me to tell you she’ll be available any time it’s convenient for you.’
‘Aunt Charlotte?’ He frowned. ‘Is there something wrong? Do you know what it is about?’
‘I do. She wants you to meet the managing director of her bank in Harrogate on Monday. To arrange a loan for you. She will be your guarantor.’
Miles stared at her nonplussed, frowning. ‘A loan? Whatever for?’
‘The government taxes, Miles. They’ll be due soon.’
Once again he gaped at her, surprise and puzzlement still filling his face. ‘But you always give me the tax money …’ he began, and then his voice trailed off when he saw how serious her expression was.
‘I don’t have the money to give you, I’m afraid. I have a lot of business problems, which is why Aunt Charlotte has now stepped in.’
‘I can’t borrow money from a bank! The whole world will soon know the Inghams are in trouble!’ he exclaimed, his voice rising.
‘But everyone knows that already, Miles. All the aristocratic families have been in trouble financially since the end of the war. Because of the tax increases and lack of men on the land. It’s not a secret.’
‘Why didn’t you confide in me?’ he demanded, anger echoing in his voice. He glared at her. ‘We share. Always.’
‘I didn’t want to worry you. I believe I can solve my business problems by selling the two factories in Leeds, finding smaller offices in London, closing one of the shops in the Burlington Arcade, and dropping the ready-made clothing line. Greta wants to buy in as a partner, and also, Aunt Charlotte will give me half the money to pay off my bank debts … She explained I am her main heir, and it’s part of the money she would be leaving me in her will anyway.’
There was total silence in the room.
As she looked at Miles, Cecily noticed his face was as white as bleached bone and there was a look in his eyes she couldn’t read. Anger? Bafflement? Bewilderment? Shock, she decided. He was in shock.
He said suddenly, ‘Well, it seems the Swanns have been very busy these last few days, doesn’t it?’
Startled by those words, infuriated by them, Cecily snapped back, ‘More like a couple of hundred years, wouldn’t you say? And where would the Inghams have been without the Swanns?’
Standing up, she walked over to the fireplace, and stood there, appreciating the warmth coming from the dying embers. ‘We’ve looked out for the Inghams for centuries,’ she announced in a cold voice.
Miles was furious with himself. He had made a silly remark, and she had taken umbrage. Of course she had. It was a rotten remark, and totally uncalled for.
Before he could apologize and say something nice to her, Cecily spoke. ‘You might as well know that a few other Swanns have come up with some ideas that might help us out. Uncle Howard recently read in The Times that Lord Overshed auctioned off his wine cellar, or rather the contents thereof, and made money. Mind you, a lot of wine had gone off. I told Eric to check the wine logbooks started by Hanson, and which he has continued to keep. A wine auction might produce money.’
‘I see,’ Miles said, now determined to watch his words, not wanting to upset her further.
‘And I ran into Percy the other day. We talked about the grouse moor. He told me that many aristocratic families with shoots are actually taking paying guests during the grouse season. Mostly American tycoons.’
‘I don’t quite know how that would work, here at Cavendon, I mean.’ Miles took a long swallow of the cognac, and put the glass down on the small table.
After a moment he said quietly, ‘You’ve given me a lot to think about, Cecily. I will consider your suggestions. And I haven’t forgotten the one about charging rent.’
‘And will you have a meeting with Aunt Charlotte tomorrow?’ she asked, keeping her voice soft.
‘Of course. I’ll listen to what she has to say, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll take a bank loan.’
He let out a long sigh, and stood up, walked over to the fireplace, kissed her on the cheek. ‘Why don’t you go to bed? It’s been such a long day for you. I’ll join you shortly, I have quite a lot to mull over, and I do need to have a quiet think alone.’
‘I am a bit tired,’ she admitted, and touched his arm lightly. ‘Don’t stay up too late, Miles. And tomorrow afternoon we can look at the other paintings in Diedre’s room,’ she promised, by way of a peace offering.
Cecily found she was unable to fall asleep. She was very tired, just as Miles had suggested, but her brain would not stop working.
His remarks about the Swanns had infuriated her, but within herself she realized it was just a thoughtless, throw-away line. He had not meant to hurt. He knew only too well how much the Swanns had done for the Inghams. And what she herself had contributed to the welfare of the family. She had saved them several times. Everyone knew that.
Despite his anger and shock, Cecily believed she had been correct in telling Miles everything at once. Knowing him as well as she did, she was certain he would not come to bed until he had puzzled everything out. He was no doubt drinking another brandy in the sitting room, and ‘getting his ducks in a row’, as he called it.
One thing she was sure of was his ingrained practicality. However distasteful something might be to him, he would, in the end, do what was best for Cavendon and its future.
After a while, she managed to ease herself into a better frame of mind, to let go of her worries, and concentrated on her youngest child. Gwen had been unhappy for quite a while now, because she wanted to have a kitten. Miles had not liked the idea of animals in the house. Now Cecily decided she was going to buy Gwen that cat. Once it was there, Miles would find it extremely difficult to take it away from Gwen, whom he adored.
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