Bird of Prey by Henrietta Reid Read Free Book Online Page B

men dancing attendance on her, hand and foot. She would make a demanding mistress, and I confess at my age I dread an upheaval in my way of life here at Longmere. It’s all very well being housekeeper to a bachelor, like Mr. Craig, who’s away from home so much, and who doesn’t bother his head over much about domestic trifles, but it would be a very different matter with someone like Mrs. Brant in complete control, I can tell you that. ”
    Caroline looked at her in surprise. “Then Grace definitely intends to marry Mr. Craig?”
    The housekeeper nodded. “There’s every likelihood of it, and no doubt they’d make a very handsome couple. But I don’t see myself being able to stay on once she takes over. As it is, she’s gone through I don’t know how many nursery governesses, trying to find one who’ll put up with that child of hers. None of
    them stay longer than a few weeks.”
    “But last night she had an excellent one and appeared perfectly satisfied with her.” Caroline remarked. “That’s why she wouldn’t take me.”
    “Huh! ” The housekeeper laughed shortly. “You mark my words, excellent as she may be, she won’t be there very long. No one can put up with him, not when his mother backs him up in every sort of mischief and won’t hear a word of criticism. However,” the housekeeper concluded grimly, “it may be a different matter for that young man when his mother marries Mr. Randall. He’ll see he toes the line, I can tell you that.”
    “So Grace is already engaged to Mr. Craig?” Caroline exclaimed.
    “Oh, dear me, no.” The housekeeper brushed a crumb from her lap. “That’s not the situation at all. I’m afraid I’ve given you quite the wrong impression. How shall I put it? Mrs. Brant and Mr. Craig have been neighbours: they meet frequently at the same houses: they mix in the same set. After all, there’s not much choice of society in this lonely place, with the result that it’s got about that they’re very close friends, although mind you,” Mrs. Creed concluded austerely, “I always discourage gossip, but it’s natural people should talk, for Mrs. Brant’s a very forthright sort of person, and never one to hide her feelings, and she makes no pretence of not caring for him. It seems to me that she’d say ‘yes’ like a flash if he proposed to her.”
    “And what about Mr. Craig?” Caroline asked curiously. “Is he in love with her, do you think?”
    “Well, he seems to enjoy her company very much. He’s quite a changed man as soon as she’s here. That austere, brooding way he has seems to disappear. Of course, she’s very witty and outspoken and says exactly what’s on her mind. She’s not a scrap afraid of him as most people are, and sometimes I wonder just how far things will go with them. To my mind Mr. Randall’s not the marrying type, but then he’s not the kind of man you can understand easily. There’s always a sort of wall between him and yourself, if you know what I mean. He never lets you know what’s going on in his mind.”
    Mrs. Greed sipped her coffee, a frown on her homely face. It was obvious that this enigmatic quality in her employer troubled the housekeeper: the knowledge that her future at Longmere was uncertain and rested wholly on the whims of the imperious Randall Craig.
    However, now that she had unburdened herself, Mrs. Creed began to look more cheerful, and the rest of the conversation was confined to household matters and the meticulous running of Longmere, a subject that was obviously dear to her heart.
    When Mrs. Creed had talked herself out and began to glance at the clock a little anxiously, Caroline decided that it would be as well to make a tactful withdrawal. The housekeeper offered no opposition when Caroline said it was time she returned to her duties.
    “Yes, you may continue upstairs in the meanwhile,” Mrs. Creed conceded graciously, “and later we’ll get your duties ironed out. Don’t worry about the