Family Secrets by Jenny Lane Read Free Book Online

adorning the walls. Her grandfather had certainly been artistically talented, but she found his subject matter rather dull – still lives and bleak landscapes. It lacked the vivacity of her father’s work and she felt a sense of disappointment.”
    “They’re not his best,” Letitia said, as if she sensed Rhianna’s thoughts. “We sold most of those. He was quite a popular artist in his day, believe it or not. He used to get commissions. What did your father do?”
    “Oh, he had commissions too mainly for offices and libraries and council buildings, but it wasn’t enough to live on so he worked in a gallery up in London until he retired. He set up exhibitions, lectured, that sort of thing.”
    Letitia’s face was full of interest.
    “I’m glad he made something of himself. I never stopped thinking about him you know - wondering how he was getting on. You can’t imagine how I feel now that you’re here. It means the earth to me.”
    Rhianna was about to pluck up courage, ask her again what it was that had been so terrible that it had led to a lifetime separation when the doorbell chimed.
    “That’ll be Laurie. Can you let him in, dear? How lovely - both of you together under my roof! It’s more than I could ever have dreamed of. You’ve made an old woman very happy.”
    *
    To Rhianna’s delight, Letitia agreed to accompany them to the concert that evening.
    “But there’s one condition – that you allow me to tell everyone you’re my granddaughter!”
    Rhianna agreed and, that evening, found herself sitting between Lawrence and Letitia in the village hall. It was an excellent amateur event. The children from the local school were an absolute delight and the applause brought the house down.
    During the interval, Lawrence valiantly fought his way to the refreshments and returned bearing coffee and biscuits.
    Irene Blake came across to talk to them. “Mavis is very much better. She’s being discharged soon and is going to stay with her son and family.”
    “Oh, that is good news. Such a dreadful thing to happen. What’s happening about the post office?” Letitia enquired.
    “Oh, it’s reopening next week. They’ve got a retired postmaster coming to take charge of things for the time-being. Lizzie is well enough to go back to work too.”
    “Any news of arrests?” Lawrence asked.
    Irene shook her head. “ ‘fraid not. They’ll get clever once too often.” She looked curiously at Rhianna. “Are you planning to stay long?”
    “For another few days but I’ll be returning.”
    Letitia put an arm about Rhianna’s shoulder. “What you won’t know, Irene, is that Rhianna here is my granddaughter,” she announced triumphantly.
    Irene stared at her open-mouthed. “But I thought your name was Soames .”
    “That’s what we decided to let people think - just until we were sure - but I’m actually Rhianna Delroy .”
    There wasn’t time for any more conversation, because, just then, Tim announced the second half of the programme.
    Rhianna felt a sudden wave of happiness shoot through her. A few weeks back, she had believed she was all alone in the world and now she had a grandmother. Letitia Delroy was proving to be a delightful lady. And now there was Lawrence. She couldn’t believe how things were changing for her.
    As the concert neared a close, the audience were invited to join in a medley of songs from popular musicals. Rhianna decided it would be an evening to remember. Lawrence’s tenor voice matched her sweet soprano.
    At one point, she stole a look at him and he smiled and, reaching out, put his hand over hers. His fingers were warm and firm and made hers tingle. She reminded herself sternly that she didn’t intend to let another man walk over her as Marcus had done. Besides, what did she know about him and why had he broken off his engagement with Christina Soames?
    After the concert had ended to tumultuous applause, Tim came across to speak to them.
    “It’s great to see the