Matters of the Heart by Rosemary Smith Read Free Book Online

I stood there and Robert was the one to break the awkward moment.
    ‘I will get you a drink, Miss Merriock,’ he said going to the drink trolley, and I was grateful to him even though I was still smarting at his betrayal that very morning.
    Grandmother, dressed entirely in black from head to foot, beckoned me to sit by her on the settle by the fire, a seat I had on previous occasions found most uncomfortable. I seated myself and took a small glass of sherry from Robert with a demure thank you, hardly able to look him in the eye for fear of him reading my thoughts.
    Aunt Laura was dressed in a yellow gown which did everything to enhance her dark colouring. Even as I looked, she caught hold of Robert’s arm and I was angry with myself at the pang of jealousy which shot through me. I realised this gesture was deliberate on her part as she looked straight at me with animosity, a secret little smile hovering on her lips.
    The newcomer had been in earnest conversation with Robert until he had been interrupted by my aunt. He was not as tall as Robert but he was dark and prepossessing. Grandmother’s voice cut into my reverie.
    ‘How did your meeting with Mr Trehaine fair today, Jane?’
    ‘Why, very well, thank you. Mr Trehaine is a charming, friendly man. I like him very much and Mannamead is quite lovely,’ I enthused, smiling at my grandmother.
    ‘I’m pleased you liked him, Jane, for he was a good friend of your mother’s. How I wish things could’ve been different.’
    Her words trailed off and a faraway look had replaced the inquisitive one.
    ‘In what way?’ I asked, for it seemed my grandmother had made some sort of implication concerning my mother and Jason Trehaine.
    ‘No matter, Jane! It is an old woman’s rambling,’ she said and abruptly changed the subject. ‘Robert please introduce my granddaughter to our guest.’
    Robert Thornton headed towards us with the stranger at his side. I stood to be introduced. Maddeningly the colour rising in my cheeks at Robert’s nearness.
    ‘Miss Jane Merriock, this is Alan Lester, my good friend who is a historian at Cambridge.’
    I proffered my hand which Mr Lester took gently in his own.
    ‘It is a pleasure, Miss Merriock. Robert has told me much about you.’
    Had he indeed, I smarted, and gave Robert a look of dismay which was returned by a mocking smile to which I was becoming most accustomed. Indignation flowed through me at the casual way he looked at me as if nothing had happened earlier that day. At this point, we were interrupted by Mrs Dobbs to say that dinner was ready to be served for which I was thankful.
    The table was laid as I had not seen it before, silver knives, spoons and forks of the best quality, white serviettes in silver holders and goblets rimmed with gold. At the centre of the table was a beautiful flower arrangement of yellow roses in a silver bowl. I guessed this was in honour of our guest, Alan Lester. I was thankful I had taken such trouble earlier when I dressed for dinner. Grandmother took her seat at the head of the table and startled us all when she spoke.
    ‘Please be seated by Robert this evening, Jane.’
    As she sat down, Robert held the elaborate dining chair for her. I saw Aunt Laura glance in my direction, a scowl on her face as she seated herself by Mr Lester. So it was, I sat close to Robert at the dinner table with our guest opposite me, much to Aunt Laura’s distaste. While eating our first course, I addressed Alan Lester to break the uncomfortable silence.
    ‘You are quite far from home, Mr Lester. Are you on holiday or is it some other reason which brings you to Cornwall?’
    I smiled at him and realised all at the table were waiting for his answer.
    ‘To tell you the truth, Miss Merriock, I am here to study the stone circles in this county,’ he said quietly as if only to me, but it is indeed like being on holiday. I understand from Robert that you visited the Dancing Damsels.’
    ‘Why, yes, only last