Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 09] - Logic Of The Heart by Patricia Veryan Read Free Book Online

humbug bothered my mother! From
the moment he bought the property he did nothing but complain. He never
would keep to the public road, but insisted on driving clear across
Longhills to reach Highperch. When Mama learned the description on the
Deed was at fault, it was her chance to declare the sale invalid, which
she did promptly enough, I can tell you."
    "I knew the sale was voided, of course. But how was the
description at fault?"
    "The property was described as being in Gloucestershire
whereas in point of fact that small parcel is across the county line.
That's why it was never included in the entail. A few years before her
death my Grandmama decided she wanted Highperch for a Dower House. Lord
knows there was no need, and none of us wanted her to go, but she
persisted, had the entire place redecorated, lived there about a year,
and then declared it too lonely." Smiling nostalgically, he sat down
again, then drove an impatient hand through his hair. "Lord— why did I
tell you all that? You know it as well as I!"
    "With your papa and my dear wife having been estranged for so
many years, I had little opportunity to know the old lady." Trent shook
his head. "She always was eccentric, I understand."
    "Then your understanding is at fault," snapped Montclair.
    "I had intended no criticism," said Sir Selby with a crushed
air. "I merely thought it a sad waste of money." He saw the immediate
spark of anger in his nephew's dark eyes, and added hastily, "After my
brother-in-law died I wonder your mother did not simply have Highperch
torn down."
    "That was her intent, but I always liked the house and begged
her not to level it. She agreed, with the proviso it should never be a
charge on her, and made it over to me." Montclair's face darkened.
"Dammitall, had I restored it and moved in, as I meant to do, this
wretched widow would never have been able to slither into possession!"
    "Instead of which, you were too busy guarding Longhills from
the depredations of your unworthy uncle," said Trent wryly. His nephew
merely glaring at him, he added, "I had hoped to persuade Mrs. Henley
to leave, but she is a brazen hussy and—"
    "You've
met
the lady?"
    "There is a great difference my b— Valentine, between a lady
and a woman. She called here this afternoon. Alone, if you can believe
such boldness."
    "Blast it! Why wasn't I told?"
    "We were unable to find you." Trent added with a bland smile,
"Perhaps you were discussing wedding plans with my daughter."
    Montclair flushed but met his eyes steadily.
    "At all events," went on Sir Selby, "Madam Henley is full of
threats and says she means to bring suit against us for every crime
imaginable, and drag your name through the mud. The vulgar harlot! I'll
tell Ferry to have an eviction—"
    "Thank you—no. It is
my
house, sir. I'll
ride over to Highperch first thing in the morning and have a little
discussion with our avaricious widow. She'd as well learn as soon as
may be that she must practice her chicanery elsewhere!"
     
    Susan guided the team mechanically, angered because she was
trembling and shaken by the ugly encounters in the great house. It was
cooler when they entered the woods. The sunlight danced through the
leaves, painting a roof of varying greens above her, the lazy shifting
of the branches creating an ever changing pattern on the broad backs of
Pennywise and Pound Foolish—a pattern Susan viewed through the blur of
tears.
    She groped for her handkerchief and wiped her eyes fiercely.
She
would
not cry! She
would
not be defeated! Not now. It had been so hard to keep them all together
after Burke died. Andy and the Bo'sun had tried to help, and together
with the money she'd raised by selling her jewellry, they'd been able
to stay in the house in Town until the lease expired. It had been a
necessary but not happy arrangement. Priscilla, innocent of any
wrongdoing, was shunned by the neighbourhood children until, bewildered
and hurt, she'd invented her own little excuses for her