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

unpopularity.
Not one of those viciously virtuous matrons who dwelt in the Square
would so much as pass the time of day with the widow of a man who had
gambled away a fortune, been dishonourably discharged from the Navy,
and had then so disgracefully ended his own life. To make matters
worse, Andy had brought them more notoriety by calling out a gentleman
who had sneered a little too openly.
    When they'd gone through Burke's papers and come across the
Deed to Highperch Cottage, it had seemed the answer to their prayers.
Only, the next day further investigation had disclosed that the Deed
was clouded. She and Andrew had laid the whole matter before the aging
solicitor who had handled all Grandpapa's affairs. The old man had
glanced through the various papers, examined the Deed, and said that
certainly there would be a battle to prove that Mr. Henley had never
been refunded the purchase price on the cottage. Well aware of their
circumstances, he'd cocked a shrewd eye at Andrew and said,
"Incidentally, it's my understanding no one has lived at Highperch for
several years. Possession being nine-tenths of the law, was you to slip
in there, Lyddford… under cover of darkness perhaps…"
    Andy had laughed delightedly, but Susan had been shocked and
had said with considerable indignation that she had no intent to do
anything illegal. It was the Montclairs who were behaving in an
unlawful way, argued Andy, by having failed to make proper restitution
to her late father-in-law. "Besides," he'd added thoughtfully, "the
cottage sits on a bank right above the Severn. Be jolly fine for
The
Dainty Dancer
." And, with a gleam of mischief in his grey
eyes, "Seems almost as though it was intended for us, don't it, Sue?"
    The phaeton left the trees and plunged into warm sunshine
again, following the ribbon of the road as it wound across the fragrant
meadows towards the last low hill, aesthetically crowned by the little
belt of ash and elm, that sheltered Highperch Cottage. Susan's throat
tightened when at last the gables of the house came into view. She'd
loved the poor old place the instant she saw it standing in proud if
rather forlorn dignity on its eminence above the river, the widespread
inverted U-shape of the two-storey building so much too large for the
term 'cottage,' the red sandstone walls a burnished glow in the light
of the full moon. It had been shamefully neglected, and she'd fancied
it was lonely, waiting for the warmth of a loving family to make it
feel wanted again.
    Well, it was wanted. But Lord Montclair was a rich and
powerful man and she was only a disgraced widow. If the courts ruled in
the baron's favour, she and her little 'family' would have to move
again. Wherever would she find so perfect a home for them all?
    Pennywise and Pound Foolish slowed as they plodded up the
drivepath. The scent of roses drifted from the weedy flower beds. The
front door burst open and Priscilla hopped down the steps and danced
joyously to meet the phaeton, Wolfgang prancing at her heels. Edwina
Starr, dainty despite her dusty apron, walked onto the terrace and
waved a greeting. Beyond the sprawl of the old house the great river
wound its sparkling way to the estuary, and far away loomed the
unchanging hills of Malvern.
    An invisible hand clamped around Susan's heart and her throat
tightened. She thought achingly, 'We cannot lose it! We
cannot
!
He has so much—must he cheat us out of this dear old place, when he
never even cared enough to keep it in good repair?' And she knew she
would fight with every weapon at hand to prevent High-perch Cottage
being stolen from them.

Chapter 3
    The morning was windy but warm. With much to think about,
Montclair rose early and having advised Gould that he would be walking
over to Highperch later, was dressed in fawn breeches, a green nankeen
jacket, and topboots.
    Gould, a tall middle-aged man slightly stooped from
rheumatism, was a rather dour individual, and seeing the frown in his
master's eyes made