The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page A

pushing–pushing–compelling me to accuse Jack. Oh, doubtless I was mad!"
    Warburton eyed the dejected figure compassionately. Then he seemed to harden himself and to regain some of his lost primness of manner.
    "You–ah–you are determined not to accept the revenues, sir?"
    "I have not yet sunk so low, Mr. Warburton."
    "His lordship leaves Wyncham and all appertaining to it at your disposal. He would be grieved at your refusal."
    "I will not touch it."
    The lawyer nodded.
    "I confess, Mr. Carstares, I am relieved to hear you say that. It will not be necessary again to communicate with his lordship. I think he does not desire any intercourse with–his family. He finds it too painful. But he wished to be remembered to you, sir. Also to her ladyship."
    "Thank you. . . . You could–ascertain nothing of his situation? He did not confide in you?"
    "He was very reticent, sir. I think he is not unhappy."
    "And not–embittered?"
    "Certainly not that, sir."
    Mr. Warburton rose, plainly anxious to be gone.
    Reluctantly Richard followed his example.
    "You–have nothing further to tell me of him?"
    "I regret, sir–nothing."
    Richard went slowly to the door, and opened it.
    "You must allow me to thank you, sir, for your goodness in undertaking what I know must have been a painful task. I am very grateful."
    Mr. Warburton bowed low.
    "I beg you will not mention it, sir. Nothing I might do for the Carstares could be aught but a pleasure."
    Again he bowed, and the next instant was gone.
CHAPTER IV
INTRODUCING THE LADY LAVINIA CARSTARES
    RICHARD went slowly back to his chair. After a moment he sat down, staring blankly out of the window, his hands loosely clasped on the desk before him. So he remained for a long while, immobile. At last, with the faintest of sighs, he moved and picked up a quill. He dipped it in the ink, and, with his other hand, drew towards him a sheaf of papers. Presently he was writing steadily.
    For perhaps twenty minutes the quill travelled to and fro across the pages; then it paused, and Richard looked up towards the door.
    It opened to admit Lady Lavinia. She came rustling into the room with her embroidery in her hand. She dropped her husband a mock curtsey and went over to a high-backed armchair, stretching out a dimpled hand to draw it forward. But even as her fingers touched it she had changed her mind, and fluttered over to the couch, there to seat herself with much swirling of brocades and arrangement of skirts. She then proceeded to occupy herself with her work, plying her needle hurriedly and jerkily.
    Richard watched her in silence, following each turn of the pretty hand and each movement of her fair head.
    The silence was evidently not to my lady's taste, for she presently began to beat an impatient tattoo on the floor with one slender foot. Still he said nothing, and she raised her pure china-blue eyes to his face.
    "Why so glum, Dick? Why do you not talk to me?" Her voice was rather high-pitched and childish, and she had a curious way of ending each sentence with an upward lilt and a long drawn-out accent, very fascinating to listen to.
    Richard smiled with an obvious effort.
    "Am I, my dear? I crave your pardon. Warburton has just been."
    Her face clouded over instantly, and the full-lipped mouth drooped petulantly.
    "He has seen him."
    "Oh?" She made the word twice its length, and filled it with disinterest.
    "Yes. Jack will have none of it. He asks me to be his steward and to use Wyncham as I will. He is very generous."
    "Yes, oh yes. And you will, Richard?"
    He ignored the question.
    "He–Warburton–says he is not much changed."
    "Oh?" Again the long-drawn monosyllable, accompanied by a tiny yawn.
    "He says he does not think–Jack–bears me ill-will—" He paused, as if expecting her to speak, but she was absorbed in arranging two flowers–culled from a bowl at her side–at her breast, and took no notice. Carstares turned his head away wearily.
    "If it were not for you, my dear, I would