The Flight of Swallows by Audrey Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

cream and placed it delicately in her mouth, licking the spoon like a child, savouring it for a moment and Brooke’s fascination spread through him and revealed itself on his rather sombre face. There was not a guest round the table who did not know what it meant. The only one who did not was Charlotte herself.
    ‘No.’ His voice was harsh and she looked at him in surprise. She rather liked this middle-aged gentleman who had been so polite and kind with her on each of the occasions they had met. He had berated her when she ran out in front of his horse that first time but since then he had been pleasant. Had she said something to offend him? But he sipped his champagne with composure, his grey eyes steady and uncompromising on her face.
    ‘Then perhaps we could walk there. Mrs Emmerson sounds nice and I love plum cake. So does Robbie.’
    ‘Of course, bring Robbie and any of your brothers who might care to come. We could . . . have a picnic. Mrs Emmerson would oblige, I’m sure.’
    For a moment she looked delighted, then her gaze turned to her father who, though he could not hear what was being said, never took his eyes from them.
    ‘Well, we’ll see.’
    Brooke Armstrong resolved to speak to Arthur Drummond before the week was out. Perhaps there might be another wedding in June!

4
    They stood in a line in front of his desk in order of age, their young hearts pounding, their faces pale, for what had they done wrong now? They had spent a lovely morning with Mr Armstrong who had the most wonderful surprise for them in the shape of a puppy who he said they were to call Taddy, short for Tadpole since he was so small. That’s if they agreed, he had added hastily. He was a glossy shade with some of his mother’s ebony and a sprinkling of white which Brooke thought Jack Emmerson’s collie might have had something to do with. The children loved him. Taddy was now in the stable with the grooms and Charlotte was convinced that Father had got wind of him and that was what this was about.
    She was wrong.
    ‘I have had Brooke Armstrong here just now and after discussing the matter with Elizabeth we have decided upon a course of action concerning not just Charlotte and her future but you boys as well.’
    Uncomprehendingly they waited, their faces disclosing their bewilderment. What had kind Mr Armstrong got to do with their future? Charlotte had dined last night with Father and his friends in celebration of Father’s engagement to Miss Parker and Mr Armstrong had been there. Apparently he had visited Father this morning, either before or after they had met him and discussed something that was to affect them all but their young faces revealed their total lack of understanding.
    ‘Can you not guess, Charlotte?’ Father asked and when Charlie shook her head he smiled strangely. ‘Well, my dear, it seems you have made an impression on Brooke Armstrong which I suppose is no surprise since you are . . . quite pretty. He informed me this morning that he wishes to marry you and has asked my permission to speak to you. Of course, I said yes since it is a good match. He is keen for the wedding to take place as soon as possible so a date has been set for the weekend before Elizabeth and I pledge our vows.’ His voice was ironic, almost derisive and they were not to know of the conversation that had taken place between him and his bride-to-be when he had told her, laughingly, of Armstrong’s offer.
    ‘Let him have her,’ Elizabeth had declared forcefully, then smiled flirtatiously to soften her words. Arthur Drummond did not love Elizabeth Parker and had she not been the only child of a wealthy and influential man it is doubtful he would even have glanced at her despite her attractiveness. He himself was often short of ‘brass’ as they said in Yorkshire, and it did no harm to add to it. He was keen to purchase a pack of hounds and hunters did not come cheaply. He hunted during the winter, took to salmon fishing in the