The Seven Stars by Anthea Fraser Read Free Book Online Page B

Monica was the proprietor of Randall Tovey, the county’s most prestigious fashion store, but it was her husband George, a local bank manager, who was on the school board.
    ‘ I hope you’re coming to our preview on Tuesday, Hannah?’ Monica greeted her. ‘Wine and nibbles and a chance to see our spring fashions?’
    Hannah smiled. ‘You don’t have to sell it to me, Monica, I’ll be there.’
    ‘ Good. Admission by ticket only, don’t forget. There’ll be someone on the door to keep out gatecrashers.’
    ‘ A pity burglars can’t be kept out as easily,’ Hannah commented, glancing at Lady Ursula across the room.
    Monica sobered. ‘I know. There’s no more news, I suppose?’
    ‘ Not that I’ve heard. I feel so sorry for them.’
    ‘ For whom, my dear?’ Sir Clifford himself had come up behind her and slipped an arm round her waist.
    ‘ You, actually!’ Hannah confessed with a smile. ‘We were talking about the robbery.’
    ‘ Ah yes, an infernal business. I think we must accept we’ll never see our wine-taster again.’
    ‘ And now this Victorian miniature has disappeared,’ George Latimer commented. ‘How much would it be worth, Sir Clifford?’
    The older man shrugged. ‘A couple of thousand, I suppose. George Richmond is very collectable; he was portrait painter in miniature by Royal Appointment, and the work was signed. Furthermore, being a collector herself, Her Majesty didn’t often part with such gifts.’
    ‘ Would the frame add to the value?’ Hannah asked. ‘I read it was studded with diamonds.’
    ‘ Yes, though some were missing. Separately, portrait and frame would each be worth a couple of thousand, but at auction you wouldn’t be likely to get more than that in total.’
    ‘ Well, let’s hope the police catch them soon,’ Charles observed, having joined the group in time to hear the last comments. ‘For once, I’m glad I haven’t a country seat!’
    The evening followed its usual smooth pattern. Delicious food was laid out on the extended dining-table , wine was plentiful and of excellent quality. Sir Clifford made his usual brief speech, and was cheered roundly by his guests.
    Before stepping down from his elevated position on the staircase , he added: ‘And on a business note, may I take the opportunity of apologising for my absence at the next meeting? I’m conducting a two-day course at Melbray, and though I’ll be back on the Wednesday, it won’t, I’m afraid, be in time to join you.’
    ‘ Will you go with him, Lady Ursula?’ Beatrice Templeton inquired.
    ‘ No, no. He’ll be away only the one night, and I shall be quite content here.’
    ‘ You won’t feel — ?’ Beatrice’s question tailed off as she belatedly doubted the wisdom of it.
    Lady Ursula smiled. ‘Nervous? No, my dear, I shan’t. For one thing, the servants will be in the house with me. Anyway, one presumes the thieves now have what they want from us. They haven’t been known to strike twice at the same address.’
    *
    People were starting to drift away, and Hannah nodded in answer to Charles’s silent query. Minutes later they were gliding back down Lethbridge Road towards the town.
    ‘ Usual high standard,’ he commented.
    ‘ Yes; they seem very philosophical about their loss.’
    ‘ It’s the only way to be, isn’t it? I think it’s shaken them, though. Lady Ursula looks more frail than last time I saw her.’
    Hannah was silent , unwilling to think how Sir Clifford would cope should anything happen to his beloved wife.
    They were known to be devoted to each other , possibly the more so since they had no children with whom to share their love.
    Reading her thoughts , Charles said, ‘It will be lonely for the old boy if she goes first. A man alone is a knotless thread, as I know to my cost.’
    The hint of depression in his voice was so unusual that Hannah was taken by surprise. To dispel it , she said with a light laugh, ‘Anyone less “knotless” than you would be hard