The Trial of Marie Montrecourt by Kay Patrick Read Free Book Online Page A

and Wilson, the butler, entered.
    “Excuse me, Sir Evelyn, the Honourable Mr Austin Frobisher has called.”
    The arrival of his best friend was just what he needed to lift his spirits. “Show him in, Wilson. Show him in.”
    Austin Frobisher, called Siggy for no reason that anyone could convincingly explain, entered in a billow of scarves and overcoat tails, brushing aside Wilson’s attempt to alleviate him of them. “Not staying long enough.” Wilson obediently backed out and closed the door. “So, it’s over, Evie. All went smoothly I hear. Must be a relief?”
    “It is.” Evelyn poured himself a whisky and raised the decanter to Siggy, who shook his head.
    “Mama not here?”
    “Mother decided to return to Ardington. Probably happy to get away from me. I’m glad you’ve turned up. I was beginning to feel rather low.”
    “Because of your father’s death? You didn’t seem to have much time for him while he was alive.”
    Evelyn stared moodily into his drink. “Perhaps I should have made more of an effort.”
    Siggy decided to change his mind and join his friend for a drink, helping himself from the decanter. “Typhoid, eh? A bit ironic, isn’t it? To be one of the few who survived Majuba, only to succumb in later life to an insanitary water pipe while inspecting the slums of Islington.”
    Evelyn drank his whisky in one. “Things are going to change for me, Siggy, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”
    “It’s a simple choice. Either adopt the mantle of Papa and prove you’re worthy of it or continue indulging with me in the finer things of life to which your rank entitles you.”
    Evelyn poured himself another whisky. Siggy’s insouciance was usually catching. Today, however, it failed to distract him. “It’s surprising how ingrained a sense of duty is,” he murmured. “I never thought I would be plagued by it.”
    “Centuries of breeding,” Siggy said, sadly, “but some of us have managed to bat it away.”
    “I’ve been thinking that I would have liked to know him better – my father. When I was finally allowed into his bedroom, it was so dark I could barely see him. He was already dead. He died a stranger to me.” Evelyn crossed over to the fire and kicked the logs back into life, creating a shower of sparks. “Dr Oliver told me that father had been in pain ever since Majuba. I never knew that. From a wound in his back that had never really healed. He was on morphine. I suppose that explains his moods.”
    “He was never an easy man. Great men never are.”
    Silence fell for a moment, broken by Siggy putting his empty glass on the walnut desk.
    “Well, much as I love you, I do have to go. I’m due at Romano’s for dinner. You’re much missed there, you know. Soon as decency allows, I hope to see you back in the fold. We’ll all miss you if you choose duty over pleasure. Are you staying on here or joining Mama at Ardington?”
    “I’m leaving for Ardington the day after tomorrow. There’s estate business to sort out and papers to sign.”
    Siggy grimaced. “Do you know, you’re already beginning to sound uncomfortably like your father? Be very careful, my friend, I don’t think I could handle that.”
    *
    Wilson had travelled by train from London to Ardington the day before, so he could be there to greet his master on arrival. As Evelyn pulled up in the Renault, he was waiting at the top of the steps.
    “Good journey, sir?” He signalled for a servant to take Evelyn’s luggage.
    “Yes, but I’m in great need of a bath, Wilson,” said Evelyn, entering the hall. He handed his coat and goggles to the butler, who was following behind.
    “And a whisky, Sir Evelyn?”
    “You read my mind. Where’s mother?”
    “Resting in her room, sir. Please excuse the disorder.” He indicated the huge glass chandelier in the hall that had been lowered to be cleaned and polished. “Lady Harringdon was hoping to have everything finished before you returned.”
    “Yes, I left