Thornhall Manor by George Benton Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve been thinking: go and stay at your parents’ place for a few days. It will do you good. I’ll be all right. Peter should be back soon.”

Chapter Twenty
    AN APPEAL FOR HELP
    Peter made the most of Rebecca’s absence. Knowing how his uncle appreciated the care and kindness he showed to Kathleen, He felt he now had the opportunity to find out more about Thornhall Manor; he could then plan for the future.
    Both men were deep in thought. John Wheeler was devastated by the loss of Kathleen; Peter Nesbit was wondering about the right time to ask questions.
    The silence was broken by: “I miss Rebecca, Peter.”
    â€œI’m sure you do, Uncle.”
    â€œWith Rebecca gone, and my dear wife Kathleen . . .”
    Peter watched as the tears rolled down his uncle’s face, revealing an emotion Peter found hard to understand.
    Peter’s thoughts were elsewhere. He was paying no attention to his uncle’s conversation, but glanced around at the priceless paintings and family heirlooms. He was thinking, ‘Maybe one day - who knows? - this could all be mine.’
    Suddenly: “Thank God for the children!”
    â€œWhat children? I don’t understand, Uncle.”
    â€œI can see them now - Peter, Kathleen, Rebecca, William and Paul - playing by the river. They are no longer children. Rebecca is a beautiful young lady and the brothers are fine young men.”
    â€œAre they related, Uncle?”
    â€œNo, but they’re my family. Let me explain, Peter. When she lost the baby she longed for, Kathleen lost her reason for living. Days, weeks, she spent at that window, looking across the lawn. There was nothing I could do or say. I felt helpless until - it was something Roger said. He said, ‘She needs someone to care for.’ I took his advice and went to Rose Cottage, wondering how my request would be received. Often over the years I’d look in at the cottage. They are estate tenants and we had become quite good friends. They had two sons, William (the eldest) and John. There was also a little girl, not related, named Rebecca, who had mysteriously joined the Foster family. It was this little girl that was in my thoughts. While I was talking to Ned, Mary entered the room, and she said how sorry they both were about my sad loss. I told them how Kathleen was spending hours just staring out of the window, and I asked them if they would allow Rebecca to stay a few days with Kathleen. I had an idea that maybe having a little girl in her care would help her. Ned and Mary were eager to help, but they told me it was not up to them to give permission. There was no looking back after that, Peter. That little girl took the place of the baby Kathleen lost. I used to watch them by that same window, playing on the lawn.”
    Peter now realised he would need all his cunning if he were to be master of Thornhall Manor.
    â€œI see you have a coloured servant, Uncle.”
    â€œOh, Samuel? He’s no servant, but one of the family. I was with my brother Vincent. We’d been attending a shareholder’s meeting in London, but our business was finished. We made our way to the local inn. A young boy ran past us, being chased by a villainous-looking brute. The boy tripped and this brute laid into the young lad unmercifully. Vincent took the brute by the scruff of his neck and threw him to the ground. ‘You have no right to attack me,’ said the brute. ‘I’ll have the law on you. He’s been bought and paid for to work for me.’ I took a handful of about twenty gold sovereigns from my pocket and handed them over. Then I helped the young lad to his feet. I asked him his name, but he never answered. He’s been with me ever since.”

Chapter Twenty-One
    REBECCA RETURNS TO THORNHALL MANOR
    Watching the flames and the sparks from the burning log fire, it was hard for Rebecca to realise she’d been away so long. Looking around, many things reminded