Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips Read Free Book Online

chance of marrying at all was for some social-climbing debutante to marry him for his money—not the best means for finding husband or wife or love of any kind. He had not shown himself of a character that attracted members of the fairer sex. He had been chubby for so long that most of those who knew him well, including Amanda, still tended to see him in that light. Though he was not tall, two or three inches under six feet, he had in fact begun slowly to trim down in the last couple of years. If this trend continued, he might begin to attract more feminine notice, though it was too early to tell. He had a plentiful head of black hair which he kept liberally oiled to his scalp, a custom which did not help toward that end.
    The thought that perhaps a liaison with Amanda might be arranged for their mutual benefit—he providing her money and prestige in the business world, she placing him a step nearer control of Heathersleigh—was not an option Geoffrey found completely distasteful. He did not love her, of course. He did not even like her. But he had long ago learned from his father the valuable lesson of expedience, that most vital foundation stone in the world where Mammon rules. And the idea of having a large and prestigious estate from which to administer his financial empire, without a great outlay of funds, was powerful inducement to look at the matter practically rather than sentimentally.
    â€œYou may be right,” conceded the father with thoughtful expression.
    â€œWhat ought to be my next move?”
    â€œThat will require careful consideration,” replied Gifford. “It will no doubt behoove us to look into the finances of her father, in the event that we might uncover something my previous investigations have missed. I shall also set some inquiries in motion to see what she is doing in London. If there is a rift in the family, that might also work to our advantage.”
    â€œWhat about George?”
    â€œYes . . . hmm—we will have to examine his affairs too. Let’s see, how old would the fellow be? Around twenty-one or twenty-two, I should think—old enough that we might be able to make some skillfully thrown dirt stick to him.”
    â€œI heard he is to graduate from Oxford next year.”
    â€œAh, yes—the university life always contains secrets that can be exploited. Good boy, see what else you can learn, what alliances he has formed with his college fellows.”
    They spoke awhile longer in general terms. Suddenly the father’s face lit up.
    â€œWould you consider taking her to the Kensington Lawn Tea at the Gardens in the spring?” he said.
    â€œShe would never agree to it,” replied Geoffrey with something resembling a laugh of incredulity at the mere suggestion. “She cannot stand me.”
    â€œThen we shall just have to be persuasive,” rejoined his father. “We will make inquiries, find out where she is staying. Then I shall send her an invitation to come round for a visit—one she will not be able to refuse. I shall have a little chat with her.”

 9  Kensington Gardens
    The scene at the Kensington Lawn Tea in late April 1911 was everything its organizers could have hoped for. The day shone warm and fragrant, profuse blooms spread color everywhere, and the soft sounds from the small string ensemble added the perfect classical touch to the gathering. Members of London’s highest circles and most of its aristocratic families milled about.
    Sufficient time had now passed that the event was unmarred by occasional reminders of the death a year earlier of King Edward VII. Edward’s forty-six-year-old son, the new George V, was said to be in Kensington Palace with Queen Mary even now. He was reportedly planning to emerge later in the day. Their coronation was scheduled for June 22, two months from now. Even without the new king, the gala spring celebration would be talked about for weeks.
    Amanda