What Happens in Tuscany... by T A Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

interested in cars.
    â€˜Something sporty? Maybe with an open top?’
    â€˜Well, yes, I suppose that would be nice, but nothing too big.’ Now that she had decided to learn, Victoria wanted something of a manageable size.
    â€˜My thoughts entirely.’ Mackintosh gave it a few moments’ thought. ‘Definitely nothing too big. Those Ferraris and Lamborghinis are just too wide and low for our lanes.’ Katie almost tripped over as she heard these legendary names. Mackintosh caught her elbow and steadied her. ‘The Germans make some very good cars these days. Your father, Miss Victoria, was very much against anything made in that particular country, but if you don’t have any such convictions, I think German will make the best choice.’
    â€˜Whatever you decide, Mackintosh. In fact, if there’s a garage here in Exeter, maybe we could go and see one this afternoon.’
    â€˜Certainly, Miss Victoria. Would you like to leave now? I can go and get the Rolls.’
    â€˜You go off, Mackintosh, but don’t hurry. There is a bit more shopping I need to do first. Will you pick us up from the same place at, say, three o’clock?’
    Mackintosh nodded his agreement and headed off up the road. Katie turned to Victoria and raised an eyebrow. ‘What would you like to buy now?’
    â€˜Underwear, Katie. Definitely some new underwear.’

Chapter Five
    The TV aerial was installed in the great house the very next day. In the space of a few hours the technician put up a new aerial and ran connections to the main rooms. It was exactly one o’clock when the big television in the lounge was switched on, just in time for the news. The signal was good and clear, and the newsreaders’ faces looked out at them in high definition. Katie thanked the technician, who handed her the remote control and left. She went out into the hall and called up the stairs to Victoria, who was in her room, still trying on the host of new clothes she had bought. She appeared on the landing wearing the short denim skirt they had found. She pulled on a pale blue top and ran down excitedly, barefoot.
    Katie spotted the face of Mrs Milliner, peering through the crack of the kitchen door. She looked surprised, but far from disapproving. That morning at breakfast, Katie had told her about the previous day’s shopping trip and the housekeeper had been delighted.
    â€˜Best thing she could have done, Mis… Katie. It’s not natural for a young woman to be cooped up in the house all the time.’ She glanced at the door, but both of them knew that at that hour Victoria was out on her morning ride. ‘Sir Algernon loved her deeply, or at least, he thought he did. The car crash fifteen years ago did him much more damage than just the broken bones.’ She shook her head. ‘He came out of it mentally scarred; seriously mentally scarred.’
    â€˜Victoria told me she was only ten when that happened. So did she have a normal life before that?’
    Mrs Milliner hesitated for a moment. ‘Well, maybe not normal like you and me, but much more normal than afterwards. Sir Algernon was a good bit older than his wife. In fact, for a long time it looked as though he would never marry and we were all so very happy for him when that happened. Her ladyship was a lovely girl.’ Spotting a mark on one of the oven doors, she picked up a cloth and set about it while she carried on.
    â€˜Sir Algernon doted on Victoria from the day she was born. He always had a terror of something happening to her and he was oh so protective, but her ladyship mostly managed to get him to relax his hold. Before her mother’s death, Victoria led a fairly normal sort of life with friends, parties, gymkhanas and the like. Of course, once her mother was gone, that all stopped. And then, I’m sorry to say, as a result of the injuries he suffered in the accident, Sir Algeron just got worse and