A House Divided: An Easterleigh Hall Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

back to Sir Anthony, his hand aching from the tray. Guests reached for champagne and he allowed the first few to do so before, dodging manfully, arriving with enough for Sir Anthony’s group. Lady Margaret’s daughter, Penny, had joinedthem. She looked alarmingly like her mother, with the same horsey face, and he smothered a grin. It was Bridie who had pointed that out long ago. Would Bridie kick over the traces and leave, or would she fester here?
    He offered champagne to Colonel Potter, who had drifted up. ‘I say, you counted well, dear heart,’ he barked. ‘Well done you. Just one glass left now.’
    Tim eyed the remaining glass. ‘I need to find a home for this tiddler.’
    Sir Anthony said, ‘For goodness’ sake, young man. Put the tray down for a moment and join us.’
    He didn’t need asking twice. ‘Only for a moment, though. Mr Harvey has a bottle I must bring out. By the way, it was so kind of you to give the caviar to Da, Sir Anthony.’
    Sir Anthony said, ‘My pleasure.’
    Lady Margaret almost neighed. ‘Dear old Harvey, still battling on, I take it. Such a tower of strength, that man.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Sir Anthony said, raising his glass to Tim. ‘Cheers, and a happy and peaceful future to everyone everywhere, whatever boat they may crew.’ His look was meaningful, and he held Tim’s gaze.
    ‘Indeed,’ repeated Tim, and found he was flushing at the hint of friendly support.
    It was Sir Anthony who had delivered his mother’s first letter to him at his office in Newcastle. This wonderful old boy had met Heine at a cocktail partyin Berlin, apparently, and started talking of the Neave Wing, and hence the world at Easterleigh Hall. This was how his mother had found him, though he wasn’t sure why she hadn’t tried just writing. She had said it never occurred to her they would still all be here.
    Lady Margaret was talking of the finishing school in Switzerland that Penny would be attending from September onwards, just for a year, after which she’d ‘come out’.
    Colonel Potter said, ‘You’ll learn to cook, I suppose, young lady, and converse in many languages, that sort of thing.’
    Lady Margaret seemed to draw herself up another foot. ‘She will become familiar with menus. She will not cook. One does not, Colonel Potter. One has staff.’
    Tim studied his glass, twisting it round and round, and couldn’t stop himself. ‘Well, someone has to, Lady Margaret, as you well know. And some do it rather well. I think I can hear Mr Harvey’s dulcet tones.’ He half bowed, turned on his heel and weaved his way back through the crowd, surprised at his sudden wave of anger.
    Lady Margaret was a snob, and what was wrong with Evie and Bridie earning a living? What’s more, they made bloody good food too. It was then he felt his da’s arm on his shoulders. ‘Don’t let Lady M bother you, lad. It wouldn’t be the same if she wasn’t upsetting someone. It’s her life’s work andif I’m not much mistaken, Penny will also be that way inclined.’
    Tim laughed, really laughed, for the first time today. ‘You’re not wrong there, but it’s a shame, because Aunt Evie says Major Granville, Lady Margaret’s husband, was the best sort. Died too young. Far too many went, far too many still need help, but it’s not just us, you know. Germany suffered too, far more than us with that pig of a Treaty of Versailles round their neck.’ He could hear the challenge in his own voice.
    Jack walked with him to the back of the marquee, his arm still firmly around Tim’s shoulder. ‘Don’t think we don’t all know that they suffered, lad; after all, we fought them, remember. And don’t you take any notice of our Bridie and her tantrums. She misses you, but you’ve a right to your opinions and decisions. That’s what parliamentary democracy is all about. You just remember that, and if you need help, you come straight to your old da, because I’ll drop everything and do what needs to be