A Particular Circumstance Read Online Free PDF

from Sir Benjamin in the first place.
    Bertram was listened to politely by Jane, who was nevertheless on tenterhooks at the reactions of her daughters, especially Charlotte, who did not suffer prosy fools gladly and was never to be trusted to keep a still tongue. She looked covertly at her as Bertram began to drone on about the folly of purchasing Felbrook Manor, which again would be bound to be too big for her, especially after the girls had married and left home.
    ‘Throwing good money after bad, my dear,’ he boomed.
    A mutual antipathy existed between her daughters and their uncle, but in spite of this, Charlotte and Kitty both behaved with complaisance and civility towards him. After all, he was Papa’s brother and now that dear Papa had passed away, Bertram had assumed the role of head of the family and their mama had always stressed the importance of politeness and respect for elders. Jane was pleased and relieved at the maturity of their behaviour and felt that no argument or disagreement could now spoil the evening.
    Dinner being over, the weather had turned cool. Bertram stood with his back to the fire in the drawing-room and addressed his captive audience. He dismissed the strange discovery of the skeleton with a few words. ‘I trust Adam Brown has requested the Watch to remove the bones you found and has reported everything to the magistrate in King’s Lynn.’ Then he went straight on with no preamble, back to the topic nearest to his heart. ‘I am at a loss, ma’am, to guess why you can possibly wish to purchase Felbrook when other more suitable, modestly priced houses are well within your means.’
    Jane Grayson was calm but firm and replied evenly, ‘I have always had that intention, brother-in-law, ever since dear Henry’s untimely death. As you know, we had to leave the vicarage in Lincoln to make way for the next incumbent. That was only right and proper, as you will agree. And I was pleased and grateful to Sir Benjamin Westbury to allow us a year’s lease on the Hall. We have been tolerably comfortable here and of course I have had the girls for company. Now a new chapter is about to begin and in two short weeks, we shall at last move into our own home, where you will always be welcome, dear Bertram.’
    Bertram looked round him disparagingly. There were abundant signs littered over the table and even on the floor that the ladies had retired to the drawing-room to do their hemming and embroidery, but neither of the girls or their mama was in fact doing any sewing. They were giving Uncle Bertram their undivided attention.
    Jane knew that Charlotte Grayson was angry and impatient with her self-important uncle and could barely restrain herself from giving him a set-down. She also knew that Kitty was still slightly nervous of him, but at Jane’s warning look, both had schooled themselves to express the utmost decorum and politeness towards him and to listen quietly without interrupting, even though he seemed determined to dominate the conversation.
    Mrs Grayson was grateful that her daughters were being so forbearing and gracefully brought the proceedings to an end by rising from her chair and curtsying to him. ‘Dear Bertram, I am conscious of how concerned you are, but Henry never made huge inroads into his fortune, you know, even though he was always such a good-living man and never let anyone in need pass by without helping them. As for himself, his life was always restrained and modest and his material needs were few. My own parents left me a comfortable portion so I am well able to afford Felbrook Manor and to see that my own daughters have a decent dowry when the time comes.’
    Bertram Grayson, torn between admiration for this foresight in providing for his nieces to make good marriages and his excessively disapproving mind, merely humphed at her and finally took his leave.
    While Jane Grayson took up her neglected embroidery again, Charlotte and Kitty playfully reminisced about days gone