Carola Dunn Read Online Free PDF

Harwood, pray have that... that person ejected,” she demanded with an imperious gesture.
    Nerissa raised her chin in defiance--so like her stubbornly disobedient mother! She opened her mouth to protest, but the inimical stares turned on her apparently stopped the words in her throat. No doubt she was used to a more appreciative audience.
    Snodgrass stepped forward. To the butler’s habitual supercilious tone was added a hint of relish: he was glad of a chance to thwart Effie, who constantly interfered in his duties. “Mr Harwood, sir, the young lady is Miss Wingate. I admitted her according to your instructions.”
    The lawyer stood up, beaming. “To be sure, Snodgrass. Miss Wingate, I am William Harwood, your late grandfather’s attorney. Allow me to welcome you to Addlescombe and to hope that your stay here will be a happy one.”
    Sir Barnabas glowered at him. A happy stay was not at all what he had in mind for the jade.
    However, Harwood’s words had magically changed the attitude of the rest of his family. Raymond Reece was the quickest off the mark.
    “My dear Miss Wingate--Cousin, if I may make so bold,” he said in his oily way, “may I be the first to welcome you to the family. ‘For this thy brother was lost and is found.’“ He proceeded to introduce himself, and then the rest as though she were his protégée.
    “Your grandfather!” grumbled Euphemia. “Well, I am sure I don’t know how I could have guessed, though now I see you do bear some resemblance to Anthea. We have been forbidden to mention your mama’s name these twenty years and more, and one cannot be expected to recall....”
    “I remember her very well,” squeaked Sophie. “We used to visit Addlescombe quite often before she left home. I was prodigious fond of dear Anthea.”
    Her sister gave her a reproving frown. “So were we all, Sophronia, and naturally we have not forgotten her, but we were unaware she had a daughter. I am delighted that your grandfather saw fit to relent at the last, my dear child,” she added unconvincingly.
    Nerissa seemed overwhelmed by her sudden popularity--an accomplished actress indeed. Sir Barnabas looked on with cynical amusement as they fawned about her. Doubtless they were all afraid that as his closest relative present, his only direct descendant, she’d get the lot. Ha!
    With increasingly exaggerated throat-clearings, Harwood called the meeting to order. An expectant silence fell.
    “Ahem.” He settled gold-rimmed spectacles upon his nose, picked up the three closely-written sheets of parchment, and began to read. “‘I, Barnabas Elijah Philpot, Baronet, of Addlescombe in the County of Dorset, being of sound mind, do declare this to be my last Will and....’“
    “Cut the twaddle,” Sir Neville advised impatiently.
    Harwood frowned over his spectacles. “Sir Barnabas gave particular instructions that every word was to be read. To continue.”
    Amid much fidgeting, he completed the preliminaries. “As you have all already been instructed,” he continued, “Sir Barnabas forbade any observance of mourning, either in clothes or in conduct. He here gives his reason, which I regret the necessity of pronouncing. ‘Any such observance can only be the rankest hypocrisy, too extravagant for even me to stomach though I have lived surrounded by fawning hypocrites. Anyone disregarding this requirement will forfeit his or her bequest.’“
    “No mourning!” Jane moaned. “What will people think?”
    “Everyone knows Barnabas was eccentric,” snapped her husband. “Go on, Harwood.”
    His Will was going to confirm everyone’s opinion of his eccentricity, Sir Barnabas thought with relish.
    The lawyer went on to list minor bequests to butler, housekeeper, valet, cook, bailiff, coachman, head groom, and head gardener. All appeared satisfied. Though no warmth had entered into their relationship, Sir Barnabas had always paid them well, and they had served him well, for he tolerated no