Heirs of Ravenscar Read Online Free PDF Page A

discussion about George, shall we?’
    Ned said, ‘I am going to cancel the Christmas festivities, Dick, but if you and Anne wish to come for Christmas you know how much we’d love that, wouldn’t we, Mother?’
    â€˜Of course. I haven’t seen my grandson for ages. Perhaps Nan Watkins would like to come as well, rather than staying alone in Ripon.’
    â€˜I doubt that very much, Mother,’ Richard said softly. ‘She doesn’t like to come to Ravenscar anymore, so I am led to understand. It reminds her of her tragic loss. After all, her beloved husband and her favourite brother-in-law Johnny met their deaths here.’

FIVE
London
    â€˜W hy don’t you tell him about the house, Ned? He really ought to know the true story, the full story.’
    Edward Deravenel sat back in his chair, and regarded Will Hasling, his best friend. He and Will had been boon companions for many years, and colleagues at Deravenels for fourteen, ever since Edward had become managing director. And he trusted Will as he trusted no other man, except for his brother Richard.
    Loyaulté Me Lie , loyalty binds me: That was Richard’s adopted motto and he was ever faithful to it.
    It was Richard they were talking about this morning, facing each other across Edward’s desk, in his office at Deravenels.
    â€˜I never wanted to go into all the details,’ Edward explained, ‘about the house. Don’t you think it would look strange? What I mean is, don’t you think it could appear that I’m boasting about all the things I’ve done for him over the years? Signalling that he’s obligated to me, perhaps?’
    â€˜He might think that, but frankly I rather doubt it,’ Willanswered, shaking his head emphatically. ‘No, no, it won’t look that way at all. It’s ridiculous to even think that, Ned. And he should know. And once he understands everything, he won’t continue to harbour a grudge and think that you put George before him … that is, if he does think that.’
    â€˜Actually, you’re quite right, Will. I’ll be frank with him.’
    â€˜Would you like me to explain the way things are?’
    Edward couldn’t help laughing. ‘You know, that had crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed the idea as being somewhat silly, since I haven’t done anything wrong, quite the contrary, in fact.’
    Continuing to chuckle to himself, Edward Deravenel pushed himself to his feet, walked across the floor to one of the tall windows, glanced down at the Strand, thinking how congested with traffic it was today. But then it was the Wednesday before Christmas, and London was busier than ever. This was the first festive Christmas in four years, now that the War was finally over. People were determined to celebrate, to have a good time, to rejoice that peace had come at last.
    Christmas for his family was going to be exceptionally quiet at Ravenscar, but he didn’t mind. He rather welcomed it, if the truth be known. He had cancelled all of the invitations which had been sent to friends, and everyone had understood his dilemma, understood that he was endeavouring to protect Young Edward. And them as well. Only George had been truculent, as usual. Quite vile, actually.
    Turning around, Edward strolled back to the centre of the floor and stood there for a few seconds, a reflective expression settling on his handsome face.
    Finally, glancing at Will, he said, very softly, ‘The upset this past weekend was really my mother’s fault, Will, in a sense. Her desire to unite the family does seem to cloud her normal good judgement. She simply can’t accept that Richardcannot stand George anymore, or that Elizabeth detests him because he and Neville Watkins were responsible for the ruination of her father and brother. She would rather see George burning in hell than entertain him at Ravenscar. Unfortunately, my mother appears to brush