Hotel du Barry Read Online Free PDF

chum had been dumped once Eddie Lamb bagged Daniel du Barry.
    Gloria was a tad chubby but she had an endearing smile and came from a long line of impoverished aristocrats. This meant she possessed both pedigree and a fine but decaying country estate, where Eddie frequently hobnobbed with titled houseguests.
    As Edwina entered the house of God, she whispered to Gloria, ‘Mary Maguire is a working-class slut who’s conned her way into my husband’s esteem. I can’t believe he’s made her his secretary. He’s even got that pretentious old tart, Mildred, teaching her typing and shorthand. So Mary’s now off scot-free while I’m stuck with her illegitimate brat. Not for long, though. Danny Boy doesn’t know it yet but it’s going to be boarding school all the fucking way.’
    The congregation was ready and waiting, and every head swivelled when Edwina walked down the aisle. She flicked her eyes sideways and gleefully noted several famous faces.
    â€˜Everyone’s here who came to our wedding. I wasn’t sure they’d show, given that christenings can be such a bore. Ours will be fabulous though as Danny is laying on a sumptuous luncheon. That man certainly knows how to throw a bash. Remind me to tell you later about our fabulous honeymoon. I met a wonderful man, an American. Married of course but who cares?’
    Daniel was nervously waiting at the church font. Thank God I employed a capable nanny. No-nonsense-Betty is going to be a real plus in situations like this.
    After the blazing row they’d had this morning, he’d been worried that his wife wouldn’t show at all. Edwina simply couldn’t make up her mind what to wear, so Daniel, feeling exasperated, had left for the church with Mary Maguire, the baby and Betty.
    Caterina Anastasia Lucinda du Barry, was resplendent in a white embroidered christening smock. A Vogue journalist had already decreed that the satin smock was a du Barry heirloom. Inactual fact Maurie du Barry had surreptitiously purchased it from a deceased estate before slyly presenting it to his wife. All three du Barry boys had been christened wearing it. Maurie had been nobody’s fool and he’d noticed that all the best British families embellished their history with ancestral silverware and costly knick-knacks that whispered of power, privilege and status. Fortunately such items could be purchased from penniless aristocrats. And job lots of heirlooms could be discreetly appropriated from Christie’s auction house.
    Betty and Mary took turns holding the baby. A few dabs of olive oil, a quick splash of baptism water and she was deemed to be a Catholic. Mary was unable to conceal her emotions and she wept with joy.
    Everyone noticed there was no love lost between Daniel du Barry’s new secretary and Mrs du Barry. So when Edwina refused to be photographed holding the baby, Mary – being the child’s alleged mother – took offence. But Daniel managed to smooth ruffled feathers before things got out of hand.
    Daniel’s relatives on his mother’s side, hadn’t been too keen on him marrying the flash blonde society beauty, but they were too well bred to badmouth Edwina. Indeed they’d always hoped he would marry a jodhpur-wearing, fox-hunting, country aristocrat like themselves. However good breeding didn’t prevent them from gossiping while standing around together under the church portico.
    â€˜It’s all hush hush but I heard from my butler that Miss Maguire is the real mother.’
    â€˜Perhaps that explains why Edwina’s being rather cool to her?’
    â€˜Who knows. Mary’s a marvellous gel and her daughter will be remarkable.’
    â€˜Mary’s smart as a whip, too. The child will inherit both brains and beauty.’
    â€˜Just as long as she doesn’t inherit her mother’s promiscuity.’
    â€˜Nonsense. I heard on the grapevine she’d been raped by a