Love at the Tower Read Online Free PDF Page B

other in just about every way? Ellis’s hair was as black as pitch with brown eyes, whereas Robert’s hair was golden brown and his eyes were startlingly blue.
    Even as a boy there had been something unappealing about Ellis.
    Whilst Robert had always been slender and long of limb, Ellis was squat with a stunted look about him.
    Ellis was the kind of little boy who enjoyed pulling legs off spiders and could never be trusted with an animal due to his spitefulness.
    He had shown no interest in horses like his brother and, instead, preferred to lounge around the Castle staring into space or sleeping.
    In adolescence he had been something of a problem to his family. Once his brother had left for Sandhurst, he had thrown up any notion of education and had decamped to his father’s flat in Mayfair, refusing to come home.
    The old Earl, however, was inclined to indulge his younger son and considered it amusing that Ellis showed an aptitude for cards and had some luck at the races.
    Thus Ellis had been spoilt and set upon the road to loose living.
    Robina recalled eavesdropping on her father discussing Ellis with one of his friends before the death of her mother.
    She had been in the library to pass the time and had been delighted to find a shelf of books she had never seen before. She guessed by their titles that they belonged to her mother, as she could not imagine her father reading East Lynne by Mrs. Henry Wood.
    Crouching down she had become immersed in the tale of murder and illicit love and oblivious to anything else.
    When her father had come in with Sir George Aird, she had not liked to get up – she always felt as if the library was special and that she must ask permission to be there.
    So she hid thinking that they would not linger.
    But they had.
    â€œYes, the boy has become a bit of a problem,” she heard her father saying. “Since his father died, he has not grasped the nettle of his responsibilities and with the new Earl in India I am deeply concerned that his conduct is not being corrected.”
    â€œI would imagine you have heard about his exploits in a certain theatre?” replied Sir George.
    â€œI have and it is a shame I am not closer to him or I would take matters into my own hands and persuade him to see the error of his ways.”
    â€œThis could be a huge scandal – a son of the House of Hampton cavorting with a Gaiety girl!”
    Robina’s ears had pricked up at this point.
    Although she knew she was not supposed to know about them, she had heard all about the notorious chorus girls who paraded on stage at the Gaiety Theatre wearing daring costumes!
    â€œRumour has it that it was Constance Collier,” said Sir George with a note of envy in his voice at the thought of the beautiful dancer spending time with the feckless young man.
    â€œHe will bring great shame upon the good name of Hampton at this rate. Spending money as if it was water and frequenting common public houses.”
    â€œI heard that his brother has frozen his allowance,” added Sir George.
    â€œIf he has any sense, that is precisely what he should do and the sooner the better. However, my worry is for the estate. The old Earl did not leave it in good order and Ellis is supposed to be running it on behalf of his brother.”
    â€œA spell in the Army would not go amiss,” muttered Sir George darkly. “It has made a man of his brother.”
    The two men had then left the library together, so Robina had emerged from her hiding place.
    â€œWell,” she had exclaimed. “I am very shocked. Ellis Hampton – a dissolute rake!”
    And so, as she now stood on the edge of the copse, she thought long and hard about the Castle.
    â€˜Ellis must have spent all the money on high living in London,’ she thought, as she squinted at several broken windows in the West wing. ‘The gardens look bedraggled, even from this distance. They were always so beautiful –