Sea of Lost Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

everyone, spreading himself so thin that sometimes, in the silence of his dreams, he was no longer sure who he really was. But now wasn’t the time to indulge in sentiment. He had three excited boys in his boat and a sea full of fish and crabs to catch. He watched until Celestria had blended into the sand, and for a moment his heart, once so carefully contained, swelled with regret. But things were now out of his control. He was no longer a free man. It was time to reap what he had sown. His gaze fell onto the water, and he was momentarily hypnotized by the murky green depths below him.
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    The highlight of the holiday for Celestria was her uncle Archie’s birthday party at the end of August. Julia always threw a ball in the garden and invited their friends from far and wide to dance the night away in a glorious tent she’d decorate with flowers from her own borders and greenhouses. This year was even more special because it was his fiftieth.
    Celestria longed for the party. She was bored by the countryside and yearned to return to the city. She didn’t like to play tennis. The enjoyment of showing off her long legs in shorts passed quickly, and she was left with the tedium of the game. She had grown weary of sitting on the terrace with her aunts and cousins, listening to their repetitive gossip. She had spent many a morning down on the beach with Bouncy. Nanny had been grateful for the company. Celestria watched the little boy build sandcastles and play with his digger in the sand, and she understood why her mother loved Harry so much; little boys broke hearts. Later she’d learn that when they grow to be men, they break them all over again.
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    It was the end of the summer. Archie’s ball was only a week away. Celestria had taken to spending the evenings reading in the little secret garden that was known as Penelope’s, for when her aunt was a baby, Nanny had always put her pram there for her afternoon rest. Lying directly beneath the library window, she was suddenly drawn out of Frenchman’s Creek by the sound of her father’s voice. He was talking to Julia, who sounded as if she was crying.
    â€œHe’s in terrible trouble. Oh, I do hate to burden you with it all, dear Monty, but I didn’t know whom to turn to.”
    â€œI’m glad you felt you could come to me.”
    â€œYou’re such a good man.” She emphasized the word good so that it weighed heavily with all sorts of connotations. Celestria knew she was thinking of her mother.
    â€œHow much trouble is he in?”
    Julia sighed heavily. Celestria leaned back against the wall like a spy and dared to peek in through the window. Her father had lit a cigar and was standing against the far windowsill on the other side of the room. His voice, firm and confident, seemed to soothe Julia’s anxiety.
    â€œWell, the farm was doing very well,” she continued with a sniff. “But you know Archie, he’s always had one eye on the City. He felt it wasn’t wise to have all his eggs in one basket, so he decided to put some of them into equities.”
    Monty nodded gravely.
    â€œHe made some bad investments. Then he bought some of Tom Pritchett’s land, adjacent to ours, in order to expand the farm. He borrowed money, and now, well, he’s having trouble paying it all back. I think the interest is high and what with taxation.” She sank onto the sofa and began to cry again.
    Celestria was aghast. It was horrid to see Julia, usually so cheerful, now crumpling with despair. She’d had no idea her aunt and uncle were strapped for cash. Well, she thought, Papa will put it all right. He’s got pots of money.
    Monty crossed the room and sat down beside Julia. “Don’t worry, Julia, old girl,” he said, smiling. “I’ll sort it all out for you. First, let me pay for Archie’s party. I know how much these things cost. It would be a pleasure, but must also be our