The House of Vandekar Read Online Free PDF Page A

Vandekar. A plain tulle veil and a wreath of silk lilies of the valley. No borrowed tiaras, no diamond necklaces. Just the circle of perfect stones which Hugo’s mother had given her. Unwillingly, Alice suspected. But Alice was marrying the eldest son and it was a family tradition.
    It was only eight o’clock. What a long time to wait – how could everyone be sleeping when she was awake and pulsing with energy and excitement? And hungry too. She rang the bell for her breakfast tray.
    Phoebe came in later. Unlike Alice, she hadn’t slept well. She was so happy for her darling girl, but a little sad for herself. It would be lonely without Alice. But Hugo was such a fine man, responsible and sensible, and so much in love it was quite touching to see him and Alice together. He’d take care of Alice – she needn’t worry about her daughter in his hands. And Alice, bless her, would continue to brighten his life. She was extraordinary, Phoebe thought, seeing the empty breakfast tray and the clear, bright face without a trace of nervous tension. She struck sparks off people, like an electric charge. Hugo had said to her once, ‘You know, Alice makes me feel as if the sun was shining. She has this marvellous gift for enjoying life and making people enjoy it too. I can’t thank you enough for her.’ And he’d bent and kissed Phoebe’s cheek. For a remote man, sparing with his affections, this was a great compliment. She had blushed with pleasure.
    â€˜You’re awake so early,’ she said. ‘And breakfasted already? I couldn’t eat a thing!’
    â€˜Don’t be so edgy, Mother – you’ll only feel faint in the church if you don’t eat. There’s nothing to be nervous about. And I want you to enjoy everything as much as I shall.’ Alice reached over and squeezed her hand. ‘I couldn’t have done it without you. You sold your things to raise the money to come to England … I know all about it. I’m going to buy them all back for you, Granny’s necklace and earrings and anything else you sold to Tiffany’s. No, don’t look like that, I found the bill of sale before we left home. You shouldn’t be so careless leaving things about!’ She giggled suddenly. ‘Poor Hugo’s going to be broke by the time I’ve finished with him. Shall I call him and say hello?’
    Phoebe was shocked. ‘No, of course not. You can’t just talk on the telephone as if this were an ordinary day! He’s got to see you coming down that aisle looking like a queen. You’re not to think of calling him.’
    â€˜He’s probably on the phone to his broker,’ Alice said.
    â€˜Oh, Alice … you mustn’t say things like that.’
    â€˜I say it to his face. All he thinks about is money and me, or me and money, I hope. He laughs. Mother darling, if I’d been some mealy-mouthed minnie, he wouldn’t have looked at me. I put up a fight and he thinks it’s marvellous. He loves it. And I love him.’
    She threw back the bedclothes, pulled on her dressing gown and poked her feet into her slippers. She had beautiful feet and long, elegant legs.
    â€˜You really do love him, don’t you?’ Phoebe said. ‘It’s not just because he’s rich and you’ve got carried away?’ She’d asked the same question when they became engaged. Alice had loved her for it then. How many mothers, faced with such a rich son-in-law and permanent security, would have risked asking such a question.
    â€˜I do love him,’ she said. ‘And I’m not the kind that gets carried away, believe me. He’s everything I want. He’s clever, he’s interesting, he’s got the best sense of humour, we never stop laughing, and I’m going to love being married to him. He wants a family; I want to be the best wife in the world to him. We’re going to be blissful together. I