The Whispering Rocks Read Online Free PDF Page B

decided to go to him.” She swallowed, feeling Hermione’s delight exuding in all directions. Sarah felt certain that she was to be sent away in disgrace and so had nothing to lose by telling the truth.
    Sir Peter gazed steadily and thoughtfully at her. “And will you nine months hence have a tangible memory of the late Mr. Jameson? Will you be as your mother was before you?”
    Sarah’s eyes flashed with anger. “My mother very mistakenly fell in love with you, sir, and I thank God she died before she could see what you have become.”
    He seemed unperturbed by the venom in her voice. “You’ve not answered my question, madam.”
    “No, I’m still as chaste as the day I was born! Mr. Holland arrived in time to save me from Ralph’s advances, which, I admit, I’d have been unable to curb without help.”
    “Hmmm.” He stared at her, stroking his chin.
    Hermione was alarmed. The old fool was not reacting in the way she wished. The ivory fan closed with a snap. “Who is to say she didn’t show her gratitude to Holland then, eh?”
    Sarah was irritated. “In a chilly wood in January, in soaking wet clothes and with you watching us?”
    Hermione sniffed. “I don’t know how long you were together before I came upon you, and as for the wet clothes, well there are some who—
    “Enough, Hermione!” Stratford rounded on her furiously. “Such despicable suggestions are little more than I’ve come to expect from you, but now you’d better end them. It was you who made certain I discovered about Sarah and Jack Holland, with your embroidering and insinuating. Like you he was my guest, only he was important to me. But that didn’t matter to you; you couldn’t see further than your interfering nose! Can you not see how much the family’s fortunes can be advanced by gaining Holland’s support? Are you so dense then? Instead you gleefully spread slanderous tittle-tattle around until everyone is crawling with embarrassment.”
    Hermione felt the strings of control slipping swiftly away. “Stratford, you’re forgetting that because of your precious daughter’s conduct a man lies dead.”
    “I’m forgetting nothing, Hermione, nothing.” He stared menacingly at his hated sister-in-law and then at his lout of a nephew.
    “Oh, I say—!” Edward felt that he must make some protest.
    “You say too much too often, Edward, and now I wish to see your dandified rear departing from this room with some briskness. You too, Hermione. Get out of my sight for I mislike your face; it plays havoc with my digestion.”
    Hermione stood, her whole body quivering with disbelief. How could all this be happening? How could it all be going against her when that odious girl was so guilty? “And where does this leave Edward? Is he still expected to marry that girl?” She pointed at Sarah with her fan.
    “Edward will marry who I say, when I say ... or go penniless.”
    Hermione’s fan snapped again. “My son shouldn’t be expected to marry a girl who has caused such scandal. It was bad enough before, for she’s illegitimate and no fit person for him.”
    Stratford’s fingers were drumming his desk. “Be careful, Hermione, or I’ll tell a tale or two myself about Edward’s parentage. It seems I recall a certain Irish gentleman....”
    Hermione’s mouth closed almost as quickly as her fan, then opened again. “That was all a scurrilous lie.... Your brother believed me.”
    “My brother always was a fool!”
    Hermione gave in. “Very well, Stratford, but think on this if you will. It’s hardly fitting that Sarah should remain here under present circumstances. You have guests of some importance—the Duke of Annamore comes next week—and her continued presence will be an embarrassment all round. And with Jack Holland’s disappearance—”
    “I’ve thought of all that. You may rely on me, my dear Hermione, to make the correct decisions. I bid you good morning.”
    With Edward trailing after her she swept from the room