Unknown Read Online Free PDF Page B

dropped open. He really was the most extraordinary man! Though apparently oblivious of her presence during the last half hour he had yet observed her reluctance to follow the example of her sister and cousin and take another swim before dinner. Yet his apparent consideration might have an ulterior motive. He’d require a fit and healthy housekeeper if breakfast had to be ready by seven, and by the look of him, a pretty substantial breakfast at that. As she went slowly upstairs Davina grinned to herself as she visualised Rex Fitzpaine’s reaction if she gave him the sort of thing with which she started the day. It would be a plateful of bacon and eggs he’d expect, and not half a grapefruit and a cup of coffee.
    Dinner that evening was a quiet family affair, Rex being the only person not actually related to the benevolent matriarch sitting at the head of the long polished table. Davina watched her grandmother with affection as with her sons on either side she skilfully directed the course of the dinner table conversation. Without her grandmother to put a diplomatic stop to his discourse, Uncle Giles would have held forth endlessly on his current aversion. Davina much preferred her younger uncle. Martin Brehm did not lack his own brand of brain and drive, but his approach was quieter and more subtle.
    Pity Uncle Martin and Aunt Marjorie had no children, Davina was thinking, when James muttered in her ear, ‘Woolgathering again! That’s the third time I’ve asked you to pass the gravy.’
    Her apology was interrupted by the arrival of James’s elder brother Paul, who strode in to kiss his grandmother and add, ‘Sorry to be late. The plane was delayed in Athens.’ Old Mrs Brehm accepted his apology with an affectionate smile, but as she signalled to Wilhelm to bring Paul his first course she said, ‘You should have come by land as your grandfather always did. We never found the cross-continental express running late.’
    Paul grinned as he helped himself from the plate Wilhelm was holding, but he did not, Davina observed, reply to Mrs Brehm’s remark with the cutting rejoinder he would have snapped back at anyone else criticising his mode of travel. Like his father, Paul Brehm’s tongue was in general sharp, but never towards his grandmother, with whom he was on the best of terms.
    After dinner, Giles Brehm suggested a game of bridge and soon two tables had been set up leaving Davina, Catrin and James to find their own entertainment. They decided to explore the old basement games room where in wet weather they had spent many happy hours as children.
    It looked neglected and desolate and running a finger over the dusty edge of the billiards table Davina said idly, ‘I don’t believe anyone’s been in here for months. Not even to clean.’ Catrin, sorting through one of the big cupboards and emerging with the table tennis bats, replied, ‘Well, what can you expect? This is a big house and Wilhelm and Frau Wilhelm aren’t getting any younger. When I was making tea this afternoon they were telling me how difficult it is these days to get help, especially this time of year. Most of the village girls prefer to work in hotels. Because of the tips, I suppose.’
    Catrin threw one of the table tennis bats in her cousin’s direction. ‘Come on, James. Bet you’re so out of practice I can beat you!’
    Davina hid a smile as James, never one to refuse a challenge, took off his jacket and picked up the bat. She listened to the ping of the ball and the panting efforts of the contestants as she wandered around the big room discovering old favourites in the toys and games, but her interest soon waned as she came to the door leading out into the garden.
    A stroll down to the lake would be preferable to remaining in the musty atmosphere of the long-closed-up room, Davina decided, and flicking the master switch which controlled the outdoor lighting, she opened the door to climb the four shallow steps leading to the gardens. She