A Lawless Place by David Donachie

Author:David Donachie [David Donachie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749021115
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2018-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

There was another letter on the subject, this one in the act of being written, it being of proper length and containing several carefully crafted queries. Dirley Tulkington had to be cautious; he did not know the circumstances of this sudden decision by Elisabeth to wed, only what Henry had imparted, though a recollection of his demand, delivered with confidence and supercilious manner, rendered him apprehensive.

Even if it made no sense to his logical and legal mind, he was aware infatuation could make a fool of anyone, leading them to chuck overboard the values by which they lived. It was a thing he had never succumbed to himself but had seen it too often to lightly dismiss. Thus he had to congratulate his niece, while expressing surprise at her actions.

When asking about her new spouse, it was necessary to act as if he was the silver-tongued paragon reported and one he was looking forward to meeting. This he penned while enquiring if he came with any assets of his own, property or investments, which Dirley would be happy, now he was a member of the family, to take care of.

Delicacy had to be employed in the matter of the West Indian plantations, an admission that, while he respected her original intentions, he did not necessarily agree with them. That said, he would be happy to comply with her wishes in the matter of disposal. If her new husband desired they should be retained and that Henry should take over management, that too was a properly exercised right. He would, if it was preferred, offer his own services in that regard.

Finally, it was necessary to express a wish the newly-weds should visit London, where it would be his pleasure to entertain them and to celebrate their nuptials for a second time. Though not stated, he trusted Elisabeth to see it would also provide an opportunity for her to discuss matters with him, free of the interlocution of her brother.

The point took him back to the legal document he had drawn up at Henry’s request, for there was a clause in there that stipulated the arrangement was only at the discretion of the rightful proprietor. It could be revoked by that person at any time they chose. Instinct, and the mood of Henry just witnessed, told him his nephew would not like it, but he would defend it on the grounds of proper legality; no right could be given away in perpetuity, and it was made plain this was the client’s wish. In this case, he was acting to protect Elisabeth should anything untoward happen to this Harry Spafford.

If the quill stopped occasionally, it was to reflect on the way he saw the family of which he was a tenuous part. Could he really consider himself as such? If he kept a distance from Cottington Court for his own reasons, he had often been put out by the seemingly reciprocal disinterest.

Apart from two occasions already recalled, invitations to visit were non-existent, by

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