A Question of Inheritance by Edmondson Elizabeth

Author:Edmondson, Elizabeth [Edmondson, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781503947856
Published: 2015-10-27T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Scene 1

Sonia had informed Gus and the Hawksworths, with no more than a nod in Freya’s direction, that they would follow the old Castle custom on Christmas Day. ‘A decent breakfast, and then a cold lunch. Tea at Veryan House for those invited, and opening Christmas presents round the tree before dinner.’

Gus had no objections to this plan. Georgia, a rebellious glint in her eyes, said, ‘I usually open my presents in the morning.’

Sonia gave her a cool look. ‘Really? It’s not of the slightest interest to me what you usually do. Since you and your brother are still at the Castle, you’ll follow our ways.’

‘Our ways?’ Georgia muttered to Magnus the cat. ‘Our ways, nothing.’

Gus, having given each of his daughters a present to start the day, thought that he should spend some time in the morning with Oliver. He felt sorry for him, since he was obviously so distressed at not being able to get back to London.

‘How were you intending to spend Christmas? Are your family in London?’

‘I don’t really have any family. My parents . . . My parents are both dead and I never had any brothers or sisters.’ Oliver’s voice was unemotional. ‘I had planned to spend Christmas with friends. Still, it can’t be helped, and, to be honest, I don’t care much about Christmas. Shall we start in the South Drawing Room? You’ve seen the paintings in there, but perhaps you don’t know what they are. There’s a fine Reynolds and a Gainsborough. And the boar hunt tapestry, of course.’

Gus was amused by the change in Oliver when he talked about art. He no longer seemed an ill-at-ease young man, but an expert, speaking with authority. Gus was impressed by his enthusiasm and knowledge. Although he worked for an auction house, and obviously money and value was always at the back of his mind, he came to life as he pointed out details and delights of each painting.

Gus said, ‘I wonder if I’ll ever get used to all this. It’s like living in a museum; so many works of art, so many beautiful things.’

‘Of course, the best items of the collection, the really important pieces, are on loan. They couldn’t have stayed here – the insurance would be impossible. When it was obvious that it was going to be just Miss Wryton living here, with the housekeeper and that handyman, the trustees arranged for all the major works to go to various public galleries.’ He paused, gazing up at a serene Constable landscape. ‘It’s none of my business, although obviously I do have an idea of what the valuations are, but I assume you’ll be planning to give quite a few of the most valuable items to the nation. To be set against death duties.’

‘That’s what the lawyers and accountants say I should do.’

‘Your predecessor – your father – the late Lord Selchester was very good about loaning pictures for exhibitions and the national collections. So some of them haven’t been back here for years.

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