I and My True Love by Helen Macinnes

Author:Helen Macinnes [MacInnes, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781781164358
Publisher: Titan
Published: 2014-01-16T22:47:00+00:00

15

The windows of the drawing-room were lit, the library was in darkness. So Kate and Bob were there, playing Ravel, to judge by the faint strains of music; and Payton must be still at the office. For a moment, she wished that the house had been completely empty. She was too exhausted to put on any good performance tonight. Then she entered the green shadowed hall, called cheerily “Hallo there!” and pulled off her coat and hat to drop them on a chair.

“Why, you’re early!” Kate said from her seat on the carpet in front of the cheerful fire, but whether the note of surprise in her voice was one that meant relief or disappointment Sylvia couldn’t tell.

Bob Turner slid out of the chair, where he had been lounging with his legs over its arm. He crossed over to the phonograph, and cut off the volume of music.

“Don’t,” Sylvia said. “I like it. Daphnis and Chloe, isn’t it?” She looked round the room, disordered with records, books and some loosely scattered snapshots.

“Sorry,” Kate said, quickly rising to her feet. “I was showing Bob the ranch and the family.”

“Don’t,” Sylvia said, watching Kate gathering up the photographs. “It looked friendly as it was.”

“Have this chair,” Bob Turner said, his pleasant eyes looking at her worriedly.

“I’ll raid the icebox, first,” she said lightly. “I’m starving.”

“Didn’t you have dinner?” Kate asked in surprise.

“I cancelled that engagement. I spent too long a time at Whitecraigs. It never was much of a place for routine or regular meals.”

Kate turned away quickly to tidy the books. Sylvia doesn’t have to lie to me, she thought angrily. She doesn’t have to make up such elaborate stories.

“Which reminds me,” Sylvia said wearily, “I must call Jennifer. She’s needled Ben and Rose into such a state that they couldn’t even enjoy a funeral.”

Then as she saw their blank stares, she smiled and said, “I’ll explain it all. But first, I’ll make that call to Jennifer before I forget it completely.”

Bob said, “And Kate and I will get you some food. A sandwich and hot soup? I’ve a fine hand with a can opener.”

“Perfect,” Sylvia said. “Peter and Ben were asking for you, Kate,” she called over her shoulder as she went towards the study. “Look, Jennifer,” they heard her say as they quickly tidied the drawing-room, “I talked to Ben after I saw you. Would you please be careful of the way you mention any possible changes in the running of Whitecraigs? Don’t you see how he will interpret that?... Now listen, Jennifer, someone’s got to tell you to go easily, and that’s all I’m doing...”

And as Kate and Bob passed through the hall towards the kitchen, Sylvia’s voice was angry. “Yes, I know he owes a lot to us, but we owe just as much to him... Well, at least stop being so damned tactless, will you?”

Bob said with a grin, “I guess Sylvia is hungry.”

Kate nodded unhappily. Did Sylvia have to leave the library door open to

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