The Deadly Regatta by Ann Parker

Author:Ann Parker [Parker, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Next Chapter

Chapter 13

As soon as the liveried chauffeur pulled up outside Luxborough Grange, Adreena felt at home. The manor house stood in the centre of two thousand acres, which Adreena’s father, the famous Karl Van Derson, had bought off Viscount Stillforth. It was said that he was forced to sell when he went bankrupt due to gambling debts. The word was that the ruthless businessman had somehow engineered that the vast percentage of what he owed was to Van Derson himself. But that was only hearsay.

It felt even more like home when Scrivens, the butler, shuffled out of the door to meet her.

“Miss Adreena, welcome back. I’ll see your bags are brought in and taken up to your room. Your cousin and his wife ask that you join them in the drawing room, and I’ll arrange for lunch to be served.”

“Thank you, Scrivens. It’s marvellous to see you’re still here. Luxborough wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“I’ll keep going as long as I can, Miss.” Mainly because I can’t afford it, he thought. No money or a cottage on the estate like he was promised by old Stillforth. He had saved his wages over the years but it wasn’t enough to rent somewhere decent to live.

Adreena was met in the hall by two small boys.

“Goodness, you two have grown. Let me see, Andrew and Philip?”

“Albert and Peter. Did you bring us presents?”

“Of course I did.” She turned to Scrivens and whispered, “Get a maid or the chauffeur to go into Becklesfield for me and get some toys for them. Cars or something. Come on, let’s go and see Mummy and Daddy.”

The boys grabbed a hand each and pulled her into the room where their parents were waiting. Adreena was pleased that it all looked the same. They had kept the grand upholstered chairs and the portrait of her parents still hung above the hand-carved, marble fireplace. After hugs and small talk, Viktor and Harriet asked the question they had been wondering about since they heard the news that she was arriving within the next three hours.

Harriet patted the chair next to hers. “It’s lovely to see you, Adreena, but we are a bit surprised you wanted to return so soon after what happened. Is there any reason in particular?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to contest the will. Daddy had a perfect right to leave Luxborough to you. I agreed with him. It should be full of children.”

“I wasn’t even thinking of that. I meant coming back so soon after your father died.”

“His fall was a few months ago now. Although, if only he hadn’t gone down the servants’ stairs that time of night he would still be alive. It’s nothing to do with that, Harriet. I’m not even sure myself why I’m here. It seemed like a good idea last night when I was feeling lonely and needed some company.”

Harriet looked concerned. “Is everything alright? You do look a little thinner.” She didn’t add, and about ten years older.

“Just lately I’ve been feeling jumpy and hearing things.

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