The Family Jewels and Other Stories by Dorothy Cannell

Author:Dorothy Cannell
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Purloined, Purple, Pearl, Cupid’s, Arrow, Telling, George, January, Sale, Stowaway. Gentleman’s, Gentleman, Grandma, Fetch, Poor, Lincoln, Family, Jewels
Published: 2013-02-28T23:16:08+00:00

crowd. He had the dark good looks of a film star and, Dickie decided bleakly, all the assurance of a man who could charm the birds off the trees. There are times when it is good to feel invisible, and Dickie was savoring the heartwarming realization that no one appeared to have noticed his entrance, when the door banged into him from behind, shooting him several feet into the room, and Madge Allbright’s voice ripped through the hum of conversation.

“I’m late again, aren’t I?” She was addressing the group at large but looking at Dickie, her squint very much in evidence. “Really, I don’t know why you put up with me, I’m quite impossible. Yesterday I kept you waiting and the soup was cold because I couldn’t find the sash to my frock, and today it was my amber beads.”

Poor Madge, thought Dickie. She’s so thoroughly irritating, the kind of girl who seems to go to great lengths to make herself look as unappealing as possible. That lank hair and the frumpy frock! But she looks almost as unhappy as I am, and that makes us temporarily kindred spirits.

“Don’t worry, Madge dear,” Mrs. Ambleforth said in her oozy voice, “we’re having a chilled soup this evening. Ah, there you are, Dickie!” She crossed the room towards her son and, under the guise of planting a kiss on his cheek, whispered to him, “I was worried, son, when you didn’t come to the drawing room for drinks. And I haven’t known how to behave to Foof. So difficult trying to put a brave face on things and not spoil Lord Dunstairs’ visit after waiting so long to meet him. Oh, I don’t think,” Mrs. Ambleforth’s voice returned to normal levels, “that you two have met.

Lord Dunstairs!”

His lordship responded instantly to her beckoning finger. And Dickie put on his bravest face as he uncurled his fist and shook hands. “Good to have you at Saxonbury.” The words were forced out between his teeth. It was impossible not to glance at Foof.

“Everything to your liking, Lord Dunstairs?”

“Couldn’t be better.” His lordship produced what Dickie deemed a well-oiled smile, providing a glimpse of excellent teeth. “Having a bang-up time. Such a pleasure to meet everyone. And Lady Felicity was kind enough to take me through the maze.”

“Don’t suppose you found that a dead end.”

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