The House of Strange Music by Margery Hilton

Author:Margery Hilton [Hilton, Margery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, General
ISBN: 9780373021352
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Published: 1974-01-01T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE memory of Andrew’s disclosures haunted Linzi during the following days. She found herself studying Mark at every opportunity, searching for some sign in his expression, in his mien, that would bear out Andrew’s stubborn belief. But she could see nothing to confirm or deny the possibility that the blame for his broken marriage and its ultimate tragedy might lie on the conscience of the man she had come to love.

She was unaware, however, that her surveillance was noted by other eyes and^ construed in a way which missed the real truth but betrayed another. Sharon’s expression became more thoughtful as the small betrayals totalled their score, and her manner towards the younger girl, never very affable, became tinged with a cold dislike holding a certain note of calculation. She also, to Gilda’s dismay, showed no sign of departure.

‘She’s never stayed over a week before,’ Gilda whispered despairingly on the Friday evening, during one of the few opportunities she now had of being alone with Linzi.

‘It’s a long way to come for a weekend,’ Linzi pointed out, her conscience forcing her to avoid any temptation to side with the child. ‘I don’t suppose she’ll stay more than a fortnight.’

Gilda’s small brow furrowed. ‘I don’t want her here when Alayne comes. It’ll spoil everything!’

This possibility was undeniable. Alayne’s letter had come the previous day, telling them that she was now in Stratford, and this weekend she was returning to London with Aunt Louella, who was leaving for Paris on Monday, and on Wednesday she was coming north again, ‘Looking forward to her visit and longing to see them all again, with,’ she hoped, ‘a big surprise.’

‘What do you think the surprise will be?’

Linzi shook her head. ‘I can’t imagine.’

‘Because she says “she hopes”,’ Gilda mused. ‘Do you think that means she’s not sure herself what the surprise will be?’

‘It sounds a bit uncertain,’ Linzi agreed. ‘Perhaps you’d better not get too excited in case it falls through.’

‘Do you think it’s a present she’s ordered and she’s afraid it doesn’t come in time?’

‘ I think you’re a most mercenary child,’ said Mark, coming into the lounge in time to hear the hopeful assumption of his daughter.

‘I’m not a mercenary—they’re civilian soldiers who fight for the side that pays them most,’ retorted Gilda.

‘It adds up to a similar sentiment where you’re concerned, young lady.’

‘Gilda, do I hear you sounding greedy?’ Sharon had followed Mark into the room. She crossed to the chair where he was seating himself and perched on the arm, one hand resting on the high back behind his head to support herself. She gave Linzi only a glance, then frowned archly at Gilda. ‘I hate greedy little girls.’

‘I like getting presents.’ Gilda’s small chin looked more pointed than usual as she elevated it coolly. ‘So if that makes me a greedy girl I shall have to put up with your hating me, won’t I?’

‘Gilda!’

Mark’s sharp rebuke came simultaneously with Linzi’s more softly voiced warning. For a second his glance encountered Linzi’s and he gave a rueful grimace.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.