Winterwood by Dorothy Eden

Author:Dorothy Eden [Eden, Dorothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Gothic, Romance, Suspense
ISBN: 9781480429819
Google: _cRnpo7oPVYC
Amazon: B00DBLRBHU
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2013-07-08T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

WHEN THEY GOT HOME, Jonathon Peate was standing warming himself at the fire in the library. He looked as much at home as if he had been a constant guest at Winterwood for the whole of his life. He saw their arrival, and came strolling to the door, giving his jovial laugh.

“Hullo, princess. Have you been taking an airing? And the fair Miss Hurst!” He bowed low. “If I had known, I would have accompanied you.”

“But you would not have been invited,” Flora said in her clear, merciless voice. “Call Joseph, Miss Hurst. I wish to go up immediately.”

Charlotte came hurrying down the stairs at that moment, saying, “I’m sorry, Jonathon, but Aunt Tameson isn’t feeling well enough to see anyone at present. She’s had another attack, and is resting.”

“I’ll wait,” said Jonathon smiling. “I have plenty of time.”

“By all means have some sherry with me. But it’s no use expecting to see Aunt Tameson tonight. Miss Hurst, what are you doing standing there?”

“Waiting for Joseph to take Flora up,” Lavinia answered calmly. She wondered why Charlotte’s voice had that edge of hysteria. Was she so upset because Aunt Tameson had had another attack?

Flora’s hands were tight on the arms of her chair. When Joseph came she clung to him, looking over his shoulder at Lavinia.

“I hate Mr. Peate! I expect Great-aunt Tameson heard his voice and that’s why she is ill again.”

But, strangely enough, Lady Tameson wasn’t exhausted from another attack. She heard their approach and rang her bell violently. When they went in, she said, “I’ve been waiting for you, Flora. I have the cards dealt”

Flora’s face brightened.

“Mamma said you were not well enough to see anybody. Was she just telling a lie to that horrid Mr. Peate?”

Propped against the pillows, Lady Tameson looked remarkably alert. At Flora’s words she first of all looked startled; then a curious, sly look came over her face.

“I’ve got them all running,” she said obscurely. She gave her dry cackle. “So Jonathon’s downstairs, is he? Well, let Charlotte entertain him. Now, miss. Get your outdoor things off. Hurry up. I have a feeling I’m going to give you a sound trouncing today.”

“If you cheat, Great-aunt Tameson, I’ll refuse to play with you again.”

“Oh, get along with you. Everyone has to cheat at some time. The important thing is not to be caught at it.”

So Charlotte had not even looked in to see if her aunt were well enough for visitors. For reasons of her own she was keeping Jonathon away. Lavinia thought about the laudanum she had purchased and was suddenly cold. Surely Charlotte could not be planning to hasten the old lady’s death—because it was dangerous to her interests to have Jonathon using his persuasions on a gullible old woman…

Anything seemed possible that evening, for although Jonathon had departed before dinner, Charlotte was terribly restless. At first she talked too much, then was completely silent. She toyed with her food, and paid no attention to the conversation of Daniel and Sir Timothy.

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