Read The Emerald Casket for Free Online Page A

can’t wait to get started either. It’s a good life.’
    Ruby snorted. ‘That’s not living,’ she said. ‘That’s barely existing.’
    Mr Prisk looked up. ‘Are you still here? I thought you were packing.’
    They were interrupted by Mrs Rutherford, who had appeared at the library door carrying a silver tray.
    â€˜Mrs Rutherford,’ said Mr Prisk. ‘Your timing is impeccable; it’s as if you’re reading my mind. Can you please supervise these children with their bags? They are returning to London. As soon as possible.’
    Gerald stepped over the pile of documents on the floor and appealed to the housekeeper. ‘Mrs Rutherford, can’t Sam and Ruby stay? I don’t want to spend the rest of my holidays in meetings.’
    Mrs Rutherford looked at the three stricken faces. She shook her head. ‘I am but a humble servant in this house,’ she said. ‘It is most certainly not my place to instruct the young master on how he should be filling his days.’
    Mr Prisk nodded. ‘Quite right,’ he said.
    Sam frowned. ‘You were doing plenty of instructing about sorting the mail yesterday,’ he grumbled. ‘Didn’t seem to slow you down then.’
    Mrs Rutherford cast a pointed stare at Sam. ‘I’m sure I don’t know what you’re referring to,’ she said. ‘Master Gerald is the master of the house. He is entitled to do as he pleases, regardless of what a lowly housekeeper such as myself has to say.’ Mrs Rutherford allowed her eyes to stray across to Mr Prisk. ‘Or anyone else, for that matter. Master Gerald is, after all, his great aunt’s successor. I don’t recall Miss Archer taking kindly to being told what to do.’
    A spark went off in Gerald’s eyes. He turned to the lawyer.
    â€˜I don’t have to do any of this,’ he said.
    Mr Prisk moved between Gerald and the Valentine twins. ‘Yes, thank you Mrs Rutherford,’ he said, ushering her, Sam and Ruby towards the door. ‘You have been most helpful.’
    Mrs Rutherford gave Mr Prisk her sweetest smile. ‘Always happy to be of service, Mr Prisk. Come along, Ruby. Sam.’ She turned to leave, then stopped. ‘I almost forgot.’ She held out the silver platter to Gerald. ‘The reason I came in here. This arrived for you, Master Gerald. Special delivery.’
    Gerald was still staring at Mr Prisk. ‘I can say no to all of this work. I can do what I like, when I like.’
    â€˜Now, Gerald. Let’s not be hasty,’ the lawyer said. ‘There are important business considerations—’
    â€˜I could call up the Archer jet and go surfing in Hawaii. I could go anywhere.’ The realisation washed across Gerald’s face like an incoming tide. ‘I’m a billionaire. I can do anything .’
    Mr Prisk shook his head. ‘You have obligations to the company, to oversee the budgets.’
    Mrs Rutherford broke into Gerald’s dawning self-awareness.
    â€˜Master Gerald? The letter.’
    Gerald snapped out of his trance and looked down at the envelope on the tray. He picked it up and studied the front.
    â€˜It’s from India,’ he said.
    Sam’s face lit up. ‘Alisha?’ he said, a little too eagerly.
    Ruby raised her eyes. ‘Pathetic,’ she muttered.
    Mr Prisk continued to talk, his voice growing ever more anxious—‘There are important capital works projects that need assessing, reports to review’—but Gerald had no ears for him. He tore open the envelope and pulled out a sheet of ivory-coloured paper.
    â€˜It’s from Mr Gupta,’ he said.
    Sam opened his mouth to speak but a glare from Ruby shut him down.
    â€˜He’s thanking us again for finding his diamond.’
    â€˜I’ve drawn up a spreadsheet that summarises all the major issues,’ said Mr Prisk, holding up a document which Gerald