Read The Whispering Rocks for Free Online

in an angry swish of mauve silk. The door closed on Edward’s voice. “I say, Mother, what’s all this about an Irish gentleman?”
    “Be quiet, Edward!” was the sharp reply.
    Sarah looked at her father. “I’ll not be able to marry him, Father. Please don’t ask me to.”
    He sat down in his chair. “He’s my only male relative and will carry on our family name, so it’s Edward or penury—the choice is yours.”
    The truth stared unflinchingly at her. Could she go back to Longwicke? To Squire Eldon? To be his housekeeper as her mother had been? Housekeeper ... and mistress. Could she? No. She was not brave enough. She would cling like a limpet to the chance of wealth and comfort. Her new life was not pleasant and probably never would be, but the compensations far outweighed the problems. She was a little ashamed of her feelings in this, but she was no saint. Once in her life already, when she had spurned the lecherous squire, she had gone hungry and had known the terrors of being alone and penniless. It was an experience she did not want to repeat.
    “Very well, Father. I’ll do as you wish.”
    He smiled and made no comment on her decision. “That’s settled once and for all then. You’ll have to go away for a while, of course, but where to send you is the problem.”
    He looked out of the window, massaging his sore knee thoughtfully. Liza was walking along the path by the moat, a pair of small brown dogs running around her, yapping and wagging their tails. He watched her, and a slow, smooth smile touched his full lips. It was a devilish smile which Sarah hated to see. He glanced at his daughter. “I think that Mannerby provides a most excellent answer.”
    “Mannerby? Where is that?”
    “Devon. Dartmoor to be precise, a village right on the edge of the moor itself. Have you not heard of the Mannerby stud? The finest horses in England. The property has but recently, er, come into my possession, having formerly belonged to the present tenant, Paul Ransome. He lives there with his sister who will be able to act as your chaperone during your stay. I’ll send word straight away and you shall leave in a day or so. I think anyway that I was mistaken in trying to launch you so quickly.
    “You’re not ready yet. Your previous life prepared you in many ways, as your mother showed good sense in engaging a tutor for you, but you’re still lacking in that certain polish which is necessary. I’ll use your stay in Devon to find a governess, a tutor, call it what you will, someone to coach you, teach you and bring you to that excellence which I know you to be capable of. Everything will be sorted out in your absence and Jameson’s death smoothed over to everyone’s satisfaction. It’s a dashed difficult business, but no doubt can be solved. As for Edward, well, that fool can look forward to a spell of service in the army. I fancy it will do him the world of good. God help the army! Perhaps I’m giving the French a boost. I don’t know.”
    He smiled thinly. “But now to more immediate things. When the midday meal is served you’ll enter the dining room with me. My guests must be made aware that you’re still my daughter and still in favor with me. By the time the Duke of Annamore gets here next week I want everything to be as ordinary and normal as possible. With luck you’ll be gone before his arrival; that would be the best solution all round. I’ll write to Ransome now. You may go.”
    She stood, curtsied quickly, and then left him. She went to her rooms, hardly able to believe that she was still to remain in her new life. Everything was the same—except for Mannerby, and Paul Ransome and his sister.
     

Chapter Six
     
    “Ransome! As I live and breathe, this carries coincidence a little far!” Sir Peter’s voice was both surprised and pleased as the butler announced the visitor.
    At the top of the staircase Sarah paused, her hand suspended over the large carved rook upon the balustrade.